Friday, December 2, 2016

Week of November 28 2016: In the service of your God

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Dear Sisters,

Join the journey!  This week:

Read: Mosiah 2-4; Our Heritage pages 46-51 (see attached PDF if needed)

Write: Write about a time when someone provided service to you. 
 
We hope that you had a lovely week, and were able to find time to rest, feast, and give thanks.  This week we were able to read Nephi's final words of prophecy, counsel, and hope, as well as Enos' account of his "mighty prayer" by which he was able to receive forgiveness and peace.  

This week we will be privileged to study King Benjamin's address.  Imagine how powerful it would be if we all could read this together this week, and truly internalize and enact the "equity, fairness, and spirituality" of King Benjamin's mission and message! 
This week's personal history was written by Junko Elliott, of the Thornton Creek ward.  Thank you Junko for sharing your reflection on your own baptism!

Junko's Personal Story:
December 8th 2007 was the day my husband and I were baptized, almost 9 years ago at the Stake Center building in Seattle. Three weeks prior to that, we were married in the Relief Society room surrounded by our soon-to-be ward family and with our kids Jake and Sinclair by our sides.
 
There are several things that stick out in recalling our baptism day. My then seventeen-year-old son drove himself to the church and made it just in time to sit with us in the front row. It meant a lot to me to have him there, being the only member of our family to witness us “getting dunked”. The room was filled with new friends we had made in our few months of going to church and even some we didn’t know. The feeling in the room was warm and exciting, very different from what I remember of my older brother’s baptism some 28 years earlier when I was a guest in the same font room. That memory was distant, grey and mysterious. My own baptism was shiny, golden and full of promise by contrast. I was married to an amazing man and we were about to embark on a new journey together! I knew it was an important step for us—and the new family we were creating with our two “only children”. Tom Every shared his vocal talent with us and sang a beautiful rendition of “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”. Sister Romish welcomed me into the Relief Society and joked that I would not know who people were talking to when they addressed me in church since I had two new names to get used to—“Sister” and “Elliott”. (This did happen.)
 
The most poignant and perhaps unusual memory of my baptism was being submerged underwater. Somehow, it is a slow motion memory for me. I remember distinctly seeing the water ripple across and above me overhead from deep within the font. It looked clear and turquoise-blue at the same time. Yet I know that my eyes were shut tight in reaction to being dunked back into the water. I share this knowing some may question how this could be possible, yet it was my experience and is a cherished memory.
 
Interestingly enough, I didn’t really feel any different after coming out of the water, but in looking back over the years I know my sins were washed away and forgiven in God’s eyes. Although I can remember past mistakes it is without feeling terribly dark, weighed down and without hope as I had felt before being baptized. By the grace of God and through Christ’s atonement I am forgiven. Through faith, repentance and belief in Christ I was able to be baptized and I am thankful that one day Christ will be my advocate as I stand before our Father in Heaven.
 
That’s my baptism story (minus a few details but this is already so long!) My husband and I are especially thankful for our dear friends the Everys, the Cooks, the Connells, Bishop Shriber, Sister Romish and the missionaries for making it such a special day for us, and all those who have helped us along the way since.
 
–Junko Elliott
 
 
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