In 1972, Elder Kimball visited California to reorganize the Pasadena stake. He called Jack McEwan as the stake’s new patriarch.
Once again, he felt scared, unprepared and unworthy for such a spiritual responsibility. The apostle and future Church president gently assured him that the Lord would assist and direct him in his new calling.
“Elder Kimball put his arm around me and I collapsed into his chest, sobbing,” he said. “And then he kissed me on the cheek.”
Decades have passed and Patriarch McEwan has given many, many blessings. But he has never grown casual in his calling. He will prepare for his next blessing as he did his first blessing — with prayer, fasting and scripture study.