Eternity

Twenty-eight years ago this evening I was locked away in a torturous dungeon, deep in a dark and mysterious basement on Mesa Drive in Sandy, Utah. My prison cell for the night was about six feet by eight feet with cement walls and no window to the outside. The only piece of furniture was a slab table to sleep on.

The minutes passed that night like rush hour traffic in Los Angeles…slow and painful. It seemed like every hour I checked my watch only to find another five minutes had passed.

The next morning the sun rose bright and warm over the Wasatch mountains, but I didn’t see it. My cell was impervious. I could hear commotion coming from elsewhere in the residence, but I remained entombed for what seemed to be an eternity.

Eternity is a funny thing. Most people look forward to eternity, like it is a relief from the day to day grind of this life. But for me, I faced eternity that night, and it was, well…dark, long and boring.

Finally, after eternal night in darkness, Warden V.J. Nelson unlocked the door and let me out. I rush to take a shower, only to find all the hot water gone. A hastened breakfast was served and then I was hurried out of the house and escorted to the Salt Lake Temple.

My long wait and night of darkness soon gave way to a beautiful enchantress in a brilliant white dress. We joined hands over an altar and eternity took on a whole new meaning.

Thanks, Laura, for 28 great years… three great kids and one beautiful granddaughter…. I love you…

William…