Bishop Wastlund

Garrett and I both felt a change coming. Things had actually become very busy with work and hard in life and I think Heavenly Father knew we needed to be grounded and remember what is really important. As we sat with President Barney and he extended the call the spirit filled the room and I knew immediately that no matter how inadequate we felt that this was Heavenly Father’s will. President Barney first turned to me and said “a man cannot be called as Bishop unless he is married. Many times men are called because of their wives. Can you support and sustain your husband in this calling?” Of course I could, the Lord has been preparing him for years and the spirit bore witness that he was the bishop for our ward. When president Barney then turned to Garrett and asked if he would accept the call as bishop Garrett said “I sustain you, and if you feel that I am worthy then yes I will.” President Barney then explained that when we sustain someone we bring our right arm to the square and covenant to support them in their calling. He said he had not planned on changing the bishopric for another month, but went to the temple with some names in mind a few days before. While there, Garrett’s name came to him, one he hadn’t even thought of, and he knew the change needed to happen now not in a month. When bringing Garrett’s name back to his counselors he said “I had a name come to me, someone we hadn’t discussed and you probably don’t know. President Gerth one of his counselors asked who? President Barney Said Brother Wastlund, and President Gerth turned over a paper he had been writing on and on the back he had written Garrett Wastlund. It has been revealed to him as well. Bishop Wastlund was approved by the First Presidency of the church within days, and there we were. Garrett was only given 3 days to submit names for counselors. Immediately 2 names came to him. Dave Archer and Dillon Jones, but he thought, that is too easy, they are the logical choice! Another couple of men came to mind and he submitted their names, but the Lord knew who he needed, and when they were not able, brother Archer and Jones were called as his counselors. They all get along great and are going to be perfect to work with the youth! We went to the temple the day before Garrett was sustained in church, and he opened up his scriptures in the celestial room for inspiration. The scripture he read was from 3rd Nephi chapter 3. 

“And behold, I am Giddianhi; and I am the governor of this the secret society of Gadianton; which society and the works thereof I know to be good; and they are of ancient date and they have been handed down unto us.“  

He looked at me and laughed, am I going to be a Gadianton Bishop?! I said continue reading, this is one of my favorite stories from the Book of Mormon. He continued “

 12 Now behold, this Lachoneus, the governor, was a just man, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatenings of a robber; therefore he did not hearken to the epistle of Giddianhi, the governor of the robbers, but he did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them.

13 Yea, he sent a proclamation among all the people, that they should gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance, save it were their land, unto one place.

14 And he caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great. And he caused that armies, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites, or of all them who were numbered among the Nephites, should be placed as guards round about to watch them, and to guard them from the robbers day and night.

15 Yea, he said unto them: As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all your iniquities, and cry unto the Lord, ye will in nowise be delivered out of the hands of those Gadianton robbers.

Garrett shared this scripture and experience at church the day he was sustained, and said something to the effect of “we are the guard sent to watch over you. And as we join together our ward will be able to withstand the evils of this world.”

He also shared that that morning I had given him a gift. A tie clip that said “Always have, always will.” Which is our song. I told him I will always be there to support and sustain him and so will the Lord. Always has, always will. We were both very emotional. 

Garrett also looked over and saw Jaden was very emotional. He said “I have been praying for my son Jaden for a long time.” I even told the Lord, I will serve as bishop if it helps him. And here I am. After the meeting Jaden went up to the stand and threw himself into Garrett’s arms and burst into tears. He had to excuse himself to get himself under control. The spirit was working within him. The entire experience was so beautiful and will be one I will always remember. The Lord is aware of us, has faith in us, and wants us to turn to him. 

 Garrett was ordained a High Priest by his dad and set apart by brother Barney with a beautiful blessing focused on him serving the youth. And then the work began! After talking to the other bishops in our stake our ward is very hard. We take in the government assisted housing, and a retirement community. There is a lot of Welfare that happens in our ward. But as numerous people have told me. Garrett has a heart of Gold, and he will be a great tool in his Heavenly Fathers hand serving as Bishop of the Bloomington Hills 1st Ward.