Callings Issued in Unconventional Ways

I've been listening to a podcast this week about receiving and accepting callings in the Church. I've had numerous callings over the past 52 years and I have never turned down a calling. I believe it is our duty to accept callings in order to help build up the kingdom of God on the earth. I feel that all callings are important, whether they seem like a small calling or a big calling. Every calling helps us to grow in different ways. Everyone doing their share helps to make sure that wards and stakes run properly and help others come unto Christ.

I've been thinking this week about some callings I received that were extended in an unconventional way. Generally, a Stake President's or Bishop's Executive Secretary would give you a telephone call and set up a time for you to meet with them during the week. For me, there were four times that I can think of where I received a calling in an unconventional way. Most of these were callings from Bishop Richardson when we lived in the Somerset Ward in Lancaster, California, but I will start out with an example from President Swindlehurst of the Stake Presidency.

1) - One beautiful Sunday morning, I was pulled out of Sacrament Meeting to speak with a member of the Stake Presidency. After a short chat, a calling was issued to me to be the Stake Young Women's President. At that time, I was serving as an early-morning seminary teacher. Teaching seminary is VERY difficult. I spent about 8 hrs. per day preparing lessons 5 days a week. It was so difficult for me, that I had been trying to pray my way out of that calling. Most seminary days I felt like I was speaking to the back wall. The students were only half awake that early in the morning and it seemed that they really didn't want to be there. I tried many different teaching methods to try to keep their interest, but I always felt like I wasn't the right person for the job. When President Swindlehurst extended the call to be the Stake Young Women's President, I was excited because that would mean that I would be released as a seminary teacher. My prayer had been answered! However, I now had another difficult calling ahead of me that I didn't feel qualified for. I felt like I was going from the frying pan into the fire. I discovered with that calling, and all of my callings, that God qualifies those whom he calls. I'm so grateful for that knowledge.

2) - I remember sitting in the chapel of the Los Angeles Temple waiting for a Stake chapel session to begin when Bishop Richardson approached me and asked if he could chat with me for a second. It turns out that he extended a calling to me to be a counselor in the Relief Society and work with Juleen Booth who was being called as President. I accepted and was sustained the next day at church.

3) - One evening, I was at home and heard the phone ring. It was Bishop Richardson and he said he was in the area and wanted to stop by to see me for a few minutes. I told him it was ok. We sat down in the living room and he ended up calling me to be the Young Women President for the ward. He knew that I had already served in that capacity before on the ward and stake level, so he was very hesitant to call me to that position, but knew that it was what the Lord wanted. He promised me that it would be only for about 10 months. After that time passed, he met with me again and said that it was time for me to be released. I told him I could continue in the calling longer if he wanted me to, but he said he was a man of his word and he had promised only 10 months, so he released me.

4) - One Sunday while sitting in the chapel about 5 minutes before Sacrament Meeting was to begin, Bishop Richardson sat on the pew in front of Alan and I. He turned around to speak with us, and ended up extending a call to me to teach the Gospel Doctrine class. Talk about being put on the spot! Although I felt very hesitant about accepting that calling, I didn't really have time to think about it because Sacrament Meeting was about to begin, so I said I would accept. About 10 minutes later, after the opening hymn and opening prayer, I was sustained to that new calling. Whirlwind moment, for sure.

One great thing about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that everyone has an opportunity to serve in a calling if they want to. I have so many great memories of my service in the Church. By serving in my callings, my testimony has been strengthened, I've gotten to know so many amazing individuals that I was privileged to serve with, but most importantly I knew that it was what Heavenly Father wanted me to do and I accepted my many callings to show my obedience. According to Elder LeGrand Richards, obedience is the first law of heaven. I believe that to be true. Callings are a gift from God.