An Opportunity of a Lifetime

While trying to stomach the awkward silence that often accompanies church service on the first Sunday of the month (which is typically referred to by Mormons as "fast and testimony" Sunday), Caleb leaned over to me and said, "I think I want to get up and say something to the people."

"Do you know what you want to talk about?" I asked.

"Yes, I want to talk about Joseph Smith."

"That sounds good," I replied, nodding my head in agreement. Then, I added, "and may be you could tell everyone about the Sacred Grove and how you felt while visiting it."

"May be you should!" he challenged.

"No, I can't!"

"Why not?"

"Because I am teaching in Elder's Quorum today."

As soon as I fumbled through my reasoning, two words came to mind: lame excuse! As I sat there in the pew listening to him share with a 150 plus congregants his feelings about Joseph Smith (which, by the way, did not include the experience he had while visiting the Sacred Grove), my mind drifted to the discussion I had with Elder & Sister Virgin just two days prior while visiting with them in Nauvoo. They shared with me how the Church is planning to construct a Visitor's Center adjacent to the Temple, on the north side of the front entrance, opposite side of the road. The rationale: curious passers-by will typically stop at the Temple to admire its beauty and architecture and to ask questions. Their visit typically ends with an invitation to visit the main (and only) Visitor's Center that is just a 1/4 mile down the hill, if that. Very few actually make it there. Hence the need for a second Visitor's Center.

The significance of that story lies in the willingness of the Church to invest a substantial amount of time, resources, and energy into the construction of a second Visitor's Center. To what end? My thought is that the Church recognizes there is a very short window of opportunity to plant seeds among those who have been struck by the Temple in some way, enough to where they have delayed their travels to inquire about this anomalous and curious structure! All this, I believe, is an attempt to "seize the opportunity of a lifetime" while the "lifetime of an opportunity" is at hand!

Caleb returned to the bench, smiling, yet sober - for he had just challenged everyone to share with others the story of Joseph Smith and how he had translated the Book of Mormon. Next to him sat his father, who was being consumed by thoughts of . . . missed opportunities!

Several minutes later, I stood up, made my way to the aisle, and walked towards the stand. After sharing with the 150 plus congregants my feelings about Joseph Smith and the events that occurred within the Sacred Grove, I rejoined my family on the bench. Smiling and proud, Caleb leaned over and said, "Thanks Dad! That was a nice story!"