Our Baptism Story
As written by Elder Thompson, the missionary that baptized me
This story was sealed into the cornerstone at the dedication of the Billings, Montana Temple

This great event all started when Josh and Delia Fraser moved to Whitehall, Montana from the Denver Colorado area. We knew her dad, Bill Cooper, and had been working with him and helping him do service. When we met Josh and Delia, we were painting a house for her dad's friend. When I, Elder Thompson, started to talk to Delia about religion. I asked her that day if she would allow us to teach her the Discussions. She declined. I felt that at a later date she would accept. Her brother, Pete Cooper and sister , Jennifer Cooper are both members. She was the only sibling that was not a member. Sure enough a week passed and they started asking questions. When I gave Delia a simple First Discussion and a Book of Mormon. When they started asking more in-depth questions, I finally said, "We need to start with a foundation of talking about Jesus Christ and His Church. This is why we want to teach you about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Will you allow us to do so?"Sure enough, Delia said yes.

Within the next few weeks, Elder Omer and I taught them. On the 2nd Discussion, I committed them to be baptized because the spirit was so strong. Josh said, "yes," and Delia said, "Let me pray about it some more." We didn't set a date for Josh because Elder Omer and I felt that Delia would come around and we would have the opportunity to baptize them both at the same time. On Thursday, October 7, 1999, While talking with Bishop Lott in Sheridan, Montana, we found that his Counselor, Brother Jensen was taking a van down to the Temple open house in Billings, Montana and had extra seats available in the van. We arranged a ride and then asked Josh and Delia if they would like to go. They seemed excited even though it was going to be a long day from about 5:30am to 2am the next morning. They were ready to go on October 8, 1999 at 6am.

We talked a lot on the 3 and half-hour trip there. When we got there, I think we were all excited. We started the tour and we were explaining things on the way through the tour. The spirit was strong there. We went throug h the Celestial Room and Sealing Room in awe.

When we exited the temple, we were wondering what to do with the extra time we had. Our ride was ushering at the temple and wouldn't be ready to leave until 10pm. It was only 11:30am, so we went back to the van to sit down a nd talk. We talked about the tour and the church. I was reading out of the book, "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" to Delia about missionary work when our AP Elder Garrick showed up. He started talking to them about the spirit they felt in the temple. He asked Josh and Delia if they would be baptized today. I was even shocked because I didn't even think about it. So finally after asking Josh a few times, Josh said, "No, I want Brother Adams there when I get baptized."

Elder Garrick said he would get the Suburban and they [Elder Thompson and Elder Omer] can teach the 5th and 6th Discussions at the Mission Home. We all agreed because we knew there would be food there (we were all hungry!) While the AP Missionary and his companion were getting the Suburban [to take us back to the Mission Home], I asked Delia if she would be baptized. She said yes. I asked her if she prayed about it and how she felt. She said, "I did pray and while I was praying, I didn't feel anything, but after a few minutes, its like everything I didn't understand was clear and made sense." She told me about her feelings on the Celestial Room. She said, "At first, when I saw the picture in the tent, the Celestial Room looked just like a rich man's living room. But after actually going through it, I felt peaceful and it was amazing."

Josh and Delia then discussed the option of being baptized on that day. Delia said, "It feels good. It feels like the right time to do it." So we went back to the Mission Home and taught them the last two Discussions.

In a short time's notice we had to arrange a baptism for 6pm. We had the help of some of the other Missionaries in getting the font filled. We ran around getting the white clothes and going to the store. We also went up to the temple to tell everyone from our ward (it was Whitehall's day to be ushers) to come to the baptism. It was great. They all came and participated. Bishop Sears, in his welcoming message said, "I want to welcome you to the Whitehall Ward, even though we are in Billings." Everyone was crying and hugging with joy because the spirit was so strong. So on one of the longest days that I thought we would have it seemed like a short time because we were so busy. It was truly the most memorable experience on my mission and I think it will be for Josh and Delia, also.