Embracing Joshua

When Joshua was born with Down syndrome, he not only became our special family member but he was also embraced by our entire ward.

I realized how true that was one day when I was at the church building and Joshua—who was a young child at the time—wandered off. When I noticed he was missing, I asked myself out loud, "Where has Joshua gone?" A passing Scout heard me and hurried down the hallway to the Scout room to alert everyone else: "Joshua is missing!" Within moments, Scouts swarmed the whole building, and Joshua was found participating in the Primary girls'

 Achievement Day activity. In accommodating Joshua's needs, ward members were willing to be their "brother's keeper" (Genesis 4:9).

When Joshua was preparing for baptism,2 one of our home teachers, Brother Nye, brought colored papers representing the steps we must take to return to Heavenly Father. Brother Nye set them on the floor and had Joshua step from paper to paper as he described each step. Later, when Joshua was preparing to receive the priesthood, Brother Nye made blocks that fit together. They represented the offices of the priesthood. Brother Nye's creativity with these and other object lessons has helped Joshua understand many gospel concepts.

Our family has found that gospel learning is enhanced when we embrace everyone—including those with disabilities—as part of the ward family. We are thankful for the way all of our ward families over the years have embraced our son.

Sharlynn Traver, Idaho, USA