Comments on: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, age 91, Has Passed Away

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:22:09 +0000

I find it awesome how God can connect his sheep to his shepherds through the spirit.
I feel a connection to elder Wirthlin as Ive embraced his words, I feel true loss at his passing.

Till we meet again…..

By: kevinf

kevinf — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:52:34 +0000

I loved his talks at general conference. I will miss him terribly.

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:42:15 +0000

#14 – AWESOME!

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:41:57 +0000

I will miss him greatly. His orchestra reference probably is my favorite General Conference statement of all time.

By: Ben

Ben — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:03:58 +0000

I wrote this on T&S, but since that site always seems to be down I will put it here too:

My dad’s mission president was sent home unexpectently for several reasons while my dad was serving in the mission office. Elder Wirthlin, then an area authority, became the temporary mission president while they looked for a permanent replacement. My dad had gotten used to the previous president’s stern demeanor and tense attitude, and was taken back by Elder Withlin’s laid-back attitude and constantly cheerful approach.

One day, Elder Wirthlin called my dad into his office and said, “Elder Park, do you know what the signal is that you have had a good day at the office?” My dad responded that he didn’t. “Well,” Elder Withlin continued, “you can tell you had a good day when your desk is completely clean and empty.” Perplexed, my dad looked at Elder Wirthlin’s desk which had several tall cluttered piles as well as various papers scattered throughout the surface. Then, Wirthlin opened up a large drawer, extended is large arm, and proceeded to sweep everything from off of the desk until it all tumbled into the drawer. “Well,” he then said, “I guess it’s time to head home.”

By: Hunter

Hunter — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:55:42 +0000

I especially loved his last General Conference talk where he won the Biggest Laughs award for his retelling of the story of his daughter and the blind date.

What a way to finish – happy, lighthearted and loving.

By: queuno

queuno — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:55:33 +0000

He seemed just like a regular guy, which is not something I’d generally ascribe to most general authorities (this is NOT a criticism of other general authorities). He really did seem like the kind of guy you’d watch a football game with.

I bet he wishes he could have lived for another few weeks so he could see his beloved Utah football team play in a BCS bowl.

Actually, his passing is probably a blessing in that regard, lest he have to witness the beatdown ‘Bama will put on his Utes.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:28:25 +0000

Rest, rest for the weary soul.

A well-deserved one, and a joyous reunion with his beloved Elisa. It’s our loss, not his, that deserves mourning.

By: Mark Brown

Mark Brown — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:14:33 +0000

Good point, Matt. Just last week my wife and I concluded that his talks are often unremarkable when you hear them, but great when you read them.

This statement from his conference sermon in October seems appropriate to quote here:

One of the blessings of the gospel is the knowledge that when the curtain of death signals the end of our mortal lives, life will continue on the other side of the veil.

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:06:40 +0000

I only met him once, while I was in the MTC. It was fun to watch him and President Monson joke with one another sitting right in front of me.

He always inspired me. I always said he was the best kept secret of general conference, as he talks were always the best to read after conference was over.

I will miss him.