September
15,1978
Today is the last day that I will be the Stake President and I
would like to take the time to write down my feelings and thoughts in the time
that I have now.
For ten years almost I have tried to balance my life with the
medical practice demands on one hand and the spiritual demands and
administrative requirements of the stake on the other. I have not had any
clearly defined guidelines, and I don’t think that the Lord expects
any one to give them to me. I have grown in the decision making process and I
have learned by making the mistakes that one makes when he exercises his
agency and does not listen to the Spirit.
I have learned that this is not my Stake nor members, but that
they are the Lord’s and that he has a great and abiding concern for
each and every one of his children. I have learned to share in that concern and
to be interested in all of Father's children. I do not think that I could leave
that behind with my release. There are certain things and ways of doing things
that one should acquire in working in the Lord's vineyard, which cannot be
stripped off as you would and old shoe. They have become part of my life, and I
hope that they will continue with me.
I have no desire to return to the kind of a person that I was
before this calling came to me. No, I was not and evil person, but I have
improved and developed attributes, which if I am diligent will help me in my
life. I have indeed found my life by loosing it in the service of my fellow
men. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had of serving with great and
good men. The Councilors that I have had over the years and the members of the
High Council and the bishoprics have been kind to me and indulgent of my
weaknesses and my inability to speak.
I do not desire position or prestige in the church nor in the
world. I desire only to be of service to my fellowmen. There are those who
would heap upon me more honor than I deserve. They do not know the true facts
and do not appreciate real greatness. I have no ambition and would feel honored
to serve in any capacity to which the bishop called me. The work is great and
the laborers in the field doing the work are few.
There are many lessons that I have learned as a Stake President
and I could not write them all down. I will try and apply them to my life that
I may perhaps in some small way influence others to come to Christ and to the
true and living church and the living water of which He spoke, I wish that I
were better at writing that I might pour out my soul that my posterity that
reads this may know that I love the Lord and will serve him until my sprit and
body are separated and then will praise him and his name forevermore.
Amen
