On March 28, 2009, Catherine was baptised by her father and confirmed by her Grandfather. Grandpa also played the piano. He always adds a few notes that aren't on the page and it sounds so great. Music is such a huge part of Catherine's life, so it was nice to have good music. Sybil and I spoke and afterwards we all went back to the house. Grandma made some great chili and Syb brought awesome cornbread. It was a completely relaxing enjoyable day.
More for the sake of remembering the day, than for this blog, I'm including my talk with the pictures of the baptism.Catherine, when you chose the song “Love One Another” for the opening song. I thought about how perfect it was for you. You are so full of love. You show love to our family in lots of different ways. Almost every morning I hear your soft footsteps coming into my room. I’ve got Cora in bed with me and she wants to get up a play. You smile at her and hold out your arms. The two of you leave quietly. I get some much needed rest and I can hear you laughing and playing with her. You are so aware of her desire to play and mine to sleep, you really show us both how much you care.
You also are the princess of love notes. Several times a week Daddy or I will find a thoughtful note or picture from you by our bedside. We really love those.
The song says “As I have loved you, love one another.” It makes me think of the ways that Jesus and Heavenly Father love us and the ways that we can show love to them.
Several weeks ago for Family Home Evening we went outside and looked around at things in nature. When I look at our wonderful world I know that Jesus loves us. When I look at our family I know that Jesus loves us. When I think about how blessed we are to have the guidance and knowledge that comes from being members of the church, I know that Jesus loves us. He set the perfect example and then gave his life for us so that we could return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father with our family.
How can we show Him that we love Him? He tells us in John 14:15, which says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Catherine, today you are keeping a very important commandment by being baptized. Jesus set the example of this commandment. In 2 Nephi:31:4-8 we learn some important things.
4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
So he is saying remember the story of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus.
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!
Here he is saying if Jesus is perfect and He had to be baptized, then we really need to be baptized because part of baptism makes us clean and free from sin as long as we continue to repent and do our best. But there is another part of baptism that Nephi goes on to explain. He says:
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.
So Christ was perfect, he was not baptized to be saved from sin, but to be obedient to Heavenly Father. When we are obedient we show Heavenly Father we love Him.
Catherine every day of your life you can choose to show love to your Heavenly Father by keeping the commandments. Today is a special day because the commandment you are keeping to be baptized puts you on the path to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Ghost.
I know that you take your baptism very seriously and you took the time to pray and gain a testimony before deciding to be baptized. I’m so glad you did that. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and I’m grateful that it helps me know the Savior better. I know Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love you and I’m glad they have seen fit to let us be in a family together. I love you Catherine and I’m proud of you.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
You also are the princess of love notes. Several times a week Daddy or I will find a thoughtful note or picture from you by our bedside. We really love those.
The song says “As I have loved you, love one another.” It makes me think of the ways that Jesus and Heavenly Father love us and the ways that we can show love to them.
Several weeks ago for Family Home Evening we went outside and looked around at things in nature. When I look at our wonderful world I know that Jesus loves us. When I look at our family I know that Jesus loves us. When I think about how blessed we are to have the guidance and knowledge that comes from being members of the church, I know that Jesus loves us. He set the perfect example and then gave his life for us so that we could return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father with our family.
How can we show Him that we love Him? He tells us in John 14:15, which says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
Catherine, today you are keeping a very important commandment by being baptized. Jesus set the example of this commandment. In 2 Nephi:31:4-8 we learn some important things.
4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.
So he is saying remember the story of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus.
5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!
Here he is saying if Jesus is perfect and He had to be baptized, then we really need to be baptized because part of baptism makes us clean and free from sin as long as we continue to repent and do our best. But there is another part of baptism that Nephi goes on to explain. He says:
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.
8 Wherefore, after he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove.
So Christ was perfect, he was not baptized to be saved from sin, but to be obedient to Heavenly Father. When we are obedient we show Heavenly Father we love Him.
Catherine every day of your life you can choose to show love to your Heavenly Father by keeping the commandments. Today is a special day because the commandment you are keeping to be baptized puts you on the path to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and receive the Holy Ghost.
I know that you take your baptism very seriously and you took the time to pray and gain a testimony before deciding to be baptized. I’m so glad you did that. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and I’m grateful that it helps me know the Savior better. I know Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love you and I’m glad they have seen fit to let us be in a family together. I love you Catherine and I’m proud of you.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
2 comments:
Congratulations Catherine! Your mom is very blessed to have you in her life.
I should not have read that talk at work, it made me cry, that was beautiful! I'm so glad to see pic's from the day, they look so great in white!
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