Temple Baptisms

Carter recently turned 12 and received the Aaronic Priesthood.  Because of this great blessing in his life, he is now worthy to enter the temple to be baptized for those who have died without the ordinance of baptism. 

 

Today, Matt and I took Carter to the temple and joined another group from a Singles Ward, to perform baptisms for the dead.  Matt was able to baptize while Carter stood in proxy for many men who are deceased.  This was a very special experience for all of us.  I was able to witness two great men performing ordinances for those who could not do it for themselves.  

 

There is a very special peace that comes into our lives as we think of others before ourselves and as we strive to be obedient to our Heavenly Father's commandments.  I found this very special quote from a previous prophet President Howard W. Hunter...

"It is pleasing to the Lord for our youth to worthily go to the temple and perform vicarious baptism for those who did not have the opportunity to be baptized in life. It is pleasing to the Lord when we worthily go to the temple to personally make our own covenants with him and to be sealed as couples and as families. And it is pleasing to the Lord when we worthily go to the temple to perform these same saving ordinances for those who have died, many of whom eagerly await the completion of these ordinances in their behalf.   

But to have the temple indeed be a symbol unto us, we must desire it to be so. We must live worthy to enter the temple. We must keep the commandments of our Lord. If we can pattern our life after the Master, and take his teaching and example as the supreme pattern for our own, we will not find it difficult to be temple worthy, to be consistent and loyal in every walk of life, for we will be committed to a single, sacred standard of conduct and belief. Whether at home or in the marketplace, whether at school or long after school is behind us, whether we are acting totally alone or in concert with a host of other people, our course will be clear and our standards will be obvious.  

The ability to stand by one’s principles, to live with integrity and faith according to one’s belief—that is what matters. That devotion to true principle—in our individual lives, in our homes and families, and in all places that we meet and influence other people—that devotion is what God is ultimately requesting of us. It requires commitment—whole-souled, deeply held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be true in the commandments God has given. If we will be true and faithful to the Lord’s principles, then we will always be temple worthy, and the Lord and his holy temples will be the great symbols of our discipleship with him."

 

I have a testimony of the saving ordinances that are performed in the temple.  Whenever I attend the temple to perform these sacred ordinances, I am filled with peace that is not found in the world.  I am so pleased with Carter and his desire to live righteously and to honor the priesthood.  He is on a path that will lead him to much joy and happiness if he continues to keep the Lord's commandments.  What a special day this was for Carter, and for Matt and I, as we were blessed to spend this time with our son.