Dina's Baptism

The journal entry for January 1, 1989, begins with what Dad had been waiting years to write.

"Dina announced to us Friday night that she was ready to be baptized," he recorded. "Although I'd been expecting it since she agreed to take the missionary lessons, it's a wonderful feeling to have it really happen. I've never had any doubt that she would eventually join the Church, but I was beginning to wonder if it would occur in this lifetime".

Mom's conversion had been a long, organic process. Her sister Nori had joined the Church in Germany about ten years earlier, "after being taught by Bob Sisk and Dina here in Chandler". Now Mom herself was taking the step.

"There was a big rush getting things ready for today's baptism," Dad wrote. At first, Mom "didn't want me to let anyone know, but one thing led to another, and it was announced in 7th and 4th Wards". The result overwhelmed them both: "About 250 people came: the service had to be held in the main chapel".

Bishop Michael R. Wallen of Chandler Fourth Ward conducted. "Our dear friend Robert L. Sisk spoke, with Elders Denson and Beacham, the missionaries who taught Dina," Dad noted. "I did the baptism and confirmation. It was a wonderful day".

During the confirmation prayer, Dad experienced something he hadn't planned for. "I was inspired to promise Dina a lot of wonderful things during the confirmation prayer," he recalled. "They just came into my head, and weren't anything like the things that I had rehearsed in my mind beforehand".

He blessed her "that she will go on in this life to help others with her ability to love and to discern when people need her help". He reflected, "She doesn't know her own strength. One thing that has really impressed me about Dina's spiritual growth is her incredible sense of discernment, which has become even more heightened since the Holy Ghost has been acting so strongly upon her. The gal really has a feel for what is right and wrong, doubtless from the Holy Ghost, and for when the kids, the office, our family affairs, and other people's states of mind are getting out of whack".

He blessed her with the ability to know her own strengths and weaknesses, reminded her "that she is a daughter of Zion," and admonished her to "start thinking about her deceased ancestors". He promised "that she will be a blessing to her family here in the USA and to her parents and sisters in Germany".

After the service, "we had cold cuts, etc. afterwards at our house, and about 100 people dropped by to congratulate Dina".

Dad closed the entry with quiet pride: "It is a humbling experience to be married to such a wonderful lady. Dina talks all of the time about going to the Temple next year. Tuesday, 01/02/90 will be the date".