Preparing For Baptism

This may seem strange to those of you of different faiths than ours, but this will be our first child to be baptized. It's also the first grandchild on both sides. A very exciting time in our lives. Gabi will turn 8 in March.

8 is "magical" around here - it's the birthday all our kids talk about. It's the age when we believe children become accountable before God. Those first 8 years are a gift to us parents as we prepare and teach our children about our Savior and His gospel. When a child reaches the age of 8, he or she has the choice to be baptized, like our savior, by immersion. This choice is not made lightly. The child is taught to understand that by being baptized he or she is agreeing to follow Christ. To do their very best to be a light and example to the world. To always remember Christ and be willing to testify of him. The child is also taught the importance of repentance, without which there is no way to be saved, for we all make mistakes. In order to make such a decision, the child needs to have developed his or her own testimony of our Savior, of his mission and of his gospel.

When a child has come to this decision and gets baptized, he or she is taking the first necessary step to being able to be united with his or her family for all eternity (not just here on earth). There will be other ordinances necessary as the child progresses from a child to an adult to ensure such wonderful blessings. But getting baptized is the first - it marks the path.

In preparation for this, Gabi has already read the Book of Mormon in it's entirety by herself once through. Since that time, she's been reading it again, focusing especially on the passages of scripture that talk about our Savior and faith. Her goal is to complete the Book of Mormon this way before she turns 8. These are goals she set for herself. Our family reads from the Book of Mormon every night. And she learns about the gospel from the Bible, the Pearl of Great Price and the Book of Mormon. All scriptures which confirm the truth of each other - the gospel being the same in all.

Gabi has been thinking a lot about her baptism - who will baptize her, who will confirm her and who will take part in this wonderful program. The first two must be someone who holds the true Priesthood of God here on the earth. The others can be anyone. It's a special thing to know that the true Priesthood of God is here upon the earth and able to be used for such sacred ordinances.

She is very excited - she's planning it all - and she's even making a list of people dear to her that she wants to invite to this special event. We are all so excited and happy for her.

It you want to learn more about this special event or what we believe, please click here.