Church Leaders - Bishop Buchanan

Often you hear people refer to a certain prophet as "the Prophet of my youth."  Well, Bishop Buchanan was the bishop of my youth.  He was called to be bishop as Bishop Kimball (our first bishop in Draper) was released.  I didn't really know him at all, and I don't think my parents knew him well, either.  However, it became quickly evident that he was very focused on the youth, and he implemented several programs to keep us in line.

We started having "Bishop's Firesides" at his home.  All the youth and youth leaders would cram into his home for a bit of instruction, straight from the bishop to us.  I don't remember him saying anything profound, but it was obvious that he cared for us enough to want to teach us personally.  I also remember a lot of laughter after the instruction as we'd all hang out for a while, chatting and eating refreshments.

My favorite thing Bishop Buchanan did was his reward system for carrying the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet.  He enouraged each of us to keep the large copy in our scriptures and the pocket sized copy with us at all times.  He would then ask us to show him our copy as he passed us in the halls of the church or at a youth activity.  If we could produce the copy upon request, he would give us a full-sized candy bar.  He didn't forcefully preach the words of the pamphlet over and over again, but he taught us the importance of keeping our standards close, and I think it made a difference for all of us.

Bishop Buchanan also sang in our ward choir.  One of the moments in my life when I felt the spirit the strongest was when my mom assigned a solo on Where Can I Turn for Peace to Bishop Buchanan.  Every time I hear the lyrics of the first verse, I am transported back to that time, and I hear his bass voice singing:

Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart,
Anger or malice,
I draw myself apart, searching my soul.

When he sang those words, I heard the pressures of his mantle as bishop, and it touched me in a way that only music can.  I received a testimony at that time of the calling of bishop, and I have never had trouble sustaining a person to that calling. 

Bishop Buchanan was an excellent example of how to lead by loving others.  He loved every member of our ward, and I know he had a special love for the youth.  I feel blessed that the Lord called him at the time he did, and that I had the opportunity to be taught by such a great man.