Christopher Saynt woke begrudgingly. He was full of the spirit and lay glazed in the rays of a warm orange sun. Gently, he rose from the soft grass on which he laid. Everything around him was dreamlike and mystical. He stood and saw what appeared to be a Masonic garden. It was a menagerie of stone carvings, chiseled statues, and carefully placed stones. Chris wondered if he was dreaming and he began to wander through its pathways. As he casually passed over meticulously engraved stone a cool breeze ran its fingers through his blonde hair.

Chris sensed that the garden was a secret and magical place. At every corner were unusual and astonishing sculptures, each with their own spiritual reference or token. Amongst them was a large Sphinx. The quartzite statue, weighing several tons, appeared to be crouching. Its frozen face looked in anticipation toward the entrance of the garden. Intrigued, Chris followed the gaze of the stone beast. There, at the iron gates, was his spiritual guide, Sam.

“Welcome to the Gilgal Gardens” Sam said. They walked in silence through the gardens for a time. Then Chris sat, taking position on a large boulder and Sam sat beside him. “What is this place?” Christopher asked. “It is safe Chris. And that is enough for you to know”. Chris looked to the scriptural and poetic references that were carved in the flagstones at his feet. He wondered how he could have lived in Salt Lake for so many years and not known that such an oasis existed in the heart of the city.

In the garden Christopher saw a stone alter, used for the burning of sacrificial offerings. The implication of fire sent shrills through him as he recalled the dark flame of the adversary. He remembered the missing sword too and looked to Sam. He asked why his Heavenly Father abandoned him during his confrontation with Lucifer. Sam placed his hand on Christopher’s shoulder and said to him “How can you expect the Word of God to protect you Chris if you do not carry it with you?”

Chris pondered Sam’s words in silence. He looked up to the sun which still shone down upon him. He felt its warm caress and was reminded of the dove. Then Sam stood saying, “Here, I want to show you something.” Sam drew his hand through the air, just as he did for Chris at the Salt Lake temple several days before. The veil peeled away before Christopher’s eyes and the garden before him came to life. Chris was amazed. He’d never seen such a thing. The statues literally came alive. Some were speaking to one another. Some were singing praises to Heavenly Father. Others merely sat, serene and contented, with warm welcoming smiles.

The flora in the garden came alive too. The trees appeared to breathe as they stretched their limbs toward the sky, while the flowers swayed in tune to the songs of praise. The entire garden was not only alive, but sentient. They were all aware of Sam and Chris and they were pleased that they were there. Chris looked to Sam as if asking for permission. Sam nodded in approval and Chris walked among the creations and interacted with the living stone. Many of the statues only smiled at him, but some who spoke bore witness to Chris of their testimonies and love for Christ.

When Chris had seen and been everywhere in the garden, Sam closed the veil. He spoke to Chris in earnest and reminded him of his pact with God. He reminded Christopher that the adversary used half-truths to manipulate the children of men. As he spoke, Chris thought of Benjamin, the man who Lucifer had blamed for the death of his family.

They walked to a special place in the garden where Sam touched a number of stones. The rock beneath them opened revealing a subterranean staircase in the ground below. Sam told Chris that the path would lead him to Benjamin. Chris was surprised. He had not mentioned Benjamin’s name to Sam. And yet somehow, he knew. Sam then told Chris that when he found Benjamin he would face a choice. Would he seek to do his Father’s will? Or, would he take the sinister alternative? Chris weighed Sam’s words carefully. Then, without looking back, descended into the earth.