“I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17; see also Ezekiel 33:1–7).
Through the centuries, prophets have fulfilled their duty when they have warned people of the dangers before them. The Lord’s Apostles are duty bound to watch, warn, and reach out to help those seeking answers to life’s questions.” (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/04/watchmen-on-the-tower?lang=eng)
We were in the temple baptistry Wednesday night. It was Miles’ and Aiden’s first time in the temple as Priests. Having been ordained to the office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood they could both perform baptisms and act as witnesses. Miles baptized Emma in her aunt’s name, an aunt who died at 16 without ever receiving Christ’s gospel. He also baptized most of the girls, 24 baptisms in all. And he had a really, really good experience.
I am so grateful for modern prophets and the accompanying modern revelation. I see physical manifestation of President Nelson’s spiritual teachings. He said “The adversary is increasing his attack on faith and on families at an exponential rate. To survive spiritually, we need counter-strategies and proactive plans." (Opening remarks, General Conference, October 2018)
President Nelson’s announcements that changed the age young people enter the Young Men’s and Young Women’s programs and allowed priests to perform baptisms for the dead in the temple are divinely inspired counter-strategies and proactive plans. I see the youth being tied more tightly to Christ, I see them having powerful spiritual experiences at increasingly younger ages. I see them erecting protective walls of righteousness around themselves as they are given opportunities to grow spiritually. I see earnest, little eleven year olds feeling the Spirit in the temple, their spiritual responsiveness manifest in their reverent demeanor. I see macho fifteen year olds humbly practicing baptismal procedures and solemnly performing them. I see youth coming unto Christ.
My mother’s heart filled with gratitude as I watched my Miles perform baptisms. I am grateful to a have son who so sincerely uses his priesthood. I am so grateful that my son has the opportunity to sincerely use his priesthood. I am so grateful to have a Savior who loves me and my son and all of God’s children, a Savior who, because He loves us so deeply, wants us to survive spiritually in this increasingly dangerous world. And, at this moment, I am profoundly grateful for a modern prophet, Russell M. Nelson (President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), who, as a “watchman on the tower” warns us of the adversary’s attacks and shares with us Christ’s counter-strategies and proactive plans.