journal-kc-eldrpres ( + ) | Church of Jesus Christ Facts

— Elders Quorum President ?? — 1982 —

I recorded the following in my journal in August of 1982, not long after we had arrived in Kansas City: “Sunday was an unforgettable day. I was told by Bishop Reynolds that I had an appointment with the Stake President, President Christensen, that afternoon. President Christensen was very gracious and affable, but I nearly passed out when he issued a call to me to serve as the Elders Quorum President in the Kansas City 2nd Ward. I about collapsed, not with anticipation but with foreboding and apprehension. I agreed to serve but left the office completely overwhelmed. After Susan and I left the chapel, I lost control of my emotions and wept uncontrollably. I could not see how I could possibly accept the call with my demanding residency schedule, my rigorous studies, a morning-sick wife, being a new member of the ward, not knowing anyone in the quorum, in a quorum with 80% inactivity, etc., etc. I prayed and thought, and could not feel any peace at all. I was worthless at the hospital on Monday due to being so distraught. I asked to meet with Bishop Reynolds Tuesday and expressed my concerns and we decided it would not be wise for me to serve in that calling at present. We had an excellent talk and Bishop Reynolds was very understanding. He told me he had never really considered me for the calling, but Brother Hepworth, the first counselor in the Bishopric, had encouraged the Bishop to have me talk to the Stake President as a potential Elders’ Quorum president. I felt comfortable about the decision the Bishop and I reached, but knowing that we are taught never to refuse Church callings, I have wondered if I did the right thing. Was my faith weak? I suppose I will never know. I do have a quote from Brother McConkie stating that at times perhaps students should not serve in challenging callings due to rigorous study schedules. It was a harrowing experience. I assured the Bishop that I would be more than willing to serve in a less-demanding calling.

Post-script: I have reflected on this moment in my life many times over the years, usually with feelings of regret and personal condemnation. Almost beyond belief, President Christensen and I met again on February 24th, 2021, in Provo, Utah. I was assigned to visit the Christensens for a wellness visit associated with their health insurance. Our conversations eventually led us our times in Kansas City, and we made the connection that he was our stake president during our years in Kansas. With his permission, I sent him a copy of the above experience and asked for his input and advice. I received this wonderful note back from him on February 26, 2021:

Brother Taylor:

Thank you for taking the time to share this difficult experience with me. As I have read your account and then the subsequent events of your life, I do not think you did the wrong thing. In all of my training, and all the training I have done for and to Church Leaders, I have always taught that leaders need to know the circumstances of the people they are calling to positions, and there are times when the call should not be issued, or in some instances withdrawn. As a medical doctor, you could have taken the approach that you are always on call and thus could not fulfill important responsibilities in the church because of the restraints put upon your time. Perhaps because of this experience, you determined you would serve in the future when called and thus the experience was a very worth while event in your life that set you on the right path for the rest of your life. This appears to have been the case. Thus you asking to not serve at that time was a very good thing, for Michael Taylor.

Thank you for seeing the experience as a learning one and that you stayed close to the Church. Thank you for all of your wonderful service since receiving your training and education. You have blessed thousands of lives with your service as a medical doctor and church leader. I count it a wonderful privilege to have had our paths cross again. I pray the Lord’s choicest blessings upon you and your family.

Brother Kay H. Christensen

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