Although he felt ostracized during those years, he used the experiences as a springboard of caring, looking to see that others would feel valued and included. Those close to him observed his ability to pinpoint the shy person who hung back, unsure of how to become part of a group. If he saw someone leaving a chapel alone, he pursued them down the hallway.

"I don't want them to go away without shaking hands," he said. "I know what it's like to stand outside the circle."

That perspective came through in his numerous sermons and writings, born of deeply personal experience. "If we are serious about our discipleship, Jesus will eventually request each of us to do those very things which are most difficult for us to do," he said. "Sometimes the best people have the worst experiences, because they are the most ready to learn."

Elder Maxwell served as a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy from 1976 to 1981, and as an Assistant to the Twelve from 1974 to 1976 before being called as an apostle. A lifelong educator, Elder Maxwell was executive vice president at the University of Utah at the time of his appointment as the Commissioner of Education for the Church Educational System, where he served from 1970 to 1976.

Prior to his Church callings, Elder Maxwell held a variety of administrative and teaching positions with the University of Utah and had earlier served as a legislative assistant to Sen. Wallace F. Bennett.

He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the University of Utah and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from U. in addition to other honorary degrees from Westminster College, Brigham Young University, Utah State University, Ricks College and Salt Lake Community College.

In 1998, the U. established the Neal A. Maxwell Presidential Endowed Chair in Political Theory, Public Policy, and Public Service.

Prior to his call to direct the Church's worldwide education system, he had served the Church in a variety of positions, including bishop of Salt Lake City's University Sixth Ward; a member of the General Board of the Y.M.M.I.A., the Church's youth organization; a member of the Adult Correlation Committee; and as one of the first regional representatives of the Twelve. As a young man, he served two years as a missionary in eastern Canada.

He was born July 6, 1926, in Salt Lake City to Clarence H. and Emma Ash Maxwell. Elder Maxwell is survived by his wife, Colleen Hinckley Maxwell, as well as four children and 24 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.

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