I re-read my post about my intentions of this site and don’t want to make it only about my story, so I’ll dispense with the waiting, put this post up about my baptism and first year and move along to more philosophy :-).

Baptism

As I previously wrote, I was baptized about 6 or so months after I started the discussions.  It was November 1995 in Flagstaff, AZ (for those not familiar with Arizona…it’s cold there).  None of my family attended.  None of my fraternity brothers or friends attended.  Only my new friends (of which I barely knew) from the institute attended.  I remember only 3 things from that day.  First was the suit.  They only had the one piece jumpsuits, and none in my size.  I felt like the Michelin man for sure.  I remembering having to roll the legs up about 10 times.  It was pretty embarrassing walking out like that…especially since some of the ladies came to welcome me into the Ward.  At any rate it was done.  Bishop Mayes baptized me that day. 

The second thing I remember was getting out of the suit.  One of the Elders (the original pair had since transferred) was from Russia, Elder Kabanov.  Man that dude could play piano.  While I was getting my suit back on I started hearing the most beautiful rendetion of Canon in C I’d ever heard.  To this day whenever I hear that song it brings me immediately back to that moment.  It really was breathtaking.  I have no idea what happened to Elder Kabanov, but I hope he is well…great personality even if he was a little too energetic.

The third thing was the confirmation.  When Bishop Mayes said to me “receive the Holy Spirit” I think I felt what probably most people do.  Whether it is anticipating that feeling or not, you definitely have a sense of something that goes through every sensory receptor in your body.  It too, was magical.  I remember a lot of tears…but it was a happy day.  Nothing much more eventful happened other than getting some inscribed set of scriptures, which was pretty cool.

The next year

The next year wasn’t like I was set on serving a mission or anything.  Quite the contrary was that I had some trying times.  I met some great people (including my now wife) and my girlfriend and I split.  I had some trying times with my fraternity and did some things, that while I still believe were right, alienated me from my life-long friends.  I took a job with my international fraternity after graduating that year and started traveling the world.  I lived in Iowa City for a while and attended a Ward there – very, very small and didn’t feel like I fit.

At each of my travels in the Northeast part of the country I made sure I stopped by all the Temples that I could even though I was not yet able to enter.  They are remarkable structures that you can’t help but notice.  I distinctly remember traveling near DC and coming up a hill on a freeway and seeing the majestic DC Temple peer over the freeway…it was inspiring.

The job didn’t pan out too well after I totaled my car in Pittsburgh and soon after I left back to Flagstaff.  Upon my return I met up with friends again from the institute and begin being smitten with one of them (yes, female).  A few months later I asked her to marry me.  That was October.  We were to wed in December of 1996.  In November 1996 we decided to go to the Temple together for our first times.  Knowing about the year rule and such we made plans accordingly (or so we thought).  My Bishop and Stake President interviewed me and signed my recommend.  We were set.

Upon arriving to the Temple I set off on the process and then was halted.  The Temple President came to find me and let me know that I was one week before my year date and there was an issue with that.  Hmm, odd that two of the other leaders what would have missed that.  They had been trying to get in touch with my Bishop (who was on his way from Flagstaff and there wasn’t great cell phone coverage at that time).  When he finally arrived there was some long delay but we continued.  Later when I asked him what he had to do, he stated that they had a conference call with the office of the First Presidency.  Um, whoa.

Now before I mention my Temple experience I should note that prior to this being in a fraternity I became infatuated with rituals.  I had done about as much research as you can do on the subject and had the Masonic ritual virtually memorized.

The Temple was great in a weird and confusing sort of way.  After I went through that day in November 1996 I returned every day for the next 20 or so days.  I’m not kidding.  I would go right after work.  I needed to soak it in.  I can’t say that I fully comprehend anything still but it was a pretty intense month.  My most favorite part of the Temples is the Baptistry still.

Marriage

In December 1996 I married Lisa as planned.  My father and mother (still going through a divorce) were there and my mother, along with Lisa’s grandmother, attempted to enter the Temple themselves (both non-members).  They apparently made a little scene and the Temple President came out to talk with them.  They waited in the lobby area until we got out.  I never heard the end of it for a long time and occasionally Lisa’s grandmother still reminds her she wasn’t there to see her get married.  We had 4 people plus the sealer in our ceremony: our Institute Bishop and his wife and Lisa’s parents.  That’s it.  It was quick.  She was beautiful (and still is).  Marriage hasn’t been super easy but after 11 years we’re getting the hang of it now and have two great kids.  Our daughter Zoe is almost 6 and our son Zane just turned 2.  Great kids.  Great family.

12 years later

This year will be 13 years a member for me.  I haven’t looked back.  I’m confused about some things, disagree about others and try to find things to question always…it’s in my nature.  But I’m a better person today for becoming a member, I’m sure of it.  There were times  of inactivity for me, but we now live in a great area and super strong family-driven community.  I couldn’t imagine living without our friends that we have now.  My neighbor across the street is Bruce Porter, who was one of Hugh Nibley’s research partners…so you could imagine how intense Sunday School is when he teaches…I’ve learned so much.  I don’t celebrate my baptism at all with any fanfare whatsoever.  In fact this year I didn’t even think of it at all…I guess that’s a good thing.  My family has now seen me bless our two children, I’ve given blessings to my father during a heart transplant ordeal and I think they all have ‘gotten over it’ about my choices and see what good it has brought to my life (and theirs in my family).  I look at my patriarchal blessing and cringe if those all come true…I better start preparing now :-0 – especially since the new Bishopric for our Ward that was just called is all my age.  Yikes.