SACRAMENTO,
CA—James and Teri Burke, the completely exhausted parents of a newborn, recently
slept right through what would have been a life-altering visit by the angel Moroni.
Teri gave birth to the Burke’s third child 2 days ago. Delivery complications first meant that the
doctors tried to induce Teri, but ended up having to deliver the Burke’s child via caesarian section. Since then, James, who has been with his wife
every step, has found himself scrambling to find people to watch their other
children and finish an important work project.
The days since their daughter’s birth have been a whirlwind
of activities, visits, pictures, and adjustments. Though Teri has struggled less with
breast-feeding, her post-partum emotional swings have been just as severe as
before. James has worked hard to relieve
his wife of as much stress as possible.
By last night, both James and Teri were so exhausted that
they let one child have ice cream for dinner and allowed another to commit what
under any other circumstances would have been timeout-worthy misdemeanors. But
even in this county fair-like environment, both children fell asleep rather
quickly.
Once James and Teri got to go to bed, they fell into the
deep sleep-of-the-dead known only to new parents, recently released mission
presidents, and deacons at the Priesthood session of General Conference.
It was in the midst of this tomb-like slumber that, unbeknownst
to them, the Burke’s bedroom filled with a radiant white light rivaling far brighter than the noon-day sun. In this brilliant glow,
a man in a celestial robe appeared with a message for the Burkes. After starting his message, he noted that the
Burkes had not stirred in the least. The
man coughed several times and even raised his voice slightly. When this also met with no reaction, he shook
Brother Burke rather violently. Not
recognizing the angelic prodding, James rolled over and simply mumbled “she’ll
probably go right back to sleep…”
Because of their inattentiveness, the angel consulted with
other post-mortal messengers and administrators. They determined to come back later that
night, but neither the second nor third visits yielded better results. There was a discussion about trying to visit
them individually the next day, but given both Brother and Sister Burke’s sheer
exhausted, they held out little hope of duly rested and attentive recipients. The suggestion that they leave a
note was also rejected.
Nothing is known of the exact contents of the intended
angelic message, though some reports indicate that it may have included a quote
from Isaiah chapter 60.
Oh I laughed so hard I cried! "After starting his message, he noted that the Burkes had not stirred in the least." LOL
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