Baptism Beauty

One reason why turning 8 is so special at our house is because when you turn 8, you are old enough to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Why eight?  Well, the Lord has revealed through the prophet Joseph Smith, that before children are eight, they do not need to be baptized.  They are "alive in Christ" and cannot sin.  They have no need to be baptized until they can know the difference between right and wrong.  The Lord also specified that eight years old is that age of accountability.

(For more info about baptism, click here.)

It is exciting to be baptized;

to be able to make special covenants with your Father in Heaven and promise to be obedient to Him.  To follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

photo courtesy of www.lds.org

Ellie has been preparing herself for this day so that she could make the choice to be baptized.  It was not a decision that Mark or I made.  She prayed about it.  She studied in the scriptures as much as an 8 year old girl is capable of.  She listened for the words of the Spirit to feel and know if she should or not.  If she had decided that she wanted to wait to be baptized, then that is what would have happened.  We teach our kids that they have the right and the privilege to talk to God through prayer and ask Him if the choices that they are making are pleasing unto Him.

She came to the conclusion that she should be baptized when she turned eight, so that is what happened.  Another important part of a baptism in the LDS church, is that it is done with the proper priesthood authority.  This is the same authority that Christ had when He walked on the earth.  My husband holds the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods, which gives him the authority to baptize people for the remission of their sins and confirm them with the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I am sure that sounds strange to some, but I believe it with all of my heart and soul.  This church is the Church of Jesus Christ.  We preach His gospel, the same gospel that He taught when He was here on earth.

I love that this picture has not only a beautiful picture of the Savior in it, but also a Christmas tree that also reminds us of the Savior's birth.  It is the most wonderful time of the year and a wonderful time to be baptized.

Ellie with her parents and all of her living grandparents.  

 We had the opportunity to take this four generation shot with my dad and his mother.  I just realized as I am typing this that we did not do that with my mom and her mother.  Mom!!  Why didn't we do that??

My little Ellie has made a very important step in her journey back to live with her Heavenly Father.  By being baptized, she is showing her willingness to be obedient to God and by being obedient, she will have the opportunity to receive many blessings throughout her life.  Even when she makes mistakes, as we all do.  

I am so proud of her and so very grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

I am also so thankful for all of the family members who came to celebrate this day with us.  We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.