July 27, 1986 (Sunday)

This may be interesting to anyone wondering how callings to Church positions take place.

I cancelled working my off-duty job last night so that Cathy and I could go to Walt Morlok's birthday party. He turned forty and we enjoyed helping him celebrate. Many friends were there. Afterward, Cathy and I went with Sandy and Marga Sanders to get some dessert together.

I haven't held many callings at Church due to my work schedule as a policeman. Lately, I have been feeling the need to try to be home more on Sundays so that I might serve more actively in the Church. Today, just before Sacrament meeting began, my good friend, Paul Clarke, who is a member of the Stake High Council wondered how my Sunday schedule was. Hmmm. After a brief conversation during which I explained that I believed I now had enough seniority to be off at least three Sundays out of four, he told me he was going to report back to the Stake Presidency and asked me to give him a phone call later in the day. Hmmm.

During Sacrament Meeting, our Bishopric was re-organized and the Elder's quorum President was sustained as a Counselor to the Bishop. I noticed they didn't release him as Elders Quorum President. I know enough to wonder about the new Elders Quorum Presidency as it might relate to my earlier conversation with Brother Clarke.

(Later on July 27, 1986)
I called Brother Clarke and he asked if Cathy and I might meet with President Richards. We did and President Richards told me that he was calling me to be the Elders Quorum President in our ward. It's difficult to explain without sounding phoney, and I seriously believe there are plenty of other good men who could hold that calling, but after listening to President Richards, and saying a little prayer, I have a testimony that the Lord wants me to be the Elders Quorum President.

I am overwhelmed because of the responsibility of this calling. Since this journal will not be read until much later I will write down some of my thoughts regarding my calling.

My first responsibility is to select counselors which means that an even greater responsibility is to become much closer to and more reliant on my Father in Heaven.

In that regard, President Richards had this advice. "No spirit or power can offset the power of fasting and prayer." He promised me that I would be guided and directed and inspired if I would liberally engage in Fasting and Prayer. This advice strengthened my testimony all by itself because Fasting and Prayer are two areas in which I can easily improve.

I am considering retaining David Armstrong and Brian Brown, the current counselors, as my Counselors.

My impressions of David are: He is a devoted father and husband, a home owner, college educated and hard working. He is pretty sober minded but does smile from time to time. I respect and admire him. I believe I would trust him completely.

Brian Brown recently turned thirty. He is single but will be getting married in the near future if things go as planned. He already seems more responsible since he announced his engagement. I was leaning another way, but Bishop Davis recommended I keep him if I am so inspired because Brian is new in his calling, it's his first Priesthood Leadership calling and he likes it.

I began thinking of Walt Morlok as a possible counselor almost immediately. Walt is a convert. His wife and kids are also very active members. Besides being a good friend, Walt has been our home teacher for the last couple of years and he has been very diligent. He currently is our Ward Scoutmaster and has worked very hard at that calling despite substantial adversity. He has been Scoutmaster for over two years and I believe he is ready for a new responsibility.

I will meet with Larry Bell, the current Elders Quorum President and Bishop Davis this Tuesday to get more input.

This coming Saturday, August 2, 1986, I will baptize Jacob and confirm him a member of the Church. My mom and dad might be here for that and that will be nice.

August 1, 1986 (Friday)
Last Monday I fasted and prayed about who to select as counselors. After that experience and meeting with Brother Bell I settled on Brian Brown as First Counselor and Walt Morlok as Second Counselor. I also decided to call Vince Jenkins as our Executive Secretary and Galen Saunders as Secretary. These names have now been cleared by Bishop Davis and by the Stake Presidency and High Council. Elders Quorums don't usually have Executive Secretaries but, partly because of my work schedule and mostly because it seemed like a good idea, we got approval to proceed.