Baptism - April 13, 2008 at 3:00pm

I got to the church twenty minutes early so I’d have plenty of time to get ready. I made small talk with the missionaries and Brother Peachy while the kids played in the chapel. When the McDowell family arrived I was able to start getting ready. I put Joy in charge of Elijah which was no easy task since I had awakened him from his nap to put him in the van. Noelle and I went into the dressing room so I could change into the white dress. Lo and behold, there were half a dozen white dresses to choose from! So, I was misinformed that there was only one dress available, but the dress I had in my possession was probably the best of the lot, so I went with it. Tasha had brought a long, white slip for me to wear underneath because well, white dresses tend to need a little extra help to keep from being see through especially when wet! Then I thought about my shoes… They were definitely NOT white. So, I asked Noelle if I should go barefoot. She said it would be fine if I wanted to. So, I went barefoot, and it was nice.

When I came out of the dressing room, the missionaries suggested that we have some pictures taken. I noticed Elder Smith was sock footed, and I smiled to myself. I commented that Michael was taking pictures for me, and then I noticed he was standing right behind me. There were so many men in suits that he blended right in! Hannah, Elijah, Leah and I had several pictures taken with the Elders. Getting Elijah to stand still was difficult at best. He noticed all the people watching and he decided to do a little dance for everyone’s entertainment.

When I came back into the chapel, I saw Kim, so I went to say "hello". She told me I looked beautiful in the white dress. Hannah asked to sit with her, and I told her that was fine. I went to sit on the front row with Leah, Vanessa, and Noelle. Ann Price, to her surprise (since I forgot to ask her), gave the opening prayer. Jean Pace was our chorister while we sang, "I Stand All Amazed". Noelle gave a wonderful talk about baptism. Hannah came to sit with me at this time.

Brooke, today is truly a day to be remembered. All of us have gathered here today for one purpose: that is to witness and rejoice with you as you enter the waters of baptism. You and I have talked about how sad it is that many members express not remembering much about their baptisms. Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles said that we must emphasize the significance of this ordinance so that your baptism will be impressed upon your spiritual memory for the rest of your life. My goal in speaking is that, though the principles we are talking about may not be new, we may recognize and rejoice in the eternal significance of the sacred covenants you are choosing to make today.
Our bible dictionary teaches that the word baptism comes “from a Greek word meaning to dip or immerse.” And that “Baptism in water is the introductory ordinance of the gospel, and must be followed by baptism of the Spirit in order to be complete.”
So today you will receive half of this ordinance, and soon you will receive the second half.
Brooke, I know Heavenly Father has been in your life, all your life bringing you to this point. The Preach My Gospel manual explains that “faith in Jesus Christ and repentance prepare us for the ordinances of baptism and confirmation….An ordinance is a sacred ceremony or rite that shows that we have entered into a covenant with God. A covenant is a binding and solemn agreement between God and man. …Through the ordinance of baptism …we (and you today) covenant to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.
The manual also explains that baptism by immersion is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior. “In a similar way, it represents the end of our old life of sin and a commitment to live a new life as a disciple of Christ.”

Elder Hales also describes it this way: “At baptism we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come into His kingdom and keep His commandments from that time forward, even though we still live in the world.
When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God. “
To quote again from Preach My Gospel:
“We must be baptized to become members of the restored church…and to eventually enter the kingdom of heaven. This ordinance is a law of God and must be performed by His authority.” So today you will be baptized under authority of God.
So to review:
“ …Baptism in water has several purposes.
It is for the remission of sins, for membership in the Church, and for entrance into the celestial kingdom; it is also the doorway to personal sanctification when followed by the reception of the Holy Ghost.” (Bible Dictionary)

So your remission of sins and membership in the church will take place through your baptism and confirmation, but what about after today? Well, Preach My Gospel explains: “After baptism we show our faith by keeping our covenants. We also regularly renew the covenants we make when baptized by partaking of the sacrament. Partaking of the sacrament weekly is a commandment. It helps us remain worthy to have the spirit with us always. It is a weekly reminder of our covenants. …Our covenants remind us to repent every day of our lives. By keeping the Commandments and serving others we receive and retain a remission of our sins.”

So that is how we continue to keep our baptismal covenants day to day.

Brooke, though you are nervous, you can have peace, because I have seen in you the desire that the Book of Mormon describes in those who are ready to make and keep baptismal covenants:
“as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--”(Mosiah 18).

I want to close with a very illustrative quote from our Bible dictionary:
“Baptism is a most sacred ordinance, which a person, having received it, can remember throughout life as a reminder of the personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Its symbolism is beautiful, and its consequences ever so desirable. John the Baptist had the signal honor among all men to take the Son of God into the water and baptize him, after which he saw the Holy Ghost descend upon Jesus. By being baptized Jesus obeyed the law himself, and set the example for all mankind.”
Brooke, I am so excited that you have chosen to follow the example of Jesus Christ in being baptized. I know that all of your family will be eternally blessed for it. I bear my personal testimony of Jesus Christ and of the divinity of this work. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We then moved to the Primary room for the baptism. I walked into the alcove next to the baptismal font (between the dressing room and the Primary chapel) with Leah and Noelle. Noelle took Leah, and I stepped into the water, walked down the steps, and met Elder Smith in the middle. He was also dressed in all white. He quickly and quietly told me how to hold his arm, cover my nose, and bend my knees. I consciously did not look out into the watching crowd. I didn’t want anything to distract me from this moment. He said the prayer, “Brooke Leigh Rosen, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” I bent my knees, held my nose, and went under the water. Even though my eyes were closed, I imagined what it must have looked like to be underwater. I felt the warm water all around me like an embrace. Then I came up out of the water, and walked out of the font. I dried off and changed while Noelle played with Leah. Leah adored hearing her voice echo in the long tiled bathroom. Changing out of a sopping wet, long dress is no easy feat!

When I came back to the chapel Elder Stirland and Elder Ashbaucher were sharing their testimonies. Elijah and Hannah came and sat with me. Vanessa gave a fantastic talk on the Holy Ghost.
[Insert Vanessa’s talk here]

I walked onto the stage for my confirmation, and once again I chose to not look out into the crowd. I sat in the chair, and was surrounded by members of the Priesthood. Bishop Rogers, Brother Forbes, Brother Peachy, Elder Smith, Elder Stirland, and Elder Ashbacher laid their hands on my head while standing in a circle around me. The weight of their hands on my head was much greater than expected. Brother Peachy said the blessing.

Brooke Leigh Rosen, by the authority of the Melchizedek priesthood, I confirm you a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Brooke, receive the Holy Ghost. You have been blessed to be baptized this day by the authority of the Priesthood. Our Heavenly Father rejoices, the heavens rejoice, we rejoice with you. We bless you with the things that you need. The Atonement of Jesus Christ will be in your life. We bless you with the testimony you need to strengthen you. It will take you through the dark days and through a time you will be in need of comfort. Bless you with peace and joy here on this Earth. Bless you with great strength and courage as you raise your family and as you deal with your family matters. Bless you with the Holy Spirit always and as you follow the commandments of God and as you partake of the Sacrament to renew your covenants. Bless you with the blessings that Peter had that you will be among the chosen people. And bless you with the Priesthood in your life through the leaders of the Church and through your home teacher through the people that hold the priesthood. Bless you with health and strength and bless you that you will be a great example to your family, to your friends, and to those who come in contact with you. We do so in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The experience wasn’t as profound as my father’s, but I did feel a wonderful peace fall over me. I’ve had many instances where I’ve felt the Holy Ghost, but this was much more gentle and sweet. I suppose in the past He needed to use a spiritual sledgehammer to get my attention, but this time I was already listening. When I stood up, the Bishop shook my hand and whispered, “Now you shake everyone’s hand”. So, I shook all of their hands and carefully walked down the stairs (a few weeks ago a woman tripped and fell down them after her confirmation).

Pilar Pucket welcomed me to Relief Society and gave me a few things (a framed picture of Jesus, A Proclaimation of the Living Christ, and a devotional journal). Bishop Rogers welcomed me to the ward. We sang "I Am a Child of God", and Renee with baby Katie in tow gave the closing prayer.

I had to get my stuff out of the dressing room because another baptism was starting, then I walked around to the Relief Society room where the reception was being held. I was amazed at how many people were there. I was congratulated more times than I can count. I am a member of an amazing ward!

Renee gave me a card with a great quote: “Baptism is the critical priesthood ordinance which opens the door to eternal life for each one of us. It is the benchmark from which we count our many blessings because this is when our accountability to follow Jesus Christ and live His Gospel begins” – Elaine L. Jack

I’m truly amazed at how peaceful Leah was during the entire service. Typically she screams if someone she doesn’t know holds her or if I leave her sight. She was perfectly happy with Noelle holding her while I changed clothes, and during both the baptism and confirmation. After the service, she quietly fell asleep in my arms. I’m not sure that has ever happened before. She usually screams before she falls asleep.

I knew it was going to be a rainy day from looking at the forecast, but the night before I prayed that there would be light or no rain when it was time to get the kids to and from the church. That prayer was answered! It may seem like a silly prayer, but trying to get three kids into or out of the van in pouring rain can certainly put me in a horrible mood. Being able to complete that task while staying dry definitely helped set the tone for the day! Our Heavenly Father knows that even the small details make a difference.

For whatever reasons, I didn’t explain to Hannah that I was going to be baptized. However, her Sunday school lesson just happened to be about baptism, and her teacher told her that I was going to be baptized later that day. When I picked Hannah up from Sunday school, she just stared at me in awe. She was VERY excited to get back to church for the service. She adored the white dress, was amazed by the immersion, and just plain giddy during the service. I could tell she felt like she truly belonged. She also enjoyed eating as many cookies as she pleased during the reception!! … When we got home she asked if I would be doing that (baptism) again. I told her ‘no’, but that in two and a half years she would be eight and she could have her own baptism.

I owe a big thanks to the following people: Michael Stanfill for taking pictures and audio recording the service (and having fresh batteries for my tape recorder!), Vanessa Stanfill for her wonderful talk and emotional support, Noelle McDowell for another amazing talk and her emotional support (and baby holding ability!!), Jan Stanfill and Joy Scott for wrangling Elijah, Ann Price and Renee Priddis for offering prayers, Jean Pace for her chorister abilities, Cindy Nielson for playing piano, Brother Peachy for saying my confirmation blessing, and Elders Smith and Stirland for being wonderful, patient yet prompting, thoughtful missionaries