Colleen Halling, an art education major at Utah State, meets Max Jensen through church activities. After initial misunderstandings, they begin dating steadily, bonded by their Mormon faith. Max, recently returned from a mission to Brazil, impresses Colleen with his spiritual seriousness and ambition.

They become engaged in February 1975 and marry in the Logan Temple in May. They settle in Provo while Max attends BYU Law School. Colleen gives birth to a daughter, Monica. Despite financial strain, they maintain a happy relationship, resolving disagreements before sleeping and supporting one another.

After losing a promising construction job, Max takes lower-paying work at a Sinclair gas station in Orem. He works long hours without complaint. Two weeks after speaking in church on honesty and joy, he leaves home for his afternoon shift.

Gary finalizes the purchase of the white pickup from Val Conlin, trading in his Mustang and promising cash payments. He boasts about the truck, then retrieves a handgun from Kathryne despite her hesitation. He drives off with Nicole’s sister, April, who is high on drugs, hallucinating, and rambling as they travel through Utah County.

Gary reclaims a Browning automatic from Craig Taylor and signs the final truck papers that evening.