March 25, 2007

  • Martha's Baptism

    From a letter dated March 19, 2007

    Dear Friends, Family, and Fellow Xangans,

    How is everybody doing? I can tell from the consistent stream of mail I get that absolutely none of you went and read "Missionary Mail" in the March New Era. Hehehe. I am at that ancient point in my mission when I'm not so much concerned about it, but don't let that stop you. This past St. Patrick's day I celebrated 19 months of mission bliss.

    Yesterday Martha was baptized. She asked me to baptize her, and it was very fulfilling in many ways, though anti-climatic in others. Frankly, there was so much nervousness about it all that I found that many of the moments in our lessons were actually more spiritual than the time in the water. The fact that she asked me is what was really the spiritual experience. Over all, however, the baptism service had a strong, steady Spirit about it that confirmed in all of our hearts that this was right.

    What I enjoy about teaching Martha so much is that she really grasps the concepts of the Gospel and applies them to herself. Her mother had passed away, and when we taught the principle of baptisms on behalf of the dead, she asked us if she could be baptized in the Temple on behalf of her mom. We hadn't even thought about that application. She is so excited that her mom can have the same blessings she can. On an earlier occasion she had remarked to us that she believed that God had placed her in the home where she is so that she could find the Gospel. She now has wondered if her deceased mother, waiting in the world of spirits, had been taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, accepted it, and wanted so badly to become a part of it that she was praying her living daughter would find the Gospel and do her Temple work on her behalf. That is such a mature grasp of restored truth!

    Another aspect of the baptism that was tender for me was that Jose and Maria from Walnut came to see the baptism. They were telling everyone about how I had been the first Missionary to knock on their door and how I was the angel who rescued them. I told them that it was the Savior Jesus Christ who rescued them, and Maria agreed, but she insisted that without me finding her son, she never would have formed a relationship with God's Son.

    And so, I feel, in my old age, a great sense of accomplishment. My purpose as a missionary is to "invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." (Preach My Gospel). I feel that I have done that, and I plan to keep doing for as long as I can. I love the gospel, and I love missionary work. I may at times struggle in an area or with a companion, but I know that this work is God’s work and that it is the only thing I want to do. I testify of Jesus Christ and of the eternal truths that He restored to living prophets in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

    Sincerely,

    Elder Embree