March 16, 1974

I am just now getting over the terrible feeling of depression that has been with me for the past two weeks. We think at times that we can intellectualize ourselves into a protective insulation from the “hurts” of the world, but this is not true. When we least expect it something happens that pierces the protective armor prepared by the mind and rends the heart. This, seemingly, must be a necessity of life because the Savior points out in Matt 5:4, that “blessed are those who mourn”, this implies those who suffer or who are chastised that they might be humbled and change their lives. So it was with Job!!!

            It has also been impressed upon me today that we have been so concerned about finding the grandparents of Bishop David Evans, that perhaps the cause of the depression has been precipitated by Lucifer and his influence. As a consequence my thoughts have been turned from that which is so important to our family and my progenitors.

March 2, 1974

This Saturday morning I have arisen, searched the scriptures and meditated. All week I have been depressed because one of the men in the clinic is leaving – apparently because he feels a need to make more money. I just can’t understand this because we have been blessed with such a monetary abundance. For many of us, I guess there is never enough because of greed and selfishness. I have been emotionally shaken because I thought I was building through my relationships with the other doctors a bastion of loyalty, respect and pride in our ability to serve those who come to us for medical help. Certainly, it is foolishness to put our trust in “the arm of the flesh” and I anticipate a gradual crumbling of the temporal world in which I personally live and work unless the doctors I work with maintain some of the objective ideals I have worked for. I have constantly tried to create an atmosphere in which each doctor can experience a democratic atmosphere in which to develop his talents and skills and that he not be stifled by an authoritarian influence of one person who exercises leadership through coercion, etc. (D&C 121). I am sure that the time is fast coming when the true converted Saints will cry constantly to the Lord to hurry the Second Coming. For we live in the midst of unbelievable evil (D&C 82:6). All types of shortages are developing. In the State of Washington the gas lines are getting longer, tempers are short and I can imagine how it will be when we develop real food shortages. Then we will really see the uprising of mean against men, state against state, etc.

            Last night I spent time in an intimate interview with one of the brethren in my High Priest Group. He is a choice individual with a marvelous family. With the treacherous inflationary rise in food prices he finds himself in a financial bind that is strangling. He has a very good job, is a PhD in Animal Husbandry and he has 2 boys on missions. He is looking for another job to supplement his income. His plight will become more common – I resolve that we can, will and must live the Gospel more closely, for “Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor” (D&C 82:19). We do as the Lord requires of us and become a true Zion people.

            To those of my family who read these writings, I want to convey the understanding that we are now passing through very difficult times. We enjoy technological advances our forebearers never dreamed possible but our hardships are affluence, greed, selfishness, pleasure-seeking and unbelievable evil that bombard us from all quarters. Our only protection is to have and develop a strong family oriented in the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the scriptures and the oracle of the present-day prophet to guide us.

            Truthfully, it would be wonderful to receive an honorable release from this mortal life now but I resolve to endure to the end. The promise we have to return to the presence of our loved ones in their great family, my family, and our Father in Heaven make me want to go on and do all that I can to build for those that are to come. I rejoice in having my eyes opened to see that these Spirits are more choice, spiritual, and intelligent than my generation. Oh! how their presence is needed now and in the near future. May they know that I love God with all my being – that He is a living and loving God who places a gentle hand on my should to guide, and on my mind to understand, and on my heart to love and feel a peace in this environment so influenced by the spirit of Lucifer. May the know the respect and love I feel for our forebearers, many of whom I have never met but am coming to know spiritually through geneaology, because they lived their lives honorably and distinguished the name I now bear. May they know that I know we are protected by the Lord, that as long as we do what He asks He is bound and we have a promise (D&C 82:10).

            Tomorrow, John will be advanced to the office of a Priest. How grateful I am that the children are progressing in their lives. What transpires tomorrow in this ordination far transcends any temporal problems we now face.

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.]

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.