The year was 1994 and I was about to embark on a new adventure. I was prepared to move out West, at least I felt like I was. I had worked and saved and changed for the past year and I was ready for this experience. “This” being the mission that I was going to serve for my church. I had been asked to go to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. So I agreed and I packed my bags – both of them. Because I would be moving around, I had to fit everything I owned into two bags, which by itself was a huge feat.
I remember how it felt to say goodbye to my family for what would be an 18 month absence. When you think about it, that’s a pretty long time to not see someone, especially if you’re used to seeing them every day. In the days before leaving, we had parties and get-togethers and family outings, and everything we could fit in. And finally the moment arrived.
This was in the early 90s, before the days of tight security, so the entire group was able to come all the way to the airport gate with me to say goodbye. It’s almost laughable now, but at the time, these kind of farewell rituals were pretty commonplace. At least it was for those of us who would be gone for a year and a half.
After many hugs, a few tears and some “I love you’s” I was on my way.
Five hours later, I set foot on Utah soil for the first time. My aunt and her family had graciously offered a place for me to stay for the few days I had before I was due to report at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Part of that offer included being picked up from the airport. As was normal in that part of the country, it was snowing at the time. For Utah natives, it was just another winter day, but for a Southern-born-and-raised-girl, it was glorious. I had never seen such snow – it was everywhere and it was inches deep!
This was the first of many surprises that awaited me during my journey. The next was my stay at the MTC. I don’t know if you can see the look of fear on my face in this picture taken when I arrived, but I was definitely feeling it.
I spent six weeks at the MTC studying and memorizing tours and scripts that I would need at Temple Square. I also spent that time wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was excited to be there, don’t get me wrong, but I was nervous too. One of the rules was that we were to be with our “companion,” or person they assigned to us, at all times. It’s a safety thing. But it was a little difficult to adjust to at first.
Gone were the days of doing whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Instead, there were schedules to follow and guidelines to adhere to.
Thankfully, all of this was made made easier by the friends that I met.
Before I knew it, the six weeks were up and it was time to go on to my assigned area: Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Unlike the missionaries who were traveling to far-away places such as Australia and Japan, we only had a short 45 minute bus ride to our final destination.
And suddenly we were there. The place that was to be my home for the next 14 months.
It was unlike any place I had ever been. Temple Square is 10-acre plot of land surrounded by granite walls. One of the main buildings, of course, is the Temple which you can see from miles around as its spires tower over the surrounding buildings.
Then there’s the Tabernacle, home of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. (I apologize for the quality of the photos – this was in 1994, long before the days of digital photography.)
There was also the North and the South Visitors Centers.
As well as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building across the street, which was home to the Family Search Center (where visitors could come and do genealogy work).
These buildings would be my home for next year and a half. It was a beautiful place and I was excited to be there. It was the beginning of a new adventure, one that I was glad to be on. Now if I could just figure out what I was doing…
Now for the question of the day: What were you doing in 1994? (You may have to think hard about this one, I know I did.)
RELATED POSTS:
Growing Pains (Part II) – The Next Step
High School, Home of the Warriors
Making it Through Middle School
), I LOVE your curly hair–it looked wonderful on you!! I had a perm like that, and I loved it.
33 comments