The Game of LIfe

Last weekend was the priest Laurel Conference with the theme of LIFE. That includes a dance, service project, workshops, "the Game of Life", and a testimony meeting. The Game of Life: First we drew cards that told us our high school experience, and rolled a die to determine how much money we had saved. I was a bit nervous to get my card, because the two guys in front of me both dropped out of high school and had to start over. Luckily I graduated from seminary and high school with top grades and a scholarship for further education. Not realizing how many choices we actually had in this game, I accidentally skipped the mission, and, by accident, got a PHD right off the bat. Lucky. So with my forged PHD in hand, I headed over to the employment center to get a job, however I was delayed by matrimony. Completely caught by surprise I was dragged off, by a game counselor, toward the singles ward. “I found him!” The counselor turns to me and says enthusiastically “This is your wife, Melisa, you two are very in love” My wife and I asked the typical arranged marriage questions. “So… what’s your name? What’s your financial situation? How’s life been for you?” As it turns out, my wife had gone on a full time mission; at least one of us did.

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Mr. and Mrs. A - 17

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We had a temple marriage and ring exchange, and yes, they actually had rings to give each other. After our medium size reception, and honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico, I got a job as a CEO, and bought a Mazda Miata. The Miata, however, became useless because soon enough we had five kids; Three boys, and two girls… or vice versa. We named them too, but I forgot what they were, as most parents do.

Hooray for five children and tax refunds!

Car salesmen at work

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Throughout the rest of the game, we bought insurance, bought a luxury home, went on vacations, got paid, paid tithing, got our car stolen, bought a van, mistook the afterlife for the temple (what can I say? They were all wearing white!), got arrested by Melisa’s younger brother, and charged by Dad for partial nudity, did community service time, overcame the looming threat of divorce, restrained from using either of our credit cards the entire game, and sent two of our kids on a mission.

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Court Clerk Walton and Herrington

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It was in line for our last pay period, when tragedy struck, and the grim reaper visited us. Melisa and I were both killed in a hunting accident. We both had the deer in our sites but the dang thing moved in between us. At least I think so, it wasn’t exactly clear. We politely asked him if we could get paid one more time before death so as to finish paying off our depts. He said no. We lost all of our earthly possessions, and the only thing that ended up counting for us was our blessing cards, and memory cards. Psh! How realistic is that! The game was really fun, and I would do it again if I had the chance!

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This is our visit with death. Look at that smug face; he must really love his job.