Otho's Baby Blessing

December 1, 2002

The blessing was administered by Taylor’s father Kenneth Otho Johnson.

The blessing was performed in Phoenix, Arizona.

Our dear Heavenly Father – Give you a name and a blessing – Taylor Otho Johnson – Thankful for this child – Thankful for his health – Bless this child to protect and guide with thy Spirit – Bless him to get a proper education both temporal and spiritual – Grow in his testimony and faith – Serve Thee by teaching others about Thee and thy Son on a mission – Bless him that he’ll grow and start his own family -- Continue the tradition of having families.

Those who participated in the blessing:

Kenneth Johnson
Phil Johnson
John Taylor
Dallin Hubbard
Doug Hubbard
Chuck Kennedy
Rob Cunningham
Any Bingham
Tracy Nielson

*Uncle Rich Johnson was late, but participated in spirit

Abe's Baby Blessing

Blessing of Abraham Levi Johnson

Our dear Heavenly Father – Give this child a name and a blessing – Abraham Levi Johnson – Bless you on this earth to grow in strength – Very fortunate to be born in the church – You are an inspiration to both parents in this life – Opportunity to further the work of Heavenly Father – Have many chances to serve our Heavenly Father and build his kingdom

Those who assisted in the blessing:

Kenneth Johnson

Grandpa Phil Johnson

Great-grandpa John Taylor

Uncle Rich Johnson

Bishop Boyd Brown

First Counselor Barry Edholm

Second Counselor Travis Campbell

Mom's Talk at Otho's Baptism

When Otho was only a toddler, we moved into our first house. I remember one day I was mowing the lawn. Abe was a baby, asleep inside, and Otho was watching a movie. 

I heard a thought in my head say, “Go find Otho.” I shook my head and continued to mow. I didn't need to check on Otho. He was just fine!

But the thought came to my head again. “Go find Otho.” 

“Okay,” I thought, “after I finished this row of grass.” And I continued to mow.

Then the thought came to me again, this time louder and more insistent. “Go find Otho!” 

By then I knew that it was the Holy Ghost telling me that I needed to find my son. I stopped mowing immediately and went inside to find Otho. But he wasn't watching his movie. I searched through the house, and I still couldn't find him. By now, I was becoming nervous, flying through the hallways calling his name, but Otho was no where to be seen.

Finally, I went outside and looked up and down the street. There in the middle of the road, my small toddler Otho was wandering toward the main street. My heart stopped and I flew to my son.

I was so grateful at that moment that the Holy Ghost had told me to find Otho. I didn't know what would have happened to him if I continued to mow for a half-hour, and during that time Otho would have wandered farther and father away.

From that experience, I learned many things about how the Holy Ghost works in my life.

First, I knew for a certainty that Heavenly Father loves Otho and wants to protect him. And he was using me, as Otho's mom, to help keep him safe. The gift of the Holy Ghost is given to guide us and protect us. Joseph Smith said in the Doctrine and Covenants, “And I will send upon him the Comforter, which shall teach him the truth and the way whither he shall go.” The Holy Ghost can help us know what we should do if we only listen to his voice. Then, and only then, will we have the truth of the path we are on. And as we live the right path, we are protected.

Second, I learned how the Holy Ghost speaks to us. As I reflect on that moment where I was mowing the lawn, I am so grateful I listen to the Holy Ghost, but I only wish I had listened sooner. The Holy Ghost voice is not like a loud phone call that jolts us awake. His voice speaks to us in our minds and in our hearts, and Otho, as you grow in the gospel, you need to learn how to listen to the Holy Ghost. Find a quiet place each day, pray and listen to the Holy Ghost tell you what you need to know. As you live close to the commandments, and as you ask for inspiration, I promise you, the Holy Ghost will speak to you and then you will be able to listen.

Third, I learned we must act. Heavenly Father could have stopped Otho from wandering down the street, but he chose to use me, Otho's mom, to protect Otho. And Heavenly Father used the Holy Ghost to tell me what to do. We are the Lord's servants on earth, and we are here to help other people. As you grow and learn in the gospel, Otho, you will have many opportunities to serve and help others. The Holy Ghost will tell you how to do this if you ask, and if you listen. You covenanted, or promised, Heavenly Father, in your baptism today that you would try and be like Jesus. And Jesus Christ lived a life of service to others. I hope that you will find a love of serving, helping, and protecting others as you listen to the Holy Ghost in your life. 

I am so proud of you, Otho, for starting on this path today by being baptized. You're life will be so blessed as you keep the commandments, live like Jesus Christ, and listen to the Holy Ghost. I hope you will always search for good things, and strive to have the Holy Ghost in your life. As you do so, you will be given a great power and a protection. 

I know that the Holy Ghost can be a constant companion in our lives. I have heard His voice speak to me, answering my prayers. I have felt his love during my darkest trials. And I have been filled with the understanding of the truth of this gospel through the Holy Ghost.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Otho's first Primary Talk

My faith grows when I know who Jesus is

and I know I am a child of God.

Alma the Younger was a Prophet a long time ago. He taught people about Jesus. He was a missionary. One time, Alma taught the Zoramites about faith in God and Jesus. He said faith is like a seed. A seed starts out little, but if we plant the seed in good soil, and take care of it, that seed will grow. A small seed can become a big and strong tree, or a pretty flower, or yummy apple.

Like the little seed, I can help my faith grow strong by reading my scriptures, saying my personal and family prayer, and keeping God's commandments. When I do these things I know I am a child of God.

Once I had a bad dream and was scared. I wanted to cry, but then I remembered Jesus, and I prayed. Then I wasn't scared anymore. Because I prayed, I know Jesus loves me. Like the seed, my faith grew.

We should always nourish our seeds of faith. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Abe's Primary Talk, 12/18/2011

Jesus Will Someday Return to Earth

When Jesus comes to earth again there will be no wicked people because all of the storms kill all the wicked people. When Jesus came to visit the Nephites the wicked were killed. In 3 Nephi chapter 8 it shows how the wicked die. They sat in darkness for three days, and then they heard a soft voice. Then Jesus came to the Nephites. They touched his hands and his feet to feel to nail prints. They were happy Jesus came to them. In 3 Nephi 9:17 they said, “Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God!” because they were so happy.

This story of the Nephites show us how it might be when Jesus comes again. We should prepare so Jesus can come again. We should work hard, study the scriptures, and choose the right. When Jesus comes again we will feel happy because we can see Jesus Christ and we can understand why we go to church.

If we prepare for Jesus Christ we can be a good missionary. In a month I will be baptized. When I am baptized I will feel the Holy Ghost easier, and that helps me prepare for Jesus Christs' return. I will be happy to see him.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Ellie's Primary Talk, 8/28/11

Reading, watching, and listening to wholesome things keeps my mind clean

Heavenly Father wants me to have a clean body and mind. To keep my body clean, healthy and strong, I need to eat healthy food like apples and bananas. I also need to keep my mind clean, happy, and strong.

I want to be like Jesus. To be like Jesus I need to watch movies that aren't scary. I need to read books that helps me choose the right. I need to listen to music that makes me happy. Doctrine and Covenants 25:12 says, “My soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me.” When we sing good songs it's like praying to Heavenly Father.

One of my favorite things to do is sing Primary songs all day long with my mom. My favorite Primary song is “I Love to See the Temple.” I like this song because it has the temple in it. It reminds me that I am going to go to the temple someday. I think singing Primary songs all day long is a good way to keep my mind clean.

To go to temple, we need to have a clean mind. A clean mind helps us to have the Holy Ghost. And the Holy Ghost helps me to be like Jesus. I know that if we do these things then we can return to live with Heavenly Father again. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Otho's Talk for the Primary Program 2010

I CAN FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST'S EXAMPLE

When Jesus Christ was alive, he went to John the Baptist to be baptized. Even though Jesus was perfect, he needed to be baptized.

In Matthew, chapter 3, verse 15 he said, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Jesus was baptized to show us a righteous example.

Last month, I was baptized. I was baptized to wash away my sins, to make a promise, and so I could be like Jesus.

I made promises to take Jesus name upon me. That means I need to try and be like Jesus and go to church, pay my tithing, and do service.

I also made a promise to always remember Jesus. That means that I need to remember to read my scriptures and say my prayers every day.

When I was baptized I also promised to keep the commandments. When I try to follow Jesus Christ's example, I am given the Holy Ghost to help me choose the right.

After I was baptized I felt so good. I felt the Holy Ghost in my life. And I knew that I always wanted to follow Jesus Christ's example so that I can be happy and return to heaven.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I just wanted to point out that when Otho shared his testimony about baptism at the end of this talk, he was overcome with the Holy Ghost and became emotional. This was a defining moment for him on the power of a testimony.