— Elders Quorum President — May 1980 to June 1981 —
I received an overwhelming surprise and opportunity on Sunday, May 11, 1980, at which time I was just finishing my junior year of medical school. I received word that I was to meet with our Stake President, President Brian Swinton. He and President Tom Welch, his First Counselor, interviewed me for worthiness and then called me to be the Elders’ Quorum President in our student ward. I was totally shocked and amazed, and very much overwhelmed. I accepted the call and left the office in a state of shock. I was humbled, grateful, excited, fearful, apprehensive, and confident all at the same time. The Stake President had assured me that the call was the will of the Lord, and that fact alone gave me great hope and assurance. With the Lord’s help, I knew that I could be an effective and successful president. My first task was to choose two able counselors and a secretary. That task occupied my thoughts and prayers all the next week, including fasting and meditation. The Lord truly directed and inspired me, and I chose Don Bleak, Bill Hamilton, and Wade Barnes to serve with me. My first few weeks as President were weeks of soul-searching, repentance, and feelings of inadequacy. Through it all, however, I had the warm inner conviction that the Lord was with me and would support me in my calling. I went on to have wonderful, uplifting experiences as I served, especially in the area of home teaching.
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