Russell King Homer's History

An Incident in My Mother’s Life That Is Not on Record

My recollection of it that mother was sick for a long time all summer and until winter. She desired to be baptized for her health. Neighbors discouraged it saying it would kill her. She insisted and Elders came and cut a hole in the ice near our house. The snow was very deep and the ice was thick. It looked like looking into a grave or vault the ice was so thick.

She was carried to the creek, baptized and carried back put to bed and properly cared for. Instead of dying as had been predicted, she is still living and enjoying good health considering she is now in her 94th year.

I have a vivid recollection of this occurrence, and bear my testimony to all to whom it may concern that the above statement IS true and correct.

EDMUND HOMER, Elda, Idaho, 4 April, 1911

While we stopped for a short time at Council Bluffs mother was taken very Sick with a fever. She was sick a long time and the Doctors could do her no good. Up to this time she had not been baptized. Some elders came to see her and promised her if she would get baptized she would get well. Accordingly mother was taken out of her sick bed, placed on sled and hauled to the creek. The ice was about three feet thick. Mother was placed on a sheet and four men one at each corner let her down into the water and baptized her, first for the remission of her sins and then for her health She was replaced on the sled well protected from the cold and taken home and put in bed with the wet sheets around her. Next morning she got up entirely well, dressed herself and went about her usual housework and ever after that she has had no use for Doctors.

WILLIAM H HOMER