By Stacey Wismer
Military activation has made the looming war in the Middle East a reality for some BYU students.
Landon Jones is one of those students. Just two days before leaving for an indefinite amount of time, Landon married Amanda Williford, 25, from Santa Barbara, Calif.
Landon, 24, from Lake Elsinore, Calif., majoring in conservation biology, was activated in the National Guard Jan. 21. Four days later, he was married.
Amanda showed up at Landon''s apartment Jan. 21, planning to attend a temple session. But Landon was not ready because he had just been notified of his activation.
'My heart sank,' Landon said. 'I had more than good reason to think I wouldn''t be activated.'
Amanda started crying.
'They don''t need you,' she told him. 'I need you. You''re just a wimpy French translator.'
Landon and Amanda, who planned to be married April 25, discussed their options. Landon wanted to elope. Amanda wanted to wait until he was supposed to be back in a year.
'I wanted the cake, the flowers, the bridesmaids,' she said.
By mistake, Landon was told Jan. 22 that he wouldn''t have to leave. But the next day he was told he was still activated.
'It was such an emotional roller coaster,' Amanda said.
After fasting, Amanda had not yet made a final decision. As Landon and Amanda were reading their scriptures Thursday night, Landon said, 'So are we going to get married on Saturday?'
After getting down on his knee for the second time and asking Amanda to marry him, Amanda felt like she had her answer.
'My heart started pounding,' Amanda said. 'I felt like I had just run 10 miles, but I came in first place. Of course I said yes.'
Landon and Amanda had less than 48 hours to call their families, find a sealing room, photographer, videographer, bouquet and all the other items that come with a wedding. Landon rented a tux an hour before the wedding.
'Everything fell into place,' Landon said. 'The Lord removed all the obstacles.'
Landon and Amanda agreed that their decision was inspired, despite some things that were missing from a typical wedding.
'I missed some of my family that couldn''t be there, but I didn''t miss planning the centerpieces or finding bridesmaids'' dresses,' Amanda said.
The sealing in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple reassured everyone in attendance.
'The spirit was so strong,' Amanda said. 'It reconfirmed to us that our crazy decision was fine by the Lord.'
On Monday, Jan. 27, Landon went to Ft. Carson in Colorado, where he was to train before departing to the Middle East.
Landon said their temple sealing gives him strength and comfort to do his duty in the military.
'Because of the promises of the sealer, I know I will return home,' he said. 'I''m in God''s hands.'
After he left, Amanda had to discontinue Landon from school, sell his books, his contract and pack up his things. Many people were willing to help, she said.
Amanda still lives with her three roommates. While Amanda is not alone, she feels a different kind of loneliness.
'We were always together,' Amanda said about Landon. 'We were best friends. We still are.'
Landon and Amanda still call each other several times a day. But after Landon leaves to the Middle East, most communication will consist only of letters.
With life much the same for Amanda, the reality of marriage is hard to grasp.
'It feels like it never happened, like I went on a weekend fling,' she said jokingly.
Through all these ordeals, Amanda said she now has a stronger sense of patriotism.
'Sacrificing something so incredibly close for freedom makes it so much more meaningful,' she said.