Elder David B. Haight

A tremendous desire to serve and help others epitomized the life of Elder David B. Haight. It enabled him to do the Lord's work in a most diligent manner in both church and secular settings. His actions and his words were a tribute and vibrant testimony of the life and gospel of Jesus Christ.

At 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, Elder Haight passed on. He was 97 years old. His death, coming so soon after the passing of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, was a startling development in the Quorum of the Twelve, where members had served together for more than a decade.

Along with his acumen and steadiness, Elder Haight will always be remembered and loved as a wonderful reminder of the off-the-cuff wit and burning beliefs of the early LDS patriarchs. He was a spiritual classic.

Elder Haight was called to the Quorum of the Twelve on Jan. 8, 1976. Reflecting on that calling, which was issued by President Spencer W. Kimball, Elder Haight said, "As I held this great man's hand and looked into his face, I knew in my heart and soul that I was in the presence of the Lord's anointed."

Serving the Lord was paramount in Elder Haight's life. He reaffirmed that commitment while serving as a commander in the Navy during World War II, where he received a special citation from Adm. Chester M. Nimitz of the Pacific Fleet.

In 1963 he didn't hesitate when, as mayor of Palo Alto, Calif., he received a telephone call from President Henry D. Moyle to serve as mission president in Scotland.

At the next City Council meeting, he announced that "as of tonight, I am resigning as mayor of Palo Alto and as a member of the City Council; Mrs. Haight and I have been asked to go to Scotland for the Mormon Church. The meeting is now adjourned."

Elder Haight loved interacting with people. The Haights went out of their way to be of service to others. In fact, their home was open to any who needed a place to stay for a night.

Their daughter, Karen, said, "I could come home from college and never know who would be sleeping in our house, who would be eating around our table."

Son-in-law Jon Huntsman noted that Elder Haight "could not be in a crowd, or even with an individual, without saying something that would build them collectively or individually."

In recent years, as his eyes began to dim, Elder Haight would speak extemporaneously at General Conference. His remarks were always peppered with instructive anecdotes, spiritual insight and humor. His conference talks were always among the most anticipated.

Over the years, much of his work has been behind the scenes with church finances. His talents were not always on public display, except in the exemplary way the institution of the church moved smoothly along each year.

It was fitting that Elder Haight should be awarded an honorary doctorate of Christian service for his "wisdom, gentleness, goodness and graciousness" by Brigham Young University on Aug. 6, 1998.

He and his wife Ruby were also given the "People of Vision Award" in 2000.

For one whose mortal eyes were, in his later years, unable to read a newspaper, Elder Haight's spiritual eyes gave vision that was far more penetrating and vast than most mortals could ever imagine.