Personal Journal
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June 11, 2015 Mathew J. Stucki Page 1
I want to capture an experience from my childhood that has significance in my life. It goes back to the days when I was growing up in Castle Valley. As I have shared with my own children, when we first arrived in the valley, we began attending church in Moab because there was no branch in Castle Valley at the time. That was also back in the day when church meetings extended from early morning until late afternoon every Sunday, rather than the consolidated schedule, which came soon after--thank goodness for that.
At that time we only had one vehicle—an old white, 1976 Chevrolet pickup—so we all left early Sunday morning to make it to priesthood. The women just hung out at the park while we went to priesthood. A couple hours later we all attended Sunday School, and several hours after that we had sacrament meeting, following which we would return to the farm. In between times, we would return to the park to wait for the next meeting. We didn't know anyone in Moab, so the park was our only option. As you might imagine, it was exhausting, but I learned the importance of going to church even when it is inconvenient and costly. Some time later, the stake began talking about forming a Castle Valley branch. At that point, there had been other families move into the valley and particularly an influx of Latter-day Saints. It was incredible as I look back now that people from all over the country converged on Castle Valley at a time and that there was a sufficient number of members in the valley to organize a functioning branch, and that just happened to be when we arrived in Castle Valley. Maybe that doesn't sound too incredible to you, but realize that Granny and Grandpa were essentially then the age of mom and I now and Castle Valley was remote and isolated. Just imagine picking up everything and moving down to an area where we knew no one to a little piece of property that had no well or electricity...yet. That's what happened at the time to our family. So now back to the story.
Well of course everyone was wondering who would be called to be the branch president. Back then, it could have been any number of people, I suppose. But the Lord knew who would fill that role, and through his local leaders He called Grandpa to that position, which he held for fifteen years I believe--much longer than the duration bishops are typically called today. That's why everyone called Grandpa President Stucki--even to this day, because he was the branch president of the Castle Valley congregation for so long. The Lord knew the faithful work Grandpa would do for Him in that part of the vineyard.
It was great having Grandpa lead the branch. He was constantly involved helping people, and it took him away from the farm many times when he needed to be working on his own place. On Sundays, Grandpa was gone all day from early morning until well after church ended. I never heard him complain--not once. He filled this position well and gave it his all. I remember hearing Grandpa conduct meetings and preside and share his wisdom and testimony with us all. We really enjoyed it. Granny, too, was very supportive and patient. She knew the Lord needed Grandpa to be branch president, and she stepped up her contributions to the farm, the family, and the Church so Grandpa could fulfill his responsibilities. Grandma organized the library and got it off on the right foot from the beginning. She also contributed to the Primary and Relief Society.
It was during this time that I was called into the Elders quorum. Imagine that. I received the Melchizedek priesthood when I was just 18-years-old. The branch gave us all many opportunities to serve, often in two or three positions at the same time, and though I was just a young man, I was called to serve with Ron Drake in the Elders quorum presidency. I very much enjoyed serving there. We had some fine men in the branch then that influenced my life for good at that time--Ron Drake, Jack Cluff, Jerry Ehlers, Mike Ricketts, and Jeff Whitney to name just a few. I will always love and appreciate those men for accepting me and including me in their circle of friendship.
Well, it was during that time as I was preparing for my mission that Grandpa came to me and said that Paul Cluff, the first counselor in the branch, wanted to meet with me to extend a calling. I was young at the time and could hardly imagine what it would be.
I was thinking something like "Wow. I wonder what is in store for me now. Can you imagine Mathew Stucki will be the elder's quorum president before I even leave on my mission, or maybe something even more impressive than that." I'm not sure what I was thinking exactly, but needless-to-say, I was excited for the upcoming interview. Well, I met with Brother Cluff there in our home. He said "Mathew we would like to extend a calling to you. We would like you to serve as ...waiting, waiting... the primary chorister for the branch. Would you accept that calling?"
The words just hung in the air. I'm not sure I concealed my disappointment very well, but of course I said yes and willingly accepted. After Brother Cluff left, I was troubled by this call. I went to an empty room in our home, knelt down, and pleaded with the Lord "I am preparing for my mission. I am trying to do what is right, but I just don't understand this calling. What's in it for me?" Immediately, I received an answer. As clearly as if someone spoke the words to me, I heard "It's not for you. It's for the children."
At this point, I had never considered that option. My thoughts were all about me. So when this answer came abruptly, I knew it was from the Lord. My prayer changed from seeking guidance to gratitude for receiving my answer. It turns out that my primary chorister calling happened to be one of the most rewarding callings I have ever had. The children responded well to me, and we had fun times singing songs of faith and gospel preparation. Later, when I received my call to Finland and delivered my farewell address, the children sang a special, surprise missionary song to me to bid me farewell. I will always remember this kind gesture as I left for the mission field.
I firmly believe that if you do something kind for someone else, it will always come back to you tenfold in the end. The Lord teaches us that if we bear difficulties with patience and strive to bring joy to others, we will be handsomely rewarded.
Turn the other cheek, pray for them that use you and despitefully persecute you, and love your enemies are not idle phrases. The Lord has commanded that we follow Him in these ways and promised us happiness and life eternal in return.
I don't have all the answers—none of us do--but I know where we can find them, and with faith we can have confidence that we will be blessed and edified for choosing the right.
The Savior has our best interest at heart, and He teaches us and provides commandments for our benefit. This I know from personal experience. I have spent a life time putting His words to the test, and I know from experience that they are true.
Of this knowledge, I am truly humbled and gratefully awed.
of
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 11, 2015 Mathew J. Stucki Page 1
I want to capture an experience from my childhood that has significance in my life. It goes back to the days when I was growing up in Castle Valley. As I have shared with my own children, when we first arrived in the valley, we began attending church in Moab because there was no branch in Castle Valley at the time. That was also back in the day when church meetings extended from early morning until late afternoon every Sunday, rather than the consolidated schedule, which came soon after--thank goodness for that.
At that time we only had one vehicle—an old white, 1976 Chevrolet pickup—so we all left early Sunday morning to make it to priesthood. The women just hung out at the park while we went to priesthood. A couple hours later we all attended Sunday School, and several hours after that we had sacrament meeting, following which we would return to the farm. In between times, we would return to the park to wait for the next meeting. We didn't know anyone in Moab, so the park was our only option. As you might imagine, it was exhausting, but I learned the importance of going to church even when it is inconvenient and costly. Some time later, the stake began talking about forming a Castle Valley branch. At that point, there had been other families move into the valley and particularly an influx of Latter-day Saints. It was incredible as I look back now that people from all over the country converged on Castle Valley at a time and that there was a sufficient number of members in the valley to organize a functioning branch, and that just happened to be when we arrived in Castle Valley. Maybe that doesn't sound too incredible to you, but realize that Granny and Grandpa were essentially then the age of mom and I now and Castle Valley was remote and isolated. Just imagine picking up everything and moving down to an area where we knew no one to a little piece of property that had no well or electricity...yet. That's what happened at the time to our family. So now back to the story.
Well of course everyone was wondering who would be called to be the branch president. Back then, it could have been any number of people, I suppose. But the Lord knew who would fill that role, and through his local leaders He called Grandpa to that position, which he held for fifteen years I believe--much longer than the duration bishops are typically called today. That's why everyone called Grandpa President Stucki--even to this day, because he was the branch president of the Castle Valley congregation for so long. The Lord knew the faithful work Grandpa would do for Him in that part of the vineyard.
It was great having Grandpa lead the branch. He was constantly involved helping people, and it took him away from the farm many times when he needed to be working on his own place. On Sundays, Grandpa was gone all day from early morning until well after church ended. I never heard him complain--not once. He filled this position well and gave it his all. I remember hearing Grandpa conduct meetings and preside and share his wisdom and testimony with us all. We really enjoyed it. Granny, too, was very supportive and patient. She knew the Lord needed Grandpa to be branch president, and she stepped up her contributions to the farm, the family, and the Church so Grandpa could fulfill his responsibilities. Grandma organized the library and got it off on the right foot from the beginning. She also contributed to the Primary and Relief Society.
It was during this time that I was called into the Elders quorum. Imagine that. I received the Melchizedek priesthood when I was just 18-years-old. The branch gave us all many opportunities to serve, often in two or three positions at the same time, and though I was just a young man, I was called to serve with Ron Drake in the Elders quorum presidency. I very much enjoyed serving there. We had some fine men in the branch then that influenced my life for good at that time--Ron Drake, Jack Cluff, Jerry Ehlers, Mike Ricketts, and Jeff Whitney to name just a few. I will always love and appreciate those men for accepting me and including me in their circle of friendship.
Well, it was during that time as I was preparing for my mission that Grandpa came to me and said that Paul Cluff, the first counselor in the branch, wanted to meet with me to extend a calling. I was young at the time and could hardly imagine what it would be.
I was thinking something like "Wow. I wonder what is in store for me now. Can you imagine Mathew Stucki will be the elder's quorum president before I even leave on my mission, or maybe something even more impressive than that." I'm not sure what I was thinking exactly, but needless-to-say, I was excited for the upcoming interview. Well, I met with Brother Cluff there in our home. He said "Mathew we would like to extend a calling to you. We would like you to serve as ...waiting, waiting... the primary chorister for the branch. Would you accept that calling?"
The words just hung in the air. I'm not sure I concealed my disappointment very well, but of course I said yes and willingly accepted. After Brother Cluff left, I was troubled by this call. I went to an empty room in our home, knelt down, and pleaded with the Lord "I am preparing for my mission. I am trying to do what is right, but I just don't understand this calling. What's in it for me?" Immediately, I received an answer. As clearly as if someone spoke the words to me, I heard "It's not for you. It's for the children."
At this point, I had never considered that option. My thoughts were all about me. So when this answer came abruptly, I knew it was from the Lord. My prayer changed from seeking guidance to gratitude for receiving my answer. It turns out that my primary chorister calling happened to be one of the most rewarding callings I have ever had. The children responded well to me, and we had fun times singing songs of faith and gospel preparation. Later, when I received my call to Finland and delivered my farewell address, the children sang a special, surprise missionary song to me to bid me farewell. I will always remember this kind gesture as I left for the mission field.
I firmly believe that if you do something kind for someone else, it will always come back to you tenfold in the end. The Lord teaches us that if we bear difficulties with patience and strive to bring joy to others, we will be handsomely rewarded.
Turn the other cheek, pray for them that use you and despitefully persecute you, and love your enemies are not idle phrases. The Lord has commanded that we follow Him in these ways and promised us happiness and life eternal in return.
I don't have all the answers—none of us do--but I know where we can find them, and with faith we can have confidence that we will be blessed and edified for choosing the right.
The Savior has our best interest at heart, and He teaches us and provides commandments for our benefit. This I know from personal experience. I have spent a life time putting His words to the test, and I know from experience that they are true.
Of this knowledge, I am truly humbled and gratefully awed.
