I went to La Grande today (16 June 2024), it being the 3rd Sunday of the month, expecting to speak in La Grande 3rd and 4th Wards.  The stake speaking assignments were given to the high council and other stake leaders back in December and January.

Upon arrival in La Grande, the bishop's counselor in the 3rd Ward informed me that I wasn't expected until next week since today was Father's Day.  I hadn't been told about the change.

Marjorie and I attended their sacrament meeting and Sunday School, and went out and got in the car to go home.  But then I wondered, did the 4th Ward get the message about the change?  I can't risk leaving them in the lurch. I wanted to start the car, but instead I said to Marjorie, "I have to go back in and check with the 4th Ward bishopric.  This may be the Holy Ghost speaking."

I knocked on the door of the bishop's office.  No answer, and no sounds from within.  It would be one whole hour before their sacrament meeting would begin.  I knocked on the clerk's door with the same result.  There was not a 4th Ward member anywhere.

I went back to the car to go home.  A note was on the seat saying that Marjorie had gone in to the restroom.  I went back inside to look for 4th Ward members.  I found Marjorie, so we again went to the car to go home.  Again, however, I found that I just couldn't leave without being sure that I wasn't expected to speak in the 4th Ward.

When we went back inside the meetinghouse we found a member of the 4th ward, and then the bishop himself appeared.

I found that they were expecting me to come next week, but that the bishop had gotten a call two hours previously informing him that their main speaker for this Sunday would not be able to fulfill his assignment.

I asked the bishop, "Would you like me to speak today or next Sunday?"

"Oh, this Sunday, please.  I told my counselor that it would be up to the two of us to fill the time, and we're drawing complete blanks.  Nothing is coming to either of us."

Three times I tried to leave, but the Holy Ghost wouldn't let me.  So I spoke today in the 4th Ward.  I had to shorten my talk by half because the speaker before me took most of the time.  But this is the very best that talk has been delivered in any ward all year.

Since I was going to have to go back to La Grande next week and be there until the end of the 4th Ward meetings, that meant that I'd have to cancel and reschedule the two patriarchal blessing appointments that I have next Sunday.  Having already fulfilled my 4th Ward assignment, I don't have to change anything.  I can keep my appointments.

This was a win-win situation for everyone.  I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost, and for being able to know when it's speaking.