The End of an Era

Yesterday was a significant date to me. It actually was the end of a seven year oddessy for me. The end of an era happened when I was released after seven years - more or less - teaching the Gospel Doctrine Class in Sunday School. I had actually gotten to where there was a weekly satisfaction to the process of preparing and teaching. I taught three of the manuals twice and the other one one time. Though many of the lessons were given the second time, I did not use the same notes the second time. I think that was likely because of a process that I call "maturation." Experience and changing times, I think, caused the Holy Spirit to prompt me to vary from what I presented the first time. Though the subject matter did not change, the emphasis did materialize differently in most lessons. I feel a little bit vacated with no lesson to prepare for next Sunday. Upon telling me of my pending release, the counselor in the Bishopric assured me that it "was just time," and that I had not been tendered a release for cause. Now a question sort of arises, "What do you assign an eighty-one year old high priest to do to keep him providing a useful gospel service with the limiting processes that are encroaching due to age?" Thankfully, I do a shift in the Salt Lake Temple twice a week Monday mornings and Saturday mid day. Clarine and I also do a two-hour stint in the Humanitarian Center at the Tooele Deseret Industries on Thursdays putting such things as school kits, hygiene kits, and quilts together for those around the world needing humanitarian support.

Yesterday there was a temple devotional held in the Salt Lake Temple (two different meetings so that everyone could have a chance to attend). It was an extraordinarily spiritual meeting. Clarine and I attended the one at 8:00 AM. Elder Dallin Oaks was the featured guest. President Uchdorf was present for the 11:00 AM meeting. By attending the earlier session Clarine and I were home for our meeting block, and I taught the Sunday School Class for the final time. There were well over 3,000 temple workers and their partners that were accommodated in the two meetings. gwh