Baptism

                I am grateful for the unique baptism I was able to have. Unlike most baptisms mine was not held in a chapel. I had the opportunity to be baptized by my Dad in a river. The Green River in Wyoming, where the pioneers crossed while making it to Utah was the venue right alongside my best friend. Of course this didn’t take place in June or July, rather late September. I remember the overcast day getting changed in the back of our gold mini van while my brothers held up a sheet over the back tail gate to cover me.

                I can still remember stepping foot into that freezing cold Wyoming water with my socks on and thinking I couldn’t get baptized with them on. I quickly jumped out and took them off before proceeding. As I held my Dads hand I remember looking down into the water and seeing the current race underneath us. Before I knew what had happened I was under the cold water and back up again a new boy. Then I don’t think I realized some of the things I do know, but for an eight year old kid I do remember making one connection as I got out of the water and looked back at the river. I remember thinking how glad I was that those sins were racing down the river away from me forever.

                We took pictures and headed back to my friend’s house, and I can still remember the determination I had to stay that clean forever. As anyone who knows me it didn’t take long for that conviction to break, but thanks to Jesus Christ we all have something very valuable that can help us re-up on those convictions we all had at our baptisms. Through the sacrament we are essentially baptized again each week and have the opportunity to start over. I know that God forgives us of our sins and time and time again lets us start over. I hope I never take for granted that opportunity given to change each week and not stick to the same lifestyle that brings me back to repentance so often. I hope that through his help I can get out of those ruts and get better each week. Hopefully take off sin at a time in my journey to become like Him.

                I know it is possible. I know through the power of the Holy Ghost that was given to me after that cold September day that the authority to perform such ordinances is here on this earth today. We have been given permission by God to act in his name, and by all means let’s do so.