Those Payoff Moments

"The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified." -Thomas S. Monson April 2011 Conference Address

I think most moms have small visions of the future as they raise their little ones. You know, those images of happy future events that somehow get you through the long days of wiping noses and changing diapers. We all have hopes of those future "mommy payoff moments". One of my future visions has always included the thought of seeing all of my children in the temple together.

My mommy payoff moment came last weekend, when my whole family was able to be in the temple together. Jonah turned twelve a week and a half ago. He has been eagerly anticipating that moment when he would be able to go into the temple, like his siblings, and participate in baptisms for the dead.

He wanted his first time to include his oldest sister whom he adores. So we made the trek up to Logan over Spring Break, picked up Jess, then proceeded to the Logan Temple to do baptisms. I was not only excited to see all of my children in the temple, but was excited because I had acquired some family names for them to perform proxy baptisms for. That "spirit of Elijah" seems to be burning within me lately, as I have a mild obsession with doing family history work. I find myself feeling so connected to my predecessors waiting on the other side of the veil, that I sometimes forget to feed my hungry posterity on this side of the veil. It's a common problem, I hear. It is an addiction I feel little guilt over.  The children can scrounge up a bowl of cereal, but my ancestors wait on the other side for work to be done that they cannot do themselves. There is truth in the statement that the work done in the temple has far greater meaning when we do it for our own family members.

 And the work truly is hastening. We had a one hour wait in the baptistry. There were a half a dozen families ahead of us with family names of their own to do work for. The Lord's work is rolling forth at exciting rates.

I sat quietly in the waiting area and watched through the glass as my Finnish ancestors' names appeared on the screen and watched as my sweet husband, dressed in white, baptized each of my children, dressed in white, for and in behalf of those whom I have never met yet feel a close connection to. It was a tender moment. One I will always treasure. It is a statement I have always made, and will make again. The very eternal nature of families is felt within the temple.

Afterward, the children were so kind as to indulge me in some photo opportunities. Actually, they had no choice, and they knew that. Then we ended up at the Bluebird for lunch. Sabrina had been craving the cordon bleu, and Jessica had been craving a vanilla cream soda, and Jonah had never been to this historic restaurant. It was a delightful way to end a delightful day.

As we made the hour drive home, Neil mentioned how fun that experience had been and asked the kids if they agreed. Jonah agreed that it had been fun but that it had also been tiring. Neil asked Sabrina to look up a scripture on her phone. It was a beautiful scripture, a scripture that reminded us that the kind of tired that we were experiencing was the best kind.

Doctrine and Covenants 123:13-15

"Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven-"

"These should then be attended to with great earnestness."

"Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things."