On Thrusday, July 23, 2015 we had the pleasure of taking Baby Zane to the Salt Lake Temple to be sealed to us for time and all eternity and it was a beautiful day.
We had been preparing to take baby Zane to the temple since April when his birth mom relinquished her rights- buying white clothing for all of the children, considering which temple to choose and what schedule would be best. We anxiously waited for his adoption to finalize on May 19th, 2015 in Judge Lindsley's courtroom. What an amazing day that was. We were able to sit in front of our family, the judge, the caseworkers and our children and promise to meet Zane's physical, emotional and financial needs. We promised before the court to be his parents to care for him and witness that we understood what that meant; to be his parents for a lifetime. We shared how he has impacted our lives and the love that our family has for him and how much his siblings love and have bonded with him. We signed a couple of papers and the judge gave her approval adding her signature to ours and we were officially and legally Zane Robert's parents. We took pictures, shared hugs and tears as we were joyfully, legally united with our new son.
Fast forward to this beautiful day in July, since adopting Zane, baby Drake had been born into our family and we were beginning to feel complete, except we knew our family needed one more step to secure our bond forever. We believe that families are meant to be forever and eternal and that we can be with those we love not only legally in this life as is united in marriage and in our legal adoption, but also in the life to come. We believe this can only be accomplished through the sealing power that only exists in the holy temples of Heavenly Father. When Tanner and I were married, we were also sealed together in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. Every child who was born to us after that was born into the covenant of marriage we made that day and therefore sealed to us and each other. When a child is adopted like Zane was, we needed to take him to the temple with us to be sealed to Tanner and I and therefore sealed to our children and uniting our family forever. For us, this is a very sacred experience and one of the most precious events that can occur in our lives. As beautiful as Zane's adoption day was, this day meant he was truly our son forever, not even death could take him from us.
The morning of Zane's sealing day we prepared white clothing for all six family members and dressed in our Sunday best in preparation for entering the Lord's house. We loaded in the van and drove to Salt Lake to take pictures around the temple before entering. (With four small kids and a very sunny day, we didn't really get that 'perfect shot' but we were able to capture their little personalities which are far from meek, quiet and all smiles all the time!) Then we entered the temple with all of our children. They lead us down to a beautiful nursery they have prepared for children who get to enter the temple. There was a fun kitchen, baby dolls all lined up, a dollhouse, books and an assortment of all other types of toys and my kids thought they knew why we call the temples 'heaven on earth'! The loving sisters of the temples took my children into their arms and made them feel loved and welcome. My dad was able to stay down in the nursery with them to help prepare the children for the ceremony. They each changed into all white clothing, Emerson in a beautiful white lace dress and the boys in a white shirt, white tie and white pants. They literally looked like tiny little angels.
Tanner and I were then lead to our dressing rooms where we also changed into white clothing and then were lead to the most sacred room of the temple; the celestial room. This is where we go to pray and feel closer to our Heavenly Father. It is a beautiful room, large with lovely furniture and chandeliers and much of it is white. We are reverent in this room and very little talking occurs; it is reserved as a place to pray and ponder. As we waited in this scared room, our close friends and family members were lead to the sealing room where the ceremony would take place. Once they were seated, we were also lead into the room and were greeted by their smiling faces. We then waited as our children were brought up from the nursery.
Tatem walked in first; he was literally glowing with a huge smile on his face and the white clothing brightening his countenance. He came and sat down in the chair next to Tanner and then in walked Emerson. The sisters had placed a beautiful white bow in her hair and she had her white dress on. She had been asking to wear that dress and go to the temple for weeks and now that she finally had it on, she was so pleased. She came and took a seat next to Tate. Then our babies were carried in one by one and they were so tiny and precious in their little suits. Zane was asleep and cuddled into his Grandpa Charlie.
Once we were all seated, the sealer invited Tanner and I to the center of the room. We knelt at the marriage alter and as we did so Emerson said: "mommy! You look so beautiful! You're just like a princess!" then my mom, also in white, came to the front as well holding Zane. We were there in a tiny circle and the sealer said a few short, beautiful sentences and we were then sealed for time and all eternity to our beautiful son. Many tears were shed as we knew that Zane was always meant to become a member of our family. There is no doubt in my mind and heart that he not only is my son now but always has been and now, thanks to the sealing powers held in the temple, will be our son throughout eternity.
When the ceremony was completed, the sealer invited us to stand with all four of our beautiful children and look into a large mirror placed in the sealing room opposite of another mirror. When you look into it, you can see your image repeated over and over; the image in unending. This represents how life, and now our family is unending. As I stood there holding two of my sons as Tanner held our other two children, I saw over and over the man that I love and the family that we have been blessed with. My heart filled with joy as I knew that we would be together forever as long as we live our lives in accordance with the gospel and strive to become perfected through Christ. I was filled with joy and the spirit affirmed to me that I truly was blessed. I hope to engrave that image of all of my children in the temple, as pure as they could possibly be, being completely free from sin and dressed in the purest white looking into eternity together. I am so thankful for the knowledge of the gospel that has allowed me to enjoy the blessings of becoming an eternal family. Not one child was missing- even if there are children to come, I could feel that our family was all together in the temple that day and it was amazing.
After we looked into the mirrors, we were able to hug and thank all of our guests before returning to our dressings rooms to change back into our street cloths. As we left the temple, full of joy, we headed for the church building to give Zane and Drake a name and a baby blessing. We believe that children are incapable of sin, they are perfect and no matter what happens, are saved by our Heavenly Father. This is why we do not baptize babies; we believe baptism is to wash away sin and confirm individuals as members of the church. Since babies are free from sin, we believe they do not need to be cleansed from sin and also believe that they should have the opportunity to choose to become members of the church at baptism at age 8 and older. We do, however give babies baby blessings to establish their names in the records of the church and outline blessings for them that will occur throughout their lives.
When we arrived at the church, more family members and friends who were unable to be with us in the temple as well as those who were in attendance at the temple, joined with us as Tanner, our bishop, my uncles Bruce and Scott, my Father in law Rick and Dad Charlie and my brother Tyson held each baby who was dressed in white, in a circle one baby at a time. There, Tanner offered the words to bless them throughout their lives. He talked about their relationship that they would have with each other and that they would someday serve missions and be strong minded individuals. '
Zane's blessing was unique to what you normally hear in a baby blessing. We believe that children with disabilities such as down syndrome, are choice children of God and that they will never be capable of sin in their lives. They are absolutely sacred individuals. As Tanner offered the words of Zane's blessing, he thanked our Heavenly Father for allowing us the opportunity to take care of someone so blessed and sacred and talked about Zane's divine mission to spread love and the light of Christ to all those he will meet in his life. He also thanked our Heavenly Father for the trials and journey we were able to take in order to welcome Zane into our family. I feel so honored to be his mother and very humbled to be chosen for such a sacred responsibility. I hope I can provide Zane (and all of my children) with all they deserve and with all that Heavenly Father expects of me. I'm thankful to have Tanner, an amazing father and husband, by my side to help me live close to the spirit to be the mother my children need and the wife he deserves.
Following the blessings, we ate dinner with some of our dearest loved ones (many were unable to travel to be in attendance, they were greatly missed, but their love that they sent was felt in abundance.)
It was one of the most sacred and beautiful days I have ever experienced. I am so thankful to be able to have my children with me and my loving husband forever. I know that through Heavenly Father's sealing power that has been restored to this earth, I get to have an eternal family and for that I feel incredibly blessed. I know that life will continue to offer challenges and ups and downs, but I will always be able to rely on the power of a loving God who will carry me and who will ensure I have those I love with me regardless of life or death. I know I am A Child of God as are my family members and as His children, we will always be loved and protected by Him. What a blessing it is to know that.
To learn more about the temple and what we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints believe, visit: www.temples.lds.org
Click on the pictures to view them larger
I wonder how many years it will be until we have all six of us looking at the camera at once!
Crazy kiddos!
The temple doors were so big, they made Tatem nervous, he couldn't even fake a smile!
Emerson with her Uncle Ty
The babies in their blessing outfits:
The Babies were holding hands. Of course, they stopped before I got a good picture but you can kind of see it in this picture of Zane.
A super cute cake our friend in our parents' ward made! Thanks for sharing your talent Sister Bennett!
