As I was pondering about my eternal journey, a few thoughts came to my mind.

I found my old journal entries that reminded me how I ended up where I am today. When I was about 29, I had written that I was contemplating having my name removed from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ records because I wasn’t sure about the truth that the church claimed, and I didn’t want God’s ways (if there was a God) to interfere with my ways. Thankfully, I was inspired not to be so rash, and I told myself to take the challenge expressed in Moroni 10:4 in the Book of Mormon.  “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”  So, I exercised a particle of Faith and began my eternal journey.  Long story short, I realized I should not remove my name from the church’s records, and that I needed to make some changes. I chose to jump onto a new path, a spiritual path. Of course, I found that the new road was full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, joy and sorrow. You name the opposition, and it existed in my journey.  

One of the necessary parts of the gospel are the ordinances that we take that increases our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. The temple ordinances were always a concern for me.  It caused me a great deal of conflict. Why, might you ask?  I was already married to a man who was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I loved him and I loved my cute, sweet family. Getting myself to the temple was not going to be convenient by any means. I could see the tension arise as I discussed it. I chose not to cause the contention in my family. I kept the temple desires in my heart and with my Heavenly Father. My Heavenly Father knew my desires and reminded me often to stay on the course I had chosen for my life.

I prayed often that my husband’s mind would be softened, and he would become interested in joining with me. As time went on, I became discouraged as life continued to unfold with my growing family. I saw their struggles and wanted more for them.  

As I read some of my journal entries, in 2010 I wrote a thought from Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf, “There are times when we must make a courageous decision to hope, even when everything around us contradicts our hope.” The hope that I chose to keep alive is the hope that my family will be an eternal family, sealed together in the House of the Lord. I had also written thoughts from Alma 32, nourishing the seed takes diligence, patience, and long suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Fast forward, my journal entries read:

It is the year 2022, I am 71 years old. My children are all grown, my husband is very sick. I was able to receive my 1st recommend for baptisms only.  My bishop recommended that I should go and do some baptisms, to get the feeling of entering the temple doors. My oldest daughter, who had been doing genealogy work from her dad’s side of the family, went with me, so, I could have that experience. She brought three names on her dad’s side of the family. I was able to have that experience to do the necessary ordinances for those ancestors that did not have the opportunity in their lifetime.

It is April 2023; I am 72 years old. My children are grown, my husband passed in the later part of 2022.  I am picking up my daughter from the airport. She is going to be my escort as I enter the temple for my own endowment.  I had so much support from my sisters as well as my ward sisters who joined me in the temple that day. I felt seen and loved. I saw God’s hand in my life.

It is July 2024, I am 73 years old, I am an endowed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My cousin, Scott was thrilled when I asked him if he could do a proxy baptism for my husband, Dennis. He had his son do the baptism, and I was able to be the witness for Dennis’ baptism as well as others that were being baptized that day in July. Later in 2024, my sisters and I were able to do proxy endowments for ancestors of my husband.

I am grateful for the inspiration I had to take the challenge in Moroni 10:4 so many years ago. As I continue to exercise faith in the plan and continue to attend the temple often, my hope for an eternal family will be kept alive. What’s ten thousand years in an eternal journey???

– Linda Peake, Butler Stake