“Worth the Wait,” Friend, March 2017
Worth the Wait
Why couldn’t she be baptized now?
“To be baptized as Jesus was … is just the thing I want to do” (Children’s Songbook, 104).
“Today we are going to learn a new song,” Sister Reid announced. “It’s called ‘Baptism.’ Everyone close your eyes and listen to the music.”
Sadie closed her eyes and relaxed in her chair. The pianist started playing a melody that sounded soft and beautiful, like flowing water. Then Sister Reid started singing: “Jesus came to John the Baptist, in Judea long ago, and was baptized by immersion in the River Jordan’s flow.”
Sadie felt a tear slide down her cheek. She tried to wipe it away before Mom could see, but it was too late. Mom was the Primary president, and she always saw everything. She smiled sadly at Sadie. She knew why Sadie was crying.
After church Sadie’s little sister, Julie, hummed the baptism song the whole ride home. But Sadie stayed quiet.
“Do you want to color with me?” Julie asked when they got home.
Sadie shook my head. “Maybe later. I’ve got to do something first.”
Sadie found Dad in the living room, reading a book in his favorite chair. He liked to read while Julie, Mom, and Sadie went to church.
Sadie took a deep breath. “Dad?” she said. “Can I get baptized?”
Dad closed the book and gently pulled Sadie close.
“Oh, Sadie. You know we’ve talked about this. My answer is still no.”
“But I really want to!” said Sadie. “I’m already eight, and I’ve thought about it a lot. I know the Church is true. I really want to get baptized.”
Dad shook his head. “I love you, and I want what’s best for you.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “But I still think you’re too young to make such a big decision.”
Sadie’s shoulders slumped. “OK.”
She turned and slowly walked to her room. She knelt by her bed and prayed harder than she ever had before. “Heavenly Father, I really, really want to be baptized. Please help Dad understand.”
At first nothing happened, but she stayed on her knees. The baptism song from Primary ran through her mind. After a while, she didn’t feel so sad. Instead she felt peaceful inside. She started thinking about all the things she could still do, even though she couldn’t be baptized yet.
She could keep praying and keep going to Primary. She could be a good example to Julie, and maybe she could even ask Mom to fast for her next week.
The peaceful feeling stayed with her as she headed down to dinner. She didn’t know when, but one day she would be baptized. And it would be worth the wait.
If You Have to Wait
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Learn as much as you can about the gospel.
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Go to baptisms and look forward to when you can be baptized.
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Ask for priesthood blessings when you need them.
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Remember, Heavenly Father and Jesus love you and listen to your prayers.
When Were They Baptized?
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President Russell M. Nelson: 16
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Sister Neill F. Marriott: 22
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President Howard W. Hunter: 12
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And later Sadie got to be baptized!