The key that unlocks the gate

Just behind the house is the mission office. It's separated from the house by a beautiful backyard. We walk that path every day and used its familiarity in our final gift for Jeffrey this evening. If Jeffrey was at the office and wanted to come home, he would first need to open the gate. Then he would walk along the path to get to the house. Easy! But what if the gate was locked? He would need a key. Jeffrey found these jailer keys (he called them pirate keys) at the antique shop this summer and wanted to buy them. He didn't have $5 to buy them, but Mark and I snuck back later to purchase and save them for his birthday. Before they were unwrapped, we read 2 Nephi 31:17-21. It was easy to relate this to his baptism and confirmation today. Then we talked about what the keys represented; the power and authority of the priesthood that makes access to the gate possible. It was a good lesson and one that I hope will help him remember how and why his baptism is valid as he prepares himself for that day when he will receive the priesthood and share this opportunity with others.