So Many Temple Baptisms
Performing over 100 temple baptisms brought me peace.
Photograph by Ashlee Larsen
I once brought around 100 family names to the temple to do baptisms for the dead, thanks to my mother’s family history work. When I completed all the names, the temple was practically empty. We even helped dry the area around the baptismal font.
When we were about to leave, sister missionaries came with a recent convert who was eager to be baptized for his ancestors. The officiator turned to me and asked if I could stay a little longer to help baptize. I said, “Yes, no problem.”
Then my friend, who had already changed clothes to leave, found two of my names that had been left on a table beside the baptismal font. When I saw they were my names, I thought: “I’ve done over 100 baptisms; I’m not leaving these two behind!”
I had come to Lisbon from Porto, which is about a three-hour trip. It didn’t make sense to leave those names unbaptized. So my friend put on white clothes again, and she and I performed the last two baptisms and confirmations.
When I finally left the temple, I felt an immense peace. It had truly been a special experience.
Family history work is essential. It allows people who didn’t know about the Church to be baptized and receive temple ordinances. It gives them the chance to return to the Lord’s presence and live in His kingdom.
The author lives in Porto District, Portugal.