A Memory of Courage

As conference has been drawing near, we have been hearing about a protest that is supposed to outnumber the number of people going inside the conference building. To me, this is very black and white when thinking about who the two groups represent at this even, though not necessarily on an individual basis. The saints will not be stopped from gathering, and the forces of Satan will do little in stopping the stone cut out of the mountain.
But the upcoming events reminds me of an experience my room mates and I had last semester. We, as a room, decided to take a trip to Salt Lake to see Temple Square. One of our room mates was not a member and I desperately wanted her to feel the same feelings I knew and could bear testimony of while we were there. I had been sitting in on discussions with her and knew that she was really receptive to the spirit. I love her so much and still want her to partake of the blessings and covenants that are hers for the taking.
We reached our destination and quickly realized there was a lot of company we had at temple square. Protesters of Proposition 8 encircled the whole block. We had to park a couple blocks away and before we got out we all agreed we wanted to pray before we got out. One of my room mates was slightly frightened while I was uneasy, but did not fear. I knew if we watched and prayed we would be protected according to God's will. When we reached the block we had to squeeze in-between some protesters to get through, but we made it in. We wanted to watch the Joseph Smith movie, but they had shut most everything down for the nigh because of the protesters outside. So, we decided to take a little walk outside. The protesters were noisy with blow-horns and their shouting, and we found it hard to feel the spirit. But we reached the gates of the temple and began to sing. Our small little voices were a supplication. And I felt the Spirit enter me. I wanted my non-member room mate to have something to remember from this, so I bore my testimony of the temple and the blessings within. You see, a couple of months earlier I had been inside those very gates waiting for my own sister to emerge with a new celestial companion. I knew what could await all four of us.