Baptism Day

On December 13th, our darling Number One was baptized. After five children, it seemed about time that someone in our family would be old enough for baptism*!


The baptism service went very well. The talks were great, Number One got to pick the songs, and she only had to be baptized once**!


The highlight for me was probably the special musical number which I had thought up...Number One and her friend that got baptized at the same service with her sang a duet together. They both have great little voices and it was so sweet.


Number Four was fascinated with the actual baptism part...but not so much the rest of the meeting. Thank goodness for great people in our ward...our little guy took turns sitting with, or going into the hall with no less than four members of our ward.


And another ward member held Number Five so I could help Number One dress. The whole thing seemed to wear her right out!


Grammy and Grandpa had volunteered to take Number One out for dinner after the baptism. I think they intended for everyone to come along, but Number One had other plans...she wanted to be the star of the dinner, and the rest of us were NOT invited.



We told the other kids (who definitely felt disappointed) that on their baptism day they would be in charge, and that we needed Number One to have her day be special in her own way.



I was tired, and especially tired of trying to make the little kids be reverent...so honestly, watching the Miser Brothers's Christmas with Dave and the other kids while eating Papa John's in my pajamas worked out great for me.


It was a wonderful experience. Number One looked beautiful. She felt beautiful. Everything was magical for her, and so it was perfect for me.


Dave has always loved the "stretch your arm and smile" kind of pictures. We have taken many in our marriage, and he said he always took this pose with those he baptized on his mission.


These are the men Number One chose to take part in her confirmation, where she received the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.

*The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does not practice infant baptism. "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgressions" (Second Article of Faith). We believe that babies are born innocent, and that Christ's atonement will automatically save those who die before they are old enough to be accountable for their actions. We consider eight to be the age of accountability. At baptism, a person becomes an offical member of the church. An excerpt of the page on baptism and confirmation from mormon.org:

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Baptism is a holy ordinance through which we covenant with the Lord to accept Jesus as our Savior and to keep His commandments. In return, God promises to forgive us of our sins as we repent and to bless us with His Spirit. The Holy Ghost provides direction and comfort and testifies of truth.

**We practice baptism by immersion, in the same manner that Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. If any portion of the clothing, or a toe, or a hair of the person being baptized is not completely immersed, the ordinance is repeated until it is done correctly.