The Reformation: A Restoration Prelude

Backstory: June 27 is an historical day for LDS folk.  It is the day we remember the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Jr., and his brother, Hyrum.  Joseph was the mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, at the time unfounded charges were brought against him.  Joseph and his brother were jailed in Carthage.  On June 27, 1844, a mob stormed the jail, causing these brothers to seal their testimonies with their lives.  It was a time of significant loss and grieving for the LDS community.  On this anniversary, we remember the sacrifices of Joseph and Hyrum, and the blessings we enjoy today because of their selfless service.  I was asked by my bishopric to speak about Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the gospel.  The following is the message I shared on June 29, 2014.
 

            Come unto Christ.  “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God” (Moroni 10:32).  Moroni’s invitation to “Come unto Christ” is not only the theme for our young men and women this year, it is the invitation extended to every member of the church at baptism.  It is the same invitation that has been extended to every member since the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Callie beautifully explained the restoration and qualities of our beloved Prophet Joseph.  I will direct my thoughts to the events leading up to that spring day when Joseph entered the Sacred Grove.

            Although the official restoration of the Lord’s church began in 1820, there were individuals not of our faith who paved the way for religious independence.  It was many years, even centuries before Joseph Smith, Jr., was born into humble circumstances in Vermont that we begin to see the Lord’s hand in restoring his full gospel and priesthood keys upon the earth.  From the beginning, the Lord has called His disciples from among ordinary people with diverse backgrounds. They served out of love for the Lord and for others.  As we visit the 15^th century and explore the life of Martin Luther, a German monk and priest, we see the whisperings of the Spirit influence a great man who became an immovable force in the movement for religious freedom.       

            When Martin was born in the late 1400s, I think few would have imagined the special mission the Lord had in store for him.  Born into humble circumstances, Martin’s father saw his potential and worked hard so that Martin could attend boarding schools and eventually study law at a German university.  On one summer evening, while traveling from school to visit his family, Martin was struck to the ground by a blinding lightning bolt.  Similar to Alma the Younger’s experience when he fell to the shaking ground, Martin was fearful and turned his face toward the heavens.  He pleaded with God to spare his life and in turn Martin promised to devote his life to the study and practice of religion.  He immediately left his studies at the university and entered the monastery.  Despite disapproval from his family, Martin kept his promise to his Father in Heaven.  He fasted, studied, prayed, and attended church services seven times a day.  Yet something did not feel right to Martin.  His heart was troubled because he did not know if his life was pleasing to God.  Martin found comfort in the writings of Paul and began a 13-year project translating the bible into German.  Martin’s new understanding of the Bible would not only make the writings of the prophets available to common citizens, but find him excommunicated from the Catholic Church and banished from the empire.  This marked the beginning of the Reformation, as Martin Luther preached true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  More than three centuries later, Joseph Smith would say that Martin Luther’s bible was the most correct version of any he had ever read.

            Martin Luther’s story has had a great influence on me because he separated himself from the popular attitudes and rhetoric of his day in order to learn of the Savior and his put his trust in the Lord.  Remember that Martin lived in a time of great apostasy.  During this period in the Catholic Church, if a person sought personal remission of sins, he or she had to pay money to the priests.  Martin recognized this was a perversion of the Lord’s gospel, and he boldly took a stand, even when it cost him relationships with his family and friends.  He didn’t wait until he convinced others to stand with him; he stood alone because he heeded the call to come unto Christ and extended that invitation to others.

            Often when we heed the call to come unto Christ, we feel a burning deep in our soul to humble ourselves and succumb to the will of the Lord.  One individual who testified to this burning was Christopher Columbus.  Because he had been diligently studying the Bible, he felt the influence of the Holy Ghost in his life.  Columbus testified, “With a hand that could be felt, the Lord opened my mind to the fact that it would be possible to sail and he opened my will to desire to accomplish the project. … This was the fire that burned within me. … Who can doubt that this fire was not merely mine, but also of the Holy Spirit … urging me to press forward?”  

            Now, I am not going to tell you that Columbus was not without his vices.  He may have been humble in education, yet he enjoyed his status as a seaman.  When asked about his journeys on the sea, Columbus did not hesitate to let others know that he was a chosen messenger of God.  Nonetheless, Columbus continually testified of his “unshakeable faith” in the purposes of Heaven, and he genuinely wanted to complete the mission that Moroni prophesied of in 1 Nephi 13.  Needless to say, Columbus did not succeed on his first time, or several attempts following.  On his third unsuccessful voyage to find the Indies, Columbus wrote, “The only thing that sustains me is my hope in him who created everyone; his support has always been near. On one occasion not long ago, when I was deeply distressed, he raised me with his right arm, saying: ‘O man of little faith, arise, it is I, do not be afraid.’”  For me, Columbus’ testimony brings to life the words of our beloved hymn:

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I’ll go where you want me to go.

            I can honestly say it is our faith that sustains each of us as we heed the call to come unto our Savior and strive to fulfill the mission He has for each of us.  Just as Joseph Smith’s mission in the restoration was unique, our mission to continue the work is also unique.  We must remember that we are not in a race to get to the finish line, and similarly to Columbus’ experience, it may take us several attempts before we even get moving in the right direction.  However, I testify that with the companionship of the Holy Ghost and a humble desire to serve our Father in Heaven, we will make great contributions to the work, even when we cannot see the immediate results.

            The key is that we are persistent in our efforts for righteousness.  When our faith is rooted in Jesus Christ, we are endowed with confidence, trust, and discipline.  We qualify ourselves to be led by the Spirit.  One young man who exhibited this faith became a guiding light in the Reformation movement.  This man was John Calvin, a French Protestant living in 16^th century Switzerland.  Calvin was in his mid-20s when he felt the promptings of the Spirit in his life and recognized the call to be an obedient servant of Jesus Christ.  At that time, Calvin lived a life akin to privileged nobility, studying at the best universities and living a wealthy and prosperous lifestyle.   He knew that he needed to make dramatic changes in his life and leave his home in order to fulfill his mission.  In a time where the world needed a light, Calvin chose to be that light.  He made his service to God the first priority in his life, as he felt the Spirit whisper to heed the call of Jesus Christ and become a voice unto the people.  Calvin founded a seminary and other schools to not only educate and spread the faith of the Reformation throughout Europe, but to provide a safe haven for reformers who were fleeing persecution.  He desired all men to know that the scriptures are the word of God and the Spirit would testify to them the truth of all things.

            Following the promptings of the Spirit, the first followers of the Reformation, the Mayflower Voyagers, were also instrumental in bringing to pass the restoration of the gospel.  In search of religious freedom, the Puritans’ journey to America began in 1608 when they were forced to leave their native England for Holland.  By 1620, their experience in Holland took a turn for the worse and they returned to England with the objective of making passage to America. Problems plagued their departure from the start.  Their first two attempts caused them to return home due to a damaged vessel.  Finally, on their third attempt, they abandoned the broken Speedwell and 102 Pilgrim passengers departed upon the Mayflower.  The Puritans intended to settle in Virginia, yet they landed at Cape Cod instead, more than 600 miles off course. I believe the Puritans’ experience gives new meaning to the phrase, “opposition in all things.”

           Overall, the Puritans traveled over 2,700 miles to their destination.  In the face of tremendous physical and spiritual hardship, they believed they were chosen of God to act in the name of Christians everywhere.  They believed they were a beacon of light, and we know, more than 400 years later, they were instrumental in the reformation that allowed Joseph Smith the freedom to organize the Lord's church according to the will of the Lord and in harmony with the laws of the land.
            William Bradford, a leader among the Puritans, later presided over the Puritans in the office of governor.  He wrote, “As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone to many, yea in some sort to our whole nation.”   

            William Bradford’s words echo the invitation extended to all of us in the 115^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants: “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (D&C 115:5).  I have seen this light as I look across the chapel this morning.  I have felt this light as it has strengthened and encouraged me to persevere when I have faced storms in my own life.

            One of my favorite stories from the Mayflower Voyagers is of the young John Howland, who bravely faced fierce storms to keep the Mayflower from becoming a victim of the sea.  In one such raging storm, John was thrown overboard, but by a miracle of God was able to grab hold of a rope on the side of the ship and hang on, even though he was dragged beneath several feet of water before he could be rescued.  John believed in the cause he was fighting for, and he was determined to let no obstacle deter him from his path.  He was even willing to die for what he believed in.  John Howland is a great example of fortitude in the face of adversity, and the light he shared with others helped him to raise a faithful posterity.  As members of this posterity, John Howland’s descendants include three American presidents and an American poet: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President George Herbert Walker Bush, President George Walker Bush, and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

            These events and several others occurred so that our Prophet Joseph could ask a sincere question in search of truth and find an answer to that question.  I chose to share these stories with you not to deter from the great work of Joseph, but to share a common thread that binds these men and their stories. The quality that Martin Luther, Christopher Columbus, John Calvin, the Puritans, and Joseph Smith all share is their commitment to the will of God and their resolve to do His will despite the raging storms that unceasingly plagued them.  All of these men, having arrived at their destinations and accomplishing the purposes of their earthly missions, never forgot to fall upon their knees and thank their Heavenly Father for bringing them safely home and delivering them from life’s perils.

            In fact, in 1907, President Joseph F. Smith said “Calvin, Luther, and all reformers, were inspired in thoughts, words, and actions to accomplish what they did for the liberty, and advancement of the human race. They paved the way for the more perfect gospel of truth to come.”

            Brothers and sisters, you may be asking yourself, “but what does all this history have to do with me? The work of the Restoration is complete.”  I feel impressed to tell you that Joseph’s work of the Restoration was only the beginning for us.  It is up to you and me to continue the Lord’s errand and to magnify the callings He has given us.  Whatever the Lord asks of us, we must be willing to accept the call.  We must be willing to let go of our insecurities, pride, and feelings of inadequacy.  Under the direction of those who preside over us, the Lord will help us accomplish our tasks, especially when we feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities. As we pray to Heavenly Father for guidance, He will direct us through inspiration and will bless us to serve well. The Lord helps those who serve Him, and as we are promised in the 84^th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88).  Remember that whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies. As we reflect on the recent anniversary of our beloved Prophet’s martyrdom, may we contemplate all he has done for us, and how we can carry forth his mission and continue the Lord’s work until the appointed time of the Second Coming.

            I bear witness that the Lord loves you.  I leave you this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

        

Sixth Birthday Stylings

Xavier has been planning his birthday for the past six months.  With the excitement of a Chinese fire snake, he has danced around, above, under, and through the party planning stages with a passion that can only be described as exhausting.  "Hey, Mom, can I have an Avengers party? Hey, Mom, can we do a Batman party? Hey, Mom, what about an Iron Man party for the family? Hey, Mom, can we have a pool party and decorate it with Pokémon characters? That would be so cool! Hey, Mom, for my friend party we could do Transformers and get an Optimus Prime cake and have Autobots and Decepticons..."

The more the child talked about friend parties and family parties and guest lists and party activities and party decorations, the dizzier I became.  Birthday parties cause me anxiety. They stress me out. There is so much pressure to make your son's dreams come alive and earn the "cool mom" title in his eyes.  As Xavier attended friend parties throughout the school year, I secretly took notes about all the clever and cute things other cool moms were doing.  Xavier came home from these parties with a passion and enthusiasm that made my heart smile and my stomach fill with acid. How would I ever live up to his expectations?! How could I possibly keep up the trend to host two separate parties and coordinate party themes like we pull off these get-togethers for Sunday brunch? The more he talked, and asked, and conjured up visions of superheros, the more I wanted to hide in my closet and eat cookies.

As the weeks wore on, I decided to stop hiding in my closet (read: pantry) and take action.  Maybe I was putting too much pressure on myself.  Maybe I needed to talk to local moms and get their take on the party situation.  Would it be lame to combine friends and family into one party?  What could I actually do without disappointing my first-born child, making him feel less special than all the other children in the neighborhood?

I first talked to a girlfriend at work. Good intention gone awry #1. She goes big for birthdays. I mean nothing short of hiring teen idols to perform at her child's celebrations. And then she proceeded to scoff at her sisters-in-law because they don't go as big. Open G.I. tract. Insert acid. I suddenly felt self-conscious that I had somehow cheated my child for the first five years of his life. And then my husband, recalling memories from his own youth, reminds me that I have to make the extra effort so our kid isn't labeled and ostracized at school. And I always thought his personality would be enough get him through. Oh, snikies.

Acknowledging the fact that I may be hypersensitive about the issue, I began talking with a few other moms to get their perspectives.  This experience turned out to be an adventure in verbal irony.  I happen to know that some of these moms make a production of birthdays and always separate friends and family.  I hope I hid my surprise when they looked me in the eye and exclaimed with a Cheshire grin, "Don't worry about it. Parties cost a lot of money. You don't have to do both. Just do what you can." My mouth thanked them for their help, yet my mind exploded (in my best saucy Latina accent) Say what?! Don't you know I have a smarter-than-usual inner voice? I am a woman of discernment! I can see what's really going on here. You are trying to eliminate the competition! Then you can tell your kids how great you are and pity the poor mom who clearly doesn't spend enough time on Pinterest. Obviously, this scavenger hunt was not going well. Who knew planning a party required tactical maneuvers and black ops training?

Since my interviewing skills left much to be desired, I decided to seek out other sources of inspiration. Pinterest was successful at luring me into its vortex, yet by the time I had planned a year's worth of meals, mentally crocheted elaborate newborn gifts, and envisioned the house of my dreams, I forgot what I was looking for in the first place. Although Pinterest is a wonderful conglomeration of crafty chicks everywhere, it only reminds me that I can easily become lost in a parallel universe, and I am much less creative than I imagine myself to be. Perhaps I needed to narrow my choices by visiting a  tangible storefront, but I quickly learned that specialty stores are no help either.  The overabundance of party themes cause my son's wires to short circuit and remind him of the superheros he forgot. What I really needed was an idea that could accommodate both friends and family in the same venue.  What could I do that didn't look like I was copying someone else's party?  And where else could I look?  

I think the obvious choice here is cable. The Amonetts don't have cable, yet my kind and generous friend Sheral allows me to perform research at her house.  Of all the cable options available, I thought TLC was the best place to go since it is titled The Learning Channel, after all. I can learn everything I need to know in one place! My first stop on the TLC train was Sister Wives, or Little Houses on the Desert, as Sheral and I like to call it.  Four moms working together to raise a bazillion kids. And Meri is their party-planning leader. I hit the jackpot! Or not. For plural family parties, you can go lighter on the store bought ambiance, but only if you provide a mom who cries, a mom who creates drama, a mom who retreats, and a mom who likes to go over budget.  It's nice that you don't have to find friends to invite because you already have 17 kids in tow, but I don't think the logistics would work out well for Mr. T.

My next stop on the cable waves was Honey Boo Boo. The remote could not turn the channel fast enough.  Cable, you let me down. And now we're back to square one. But before I started counting diverging holes in my esophagus, I decided to take a break from my research and see what A&E had to offer.  As luck would have it, Duck Dynasty was on! Forgot the themed party games; all we needed were a few sturdy poles and some duck tape. Lessons in suspension and physics coming right at ya!  Unfortunately, I didn't have any poles at my disposal, and I figured I shouldn't return our party guests with tape burns on their arms and legs.  Apparently, this party planning business would need a little more research.

As the week of X's birthday loomed closer, my anxiety was getting the better of me.  My stomach felt tainted with lead, and I recognized I would need outside help to turn this thing around.  I called upon my old friends sugar and fake sugar, yet they only exacerbated my anxiety issues. For the record, we are no longer friends.

My luck turned for the better when I received a phone call from my friend Courtney.  She inquired about my plans for X's birthday, and I quickly relayed my handicap.  Instead of adding to my anxiety, Courtney stepped into party-planning mode and helped me brainstorm ideas.  I felt a great weight lifted when it occurred to me to have someone else host the party.  Why didn't I think of this before?  It was so simple, yet so beautiful. The answer was PIZZA! Kids like pizza. Parents like pizza. There are pizza places in my very own town.  Pizza places with party rooms.  Pizza places that prepare all the food. And most importantly, pizza places that clean up all the mess! Although I could not physically see or hear the hallelujah chorus of angels in that moment of revelation, I certainly felt their presence!

I called around to local pizzerias and decided on one that would take a weekend reservation and offer kids a wide range of menu options.  That left me with the job of assembling treat bags and ordering superhero cupcakes from Sam's.  A couple trips to the store and an afternoon was all it took. As I congratulated myself on a job well done, I marveled how easily this party came together.  I could totally do this for a living...or at least twice a year.  Wait, did I just hear you call me bipolar?

On the day of the party, the Amonett house was filled with excitement.  It was also filled with confusion, but that's the norm when Grammy's around.  Leaving only ten minutes past the appointed hour, we successfully picked up a couple partygoers and made our way to the restaurant.  Once we unloaded the kids, Grammy, and necessary supplies, I sent Mr. T out for balloons and helped the staff set up tables while we waited for our guests. 

Since I had a few minutes before our guests arrived, I whipped out the camera to capture the moment annoy the children. They only wanted to play and be rowdy, while I only wanted proof that I actually made this event happen.  Besides, don't kids know that birthdays are more than a celebration of their lives? Pictures are the mom's present since we do all the work anyway, both on the actual day of birth and for every anniversary to come. 

Although we had several children to entertain and challenge the restaurant staff, it felt like Grammy was the guest of honor. It isn't often that kids get to spend their birthdays with great-grandparents, and thankfully, Grammy is 87 years strong. We told her the goal is to reach 100, or at least 99, the age she will be when Xavier graduates from high school. I figure as long as Harlequin keeps sending her at least 18 versions of "intrigue" each month, Grammy will be up to the challenge.

Coloring is serious business.  These kids  were so focused on their masterpieces that they almost sat still for an entire five minutes. Emerson mostly just talked about his crayons in his undecipherable Ewok language, and Journi snuggled up to her Uncle T for a little help in navigating the games.

My bright-eyed birthday boy was pleased with his pepperoni pizza that the chef so kindly fashioned in the shape of a six.  I find it interesting that Xavier will not eat pepperoni, yet he refuses any pizza that does not begin with the favored ingredient.  He likes to look at the pepperoni and then have me remove any traces of its existence.  I have tried to convince him that ordering cheese pizza would save us a step in this process, but he believes his way to be the better one.  Perhaps this method, while unconventional, allows him the taste of the pepperoni without the cholesterol and calories to go with it.  Of course, this would be similar to licking a piece of bacon, and that doesn't make any sense at all, does it?

One of the perks of party hosting is watching everyone have a good time. I thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of the children, and I always love a chance to talk with adults whose interests extend beyond superheros and game downloads.  My sister Andi and my friend Courtney were a great help to me as we corralled the masses and helped them answer the age old question: chocolate or vanilla?

If you think that frosting colors do not have to be coordinated with cake flavors, then you'd be wrong.  Who knew that kids would be so particular about red or blue buttercream paired with the appropriate chocolate or vanilla cupcake?  Thanks, Sam's, for considering all the options beforehand and diffusing a potentially hostile cake situation.  

Captured in the radiance of his smile, Xavier was overjoyed with the collection of birthday love thrust upon him.  From preppy polos to handwritten notes (I found Bubba's "I love you X" particularly tender) to Mariokart Lego sets, Xavier was tickled that his friends and family knew his interests so well.  And then there was the presentation of cash.  You can tell by his show me the Lincoln's dance that a five dollar bill always hits the sweet spot.

The day following the party was Xavier's actual birthday. Being Sunday, we had a quiet dinner at home complete with a homemade Optimus Prime cake.  The cake topper was a lucky find as it is a reusable mask.  I hope it will remind Xavier of the great love of his family and friends and the celebration of his sixth year of life.  Happy birthday to my little man!

Now that I can look back over the past week and reflect on the highs and lows of anxiety, I have come to a few realizations.  As I was searching for ideas (and validation) in planning a party, I was reminded that any of us can easily be caught up in the "thick of thin things."  Our intentions for good can become competitions for grandeur, and although I was not looking to be the birthday queen of Pinterest or recognized for budding creative talents, I allowed temporal expectations to cloud the real meaning of the holiday. I realized that it didn't matter what type of party Xavier had with his friends and family.  It also didn't matter the number of parties he had or the number of sparkling things provided to amaze and entertain his friends.  It didn't even matter what the other moms thought of my inherent lack of style. What mattered in the moment and will always matter is that X feels loved and that he is a treasured  member of our family.  Accordingly, it matters that Xavier's friends and cousins feel they are important to him, too.

As I interacted with each child and observed their interactions with one other, I was reminded that our relationships with each other must take precedence over any worldly care.  Simplicity is often the best way to go, and children are remarkable about keeping things simple. I was the one adding complexity and chaos to the event.  I think it becomes easy for me to add complexity because then I have an excuse to fall back on when things don't work out the way I envision them.  Mental complexities have a way of distracting us from our course and can entice us turn to the world for answers.  Rather than focusing on basic truths, we have to see what everyone else is doing before we can make a decision.  What's interesting to me about all of this is that there never has been and will never be conflict in truth, yet I am a pro at making things more difficult than they were meant to be.

In previous posts, I have spoken of the sisters of Lazarus, and I believe this experience screams of my struggle with choosing the better part.  When I become caught in the thick of thin things, I permit anxiety and inadequacy to become burdens in my life.  I invite lesser cares to become my priority, leaving little time for things of greater importance, including relationships within my family.  Mary and Martha were fine examples of balancing both temporal and spiritual duties, and just as Christ counseled Martha, "thou art careful and troubled about many things," He gently reminded her that "only one thing is needful" (Luke10:41-42).  As I strive to find balance between my own duties and desires, may I remember that grandeur is not an indicator of righteousness, and I should keep my eyes focused more on the sun and less on cable t.v.

The Twinkling Lights of Salt Lake City

I never claimed to be bright. I also never claimed to be sane.  I do claim, however, to be a keeper of traditions, regardless of what Mother Nature and common sense have to say about it.  I'm not really sure who invented the need for traditions or why it is so important to me to participate in annual activities for the sake of my children's memories, yet I hope one day my boys will look back on their formative years and say, "Yeah, my mom was crazy, but at least it worked for her around the holidays."  Traditions and memories are important to me, although I really struggle with being a modern, trendy mom in the heart of Happy Valley.  The truth is, I will never be one who sews homemade costumes for Halloween, throws Hollywood style parties for Kindergarten graduation, or transforms my house into exotic-themed locations for my boys' birthdays. But I can definitely drive them to Salt Lake City once a year to look at the twinkling Christmas lights.  Heck, I can even drive them twice.  And this year, that is exactly what I did.

Our first outing began as a promising Friday night.  The temperature wasn't below zero, and the skies were clear, signaling to me that this was a perfect opportunity to tour Temple Square.  We usually visit the square the Saturday following Thanksgiving, but this year we had to alter our plans for a reason that presently escapes me.  About halfway between Spanish Fork and Salt Lake, the windshield became spotted from light drops of rain.  That's interesting, I thought.  I don't recall the weatherman predicting rain.  Perhaps it is an isolated storm and we will pass through it quickly.  This proved nothing more than wishful thinking for as we made our way closer to our downtown exit, the drops became larger, heavier, and more forceful upon their landing.  I tried to remain positive because I was determined to press forward with our plans, but I feared my face may have betrayed my enthusiasm.  Nonetheless, once we located a parking spot beneath the new City Creek Center (which reminds me of a fashionable southern California mall), I bundled up the kids and dug out the umbrellas.  No amount of water was going to spoil our fun, although I knew it would wreak havoc on my freshly curled hair.  Perhaps we would have to scratch the traditional family pic since documentation of a well-coiffed, happy family would be tough to accomplish on this tour.

Regardless of how many times I see the square aglow in festive color, I am impressed at the painstaking care it takes to wrap every branch and set every display.  The lighting preparations begin in August of each year and are removed following the New Years holiday.  I often wonder why the lights are not left up year round.  They don't need to be turned on, mind you, but why would any person expend such effort just to have to do it again the following summer?  Of course, I am the type of person who is grateful for any effort when it comes to holiday lighting.  After a five-year hiatus, Mr. T braved the steep slope of our roof, wrestled with cords and clips, and once safely upon the ground, proclaimed the lights were up and there they would stay for eternity.  I was so happy to have lights (crooked though they may be), that I didn't bat an eyelash.  Does it make me less classy to leave the lights hanging all year, or a girl skilled in the art of efficiency and time management? I choose the latter because, hey, those lights are ready and waiting for that flip of a switch the fourth Friday in November.

I love that we can barely see Emerson's eyes peeking beneath his beanie.  We took a short break from the rain and escaped into the main visitor's center only to be met with the aromatic effervescence of wet dog and other colorful forms of stank.  It's always fun to people watch, but sometimes you wonder about all the varieties of people you come in contact with.  The boys enjoyed checking out the child-size model of the temple, and I coerced them into a quick photo by one of the holiday trees (upper right).  There was water on the photo lens so we get that nice dewy effect for free.  Once outside, we stopped to help a family take a group photo, and they were kind enough to return the favor.  Not our best family pic, but now you know what we look like after we go swimming in the lake.

The boys were having so much fun exploring the puddles scattered across the open walkway.  Xavier held Emerson's hand as he led him from puddle to puddle, their sense of freedom and independence expressed in every splash.  I was instantly reminded of Singin' in the Rain; various images of Gene Kelly's singing and dancing flooded my mind as I listened to their squeals of laughter.  This particular section of the grounds is not usually open, and it was nice to view the square from a different angle.  One of the benefits of inclement weather is sparse crowds, so we were able to get up close to many of the displays. I loved the opportunity to snap photos from various angles and experience the temple site from a fresh perspective. 

After the kids were nice and soaked, we decided to call it an evening and dry out in one of our favorite hamburger joints, Five Guys.  It was a fun evening out with my boys, and one I hope they can add to their list of fun family weekends, even if it was a little Griswold style.

A few weeks later, on the weekend following Christmas, we decided to get together with Mr. T's family to celebrate his father's December 30th birthday. After we enjoyed dinner at the Olive Garden in Sandy, we headed north once again to visit the square.  The picture below is one of my favorite views.  Nothing quite compares to a temple lighting the night sky, especially when it appears to cast an ethereal glow that can never be captured in pictures.

This time around, we toured Temple Square with Thaus' sister Apria, her family, and their mother.  Thaus' father opted out of this trip, and I'm sure the freezing temps played no part in his decision.  December was unusually bitter with temperatures hovering near zero.  We spent most of January below zero, but that's a story for another day.  We bundled up the best we could, yet I felt the embrace of frostbite about 15 minutes into our journey.  Fortunately, kids are immune to the wiles of Jack Frost, as they run from exhibit to exhibit and splash in the waterfall like it was the Fourth of July. 

Once again, we can barely see Emerson's eyes beneath the protection of his beanie and blanket. He was the only child not enjoying the festivities and was likely wondering why his parents were so keen on chilling forms of torture.

Among the many nativities honoring countries and cultures throughout the world, the two below were my favorites.  The traditional American scene of Joseph and Mary in the stable is a tender reminder of the first Christmas, and a pre-recorded reading of the biblical story played continuously over the loudspeaker.  Colorful lights highlighted the main characters as the narrator's voice took us back to another time and place.

I also enjoyed the Japanese nativity, as I don't recall having seen it in years past.  Aside from wanting to yell out "Konnichi Wa!" to the li'l statues, my first impression of this group was a cross between PlaySkool characters (1970s style) and Russian nesting dolls. Strange, huh? I thought so, too.  I wondered if Mr. T had experienced nativities similar to this one during his time in Japan.  Unfortunately, I couldn't ask him because a couple members of the group had gone missing at this point, and he was on the hunt for both his mother and a non-invasive tracking device that would alert him to her every move.

An interesting phenomenon about traveling with a group is that when one child has to visit the restroom, they all have to visit the restroom...but not at the same time.  The first child has to finish and when coats, hats, scarves, and gloves are re-administered for departure, another chimes in until you spend 45 minutes making six trips to the bathroom. Mr. T decided to use this time productively and stood in line for 11 hot chocolates.  After burns, spills, and careless maneuvers by overzealous zoobies who kindly allowed me to wear my chocolate home, we did make it outside again, but by that time we decided to call it a night and retreat to warmer venues.  Once we returned to Mr. T's truck, we lit up the oh-so-heavenly butt burners, and when my teeth refrained from smacking each other senseless, I wondered how we ever survived before electric seats o' fire.  It was a great adventure, and one that had Xavier chatting all the way home until we made it out of the parking garage.  The kids fell fast asleep, and I find that the truest test of a trip's success is how quickly children crash from the excitement of it all.  It was nice driving home to the sound of peace and contentment, and I look forward to the time the twinkling lights of Salt Lake City call to us again.