Bishop Brown - What a Humbling Honor

I've dated this post on the date that I was called to be the Bishop of the Severance Ward. But I'm actually writing the post nearly 2 weeks later (on 9/15). But I will never forget 9/3/15 - it was one of the most incredible days of my life and will forever be seared into my brain.

As detailed in the post about Gary Wetlaufer's funeral, I started the day preparing for my funeral talk, then participating in a very nice funeral. Honestly, I've never felt more lifted up, more led by the spirit and more sustained while giving that talk! I knew that Heavenly Father was watching out for me and was helping me through a rather difficult moment. I knew that without Him, I would not be able to make it through that talk. I don't think I did the best job speaking at Mom's funeral - it was just too emotional - too close for me. But with Gary, I felt stronger, I felt lifted up, basically - I felt the spirit very strongly.

Amy and I drove home and I was just elated at the spirit I felt and at the incredible feelings that were filling my mind and my heart. I felt so lucky to have been a part of the proceedings for Gary and to have been able to share my thoughts about him with his family. I was also privileged to learn about his best friend Todd and the impact his family had on him. I expect that I will need to share that experience in church - in was truly humbling to learn about the charity that this family displayed to their neighbor Gary!

As we walked in the door to relieve our baby-sitter, who was Jenna Medlyn, we received a call and the caller ID stated it was Byron Packard. I knew instantly what the call was about, but I just couldn't believe that I would actually be chosen to be the Bishop - there are so many GREAT men in the Severance Ward. I was sure that one of them would be chosen! I answered the phone and I'm pretty certain that President Packard was shocked that I was home. He was home as well since he was still recovering from surgery 2 days before. I reminded him that we had just returned from the funeral, which I spoke to him about earlier in the week to get permission to use the Stake Center in Greeley. I told him how I felt, how incredible the experience was and just shared with him a small fraction of how amazing it was. Then, he happily asked if Amy and I were still dressed. I was dressed, but Amy was actually halfway undressed. I told him "yes" and he asked if we could come over to his house right away. I told him to give us 30 min so that Melinda could arrive in town and be at home since Jarrett was still sleeping. He agreed and I hung up. I looked at Amy and asked "are you ready to be a Bishop's wife?".

Given the incredible feelings that we already had from the funeral experience, we were already on a spiritual high and this experience took us even further. It was INCREDIBLE!! I'm not sure that I've ever experienced such a powerful feeling about receiving a church calling ever before. Amy and I went to the temple just 5 days before this. We were the witness couple for the 7am session the previous Saturday morning. It was definitely a sacrifice to go, but I'm so glad we did. During that session, I felt that I may very well be asked to be the Bishop and it was humbling. I asked myself - "Am I ready? Am I worthy? Do I have what it takes? How will I manage my job & travel and magnify my calling as a Bishop?" Interestingly enough, in the temple, I felt very much at peace with these questions. I didn't really have the answers, but I knew everything would be okay.

So - I quickly ran to town to buy some dog food (we were taking the dogs to the kennel for the weekend and we had no more dog food). Melinda showed up while I was out and when I returned, Amy loaded up in the car with me and we headed over to meet with President Packard. It was Thursday, so his family was at their home-school group in FTC and the house was empty. President Packard gave me a worthiness interview in a bedroom and he did such a great job. I definitely learned much about that - he asked direct, bold and clear questions. I've already learned a few things about that! Then, we sat in his living room for an hour and he taught us!

• 1 Timothy 3:1-7 - I'm sure I've read this sometime in my life, but it takes on a whole new meaning now!

1. This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5. (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

• He took the time to walk through each individual attribute and make sure we understood what it means. He let us know that you can't be a Bishop if you've ever been divorced, had a disciplinary council or any other church discipline. He was walking through all of this and I felt VERY humbled and honestly a little unworthy....
• Moses 1:39 - For behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of Man.
• President Packard reminded us that "eternal" life means "God's life" - that's what a Bishop is to focus on - bringing everyone home to meet, live with and ultimately be like God!
• D&C 93 - The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
• Wow - what a powerful lesson! I really loved that President Packard took the time to teach us this concept. It is something that he is currently learning about and he decided to "practice" a bit on us, most likely preparing to teach this concept during an upcoming Stake Conference or something. He did such a great job! So impressed! It is through our obedience to "truth" that we can obtain "light" and once we have both "truth" and "light", we finally obtain "intelligence", which is the Glory of God!!
• D&C 84:19-22
• And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
• Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
• And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
• For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
• President Packard finished by reminding us that our goal as the Bishop is to focus on the ordinances, for through the ordinances of the Gospel, the power of godliness is manifest! In the 9 days that I've officially been Bishop, I've already seen the importance of focusing on this. In Ward Council, I asked us to shift our discussions towards the people - what do the people need in our ward? How are they doing? What ordinance is next for them!

Finally, after teaching us, instructing us and letting us ask questions, President Packard officially asked us to be the Bishop. In doing so, he read us the official letter from the First Presidency and taught us that the call of a Bishop comes directly from the First Presidency - via recommendation from President Packard. Very cool!

Without hesitation, we accepted. It's going to be a crazy ride for the next 5 years - but I love our ward and I'm very excited to serve them. In the last 9 days since I was officially called as the Bishop, I've had some incredible experiences interviewing the members. It has just been AWESOME! I've already cried multiple times with members and the spirit has been SO STRONG!! I can tell already that I'm going to grow in ways that I haven't grown since I was a missionary.

Now for the hard part - I've got TONS of work on my side to really be ready for this calling. I need to be studying the scriptures much more consistently and I need to be eating better and getting better exercise. I really need to take care of this body of mine - it needs to be a part of my daily preparation to feel this spirit!

Here's what I hope to do better in my life now that I've received this incredible calling:

• Study scriptures daily (family and personal)
• Pray multiple times daily (family and personal)
• Eat better - quit drinking soda!!
• Exercise daily - take care of my body!!
• Monthly dates with each of my kids - keep the relationship strong
• Monthly PPI's with each of my kids - on Fast Sunday - have an interview with my kids!
• Weekly dates with Amy - yearly get-aways with Amy
• Pray VERY hard to know how to help the ward and then HELP THEM!!
• I feel strongly that my focus for the ward will be:

1. Youth
2. People - talk about people during WC & PEC
3. Sabbath Day - get the program going
4. Missionary Work - keep the focus HIGH on missionary work
5. The list will grow over time, I'm sure!

Finally, here's the letter that President Packard gave to us, signed by the first presidency, for our call as Bishop. Incredibly humbing!!