The view from here

This is the view from where I sat in the House of Deputies the other day. Way up in front you may be able to discern a raised platform, with flags draped behind it and people sitting on it. Those people are the leaders and staff of the House of Deputies, which comprises so many people that it can be physically quite intimidating. What you can't see is the hundreds of other deputies, seated behind and to the side of us. The giant screen in the front is one of two that allow the deputies to see whoever is speaking at any given time.

Here is a photo of a typical deputy's binder. By now, many more papers have been added, resulting in a very heavy burden to carry around! All of it is necessary to the process, however, and this process is one of the ways in which the Holy Spirit is moving in the church.

Here you see some of the deputies you have elected doing their work: listening carefully to testimony and deliberation as they ponder their votes on the pending legislation. Cookie and Stephen, our Senior Deputies, are knowledgeable about the legislative process and helpful to those of us with less experience.