Dear Bradley,
You’re turning twelve today.
This is an important birthday because you will receive the Aaronic priesthood.
The priesthood is the power of God, which is given to man to act in His name. Remember
that your authority comes through your ordination but your power comes through
personal obedience and worthiness. The priesthood is a gift from God that
blesses all His children. Your
Heavenly Father now trusts you enough to give you the responsibility to help
others. Up until now your parents, extended family and church leaders have been
taking care of you and helping you grow and learn. Now it is your turn. For
example, this Sunday you will pass the sacrament for the first time. Isn’t it
wonderful that God allows you to be part of this most sacred event? You will
represent the Savior as you offer the emblems of the bread and water as a
symbol of His great Atonement. The sacrament is the most important reason we go
to church.
What a great blessing it is to hold the
priesthood. I hope you take the time to go to a quiet private place and pray to
your Heavenly Father and ask him how you can magnify your priesthood. Praying
and asking questions has been a great way for God to send messages to you. In
fact, did you know that when the Prophet Joseph Smith was translating The Book of Mormon that
he found a part that mentioned baptism? On May 15, 1829, he and his scribe
Oliver Cowdery went into the woods to ask God about baptism. As they prayed, a
messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light. This messenger was John
the Baptist, the prophet who baptized Jesus Christ. John the Baptist, now a
resurrected being, laid his hands on Joseph and Oliver and conferred upon each
of them the Aaronic Priesthood, which had been taken from the earth during the Apostasy.
With this authority, Joseph and
Oliver were able to baptize one another. John the Baptist was chosen by
Heavenly Father to prepare the way for the Savior and be the one to baptize
him. John did this through the authority of the Priesthood of Aaron.
After baptism, a sacred opportunity comes
to the members of the Church each week as we partake of the sacrament. This is
how we renew our covenants with our Father in Heaven and take upon us the name
of his Son and promise to keep his commandments. Those holding the Aaronic
Priesthood have the sacred privilege and honor of preparing, blessing, and
passing these holy emblems of Jesus Christ’s body and blood. God wants us to repent, come to Him with a broken heart
and a contrite spirit and partake of the sacrament. When we renew our baptismal
covenants in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. In
this way we are made clean and can have His Spirit to be with us. That is why
it is so important to take the sacrament each week.
As
you know, the offices of the Aaronic Priesthood are bishop, priest, teacher,
and deacon. With the authorization of the presiding priesthood leader, deacons
pass the sacrament. They also help the bishop watch over Church members by
giving service and assist with temporal matters such as gathering fast
offerings for the poor. Teachers perform all the duties of deacons and also
receive other opportunities to serve. They prepare the sacramental bread and
water and serve as home teachers. Priests may perform all the duties of deacons
and teachers. With the authorization of the presiding priesthood leader, they
may also bless the sacrament, baptize, and ordain others to the offices of
priest, teacher, and deacon.
I have noticed that you have a big heart
Bradley. You are a true and loyal friend. I remember when the television crew
interviewed you for a news segment this year because you helped to save your
friend when he was in medical trouble during recess. Remember that the best
friend you will ever have is Jesus Christ. He will save you whenever you are in
trouble or hurt.
You have amazing talents and abilities and
I know that you will use them wisely. I notice how you are kind to your younger
nieces and nephews. I also notice how loving you are to Daniel and Izzy. I
think Heavenly Father knew that you would be a good example for your younger
brother and sister and that is why you are the oldest child in your family.
As you serve in your priesthood
responsibilities, always remember that serving your own family is the most
important because the most important exercise of the priesthood takes place in
the home. Your parents and brother and sister really need you to love them and
serve them as only you can.
You now stand at the beginning a life-time
of service. As you serve in the Aaronic Priesthood, it will prepare you to
receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, receive the blessings of the temple, serve
a full-time mission, be a loving husband and father, and continue in lifelong
service to the Lord. I love you so much Bradley. I have so enjoyed watching you
grow up and become such a wonderful young man. I will always be your biggest
fan. I am so lucky to have you for my
grandson. I will love you forever.
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