Jon's Baptism

Jon's Baptism

I will never forget the baptism of a special needs kid in my class named Jon. When I came into the room he passed right through two relatives (I assume) that had come to see him and he said, “You came, Brother Brinton, you came!” It made my day! He was so excited for the last two weeks, he kept saying over and over, “Are you excited for Jon’s baptism!” He would also say, “Is Courtney, Sara, Matt, Jens, and other names inserted, coming to Jon’s baptism?” Who could turn him down?

It was neat to see several kids, who had worked with him in years past, as well as Sister U. there to see his bright shining face. I am sure his face was tired of smiling because his lip was twitching up over his teeth by the end of the baptism. He was so excited as he played, “Because, I have been given much!” He smiled at the crowd as he played. He has perfect pitch. I remember playing a note with his back facing the piano and then he would turn around again and play that exact note.

Ironically, his mother said that when he was first born the pediatrician said that he would be a very low functioning child, if only that pediatrician could have been there today! I will never forget Mark his older brother, who has been so sweet to him throughout his life; take him down into the water. He couldn’t get through the prayer. I wonder if he felt much like John the Baptist who stated in Matthew 3:14 "But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?"

He cried and then finally lowered Jon down, who was freeked out and nervous. His feet came up so his brother had to lean him back hold down his legs, and then swoop him down and then back up, it was quite a process! When everyone got the okay from the two witnesses everyone's hands erupted into a spontaneous applause. The first one I had ever witnessed in a baptism.

His dad quoted Mosiah 18:11, where the book of mormon people also erupted into spontaneous clapping when they were given the following promise and covenant.

Mosiah 18:8 "And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are ^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as ^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the ^dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being ^abaptized in the ^bname of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ^ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts."

I was so touched by his testimony, because it made me realize that the blessing of baptism are not just for the life hereafter, but for temporal blessing here and now. The Holy Ghost will be a powerful tool in extending the gifts and abilities of Jon. I was so impressed with Jon's dad's testimony and faith. He is planning on giving Jon a blessing in a more comfortable setting, with only family member. I am sure that he will be fasting and praying, so that he might be led and guided in the blessing he gives Jon.

Jon's mother was even more touching. She mentioned how frustrated throughout Jon's life that people would come up and say I am sorry that you have to raise a child with special needs, it must be so difficult." Or "It couldn’t have happened to better people," as if receiving a child with special needs deified their parents.

In contrast to these judgments and uninspired compliments, Jon’s mother stated that Jon has been the biggest blessing in her life. She mentioned that he was concerned about her right at that moment and said, “Are those happy tears?” Jon always worries that his mother is okay, and anytime someone is fighting he will walk up to them and say things like, “What’s wrong? Are you happy!”

He is so sweet and innocent. His mother said one time she was crying profusely and Jon kept kissing her incessantly trying to stop her from crying, since kisses always make people feel better! She said that she finally started laughing because he was so concerned and worried that his kisses weren’t working in making her feel better! It was such a wonderful experience for her to have a son, and by no means has ever felt that she was greater premortally for having the pain and trial of raising Jon, she felt the exact opposite, in that it has been the biggest blessing of her life to be able to raise Jon.

Jon's dad made a similar comment that scared me! He said that one day when this veil is removed and he was able to see Jon in all of his glory, and all of his imperfections and mistakes will be made manifest, that he would ask Jon for forgiveness. I feel the same way about Luke and hope that I can be worthy to stand before him, and pray that he will forgive me for all of my weaknesses, and for being impatient with him, or not spending the time with him that I should have.

The last thing that touched me was a statement Jon's Dad made after he was in a meeting with Governor Huntsman who stated of his little brother Mark, “Mark can’t hate!” Jon’s dad stated of Jon, “Jon can’t not love!”

I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to teach seminary especially kids with special needs!

Isa. 11: 6

6 The ^awolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.