Leadership comes in many guises. For the late President Howard W. Hunter, his role as prophet and 14th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was most commonly expressed in quiet ways. But that leadership was nonetheless solid and effective and dependable.
Despite the visibility, the public attention, the preaching and leadership that were necessarily involved as president and prophet of a rapidly growing world church, President Hunter remained an intensely private person, low-key, self-effacing and often described as a "listener."This quality of patiently thinking of others, of hearing every side in a discussion, of waiting to see what others want, made him a great mediator, a master at helping to work out agreements and bringing together different points of view.
Yet he was more than a mere consensus-seeker. The principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ were not negotiable. He was strong, firm, courageous, unwavering and valiant in the cause of truth. His quiet, unassuming manner was a cloak for enormous inner strength.
Despite the seemingly austere outer man, President Hunter was a warm and patient one-on-one counselor, a steady friend and associate and a person of understanding and also humor. Even more vital, he was capable of inspiring others to live up to their potential.
His sermons reflected the man, never flamboyant or colorful; just carefully thought-out counsel and testimony expressed in soft, measured tones.
President Hunter became president of the church June 5, 1994, after the death of President Ezra Taft Benson. He had been called as a member of the Council of the Twelve in October 1959 after serving nearly 10 years as a stake president in California, where he was recognized as an extraordinarily able administrator and organizer with the church's regional welfare programs.
In November 1985 he became acting president of the Council of the Twelve, filling in for ailing President Marion G. Romney. In June 1988 he became president of the Twelve.
Before being called as a general authority, he was a highly successful corporate lawyer and served on the boards of several major companies in Southern California.
The longer people knew him and worked with him, the more impressive he seemed. That was a result of his depth of character and his reservoir of talent and understanding.
He was not only a world traveler, as all general authorities must be, but had a profound knowledge and appreciation of the South Pacific and the Middle East, with a great love for the people in those regions.
As part of his service as a general authority, before he became church president, he spent 12 years as president and chairman of the board of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, helping to develop that facility into a world-famous and highly praised attraction for visitors.
President Hunter spent many years helping to bring about the creation of the BYU Jerusalem Center, guiding it through years of political, bureaucratic and religious obstacles from design to completion - making friends for the church among many different groups along the way.
He also brought his personal interest in family history to a 12-year assignment as president of the church's Genealogy Society. His hobbies of collecting old coins and early church pamphlets and other materials also were reflected in service as church historian in 1970-72.
During his growing-up years in Boise, his later self-effacing manner was not as evident. He played the drums, piano, violin, saxophone, clarinet and marimba and, after graduating from high school, organized a five-piece band. The band was good enough to win a job on a cruise ship in 1927, playing aboard the ship during a 10-week cruise to the Orient, as well as performing ashore.
While working as a bank teller in California, he met his wife-to-be, Clara May "Claire" Jeffs. They were married in 1931 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were the parents of three sons, one of whom died as a child. Sister Hunter died in 1983. On April 12, 1990, President Hunter married Inis Egan in the Salt Lake Temple.
The Hunters struggled financially during the Great Depression, and President Hunter decided he needed more education. He worked his way through Southwestern University Law School, graduating with honors in 1939.
But even in those struggling years, the young musician showed the strength of character and commitment that would mark his life. Although he enjoyed financial success as a performer, he decided that the lifestyle and some of the people associated with being an entertainer were not compatible with the values most important to him. So he packed away his instruments and gave up the earnings despite the difficult times.
In his later years as a general authority, President Hunter suffered ill health, undergoing heart surgery and other serious operations. But he refused to let illness or physical problems keep him from his church duties. He never spoke about not feeling well, but simply brought a tenacious determination to every task.
Told by doctors that he would never walk again after spinal surgery, he vowed he would not be confined to a wheelchair. At great pain, he engaged in daily physical therapy and finally was able to get around with the aid of a walker.
President Hunter was a success at whatever he undertook, whether a musician, a corporate lawyer, a church leader or a husband and father. Countless lives were blessed by his example and encouragement.
With his death this week, President Hunter's earthly assignment has come to a close. His quiet leadership and strength will be greatly missed, but for millions of church members, his faith, resolve and determination will be an enduring example and inspiration.