"Today Is a Good Day"... Baptism Talk

Several people have asked me for a copy of my talk that I gave on Saturday, November 7th 2009 at the baptism of Amber Huber, Winsome Mamode, Susie Gomes, and Johnathan Molina; so I thought I would post it here for easier access.




"Today is your day. We are all here to lend our support and welcome you into our family but know that today is your day.

It is a deeply personal day between you and your Father in Heaven. Today, you enter into His fold and are numbered amongst His people.

The gift... covenant of baptism is an awesome, and at times, can be an arduous journey; but here we are.

As you enter into the waters of baptism, you are taking the formal action of walking away from the life you lived. The person you were can cease to be.

As you go down into the water; symbolically, the person you were dies and is buried under the water.

Your past life, past deeds, anything you may have done or been, is considered dead and buried; and as you emerge up out of the water, you are completely reborn.

When you come up out of the water, you are brand new; a fresh slate upon which to write your new life.

Your old life is no longer seen or remembered by your Father in Heaven, and His focus is turned to the new you, the you who is now numbered among His fold.

"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus they were called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life -" Mosiah 18:8-9

What a great and awesome day today is. And understand, while you are filled with excitement and anticipation, so too are we who are gathered here; and even more so, your Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and the angels on High, and all those in the Heaven's are rejoicing.

What a great and awesome day. I am so filled with love for you and am proud to call you my "family".

You have made a good choice. THIS is a good day.

I love you, and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ; Amen."