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Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, oldest apostle, 91, dies at home
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Leslie | 2:33 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We are sorry to learn of Elder Wirthlin's passing, and hope his family
takes comfort in knowing their father, and grandfather lived so well and helped
so many people with his gentle, practical and inspired advice and testimony. He
radiated goodness and kindness. His marriage was an example to all. Thank you
for everything, Elder Wirthlin.
RL | 2:41 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
He was a perfect example of finishing. He was brave and sweet. What a wonderful
servant to the Lord. There is no doubt in my mind who (countless) will be
embracing him on the other side. We will miss him!
Simon Says | 2:44 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
How wonderful to read all these positive comments. Truly a marvelous tribute to
a wonderful man. He too touched my life in a very deep and personal way. Thank
you!
Comments continue below
True Ute Fan | 2:52 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin stayed alive long enough to see the Utes beat down the cougars
one last time!
AHHHHHH!!! PEACE!!! The work is done!!!
AHHHHHH!!! PEACE!!! The work is done!!!
Anonymous | 2:58 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What a great example to all and future generations. I am sure he is not resting
at all. He's asking what he can do at the other side because that's
what he loves the most: servicing our Savior and Father in Heaven.
Grateful in VA | 2:59 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
To the Wirthlin family, we mourn your loss. He was a wonderful and faithful man
who we loved dearly.
AZTexas | 3:02 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I was thinking it was sad that he'll miss the Utes' BCS appearance,
but now he'll probably have the best seats in the house!
We're all better for having received Elder Wirthlin's counsel.
We're all better for having received Elder Wirthlin's counsel.
Roger C | 3:28 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
He will be greatly missed. I have loved hearing his counsel ever since I was at
the U of U. His words of love, support, and hope will be greatly missed. I
enjoyed being invited to the Wirthlin home for a dinner to celebrate Jane and
John when we were all at the U of U
Sister Perkins in St. George | 3:31 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I loved Elder Wirthlin's sense of humor in his talks! His last conference
talk "Come What May And Love It" is one of my favorites! I taught my
Relief Society lesson on that topic 2 Sundays ago. I felt so good when I got
many compliments from the sweet sisters!
Melissa | 3:37 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin has become so dear to me. His talks and articles have lifted and
blessed my life so much, and given me help when I needed it. I will truly, truly
miss this humble, great servant of our Heavenly Father and His Son. What a great
example of enduring valiantly to the end! I am so happy he can be with his dear
wife, but feel sad at our loss. Thank you, Elder Wirthlin, for all you have
taught me. We will miss you!
Cynthia Stacey | 3:48 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
It is funny that this very morning I would have read that very conference talk
mentioned in this article. I refer to the talk he gave at the last conference.
It really touched me and made me sit up and take notice. So often in life we
choose misery over happiness. I appreciate his last words to the saints as well
as the many years of selfless service. My condolences are to his family. His
service and love has touched many. How wonderful to have a father, brother etc.
to be close to that is well respected and loved. I look forward to some day
making his acquaintence. May the Lord bless you in this time of grief.
Troutman | 3:50 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin was my kind of Leader! Unassumming, Humble, caring, not flashy,
and teachable example.
Coming from me that is something, because I am basically a Jack Mormon. Someday I may come fully back!
Coming from me that is something, because I am basically a Jack Mormon. Someday I may come fully back!
Senior Missionary in Hawaii | 3:53 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What a wonderful body of wisdom he has left us in his Conference talks. His
speeches are referred to all of the time and he will be greatly missed. Thank
you, Elder Wirthlin!
Alicia | 3:54 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you for your unwavering example of faith and devotion to our Savior Jesus
Christ. Truly you will be missed.
Curtis | 4:40 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I've wished someone would write his biography so I could learn more about
him. Will someone please write it!
Ken | 4:50 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Life and death are inexorably connected. When a life lived so filled with
humble service to The Lord�s Church and each of us it is a
time of celebration. What is the worth of knowledge and understanding of
God�s Plan of Happiness if we do not embrace it with love?
Imagine the unimaginable, if you will, what a celebration is taking place on the
other side of a veil much thinner than many of us truly know as Elder Wirthlin
and his beloved bride Elisa embrace and weep for joy in a grasp that will never
again be parted.
Arizona | 4:51 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
"Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin has been released from the Earthly portion of his
calling as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.
All those who would like to give Elder Wirthlin a vote of thanks for his service
may so signify by raising their right hand!"
Thank you | 5:09 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
for your years of service.
He was a good man.
And I had no idea he was in his nineties. He had such a youthfulness to him. :)
He was a good man.
And I had no idea he was in his nineties. He had such a youthfulness to him. :)
Greg from California | 5:25 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
A giant member of the church and of the Quorum of 12 and one of my favorite GC
speakers. I saw him int the SLC airport a number of years ago as he was off on
his errand for the Lord. We appreciate his family for letting us get to know
him. He was on loan from God.
Visalia | 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We shall miss him, his testimony and his talks.
When he spoke it seemed he was speaking just what you needed to hear.
May his family know how we have loved him, and how we to will be mourning the loss, but we know what a wonderful place he is returning to.Peace he now has, and now he is with his wife, and what a joy that is for him.
thank you Elder Wirthlin Family for sharing your father with us.
When he spoke it seemed he was speaking just what you needed to hear.
May his family know how we have loved him, and how we to will be mourning the loss, but we know what a wonderful place he is returning to.Peace he now has, and now he is with his wife, and what a joy that is for him.
thank you Elder Wirthlin Family for sharing your father with us.
Dave | 5:31 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thanks to all that have added comments. It is wonderful to see and feel from
you just how loved Elder Wirthlin was while serving us all. I loved his talk
"Sunday will Come" and it now it has come for him. I always loved
hearing him speak. I was especially touched by the talk that he gave when he
was so weak that he needed assistance to stand but he would not quit until he
had finished his task. So it was with his life.
Daniel | 5:41 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I wish I could be more like Elder Wirthlin. He was unassuming, kind, and
dedicated to his God, family, and community. He didn't aspire for power,
but did the rights things for the right reasons.
Anonymous | 5:50 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We read his talk for our last 4th sunday lesson. He did come to our stake
conference when I was younger too. Great man.
Irreantum | 5:52 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you for showing us how to serve our Saviour. A truly dedicated brother who
will be sorely missed. God speed, Elder Wirthlin, we love you!
Janessa | 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I can truly say that he was my favorite apostle. The spirit was always with him
and he knew how to touch your heart. He has strengthened my testimony and I will
miss him terribly. Thank you so much Elder Wirthlin for your dedication to the
church and for your faithful attitude.
Michael Lee | 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin�s first assignment as an Apostle was to
change the stake presidency in Vernon, BC. He asked me to be first counselor,
just a few months after we moved to Canada from England. I shall never forget
his wit and humble attitude for the work. His last talk in general conference
was wonderful and showed that wit and humor, and depth of spirit. We shall miss
him.
Ole Stake 70 | 6:42 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
He was a great motivator, an outstanding missionary, an inspirational leader of
people, especially missionaries, a great story teller of his life experiences,
always with a moral underlying every one, everlasting for me. Thank you, Elder
Wirthlin, for a life well examplified.
Ovid in Douglas, Georgia | 6:48 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I had the honor to get acquainted with Elder Wirthlin in 1979 when he called and
set me apart as the Stake President. He was serving at that time as the
Southeast Area President. He helped us through some very difficult and trying
times along with Elder Mark E. Petersen. He was a very humble man, but also a
man of great strength and courage. I grew to love this very special man. He was
truly one of the great leaders of this dispensation. Our prayers are with his
family.
Brother in the Gospel | 7:01 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Such fun and wit, and such brotherly love.
Now he'll be free to roam the sidelines at the next Utah football game... So GO Utes! You better win this one.
I will miss Elder Wirthlin, and am thankful to have first met him in his office when he headed Europe many years ago. We last saw each other a year ago and reminisced our football loyalties.
Such brotherhood comes only through the Gospel.
A Cougar from Finland
Now he'll be free to roam the sidelines at the next Utah football game... So GO Utes! You better win this one.
I will miss Elder Wirthlin, and am thankful to have first met him in his office when he headed Europe many years ago. We last saw each other a year ago and reminisced our football loyalties.
Such brotherhood comes only through the Gospel.
A Cougar from Finland
Thanks | 7:35 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
A man who practiced what he preached, it was wonderful to hear that a man,
humble as he was had such a great testimony and love for the savior. He will be
missed. I loved his talk that he just gave in conference, come what may and love
it.
Anonymous | 7:55 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What a great servant of the Lord. You will be missed
Anon | 8:03 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I loved Elder Wirthlin's talks. they always seemed so profound and helped
me tremendously. He also had a great sense of humor. He visited our mission
once and after my mission president watched him work until very late Saturday
night interviewing and getting up extremely early Sunday morning to talk to the
missionaries, he asked Elder Wirthlin when he had time to sleep. Elder
Wirthlin, "I get my sleep during the meetings"!
I'll sure miss him.
I'll sure miss him.
Paola | 8:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
El discurso que mas me impresiono fue sobre el amor que dio el
a�o pasado y pude sentir el espiritu tan fuerte y me
confirmo que fue llamado por Dios.
Ryan Hill | 8:56 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin came to Houston Texas where I was a missionary. I will never
forget shaking his hand and feeling the love he had for missionary work and the
work of the Lord. He will be missed. He was a giant among men.
Steve | 9:10 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
"Come What May and Love it"
Those six words just about sum up Elder Wirthlin. He was and is a man of great faith, hard work, and loving kindness. He realized and told, in the above talk, that if life was created for us, we might as well jump all the way in and love it. He will be missed by all of us. May his soul live forever in exaltation.
Those six words just about sum up Elder Wirthlin. He was and is a man of great faith, hard work, and loving kindness. He realized and told, in the above talk, that if life was created for us, we might as well jump all the way in and love it. He will be missed by all of us. May his soul live forever in exaltation.
RBTJR in Plattsburgh, NY | 9:17 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
You will be missed, Elder Wirthlin. Your humble testimony, coupled with your
gentle humor will always be cherished. I recently enjoyed sharing your last
conference message "Come What May and Love It" with my home teaching
families. It is easy to imagine the Savior saying, "Well done, thou
faithful servant".
Laurel | 9:21 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
It's so sad to loose my favorite apostle! I eagerly awaited his talk in
General Conference each session. He had such a refreshing sense of humor and a
UTE FAN to boot! I will have such happy memories of this amazing disciple of
Christ.
Mercedes Brown | 9:43 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
What a smart servent of Heavenly Father. I always spected to hear from him in
conference day. He always fulfill my heart with positiv words, and humble
atitude and knowledge. I will miss him a lot. Certanly he will be a great
servent in heaven. My condolences to all his family. Love Sister Brown
Heather | 9:47 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I will miss Elder Wirthlin. I really loved his last conference talk-his message
really touched me. Thank you.
Thank You | 9:48 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you for your service Elder Wirthlin.
Gary T in Idaho | 9:52 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I was very sad to hear about Elder Wirthlin. He is a great apostle. A wonderful,
wonderful example of the Lord's love for each of us and to have faith with
our trials. May his family know of our gratitude for his faithfulness, service
and love for him. May they be comforted at this time.
Mauricio Gamarra | 10:04 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We, the members of the church in South AMerica, enjoyed every conference Elder
Wirthlin's inspired remarks, we will surely miss the apostle, but more than
that the incredible human being he lived to be.
Thank You brother Joseph.
Thank You brother Joseph.
Alan Brown | 10:06 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Elder Wirthlin carried a feeling of experience and wisdom; that he personally
knew from experience about the things he spoke about.
Beverly Kingsford | 10:48 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
I felt that Elder Wirtlin was one of the best men ever. I loved his talks
because he talked quickly and kept your attention with things spoken from his
heart. I hope they will compile a book with all of his talks in it. I would
enjoy reading it very much because every one of his talks was a masterpiece. I
loved Concern for The One. I, for one, will cherish his memory.
Mark in Iraq | 11:18 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
We will miss you Elder Wirthlin. Your humor, humility and giant spirit has
blessed me. God speed, Mark
Todd | 11:44 p.m. Dec. 2, 2008
Thank you for sharing your life with us. God be with you till we meet again.
J.W. Coleman | 12:04 a.m. Dec. 3, 2008
My wife and I want to offer our consolation to the family of Elder Joseph B.
Wirthlin. A man of tremendous humility and integrity! The world will miss you,
Elder Wirthlin. Thank you for your testimony and example, and thank you for
your labor of love in the service of the Master, even Jesus Christ. I know your
service continues beyond the veil... "How great shall be your joy!"
Sibusiso | 12:14 a.m. Dec. 3, 2008
You have fought a great fight and we will always remember your strong testimony
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.You are the true example that the will of the
spirit can over come the weakness of the flesh.
Hilary | 12:29 a.m. Dec. 3, 2008
I attended General Conference with my family for the first time in October 2006.
We lost our 47 year old dad about four months before and Elder Wirthlin's
talk touched us deeply. He spoke about being reunited with our loved ones and
that in our darkest Fridays we can take great hope in remembering Sunday will
come. I have a framed picture of my dad with one of Elder Wirthlin's
quotes from that talk. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I am
so happy he is reunited with his sweetheart, what a sad day for us but filled
with great joy for him. I will never forget what this great man did for me and
my family at a time when it was much needed.
AEP | 12:39 a.m. Dec. 3, 2008
God bless him!
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