I believe
that decisions determine destiny. My
life is full of evidence that this is true. Almost every day I am reminded of a
choice, which led to a beginning, and resulted in an experience that continues
to have influence in my life today.
In my
living room hangs a picture of the Logan Temple. Its sepia tones and antiqued
frame infuse my memories with a fairytale quality. It's a visual reminder that
God is in the details and the decision to follow His promptings can bless
generations.
Where would
I be if my parents hadn't decided to attend the temple on the same day and at
the same time. He was a young serviceman stationed in Texas. She was a single
mother living in Logan with her grandmother and myself while attending Utah
State. He was at the temple to attend a sealing as the Best Man for his best
friend. She was there to receive her own endowment. Destiny sat them next to
each other in the temple chapel that day. His name was Danny Lee. Hers was Dana
Lee. There was an instant connection and curiosity.
Without
much more than a brief introduction their paths diverged. He couldn't stop
thinking about her. His decision to find out who she was and where she lived is
a story in itself. He was determined to find her. Her brave decision to accept
a stranger's invitation to his best friend’s wedding reception was the
beginning of our family's "happily ever after."
A few
months later, my parents were sealed in the Logan Temple. The roles were reversed. My dad knelt at the
altar across from his bride-to-be as his best friend, now Best Man, sat close
by lending strength and support. Later that day, my mom's red Rambler American would
be packed with what little we owned and the three of us drove off into the
sunset. We headed for Texas and life together as a family.
 |
| Dana and Dan - April 3, 1964 |
 |
| Kenna and Dan |
Over the
next twenty years, the three of us grew to twelve as I was joined first by two
sisters, then three brothers, then three more sisters and finally another
brother. My parents continued to influence my decisions as they taught us the
gospel. We worshipped and served together as a family.
The temple has always been an
important part of our lives. We only lived near a temple once while I was
growing up; my dad was stationed in Hawaii. Most of our family vacations and
many of my fondest memories involved trips to the temple. I was sealed to my
parents in the Mesa Temple when I was four years old. At ten years I explored Temple Square while
visiting my great grandmother in Salt Lake City. The first time I performed baptisms for the
dead was in the Laie Hawaii Temple; I was twelve. Just days before my mission
we returned to the Logan Temple for my own endowment.
 |
| Family Vacation 1998 |
Their
decisions have influenced my destiny. Because I had heard their love story, my
whole life I dreamed of being sealed in the Logan Temple. Although it wasn’t
the nearest or most convenient temple, when the time came my family made the
trek from Nebraska and Matt’s family joined us from Florida. My dream came true
on December 1, 1984, when I knelt across the altar and Matt and I were sealed
for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple.
 |
| Dan and Dane Gates - Matt and Kenna - Bette and Gene Prine December 1, 1984 |
My parent's
legacy of temple attendance and service continues. For many years they have
served in the Winter Quarters Temple. We've been blessed to watch as our
daughter Elizabeth and her husband Chad knelt at the altar and were sealed in
the St. George Temple. We are able to take our daughter Hannah with us to the Washington
D.C. Temple to perform baptisms for the dead. We share with her our temple
heritage in the hope she too will know decisions determine destiny.
 |
| Chad and Elizabeth - January 10, 2009 |
This is the essay I wrote for my Pathway "This I Believe" project.
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