Preparing For Baptism

To my son,

                 Today I want to write to you about baptism. As you know, when you turn eight you will have the opportunity and blessing to be baptized. Baptism is a covenant or a promise that you will make with your Father in Heaven, and it is an essential step on your path to go back to Him. Right now is an important time for you to prepare to be baptized. The Lord said this about the requirements of baptism: “All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:37). That’s a lot to understand, but here are the most important things:

 

·         Desire to be baptized: Of course you have to desire it first; no one will force you to be baptized. I know that you do have a strong desire to be baptized.

·         Have a broken heart and contrite spirit: This means that you are humble and are sorry for things you have done wrong. I see that in you as well as you learn to improve and be better each day.

·         Repented of your sins: To repent means that you confess those things you haven’t done right, ask Heavenly Father to forgive you, and are trying to do better

·         Determination to serve him to the end: Most importantly, you need to be committed to following Jesus Christ all your life. Baptism is a covenant that we will try to serve Him until the end.

 So you can be preparing now by trying to choose the right, say sorry when you make mistakes, and learn more about Jesus so you can be ready to commit to follow Him.

                When you meet with the Bishop, he will likely give you a Kit Kat candy bar. As you have probably heard me discuss with your brother and sister, there are three specific things that you will promise when you are baptized that you can remember by the word KAT in Kit Kat:

 

·         Keep His commandments

·         Always remember Him

·         Take His name upon you

 If you listen carefully in the Sacrament prayer on the bread, you will hear those three things mentioned that we promise to try to do so you will have a reminder each week. In the Sacrament prayers you will also hear the great promise that He gives to us when we continue to do these three things: we can always have His Spirit to be with us. When you are baptized you will receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and this will be a great blessing to you throughout your life. It will comfort you, teach you, and help you in all aspects of your life. It is the greatest gift we can be given here on earth and as you seek to keep His commandments, remember Him, and take His name upon you, you will be blessed with His Spirit and guidance. You have so much to look forward to, and I encourage you to keep preparing and striving to do what is right as you await that great day when you will be baptized.