Adam had his wisdom teeth removed this week. He seems to have recovered very well and seems not to be bothered too much by it. Ron and I met our new family doctor last week, and Adam will be seeing her on Friday. He is in process of getting all his stuff done to go on his mission and should be ready to turn in his papers soon.
Our 16 year old next-door neighbor was baptized on Saturday and will be going to church with us now. She asked me to give a talk on baptism and this is what I said (mostly):
I have been asked to speak about Baptism this evening, first, we’ll get the
―book‖ definition out of the way-
According to –The Guide to the Scriptures online @ LDS.org- The word
Baptism is ―From a Greek word meaning to ―dip‖ or ―immerse.‖ Baptism by
immersion in water by one having authority is the introductory ordinance of
the gospel and is necessary to become a member of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is preceded by faith in Jesus Christ and by
repentance. It must be followed by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost in
order to be complete (2 Ne. 31:13–14). Baptism by water and the Spirit is
necessary before a person can enter the celestial kingdom. Adam was the
first to be baptized (Moses 6:64–65). Jesus also was baptized to fulfill all
righteousness and to show the way for all mankind (Matt. 3:13–17; 2 Ne.
31:5–12)‖
Now as good as that definition is, there is still much more that can be said
about baptism, I don’t think we really want to be here all night, so I will just
mention a few things.
Alma taught that when we are baptized we make covenants with the Lord
to:
1. Come into the fold of God.
2. Bear one another’s burdens.
3. Stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places.
4. Serve God and keep His commandments.
When we are baptized and keep the covenants of baptism, the Lord
promises to:
1. Forgive our sins (see Acts 2:38; D&C 49:13).
2. Pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon us (see Mosiah
18:10).
3. Give us daily guidance and the help of the Holy Ghost (see
Acts 2:38; D&C 20:77).
4. Let us come forth in the First Resurrection (see Mosiah 18:9).
5. Give us eternal life (see Mosiah 18:9).
The first definition I quoted, describes baptism as the ―introductory
ordinance‖. I like to think of it as the beginning of a long, sometimes
arduous, but ultimately, worthwhile journey. You have already done some
work, and made personal changes before undertaking this important first
step. It will require even more work to continue to journey’s end, and like
any excursion there will be a mix of challenges and rewards. You should
remember you are not on this road alone.
Listen to this poem. . .
From One about to Be Baptized
By Kathy Gailey Stephens
I’ll still need you
After I’m baptized—
Don’t forget.
My new-forged testimony
Isn’t strong enough
To stand alone
Just yet.
I can’t perceive
In one day, or year,
The entire gospel plan;
You’ve had a lifetime
To learn it,
And still don’t
Completely understand.
Like this author, once we are baptized, we are only beginning our new lives
trying to live within the Gospel. We need help from the people around us to
fully understand the commitments and covenants we have made. When I
was baptized, I felt very much the outsider, because I didn’t really know
very many people in my ward, but as I attended meetings and activities, I
got to know more people; they truly became my brothers and sisters. Don’t
be afraid to continue to search the scriptures and pray and to seek help
from your new ward family. I know that I have grown quite a bit in the
gospel since my baptism 9 years ago; (I mentioned here something about
my own baptism being a pivotal moment in my life where I changed course
from some self-destructive directions/decisions) I also know I still have a
great deal left to learn.
Your Heavenly Father loves you and there is rejoicing today because you
have decided to make this important first step.
In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen
Today we had some serious wind and rain until mid-afternoon when we had brilliant blue skies and sunshine. I LOVE the changeable weather here! I got off work early and had a really nice nap, then went outside to add a big bucket of plums to this year's harvest.
It is kind-of funny, so far this year I have harvested about 6 strawberries, 3 cups of blueberries, 3 gallons of Italian plums, 2 tomatoes, some mint, and basil, and 2 lemons from our plants- It looks like we will get a couple more tomatoes and 2 apples before it is all said and done for the year. My lemon tree has about 10 baby lemons on it right now, and my orange tree has a bunch of mini oranges, but we'll see how many actually make it to maturity. It doesn't seem like much, but next year we should do better. We are hoping to have at least one planting bed put in the lower part of the yard where we get a good amount of sun.
I have stashed the plums in the fridge and hope to get many of them canned later this week. Maybe I will even make a plum strudel on Friday like my Gramma Kay used to make. We could then have it for Saturday morning's conference breakfast. Sunday we will probably have our traditional crepes before Conference. . .
Ron, Dax and Elizabeth are at St. John's for the evening, but I bowed out. I think I am now coming down with the cold that has been going around (probably why I slept so well this afternoon).
Patchyface loves birdwatching! This feeder is on the window and Patchy spends a lot of time watching the chickadees coming and going.
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