In the Lord's due time

In 1972, at age 19, Freeman enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Hawaii. While in Hawaii he became dissatisfied with the Holiness congregations he attended and began to study other Christian denominations. During this time he met several people who were Latter-day Saints including a sergeant in his unit. After several months of studying with Mormon missionaries, reading the Book of Mormon, and being fully informed of the restriction of priesthood ordination for men of African descent, Freeman stepped down from his role in the Holiness faith and was baptized and confirmed a member of the LDS Church on September 30, 1973. During the period of investigation prior to his baptism he met Toe Isapela Leituala, a Samoan convert to the faith of six years. The two were married on June 15, 1974. In 1975 Freeman left the military and the couple eventually moved to Salt Lake City, Utah.