Nov 11, 1973

In the last Ensign (church magazine) the Assistant Church historian wrote about how many Saints have donated journals to the Church Historian’s office and admonished us – as families – to leave a record of our lives – for our families and for the church. This reinforces my feelings when I started this journal.

This past week has been very busy. I am so grateful to see and acknowledged that the Lord has blessed me that I have been given the skill to be a good surgeon. I say this because my surgical skills allow me to complete certain operations in 25% of the time it takes many other surgeons. I know this is because of the deftness of my hands coupled with attributes of self-confidence – the ability to make decisions – and a non-restrictive impulse for creative thinking. This principle is true in all walks of life. I do not take credit for this. It is clear to me that all that I have has been given by the Lord as a gift. My desire is strong to manage my stewardship in a pleasing way before the Lord. This week I took Leland with me to observe my work with patients on the ward and also in surgery. He seemed to be quite impressed by what he saw, and we were very realistic in putting things in perspective. Leland was able to discern immediately the psychological problems of several of the patients – This is something that the orthopaedic surgeons several years his senior cannot do. This is also evidence to me that Leland’s missions has brought a maturity for him and has allowed him to deal with the “issues of life” in such a way that he has matured years beyond the “learned” orthopaedic surgeon. The value of a mission to the young Latter-Day Saint is immeasurable.

Eric and Chris have told me that they will not be able to go to the temple until Nov 1975. The reason is that the St. George Temple will be closed for repair for 18 months. They feel that they must wait to go through the St. George Temple for their endowments. Although I am concerned about their waiting that long and being sealed to their children, I am sure that they are listening to the promptings of the Spirit. There must be a special reason for this direction and something very wonderful must await them at the St. George Temple.

I taught our High Priest class this morning – it truly was a spiritual occasion. I know that they choice brethren with whom I met bring a special spirit and strength to the class so that we can talk about truly meaningful Gospel doctrines. Our class in geneology is a very active enthusiastic group. The Spirit of Elijah is truly growing in our midst.

I am so grateful that the Lord is allowing me to be an instrument that is accomplishing His purposes and that I am learning to be an affective teacher by teaching by the Spirit.