In the beginning of my freshmen year of college I took a class called principles of writing. Our first paper was to be a personal narrative and I wrote about my baptismal experience. Though I have left quite a few details out, I would like to share with you the paper I wrote about my baptism a month after it happened:
"Maren
Schultz
Principles
of Writing 101-05
K.
Buckert
9/18/2010
“Would
you like to meet with the missionaries?” He asked me, sitting in the front seat
of my car. Marshal and I had only been dating almost a month at that point. I
had always been interested in world cultures and religions and this seemed like
a good opportunity to find out more about his. I had recently learned that
Marshal was a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I had
heard many rumors about this religion and was eager to satisfy my curiosities
about them. Marshal quickly picked up his phone and called Elder Daw and Elder
Harrell. We met with them later that week and they told me a story about a
young boy named Joseph Smith. He was searching for the right church to belong
to back in the 1800’s. At that time, there were nearly 18 different churches in
his small area. You could understand how he would easily be confused. Joseph,
one day, went behind his house into the grove. He kneeled down in the grass and
prayed to Heavenly Father about which he should join. A pillar of light shone
onto Joseph. Heavenly Father and His son appeared, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him,” Heavenly Father said to him. He
revealed that Joseph was to restore His church. Joseph Smith obeyed Heavenly
Father that day and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was initiated.
After
hearing that story I thought in my head, “Wow, I am kind of like Joseph.” I had
been searching for the right church for years. My past had consisted of drug
and alcohol abuse which had caused me to forget who Heavenly Father was. I
had gotten so frustrated trying to figure out in which faith I was supposed to
invest. I had decided to take another path and it was not one that God wanted
me to be on. I had made friends with people that I will never forget. I felt a
part of something.
Before the
missionaries left, they offered me a Book of Mormon to read. I happily accepted
their gift and after our visit, I thanked them and
Marshal and I got to talking about the meeting. “I love it!” I said as he
smiled at me. “This is great. I would like to meet with them again!” As we
continued to meet with the missionaries, I felt more and more like this religion
was what I’d been searching for, for years! I felt the truth and the passion.
Marshal kept inviting them over and eventually we went to a church meeting.
Though very different than what I was accustomed to, I felt welcomed and
special, something I had never felt before. As weeks went by, we kept meeting
with the missionaries on regular occasions. Marshal and I started to read the
Book of Mormon together and pray regularly. One evening baptism was brought up in
conversation. Marshal looked at me and said, “Honey, it’s up to you. I don’t
want you to make this decision for me. I want you to make it because you want
to.” I replied to him without hesitation, “This is what I want to do.” He was
delighted and so were the missionaries. We quickly started to discuss dates and
who would be a part of my ceremony. With all plans set, I grew more and more
excited! I had never made this decision for myself before. My parents of course
weren’t too thrilled and neither were my friends. They pleaded and begged
against my baptism. I was hurt to find out that neither my parents nor my
friends wanted to be there. I didn’t have anyone supporting me other than
Marshal and the church. They didn’t understand why I wanted to convert to the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and even after much explaining they
were still set in their ways. My father was United Methodist and my mother was
previously Catholic but converted to Presbyterian. I couldn’t grasp how they
could both have their own religions and be baptized and confirmed in those but
when I came to discover my calling, they opposed it. All I could do was pray. I
prayed a lot that week. I had read a passage in the Bible that said, “If any of
you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without
finding fault, and it will be given to him.” God spoke to me. I knew everything
was going to be alright.
The
day of my baptism quickly approached and I was jumping out of my skin with anticipation.
We met with the missionaries one last time the night before I was to be
baptized. We talked about my feelings, picked out a robe, and talked about how
the ceremony would go. That night, Marshal and I were so excited that we
practiced the baptism in his pool. We must have looked silly because of how
many times he dipped me in. Marshal, the next day, was going to be ordained a
higher level of the priesthood so he could baptize me. I can’t even begin to
explain my feelings. I was anxious. I was really hoping my parents and my
friends would be there for me. The next day, we attended church. Everyone was
so delighted to hear about my baptism and I was growing more nervous than
before! I kept thinking, “Will my friends and family even show up to support me?”
My friends and I had a rough month together. We were fighting about my decision
and I had prayed for them in hopes Heavenly Father would open their minds. The
time had finally come. I changed into the white ceremonial robe and approached
the doors of the chapel. As I stood there with Marshal, I saw my father walking
towards me. Surprised, I wrapped my arms around him, thanking him for coming.
Later on, my mother also arrived. I was very happy to see that even though they
didn’t support my decision that they respected it enough to come be with me the
day of my baptism however, my friends had not shown. I was a little
disappointed but just knowing that my parents were there and that Marshal was
always by my side made me forget about how bad I felt. The ceremony began. I
was so nervous and happy that I could not stop smiling. Marshal sat on my left
side, squeezing my hand with excitement. The appointed speaker spoke about
Baptism and its importance and then the time came, when I was to be immersed in
water, just like Jesus Christ was and many others before and after Him. The doors
opened to the baptismal font and there were many people in the room. At the
time it felt like it was just me, Marshal and God. Marshal blessed me and then
dipped me back into the water. As I came up, I remembered the oaths and vows I
had made to Heavenly Father. We had previously joked with the missionaries that
I would be sinless for a couple seconds until the thought of being sinless
entered my mind. My pure, sinless state lasted just as long but I felt awesome!
I was renewed. I quickly changed and entered back into the chapel, Marshal at
hand. The ceremony ended and I thanked everyone for coming. “So, how do you
feel now?” I heard several church members ask. Searching for the right words to
say, in hopes of satisfying all their questions and expectations, I quietly
said, “Very good. I am glad that I made the right decision.”
Heavenly
Father and his son have changed my life. I know that this church is true. I
know that Jesus is my savior and I know that this is where Heavenly Father
wants me to be. "
In my paper I left out the details of Heavenly Father's, the Holy Spirit's and Jesus Christ's work in me. I have been made into a new person by these powers. No matter where you come from, who you are, what you've done, who you've done them to we can ALL repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. There is not one thing that Heavenly Father will not forgive if we truly repent in the way that we are supposed to. I am more than happy that I made the decision to become a part of Christ's church. I cannot explain to you in detail what my feelings were in making my decision but after I prayer much about it, Heavenly Father spoke to me confirming that my decision was correct. All we have to do is ask of God. James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him
ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him." If you're unsure, pray to God, ask Him what you're unsure about. Be dilligent and seek knowledge in His word. He will answer you.
I say all these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment