Two Stories for a Baptism

 

Clark asked his two grandfathers to speak at his baptism. Grandpa Whitaker shared the family story of Misti's decision to get baptized. It's the same one he shared at Dallin's baptism, but the audience was totally different (except for us) and it turned out to be the perfect thing to share. (Below you can find one short synopsis of the story found in the September 2008 Friend.)

Grandpa Ketcheson shared a pioneer heritage example of listening to the Holy Ghost - the story of Harvey Cluff being prompted to erect a sign to show Captain James Willie the way to the Grant rescue party during a blustery Wyoming snowstorm. (Grandpa Ketcheson was raised in Wyoming; he knows about their bitter winters!) It was a great story, and you can read a few of the details here.

President Thomas S. Monson:

During the message I delivered at general conference in October 1975, I felt prompted to direct my remarks to a little girl with long, blonde hair who was seated in the balcony of the Tabernacle. I called the attention of the audience to her and felt this small girl needed the message I had in mind.

At the conclusion of the session, I returned to my office and found waiting for me a young child by the name of Misti White, together with her grandparents and an aunt. As I greeted them, I recognized Misti as the one in the balcony to whom I had directed my remarks.

I learned that as her eighth birthday approached, she was in a quandary concerning whether or not to be baptized. She felt she would like to be baptized, and her grandparents, with whom she lived, wanted her to be baptized, but her less-active mother suggested she wait until she was 18 years of age to make the decision. Misti had told her grandparents, “If we go to conference, maybe Heavenly Father will let me know what I should do.”

As we continued our visit after the session, Misti’s grandmother said to me, “I think Misti has something she would like to tell you.” This sweet young girl said, “Brother Monson, while you were speaking in conference, you answered my question. I want to be baptized!”

The family returned to California, and Misti was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.