The Best Night Of The Mission

"This week was pretty excellent, quite a lot happened. The baptisms were great. We were all so happy and so were the families and all who participated. It just goes to show what hard dedicated work with love can do for you. The names of the people that were baptized are: Javier and Reina, and their two kids, Cristian and Breseyda (taught by Elder Martins, Dias and I. I baptized Breseyda, the daughter who is about 8 years old. They are Bolivians.) Also baptized was Valdira, a young woman taught by Elder Stoddard, Hicks, and I. She is about 23 and was baptized by Elder Stoddard. And also another couple, Henry and Gracielle, from Bolivia. I baptized Henry. He is a really cool guy; they are a young married couple with a brand new baby and they live with a bunch of Bolivians who are already members. It just goes to show how member support is the greatest thing for the missionaries. To be honest with you, I think the night of the baptisms was the best night of the mission so far."

What is a baptismal service like?

A baptismal service is a reverent meeting during which a person is baptized. It is usually attended by the family and friends of the baptismal candidate, both those who are members of the Church and those who are not. The service usually includes prayer, congregational hymns, and short talks about the covenants the person is choosing to make.

The baptism is performed by one who has priesthood authority, in a font or other body of water large enough to completely immerse the individual. Both the person being baptized and the individual performing the ordinance are dressed in white, as a symbol of the purity that comes through a remission of sins.

After receiving baptism the newly baptized person is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receives the gift of the Holy Ghost. Typically, this ordinance is performed in a Sacrament Meeting held a few days after the baptismal service. During that meeting, the newly baptized individual is invited to the front of the congregation. The person sits in a chair, while one or more priesthood holders lay their hands on his or her head and perform this ordinance.

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