May 9, 1974

Kirk James has completed his studies and now has time to spend before his final exams. Eric and I therefore flew to Salt Lake on Friday evening to bring him to Seattle. It was a joyful and fun time for all of us. We thoroughly enjoyed each other and the weather was great.

            Kirk talked to his mother and me about bringing Holly (his girlfriend) to Seattle for the summer. He felt that it would be good for Holly and himself to spend the summer in the environment of our family life. I am thrilled and grateful that he would contemplate this. I think they are contemplating marriage and Kirk wants Holly to experience and see the type of family life we are now enjoying. How can I ever thank my Father in heaven enough for allowing me to capture the essence of true family life as He has intended it to be for His children here on earth.

            It now appears that Leland and Shirli desire to stay here in Seattle. I know that this will be a disappointment to both of their parents but on the other hand I feel that it will expand the Spirit of family unity to a greater number of people in our family. Oh! – How I long to have us maintain this wonderful blessing and build upon it. I truly believe that if we continue this way we will be capable of living the law of consecration without difficulty. My heart yearns for us to be involved in a family business of some type. I wonder if the Lord is directing me by the Spirit to constantly contemplate such an endeavor. It will come to pass if this is the Lord’s will for us and if we obey his commandments.

[Multiple letters enclosed from Evelyn Schwiermann, Tim Walker, Bob Backstein, and Ted Ferrenburg (sp?). Kirk notes, about these letters that they are “meaningful and pertinent to my life”. ]

Feb 20, 1974

This week we had a wonderful, memorable family home evening. The highlight was a discussion regarding “calling and election made sure”. While I was accumulating material, I came upon a most exciting bit of information that indicates that Bishop David Evans, my great-grandfather had his calling and election made sure in the celestial kingdom when he was a member of Zion’s Camp. I am enclosing the information for perusal by those who are interested. This gives me great hope and assurance that I might do the same – also, it is reassuring to know that David Evans is a member of the Church of the Firstborn and is concerned about his family, including us, on this side of the veil, in helping us to work out our salvation and contribute to the geneaology of this family.

[Pg 54 & 55 are enclosed documents with significant dates/events in the life of Bishop David Evans. It appears that Kirk wrote this sketch and attached it in this journal. It is two pages and includes this on the 2nd page, which seemed a particular interest to Kirk: “Note! Apparently David Evans had his calling and election made sure when a member of Zion’s Camp. Some members of the camp were sealed by the Prophet early but later this blessing was given to all members of the camp – “We were called together again and were sealed up unto eternal life the same as in Kirtland”(from journal of Reuben McBride, BYU Library)”]

PG. 56 – [No Date Provided] Last night I attended Br. Jerry Wilson’s class. The subject was in reference to miracles performed by the Savior and he used as his material the Book of Matthew and Mark. Toward the end of the class I suddenly had a “spiritual understanding” regarding a miracle in our family.

            A few months ago Carol was distraught about school and her ability to learn. At her request I gave her a father’s blessing. In the blessing she was promised that if she would search the scriptures her mind would be cleared of confusion and she would be awakened to the joy of learning. This she earnestly tried to do, but almost simultaneously, Leland began working with Ricky (who has astounded many people in our ward by his knowledge of the Doctrine and Covenants) – and Leland and Shirli in our Family Home Evening created an atmosphere for scripture learning and “scripture chasing”. Since then our FHEvenings have been scripture oriented.

            It was made evident to me that this is the way in which the Lord works and in the case of our family it was by this method that my father’s blessing is being fulfilled. As a result, through promise to Carol, the whole family is profiting.

Feb 10, 1974

Eric and Chris have moved into their new home. This has been a rough period for them. Their home is just right and the appraiser underrates that it’s an unusually fine home. I’m glad to have them close. Eric, Chris, Norma, and I are attending various classes at the Institute. We are learning the Gospel together and it is obviously strengthening our family. Sure we are blessed with the Spirit of Elijah in our family at this time in our mortal lives – a time when we need it greatly to withstand the tribulations of a dehumanizing, pressurized world.

            This week Shirli and Leland’s baby became ill with the “croup” and Leland and I administered to him. He recovered promptly. Again, how grateful I am for the Priesthood in our home and family.

            Last night we attended the “Know Your Religion” series lecture and hear Bro. Mettes – he teaches at BYU in the Dramatic Arts Dept. He was outstanding!! His subject was “When You are Converted – Strengthen Your Brethren” for a two hour talk. My eyes were constantly filled with tears. He was a convert to the church from the Catholic faith and was a Bishop twice before he became a convert – 13 years after becoming a member of the church. I thank God for honest men in the church who are willing to reveal themselves unashamedly that the rest of us might be strengthened.

            As I reflect, I know the precise moment I became converted, truly convered to the church. It was when we were vacationing in McCall and I was reading the life of Wilford Woodruff and lying in the bed in our cabin (in 1963 – 3 years after being an Elders Quorum Pres). Since then my negativism continues to disappear. I long to search for and know the truth and as I learn new truths I am anxious to incorporate them in my life. This is the way it was with Geneology. In May, 1973, I became aware of my desperate state regarding my forebearers. I can’t believe the work that has been done and how much I have been able to accomplish in just 9 months. Rather, how much the Lord has helped me in putting together our records and being of some influence in the ward and our family.

            And so, some 12-13 years after becoming active in the church again, I became converted. Why couldn’t that have happened much earlier that I would not have wasted so much time? I will do anything and go to any length to keep this from happening to anyone in my family and I pray constantly for the true conversion for each one of my wonderful family members. I am enclosing herein a precious letter from Evelyn Schwiermann – whom I taught in Seminary, who is now married and living in Honolulu. Norma and I saw them on our recent trip to Hawaii.

            How grateful I am our lives mean something to someone besides ourselves by “caring” and learning to love – truly love others. I understand why the Prophet Joseph Smith said that his “life was worth nothing to himself if it was not worth anything to his friends”.

[Pg. 52 is an enclosed letter from Evelyn Schwiermann wherein she expresses gratitude for Kirk and Norma’s visit and for taking she and her husband out to dinner. They express that they were “really lifted mentally and spiritually” and expressed gratitude for their conversation as they were able to “talk about personal feelings” with Kirk and Norma and that they didn’t have close friends in HI that they felt they could share those conversations with.]

Jan 11, 1974

This preceding note from Shirli and Leland to Norma and me [the note reads as follows: “Dear Uncle Kirk & Aunt Norma and family, I wanted to write you a friendly Happy Holiday note and say a few of the thoughts that are on my mind. How do you thank someone for 50 Sunday dinners, 60 loads of wash, 100 listening ears, a couch, four chairs, a beautiful flannel baby quilt, a baby book and an always open door? And heart? I guess you just write Thank you on blue paper for a start… Thank you! Much love, Leland, Shirli & Leland III] is so meaningful and important because we have been privileged to reach our arms and heart to these wonderful relates and become “family”. When such respect and love exists, nothing seems impossible. It truly is that part of the Spirit of Elijah which turns the harts of the Fathers to the children and creates a celestial-like family life here upon this earth -> truly “a bit of heaven on earth”. Last week when we were walking down the street together, Shirli spontaneously stated “I like you” – what a thrill!! I love my family so much – Truly the Lord has opened the gates of heaven and poured out a blessing on me that I would have never thought possible. I know that other members of our family on the other side of the veil are watching over us and guiding us and I feel confident in times of stress.

I love to write in this journal. I can almost see the people of my family who will walk the earth after me and will read these words and know of me. A bond will be created between me and them and in this family which will help to make us a true Zion people. I want more than anything for us to be a great [underlined four times] family in the eyes of the Lord because we desire to do His will and obey His commandments. As a consequence He may then give us great power through the Priesthood to do His work here upon the earth.

I love the scriptures. I have just completed an hour of study in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is apparent to me now that in order to lose ourselves in the scriptures and understand them, we must ponder each passage and pray over each passage or phrase to understand their meaning.

I spent most of the week in Salmon, Idaho working. This began 2 years ago when Dr. Boyd Simmons (also a Stake President’s counselor) asked me to fly to Salmon and do some total hip replacements. Since then I have continued to fly to Salmon to see patients. I have enjoyed it for several reasons – 1. Because my medical skills have more meaning in the small remote area where such medical care is not readily available – as a sideline it is interesting that my presence in the community is a threat to orthopaedists who work in the cities over 150 miles away. Doctors are some of the most defensive, insecure people who declare an imaginary domain and get “all shook up” if it is invaded. 2. Because the people of Salmon are “different”. They are more hardy and heal themselves faster than the “city folk”. The relationship is a more genteel, appreciative one. 3. Because I have been able to stay with the Simmons and have many precious hours of communication. They are striving for the same things we are. They have experienced much sorrow because their decisions in life have taken them on pathways at times that restrict them in their desires to have complete “freedom” to be profitable servants for the Lord. I respect and love them so very much. And 4, lastly, because I love to fly. Flying is very much like surgery and like the pursuit of living. It can be highly successful and rewarding if the pilot is prepared; has an alternate plan if the primary flight plan fails or is threatened; and if the pilot is knowledgeable enough to make intelligent decisions. I have progressively improved myself to become a commercial and instrument rated pilot and am now working toward an ATR (Airline Transport Rating). Getting an instrument rating allows a pilot to penetrate a world where he cannot see and must depend on his instruments (akin to faith). He must gain a superior knowledge to fly in a world of clouds and weather systems that otherwise would be the means of his destruction. So it is with the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we soften our hearts and place ourselves in His hands, but at the same time gain greater knowledge of His world through study and prayer, then we are allowed to see things through our Spirit eyes and we can enter and penetrate a world of new experiences that lift us from just living in a restricted mortal world. Yeserday, when flying home I was able to fly “on top” of clouds which covered most of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington and then penetrate a layer of clouds to make an instrument approach to Boeing field which brought me home. Very few people saw the beauty of the setting sun filtering through a spectacular lenticular cloud on top of Mt. Rainier and its brilliance extending through the cloud layers as I descended to earth. How very fortunate I am!!! How grateful I am!!!

I must spend a few hours now paying bills – which I detest, but it is made easier by the rich moments I have spent this morning reading the scriptures and recording my thoughts. Nevertheless, I am grateful for the abundance we have been given and the nature of the stewardship we have been given to manage. We are out of debt so that we can of our own free will contribute to the welfare of others that “we might esteem our brethren as ourselves”. Norma and I have been given a large family to manage and considerable resources. We must organize our time and efforts and activities that we might effectively manage our stewardship effectively. It is in this sense that I don’t mind keeping our affairs in order. However, deep in my heart I long for us to reach a state where we can live the law of consecration – So!!! back to the mundane things of life.

Dec 24, 1973

Once again we commemorate the birth of the Savior – what amazing changes have occurred in this world in the past year. We now find ourselves in the midst of tremendous shortages in fuel, commodities, food, etc. Somehow, I have a strong feeling that evil men are manipulating things and pulling strings which make us dance like marionettas. And so I personally long and pray to live all the Lord’s laws that we may become a true Zion people – that we might call off any dependence we now have upon the world – its economic and political system.

If we could only see what the Lord has in store for us if we will but listen to the prophet and search and study the scriptures. I have resolved to reread the scriptures in a way – a systematic way – that will perhaps allow me to become a true scriptorian in the Kingdom of God.

Our family has gathered together again for Christmas. There is now truly a Spirit of gathering which brings great joy to just be in the company and enjoy the sociality of one another – Jane has returned from Spain and below is a letter which depicts her Spirit and indicates what a strength she is to the family. [card enclosed from Jane to the family]

All the children have grown – I can see that we live in the midst of tremendous people who are Spirits held back to the very latter days in order to assume leadership roles and be tremendous influences in the kingdom of God. Last night Eric blessed his baby girl Christrina. The following stood in the circle – Kirk James, Tom, Leland, myself and Bro. Don Duffy. I begin to see how powerful the Priesthood can and will be in our family.

I was asked to give the Christmas message to the University Ward and our ward regarding the Savior. It was well received, but the assignment was so important to me because first I was asked by very critical, discerning young people who had prepared an outstanding musical program built around the talks and because it was pertaining to the personality of the Savior what right do I have to address my self to the life of the Savior unless it is done with considerable prayer and fasting to create a true sacred mood and capture some of the real truths of his life.

I don’t know what lies ahead for me and this wonderful family this year but I do know that we have been blessed enormously this past year. The Lord has indeed been very close to us and he helped this family in a way that no man ever could. He has helped to change some of the traditions of the fathers that I thought could never be altered. Truly all things are spiritual!! If we but make God the central figure in our lives and seek the spiritual things first – then the temporal things will be altered and problems will be solved to help us sanctify and purify ourselves.

My heart and mind are constantly concerned with a “family business” – A means of livelihood that will help this entire Anderson, Farmer family live close together in a spiritual bond. I feel that we, as a family, can and will live the Law of Consecration. I also feel that this gnawing feeling in my heart and mind regarding this matter is of a spiritual origin and has been put there by the Lord. Surely we will be successful in bringing this to fruition – but only through the guidance and help of the Lord.

I love the Lord, Jesus Christ, with all of my soul. I feel His great love for me and all my brothers and sisters here upon the earth. I need Him every moment of my life – I desire to make my election made sure while still a mortal, if possible. But first, I desire to have this great gift for others – those in my family, and those for whom I am responsible in my church calling that I may lose myself in caring about others over and above myself. I desire that my light may shine so bright that it will bring joy unto the lives of others who are seeking for truth. As an example, one in the last few days while scrubbing for surgery, one of the surgical technicians asked me “If the golden plates of the Book of Mormon were held in the Salt Lake Temple”. In the brief 10 minutes we were scrubbing I was able to tell him something about the Book – the history of the Nephites, and Lamanites, and also speak to him about the relevancy of the great truths as brought forth in the Book of Mormon. I bore my testimony to him of these things and later gave him the Book of Mormon.

Chris has given birth to a beautiful baby girl (Christrina Teresa Anderson) and Shirli has given birth to a beautiful baby boy (Leland Anderson III). Both of them had the babies by natural childbirth and their husbands – Eric and Leland – helped them and were with them throughout labor and the delivery. I have such admiration for them – What a contrast to the method of anesthesia that our generation has utilized in childbirth. Truthfully, I look back with regret and some shame that I was not near when Norma gave birth to our children.

May the Spirit of the Lord be with us this special Christmas season that we might cement our relationships with the Lord even firmer and commit ourselves to lives His laws and way of life even better and in a more dedicated manner.