My first day at Church.

I have been to Church (LDS) a couple of times before, but at the request of Melodie. I guess, because of my frame of mind at the time, it was more of a chore, and not really wanting to be there- except to be there for Melodie. On other occasions, excuses as to why I shouldn't go to Church kept arising, and I could see the disappointment in her eyes. It cut me deep, but I knew she loved me for who I was anyway. Knowing I wasn't a member of the Church.

Today's experience brought out a lot of nerves. As I have said before (again), by not being a member, I felt very intimidated. I felt welcomed, but at the same time, I didn't.

I had organized a ride with Paul, a member of the Church, and he was set to pick me up at 8:45 for a 9am start. Knowing that his 'late entrance' style was something to be weary of, I waited around until 9:15am. Finally he rocked up and we set off to add another chapter to my blog!!

When we reached the Harbord Ward, they were in the middle of sacrament. The Elders were at the entrance to greet us and we waited outside until sacrament was over. While it was going on, we whispered under our breath to each other. Mainly at the expense of Paul and his lack of strength when it comes to moving houses, ha-ha!

Sacrament finished and we went inside to sit. Paul went to the first door (at the front of the chapel), and I kind of wandered to the back and I said, "Where are you going man?” he said "Come sit in here!" Obviously I had been told. We went in and sat about 4 rows from the front! Not where I was hoping we'd sit, but I was cool with that. As I walked in, Bishop Wolfgramm (The man who married me and Melodie) acknowledged my presence with a smile and a nod of the head. To me that was a good sign of Welcoming and Acceptance. As well as a friendly 'Hello'. Immediately, I felt comfortable. I wasn't the Member's boyfriend/husband who was dragged along to Church. Instead, I was the Member's Husband who took it upon himself to make the effort to appreciate what she held so close to her. That was a feeling like no other!
Being that today is Sunday, September 27, 2009, today was the day that Member’s of the Church share with other’s their ‘knowing’ of the Book of Mormon and the words of God- Their testament.

Because we arrived late, we walked in to a talk given by a young (maybe 15 year old) girl. She was explaining the dress-code of the Mormon Church. As Melodie can tell you, the ‘old’ me would make fun of her ‘pregnant ladies’ dresses and her dress sense in general. This was obviously from my own ignorance. This young girl also went on to speak of, but not in length, grooming styles. What not to wear, how not to have your hair. So on and so forth. For me, the understanding that I took away is as follows: The idea behind our bodies being a temple exists from the belief that, before we were born into these bodies, we were once children of God, in spirit form. The temple is to be treated just like that! Would you walk into a physical temple with a bottle of alcohol? Would you walk in under the influence of drugs? Would you walk into a temple showing as much skin as possible, or with tight fitting clothes? No, of course you wouldn’t as that would be greatly disrespectful. So, why would YOU treat YOUR OWN TEMPLE with the same disregard to respect? Your temple must be sacred to your spirit. At this time, I think of materialistic things I hold/held close to me. The best example I can think of is back in my younger days when I first started driving and bought my first car. That car represented freedom to me. To be able to go wherever I liked, whenever I liked. I had certain rules about my car. There was to be no smoking in the car as this led to a crusty, stale smell which I did not want. The car was to be checked regularly in regards to the engine, the tires et cetera. The fuel type used was to be the highest quality to ensure optimal performance. These are just a few examples.

Once getting out of the car, I would light a cigarette, and eat McDonalds. Not necessarily in that order. But that, alone, is something which came to me at that point today. If I’m willing to treat my most prized possession in that fashion, then why not my temple?

I can see why I was hanging off the every word that everyone said today. Why? Because, unlike the other times I had come to Church, today I understood it. It was meaning something to me. It was creating questions inside of me that I had never before thought of asking. I mean, this is the most basic stuff told to me by everyday members. I was definitely getting something out of it.

The second speaker was an older lady of Tongan descent. I couldn’t help but think of how she reminded me of so many older Polynesians I have met. The language barrier still deems to be a slight problem, but it was ‘cute’ to see her up there. Using the Tongan lingo when she couldn’t say it in English, or saying “Sapifically” instead of “specifically”.
This particular lady went on to talk about family, and in particular, parenting. Explaining that this was one of the toughest jobs in our modern day World, and how the temptations these days were very different to her temptations growing up as a young girl on the Pacific Island of Tonga. Also, applying rules to children, especially when inside the house of God. I most definitely agree with the temptations that society currently puts out there, readily available for anyone with the money or a fake I.D. However, setting rules for children inside the house of God I am a little confused about.

I’m afraid to think of what kind of World our kids will grow up in. Will the temptations be even more deadly, readily available and used in higher numbers than today? Will my kids go to school and get caught up in the moment and forget the important values and morals that we will set from a young age? I don’t see temptations being a huge problem for us. Both Melodie and I share a unique bond with each other. An amount of love from the heart that I have never once experienced between other couples. And, I know that we will have even more love and care towards our kids to ensure they do not take up those temptations. However, as it is vastly known, no one is perfect. We are human and we will make mistakes. I already know, even before I have kids, that they too will make mistakes. It is a fundamental part of growing up. I do know, also, that our kids will learn from their mistakes as Melodie and I have both experienced as individuals, and also as a united couple.

Whether or not we should set rules for kids inside the house of God, or for anywhere else for that matter, is another thing to me. I will obviously set rules and boundaries. And punishment will be served where there is blatant disrespect for those rules. However, what this one lady was talking about the kids of the Church running around and paying no attention whatsoever. I thought back to my own childhood, and what I was like as a kid. I was the first one to lose attention and have the need to be outdoors and explore. I think it’s healthy for kids to live that way, to have fun and to be mischievous while they can. The important part, to me, is that they have grown up in that environment with the Lord, friends and family around them. When they are at an age, and they are ready to sit down and listen throughout the whole session, then they will. And, they will already feel that sense of belonging and love in the Church which will, in the long run, make going to Church that extra bit enjoyable. Keeping in mind, this is how I feel. Your opinions may differ -)

Last, but not least (I’m saving the least for last), a final speaker from the USA. An older gentleman who, according to Paul, was “filthy rich” and “owned a number of hotels in the States”. Unlike the other speakers, this man walked to the mic with authority and a sense of being a dictator- this is how it is, like it or leave it. I was very much mistaken and will never judge a book by its cover again.

This man was humble, yet so emotional that you could see his belief was in every word he spoke. He paused after almost every paragraph to fight back the tears. He spoke to us about what he saw in the young men of the Church. The service they give during Sacrament and their dedication to the Church, its Scriptures and the Holy Father and his son. It was touching to look around and see the young men of the Church and to know what good people they are.
He went on to talk to eternal life and what that meant to him. The temptations, again, that face us every day and the strength and courage we need to ensure our eternal life.

Eternal Life- I paused for a moment, still listening to him… And, myself. Eternal life was something which I had discussed with Paul, the Elders and most recently, Melodie as we read 1 Nephi 8. Obviously, the term had been used and I had briefly thought about what it meant. But I never took the time to think about what it means TO ME. My apologies to the gentleman who was giving his testimony, but I zoned out. I didn’t hear the babies crying or the kids playing. I didn’t hear the people whispering, or the mobile phones. I heard me. What was eternal life to me?

The time I have spent with Melodie has, by far, been the highlight of my life. No question. And, with the road ahead of us, so many years, it’s also no time at all. As we go to work and work on our individual projects, time seems to fly on by. Eternal Life… But, what if it didn’t have to end with death. What if I could live on and share that time with my family, my friends and with Melodie too. With that in mind, what would I give up for eternal life? Better yet, what would I give up for $1000? I’d give up a lot of things, but not everything. For eternal life with the people I love, and hold in my heart, I would give up EVERYTHING. I would give up the clothes on my back, the money in my account, the roof over my head. All of those are much lower on my priority list than the people that mean the most to me. Now, I am not looking at it in a selfish way oh “Oh goodie, I can live forever”. No. I am looking at this from the point of view that we can all live forever and continue to share new experiences with the ones we love. That is what is important to me. That is what eternal life is to me.

Remember when I said I was saving the least till last? It’s the hymns. Now, keep in mind that I am used to attending Church with Melodie. A lady whose life is practically run by music and singing (straight after Church, of course). When I hear her sing on stage, at home or in Church, it sends chills down my spine. Unfortunately, I sat with Paul today. Not the most soulful singer around. Ha-ha

But seriously, I am used to attending mass back at school with 1100 other boys at school. Hymns, to us, were a competition to see who could be the loudest. Hearing the hymns sung today was refreshing to hear them done well.
With the final prayer said, I was reluctantly out of the door. I would have loved to have stayed but my time was done for today. Not to mention I still had to move house. All in all, my first real experience of Church is something that I will not forget. The peace, the love, the homeliness. It all felt so natural. A weird sensation I have been having lately – Natural.