Some may be curious as to why an 8 year-old was getting baptized. In our church, we don't believe in infant baptism. Our children receive a priesthoold blessing and a name during a church service when they are infants, but baptism comes at what we call the age of accountability or 8 years of age. This is done for several reasons.
- Though we believe that Adam and Eve's transgression in the garden (or the Fall) affected all of us, we believe that "man will be punished for his own sins and not for Adam's transgression." Therefore, when a baby, its spirit newly come from heaven, is born on this earth, they are not damned, but are pure and sinless. There is no need for baptism at that point. Let me clarify that we DO believe the Fall affects everyone of us born on this earth in that we become subject to a physical death only overcome by Christ and the power of the ressurrection. We further believe that Adam and Eve' transgression separated them from their ability to be in God's presence in the Garden of Eden, causing a spiritual separation or death as well. Because we as their offspring are mortal, we experience that same spiritual separation. The only way we can return to Heavenly Father's presence or the only way that this spiritual separation can be breeched is also through Christ's atonement and our efforts to live worthily, repenting of those things which would keep us from God's presence. Christ's sacrifice for us enables us to utilize the principle of repentence so we can return to God. He most definitely paid the price for our sins. Without Jesus Christ there is no way it could happen. We truly recognize Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. BUT, we don't believe in infant baptism.
- We believe that at eight years of age, we are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong; therefore, we can understand the concepts of choice and accountability. We realize that if we choose to break a commandment, we must accept the consequence that comes with it. We are also old enough to realize that when we do sin, we need to make restitution and go through the steps of repentance.
- We do believe as Christ taught Nicodemus, that baptism is a necessary and essential step to returning to our Father in Heaven or in other words, to "inherit the kingdom of God." Baptism is a must---it's not something we can take lightly or skip over.
- We make covenants when we are baptized---among which, we covenant with (or promise) God that we "are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;" that we "are willing to mourn with those that mourn; and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." By being baptized we show that we are "desirous to come into the fold of God and be called his people." Furthermore, we show that we are willing "to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places..." In other words, we take the name of Christ upon us and strive to love and testify as he did. That would be a "tall order" for a baby; it's a tall order for any of us!
Baptism is serious business, but at the same time beautifully symbolic. We believe in baptism by immersion, in following the example set by Jesus Christ as he was baptized by one who had priesthood authority and immersed in the waters of the Jordan. That immersion can be symbolic at several levels. There can be direct reference to being re-born. As we physically come forth from the waters of our mother's womb and start life on this earth, so we come forth from the waters of baptism in a spiritual re-birth. In like manner, as we are "buried" in the waters at baptism, we then come forth a new person (also symbolic of death and resurrection). The actual baptism lasts less than a minute, but affects eternity.
After her baptism, Becca was also confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost (an incredible gift---worthy of a whole post in and of itself). This is another ordinance and is done by "the laying on of hands" or in other words, men who hold the priesthood laid their hands tenderly on Becca's head, while her father confirmed her and gave her a blessing.
We had a really special day on the 30th. Like I mentioned in my last blog, Becca's grandparents on her dad's side were there as well as Sarah, Kate, and I.
Members of four different families in the kids' old ward in Sevierville made the effort to come and that meant a drive of 30 minutes or more each way. Many people from Becca's Primary class (children's auxiliary) came. There was a real outpouring of love and support for our special girl.
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| The Gardners spent the whole day with us, meeting us for church services that morning. They have been good friends of the Daileys ever since Russ and Rachel moved to the Knoxville area. They've watched the girls when Rach and Russ have gone to the hospital for a new baby, they helped with their move to the other side of Knoxville, they've traveled to Atlanta and Nashville together to go to the temple, and have exchanged home school info. Mike (Daddy Gardner) is loved by the Dailey girls, some of whom would sit in his lap often at church The Gardners are such awesome people and wonderful friends. |
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| Becca with her old Primary President from the Sevierville Ward |
Becca had planned her program exactly how she wanted it: the music, speakers, and those who would pray. She had asked her Aunt Sarah to speak about baptism, and her primary teacher to speak about the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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| Becca with Aunt Sarah |
She had invited the family's favorite babysitter to sing a solo. Megan did a beautful job.
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| Megan and Beeca |
Afterwards, we went back to the house for a delicious turkey dinner:
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| Becca with Grandma and Grandpa Dailey |
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| Grammy and Becca |
I loved being there with my Dailey kids for this special day:
I loved seeing my girls together. They're both awesome individuals and incredible mothers. They feed off each other's energy, laughter, creativity, and mothering. It's so fun to witness:
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