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Haley Barr

Mrs. Jackie Burr, Instructor

English 2010, Section 3

April 28th, 2021

Interview Reflection

I interviewed on April 28th a bishop; who prefers to remain anonymous, engaging in the

continual service of others every week as his calling within the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints as a bishop. My mother and I held a Mexican-style dinner for him and his

family before the interview at my home. As we sat at the dining room table afterward, once the

rest of the families cleared off, I sat on the opposite side of the bishop, leading with a particular

question during the interview, How has quarantine affected opportunities for service in society?

What can be done to support others? His service is a great blessing to many of the members of

my ward, including my family. His continual servitude, even during the COVID-19 pandemic,

made him the perfect candidate for gathering information on my topic at hand.

We recorded for nearly 30 minutes because of the depth and sincere experiences he

continued about. The interview bonded together as a discussion as I used my notes as a guide but

carefully focused on his answers rather than the next question. I only ended up using about 3 of

my planned questions, the rest of the 7 I asked based on his experiences. At first, I took notes on

my laptop to what he had said, but then I decided to intently focus on my experiences and give

him my eye contact as I spoke.

Throughout his descriptive encounters in his work field, he mentioned that the most

impactful works of service he witnessed were when people gave away their own time and
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resources to others. I recalled his description of 'impactful service' as small acts where people see

someone finds a need and a particular person while stepping up to meet those needs. “People

who selflessly give of themselves without asking for anything in return,” (Anonymous). From

this, I learned that an individual’s effort in service is what makes it the most impactful, not

necessarily how small or big the exact action is.

Another question that received wonderful insight was, “You have to have your own life to

be of use to anyone else. Learn how to have your life to have keys and resources to serve others,”

(Anonymous). I kept a record of many of these quotes throughout our discussion, believing how

important self-sufficiency is not only for the sake of others but of those who need that person’s

service.

In conclusion of the interview, I ended off with my final question that asked about

whether or not service was needed now, during the pandemic, “If ever there was a time for

selfless service for others, it is now in a time of great division,” (Anonymous). After this quote,

he explained that service can entail simply sharing a kind word. Someone that sees the need for

something to be done should do it, that service doesn’t need to be contactless because it takes

more shapes than one. There are many ways to serve selfless thoughts and expressing things to

others can be just as effective as helping something financial or in 'bigger' ways.

All in all, as I recall the thorough interview I had, I learned how important it is to listen.

By paying attention to his words instead of focusing on typing his response, I was able to find

the root of what he meant in his answers. This thought process assisted in the direction of the

next set of questions. Interviews should be treated as a discussion and should form a bond

between the two people while remaining professional.