Baptisms are wonderful Things!

God smiled down on Donetsk yesterday!

Of all the important matters of State that may have occurred, or of all the turnings of the wheels of commerce, or the premiere

 showings of celebrities, or performances of athletes that may have occured, the very most important happening for the eternities to come centered in the decision of four to enter into a covenant with their Heavenly Father.  

"Behold, here are the waters of Mormon and now as ye  are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called His people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn;  yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and stand as a wittness of God at all times and in all places that ye may be in, even unto death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life- - Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have ye against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you." Mosiah 18:8-10 

I am sure Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ rejoiced. Ancestors who have prayed for this day rejoiced.  Future children who have not yet come to earth celebrated on the other side of the veil.  Faithful members in the church branches of Donetsk rejoiced and celebrated this great day.  And then there is another level of quiet rejoicing and gratitude we were wittness to: . . . A faithful excemplary wife of many years had her dreams and prayers fulfilled; a new bride can now look beyond to the sealing power which will bless their family, and a mother's tears through many years for a wayward son all have become worth it.  We saw and felt all this rejoicing yesterday.

             Паладейчук Василий Иванович                         Лещева Елена Станиславовна

             Palodichuk, Vasiley Ivanovich                                Lesheva, Eleena Stanislavovna

           Григорьев Андрей Валерьевич                                      Семонян Ашот Каренович

         Gregorev, Andrea Valerovich                                              Simonian, Ashot Karenovich

Today each was confirmed in their respective branches.  This most preceious Gift of the Holy Ghost  -- to comfort, to bring all things to their remembrance, to teach, to show the way, to warn of danger, to give peace, and to testify of the Savior -- was given to them.  Think of that great thought.  Through Priesthood power, I had authority from God to bestow that gift on Ashot.  That gift which came from God through the hands of an Elder of the church, has the power to get him back to his Heavenly home.  I was humbled and in awe of both the priesthood and the Holy Ghost today.

                                             It was a beautiful day of rejoicing and celebration in our district.