Special Preparation

I have been abundantly blessed in being the mother of a special needs child.  I have learned much of patience and long-suffering, of meekness and humility.  I have also gained a greater appreciation for and understanding of the solemnity of the covenants that we, as members of Jesus Christ's church, make throughout our lives.

When our son turned eight, my husband and I really struggled with whether or not he should be baptized, as most children born into the gospel are.  We knew that the age was right, but neither of us felt that the time was right.  He did not have the understanding that we felt was necessary to participate in this important ordinance.  After expressing our concerns to the Bishop, he read to us from the handbook the section pertaining to baptizing those with special needs.  We all came to the conclusion that there was no concrete answer.  It was up to us as his parents to decide what we thought was right, and so we decided to hold off.

For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law.  For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing - (Moroni 8:22)

Young children, and most especially special needs children, do not yet have an understanding of sin and repentance.  Because of this, baptism is reserved for an age at which they may be held more fully accountable for the choices that they make.  In my son's case, he still didn't have that understanding at the age of eight.  It wasn't until he was closer to thirteen years old that we felt that he possessed the level of awareness that we were comfortable with and decided that it was time.

It was a truly a blessed day, filled with family and friends.  I believe that because we waited until he was ready, our son will always be able to remember the feelings that he had on this, the most important of days.

I'm grateful for many things that my son brings to my life.  I'm grateful for his smile and his innocence.  I'm grateful for his sense of humor.  But most of all, I'm grateful for the important reminder that the ordinances performed within the boundaries of the gospel are not just rituals.  They aren't just something we do because we're members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  These ordinances are of deep importance and full of meaning, and it is up to each of us to make sure that we are prepared to make and keep the covenants that accompany each one.  

Click here to read what I read today: Moroni 8