Elder Derek A. Cuthbert of the First Quorum of the Seventy was eulogized at funeral services April 11 as a man whose greatest joys came as he served his family and his Church.
Sustained a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 1, 1978, Elder Cuthbert, 64, died April 7 at his home after a long battle with cancer.His death was called a "happy and sad" occasion. It was happy because his parting freed him from the pain he had suffered during the past several years, and because of "his glorious hope" for the next life, said funeral speakers. His parting was sad because of the temporary separation of a beloved husband, father, friend and Church leader.
Speakers also paid tribute to his wife, Muriel, and her devoted care for him during their 46-year marriage, particularly during his illness. Services were held in the Salt Lake Holladay North Stake center. The Cuthberts lived in the Holladay North stake before their move to Murray, Utah, two years ago.
More than 50 General Authorities attended the services for the British-born leader, whose death was announced at the concluding session of general conference.
The services were conducted by President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency. Speakers included President Hinckley; President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency; Elder George I. Cannon of the Seventy; Bishop Charles W. Hillier of the Murray 23rd Ward; and Jonathan D. Cuthbert, Elder Cuthbert's son.
"Derek Cuthbert was a yeoman. . . ," said President Hinckley. "I am grateful for such men as Derek Cuthbert. You never have any question about where they stand. Nobody ever questioned their integrity. No one could ever question their faith. No one could ever question their sense of duty - it is bred into them and has been for generations of time, and in his case, flowered in his tremendous work as a General Authority of the Church.
"God be thanked for him and his kind, and, as he leaves us now for a reunion which I am certain will come, we can say, thank you, Derek. Thank you brother. Thank you, associate. Thank you, friend, and may God watch over your beloved companion, who you leave behind again."
Elder Cuthbert's devotion to duty was manifest early in life as he joined the Royal Air Force and served during World War II in the distant Asia theater of war. Elder Cuthbert, he explained, belonged to that group of valiant air force fliers described by Sir Winston Churchill, who said "Never have so many owed so much to so few."
Elder Cuthbert "never lost that love for country, and for the Church and kingdom of God restored to the earth in this the dispensation of fulness of times, which he has served with the same loyalty and trust and sense of duty as he served in the Commonwealth," he said.
In his remarks, President Monson commented, "Today as our memories are very prominent and when our hearts are tender and our feelings near the surface, I would like to express my conviction and testimony to Muriel . . . that `great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory' (D&C 76:6). Derek has qualified for that salutation, as have you Muriel, and may our Heavenly Father bless you and yours.
President Monson paid tribute to their marriage, observing, "You can't speak of Derek without speaking of Muriel. They are not to be separated, and shall not be separated in the eternities to follow.
"If one wants to see a monument to an eternal marriage, one has only to look upon the posterity of Derek and Muriel Cuthbert."
He noted that Elder Cuthbert's ministry extended "far beyond Great Britain. His testimony has reached the sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father in Asia, South America, continental Europe and a host of other places."
"He was one who desired the difficult assignments, the lengthy assignments, the tiring assignments, the ones that took the most energy, but also I think that gave the most opportunity."
President Monson said that even during the latter stages of Elder Cuthbert's illness, he received a memo from him volunteering for service. Because there was little that medicine could do for him, Elder Cuthbert wrote, "Muriel and I are . . . ready to go . . . and we are looking forward to getting back into the harness. We can move on short notice."
Elder Cannon, in his address, read a tribute to Elder Cuthbert from the Presidency of the Seventy:
"Elder Derek A. Cuthbert has served vigorously as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy in demanding assignments that taxed not only his faith and devotion but his physical stamina as well.
"Even during his battle with cancer, he spoke of the need to get back to work. He has now been granted that wish and will be able to serve for the first time in years without the weight of physical impairment that was such an obstacle to him here."
Elder Cannon described Elder Cuthbert as a man who always gave full measure and more to a task, and who lived outside himself in service to others. "He had the capacity to love everyone. He had no enemies because his love was all-encompassing.
"All of us here know how much Derek loved the Lord and His Savior and Elder Brother, Jesus Christ."
Bishop Hillier, Elder Cuthbert's bishop, paid tribute for the support by the family during the long period of confinement. "When we visited, he would smile, reach and pull each one of us toward him, kissing us on the cheek. I shall always have very special memories of his special kindness."
Elder Cuthbert's son, Jonathan, said his father was "in every way a model of perfect gospel living, and example to us. In the true British tradition, he was a proper gentleman.
"Because we know where Dad has gone, we rejoice because we know that for the first time in many years, he can continue in the Lord's work without the physical suffering that he called his `thorn in the flesh.'
"As a family, we are determined to live in such a way that we will be with him on the other side of the veil."