{"chapter_no":"21","chapter_title":"A Young Bishop","book_id":"2","book_name":"The Story of James","subchapter_no":"0","page_no":"284","page_number":"1","verses_count":0,"total_pages":2,"page_content":"

 <\/p>

Chapter 21<\/p>

A Young Bishop<\/h1><\/p>

 <\/p>

Kevin and Janice Tyler move into the North Ogden 3<\/i>rd<\/i> Ward—Called to be<\/i> the<\/i> bishop at the age
of thirty-four, Bishop Tyler follows in the footsteps of past leaders of the ward.<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

In June of 1978, the bishop of the North Ogden 3rd Ward was a man named Kevin Tyler.
Age thirty-four, with black hair, and standing six foot two, he was slender and had somewhat of
a youthful appearance. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, he had served a two-year Church
mission to Canada. Upon his return, he completed a bachelor’s degree in business at the
University of Utah, and there met his wife, Janice Hansen of Kaysville. After graduation, the
newly married couple relocated to Weber County, where Kevin accepted a job as an office
manager for a small business in downtown Ogden. Initially, they rented out a two-bedroom
apartment in the southern part of the valley, but after two years, they felt secure enough with the
family’s finances to purchase a small home in North Ogden, thereby becoming members of the
3rd Ward. Now nine years later, they had three children ranging from two to six years of age.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Bishop Tyler was relatively new in his calling. He had been called as the bishop just four
months earlier and was still getting acclimated to the job. The prior bishop of the ward, a man
named Layne Hutchins, had created the vacancy when he was called to be a counselor in the
newly formed stake presidency. Brother Hutchins had served as the bishop for the past five
years, replacing Brother Ashley Hancock in that role. Both of these men had served with
distinction during their tenures and were beloved by all the ward members, something that hadn’t
gone unnoticed by the new bishop. The legacy of the ward was always to have a great man in the
calling of bishop, so there were big shoes to fill. Relatively young, only thirty-four years old,
Bishop Tyler's lack of experience had been noticeable at times, as he had to learn a great many
things on the job. He had not come to the calling empty-handed, however. He brought a good
deal of leadership experience with him, having served two years as elders quorum president, one
year as the ward mission leader, four years as the Young Men president, and nine months most
recently as a counselor in the bishopric. <\/p>

 <\/p>

For most in the ward, the biggest concern was his age. They liked Bishop Tyler
personally and knew him well, but they thought he might be a little too young to be the bishop.
Brother Hutchins and Brother Hancock had both been in their mid-forties when they were called,
and there were three or four other men of excellent reputation in the ward who were older and
seemingly better suited for the calling. Bishop Tyler was in agreement with their line of thinking.
He had been somewhat surprised by the selection, also considering himself too young and
inexperienced. The decision of the stake president had humbled him. In any event, he accepted <\/p>

the call without hesitation. It was a priesthood assignment, and he was prepared to serve
wherever he was called.<\/p>

 <\/p>

The initial interview with the stake president came on a Saturday morning and lasted two
hours. He returned home afterwards to relay the exciting news to his family. After lunch, Kevin
went off alone to do some soul searching and reflect upon the new assignment. As one who
loved the atmosphere of the temple, whether inside or out, he frequently went there at key
moments of his life. On this occasion, he drove downtown and spent an hour walking leisurely
around the temple grounds. He sat down on a bench and read a few scriptures suggested to him
earlier that day by the stake president. He was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing and had
some doubts.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Why has the Lord called me now as the bishop? Can I really fill the shoes of someone like
Bishop Hutchins? <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

Will the ward members accept me as their leader given my youth and <\/i>lack of <\/i>experience? <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

And what kind of counsel can I possibly give to the older members of the ward...<\/i> <\/i>as they
are already so far ahead of me in their lives?<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

With these questions in mind, and finding himself alone amid the beautiful gardens, he
leaned forward on the bench and bowed his head in silent prayer. <\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

The answers to his questions didn’t come immediately, but as he continued praying and
pondering that afternoon, the Spirit in time bore witness to him. He knew that, in spite of his
weaknesses, he had been selected by the Lord for this important calling and the means to
accomplish everything would be provided<\/span>. <\/p>"}