Brigham Young (Apostle #3)
1847-1877
Utah Territories

Brigham Young as a Leader
Brigham Young was not a tyrant.
A tyrant couldn't do what Brigham Young did.
Not in a church of volunteers.
People followed him because he loved the Lord and he loved them. Here are some Brigham Young quotes that have been very helpful for me as a church leader and as a father.

Jeffrey R Holland (Apostle 91)
9/2002 - 9/2004
Chile
President Gordon B Hinckley said to the Quorum of the 12, “I’m toying with the idea of having two members of the Twelve go out to the Philippines and to Chile.”

This was going to be at least a year long assignment. Elder Holland was sure we was going to be one of the assigned. He was the 11th member of the 12 and the youngest there by quite a bit.

Since he didn't speak Spanish, he went home and said, “Honey, get ready. We’re on our way to the Philippines,”

Jeffrey R Holland (91)
1971
Hartford, Connecticut

Early in Elder Holland's marriage, getting his PHD at Yale. Pat was the Relief Society president and he was in the Stake Presidency. They had two small children. Life was busy. "One evening I came home from long hours at school, feeling the proverbial weight of the world on my shoulders. Everything seemed to be especially demanding and discouraging and dark. I wondered if the dawn would ever come.

Jeffrey R Holland (91)
1973
Arizona Strip just south of St George

This was told by his son Matthew Holland.
“Matt, let’s go to the Colorado River,” Dad suggested. I was seven years old, and my family was visiting both sets of grandparents in St. George, Utah. Little did I know that he meant we were going to the Grand Canyon traveling over cow trails. Yes, we would see the Colorado River, but we would be on a cliff about a mile (1.5 km) above it. There would be no skipping of stones.

Jeffrey R Holland (Apostle 91)
Sometime between 1966 and 1970
Seattle, Washington

You already know that Elder Holland got his PHD at Yale.

But have you heard the story of what lead him there? After Jeffrey's undergraduate work at BYU, he decided to teach for two or three years to save up money for a PHD.

He and Patricia had one child and even with a fellowship, money would be tight.

He got a job teaching in Seattle.

Jeffrey R Holland (Apostle 91)
British Isles Mission
1961 - 1963

Before 1991 every mission cost a different amount.

Jeffrey R Holland got called to the British Isles Mission.

One of the most expensive. He saved money and sold personal belongings. He was pretty sure he had enough . . . but just enough.

He left and as he later wrote, "I loved my mission as I am sure no young man has ever loved one before or after."

Jeffrey R Holland (Apostle 91)
Sometime between 1940 and 1958
St George, Utah

I live in St George, so of course I find Pres Holland's reminiscence of going to church in the St George Tabernacle so touching. When he was in his 40s he wrote, "It is a moving memory for me to sit all alone in that darkened red sandstone tabernacle so artistically crafted by loving pioneer hands."

Jeffrey R Holland (Apostle 91)
December 3rd, 1940
St George, Utah

On this day, in Southern Utah, Jeffrey R Holland was born. I was in the MTC when I first heard Jeffrey R Holland speak.

He was a 70 at the time and I'd never heard of him.

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
January 8th, 1995
Bountiful Temple

At age 87, Howard W Hunter gave his last address and then dedicated the Bountiful, Utah temple. On the 12th, he was hospitalized. Prostate cancer had returned and spread to his bones.

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
Feb 7th, 1993
BYU Marriott Center

Howard W Hunter climbed to the podium at the BYU Marriott Center before an audience of 20,000.

As he began to speak, someone shouted, "Stop Right There!" A man with a briefcase and something black in his right hand climbed on the stage, announced he had a bomb and a detonator and ordered everyone except Pres Hunter off the stage. "I've got dynamite!" he shouted.

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
December, 1968
David O McKay's Apartment

The apostles met with David O'McKay in his apartment to wish him a Merry Christmas.

Each spoke a few words of gratitude for Pres McKay and bore testimony of the Savior. "This deeply touched the President," wrote Elder Hunter. "and he wept as he made the statement that in all the world there is no other group like this, brethren who love each other and love the Lord. With tears streaming down his face . . .

Howard W Hunter (74)
Sometime between 1959 and 1972
Salt Lake City, Utah

This is a story told by Thomas S Monson. "For many years President Hunter was the General Authority adviser to the Primary Association. "He was ideal for this assignment, for no one could have loved little children more than he did.

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
October 1963
Carthage Jail

Howard W Hunter held a conference for mission presidents in Nauvoo, Illinois.

That night the mission presidents slept on the floor of Carthage Jail where where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred. After getting ready for bed they sat in a circle and talked about the events the night Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred.

Howard W Hunter (# 74)
October 9th, 1959
Salt Lake City, Utah

While Stake President, Howard W Hunter attended General Conference.

On the way to his room at the Hotel Utah, someone told him that Clare Middlemiss, secretary to Pres McKay, was looking for him. "She said to go to Pres McKay's office immediately." Then the person said, "You know there is a vacancy in the council of the twelve."

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
November 14th, 1953
Mesa Arizona Temple

Howard W Hunter's 46th birthday must have been his best. He received the biggest and most welcome surprise of his life. As Stake President, Howard W Hunter accompanied his stake to Mesa Arizona for a temple trip. Back then the closest temple to Los Angeles.

The stake attendees dressed in white and met in the temple chapel.

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
Between 1940-1946
El Sereno, California

When Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74) was bishop they rented a room for sacrament meeting next door to a malt shop.

After passing the sacrament, the deacons would leave the meeting and buy a malt drink. The leaders of the ward, including the bishop, told them they shouldn't do this. But they did, Sunday after Sunday.

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
June 10th, 1931
Salt Lake City Temple Sealing Room

Howard described his proposal to his wife Claire. "One beautiful spring evening, we drove to Palos Verdes and parked on the cliffs where we could watch the waves roll in from the Pacific . . . "We talked about our plans and I put a diamond ring on her finger. We made many decisions that night and some strong resolutions regarding our lives. The moon was setting in the west and dawn was just commencing to break when we got home."

Howard W Hunter (Apostle #74)
January 5, 1927
A cruise ship across the Orient

During high school, Howard W Hunter started a band called the Hunter's Croonaders.

After graduation they received a contract to play on a cruise ship across the Orient. Howard came home from the cruise to a happy surprise.

His father, Will, who hadn't wanted him to be baptized at age eight, had himself been baptized the month previous.

Howard W Hunter (#74)
April 4, 1920
Boise, Idaho

Here is why Howard W Hunter was baptized at age 12 instead of 8. In the 1860s, Howard's grandfather joined the church in Scotland and moved to Utah leaving behind a prosperous business.

Soon after he became disenchanted with the church and resigned.

Howard W Hunter (Apostle 74)
November 14th, 1907
Boise, Idaho

Howard W Hunter was born in Boise, Idaho. I read his biography on my mission so I knew a bit about him but my knowledge was fuzzy.

1. Didn't he play in a jazz band in the Orient?
2. His dad was either not active . . . or a member . . . I couldn't quite remember.

Henry D Moyle (Apostle 66)
Sometime between 1961 and 1963
Salt Lake City, Utah

Boyd K Packer told the story about being in Henry D Moyle's office when he called a husband and wife to be a mission president and couple.

I find it very touching. President Moyle called the man and his wife to preside over one of the missions of the church.

"Now," he said. "We don't want to rush you into this decision. Would you call me in a day or two, as soon as you are able to make a determination . . . concerning this call?"