How do I make a document use the styles in a template that is not
"Normal.dot" or the current document?
I need to reformat a series of existing documents using a single
stable template for styles.

I've got a lot of experience with DTP, so I know what a style is in
theory. But Word's implementation drives me crazy.

What I've been doing:
I save a document as a template, .dot, file.

Then I open one of my text documents. I use the Style Organizer and
"Close" the current document, then Open the dot file I want. Then
close the Organizer. But the next time I open the Organizer, the
current document is listed, and Normal, but my template is no where to
be seen!

So I'm doing something wrong -- what?

Is there anywhwhere else besides the Organizer that displays what the
current template is?