Sunday Quotations

In memory of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, I thought I'd share a little memory about him as well. Actually, it's not my memory, it's Spencer's. When he was on his way home from his mission, he met Elder Wirthlin in the Salt Lake airport. It was the last leg of his journey and he was looking for his gate. He found it and was about to sit down when he heard a voice call out that said, "Elder, come sit and talk to me." It was Elder Wirthlin and his wife on their way to Ricks College to give an address. *gulp* So Spencer sat and talked with him and his wife until it was boarding time. Then the announcement came that it was time to board and everyone began gathering their things. They parted ways and got in line. They ended up sitting next to each other for the flight home. During their conversation, Spencer expressed some apprehension he had about being released, and about keeping the same spirit he had on his mission. Elder Wirthlin said,

"You find yourself a good girl, get married, finish your education and you'll be fine." Sidenote: Seven months after that conversation, Spencer and I were wed for time and all eternity. We are celebrating 10 years this month, by the way.

Spencer had been doing some proselyting on his way home from the Dominican Republic, prior to running into Elder Wirthlin. At one of the airports, he had spoken with a man that was interested in learning more, and who wanted to talk to the missionaries. Spence got his contact information, but wasn't sure what to do with it. When he asked Elder Wirthlin what to do with it, Elder Wirthlin said,

"Here, give it to me, Elder. I'll take care of it."

A few weeks after Spencer got home, he got a call from Elder Wirthlin's office. They were asking him if it was OK if Elder Wirthlin use their conversations in a mission president's training seminar. Sure, no problem. Spencer's last mission president had come to the mission field under special circumstances, and had not had the mission president training. So he was in attendance at Elder Wirthlin's training course. When he got to the part where he shared Spencer's proselyting endeavors, he said,

"Whoever Elder Penrod's mission president was, he taught him right."

Spencer's mission president was beaming!! He called Spencer after the conference and told him about the mention and thanked him and wished him well. We will all miss Elder Wirthlin, but we know that he lived a full life and is now reunited with his lovely wife!