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The most serious problem was that of trying to settle a disagreement between two ward members over irrigation water. It boiled down to getting Party A to give permission to Party B to bring in a back hoe and clean out his ditch which ran across the property of Party A. Party A refused. I couldn't get the men to cooperate so I asked the Stake President to come out. He said he'd come and also bring his own equipment to do the work. When he arrived with his back hoe Party A refused to let him get into the ditch. President decided to go ahead anyway. I had begun cutting off come branches from the trees that were hanging over the ditch so the President could get his equipment into the ditch. Party A came at me with an ax in his hand. I backed off and as calmly as I could I assured him we were willing to reason with him about this. I was afraid for a few minutes, then he did calm down and eventually let us into the ditch. The two men never actually made up, though. I felt bad about this.

One of the greatest blessings of being a bishop was that of getting close to the people and learning to love them. Though there were trials and problems they all seemed necessary to develop the individual characters, my own included. I learned time after time if I sincerely tried to do all I could in the job the Lord provided a way to accomplish it,

I was asked to administer to Oscar Burke's mother once. She was such a wonderful woman with so much faith and a strong testimony. She was healed at that time becuase of this.

There was a great closeness between us as a bishopric; when we would knee in prayer we could really feel the Lord's spirit with us. My feelings of love and friendliness toward these men continue strong to this day.

I was released July 29, 1956. Mother was quite ill and when I explained the situation to the Stake President he felt I should be released after 4 and 1/2 years of service.