Authority to Act

Hyrum got to celebrate a milestone birthday this year. Turning 12 is a big deal for a Mormon boy. Once a boy turns 12 if he lives worthily and desires to accept it, he can agree to receive the Aaronic priesthood and be ordained as a deacon. This gives him lots of responsibilities in helping to minister to the members of the Church. The biggest thing that boys notice is that they can now pass the Sacrament to members of the congregation every Sunday. They also get to leave primary, which is a BIG deal since I think every young girl and boy is ready to leave the younger group by the time they turn 11. 

This was Hyrum's big year as he turned 12 on Friday, and he was perfectly prepared for this milestone. Hyrum is such a good, good boy. He is super interested in making good choices and keeping the commandments. He is aware of the needs of others and sometimes needs to be prompted to do things that make him happy since he is often spending so much time just allowing others to do the things they want to do. I have always felt like Hyrum is such a pure soul. He's not perfect, but he seems so gentle compared to the rest of the world. I have worried a bit that the world would take him, chew him up, and spit him out. That would be very upsetting to me. But it seems like Hyrum is holding his own. He continues to be strong in the face of things that might push him to be otherwise. His biggest problems seem to stem from his frustration with those who don't follow the rules. It can be hard for him, but he is learning good ways to handle it all so that he doesn't get too crazy being around the rest of the world.

Well, today in church Hyrum got to participate in his very last primary program. This is a yearly event where the children between the ages of 3 and 11 get to share messages and sing songs to the congregation in Sacrament meeting. Hyrum might have gotten out of it if he'd thrown a fit since he turned 12 on Friday, but he decided to put in his time and perform once last time. He looked so grown up on the stand. He even got the chance to sing a featured song with a few other kids. Hyrum is actually developing a pretty good singing voice. That makes me super happy. He likes to sing, but he used to overthink it a lot. Instead of just singing from the heart he would try to sound like he thought a singer would sound, and it always sounded terribly stiff. Sometime in the last few years he has learned to relax and trust his own voice, and I think that he sounds beautiful. 

Hyrum was able to have the priesthood conferred upon him during priesthood classes today. Herman was able to be in our ward and confer the priesthood on him. A neat thing about this was that Spencer was able to stand in the circle because he is a priest. I loved seeing him act in this capacity. It just hit home how quickly he is growing up. Soon he'll be receiving the Melchizedek priesthood and having the opportunity to perform more actions like this. So neat to see. I loved hearing Herman bless Hyrum in the prayer. He promised him that he would be able to see the power in the priesthood as he performed his duties. I was able to feel the importance of the responsibilities that Hyrum would be taking on. It's interesting, but since we have been studying the Old Testament this year, and especially since we have been studying Exodus and Leviticus recently, I have really come to feel and understand the importance of the role of the priesthood in helping all of us come unto Christ. They are able to stand in the place of the Savior and perform essential ordinances that help us on our path back to our Father in Heaven. Deacons, in particular, have an important role as they help us to receive the Sacrament each week and by doing this help us to remember the covenants we have made with our Heavenly Father. It is a super important priesthood duty, and I know that Hyrum is prepared to take this on. He will take his duties seriously. I can't wait to see him pass the sacrament next week.

I can't imagine what I've done to have such good kids. It is such a blessing to have Hyrum in our family. He is a good boy. He is a strong boy. He is kind. He is compassionate. He is giving. And he is growing up sooooo fast. It is exciting to think about all the adventures he'll be experiencing in the coming years of his life. Hopefully his new priesthood responsibilities will give him further strength to become all that he is meant to be. Love him!!

On his way to becoming a new deacon!!