September 10, 1974

Today I had a wonderful thing happen. A young orthopaedic surgeon (Sam Baker) who is not a supposedly “religious” person came to me for counseling. He had spent the last six months in our office as a resident and had decided to go to a small community practice. Since making the decision he has been terribly depressed. He said that he could not explain it but that he had a deep “force” that was telling him that he had made the wrong decision.

            He had come to me because he knew that I would “understand” and that we could truly talk about what was troubling him. As we talked I sensed that members of his family on the other side of the veil are directing him – he needs to be in our clinic. He is a choice person and has an important mission beyond being a dedicated doctor. The Gospel and Priesthood makes me a powerful person in other peoples lives for good. Time will tell!!!!

June 9, 1974

Tonight I am in San Francisco to attend the American Orthopaedic Association meeting. The flight was magnificent. It is about the only time since the 1st of the year that we have had good flying weather. On every other trip a high percentage of the trip was spent in the clouds.

            The meeting is being held in the Fairmont Hotel. I am here alone without Norma. My room is costing $44/day. “Pop” is $1.10 per bottle, a steak sandwich - $8, a hamburger - $3.50. When the hotel gets you “locked in” when attending a convention they “gouge” unmercifully. Our government has brought this about by creating a tax structure that creates this type of financial manifestation. It is ridiculous!!!

            Doctors do need to communicate their experiences and consider new advance in Medicine and surgery but I can’t see the necessity to come to such a place to do so.

Feb 2, 1974

This has been a difficult week. The transition of going back to work after spending a wonderful week of reading, meditation, and closeness with Norma is difficult. Not to be melodramatic, but dealing with the every day problems of work and trying to be “in the world yet not of it” can be traumatic. In our present day world this is particularly so because we know there are so many evil scheming men in high places and many of our problems stem from viscous, greedy, corrupt, evil men. We are told we are in the depths of an energy and fuel crisis. Available data about stored fuel does not bear this out and yet the large oil interests made an enormous profit last year. President Nixon presents such an unbelievable “credibility gap” that we cannot believe what he says.

We read in the paper yesterday that the previous Stake President of the Seattle East Stake is involved in what appears to be outright fraud in his business. I am sure that these things do not occur as a result of these men deliberately planning fraudulent, corrupt acts but rather that the subtle influence of evil gradually shapes us if we are not constantly vigilant. One of the most precious things we can possess is the surety that we are undeviatingly honest and trustworthy.

This week I administered a chymopapain injection into a protruded disc for a woman who reacted violently with an anaphylacted reaction. She almost died!!! It if had not been for well-trained personnel in the recovery room she surely would have died. There is nothing that we do in medicine but what we expose the patient to adverse reaction. Fortunately, this does not happen but rarely. When such a reaction occurs or complications arise, it is such a shock!! If a doctor lived with this type of thing too much or too often, it would be almost impossible to keep up with the emotional assault of caring for sick people. As it is, maybe this is the reason that the average life expectancy of a physician is 51 (I am now 53) and the suicide rate for a doctor is 4 times as great as it is for others.

Dec 6, 1973

Tomorrow I will operate on one of my partners in the Clinic – Dr. Newton. I’m grateful that the Lord has endowed me with the skills that I can be of service to very discerning and critical MD’s. It is gratifying that those who know me best and know my surgical work call upon me for help.

Tonight I was called to administer to Pat Russell. How wonderful to be able to function as a hometeacher and be found worthy to function in such a capacity. I seem to have the opportunity quite frequently to use my Priesthood nowadays.

Yesterday I received a letter that I will always treasure above gold. It came from a young man, Bob Burden, who has had to wrestle with one of the most negative attitudes I have ever known. [A copy of Bob’s letter and Kirk’s response is enclosed]

Nov 30, 1973

On Nov 29, Chris Anderson gave birth to a 7lb 8 oz baby girl – It was a beautiful experience for Chris and Eric. Chris gave birth by natural childbirth and Eric was there to help Chris and witness the birth of his and her daughter. Everybody in the family is excited and happy. The birth took place at 2:13 PM.

I have been terribly busy at work as of late – all of my patients in the hospital are either total hip or knee replacements and [hard to discern – back pain/problems of some kind]. I have been most fortunate that my medical practice has been so controlled that I rarely get called out for emergency calls anymore. It certainly was not like that in the early years of my practice. It is wonderful to be engaged in a profession or vocation where there is a great variation in the work. It is the association with people that I enjoy most and where I can ease someone’s suffering through understanding, charity, and the application of good medical judgment. I find great satisfaction in the following letter from someone who had come to see me from Twin Falls, ID depicts what I mean: [A letter attached on p. 20 from an Elder Eddy Elorrieta expressing gratitude for Kirk’s medical work with him].

I am now at a time in my life and medical practice (25 years) that I can see the results of trying to always do good work and to build a good name. The latter is one of the most precious things I can leave for my family. I have noted that as long as one tries to be honest and fair in his dealings with others he will build an amiable (or enviable) reputation of good repute; but to destroy it, all that is required is to do one dishonest things or even questionable action – in spite of the fact that many years have been spent in living an honest life.

I found that I could be free this afternoon from my professional labors and so I spent the afternoon in the Seattle Branch Geneological Library. How grateful I am that the Lord has called me to be a High Priest Group Leader of so many choice brethren in the 8th Ward. I have come to understand what Priesthood geneology work is and am converted to it. There is a difference between having a testimony and being converted of any given principle in the Gospel. I believe we only have 4-people in our outstanding 8th ward who are converted to the work. I can see one reason why Leland has come to Seattle to be with us. We need him!! – Together and with the Spirit of the Lord we will turn this ward in to the great work of geneology.

I feel so very close to my forebearers. I love them, cherish them, and am grateful for my marvelous heritage. I desire to know them as I desire to come to know Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, the ancient prophets and patriarchs, and know the Lord, Jesus Christ, through their messages and the scriptures.

It is gratifying that I have been chosen to give the Christmas message at the University Ward. I pray that we can join together to gain greater understanding of the Saviors birth and mission.

Nov 22, 1973 - Thanksgiving

What a special day!!! Kirk has come home to be with us because the family “turns him on” – Eric, Chris and little Eric will be here and Leland and Shirli will bring their special spirits to make this a memorable day. Kirk and I arose at 6 am to take John and Rick to the airport. They will fly to Salt Lake to join Nathelle and family – Tom, Kathy, etc. for a few days.

We all feel a great deal of anticipation regarding Chris’ and Shirli’s deliveries. Chris should deliver anytime and any day this week-end. Shirli expects her baby around Dec. 14. We have so much to be Thankful for. The Lord has blessed us so abundantly. We are enjoying a family unity and love such as I have never known. I sincerely hope that whoever might read this will feel the Spirit of transformation that has come over us. Truly we are now experiencing “A Bit of Heaven on Earth” in our home and can see and feel what salvation in the Celestial kingdom; being able to continue this relationship in the presence of God will be like.

I have been asked to give the Christmas message to the University Ward. This is a special privilege to be asked by a very discerning group of young people. I welcome the opportunity because I must ponder and pray and think deeply about the Savior if it is to be meaningful and then prepare myself further by fasting that I might have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is not just another assignment but rather a quest in understanding that I might carry the audience with me on to a greater understanding of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I miss Jane and Tom tremendously and look forward to Christmas when they will be returning home.

Although there is much to be done along the pathway of personal purification, I feel that the Spirit of the Lord is with me and guiding me. Two things have happened this past week which indicate it to be so.

Briefly, I was asked to see a woman about her back problem (2 previous surgeries) whom I did not know. It happened that she was a member of the Church. As we were talking after her exam it came to me by the Spirit that one of the key problems in her life was preparing to go on a mission. I told her so and she was startled and asked me how I knew about her. I told her I knew nothing about her before I walked into the hospital room. She then told me about her plans to go on a mission and how her son had administered to her and told her that she would be led to a person who would help her with her medical problems.

I have also been concerned about a brother who is a recent convert who became very confused and troubled. I was asked to fellowship him as a home-teaching companion. One night he was so confused and negative that he called the Bishop and asked that no one in the church contact him.

Lately I have had a strong feeling to go against that request and contact him and let him know of my concern for him. Last Sunday night he called me to tell me that he was feeling better and was finding his way back to the church. I just regret that I did not get the call to him first.

101 Priesthood brethren in our Stake will be making a temple excursion tomorrow to Oakland. This will be a special spiritual experience. We have 18 going from our ward. It has been my assignment to put it together for our ward.

May the Spirit of the Lord be with us this day and know the gratitude of our heart for all the blessing that are ours as a family; for the stewardship we have been given to manage; for life here upon this particular world where He worked out His ministry; for experience in adversity, love, and joy; for a deep-seated desire to learn – an insatiable desire to learn about Him; for a testimony and conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.