{"chapter_no":"14","chapter_title":"Vision of the Springville East Stake","book_id":"3","book_name":"Springville","subchapter_no":"0","page_no":"450","page_number":"1","verses_count":0,"total_pages":7,"page_content":"

 <\/p>

Chapter 14<\/p>

Vision of the Springville East Stake<\/h1><\/p>

 <\/p>

Mark and Kathleen spend an afternoon in the mountains—A final decision about Mark's job at
the plant is made—They relax together and enjoy the view of the valley<\/i> below<\/i>—As Mark sleeps, he sees a
glorious vision of the Springville East Stake.<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

One day in June of the following year, the Chandlers prepared for a Saturday afternoon
hike in the mountains. It was warm and cloudy outside, and just past noon. The couple filled up
their backpacks with a picnic lunch, drinking water, a small tent, his and her scriptures, and
blankets to spread on the ground. They loaded all of this into the car and then headed off towards
the hills southeast of Springville. Just past the mouth of the canyon, they parked their car and
continued on foot. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Up the trail a few miles, they found a place large enough to lay out their blankets and
unpack the items they had brought along. The area was familiar to Mark, near to the place, in
fact, that he had visited before. They were quite hungry when they arrived, having fasted the
preceding twenty-four hours to prepare themselves for this important day.<\/p>

 <\/p>

It was two o’clock. After camp was set up, Mark and Kathleen marked the occasion by
kneeling to pray together in this spot. The prayer was a formal petition to the Lord for guidance;
they explained why they had come here to the mountain on this day and what was wanted.
Similar prayers had been regularly made over the last six months, but the one here was more
important because of the time factor––in recent days, the management team had asked Mark to
finalize his decision.<\/p>

 <\/p>

After praying, they listened carefully for the voice of the Spirit to come. Several minutes
passed in silence; nothing was heard. It seemed an answer from the Lord was not forthcoming.
Mark broke the silence, suggesting that they should go ahead and bless the food so they could
eat. Happy the fast was over, both eagerly opened up the picnic foods Kathleen had prepared,
which included some half-sandwiches, healthy snack foods, and a dessert made with strawberries
from their garden. <\/p>

 <\/p>

After eating, they took time to look out from their mountain perch and enjoy the view.
Straight out in front of them was West Mountain, a dominant landmark of the area with high
peaks tapering off to small hills on both sides. To the left of them was Woodland Hills and more
mountains, and to the right was a view of Utah Lake and the shoreline of Provo Bay; Springville <\/p>

and the other small towns were below them, left to right. The valley was like an oval-shaped
bowl, enclosed by mountains on three sides and by the lake and bay waters on the fourth. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Mark was the first to speak.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“Kathy, I think we’ve made the decision on this already. We’ve been preparing ourselves
the last few months for this day, and because of those preparations, I feel we're as ready as we
can be to go forward with this.”<\/p>

 <\/p>

“I agree,” said Kathleen.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“I suppose if we had come here expecting something dramatic from the Lord as a final
confirmation of our plans, that was a good thought. But I don’t know that we need anything more
than what we've already been given in terms of guidance or inspiration. It’s really more a matter
of our own agency anyway––what we want to do ourselves.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“How do you feel inside, Kathy? Do you still feel good about it, or should we
reconsider?”<\/p>

 <\/p>

“I feel really good about this,” replied Kathleen. “I’ve had plenty of time to think it over.
What helped me the most was the time spent with James and Beth. You seemed to have picked
up quite a lot from James, but I was equally impressed by what I saw in Beth. They work so well
together as a team in their marriage and she really enjoys being part of the work James does
every day. I’d like to spend more time with them; they're very nice people and are fun to be
around. They are definitely motivated in the gospel; that’s for sure! It would be nice to capture a
little of that wonderful spirit they have up there in Ogden and bring it down here to Springville.”<\/p>

 <\/p>

“Yes,” said Mark. “I’ve felt peace in this almost from the first day I spent with President
Hancock visiting members in his stake. The only question for me was just figuring out how
something like this might work, the logistics and so forth. But now, I’m pretty sure we’ll do fine
financially and that good things will continue to happen to us as we move forward. Beyond that,
we’ll just need to put our faith in the Lord.” <\/p>

 <\/p>

“Okay. That sounds fine,” said Kathleen.<\/p>

 <\/p>

With those final words between them, the matter was settled. On Monday, Mark would
give formal notice at the plant of his intention to retire. In anticipation of this, the plant had
already prepared a replacement for Mark from among his lead supervisors, someone who was
well-positioned to take over. Thomas had left the matter open, hoping Mark might still change
his mind. But the decision could now be finalized and Mark would begin work at a part-time job
he had found close to home. Their new life was set to begin.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The important spiritual work of the hike was therefore concluded, or at least Mark
thought as much. The two were weary from the long hike, and after having eaten lunch, they felt
more inclined to take an afternoon nap rather than do any kind of exploring.<\/p>

Rain clouds were passing over Utah Lake, but they didn’t seem to be heading in their
direction at the moment. It was overcast, yet the temperature was still warm and inviting.
Nevertheless, Mark saw fit to set up the small tent he had brought along. That accomplished, he
and Kathleen then moved inside onto the blankets. Opening the tent door towards the valley,
Mark was reminded of the people of King Benjamin and how families had pointed their tent
openings towards the temple that they might remain in their tents and hear the words spoken to
them. Taking hold of each other's hands, they rested on the blankets and enjoyed a nap together. <\/p>

 <\/p>

After a few minutes, there was a flash of lightning and a rumbling of thunderclouds
outside. Surprised, they raised themselves up upon their elbows, peeking outside the tent to see
what was happening. The noise continued for half a minute, but then quieted down. They chatted
a bit about it, then lay back down and were soon fast asleep.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Fifteen minutes passed. Then thirty. And then a full hour had transpired since they had
fallen asleep.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Suddenly, there was another big commotion outside. Mark raised himself up from the
blanket and looked again. There was thundering, lightning, and darkening clouds over the valley
now. The darkness made it seem like evening had come upon them in their sleep.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Almost immediately, an amazing series of events started to transpire before his eyes––the
powers of nature were transforming the valley. So great was his astonishment that he didn’t think
to awaken Kathleen who was still sleeping beside him. The events occurred so rapidly that he
could scarcely follow all that was taking place. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Far off in the distance behind West Mountain, there was a diffusion of blue lights
creating a smooth, ambient background on the horizon. But the face of the mountain had also
been altered. Upon it, there were nine towers of different heights and widths in a symmetrical
design. The tower in the center was of medium height, coupled with two taller ones on both sides
in gradual ascension. Following these, there were two others much smaller in height and width;
and on the far sides, there were two more that were equal in height to the one in the center. Each
of the nine towers was a collection of gold-colored rods of some kind, bound together like
sheaves of wheat in a harvest. More rods were arranged in both the upper and lower sections
between the towers, all having the same gold-like color. At the top of this superstructure was a
dark wood bridgework that encased the towers and followed the same sloping orientation. Along
the top, lights glowed from fixtures hidden inside.<\/p>

 <\/p>

At the bottom of this fascinating backdrop of towers and rods was what Mark guessed to
be some kind of platform or stage. It extended out wide to both left and right of the structure like
the hull of a large wooden sailing vessel. The wood paneling on the front side of the platform
was exceedingly fine, resembling cherry or another elegant style of wood. The stage area,
brightly lit, complemented the structure of the towers and rods behind it. The entire complex
dominated the face of the mountain. <\/p>

Focusing in on the stage, Mark quickly realized that there were people there and, in fact,
hundreds of them. They stood in perfect formation, men on the right side and women on the left,
each person provided with a seat behind to sit upon. <\/p>

 <\/p>

With each passing moment, Mark could discern more and more details on the mountain,
even though it was miles away. Everything in the valley was now perfectly visible to him as
though it were at close range. A change had come upon his eyes allowing him to see everything
around him regardless of distance.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The mountain scene had not been fully discernible at first, but on second glance, it was
now perfectly clear what he was seeing. It was the Choir! The Tabernacle Choir pavilion with its
familiar stage, orchestra, and 360-member vocal group was set up in grand scale. It was
magnificent! The pavilion was larger than life, seemingly visible to everyone in the valley, not
just himself. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Just behind the mountain, in an opening of the dark storm clouds on the horizon, were the
makings of a beautiful sunset. The sun’s rays streaked across the sky painting a colorful display
of orange and yellow upon a series of puffy, pillow-like white clouds. <\/p>

 <\/p>

The full panorama of the valley stretched many miles in circumference. The oval-shaped
bowl of the valley floor––encompassing the cities of Springville, Spanish Fork, Payson, and
other small towns––was like a vast auditorium of rows and seats, mirroring the layout of the
Conference Center in Salt Lake City. <\/p>

 <\/p>

A row of seats in the auditorium represented a neighborhood, several rows together
comprised a ward, and many rows combined together in a seating section formed a stake. There
were many seating sections located throughout the valley, thus many stakes, with some seating
sections extending up onto the slopes of the surrounding mountains. Track lighting lined the
rows of seats on the floor, and the lights of the auditorium were dimmed so attention would be
focused by all upon the brightly lit stage upon the mountain. <\/p>

 <\/p>

The crowd was enormous, as though the active Church membership in Utah County had
grown many times over from its current size. Each individual, and each family, was assigned
seats in their local ward; and like the people at the time of King Benjamin’s address, all of these
seats pointed towards the mountain that they might more easily see and hear that which was
taking place there, and most particularly, hear the words spoken from the wooden podium in
front. The auditorium was filled to capacity, such was the excitement of everyone in the valley to
join in on the festivities of this day.<\/p>

 <\/p>

So great was the demand for seats to this extraordinary event that bishops had to create
waiting lists and issue tickets ahead of time. People came by the thousands, and by the tens of
thousands, from many miles around. Members wanted to come, and nonmembers wanted to
come. And in case of the latter, they came having desires to be baptized. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Watching from his tent, Mark noticed the noise from the audience was dying down in
preparation for the Choir to begin. <\/p>

 <\/p>

First came the music from the orchestra, then came the singing of the choral voices, and
lastly, the thunderous sound of the organ pipes. The sound of music was contained within the
auditorium by the surrounding hills, allowing the audience to hear each note and instrument
perfectly. Mark could hear everything quite well from his vantage point, marveling at all he was
seeing and hearing. Looking over at Kathleen, he tried to wake her, realizing how much she
would enjoy all of this. But she was too deeply asleep and didn't respond, so he continued
watching and listening by himself.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The music filling the valley was awe-inspiring! The Tabernacle Choir was much more
than a group of singers and musicians. Like angels, the Choir sang by the power of the Holy
Ghost, articulating a vision of Zion through music<\/span>.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The opening musical number concluded and then there were a few moments of silence. <\/p>

 <\/p>

It was not long, however, before there was a small stir in the seating section of the
Springville area. A request had been made for members of the Springville East Stake to stand, a
request made by the Spirit of God who was present in the auditorium. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Quietly and reverently, these members came to their feet as requested. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Lights from above shined down upon them. Their countenances were bright and cheerful.
They were like lambs, and like little children, easily entreated by the Spirit––happy, polite,
unassuming, respectful, simple in their wants and wishes, full of hope, full of faith, and full of
charity. They had humbled themselves because of the word of God only; they had not been
constrained to be humble because of their circumstances in life, but because of their desire for
righteousness and their love of the Savior and their fellow man. Having looked around at all the
things the world had to offer them, they had chosen instead to seek out and embrace the things of
God in their lives. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Choosing not to use the microphone, the Spirit called out to the audience from the
podium with a still, small voice.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“Behold, the Springville East Stake!” <\/p>

 <\/p>

Mark looked. <\/p>

 <\/p>

These were friends and neighbors of his. They had been deeply moved by the Choir's
music and were now filled with desire. It had been given unto them by the Spirit what they
should feel inside. <\/p>

 <\/p>

There had been no formal Church calling extended to these members prior to having
them stand, as is the usual pattern when conducting formal business of the Church in like
settings. Furthermore, the names of these individuals had not been called out one by one from the
podium. No, the Spirit had asked them to stand up as a group from among their peers so that the <\/p>

light from heaven might shine down upon them, that they might become a light unto the Church,
just as the Church was a light unto all the nations of the earth. <\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

These members had faithfully done their duty––the first five percent of gospel-related
tasks––which they were explicitly commanded to do in their homes and wards every day. But
then, they had decided to do a little more. Taking a look at the other ninety-five percent, they had
begun to consecrate their time and talents to the building up of the kingdom of God on earth<\/span>. <\/p>

 <\/p>

It was not long before similar stirs occurred within the seating sections near to those of
the Springville East Stake. More lights from above came on, brightening the countenances of
more persons and bringing a similar glow of the Spirit upon them.<\/p>

 <\/p>

As he watched, Mark had a sense that, through this vision, he was seeing a glimpse of
what his stake might become one day. His stake could become an important catalyst, starting a
chain reaction of the gospel among the other stakes in the valley, and in the Church at large. <\/p>

 <\/p>

He contrasted his situation with that of Mormon, recalling the famous painting of him
and his son Moroni as they looked out upon the final great battlefield of the Nephites and
Lamanites. In similar fashion, Mark now looked out upon his own people from high atop the
mountain and exclaimed:<\/p>

 <\/p>

Oh<\/i>,<\/i> the anguish<\/i> of Mormon for his people! I can scarcely imagine the terrible scene that
unfolded before his eyes!<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

Oh, <\/i>w<\/i>hat <\/i>great fear must have filled the hearts of the Nephite men, women, and children
as they saw the approaching Lamanite armies! They had boasted in their strength; their riches
had become slippery, that they could not hold them; and they were surrounded by demons and
the bitterness of hell! <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

But look at what I see<\/i> here<\/i>! <\/i>What a<\/i> wonderful era of the gospel we live in<\/i>, <\/i>the <\/i>fulness of<\/i>
times, as it were!<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

Behold, the <\/i>salvation of my people<\/i>! T<\/i>hey are <\/i>among the most humble and righteous <\/i>souls<\/i>
who have ever walked <\/i>the earth<\/i>!<\/i> What <\/i>greater blessing in life could one<\/i> have than<\/i> to witness <\/i>
this?<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

Caught away in his thoughts, the vision before his eyes closed, and Mark was awakened. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“Honey,” said Kathleen, “it’s time to wake up. It’s almost 5:00. We should probably start
heading back.”<\/p>

 <\/p>

Mark arose promptly and poked his head through the door of the tent. It had all been a
dream, but a glorious dream at that! Everything was as it had been before. There was no great
auditorium, just the familiar valley floor and West Mountain, scarcely visible off at a distance. <\/p>

“Yes Kathleen, it’s time for me to awaken... time indeed,” responded Mark, startling
Kathleen with his strong words as she gathered up the blankets. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“I’ve been asleep in the Church all of my life and never realized it.” <\/p>

 <\/p>

“What do you mean?” asked Kathleen.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Mark smiled.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“Boy, Kathleen, do I have a lot to share with you! I’m so glad we came here today! We
definitely got the confirmation from the Lord we were seeking! <\/p>

 <\/p>

“Let’s fold up the tent and get going. I’ll tell you all about it on the way down.”<\/p>"}