Pressure Packed

I get the honor of giving baby Pack a priesthood blessing tomorrow evening. In our church, we don't baptize babies, but we do give them a name and a blessing through the restored Priesthood. Many times this is done in church, but Joann and I will perform this at home to enjoy a more intimate setting with family and close friends.

Tag (left) and Pack Brinton (right).

Both Jordan and Michael have made the trip, which has brought a smile a mile wide from Joann.  I am sitting here pondering about my 2nd son and what I might say to a little person I have just met. So far all I really know about Pack is that he loves his mother and is the happiest when he's nursing.  He doesn't care for formula or binkies, but he loves to take a bath.  He also seems to really like his older brother Tag, because even when Tag is being a bit rough with him, he smiles at him and patiently endures Tag's hugs, pushes, bumps and kisses.


Since recently learning the skill, Pack is generous with his smiles and I sense he will be a happy person, but perhaps a bit more reserved than his older brother.  Tough to say at only 3 months old.


Pack is named after his great, great Grandfather (I think), named John Pack.  John was an early leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Grandpa John was a captain of the Nauvoo Legion and was also a policeman. He was in the first company to cross the plains with Brigham Young and his likeness is part of the famous "This is the place" monument, where he is mounted on his horse just behind the Prophet.

One of my favorite pieces of history about John Pack was that the The University of Deseret, the predecessor of the University of Utah, was begun in his home.  Go Utes!
It's a little pressure-filled to be responsible to give a baby blessing, although my role is to really just humbly use the Priesthood to lay my hands on him, give him a name and allow the spirit to direct my words.  I mean, no pressure, right?


I feel Pack knows our family and was prepared to come to us. I feel like he is an old soul who will be an example to us and his older brothers, despite how bad Joann and I screw things up as parents. I feel like he will be a leader and have a toughness about him that will carry him far.  These are just glimpses I have as I look into his little eyes.


I pray the Lord will inspire me tomorrow to give a blessing worthy of Pack's noble entrance into our family.