Temple moments: Grateful to serve
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Thomas Y. Emmett moved with his family to Oregon in 1923, when it was part of the Northwestern States Mission with boundaries extending to Alaska and Montana.
"It was quite an experience to live within the mission field," he recalled. In the mission and ever since, "I never failed to accept a call."
His first calling was as deacons quorum president. One of his assignments was to move the benches in the small meetinghouse every time a social was held. Young Thomas was always there, ready do his share of pulling and pushing benches. From there, he continued serving. He served in the Mutual, in the Sunday School, in the branch presidency, and as bishop for 13 years during the Great Depression. He later served in the stake presidency, then as president of the Portland Stake for seven years, and as Regional Representative.
"I learned by long experience that ... I don't have any (talents) in an artistic way. I just stay on the job longer. I just keep at it."
In 1989 when the Portland Oregon Temple was dedicated, he was set apart as a sealer by President Gordon B. Hinckley. In 1992, he was called as its second president; his wife, Rosemarie, was matron. After being released, he continued as a sealer.
"He is a very positive individual," said President Nicholas Collins, president of the Portland temple. "He has a very active mind and he is very spiritual."
In 2006 the Turner Ward of the Salem Oregon Stake began holding excursions to complete work for sisters in the ward whose husbands were not members. They brought the names of hundreds of people for temple work. Brother Emmett, now in his 95th year, was the sealer for one of these excursions.
"His approach to this holy priesthood assignment brought a feeling of gladness to us all," said Dale Z. Kirby, organizer of the excursion. "In spite of his more than 90 years, he performed nearly 100 proxy sealings."
Asked about what some considered a prodigious sealing session, Brother Emmett didn't remember any special effort on his part. There was a job to do, and he just kept at it.
