February 1986

Insert: article “Elder Nelson: husband, father are highest titles” by Gerry Avant.  Church News / week beginning February 16, 1985

Feb. 11, 1986

Norma and I were able to bring several family members together in McCall, Idaho to see the ice carnival.  The skill, innovativeness, and artistic gifts of the creators of many of the sculptures was most impressive.  This, in spite of the fact that the temperatures warmed up and it rained so that the sculptures could not maintain their complete form throughout the whole carnival.

While in McCall I was very sick with the flu.  I had not eaten for 4 days and was still running an afternoon temperature.  Norma and I proceeded with our plan to do genealogy work in Salt Lake City.   By this time I was feeling much better.  The new genealogical library is magnificent – the finest in the World our efforts we very productive.

We attended the Mormon Tabernacle choir broadcast.  I cannot listen to the choir, but what the tears begin to flow because there just isn’t a more beautiful body of voices that project as one.

Insert: picture of a sculpture (VW bug with ladder – no caption)

Feb. 22, 1986

I am placing this resume of Elder Russell Nelson’s life in my journal because as I read it I was struck by many similarities in our lives.  I would not be presumptuous enough to declare my stature comparable to his.  The similarities make me wonder about the manner in which our Heavenly Father watches over us and influences our lives.

Elder Nelson made the decision to be a doctor when he was 15.  So did I.  He followed the line of research and applied it to his clinical work.  Although his choice of work was more exotic than mine he received some of the top honors for his work and was one of the very early heart surgeons to do many procedures.  In the sense, I, too received a top honor the Kappa Delta Award in research, and was one of the original experimenters in total joint implants, and in other orthopaedic procedures.

Elder Nelson has seen the power of the priesthood in his work as I have.  Because of him, and his call as an apostle, I have had cause to reflect upon the service I have given, and sacrifice I have made to be a good physician, and how that has enhanced my skills as a husband, father, and priesthood holder.

I am so deeply grateful for men like Elder Nelson, who stand as magnificent examples.

Insert: picture / caption: This picture was taken on the last day our visit to Salt Lake City – Feb. 13, 1986.  Here, I am standing in front of the Monte L. Bean Bldg at BYU where we visited the Rameses II exhibit of ancient Egyptian artifacts.

Monte Bean was a patient of mine, for who I fashioned a total hip replacement operation.  He accumulated great wealth in Seattle through the development of a large grocery store, drug store, & hardware store chain.  He graciously donated this beautiful bldg to the BYU.

Insert: picture missing / caption: 

Feb. 27, 1986 – Our son Rick Farmer and Laurie Nielsen of Medofrd, Oregon were sealed today in the Seattle temple.  I was privileged to be the sealer.  February has been a bad month for me in that I had the flu twice.

On the day of the sealing I felt well enough to do the sealing and attend the luncheon afterwards.  By evening, however, I was flat on my back again and was not able to attend the reception.

Rick & Laurie made a beautiful couple and I was grateful that the sealing went well.

August 1986

Insert: pictures

• Kirk J Anderson in water (no caption specifying body of water / Payette Lake)
• Scorecard (unused) of McCall Golf Course
• Caption: Mandy Anderson on H2O skis for the first time
• Caption: Scott Biddle makes his first water ski trip
• Caption: Eric II skis on his feet!!
• Caption: Courtney Biddle makes her first trip on the water skis

The foregoing pictures are memorable because they record the memory of a wonderful month in McCall.  For years Norma & I talked about how we would like to spend an entire month in this special place, but work never allowed it.

After our family reunion we utilized the entire month of Aug. ’86 before taking the last steps to prepare for our mission.

I worked with Eric II and taught him to play golf as the photo shows us on the green at the Cascade course with Cascade Lake and Cougar Mountain in the background.  The picture of me with the grandchildren is memorable because it will be a remembrance of the first time that Courtney Biddle (age 6), Scott Biddle (age 4), and Mandy Anderson (age 6) got up on the water skis.

January 1986

Insert: picture / caption: 

An unusual New Year’s party.  At Bob Hamm’s suggestion, we “surprised” Duncan and Carol by plaster boarding their upstairs.  Kirk James had come to Seattle for business and was able to join us.

Duncan has just come home from work taken a shower, and prepared for a peaceful New Year’s Eve.  He “looked” disappointed when we appeared on the scene and put him to work.  At midnite he was most pleased to see all the work done.

Insert: picture / caption:

Jan 4, 1986 – Picture of Bishop Kirk J Anderson, Holly, and Kirk Jared Anderson on day of baptism.  Norma and I made one of the most treacherous trips of all time from Seattle to Boise to attend.  We travelled by car and we encountered snow – ice – and fog which plagued us the entire trip.  Surely, this would indicate how important it has always been to us to attend major events (church, school athletic) in the lives of our children and grandchildren.

Jan 5, 1986.

Today I stood in the circle as Kirk Jared was confirmed by his father.  Also present was Eric Leland Anderson and the Bishopric.

I recorded the confirmation & blessing and wrote it out for Kirk Jared’s book of Remembrance.  It was Fast Sunday and it was a special meeting.  Bishop Kirk James Anderson gave a wonderful testimony & spoke of his gratitude for his heritage.  Kirk Jared’s other grandfather – Eldon Haskell gave a marvelous testimony.  I wanted to, but there just wasn’t time.

In the High Priest meeting, the time was devoted to testimony.  This time I was able to say a few things.  I pleaded with the brethren to pray for their Bishop – my son – that in todays world more than any other time our Bishops are on the firing line more than ever before.  When I finished I don’t believe that there was a dry eye in the room.  Several of the brethren said that their sons would not now be on missions were it not for their Bishop – my son.

Insert: Picture / caption: 

Jan. 7, 1986.  A visit with my sister Ruth, her daughter Laura Lee, and granddaughter.

I am trying diligently to get things worked out so that we can get Ruth to the Temple to be sealed to Dad & Mother before we go on our mission.

Jan. 9, 1986

Today Eric and I sojourned to Nyssa to see Jim, Peggy, and Warren Farmer.  They have established an onion processing plant and have done a wonderful job.  They are truly enterprising and we are very proud of them.  They have undertaken a large debt – load to do this, but I am sure they will succeed unfortunately, the onion crop did not fare well this year and the price is very low.

Jim is now in the Elder’s Quorum Pres. & recently baptized his youngest son.

Warren was just [reunited] to a high school sweetheart.  She is very fine woman, and Warren should be much happier.  He has been very lonely.

Insert: Christmas card (from Carol Biddle)

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’m sitting here with a guiet moment at Jane and Bobs what a year.  Dads retiring – you could be in Europe in the next few months.  WHAT WILL I DO?!

I hope you can use and enjoy this xmas gift.  We love you both so much.  You’re a constant support (that means more than materially).

With all our love from both Carol and Duncan and Jane and Bob

Insert: Christmas card & envelope from 

Elder Eric Jacobsen 

Monte Caucaso 1110 

Lomas De Chapultepec

Mexico D.F. 11000

Mexico

Dearest Andersons,

I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you this Christmas even though it’s arriving a little late.

You’re such good people and such good examples to me.  May the Lord bless you for your goodness.

With Love, Elder Eric Jacobsen

Insert: article “Truth – and More” by Elder Russell M. Nelson; The Ensign / January 1986

Insert: letter (from ? – can’t read signature)

28 January 1986

Kirk J Anderson

SEATTLE

My dear friend Kirk:

Jolene and I appreciated very much your coming to our home last night.  We both value our friendship with you and Norma more than words can express.

I just want you to know that having the Power of The Priesthood brought to bear in my behalf is a privilege which we esteem very highly.  We both feel very good about going ahead to get the solution to my medical problem, and have confidence the Lord has a purpose this particular challenge in our lives.  We have always been blessed beyond our understanding with good health and membership in His Church.  With all of these blessings a person can’t really ask for any more.  In fact it makes me realize that there is much more that I can do to repay the Lord and my friends for the many kindnesses extended to me.

Thanks again for your concern, prayers, and help.  Please extend my love to the Quorum for their fasting and prayers at this time.  With that kind of concerted afforded from such a great group of men there is no doubt that all will be well.

Love,

(Signature?)

December 22-30, 1985 transcribed by Mandi Anderson

December 22, 1985 A Very Special Interview

Today, I had a very special interview with Pres. Brent Nash, an interview of accountability.  It was one of the most spiritual ones I have ever experienced.  We talked about our forthcoming mission and he indicated he would probably be released before our call.

We then talked about the Holy Spirit of Promise and indicated that we did not completely understand its mission other than that each saint must have it to be sealed to arise in the morning of the first resurrection.

Pres. Nash told me of some times in his church life when he has had fore knowledge of things to come in other peoples lives.  He told me that when he first met me he had the sure knowledge that I would henceforth play a special role in the spirituality of the Saints in this part of Zion.  He also testified to me that we knew each other in pre-existent life.

It is interesting that both of us came to Seattle for professional training.  He, for dental school.  Me, for medical internships.  Both of us had no intentions of returning to Seattle, but did so by miraculous circumstance.  As the spirit was very much in evidence, we felt that in pre-existent life we knew one another and made strong promises to help one another in mortal life.  Because these promises would be so important to our mortal life, and ultimate eternal life, we conjectured that perhaps the Holy Spirit of Promise has played a key role in bringing about the fulfillment of promises between us that will lead ultimately to eternal life.

Insert: photo / caption: Dec, 1985 Norma was responsible for 3 primary age girls this fall.  She asked me to paint ducks for them for Christmas, which I did.

Insert: Christmas Card

Bro & Sis Anderson

Wishing you and your family the very best during this Christmas season & thoughout the coming year.

It is a joy to serve the Lord.  To have the privilege of serving with you makes it an added pleasure.

May you & your family continue to enjoy the most precious gift of all – that of his love & the presence of his spirit in your home & in all you do –

Our Love

Beverly & Bren Ward (Signed ?)

Insert: Retirement Card

How Exciting for you!  We hope it means well see a little more of you too!!  Have a Merry Christmas we will manage one together when you get back from your mission  Thank you for the wonderful Christmas present early or not it made ours!!  Love you always Kathy & Ian

Insert: Picture of cake “1950→1985  Congratulations! Every day is a Saturday” / caption: This is my retirement cake – Norma had a wonderful party for me at home with just a few close friends in attendance.

Insert: Picture / caption: This is one of my prized photos of 1985, when I was able to go trout fishing at a trout farm with Scott & Courtney Biddle.  Eric Anderson and his family were visiting at the time.

I have included this article written by Mr. Hal Willard, a millionaire and a waiter who presents a clean and succinct description of the dilemma of one who starts a business in our present-day economic climate.  Nothing is assured anymore and no one is immune to the “mess” that surrounds us.  Our President Reagan truly believes that the catastrophic curse of the economy during President Carter’s tenure has been arrested and inflation is controlled.  He seems to ignore the greatest national debt of all time, which now is in the trillions of dollars.  Suffice it to say, it is nothing more than a time of great confusion smothered with an atmosphere of dishonesty, greed, hostility and uncertainty.  The future of men are very volatile.

I have included a statement of financed worth in my journal, because on paper our net worth is around a million dollars.  Our experience in trying to establish a family business has been the same as those cited by Mr. Willard.

Insert: Personal Financial Statement as of January 1984

Kirk J Anderson

Insert: article “How to Go Broke With a Million” by Hal Willard Newsweek: December 30, 1985

December 10, 1985 transcribed by Mandi Anderson

Insert: letter

Salt Lake City, Utah

December 10, 1985

Dear Kirk and Norma,

As I commence this letter and look at your neat handwriting, I apologize for writing this on the typewriter.  Honestly, my handwriting has deteriorated so, that I am ashamed of it.  So I do hope you will accept this and my sincere hope is that I do not offend.

The opening comments in your letter were so much like you.  Yes, they were most enjoyable.  The spirit of what you sad was, indeed sweet.  That you recalled administering the sacrament with President Benson there was a refresher that I had forgotten.  There is no doubt in my mind that we were together.  My recollection of that period in our life is that the administration of the sacrament was almost our private domain!

Your comments about your pending retirement were most interesting.  You used the word “exhilarated” to describe your emotions.  My first thought in reading your comment was that this was difficult for me to understand.  Then as you went on to mention the words “despair”, “litigation”, and “greed”, I though, how sobering.  And I began to understand why you may feel relieved to be placing that aspect of professional life behind you.  A Common fallacy for many today is to make generalities out of specifics.  No doubt the improprieties of some in the health care professions have tended to brand others---they get the broad brush treatment.  Your comments about those who truly try to server their fellow-men is accepted and shared.  It is good that you are able to look back with a clear conscience knowing in your heart that your entire efforts have been self-less.  That is good!  In our Ward we have possibly a dozen men who are so dedicated.  I recall when attending a Stake Conference, sitting on the stand, I began to perspire and before I fainted, a young man who worked in the Emergency Room at L.D.S. Hospital, was by my side and helped me out.  The next thing I knew eight doctors were standing over me in the Stake President’s office consulting about my problem and symptoms.  It was reassuring to know they were there and had my interests at heart.  Fortunately, the problem passed quickly but not until after an ambulance ride to the hospital.  Do you suppose the cost of that ride had anything to do with the fact that the symptoms have not occurred again?  But, levity aside, your comment that “it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ” is certainly appropriate.  I can say without question, that this influence in my life has molded my actions when temptation invited efforts inconsistent with commitments and covenants.  It is warming to know we share the feeling of importance which the Gospel plays in our lives and the bonding influence it has between us.

Thanks for your comments about the two outlines I sent.  I was pleased to share them with you.

That family affairs may bring you to Salt Lake in February was good news.  Unquestionably this will be a busy time for you.  But if you will let us know when you plan to come, we will make every effort to see you, even if only for a few moments.  But if the situation will accommodate, our invitation to dinner still stands.  So let’s see how affairs develop for you.

You mentioned the winter weather you have been experiencing this year.  If you have been in recent contact with your children here, you are aware that we, too, have been having cold, snowy, and windy weather the past few days.  When we get winds from the east, they are particularly miserable.  The channeling influence of the canyons in the Wasatch really create gales.  During the past two days winds reaching 65-70 mph velocity have played havoc with power lines, traffic, and work schedules.  As I understand it, the phenomenon of such high winds here occurs when a high pressure area and its accompanying clockwise air circulation moves just to the north and east of Salt Lake while at the same time a low pressure area with its counter-clockwise air movement is located to the south and east of us.  These converging winds move down the canyons of the Wasatch and we experience the miseries of blowing snow and biting cold.  It took me forty minutes in it this morning to move the drifts out of my drive way so that I could leave for work.  I was glad for a snow-thrower!  The winds continue tonight but they seem to be subsiding.

I trust you have not had any winter illness.  Our whole family has had colds, coughs, and varying degrees of hoarseness.  Beverly, our #3 daughter, has been so hoarse she has not been able to talk for over a week.  This has created a crisis in her life.  She is a recital and one German class away from her Masters in Vocal Performance.  And her Doctor is anything but encouraging.  Yet he tells her there is no apparent reason why she should be hoarse to this degree.  Throat cultures he took revealed nothing.  My throat has been tight since last Friday and I am experiencing the usual symptoms accompanying a head cold.  So we shall see.  Life continues to have its challenges.

Do you ever reflect on your experience at Bob Irwin’s?

One of my sisters in Boise recently sent me a newspaper clipping from the Statesman announcing the wedding of one of Sumner Delana’s children.  I had heard that he no longer practices law but I have never confirmed the information as fact.  My son-in-law was a law clerk for a Judge in Boise for over a year and he said he never heard of Sumner.  I understand Frank Crowe practices Dermatology in Boise and serves in some capacity at the U. of Oregon.  As I remember he married Valerie Delana.  When you were in Portland, did you ever hear of a Doctor named Arthur May?  He was a fraternity Brother of mine at U. of W. and I think he is in Pediatrics.  Well, enough of that.

Please don’t feel pressured to respond to this immediately.  I am home alone tonight.  Audrey and the girls went to “Scrouge” tonight.  My hearing is bad enough that I just can’t follow stage dialogue so I am happier at home.

Please know your friendship is cherished.  Audrey joins me in expressing the hope that both of you will enjoy a wonderful holiday season and that the spirit of the Savior will be with you and yours.

Sincerely you friend,

Ted [signed]

Kirk---- I have addressed this to your office in the hope it will be forwarded if you have left by the time it reaches you.  I only find your Northshire Rd. address at the moment and I am certain you have moved from there.

November 28, 1985 transcribed by Mandi Anderson

Nov. 28, 1985

Today is Thanksgiving.  The Lord has spoken to the people of the Northwest and called then to repentance.  This I know because He informs us in the scriptures that He would speak to the people of the World through calamitous events.  Thus, Mexico has suffered its greatest earthquake of all time.  Columbia recently had a volcano blow, just like our Mt. St. Helens did 5 years ago, and 20,000 people died.  Repeated Hurricanes have decimated the Eastern coast and the states of Florida, North Carolina, & Georgia.

Now, for the past 4 days we have experienced the coldest weather for this time of year on record with snowstorms which have paralyzed the city.

Kirk James & his family were to have spent Thanksgiving with us this year, but couldn’t make it at the last minute.

Insert: letter 

27 Nov 1985

Brother Kirk Anderson,

Just a note to thank you – for the lovely blessing you gave me -  The time you spent preparing for it and for the time afterward in writing it up.  The journal was a very special touch.  Just the previous week I had been thinking how I needed a more permanent book to keep my journal in, than the paper notebook I had been using.  Your timing was perfect I know it wasn’t required of you to do so & I so appreciate your efforts.  I have no doubt that you will be blessed for magnifying your calling.  And I feel I have been truly blessed through my association with you.

Richard & I both express our gratitude for your part in our special day 23 Nov 1985.  We are eternally grateful. Thankyou for being there in spite of the weather.

I especially enjoyed your comment about our marriage – just the week before I said to Richard that on Saturday we will be married for real.  Now we are

You are a special person & we appreciate the special part you’ve played in our lives.  We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Love, Sister Yevonne Cole

November 17, 1895 - transcribed by Mandi Anderson

Seattle 10^th ward November 17, 1985 / caption: This day has special importance for me.  Pres. Ezra Taft Benson was my stake Pres. when I was a priest.  He was also a close friend of my father, who treated him as a patient.

Insert: letter “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” letterhead

SEATTLE TEMPLE

2808 148^th Avenue S.E.

Bellevue, Washington 98007 December 3, 1985

Kirk J. Anderson

13513 Northshire Road Northwest

Seattle, Washington 98177

Dear Brother Anderson:

Brother Nelson Snow has apprised us of the supportive attitude you have evidenced during the transition to the temple recording system and the high standard to which you are fulfilling your assignment.  We commend you for your faithfulness, your diligence, and your sincere commitment to this sacred work.

You will undoubtedly agree that the improved eye contact with proxies at the alter made possible with the new TRS system introduce an increased spirituality consistent with what we are all striving to attain in the temple.  We believe that this spirit could be further enhanced if, when the opportunity permits, sealers would serve as witnesses in live sealings being performed by other sealers.  Hopefully, by grasping concepts and ideas from the best of others we can gravitate toward an even higher spiritual realm.

We are grateful for your presence and participation in prayer meetings held at 6:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. when you are able to attend.  That too adds to the celestial spirit which prevails in the temple.

We extend to you our gratitude for your valued service and our best wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyous Christmas season.

Sincerely yours,

SEATTLE TEMPLE PRESIDENCY

Rayden Werrick [signature]

Robert Jones [signature]   

Earl Carlson [signature]