My little brother blessed the sacrament for the first time on Mother’s Day. This was a wonderful present for my mother. It was also a special event because my brother has disabilities. He may never be able to live on his own, and he barely learned to read a few years ago. This experience has been a very spiritual one for the whole family, as well as my family’s ward.
The bishop in my brother’s ward has spoken about how seriously Matt takes his priesthood responsibilities. He always arrives on time, and he makes sure to be dressed in a white shirt and tie. He stands reverently as he passes the sacrament. The only sign that he gives that he is excited is the way that he slowly clenches and unclenches his left hand.
Matt was always one of the first ones there when it was time to collect fast offerings. He would get his route done, and then volunteer to help with others. When he became a teacher, he was assigned to be a home teacher. Usually the visits are scheduled on the first Sunday of the month, because he wants to make sure that they get done correctly. My father is Matt’s companion and he jokes that he has been more consistent with his home teaching than ever before. The only problem is that Matt might neglect to tell my father until it is time to leave for the appointment.
Matt has been practicing the sacrament prayers for a few months now, and he turned sixteen on May first. He was ordained to be a priest on the seventh. And then he blessed on the fourteenth. He did stumble a few times, and another boy helped him over the rough patches, but that happens to many boys the first time that they bless the sacrament. Many people cried as they saw Matt achieve one of his goals. He has a generous and loving spirit. I am glad to call him my brother.