I had a friend tell me about an encounter he had with an apostle from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said some of the members treated the apostle like a celebrity. That made me smile. They truly are "Mormon celebrities". We hear them speak twice a year, gaining insight not only into spiritual topics, but also into their lives. We come to know them through years of listening and studying their words.
In the last 6 months, we've lost 3 apostles as they have returned to their heavenly homes.
Elder Perry was the hardest one for me. I cried for a good 20 minutes when I found out. His health turned so quickly and I wasn't prepared for him to depart. I loved his cheery disposition and fun personality.
Elder Packer wasn't as much of a surprise. His health has been declining for the last few years. His age definitely showing, but he always had such beautiful messages to share. A true poet, I loved listening to him, although many times his voice soothed me right to sleep.
And today we lost Elder Scott. When I was 15 or so, the young men and young women in my ward went on a trip to Salt Lake to tour the new Conference Center and we got to have a meeting with Elder Scott. The second counselor in our Bishopric had served as a missionary under Elder Scott in Argentina and had arranged for us to have that special experience. I don't recall anything from the message he shared, but I do remember shaking his hand and knowing that he was called by God to testify of Jesus Christ. His consistent mentioning of his dear wife Jeanene in talks was heartbreaking and beautiful and I am so glad he is now reunited with her.
I love these men and I am so grateful for the messages and testimonies they have shared over their many years of service. They will be greatly missed, but I know that the Lord's work will continue on. I look forward to General Conference is just under two weeks and the messages that will be shared there and the opportunity we will have to sustain 3 new men, called by God to stand as special witnesses of his son Jesus Christ.
