Stephenson Family Ties

"After all, to the well-organized mind,
death is but the next great adventure."
from: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

A beloved apostle has passed away this week. I will miss his face at the podium of our Conference Center at our bi-annual Conferences and at other special occasions.
Elder Wirthlin reminded me of our late prophet, Gordan B Hinkley. Their messages to the world were often similar. They had a wonderful wit. They had a twinkle in their eye.
One of my favorite conference talks given by Elder Wirthlin was entitled -Concern for the One. May 2008
He spoke often of our growing membership and the growing, glorious diversity of our Church. Elder Wirthlin, as did President Hinkley, spoke so concisely of love for all mankind.

“Some are lost because they are different. They feel as though they don’t belong. Perhaps because they are different, they find themselves slipping away from the flock. They may look, act, think, and speak differently than those around them and that sometimes causes them to assume they don’t fit in. They conclude that they are not needed.
Tied to this misconception is the erroneous belief that all members of the Church should look, talk, and be alike. The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole.
This variety of creation itself is a testament of how the Lord values all His children. He does not esteem one flesh above another, but He “inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God.”3


We have been so blessed to have this great man in our midst, to teach us by his example and his wise words. He will be missed!!