Zack gets Baptized

On August 13th, Zack was able to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He's been planning and preparing for this day for quite a while.

Last year we (Mom and Dad) set a goal for Zacky to read the Book of Mormon by himself before he was baptized. We had some resistance at first, but soon Zacky got the hang of the schedule of reading a page and a half a day in the mornings before he went to school. Mom would read the chapter headings and Zack would read aloud the verses. Some days there was weeping and wailing. Other days he found cool things he wanted to mark. One of those items was the words pressing forward in Lehi's Dream. It reminded Zack of the hymn Called to Serve that has the words "forward, pressing forward" in the chorus. He had learned that song in Primary along with the sign language one year. When he missed a day on a busy weekend or something, he read a few extra columns until he was caught up again. On August 8, 2011 Zack finished the Book of Mormon for the first time (reading on his own)! We are so proud of his effort. Shortly before his Baptism he was heard saying: "I can't wait until I'm eight because then I won't have to read my scriptures ever again." But, since he is used to reading on his own in the scriptures in the mornings, he has agreed to continue his personal study in the scriptures. He has now begun reading the New Testament.

We were blessed to have G-ma and G-pa Olson here along with his Aunts Tara and Kelly Olson. G-ma Marshall was also able to make the trip for Zack's big day. We live far away from family, so we feel fortunate to have time with family.

Zack and James in front of a picture of Christ in the foyer at our church.
James and Zack again...
Our family...
Aunt Kelly, Jordan, James, Kammie, Kate, Zack and Spencer...[I really like the arms from the picture coming out of the sides of James' head.]


Big family group with all of our visiting family...

The service was wonderful. His Aunt Kelly gave a wonderful talk on Baptism. Zack was then baptized by his father James with G-pa Terry Olson and Brent Crandall as witnesses. G-pa Terry gave a great talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost and then G-pa Terry was able to confirm Zack a member of the church with President Michael Beheshti, Bishop Jonnathan Flannery, James Marshall, and Brent Crandall in the confirmation circle.


Our Bapized Zacky Boy!

After the service and before family had to catch their flight home to Utah, we were able to go out to eat. Spencer had his first experience with Macaroni Grill. He liked the "grease" that you dipped your bread into. We enjoyed time together, a good meal and we snapped a couple of pictures of Princess (Rapunzel) Sidnie while we were there...