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My most memorable moment of my own baptism was a talk that I had with
my Father and the suggestion that he gave me in that talk. A couple weeks
before my baptism my Dad asked if we could have a chat. In that talk he
asked me WHO I wanted to have baptize me. Of course naturally I wanted
him but he wanted to make sure it was my choice. Secondly he talked with
me about who I wanted to help confirm me. NOTHING was assumed! He
talked with me about the importance of these men in my life and how they
would be people that I could always talk to or turn to for help. He
encouraged me to call all of the people on my list and personally request
their presence in the circle at my confirmation.
I also remember talking with my Mom in the dressing room immediately after
my baptism. I remember that what was said was heartfelt and that she gave
me a necklace that was very special that said, “I am a Child of God.” As she
put the necklace on me for the first time she made sure that I knew what
that meant.
The things you are planning to do with your child on their baptism and during
this year are the building blocks for their own testimony. This year as I teach
them I want to encourage them to pray and look for opportunities that help
them gain this testimony. My hope is that they can understand the
magnitude of the covenant that they will make and that they will want to be
baptized out of their own desire.
I hope to give your family a few resources to help effectively teach and
prepare your child for their baptism. This is a collection of some of the things
you may or may not know about. And because another thing that I
remember from my own baptism is that we forgot dry underwear I am also
including a checklist of things to remember!!!!
PS - If you would like more resources than included in this packet then just
google: FHE baptism Lessons - you will find endless info!
http://www.lds.org/cm
Below are a few object lessons they are my favorite because I think
they are so effective!
(if you have this…..) Video: Watch chapter 10 from the animated Complete Learning System,
John the Baptist DVD.
Lesson Summary:
Points to Ponder:
Quote:
When we are baptized we make a covenant. A covenant is a two way promise. When you make a
covenant with Heavenly Father, you agree to do certain things and He agrees to do certain things.
What is the covenant we make at Baptism?
(We promise to take upon ourselves the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and always remember
Him and keep His commandments.)
What does Heavenly Father promise if we keep our part of the Baptismal Covenant?
(Heavenly Father promises to give us that we will have His spirit to be with us, to forgive us
when we repent and to let us live with Him again forever.)
“Baptism is the beginning of a new life for each one of us, a life of purpose.”
Dwan J. Young, Ensign, Nov 1984 © 2007
Story time:
Mary sat on the floor, coloring in her John the Baptist activity book, while Mother’s sewing
machine quietly hummed along. “I’m almost ready to have you try on your dress.” Mother
announced as the sewing machine came to a stop.
Anxiously Mary put down her crayon and jumped up. Hurrying to Mother’s side, she watched
her remove the row of straight pins, before pulling the dress over Mary’s head.
“Turn around. I need to mark the back, so I’ll know where to sew on the buttons.”
Swinging around in two and a half big circles, Mary dramatically sighed with delight as she
watched the full skirt billow out. Stopping with her back facing Mother she exclaimed, “Oh,
Mommy. It is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen!”
“The most beautiful dress for the most beautiful girl!” Mother exclaimed. “Take it back off now,
though. We need to go get lunch on the table. Daddy will be home soon with Grandma-great.”
“Oh! I am so glad that Grandma-great will be here for my baptism. It’s been forever since I’ve
seen her.”
Mary was helping set the table when she heard the back door open. She quickly folded the last
napkin and ran to meet her great-grandmother with a big hug. “Hurry quick, Grandma-great.
Lunch’s ready and I want you to sit by me!” Mary said as she tugged on her great-grandmother’s
hand.
“Slow down just a minute and let me look at you,” Grandma-great said. “Oh my you can’t be my
little Mary, you’re way too big,” she continued.
“It really is me Grandma-great! I’m just grown-up now,” Mary said. “I turned eight-years-old on
my birthday. That’s why I get to be baptized!”
Nettie laughed with amusement at her grown-up great-granddaughter. Just then Cory and
Logan dashed into the room. “Woo hoo! Grandma-great’s here,” they shouted before fighting for
a hugging position and nearly knocking Great-grandmother off her feet.
“You boys be careful!” Father reprimanded his rambunctious sons. “Go get washed up for lunch
now. And make it fast. I’m starving!” He said before greeting Mother with a kiss on the cheek.
After lunch father shooed the “girls” out of the kitchen. Insisting that he and the boys would
clean up.
“Quick, Grandma-great!” Mary said, while tugging on her great-grandmother’s arm. “You’ve got
to see the most beautiful dress in the whole world, Mommy is making me!”
“If I don’t hurry, it’ll never be done in time,” Mother confessed. “There are still eight little
buttons to sew on and I haven’t put the finishing touches on my talk for the baptism yet.”
Nettie admired the dainty, white dress, “You are such an excellent seamstress, Margaret!”
“Thank you, Grandma,” Margaret expressed before giving her Grandmother a peck on the cheek.
“But you know it’s just because I had an excellent teacher!”
“You’ve far outdone your teacher. I can however, still sew on buttons,” Nettie said. “Just give
me a needle and some thread and you go finish up your talk.”
Mary sat close to her great-grandmother while she sewed the tiny pearl buttons onto the baptism
dress. “Grandma-great! Mommy says that I’ll remember my baptism day forever. Is that true?
Can you still remember the day you were baptized?”
Nettie smiled. “My, yes! Seems like only yesterday, instead of seventy-eight years ago,” she
stated. “It was a cold January afternoon. I wasn’t baptized in a baptismal font either.”
“Were you baptized in a river? Just like Jesus?” Mary asked.
“Not a river, but close. I was baptized in Cedar Lake.” “My mama told me I should wait until
spring. After the ice had melted ’cause I might catch a nasty cold. But I was determined not to
wait,” Nettie confided. “So, Papa cut a big hole in the ice...”
Mary sat wide-eyed as her great-grandmother recalled the memories of her special day.
Mary looked in awe at her great-grandmother, who seemed to be glowing.
“When we climbed out of the water and onto the banks, Mama had tears rolling down her face.
She wrapped her best quilts around us,” Nettie continued with a far away look in her eye. “Then
Papa told me how proud he was of me and how pleased God in Heaven was with me too! Just
like He had been pleased with His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!”
“Did you catch a cold?” Mary asked curiously.
“Not even a sniffle!” Nettie then looked deep into Mary’s eyes. “You know, Mary! After you’re
baptized, you get a clean, peaceful feeling,” she said as she gave Mary’s hand a squeeze. “But
the best part is,” she promised, “You can keep that feeling of peace, every Sunday, as you
partake of the sacrament and renew your baptismal covenants with God.”
by Margie Nauta Lee © 2007 Living Scriptures, Inc.
Activity Time:
Go here to print the activity that goes with this
FHE…
http://www.ldsfamilyfun.com/media/PDFs/fhe/baptizedlik
ejesus.pdf
What you need: A copy of the “I Will Be Baptized Like Jesus” activity for each child
(artwork included with this lesson), scissors, glue, (2) brads & card stock.
Preparation 1. Print out the artwork.
2. Glue artwork to card stock.
3. Cut out artwork.
4. Cut out circles (paper punch works well for this step) and long dotted lines.
5. Place figures through slit in backgrounds (see image) and secure with brads.
Activity: 1. Explain: When we are baptized our sins are washed away. Jesus was without sin,
yet He was still baptized.
Ask: Why was Jesus baptized? (To be obedient to all of Heavenly Father’s
commandments.)
Read: “And Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5 )
2. Ask: Who Baptized Jesus? (John the Baptist.)
Ask: What authority did John have to baptize? (The priesthood.) Ask: How was Jesus baptized? (By
immersion in the Jordan River.)
Ask: What does baptism by immersion mean? (To be baptized by going completely under the water.)
Demonstrate: Use the Jesus and John figures to demonstrate baptism by immersion.
3. Ask: Do we need to be baptized to return to live with Heavenly Father? (Yes.) Ask: Who came to
Joseph Smith and taught him the correct way to baptize and
restored the Aaronic Priesthood to the earth? (John the Baptist.)
Ask: How are we baptized? (Just like Jesus; by immersion; by a man who holds the priesthood.)
Demonstrate: Use the young boy and priesthood holder figures to demonstrate
how we are baptized like Jesus. If desired don’t completely immerse the boy and
explain how the baptism has to be redone if this happens.
Explain: Heavenly Father was pleased with Jesus when he was baptized; “ And lo
a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17).
Ask: Is Heavenly Father pleased with each of us when we are baptized? (Yes.)
Share: Have family members who have been baptized share memories of their
baptism day.
“Immersion” Cookies
(Shortbread)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
A glass of milk for each family member
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl and set aside.
In a mixing bowl cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and continue to
beat. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl once or twice while you are mixing. Beat in the
vanilla extract. Slowly add the flour mixture. Mix on low until everything comes together into a
thick dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Press the dough out into a flat patty an
inch thick. Wrap in plastic and chill completely in the refrigerator for about thirty minutes. After
the dough is chilled, roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thick. Cut the dough into small bite size
shapes with cookie cutters or a knife. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 10
minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are barely golden (watch carefully; cookies burn
easily). Place pan on wire rack and cool completely.
Treat Time: Immersion is the dipping of something in liquid so that it is completely covered.
When we are baptized by immersion we are completely covered with water. When eating “Im-
mersion Cookies” completely immerse (dunk) cookies into a cold glass of milk. Be sure to have
plenty of napkins on hand, as fingers will get wet).
Closing Prayer and blessing on the food.
Preparation: Gather embroidery floss, thin string or yarn (multiple colors can be
fun if available). Prepare the string by cutting it into 9 long pieces and divide them
into 3 sets of 3.
Lesson:Read the focus scripture together and ask the family why it is important to
be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Begin a discussion about the importance of
the covenants associated with baptism and its related ordinances. Clarify the
meaning of “covenant” as needed.
Read Mosiah 18:8-10 together. Call attention to the three most important
covenants made at baptism.These are: become a member of the church (come
unto the fold and be called His people), serve God, and keep His commandments.
Each of these things will be represented by one strand of yarn or string.The other
items listed are important parts of the covenant, but for the most part they can fall
under one of these three types of promises. For instance: bearing another’s burden
is serving God by serving those around us, standing as a witness is an example of
keeping the commandments no matter where we are, etc.
Take the three strands and braid them together as you discuss how these
covenants work together and ways they can be implemented in our lives. Moroni
6:4-9 can add to your discussion as needed.
Explain how you took something thin and fairly fragile to create something bigger
and stronger than each piece could have been on its own. This is the way covenants
work. When we make and honor them through our faith, they can strengthen our
lives through the blessings Heavenly Father gives us in return. Return to Mosiah
18:10 and remind the family what blessings are promised by Heavenly Father at
baptism.
Explain that one benefit of the baptismal covenant is a gift that can be thought of
as another covenant. When we receive the Holy Ghost, Heavenly Father is
introducing us to someone who can be a very good friend. After we have been
“introduced,” each person decides what kind of friendship we will have with the
Spirit. We make a promise to nurture a good relationship with Him and He promises
to stay with us if we do.
Discuss the types of blessings that can come from keeping close to the Spirit.
Show the next three pieces of string and use 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (respecting our
bodies and morality), 3 Nephi 11:29 (avoiding contention) 3 Nephi 18:17
(remember Christ) to show ways we honor that covenant. Braid the pieces together
while discussing other ways we can keep close to the Spirit.
Return to 3 Nephi 18:17 and identify the method of remembering Christ that is
called out. Taking the sacrament is also a covenant. Each time we take the
sacrament, it is a reminder and renewal of the covenants we made at baptism. It’s
also a time to help us correct any mistakes we may have made through
repentance.
Use D&C 20:77 to identify your last three strands of promises made and renewed
during the sacrament:take Christ’s name, remember Him, and keep the
commandments.
Now braid the individual covenant braids you created together and explain that
honoring these covenants and gifts keep us safe and strong in the gospel now, but
they also prepare us to keep the greater covenants of the temple when we’re older.
The more we make promises with our Heavenly Father and try to do what is right,
the stronger our faith and testimony becomes.
End with your own testimony, encouraging your family to work at keeping their
covenants every day.
Activity:
Younger children— Play with string mazes- take turns using a ball of string to
mark an obstacle course path through home or yard that other family members
must follow the trail of the string (rewinding the ball as they go, as able). Reinforce
the importance of following the covenants and paths that the Lord has laid out for
us in order to make it back home to Him.
Older children— Any type of string or yarn craft your family is familiar with. Or,
challenge each other to braiding races or creating the longest single braid possible.
Go Here ---
http://www.fastq.com/
%7Ejbpratt/lds/resources/scriptures.html#Baptism
Baptism Story
Some years ago, as a pilot, I was taken by an instructor
up in an airplane. By turning the airplane at less than two
degrees at a time, the instructor succeeded in turning the
airplane completely upside down. My inner ear could not
detect the transition because he kept positive gravity
upon us at all times. Therefore, I did not know that, when
he gave the airplane to me, it was upside down.
Everything on the airplane, every instrument, was exactly
right except for the landing gear, which was upside down;
and every reaction I made had an opposite reaction from
what I thought it would have. This is called vertigo, and it
taught me a great lesson. I would like to talk for a
moment about spiritual vertigo. Although we know of the
atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, of His obedience, of His
willingness to serve and to be an example to us, and of
His message to "come, follow me," there are times when
we get off course, less than a degree at a time, and do
not know that we turn totally upside down...When we go
into the waters of baptism, we take upon us His name
and promise that we will always be obedient...For that
obedience, we are told that we will always have His Spirit
to be with us. We will always have the spiritual gyroscope
that will guide us so that we will never have to encounter
spiritual vertigo and that we will never be off course."
Robert D. Hales
QuickTimeª and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Across
Down