“Let’s Invite Everyone,” Friend, November 2021
Let’s Invite Everyone
The author lives in Utah, USA.
Jarom wanted his whole family to come to his baptism.
“I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can” (Children’s Songbook, 188).
Jarom sat down in the grass in front of his nana’s marae. It was almost time for the family party to begin!
He looked up at the red carvings on the side of the building. “Mum, how do you say Nana’s name in sign language?” he asked. Jarom’s grandmother had been deaf. Sometimes they practiced sign language to remember her.
“Like this,” Mum said. She slowly signed the name with her hands. Jarom made the signs with his hands too. He loved learning about his family.
“I want to try!” Jarom’s cousin Kati sat down next to them. Mum signed the name again.
“Next month for my baptism, can we sing a song in sign language?” Jarom asked.
“Of course,” said Mum.
“What’s a baptism?” Kati asked.
Most of Jarom’s family were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Getting baptized is a special thing in my church,” Jarom said. “It’s when you make a promise to follow Jesus, and He promises to help you.”
“Cool,” said Kati.
“Would you like to come to my baptism?” Jarom asked.
“Sure!” Kati smiled. Then Jarom turned to his mum.
“Can we ask the rest of the cousins to come too? And my aunts and uncles?”
Mum nodded. “I think that’s a great idea.”
Jarom and Mum asked the rest of the family to come to the baptism. The aunts and uncles did not know much about baptism either. But they knew it was a special day for Jarom. “We will be there!” they said.
Weeks passed. Finally it was Jarom’s baptism day! When Jarom walked into the chapel, he smiled big. Every row was filled with his family members!
First Jarom’s dad gave a talk about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. He also talked about how important families are. “We are so happy for Jarom to be baptized today. And we are so happy to have our family with us!” he said. “What is the most important thing in the world?” he asked. “It is the people, the people, the people.”
Everyone smiled. It was a Māori saying they all loved.
After Dad’s talk, it was Jarom and Mum’s turn. They sang a Primary song in sign language. It made Jarom feel close to his nana.
Then Jarom and Dad walked into the baptism font. As he stood in the water, Jarom looked up at all his family. Cousins, aunts, uncles. They were all there!
Jarom closed his eyes. He felt a warm, calm feeling. It felt like someone was giving him a big hug. He thought of his nana. He thought of his ancestors. He knew they were proud of him too.
Jarom changed into dry clothes. Then he gave each member of his family a hug. He was grateful for all of them. And he was grateful for his family members in heaven that he would get to meet someday. Jarom wanted to keep making good choices to make them proud.
Illustrations by Oksana Grivina