Baptism of My Sweet Daughter…

Because I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and a holder of the Melchizedek priesthood,  my Bishop used his priesthood keys and authorized me to baptize my first born child Eden yesterday.  In the church we believe that children should not be baptized until they have reached the age of accountability.  That age was given by revelation as eight years old. (See D&C 68:27)

Since the day Eden was born, we have taken great care to teach her about our Heavenly Fathers plan.  We have taught her about faith, repentance,  baptism, and the Holy Ghost.  We have had countless family home evening lessons on these and other principles of the gospel.  We try to read the scriptures as a family every day and hold family and personal prayers.
All the while, we have stressed the importance of Eden making this choice on her own.  We have tried to help her recognize the Holy Ghost when it is present testifying of the truthfulness of the gospel to her heart.  She has been blessed with a mother that is a fantastic example.  It’s been a very tender thing to see her gain a testimony.

When she was really little and the Spirit would touch her heart she would say things like “my eyes have water in them and I don’t know why” to now where she can’t wait to tell us her testimony during Family home evening.

I am so grateful for my little princess.  She really is a daughter of the living God.  I testify that Baptism is they gate by which you should enter.  When it’s performed by those who have the proper authority and the person who is baptized has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, has repented of their sins, and is ready to make a sacred covenant with the Lord.

• Moroni 8:25

  25 And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins;

• Doctrine and Covenants 39:6

  6 And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.

• Moroni 6:33 And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.

• Mark 1:4

  4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

• Ephesians 4:5

  5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

• Romans 6:4

  4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

• Colossians 2:12

  12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

• 1 Peter 3:21

  21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

• Doctrine and Covenants 112:29

  29 And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

• Mosiah 25:18

  18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma.

• 2 Nephi 31:5

  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!

• Galatians 3:27

  27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

• Ether 4:18

  18 Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name.

• Acts 2:38

  38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I invite you to be baptized into the Lords Church.  To find out how, talk to the missionaries.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.