[Previous entry: "Friday is a special day"] [Next entry: "A new birthday eve tradition...."]
06/06/2005: "Weekend Wrapup"
mood: pensive
Saturday was a fun day for our family. We went to the Baby Expo at the state fairgrounds in the morning; unfortunately there wasn't anybody there with slings. We did find lots of little freebies, including an adorable bib "I am a designated nonsmoking area". The children played in the bouncers there for a while, and then we drove to the Webers' stake center for Conner's baptism.
Duncan did a great job with his talk--many people came up later and complimented him on doing such a fine job and marveled that he was not quite 8 himself. The speaker on the Holy Ghost was the mother of the other child who was being baptized. It was really neat to see her emotions as she reminded her daughter that only 4 years ago it was the mother who was being baptized. Richard was a witness for Conner's baptism and was invited to participate in his confirmation as well. Duncan told me afterwards that he had made a couple of mistakes in his talk, and didn't quite understand why everyone thought he did a good job. I told him I didn't think anyone else really noticed any mistakes and that part of the good job was studying and coming up with what he wanted to say in the first place.
Sunday was our Stake Conference, and we went to the afternoon session. We all stood to sing the intermediate hymn #81, Press Forward Saints, and it was a wonderful moment to see all of my children singing as best each knew how, feeling our baby moving inside me, holding hands with my husband... It was such a powerful reminder to me that we are moving in the right direction as we teach them the Gospel and strive for family unity.
Today is Cheanna Eve =) For our family home evening tonight we are looking back at her life from the time she was growing in my womb. It promises to be a very special evening.
I'm posting a copy of Duncan's talk in the more section below. Enjoy!
Baptism--Are you ready?
Here are some questions to see if you are ready to be baptized.
Are you at least 8 years old?
Have you been taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Do you have faith in Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ?
Do you feel humble and needful before them?
Do you pray?
Do you want to show other people or be a witness to them that you want to grow more and more like Jesus Christ?
Do you feel sorry about doing wrong things or giving in when tempted?
Have you repented and have you told Heavenly Father how you feel and asked Him to forgive you?
Are you willing to take on the name of Jesus Christ and help Him with His work?
Do you want to join His church on the earth today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Now I will talk about the who, what, when, where, why and how of baptism.
What?
Baptism is how you become a member of the church and take the name of Jesus upon you.
Who?
The man who baptizes you will be one who holds the priesthood and has the authority to baptize you. There are also two witnesses along with family and friends to see this happen.
When?
When you’re at least 8 years old and can answer yes to the questions about being ready.
Where?
We’re here at the stake center where you will be baptized in the special baptismal font.
How?
The man who baptizes you will say the sacred words God wants said for this ordinance. Then he will lower you into the water until you are completely immersed for just a second or two. Then he will quickly bring you up out of the water again. The witnesses will make sure no part of you pokes above the water during the immersion. Baptism by immersion follows the Savior’s example and is symbolic of death and resurrection, both physically and spiritually. You are being born again.
Why?
In John chapter 3 verse 5, Jesus told Nicodemus “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”
All of Heavenly Father’s children who are accountable need to be baptized to get into Heaven.
When you are baptized you make a promise to Heavenly Father and Heavenly Father makes a promise to you. This is called a covenant. It is important to keep all the promises you make. That is why you have to be at least 8 years old—so you can understand what it is that you are doing.
This is a story about a girl who has been baptized and lives in a small town.
Abby’s Mother asked her to go to the store and buy some ice cream for their family home evening. “Abby, ice cream melts if it is out of the freezer for too long. Please hurry home right after you buy it, will you? We want good ice cream for this special night. You may choose the flavor you like best, but promise me that you’ll come straight home.”
“I promise” said Abby, nodding her head.
She meant it too. She was proud to have the chance to choose the ice cream for family home evening. It felt good that Mother trusted her to take the money and do the shopping. “I promise” she said again.
“Good girl” said Abby’s mother. “Remember, the ice cream will melt if you stop and play.” Her mother looked Abby right in the eye to make sure she understood the promise she was making.
“I know, okay mother, I’ll hurry right home” and off she went to the store.
She bought chocolate mint chip. Just as Abby started out of the big doors of the grocery store, one of her friends came in. She asked Abby to go with her to the greeting cards rack. She wanted help in choosing a birthday card for her father.
“Help me choose Abby, and then we can walk home together. It’ll be fun”
At first Abby agreed to help, it sounded nice to have a friend to walk home with. It wouldn’t be boring that way. Choosing a card wouldn’t take too long, either. She could get back in time.
Abby cradled the ice cream in her arm so she could walk close beside her friend to the card rack. It was a good thing she shifted the ice cream—it felt cold against her arm. Suddenly she remembered that she had ice cream that wasn’t supposed to melt.
She had promised Mother!
Abby explained to her friend and quickly said goodbye and she hurried out of the door before she could change her mind or listen to her friend coax. She ran straight home, her promise kept.
When you are baptized and confirmed the Holy Ghost can remind you of the promises you have made. He can help you know good from bad, truth from error.
Nephi taught us that being baptized is the beginning of the strait and narrow path.
“After ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold I say unto you, Nay, for ye have not come this far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in Him relying wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save.
Wherefore you must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men, wherefore if ye shall press forward feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the father: Ye shall have eternal life.”
I am excited to be here at this baptism and I think that you’re making the right choice.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
