When I became active in the church while in San Diego I was called to be the Young Single Adult Leader. We had several enjoyable activities including in no particular order:
- Going over the border into Tijuana Mexico and “Adopting” an orphanage. This was especially enjoyable during the Christmas Season as we took gifts to the kids. We also had a road rally / Scavenger Hunts. The most memorable started at the 6th Ward. We had a set of instructions saying to drive a certain speed on such and such a road for period of time. Once we arrived at the (unknown) destination we were to find a certain person who would then provide the desired object and the clue where we were to go next. Some of the places we went were The Horton Grand Hotel (at the time one of the finest and highest priced Hotels in San Diego), and a shop in ‘Old Town’, A car dealership in National City. We had to enter the place of business and find the one and only person there who knew we were coming and had the next clue. Finally we ended up at a multi regional dance complete with 25 useless, but fun, items and having driven about 45 miles and spent the better part of the day. The Stake house was actually about 6 miles from the Ward house.
- We would also travel to Conference each April and October. One October a group of us were traveling in caravan and one of the cars broke down midway between St. George and Cedar City. It was approximately 3 a.m. We couldn’t get the car started so we decided to pray for help. All six of us offered a prayer in turn after which the car started up. The engine was running but only had enough power to drive about 5 mph. All of a sudden something took over my car and I found us pushing the disabled car down the freeway at 75 mph. We arrived at Denny’s in Cedar City with no problem. After eating breakfast we called a mechanic explained our problem to him. He told us to bring the car in and he would look at it. I figured since I had pushed the car down the freeway and into the parking lot I could easily push the car the 2 miles to the mechanic. That is when we found out that the bumpers were at least eight inches from matching up; we ended up knocking out his taillights and my headlights. The problem was found the injured car was suffering from a case of broken points making it physically impossible for the car to run. But because we had prayed and acted in faith we were able to arrive in town in time for Conference.
- Upon getting married and moving to Ogden I was called to be the Elders Quorum Instructor. While I enjoyed teaching I was never really accepted into the ward and really don’t have any really memorable experiences there.
- I was called as the Ward Clerk and given a Home Teaching Assignment before the truck was unloaded. During the four years I served as Ward Clerk, I was Ward Clerk to five Bishoprics and 3 Bishops. The ward was a 100% apartment ward we processed an average of 150 memberships a month.
- Later we moved into a home within the same Stake and I was then called as the Elders Quorum Secretary.
Young Men’s President: The most memorable thing that we did was a kayak trip to Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone Park. We arrived at the peak of mosquito season. The boys and I were stunned at her quantity and size of the mosquitoes, they were so thick we could not stay on the lake and fish but toured the park instead. I believe that most of the boys and leaders all experienced a very spiritual experience on the trip.
Primary Teacher: This was probably the most enjoyable calling I have ever had. I was teaching the nine year olds and grew to love and appreciate the children that were teaching me very much, I hope that they learned something from me as well. Emily James one of the girls in my first class (who has found a permanent place in my heart) still keeps in touch with me even now thirty some years later, I am proud to call her my daughter.- 1st Assistant to the High Priest Group Leader: I was surprised to receive this calling and to serve in this capacity because I was and remained am an Elder, I was told I didn’t need to be a High Priest to serve as a member of the High Priest Group Leadership.
- Elders Quorum Secretary: I only served in this position for a limited time because we moved out of Dixie Valley shortly after I received this calling.
- The Temple Committee Coordinator. It was during this time that I was called to serve in the Jordan River Temple.
- I was called to serve as the 1st Counselor in the Stake Mission Presidency. I was able to serve about two months before the Church did away with Stake Missions and was released.
- In September 2004 I received a call as the Ward Financial Clerk.
- On October 29, 2006 I was called as the Secretary in the Salt Lake Valley 2nd Ward Elders Quorum.
I was Ordained a High Priest by my stake President Alan Rindlasbacher. This ordination was a very spiritual experience. This was the first ordination I received that was not preformed by my dad. President and I talked for about 15 minutes before I asked him if he would ordain me as my dad had passed away.
On July 6, 2014 I was set apart as a Stake High Counselor, some of my responsibilities include:
- Serving on the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee.
- Working with and overseeing the Stake Relief Society,
- Serving on the Family History Committee,
- Serving on the Stake Audit Committee,
- Serving as the ASL Class Coordinator.