Thoughts on being released as stake president

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