Salem's Baptism

"We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sin; fourth, the Laying on of Hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

My little girl turned 8 on December 15th.  She was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on December 31st.  I am so proud of my Salem.  We have had so many lovely discussions about baptismal covenants and about spiritual matters in general.  I'm impressed by her questions and by her understanding of gospel principles. 

I remember a couple short years ago at age 6 when she said she wasn't sure she believed in God or anything really, and Jeff and I nervously kept our smiles on and told her it was important for her to build her own testimony and to find out for herself what she believes.  We told her she could always ask us any questions and we would answer them to the best of our knowledge, but that the testimony had to come from her heart, and that we couldn't tell her what to believe because faith is such a personal matter.  For the following 2 years she studied, prayed, asked questions and learned.  By age 8 she had developed a testimony and decided she was excited to be baptized and to live very closely to the teachings of Christ.

Salem is such a great example of diligence, service, and generosity.  I know her siblings look up to her. She is always coming up with ideas of ways we can serve other people and she has a soft place in her heart for those less fortunate than herself.

One thing I hope to never forget is how during the baptismal prayer she was giggling and bouncing up and down on her toes.  She was SO excited!

I hope she can harness that excitement and passion for the gospel and keep it for life.  I know what a great feeling that is!