Karen’s narrative continues:
We went to meet Jim’s mother and the kids in the courthouse lawn and headed for the Temple to see if the records were straight for all of us. Everyone was very nice and helpful. After everything was straightened out, we headed for the phone to call the kids at B.Y.U. Our ceremony would be during the 4:30 p.m. session instead of the 7:30 a.m. session we had planned on. We wanted to tell them as some planned to attend, but we could get no answer. Next, we found the Relief Society Distribution center and bought garments for when we leave the Temple after our ceremony. (note from Jim: I had a heck of a time figuring out how to put garments on the first time I tried. We tried them on in the distribution center and I had to have my mother come in and explain them to me. How embarrassing was that!)
Oh, I wanted to mention earlier on seeing the sight of the Temple for real for the first time with its six spires and how very white it was. We had seen it on postcards and other pictures but never for real. We didn’t quite know where the Temple was located so we were looking around each corner as we came to it. Alas! There it was, the beautiful Salt Lake Temple where we were going to be married for time and all eternity – we finally got here after Satan tried so many times in so many ways to keep us from coming. Here we are now!
First, we went back to the motel to wash hair, take baths and eat. Got my suitcase ready with my white velvet gown, etc and my honeymoon dress and accessories in it.
We went to the 4:30 p.m. session. We showed our Temple recommends. We were each interviewed by a Temple worker and then were shown where to go to get our identification tags and garments. Guess I looked rather scared and didn’t know what to do so one lady took me under her wings and watched out for me. We got our garments and then were shown to the locker rooms. (Jim is now with the men and I am with the women). Then we came back and this Sister helped me on with my bridal outfit. They have a beautiful bridal room all done in gold if I remember right and lots of mirrors. Then we all went into one room and had a short lecture with the Sisters. Then we went into the Rooms to receive our endowments. After the endowments were over those who were to be married went to the Sealing room to be married for time and all eternity or sealed for time and all eternity. Since we didn’t have any witnesses besides Jim’s mother, Elder Petersen called some others in to view our ceremony. Elder Petersen married us for time and all eternity after he gave a very moving message. Then Jim’s mother was sealed to her late husband, her children Laura and Mart, (They were just brought in) and Jim as a family for time and all eternity.
More tomorrow….
Dad