Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Baptism and Confirmation

This past weekend, I was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both of those events were meaningful to me but my real hope and prayer during the last week was that they would also be an uplifting and testimony-building experience for those around me. It was also my hope and prayer that these events would serve as a uniting - rather than dividing - force for my family and extended family. I believe that both of these prayers were answered.

In terms of the baptism itself, my son JD stole the show in many ways (which was totally fine with me). He appointed himself the "baptism director" and wanted to oversee every aspect of the event. He helped me prepare the programs (see PDF). We got to the church early so he could help setup chairs and get everything ready. When people began to arrive, he told them where to sit and what the program had in store. He and my brother conducted a family scripture portion of the program while my brother-in-law JG and I were getting changed after the ordinance itself. And afterwards he helped with the clean-up. It was so fun to see his enthusiam for the event.

I was surprised by the number of people who attended. When I spoke with the Ward Mission Leader, he said that typically he makes 25 programs for a baptism; perhaps 40 if there will be a lot of family there. After we setup the chairs, I asked JD to count them and there were 67. And every one of them ended up being filled with some additional folks in the doorway. So I'm guessing there were probably 70 people or so at the event. I was commenting on this to the Ward Mission Leader after the event and he said "people like you and they know you like them". For whatever reason, that comment made me a little uncomfortable. But I was still grateful that so many people took time out of their schedule to attend.

My brother-in-law DE offered a moving opening prayer and his wife BE offered an equally moving closing prayer. My sisters-in-law NR and HG offered heart-felt testimonies of God's love for us and their faith in the gospel. I was very touched with what they both said. HG, in particular, has been my "borrowed light" up to this point - and undoubtedly will serve in that capacity for some time to come.

I was very pleased that a family member (my brother-in-law JG) was able to baptize me, that another family member (my wife's uncle GH) was able to be a witness, and that a close family friend (RW) was able to be the other witness. RW flew in from SLC for the day and GH and his wife PH drove up from Fresno (which isn't easy given GH's health challenges since his stroke). As I was immersed under the water, I opened my eyes for a moment and it was as if the heavens peeked through to me for a moment. Later, one of the attendees observed that there was a full moon out during the day and that was a sign that the heavens were smiling down on me.

It was very important to me that every part of my family and my extended family were represented in some way during the program. For family members who could not attend in person, I asked them to submit a scripture that had significance to their family and these scriptures were read aloud by volunteers from the audience. I wasn't present for that part of the program (since I was changing out of wet clothes) but I heard it went very well and people got value out of the scriptures. I have no doubt the thoughts and prayers of family not present helped build the spirit for this part of the program.

During the week, I worried a lot about what I might say after I was baptized. In the midst of this worry, I read this scripture and it had meaning to me: "Take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." (Matthew 10:19-20) I ended up talking about the fact that there wasn't any doubt in my mind that I was doing the right thing when I married my wife and I had a similar feeling about being baptized that day. When I first made the decision to be baptized, I didn't see how that would be true but the Lord lead me through it each step of the way.

Two quick asides. The week before I was baptized, I was completely stressed out and overwhelmed at work. There was lots going on and I didn't see how I was going to get everything done - especially given the fact that my entire weekend was spoken for. One of the missionaries shared this scripture with me and then I came across it in my own reading: "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. (Matthew 6:31-34)"

Also, I decided to fast from about 3pm the day before until after my baptism. We had a family brunch scheduled the morning of my baptism and I chose not to participate in it (at least the eating part). This was disappointing to my wife since she prepared this special meal and cooking is something that requires a lot of effort for her. I actively questioned whether I should break my fast early so I could be part of the brunch. I prayed that morning that God would help me decide what to do. And I got the impression I should read the scriptures for an answer and came across this scripture: "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (Matthew 10:37-39)"

Regarding the confirmation, I asked one of the missionaries to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost on me (see article). There are others who are more "spiritually advanced" whom I could have asked to have done this (including the others who were part of the confirmation circle) but I selected this particular person based on reading this article from the Ensign. In the article, Elder Clayton Christensen says "None of Jesus’s original Twelve Apostles had evidenced adequate experience or commitment when He called them. Enoch, Moses, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, Amos, and Joseph Smith were unqualified by the world’s standards when the Lord put them to work. But God transformed them. We will build greater strength and our wards and branches will grow when we stop relying solely on the strongest members."

In terms of what was said, here is a rough but hopefully fairly accurate recreation. Three people were taking notes (thanks!) and I remembered some additional stuff as well.

GNP, By the power and authority of the Melchizadek Priesthood which we hold, we confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and say unto you, Receive the Holy Ghost. Your Heavenly Father is very pleased with you and your decision to come unto Christ and receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, a decision you have made with all your heart. Heavenly Father knows this has been a difficult decision for you and He is proud of your strength, and, as you continue to grow in the church, you will be a guiding light to your family and those you meet and a strength to those around you. We do these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Shortly after the confirmation, I gave my "hypothetical" talk on why missionary work is so important (see prior post). Out of everything from the whole weekend, this was likely the thing I was most nervous about. Again, as would appear the pattern of the week, I found a scripture that put my mind at ease (and one that I put to the test during my talk): "When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men. (2 Nephi 33:1)" I thought the talk went very well and even I was surprised with the force and conviction with which I delivered the message. I surely spoke with the power of the Holy Ghost and I attribute 100% of my success to that (and not to me or my personal abilities). It was also my prayer that my talk would touch people's hearts in some way. Based on some of the comments afterwards, I believe that prayer was answered (again by the power of the Holy Ghost).

Relative to the talk I posted back in December, I did change the conclusion. Specifically, I talked about a comment that one of the ward members shared with me after my baptism. He said that with the help of the Holy Ghost, I cannot fail. I testified to others that if they put their faith in the Lord and accept the help of the Holy Ghost, they cannot fail either.

Even though I didn't share these final comments from my original talk on Sunday, let me reiterate them here:

I would like to sincerely thank the members of this ward for creating an environment so welcoming to the Spirit. I would like to thank the missionaries for their tireless work on the Lord’s behalf. I would like to thank my family and friends for their unconditional love and support through this process and through life in general. And I would most importantly like to thank our Heavenly Father for answering our prayers, for sticking with us throughout our lives, and for knowing when we are ready to accept Him into our hearts.

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