Baptism of Kendra Emma Greene
performed by Elder Twedt

Saturday, July 23rd, 2005
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
(Numbers 6:24-25)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Presiding: Bp. Gerry Hand
Conducting: Bro. Evan Clarke
Pianist: Sis. Esther Clarke
Chorister: Siser Dunn
Opening Prayer: Sis. Tanya Slobodan
Speaker: Br. Evan Clarke
Speaker: Elder Taylor
Closing Prayer: Sis. Dunn

Elder Taylor

"A Child of God" I am a child of God and he has sent me here Has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear Lead me, guide me, walk beside me Help me find the way Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday. I am a child of God and so my needs are great Help me understand his words before it grows too late Lead me, guide me, walk beside me help me find the way Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday. I am a child of God rich blessings are in store If I but learn to do his will I'll live with him once more Lead me, guide me, walk beside me help me find the way Teach me all that I must do to live with him someday. I am a child of God his promises are sure Celestial glory shall be mine if I can but endure Lead me, guide me, walk beside me help me find the way Teach me all that I must do to live with Him someday. Opening Hymn #301

Teach Me To Walk in the Light Teach me to walk in the light of his love; Teach me to pray to my Father above; Teach me to know of the things that are right; Teach me, teach me to walk in the light. Come, little child, and together we'll learn Of his commandments, that we may return Home to his presence, to live in his sight -- Always, always to walk in the light. Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day For loving guidance to show us the way. Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight! Gladly, gladly we'll walk in the light. Closing Hymn #304

Hello everyone, I am happy to introduce myself. I am Kendra Greene and I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada with my mother and my sister. I'd like to share my story with you.

I live in a small town with a wonderful mother who has taken care of me for my entire life. I am 16 and even though I am growing up and have to learn on my own now, she always tries to lead me down the right path; no matter how hard it can be for her.

On March the 22nd, 2005 my Dad walked out on my family, leaving my sister, my mother and I in so much confusion, fear and denial. We were all lost, and not that I can speak for my family, but we were also afraid. I know I was; I didn't know what to do.

Prior to my dad leaving I would see him maybe an hour or two a day. My dad is a great guy; if you're not his family that is. When he would come home he would yell at me.

Let me tell you though about all the abuse we got after he left. It was so painful on my mother. Dad wouldn't speak a single word to her for months. I didn't know what was worse having no hope or seeing my mother pretending to have hope. Crying every night and all I could do was sit there and not do a single thing about it.

Since it was March, I still had school. My marks dropped. I went down from being a B+ student, to failing every class. It was not that I didn't try; my heart just didn't care anymore. I didn't think life really mattered anymore. My sister and I would talk most of the nights -- she had to support mum and me. I was so upset all the time. Soon enough I became cold and wouldn't talk about it anymore. I refused to and over all of this time I had developed a stomach ulcer. My doctor became extremely worried about my health, physically and mentally. Things that I used to enjoy like hanging out with my friends, listening to music; all of that seemed to stop. I didn't want to do it anymore. Nothing mattered.

The one thing thought I did still enjoy was my computer mainly because I could have "fights" over the Internet. During one of my "fights" I met this boy, from Salt Lake City Utah named CJ (Clayton John Baird). We started emailing back and forth. We got along great. He started telling me about this mission he was going to be going on in a few months. He was so happy to be going on it. I didn't understand for the life of me how he could be happy about going around everyday telling people about Jesus Christ. I had lost all my faith -- how could there be a God, if he has let this happen to me. CJ began to explain the gospel to me. He talked about the current prophet and he started explaining about the Lord's plan for us. How he sent his only son to pay for the sins of the world, so we can return to him. I found both my head and heart racing with the thought of "What if?".

Well, I didn't believe a single word of it but I really began to like CJ, so I decided one day to see what he was talking about. By this time it was May 22nd almost exactly 2 months after my Dad had left. I went to the service, mother and I both did. I was nervous. Mum and I sat down in the back of the sacrament meeting. I listened with all my heart to the words of the speakers even though I did not fully understand all they were saying. Some things I did understand and this one part that was spoken I will always remember:

Right after sacrament we headed out towards our truck. It was pouring down rain and it was really cold that day. A lady behind us came in front of us and said "I don't think I know you, I'm CJ. How are you?" What a sign! Someone having the same name as the boy I was falling for had talked to us. We told her we were about to leave but she brought us back inside. She led me to Sunday School where I met a wonderful girl by the name of Tanya. She showed me around and shared everything I needed with me. I was so amazed at how nice some people could be.

Tanya then introduced me to two of the most wonderful men on this earth; Elder Brady Twedt and Elder Daniel Taylor. These two young men I shall never forget. I was so nervous. My mother was in Relief Society and had met the Sister Missionaires, and arranged for a lesson for the 27th. I wasn't sure if I believed it or not, but during the Sacrament Meeting while listening to the speakers I got this really warm feeling. I now know what that feeling was ... a feeling that I was doing the right thing. I got a call a few days later from the Elders saying that they were going to come instead of the Sisters. I was all for it; I had a feeling about these two.

CJ had mentioned how friendly the members of the church were but we were completely unprepared for complete strangers coming up to both of us extending their hands in friendship. It felt really good to know there were good people who truely had kindness in their hearts.

I had my lessons, and after the first lesson I prayed for a while. I didn't receive my answer but by the third lesson, about two weeks after going to church, I knew it was the true church of Jesus Christ and I could not wait to be baptized. I couldn't stop smiling. I had just told my mother before we went and had our lesson that I wanted to be baptized. It's not anything that amazing how I got my answer. I just felt good reading my book of Mormon. Everything just felt so right. It knew it was true. The Lord answered me in his own way.

I now understand why my dad had to leave. If he hadn't I would never be able to have been baptized. My dad, if he was in the house, would never have allowed those two great men (Elder Taylor and Elder Twedt) ever inside the door.

I know this is Jesus Christ's true church. I'm so lucky to have met these two Elders as if it were not for them I would never have known. I would never be a part of this gospel. Missionary work is one of the most important things we can do in our life. It is also not that hard. Going away for 18 months or two years -- that can be hard but how hard is it for us to tell our friends about this amazing thing we know? It is our job to spread it. We're all placed on this earth for a reason.

This is my story. I've helped a few of my friends explore for themselves. Shouldn't you do the same? Don't be afraid. I found the truth; everyone can. My mother and I during our investigation took a trip to Salt Lake City. This was one of the best week's of my life and memories of it will remain in my heart forever. While boarding a plane in San Francisco for the last leg of our journey we could not help but notice that there were many Edlers on the flight who were returning from various two year missionary destinations. We were fortunate to have the most interesting young man sit next to us who was returning from Mexico. How we enjoyed his stories about his experiences over the past two years, the people and the places.

Upon our arrival in Salt Lake City we were greated by three of the most wonderful young people on this globe of ours. There was CJ, his sister Jen (possibly the happiest young lady we have had the pleasure to meet), and CJ's best friend Andrew. We also had the pleasure of meeting and visiting CJ's mother and father, Sherry and Eric and his his brothers Blake, Josh and Michael and his younger sister Emily and another friend, Kayla. The memory of their home which swells at the seams with love will remain with me forever.

Hard to put into words my feelings about the Mormon Temple Square ... such an inspirational oasis of beauty and peace it was. My mum loves to tell the tale of the two delightful female missionairies; one from Sweden and one from Africa, that took her on a tour through the property telling historical tales of hardship, sacrifice and tears and stories of faith and miracles.

I am a member of the Young Women's organization and our motto is to "Stand for Truth and Righteousness".

Through personal prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others I can develop my talents and abilities. I am a beloved daughter of God. I honour womanhood, support the priesthood, and treasure faithful motherhood and fatherhood. I know that true happiness comes from developing attributes such as goodness, love, justice, and mercy. I know that by following our Heavenly Father’s plan, I can someday return to live with Him and with my loved ones. I can have greater peace in this life and eternal joy in the life to come.

I have gone on to meet so many wonderful members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and my hope now is that I can share something that will be of value to others in helping their lives become happier and more meaningful.

Thank you for visiting my Baptism site!

The 13 Articles of Faith, written by Joseph Smith, are the basic beliefs of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members. They are:

• 1- We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
• 2- We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
• 3- We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
• 4- We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• 5- We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
• 6- We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
• 7- We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
• 8- We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
• 9- We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
• 10- We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
• 11- We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
• 12- We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
• 13- We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.