Over the past three weeks, I have taken the time to read, contemplate, and ponder with the weight of this calling burdening my mind. Ever since President Kent ordained me a Bishop, my mind has been clearer and I have been spiritually comforted.

I was born and raised in Orem, 5th in a family of 7 (4 boys and 3 girls). All seven of us graduated from the old Orem High School and are proud to be Golden Tigers. My father, Carl, a family physician, raised in Pocatello, ID and my mother, Rosalin, raised in the town of Fairview, Utah.

I was taught at a very young age how to work hard at the side of my father. Always having chores to do, weeds to pull, lawns to mow. My first paying job was to demolish the inside of two old homes on 7th North and 7th East in Provo and then build out BYU student apartments. The old homes have now been replaced with new apartment complexes.

I met Heather, my wife, at Mountain Springs “Riverstone” restaurant in Springville back in 1989. I was the manager and she worked as a waitress. We were engaged in the fall of 1989 and married in the Salt Lake Temple in February 1990, almost 30 years ago. We co-founded of Center for Change, a Specialty Psychiatric Hospital in Orem back in the mid-’90s and have worked there as the CFO for the past 25 years until this past September. We have 4 children (Mitchell 28, Alex 26, Olivia 17, and Shawn 14) and 1 granddaughter (Viola) that knows us as “Pops” and “Gigi”. We moved to Highland back in the Summer of 2010 from Lindon and moved into the nationhood back in the fall of 2015 from a home in Northern Highland. Heather and I have enjoyed living here and look forward to many years to come.

We are at a new start in our Ward and Community. Ward boundary adjustments are necessary, but no one likes change. We are grateful for your prayers on behalf of the new 28th Ward Bishopric. I as Bishop hope to get to know everyone better. I look back at the last decade with awe, the technology advancements, and ever-changing social environment, and the increase in the chatter (noise). 2020 truly will usher in a decade of unprecedented change that will require us to act and at times be still.

“Be still, and know that I am God: …” – Psalm 46:10

This week a decade ends, and a new decade begins. And even though our computers are getting faster, our medicine is getting better, Christian influence in society is declining, and church attendance is dropping. The Lord needs men and women who are BOLD, who discern the times, have FAITH in God and aren’t afraid to do great things!
Stay humble, work hard, and be kind.

Love,
Bishop Jeff Anderson