Bishop journal — My first weeks as bishop
November – December 2003
MY FIRST TWO WEEKS AS BISHOP — 2003
November 30, 2003 — This was my first full Sunday as a bishop. I approached this day with excitement and enthusiasm, but also with a hefty dose of apprehension. I had felt the Lord’s sustaining presence during the week, and I especially felt it on this first Sunday. Inspired thoughts came into my mind as I needed them, words came to my mouth, and promptings and direction came as well. How grateful I was for the love of my Heavenly Father and of my Savior, and how grateful to be in their service. I was so impressed with the goodness of the wonderful young people in the ward. I began to realize what an incredible privilege it was to serve in this calling. I was able to set apart our new Relief Society presidency and the Lord blessed me so much as I spoke inspired words. My counselors were setting apart other members of the ward, so I did the entire presidency myself. Each of these three blessings was very different and very personal. I felt the Lord inspiring me in behalf of these great sisters. Our sacrament service was wonderful, and the reverence was just incredible. Camille Crowther, the outgoing Relief Society president, gave some wonderful remarks on visiting teaching. I told the ward we were entering a “new era” concerning visiting teaching and home teaching and challenged them to lengthen their stride. After sacrament service we had a social in which we honored the outgoing bishopric and their wives. Sister Barrett related that she and Bishop Barrett had prayed for weeks that the “right man” would be called to shepherd this wonderful ward. She related that when she heard my name presented, she knew that her prayers had been answered. Sister Lamb expressed the same thoughts, telling me that as I bore my testimony last week she received a “strong spiritual witness” that my call was of the Lord. What a blessing this calling is and how grateful I am to serve.
December 2, 2003 — I do not have words to express the gratitude I feel toward my Heavenly Father for this wonderful opportunity that has come into my life. The Lord is at my side, supporting and directing me. I am witnessing how much He loves His children, and He is directing me in order to bless their lives. My heart is literally overflowing with joy and love. The young people of this ward are outstanding. They radiate a strong, righteous spirit. I had some challenging interviews tonight but I was guided and inspired. I love these young people so much.
December 7, 2003 — I began my tithing settlement interviews on this day. I appreciate the wonderful spirits of the young people in the ward. I am becoming acutely aware of the incredible spiritual roller coaster that a bishop rides with his ward members. One moment I am feeling indescribable joy and fulfillment, and the within a few minutes I can be shedding tears of sorrow as serious sins are confessed. I am quickly gaining a much stronger testimony of repentance and of the atonement. I love the Lord, I love my calling.
December 9, 2003 — For the past two days, I was troubled with feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and unrighteousness. I worried, fretted, and was unable to feel at peace with my calling and myself. I prayed much and sought the spirit, but still felt hollow. I felt that the Holy Ghost had brought to my mind some past poor judgements that I needed to be rid of in order to serve fully and faithfully in my new calling. No one need assume that these situations were major sins or transgressions, but they were nevertheless plaguing my spirit. I sought out Bishop Reid, my bishop in my home ward, and had a wonderful meeting with him. I was able to discuss with him the problems that were on my mind and received an assurance from him that I need not be troubled any longer by these lapses in judgement. He told me the Lord remembered them no longer, that I was to leave all apprehension and feelings of guilt in his office, and stride forward with a feeling of cleanliness and worthiness. He also said that if any other misdeeds were to come to my mind in the future, I was to be assured that they also had been forgotten and forgiven in the eyes of the Lord. He told me to move forward with the spirit and enjoy the mantle of my calling. I am grateful, on a very personal level, for the cleansing and purifying effect of the Atonement of our Savior. In the days that followed, I felt a weight lifted from my soul, and I shed many tears of gratitude and love.
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