For Hannah on Her Baptism Day, From Her Mama (Baptism Day FHE)

Hannah has been thinking about and waiting for this day for a long time, she has been learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and preparing for baptism her whole life. Megan and Sophia have been preparing and waiting a long time for this day as well. One whole year of investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reading The Book of Mormon, learning from friends, ward members and the Missionaries…and in a way this may feel like the end of a journey. But as with any ending, it is also a beginning. In The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, Chapter 31, Verses 17-21 say…

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

 18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Fatherand the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

 19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

 21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of theFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

After you enter the gate of baptism, you will find yourself on the straight and narrow path. This path leads straight to the Temple and the covenants and ordinances of exaltation that are found there and from the Temple, home to your Heavenly Father. It is the path that you will walk your whole life. There will be times up ahead on this path when enduring to the end will be hard, sometimes very hard, you will encounter heartbreak and doubts, you will be tempted to stray, you will face adversity, obstacles and hardship…but through it all remember that you are not alone. You will have a constant companion, the Holy Ghost, through whom you will build your relationship with our Heavenly Father and, our Savior Jesus Christ. They will never leave you. You will hear their voice and feel their love and one day see them face to face. Their light will comfort you, guide you, strengthen you and make you into everything you were created to be.

Also, remember that many have gone this way before you. Many people who love you and love the Lord and are walking this path right along with you. They are always willing to bear your burdens, comfort you when you stand in need of comfort and mourn with you when you mourn. They will stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places and if you get lost their example and love will help you look to the Lord and be found.

In the Book of Mormon Prophet Lehi has a beautiful vision. The vision of the tree of life. He finds himself on the very path you will embark on today. He presses forward through mists of darkness and arrives at the tree of life. He partakes of the fruit of the tree, which is the Love of God and calls for his family to follow. Each one of his family that would follow gathered with Lehi under that tree. As you read and study this vision in the scriptures it will teach you many things. Today, think of the tree of life as the Temple, where you will make covenants to be sealed to your family forever and think of the tree of life as the Eternity that awaits beyond.

We have done many family home evenings in preparation for this day. Many object lessons and I hope this will be one you will remember always.

Hannah as you make your way to the tree look ahead at all the faces of your family, who love you, who love the Lord and will be standing with you in the Temple one day. Imagine your Grandma Lois and Papa Jim, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins who have been baptized before you and are pressing forward on the path and look behind at your little brothers and sister and cousins who will look up to you and follow you.

Sophia and Megan as you make your way to the tree, remember that you will have a new family after today. Every person that stands under this tree, every person in your ward and in the whole church around the world are your brothers and sisters in Christ and will welcome you always with open arms and love and support you.

I know that our Father in Heaven reigns over His family with perfect knowledge, perfect wisdom, perfect love and all power and that we are his children. I know that His Holy Son, Jesus Christ, lives, who once was dead. That He is resurrected and stands on the right hand of our His Father, extending mercy and grace to all who believe on His name and will repent of their sins and turn to Him with full purpose of heart. I know the Savior lives because He has visited me in my extremity and I have visited Him in His Holy House. He has strengthened me, healed me and helped me in every righteous endeavor. His mercy and grace make me alive, have allowed me to overcome every obstacle and to become everything He has asked me to be. He is the light and life of my life and there is no greater gift than those He can and so willing does bestow upon the children of men. Turn to Him, every day of your life and you will not go astray and you will live in the comfort and light of His peace and love forever. This is my testimony and my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.