"...to mourn with those that mourn..."

This morning in my Gospel Doctrine class, we discussed what it means to "mourn with those that mourn" (Mosiah 18:9), as we read about how Job's friends show up to comfort him in his suffering (Job 1:11). We talked about the covenant we've all made to do this very thing and how we might improve! It occurred to me that no one does this better than Shulamith's daughter Kennedy, who entered the waters of baptism yesterday and took her first step on the covenant path, leading back to her Heavenly Parents and her Savior. 

It was a joyous occasion!

Kennedy had looked forward to her baptism for a long time. She picked out a pretty dress and a wreath of flowers for her hair. She chose her favorite hymn and invited the special people in her life to attend. More importantly, she began to learn what it means to be accountable for her actions. Her parents taught her about the covenant she would make when she was baptized and what it means to "stand as a witness of God" and yes, to "mourn with those that mourn." This last part comes naturally to Kennedy. Whenever someone is sad, she feels that sadness, and she'll do anything possible to help. Her heart is kind, her willingness to extend grace, unyielding. I hope she always lives like this, so near to the One who taught ultimate kindness and grace. I hope maturity and the woes of mortality don't ever tarnish that spiritual gift that overflows in Kennedy's words and actions.

Kennedy shared the day with another 8-year-old, a boy from our ward named Joseph. It was equally sweet to see him descend into the baptismal font and begin his own journey on the covenant path, with his family and friends gathered, along with us. Here they were, two precious children of deity, only eight years from having walked with our Heavenly Parents daily. And we could feel it. We could see it in their eyes and in their smiles. It gave all of us who were blessed to attend these baptisms, hope! Hope for the future and hope for humanity.

Congratulations, Kennedy and Joseph! The angels are singing for sure.

Last week, Shulamith and I took some pictures of Kennedy in her baptism dress. Here are a few: