My second son was baptized almost a week ago. It was almost the perfect day – the only problem I can think of is one of my best friends being a little late because a neighbor parked in front of her garage and wouldn’t answer their door. But then she showed up with her delicious brownies made from scratch, as promised.
My son was so excited and the look on his face as he came out of the water was pure joy. My whole side of the family was able to join us and we limited it to a very small number of friends because my son is shy. His 13-year-old cousin gave the talk on baptism and I spoke on the Holy Ghost.
Before I talked about the Spirit, I gave him his own set of scriptures with a carrying case. Attached to it was a compass and I explained how a compass and the scriptures were similar in how they help us get to our destination. To take an analogy further, I told him how our GPS could be compared to the Holy Ghost. In order to hear the GPS voice, we need it to be quiet enough so we can hear what it says. Also like the Holy Ghost, when we go the wrong way, the GPS will tell us how to get back on track. It will say “recalculating”. As we make mistakes in life, the Spirit can help us get back on the path towards our Heavenly Father.
I could have added more to the analogy. In order to stay close to the Spirit, we need to keep the commandments and repent. It takes some action on our part to be in tune. In order to use a GPS, we need to enter an address, we have to keep it charged, and we have to update the maps. This could be compared to prayer, reading the scriptures, etc.
My son says he felt different after the baptism and he seems more sensitive. Although used in the proper context, he said to his brother, “I wish you wouldn’t say ‘Hell’. It bothers me.” He has also been incredibly helpful, offering to clean anything I want him to. When his sister became ill the next day, he said he wanted to take care of her that night and lay on the floor next to her. He was also excited to read his scriptures in bed.
I am so proud of him for this step he has taken to follow Jesus Christ and I love watching him learn and grow in the Gospel.
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