and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when a boy turns 12, and he is worthy, he receives the Aaronic Priesthood and is ordained to the office of a deacon.
Deacons are assigned the responsibility of passing the sacrament (the bread and water) to the congregation each week. Next week he'll get to do that for the first time. I'm planning to bring some tissues to church.
12 is a big birthday. A big milestone in the church. And I know it was a big day for Scott as he has been waiting for 12 years to have his son join him in Priesthood meeting.
In sacrament meeting they called Conner to the front of the chapel to announce that he had turned 12, would be graduating from Primary, and moving into the Young Men's program and receiving the priesthood today. I know that I was grinning from ear to ear as I watched this cute boy standing up front, smiling back at the congregation. (I made sure to tell him that he needed to smile -- so many times the boys go up there and look like they are in pain.)
Throughout the rest of our church meetings so many people stopped me to tell him just how cute he was. He just had this awesome glow about him. I nodded my head and smiled because they were right!
Both my dad and Scott's dad were there to participate in his ordination.
We all stepped into the Bishop's office where we watched these men place their hands on Conner's head and ordain him to the office of a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. Scott also gave him a wonderful blessing with reminders that this priesthood power is not so much for his (Conner's) benefit, but for the benefit of others and that service needs to be his focus.
What a wonderful thing that these boys are taught as 12 year olds, that they need to serve, help, and look out for others. That this is their responsibility.
We are very proud parents.
Conner is such a good good boy. Every choice, every action . . . he always try to do what is right. He is honest in everything he does. He is very aware of his actions and how they affect others and always apologizes when he makes a mistake (many times we don't even even notice when these "mistakes" happen, but he lets us know). I can't say enough good things about this boy and his heart and commitment to the gospel.
I'm thankful that he will be such a good example to his younger brother and sister.
I'm also thankful that the kids have such supportive and loving and fun! grandparents who take the time to be here and participate in these important events.
It has been a week full of thanks! We are thankful for Conner and the choices he is making. We are thankful for family. We are thankful to have another worthy priesthood holder in our home. And we are thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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If you have questions about anything I shared here regarding our faith, click on the links here:
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- Aaronic Priesthood
- Sacrament
- Deacon
- This video talks about the priesthood and includes a few scenes of Deacons passing the sacrament
