Called to serve in a bishopric — 1988
I was humbled and grateful when in August of 1988 I was called to serve as Second Counselor in our ward bishopric, serving with Bishop Robert Deeds and Brother Roger Ellison. I received some timely advice from our Stake Presidency at the time of my calling. President Johnson said that I was entitled to the confirmation of the divinity of this calling and entitled to receive a sense of the mission of my calling from the Holy Spirit. President Hall advised me to make meaningful and inspired suggestions to the bishop. I should be willing to counsel and then accept the Bishop’s decisions. I should seek to take administrative chores off the bishop’s shoulders. He reminded me that there is only one common judge in a bishopric, and that I shouldn’t desert my family. I should fast and pray before I come to the bishop with names for positions, and I shouldn’t expect the bishop to do all the work. President Busch reminded me that it is great to be on the front lines, and that this is the best place to be. Susan was reminded to send me off to do church work with a smile, and to not resent me being away from the home. Bishop Deeds told me after my call that he prayed much, fasted, went to the temple, and received a witness from the Lord that I was the proper choice for a counselor. He visited with me in an interview before he turned my name in to the stake presidency and again he knew that I was the proper choice. I was fortunate to have my Uncle Russell, who was then serving as a General Authority, come and set me apart in my calling and ordain me to the office of High Priest. In his blessing he said, among other things, the following: 1) always build up your bishop 2) specialize on the youth 3) he felt the presence of my father, and knew that he was representing him 4) he “sent me forth” clothed with power and authority 5) he told me that I would be different from this point on in my life. This entire flurry of events at the end of August 1988 was a wonderful, uplifting experience for me and my family. As we were all mingling after my setting apart, our sweet little daughter Annie, who was 5 years old, came up to me with tears in her eyes and told me how happy she was that I “could get blessed”. She was sensitive to the spirit even at this young age and has remained such during her life.
Click here to return to the Personal Life Journal index