My Baptism

I was baptized into the LDS Church in the baptismal font in the famous Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Salt Lake LDS Tabernacle

I was born to an LDS family, but my parents were not particularly active in Church. If they had been, my brother Jimmy and I would have been baptized at age eight, which is the custom. I was nearly nine and my brother was eleven when the stake missionaries discovered that we had not been baptized. So Rulon Francis and Lewis Miller gave us the full series of missionary discussions just as would be given to adult converts.

The scene of their their discussions at our home at 2803 S. 1000 East in Salt Lake City is burned into my memory because of my being mortified beyond description at the question I had after one discussion. When they asked if there was anything we two did not understand I raised my hand and asked, "Is the Abraham you talked about the same as Abraham Lincoln?" They did their best to hide any smiles, but my brother's expression let me know that my question had revealed that I had not understood anything which had been said! And indeed I had not. I had never heard of Abraham before and had no idea what they were talking about.

Nevertheless, I felt the message was true and that I'd study it until I found out what they were teaching. Like many Mormons, I knew it was true, whatever it was! So we both agreed to be baptized.

Back then there were no baptismal fonts in ward or stake center buildings. Everyone was baptized in the font in the basement of the famous Salt Lake Tabernacle. It was in service until 2007 when it was no longer needed and replaced with offices. It was located on the south side near the west end. In the photo above, the door may have been that seen just to the right of the lamp post, if not that one which may go to the stage, then it would have been the next one further right.

Baptismal font in the Tabernacle.
Jimmy and I were both baptized the same day, Thu 13 May 1954, by Ronald Hughes whom I don't remember at all. He was probably someone who was assigned to do baptisms that day. It seems like at least one of our missionaries was there and that he drove us to the tabernacle. I remember that neither of our parents was there. My dad had to work and I guess Mother did not feel she needed to attend. So it was very different from the baptisms of today where a room full of family and friends all come for support. Of course, there were several being baptized from all over the city, so perhaps parents were not encouraged to come due to lack of space. I did not question their absence at the time and felt everything was wonderful.

It was a memorable occasion and I really looked forward to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands on Sun 6 Jun 1954. Elder Lewis Miller confirmed me a member of the LDS Church and bestowed that gift upon me. I was expecting lightning to come down and electrify me and was extremely disappointed that I did not feel anything at all. But I trusted that the day would come when I would feel such power and several years later that wish was fulfilled when I received my patriarchal blessing. But that is another story for another day!