When asked why he was so excited about it, he talked about the chance to follow Christ's example: since Christ was baptized, Trey felt privileged to be making that decision and following in the Savior's footsteps. He was grateful for the opportunity to promise God that he will walk the Savior's path for the rest of his life. Perhaps it is a heavy decision for an 8 year old, but as funny as it sounds, I really think that Trey understands very well what he is doing and was more than happy (and very grateful) to do it!
I would like to just share a few thoughts about the experience from my perspective. The most important thing in my life is God, and my family is a part of that since God asks us to create eternal family units here in this life. Because of this, I have been very excited for Trey to make this commitment to God, and I have been very excited to see how he has learn and grown and striven to follow the Savior's example. As I walked down into the water with my oldest son, I was ecstatic, recognizing that he was making such an important step in his personal walk with God.
Paul taught the Galatians the "fruit of the spirit"... in other words, the things that God's Spirit produces. He described them as "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance"... The Spirit was producing these feelings of love, joy and peace in my heart as we were in the water preparing to participate in this sacred ordinance. As I placed Trey under the water and brought him back up, the Holy Ghost witnessed to me that this was truly a sacred event. One of Heavenly Father's sons was choosing to enter the gate that leads to the path that leads to eternal life (2 Nephi 31:17-21). It was truly a choice experience, and one that is difficult to describe because of the impact it had upon my mind and heart.
The Lord teaches us in DC 84:20-21 that, "Therefore in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh." This describes well what I felt, and what I think many others felt as they watched and felt the power of this sacred ordinance. It was a clear witness to me that Trey was doing something that our Heavenly Father very much approved of. When Trey and I went back into the locker room to change into dry clothing, he was completely euphoric. There is no way that any amount of parental brainwashing could have induced the joy that he was experiencing and expressed at this time. It can only be described as godly!
Following the baptism of water, I was able to confirm him a member of the church, and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost, just as the ancient apostles did following their baptisms (Acts 19:1-6). This is also referred to as the baptism of the Spirit (John 3:5). As I blessed Trey, I could feel God speaking to him through me. Again I could feel God's power lift my heart and bless all of us in the room with His Spirit. Then I was able to bless my little daughter Evelyn to give her strength and direction through her life, which I know that she will need. Again I could feel that the words that I was speaking in her blessing were not mine, but the words of her Heavenly Father. I was merely the instrument that was there to receive His word and pass it on to her.
There isn't much chance that Evelyn will remember what was said or felt today, but I know my wife and I will remember some of those things and tell her. I hope that Trey will remember today and what he felt. I know I will not forget today, and I will always remember the hug we shared right after he came out of the water and again when we got out. Choice experiences and cherished memories! I hope that this experience will be the beginning of a personal relationship developing with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. I have seen some of that relationship develop with him already.
We oftentimes speak of the day of Pentecost in the ancient church to describe amazing spiritual outpourings (see Acts 2). Today for me was a personal Pentecost. I felt the outpouring of God's love in amazing ways. I felt His Spirit and saw a tiny little sliver of the love that He has for us as His children. It is a day that I will never forget. I again received a witness today through the Holy Ghost that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the church which God has established to minister to us His truths and His ordinances. He wants us all to have joy, and I felt and saw that today, a little piece of heaven during a personal Pentecost!
No comments:
Post a Comment