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with a copy for each of us. Bishop Wells had thoughtfully prepared a
comprehensive review of the wards needs. We would discuss each item
and our input was sought. His counselors were encouraged to suggest
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meeting by about 9 p.m., Bishop Wells would take the list of ward mem-
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stop at a particular name. He would then telephone that person or fam-
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Bishop Wells had, I felt, a close relationship with the Lord. When he
felt prompted to call the person on the list, I repeatedly saw that such
persons were amazed that Bishop Wells was prompted to call them.
They would say, Bishop Wells, how did you know that
The Spirit
seemed to prompt him to know who had special need of his counsel or
other help. Before we began our bishopric meetings we would kneel
in prayer around the Wells family dining room table and ask the Lords
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the Lord more clearly and warmly than around the Wells dining room
table in those meetings.
When I became a member of the bishopric the site for construc-
tion of a chapel had just been selected. We worked with the architect on
the interior design. Construction was done under the direction of Big
Al Ferwerda. Big Al and two carpenters built or supervised the build-
ing of what is now referred to as the Moraga Chapel. The story of Big Al
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was being built, the job was done by donated labor of the members.
The Concord Bishop went home one night from the construction project
deeply disturbed because it was evident to him that the members lacked
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guidance. He opened his mail and found a letter from a construction
superintendant (Al Ferwerda) in the state of Washington who asked the
bishop if there were any opportunities for a construction supervisor in
the Northern California area. He was invited to Concord and did a good
job of directing the construction of that chapel.
Our chapel construction was done by a mixture of professional
craftsmen under contract and our local members. For about a year and
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