The Life Story -- Fred and Trudy: Part III

So Fred and Trudy finally got their act together and were married on March 22, 1985 in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. Family and friends were present, including Julie, the woman who served a mission and taught Trudy the Gospel.

But the ceremony didn't happen right away. No one knew why there was a wait, but then a temple worker came in and said, "We're sorry for the delay. The temple president, Elder Hanks, has requested to do this sealing, and he will be a few more minutes. Do you mind waiting?" But of course not!!

The mystery, though! The questions! Why would Marion D. Hanks of the Seventy specifically request to perform their sealing? (Among the workers: Who are Fred and Trudy, anyway?) Like most mysteries, there was an explanation. When Trudy joined the Church, the mission president was Doug Powelson and Elder Hanks was president of the Asia Area. At the time, President Powelson had told Elder Hanks about the American who had joined the Church in Taiwan (which, if you haven't figured it out, is quite unusual--then again this family never did anything the usual way, as you'll soon discover).

Today, however, Pres. Powelson said to Pres. Hanks, "Remember that girl I told you about who joined the Church in Taiwan? She's getting married here," and Pres. Hanks replied, "Well then, I want to perform the sealing."

Done and done.

Trudy was very proud when all was said and done and she hadn't shed a tear. She was pretty caught up in the dress, all the attention, and the general commotion, but then she saw Julie, her missionary. She saw all the changes that had happened, and the different path she had been led to because Julie had decided to serve a mission and teach Trudy the gospel, and well, there was much tearing up.

But they were tears of joy, and then it was time to party!