Returning to the Happiest Place

I love going to Disneyland. Sure, sometimes it's crowded and hot,and the wait times are incredibly long. Then there is the premium price of admission and the cost of meals. Even so, it's a great place to spend a family vacation. We're not annual passholders which means we only visit maybe once a year or so. There are a couple of reasons though why I like to return to the Anaheim resort.

Walt Disney said that as long as there is imagination in the world, Disneyland would never be finished. Indeed, there is always something new or updated like the all new Carsland in Disney California Adventure or Jack Sparrow in the old Pirates of the Caribbean. That's one reason why I look forward to going to the parks, to see everything that's new and haven't seen before.

On the other hand, it's also good to come back to a place that's familiar. When I pass through the main gate at the Magic Kingdom, I know there will be the big Mickey shaped flower bed. Then I'll walk through the tunnel under the train tracks and enter Main Street, USA. From there I know that I can continue to the hub where to my right will be Tomorrowland, or straight ahead through Sleeping Beauty's Castle to Fantasyland, or turn left into Adventureland or Frontierland. I know where to get Fastpasses, where the restrooms are, and the quickest way to get from one attraction to another.

Then again, I can always find something in the parks that I hadn't noticed before even though it may have been there all along. It's not really new but it's new to me. Disney fans know about "hidden mickeys." These are like hidden Easter eggs sprinkled throughout the park that only the true fans can spot. For example, the current Winnie the Pooh ride is in the same location where the Country Bear Jamboree used to be. Halfway through the ride, if you look back and up toward the ceiling you can see the mounted heads of the same trio that used to appear in the old show. This was intentionally installed by the imagineers as a nod to the old attraction that was once there and noticeable only to those who know where to look.

I've heard people often complain about going on "It's a Small World" and having that song get stuck in their head. I actually like the song and don't mind having it repeating endlessly in my mind. There are far worse things to have stuck in your brain than a song about world harmony.

It's also nice to know that when I need assistance I can turn to the map that shows me where to find what I'm looking for.

These are some of the same reasons why I like to return regularly to the scriptures. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, and other books of holy scripture have become familiar to me. I know where to find passages about the Savior, words of comfort, directions for leading a good life, and other important messages for our salvation. Every time I go back to read them, it's also possible to find something I hadn't noticed before that was there all along.

When I don't know exactly where something is, there is a topical guide and index to help me find what I'm looking for.

There are some scripture verses that I've memorized that I like to recall from time to time. You could say that they sometimes get stuck in my head. That's usually a good thing and a reminder of Heavenly Father's messages for me .

But, what about finding something that really is new? As Latter-day Saints, "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Ninth Article of Faith) Twice a year in general conference, we sustain the First Presidency of the church and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. In those same conferences we can hear their words as they are inspired and guided by the Holy Ghost. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience something new, and to be able to return to those new messages online or in the magazines of the church.

While it's fun to return to the "Happiest Place on Earth", I can always return to the happiest place in the scriptures. Best of all, it doesn't cost money, it's not crowded, and there are no lines!