The best and most enjoyable calling that I've had was being a temple ordinance worker. I served a total of 10 years in the Boise and Meridian Temples. Serving in that Spirit-filled place, helping people, and being permitted to perform those crucial ordinances was hugely satisfying and enjoyable.

The scariest calling I ever received was to serve as ward chorister. That required skills that I didn't possess. I had to do some quick learning. I practiced constantly with Marjorie for two weeks before having to lead the singing in sacrament meeting. That calling is perhaps also the one from which I benefited the most. Thereafter, my hand was the only one that went up when the presiding authority would ask for someone to lead the opening hymn in meetings with the stake presidencies of the area. I also became the music leader for preparation meetings in the temple. Being able to lead music is a wonderful skill to have.

The callings where I made the most difference would probably be my seven years of teaching early morning seminary, and my six years of teaching institute. Those would also be the callings in which I learned the most.

The most personally beneficial callings were those temporary ones where I was asked to speak. Giving talks taught me how to organize, and put me in close communion with the Holy Ghost who taught me, gave me ideas, and who helped me compose the presentations. It was the Holy Ghost who took away my fear of being in front of people. I am profoundly grateful to the Lord for taking away that debilitating fear.

The hardest calling to endure was probably my nine years of serving in the stake presidency. There is nothing rewarding about being an administrator. Being bishop was better, because I was in a position to actually help people; but in the stake presidency I was simply being an administrator.

I like being a stake patriarch. It's strange knowing that this will be my last calling. I will probably serve in this capacity either until I die or until I can no longer effectively serve. I've loved every calling that I've had, and have tried to do my best in each. I've learned so very, very much through the service that the Lord has asked me to give. I am grateful for the way that He has led and taught me. Because of my callings, I'm not the same person that I was 50 years ago. The Lord has molded and polished me.