In the beginning...

I was Mormon before my memories begin. Except for one random memory of a memory. I remember remembering my mom giving me a bath in the kitchen sink. That's why I need to record my memories. I don't seem to keep them forever! 

My parents found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when I was 2 years old. I do remember when we were sealed for time and all eternity. So, you could say that my memories begin with a beautiful ceremony. I do love ceremony.

Mormons believe that when they are sealed in the temple by the proper authority and the participants keep their covenants until they die, relationships continue after this life. We can all be together again in heaven. Isn't that appealing? There are a lot of conditions and contradictions but that basic belief is what keeps people coming and getting baptized. The belief of being together forever in a mansion in heaven.

In Mesa, Arizona is a representation of Solomon's temple. It is one of the older temples in the Mormon Church. It has always been a special place for me. It is on acres of green grass. Every spring we would go sit on the lawn and watch a theatrical reenactment of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the most special day in that temple happened when I was 3. Almost as soon as we entered the building I was swooped away by a chorus of angels. All of the people who work in the temple dress all in white from their shoes to their underwear and the bows in their hair. It seemed to me that they all had white hair too. That lent to the angelic atmosphere. I don't remember how many workers were dedicated to my care but I felt like the center of their world. They took me into a room with toys and dressed me all in white like them. There wasn't time to get bored before they took me to see my family. They were all dressed in white too. My mom, my dad, my two brothers. They all knelt around a beautiful marble altar with a velvet cushion. I was the only one that sat on top. Everyone smiled. Everyone was happy.

That's the end of the memory. I wish that was my family life all day, every day. The tranquility and happiness in that room on that day, when everyone was smiling. 

That wasn't real life at all.

But it does help explain why the temple has always been special to me. It was better than Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny all rolled into one. Day dreaming of living in paradise with everyone I love, happy all the time, having everything I want and need.  And when you go in the temple, everyone is on their best behavior. No raised voices. Sometimes you run into old friends. The decor in the temple is finer than anything we ever had in our own home. It really did feel like a slice of heaven. 

Ignorance really is bliss...If you want to maintain your ignorance you probably want to stop reading my blog posts. I am getting ready to share some very uncomfortable truths.