It has been a wonderful couple of Sundays. Last week, Brandt was ordained a priest, and today he blessed the sacrament for the first time. I tried to take sneaky pictures but wasn't very sneaky at all. Kent ordained him last week and gave him a very nice blessing which I will include below.
Also last week, Blythe was called as the Class President for the young women ages 14-15 class and was sustained in Ward Conference. Although she has been nervous about this calling and feels somewhat inadequate, her leaders, especially Angela Bradford the Young Women's President, have been encouraging and set her on a good path of learning how to lead. Bishop Elder gave her a very nice blessing as he set her apart which I will also include below. She selected Ellen Mason and Lilly Bradford as her counselors, and Jayne Tayler as her secretary. I hope they will work well together.
It is a joy to see our children progressing in the gospel, growing and learning, hopefully having spiritual experiences that help them know they are beloved children of God.
Blythe Isabella Barrus, by the power and authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which we hold, we lay our hands upon your head and set you apart as the president of the 14-15-year-old young women's class in the Pleasant View 6th Ward of the Provo, Utah Sharon East Stake. At this time Blythe, we wish to bless you with a keen understanding of the importance of this role not only in the lives of those who you will serve, but in your own life as well; that you will be able to grow in very significant capacities through this service that you will recognize things about yourself that you were unaware of, that you will recognize the key characteristcs and traits Heavenly Father has blessed you with that will help you in serving others. We bless you to recognize also in this role the primary responsibility is to help others grow in their testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel. As you do so, we bless you that you will have an interest and desire to strengthen your own testimony that focuses on those key basic concepts that will help you to lay a firm foundation for you for the rest of your life. We bless you that you will seek inspiration intently, that you will study the scriptures and learn from others who have had opportunities to receive revelation, that you will be able to apply all those things you learn in your current calling. We bless you to understand that this is your class to lead, that you will receive input from your counselors and your secretary and that you will also receive input from adult leaders, and that you will recognize the role that you have specifically, that you will do so willingly and that you will do so effectively. We bless you with the ability to withstand the evils of the world and temptations that may come to you, that you will be strong and steadfast in your faith in Christ. These blessings we leave upon you and do so in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
My good son, Brandt DeMartini Barrus. Through the power of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood we bear, we ordain you to the office of Priest in the Aaronic priesthood and give you a blessing and a promise. Times are challenging. Temptations are increasing. Evil is readily available at every turn. We bless you with strength to overcome and to resist the evil that is so prevalent, to be cheerful, to continue to be a cheerful spirit that you might be a valiant warrior in defense of those things which are good and righteous. It will seem like at times that you are losing the battle as righteous saints in Zions, but with the priesthood and with the blessings of our Father, I bless you with the strength to be cheerful and carry on the fight and to overcome the difficulties that you have, to repent quickly when you make mistakes, knowing that part of the plan involves making mistakes and learning from our mistakes. But if you repent, you will be blessed and be able to continue to grow and eventually receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and do great things with that priesthood. The priesthood is a powerful force, directly opposed to the powers of evil. We bless you to use it and to follow the Lord in all of your actions, at school, at home, and with those you will work with. I pronounce this blessing, again as a father who loves you, but not as much as your Father in Heaven loves you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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