A second call to serve in a bishopric — 1989
I had been serving as Second Counselor to Bishop Deeds for about nine months when he was called to serve in the Stake Presidency of the Sandy Utah Willowcreek Stake. I was thrilled to receive a call to serve as First Counselor to our new bishop, Arben K. Andersen. He had moved to our area only recently and was serving on the high council, so I didn’t know him very well, but I developed a kinship with him very rapidly. Following are some highlights from the blessing I received from President Porter J. Hall as he set me apart to be First Counselor in our bishopric in April 1989: 1) You are a great spirit 2) I feel to tell you that you will have a great opportunity to serve in the leadership of the Church 3) This assignment is vital to your understanding of the workings at the ward level 4) Be a good follower, and follow through on all your assignments 5) Support totally and completely all the decisions of the bishop 6) You will be blessed with health, particularly in your heart and in your mind 7) You will be blessed to be able to support and provide for your family 8) Honor your priesthood 9) You will be serving as First counselor to the President of the Aaronic Priesthood 10) You have been blessed with a love of the scriptures 11) Pray daily and you will be blessed with confirmation of the spirit in your callings 12) Bring back solutions to the bishop 13) You have great roots, so much is expected of you 14) You have been blessed with a lovely, attentive wife and beautiful children, and you have more than most men could expect 15) You are a great man, and we will be seeing and hearing a lot of you in this stake in the future.
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