March 18, 2012 Email

Dear Mom and Dad,

Okay, send this one into the Ensign.

Or at least put it on facebook.

Huang Yi Kai passed his baptismal interviews with no problem, and when we met with him on Saturday afternoon, the day of his baptism, he felt prepared and excited. I warned him that Satan often gives us the most temptations before we receive baptism, because he doesn't want us to enter into that sacred covenant with Heavenly Father. But he showed up at 6:30, on time, and was ready to go.

I started filling up the font at 6:00, and when the font was about halfway full, the water in the entire chapel shut off. Yeah. We were running all over the place, looking for buckets or anything that we could use to fill up the font. By this time, it is past 7:00, so everyone is sitting in their seats waiting for the baptism to begin. That's when a member of the Bishopric gets a great idea, lets use the emergency fire hose to fill the font! He pulls this gigantic hose into the font, while everyone watches in horror, as filthy brown water gushes into the baptismal font.

Our poor ward mission leader is a little nervous at this point, so I told him to begin the meeting as normal, and the Bishopric and I would fix the problem. By this point, the font has been drained, and is completely filthy. The High Priest group leader is in the boiler room, flipping switches and trying to figure out the problem. My companion is sitting with Brother Huang, helping him recognize the importance of the covenant he soon will make. After all of the talks were given, and it was time for Brother Huang to be baptized, I asked the congregation to bow their heads in prayer, and ask the Lord for a miracle. While we were praying, Brother Huang asked Heavenly Father if it was too soon for him to be baptized, if he still needed time to prepare. When he asked this question, we all heard the gurgling of fresh water pouring into the baptismal font. The font was filled quickly, Brother Huang was baptized, and we all felt the Spirit present.

I know that when we are baptized, we are promising Heavenly Father that we will follow His Son, Jesus Christ, and that we will obey his commandments. No matter what trials an individual may have while preparing to receive baptism, the Lord will provide a way for them to make that sacred covenant. Its important to Him, and He provides miracles to give His Children the opportunity.

That was the highlight of my week.

Thanks for sending me my line of authority! Its just nice to see it. I'll make sure to hang on to it this time.

Anyways, I love you. Remind me to tell you about my super golden investigator next week.

-Elder Travis Leatham