Caleb's 12th Birthday!

Caleb celebrated his 12th birthday this Friday.  He got some fun gifts (an Indiana Jones lego set, a set of seven Bakugans that transform into one big Bakugan, a magic trick set, an Indiana Jones DVD game, and a brand new suit and tie),  and we ate out at Bullwinkle's pizza.  He asked for brownies instead of cake this year so I made him some divine brownies with peanut butter chips and peanut butter frosting. 

The coolest thing that Caleb got for his birthday was the Aaronic Priesthood.  He was ordained to the office of a deacon today shortly after 1pm by his father, Darwin Jensen; our bishop James Kearns, and the Young Men's President, Reuben Willis.  Bishop Kearns interviewed Caleb last Sunday and found him worthy to hold the Priesthood, and we are so proud of Caleb for being a worthy young man.  Today he was given his Primary graduation certificate and repeated the 8th Article of Faith in front of the whole congregation.

Caleb, we love you very much and are so happy you are part of our family.  We are so excited that you are taking the first steps to becoming a missionary and a worthy husband and father.  Thank you for being a great student, a caring older brother, and an awesome son!

 

**This next part is for those who are not familiar with the Priesthood of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  This is from the church's website.  I am only copying the part up to deacon, but if you would like to read the whole thing, here is the link.**

Doctrine and Duties Doctrine and Duties Doctrine The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. The two divisions of the priesthood are the Melchizedek and the Aaronic (D&C 107:1). Young men 12 to 18 years of age, and older men who are new converts, are ordained to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood. God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of the human family. It is the priesthood authority by which John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ, teaching faith, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins (Matthew 3:1-17; Mark 1:1-11). Aaronic Priesthood authority includes the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel, which is the gospel of repentance, baptism, and the remission of sins, and the administering of outward ordinances (D&C 84:26-27; 13:1; 107:14, 20). Priesthood keys The exercise of priesthood authority is governed by those who hold its keys (see D&C 65:2; 124:123). These keys are the right to preside over and direct the Church within a jurisdiction. The Lord Jesus Christ holds all the keys of the priesthood. He has given His Apostles the keys that are necessary for governing His Church. Only the senior Apostle, the President of the Church, may use (or authorize another person to use) these keys for governing the entire Church (see D&C 43:1-4; 81:2; 132:7). The President of the Church authorizes presidents of temples, missions, stakes, and districts; bishops and branch presidents; and quorum presidents to hold the priesthood keys they need to preside. A person who serves in one of these positions holds the keys only until he is released. Counselors do not receive keys, but they do receive delegated authority by calling and assignment. No priesthood keys exist on earth except with the officers of the Church. Offices and Duties of the Aaronic Priesthood Priesthood offices are divisions of authority with different rights and responsibilities of service. Offices in the Aaronic Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, and bishop. The bishop oversees ordinations to these offices. Deacon Worthy brethren may be ordained deacons when they are at least 12 years old. A deacon follows counsel, sets a good example, and may (1) pass the sacrament, (2) collect fast offerings, (3) care for the poor and needy, (4) be a standing minister appointed to "watch over the church" (D&C 84:111), (5) assist the bishopric, (6) serve as a messenger, (7) participate in quorum instruction, (8) serve in quorum leadership positions, (9) fellowship quorum members and other young men, (10) be baptized and confirmed for the dead, (11) speak in meetings, (12) share the gospel, (13) bear testimony, and (14) care for the meetinghouse and grounds.