Isaac's Baptism

Following the words and example of Jesus is an important consideration in our family. By being baptized, we show God that we are willing to be obedient to His commandments. Jesus set the example for us by being baptized, even though He was without sin (see Matthew 3:13-17). When we are baptized, we enter into a covenant, a two-way promise, with God. We promise to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, to keep His commandments, and to serve Him to the end, and He covenants that we may always have His Spirit (Holy Ghost) to be with us (See Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:8-10; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37). The Savior revealed the proper method of baptism to the Prophet Joseph Smith, making clear that the ordinance must be performed by one having priesthood authority and that it be done by immersion (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:72-74).

Immersion is symbolic of the death of a person’s sinful life and the rebirth into a spiritual life, dedicated to the service of God and His children. It is also symbolic of death and resurrection. (See Romans 6:3-6) Little children are redeemed through the mercy of Jesus Christ. They are “alive in Christ” and cannot sin. They do not need baptism until they understand the difference between right and wrong. The Lord has revealed that children should be baptized at eight years of age. (See Book of Mormon, Moroni 8:8-24; Doctrine and Covenants 29:46-47, 68:27)

So... as Isaac's 8th birthday approached he was very excited to be baptized. As luck would have it, the next official baptism day was just the day after his birthday! (Baptisms of children are generally performed on the first Saturday each month.) He had an interview with our bishop a couple weeks beforehand and, just a few days before, the woman in charge of arranging the monthly service called to get Isaac's information for the program and asked someone in our family to lead the music. No brainer: Mark's mom!

We all meet in the chapel of the Stake Center (a larger chapel in a geographical area of congregations, usually the only one with a baptismal font) along with the family members and friends of the other children being baptized. There were five others this month, and we knew four of them (Gage, Cassandra, Wesley, and Kate)! There was an opening hymn (I Know My Father Lives) and prayer, followed by the introduction of each of the children. Next Gage's grandmother gave a wonderful talk on baptism, followed by a sweet musical number by all of Kate's siblings, and finally a talk on the Holy Ghost by Wesley's mother. We sang I Am a Child of God, then it was time for each child to have their actual baptism.

We went by groups, as instructed, to the room adjacent to the font and watched as Mark and Isaac went down into the water. (Mark holds the priesthood and therefore has the authority to baptize his children.) Mark's dad and brother-in-law, Greg, who also hold the priesthood, were the official witnesses - though of course everyone in the room can see. The words of the ordinance are few and simple.

Afterwards, they went to change out of their wet white clothes and the rest of us gathered in another room (to let another group into the font room). I asked Sister Dalley (our bishop's wife) to play the piano for us. Charlie had been having trouble remaining reverent during the time in the chapel but was doing much better now. Sam went missing between the font and the other classroom we moved to. When Mark & Isaac joined us Sam was with them, thankfully. Bishop said a few words and then invited Isaac to come forward and have his confirmation performed (the second ordinance which is part of the baptism). Mark layed his hands on Isaac's head and spoke the words of the blessing. Bishop, Grandpa, Greg, and Isaac's Sunday School teacher (and our friend) Brother Mahler also participated. There was a closing prayer and we adjourned to Mark's parents' home for dinner (Isaac's choice: spaghetti with fresh corn and leftover soccer cake for desert).

We had a wonderful time, as always, gathered with the family. The boys ran off playing with cousins and the men turned on the BYU-UW game, much to my brother's delight. Dan was such a great support, spending the time and money to fly down for a long weekend with us! I did manage to get a few pictures before dinner.

(I just love that Charlie is on his way to attack in the background.) Dan managed to snap this lovely shot of our whole nuclear family. (Woot for getting Mama in a picture!)

We believe that when we take the sacrament each Sunday, we are renewing the covenants we made at our baptism. Our merciful Father in Heaven gives us chance after endless chance to repent and come unto Him. Our ultimate goal is, as the Savior said during His Sermon on the Mount, to be perfect as He is. Of course our attempts are feeble and faltering, but it's about the effort put forth in the right direction and the building up of faith and reliance on our Savior to do the rest. The greatest responsibility I have as a parent is to teach my children these things. It is a delight to have Isaac as our first son. He is an example to us all.