Baptism in Canada

The Micmac Indians called Prince Edward Island (a part of the Canada-Halifax Mission) Abegweit, meaning cradled on the waves. They also tell the legend of the god Glooscap who, when he had finished painting the beauties of the world, dipped his brush into a mixture of all the colors and created Abegweit, his favorite island. The British, however, named the island Prince Edward in honor of a son of King George III. The people who live in the area call it simply “The Island” or “P E I.”

Ferryboats carry passengers and motor vehicles across Northumberland Strait between PEI and the Canadian mainland. One ferry line even carries railroad cars and is equipped with powerful icebreakers to smash through ice in freezing weather.

On a cold, stormy day last October, a special baptism took place in the waters just off Prince Edward Island. The pictures on this page show some of the scenes just before and just after James Keeping’s father and mother became members of the Church.

James, who is nine, and his brother John, 17, were baptized into the Church several months earlier. It was a happy day for them when their parents decided that they, too, were ready for baptism. John was privileged to participate in the sacred ordinance while James looked on from the rocky beach nearby with members of the little branch.

After the group was welcomed, they sang a song, bowed their heads in prayer, and then listened while one of the members spoke of the importance of baptism and confirmation. The wind and rain whipped around the rocks and the gray ocean looked cold as the waves washed onto the shore, but every heart was warmed by the wonder of the occasion.

Following their baptism, friends reached out with warm blankets and smiles of welcome as Brother and Sister Keeping stepped out of the water. Two old lobster traps had been brushed off for them to sit on while being confirmed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Afterward, everyone went to a member’s home for clam chowder, visiting, another song, and a prayer. The two new members were misty-eyed with appreciation. But no one was happier than James who said, “Now, our family really will belong together!”