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Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, oldest apostle, 91, dies at home
254 comments | Read story
ceego | 8:00 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We will all miss this great person, He has lived a great life and I am sure that
his immediate family will miss him the most, my condolences to the Wirthlin
Family, I remember as a young missionary meeting him in Fiji, his warm smile and
positive attitude gave me courage to fulfill my mission...
Gretzky | 8:01 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin was a giant among men! we will miss him!
N Ogden | 8:01 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What an amazing man. He will surely be missed.
Comments continue below
Cats | 8:02 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
kathym | 8:02 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Dear, dear Elder Wirthlin. We love you and will miss you. Rest in peace, as we
know you will. Thank you for your life as an example of the love of Christ to
all.
Jim | 8:04 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
He will be missed--A humble giant who gave his live to service.
BYUtrack | 8:09 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you Elder Wirthlin for your service and your Christ-like example! We love
you and you will be missed!
Emily | 8:09 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you so much for your service. You are such an example to everyone around
you! You will be missed!
CP | 8:10 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What a great man he was! I will miss him very much. I'm so glad that I
heard him speak in the last General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ. I
have learned much from him thru all these years.
Eric | 8:11 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I loved Elder Wirthlin's conference talks and his great example of
kindness, love and endurance. His words of wisdom and stories from his life have
motivated me and my family. His last talk on "Come what may and love
it" has helped me look differently at some of the trials that I have been
going through recently. He is truly a pillar in the church. We will miss him.
Boise guy | 8:13 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I always loved his talks and will miss him. Sounds like he was a hard worker
right to the end. I am glad he was able to perform the work he loved until it
was time for him to move on.
He set me apart... | 8:14 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin set me apart as a Stake President some 15 years ago when he
visited us to reorginize our Stake. He was wonderful! We found him very caring
and personable and a profound witness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We will miss
him. His last talk this past conference was one of his best.
Linda | 8:17 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We will miss Elder Wirthlin. What a wonderful man he was. Our gratitude goes
to his family. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Montana Mormon | 8:18 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin's last General Conference address was a classic. His
counsel was powerful, loving, and wise--oh, so wise.
The University of Utah has lost its most ardent football fan!!
The University of Utah has lost its most ardent football fan!!
Mc | 8:18 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Worthlin's talk "Come What May, and Love It" is one of my
favorites from this past Conference. I have read and reread it since receiving
the Ensign. It really touched me and is helping me carry on right now.
I'm so glad we got to have him inspire us as long as he has, especially to
speak this last time in Conference.
Toby | 8:20 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I met Elder Wirthlin in Mr. Mac one day, and I was only a young man, and he came
up and shook my hand and took time to talk to me. This great man will be missed
in the lives and hearts of all people.
Rebecca | 8:22 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We will miss you dearly Elder Wirthlin. Your life and messages inspired us
always.
Brett | 8:22 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Dear Family of Elder Wirthlin,
How blessed we are to have known and loved this great Apostle. How fortunate life can be to witness the goodness of God in the lives of His servants. May this season of peace and love be that for all of you, as you reflect on the life of this tremendous man who served faithfully to the end. Thank you for sharing him with us. You have given us all a gift of yourselves through him.
May God bless all of you.
How blessed we are to have known and loved this great Apostle. How fortunate life can be to witness the goodness of God in the lives of His servants. May this season of peace and love be that for all of you, as you reflect on the life of this tremendous man who served faithfully to the end. Thank you for sharing him with us. You have given us all a gift of yourselves through him.
May God bless all of you.
Elder | 8:23 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I can testify that Elder Wirthlin was and is an Apostle of God! Tjanks for your
sacrifice, service and Love.
Great man | 8:23 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin toured our mission in Italy in the 1980s and I was so impressed
with his ability to remember names and things about specific missionaries. He
was incredibly caring and sincere. And he also loved Utah football having played
for the University during his time on campus. A great man and a great loss for
all of us.
Chris | 8:25 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
A sad day for us. A joyous occasion for his beloved wife. Nice job, Elder
Wirthlin. Thanks for everything.
Orem Parent | 8:25 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
sorry to hear that. I loved his talks about playing football. You could just
picture him as a young man.
It is great to know he is in a better place.
It is great to know he is in a better place.
Kyle | 8:29 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlins messages have changed my life. God be thanked for the life and
ministry of Joseph B. Wirthin a true apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John | 8:31 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
His talks were wonderful sermons on how to truly live a christlike life. Thank
You Elder Wirthlin for all of your service on this Earth.
Steve | 8:34 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I loved that dear and gentle man. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to
get to know him through his talks. I always looked forward to hearing him
speak. THANK YOU!
Traci | 8:39 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
i loved this man!!! he was such an amazing story teller! he will be missed! :(
Name Withheld | 8:39 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I dated Mr. Wirthlin's grand-daughter for a time and got to know his family
quite well. Though things did not work out with me and his grand-daughter, I
was amazed at how well this family practiced what it preached. The Wirthlins
are followers of Jesus Christ in word and deed and the world is weaker as a
result of the loss of this man- the head of the Wirthlin family.
John | 8:40 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
An honorable release for an honorable and extraordinary man.
Justin | 8:41 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I'll always remember his "Live in Obedience" talk in the April
'94 conference. I was on my mission and really struggling. This talk gave
me strength and courage to be obedient!
How grateful I am for his life and example. Our family will miss you and we love you! Thank you Elder Wirthlin!
How grateful I am for his life and example. Our family will miss you and we love you! Thank you Elder Wirthlin!
Anonymous | 8:41 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I find myself unaccountably and unexpectedly weeping at the loss of this man of
God. Enter into thy rest, thou good and faithful servant.
Martin | 8:46 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
A great man. Thank you for your heroic life and teachings. I will ever be
better because Joseph B. Wirthlin lived as he believed. Well done.
We Will Miss You | 8:48 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin was an amazing man and delivered very powerful and spritual
talks. He will be missed greatly in the Quorum of the 12 as well throughout all
the church.
Zed | 8:49 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I loved this man and I really only began to appreciate him more fully in the
past few years. In my personal life prioritization, he became one of my favorite
speakers and a profound role model.
a sister missionary in florida | 8:55 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I met Elder Wirthlin at a stake conference when I was nine years old - even
then, I could tell he was called of God to be an Apostle. I love his optimism
and his true-to-life stories and how he applied them to living gospel principles
(doesn't hurt that some of his best stories were about his experiences
playing football ^_^)
"Come What May, and Love It" - we will miss you Elder Wirthlin!
"Come What May, and Love It" - we will miss you Elder Wirthlin!
Daniel | 8:58 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Words cannot express the sense of loss we all share. Elder Wirthlin will be
missed. I pray we all remember the words he has spoken so plainly. Goodbye
Elder
George | 9:01 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What an excellent example and great stature of a man! Elder Wirthlin will
always be a man I can look to as a shining light--a great apostle of the Lord.
K in Plattsburgh NY | 9:01 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin was one of the first general authorities I ever heard speak as a
new convert to the Church. I also am weeping at his, no-my loss. Who will come
to take his place? I hope there is one saying "Send me!"
SML-PDX | 9:03 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you Elder Wirthlin for your words and, most importantly, your example. I
will strive to follow your example.
Grateful in TN | 9:04 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
For Elder Wirthlin and his beloved companion, "Sunday has come." We
will miss this Christlike servant of the Master--a man who personified humility
and focused devotion to the cause of Christ.
Anonymous | 9:04 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
A tear of loss, a tear of joy and a sincere prayer of thanksgiving for a humble
example showing us how mortals walk the way to Christ.
I don't.... | 9:05 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
think he is resting now. He is probably working hard even more on the other
side of the veil. I will miss this Great Servant of the Lord. What a great
example of enduring to the end...
WBM5 | 9:13 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
May we all be more like this wonderful Christ like example. Thank you, Elder
Wirthlin, for your service and love!
bartonjabber | 9:14 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I thank God for Elder Wirthlin's talks. As I took time to read them, I
fell in love with his majesty and command of language. His teachings always
touched my heart. Thanks to him for his service; a special thanks to his family
for sharing him with the world. I hope their loss can be comforted.
Scott in Texas | 9:15 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
The world is better for having had Joseph B. Wirthlin in it. I will miss his
inspirational conference addresses.
Reid | 9:15 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
One of the sweetest, kindest most gentle men of our time. One could not help but
feel better after hearing him speak. What a world we could have if we all lived
as Elder Wirthlin. Thank you for your inspiring example of Christ like living!
Richard | 9:16 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Wow!
His last conference talk, "Come What May, and Love It" was so profound -- It was THE very talk of all the Conference messages I felt needed to be shared with my families Home Teaching this month.
Life is too short. Live and Laugh.
Godspeed you Elder Wirthlin.
His last conference talk, "Come What May, and Love It" was so profound -- It was THE very talk of all the Conference messages I felt needed to be shared with my families Home Teaching this month.
Life is too short. Live and Laugh.
Godspeed you Elder Wirthlin.
Anonymous | 9:16 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
A day of sadness for us but a wonderful reunion with Sister Wirthlin and others.
A great Apostle of the Lord.
K.L. Morgan | 9:18 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We have his words to cherish.
Sukhan | 9:18 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What a wonderful, humble, kind, gentle and loving this apostle was. My family
and I shall miss him terribly. Thank you Elder Wirthlin for your testimony of
the restored gospel and your example in living it.
Thank you | 9:20 a.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you Elder Wirthlin for your kind and gentle humility. Your example has
touched my life and the lives of many around the world.
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