The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London’s Whitehall was attended
by the Royal Family, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and other government officials,
representatives of the Commonwealth Countries and the Faith Communities.
This year to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, the number of faith groups was increased to twenty-two organisations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was also present and laid a wreath commemorating one hundred years since the end of the First World War.
Jane Elvidge, representing the Church at the Service and accompanied by her husband Paul,
said, “I am grateful to have been part of such a significant ceremony to remember all those
who sacrificed so much. I am also incredibly proud at the way we in Britain can organise and
perform at such occasions both in terms of amazing music and military precision. I played
the trombone when I was younger and particularly enjoyed hearing the trombones playing
Nimrod, by Elgar, just a few metres from where I was standing”.
Jane and Paul serve as the Church’s Directors of Public Affairs in the London Area.
Before the service, invitees assembled at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and prepared to walk out to surround the Cenotaph. Following precise timing the government officials, Commonwealth representatives and faith leaders formed orderly queues and waited to desced the stairs and walk onto Whitehall through the Cenotaph Door, passing
Prince Charles and the Royal Family on the way. The procession walked out into brilliant sunshine as music filled the air and everyone took their assigned places around the Cenotaph.
The Two Minute silence began on the first stroke of eleven by Big Ben with a gun firing in Horse Guards Parade. The first silence of this type was held on 11 th November in 1919 at the request of King George V so that “the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.”
The end of the silence was marked with more gun fire and the Last Post played by the Royal Marines. Wreaths were then laid by HRH Prince Charles followed by members of the Royal Family and other senior representatives.
Reverent emotion filled the air as prayers were offered, and as the crowds sang ‘O God, Our
help in ages Past’ followed by the National Anthem, accompanied by the Band of the Guards
Division.
In the evening, Jane Elvidge again represented the Church as she attended a Service to mark
the Centenary of the Armistice in Westminster Abbey, attended by HM The Queen and many
distinguished guests. As the congregation left the Abbey, the bells were ringing loudly.
Jane reflected, “I feel incredibly thankful that the Church has been recognised for its
significant contribution in the current faith and belief profile of the UK”.
Over recent years The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has also been actively
involved in the work of the Royal British Legion and Interfaith groups.