The Gate is Baptism

Note in Sister Neeley’s planner:

Sunday, 18 October 2015
End of shift---
Patrick came in - wants to be baptized! Loves everything about church. Reading Book of Mormon from Marriott Hotel. Chatting on line with sisters :) Awesome!

From Linda's journal same day:
Stake conference…so inspiring! Great shift— member tours. Patrick Barnhill came in —wants to be baptized. Has been studying the Book of Mormon, loves modern revelation, everything makes sense! I just welcomed him to the Visitors’ Centre and asked “What brings you here today?”

Sister Neeley and Patrick

 Now it is 8 November 2015, Linda played piano and accompanied the Hyde Park Zone elders and sisters singing “Come Unto Christ” at Patrick’s baptism! It is a joyful time, a spiritual feast. His father and sister were there to support him and learn more about his new religion.

During the program, he shared his testimony and his journey. He had been searching for several years with questions about the nature of God and why isn’t there revelation any more. He came across Joseph Smith and felt empathy as he was young and searching as well. The more he read and researched, the more he knew that Joseph was indeed a prophet. Last October, Patrick’s mother saw a Book of Mormon in a Marriott Hotel. A note inside said "take if you like". She took it and gave it to Patrick to read.

As he read, he says he knew that Joseph was a prophet and that this was a true book of scripture. He started chatting online with some sister missionaries on Mormon.org. He had moved to London to begin school. The online sisters encouraged him to find the church and talk with someone. He came to the Visitors’ Centre… Sister Neeley gave him a tour which was like no other she has given yet:) He had studied so much and was very prepared. Sisters Lung and Dabrowska taught him the lessons and the Brittania YSA Ward reached out in love and friendship.

Next Sunday, he will be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We are basking in the joy of this wonderful experience and know that for Patrick it is just the beginning. May we all have joy in the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and strive to follow Him!

Sister Lung, Bee Erickson, Patrick Barnhill, and Sister Dabrowska

Patrick with his sister and father