Elder David B. Haight, who at 97 was the oldest-ever apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was eulogized Thursday afternoon as a disciple of Christ who strived to reach out to and help those in distress.
He died Saturday, July 31, 2004, at his home, surrounded by family members, of causes incident to age.
During a 90-minute funeral service in the historic Tabernacle on Temple Square, family members and church leaders addressed the life and character of Elder Haight before an audience of more than 4,000 people.
LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley said that although Elder Haight's passing was not unexpected at his advanced age, he will be missed.
"He was the eldest among us," President Hinckley said. "I felt I had an older brother. . . . I'm left by seven years as the oldest of the brethren (now)."
President Hinckley said recent deaths in his life, including his wife Marjorie and two apostles, have created interesting and yet sanctifying experiences. He stressed life is eternal and that mortality is but a part of eternity.
"He was a friend to so very, very many. He reached out to the homeless," President Hinckley said. "When a missionary died in the field, he was quick to get in touch with the family."
While President Hinckley said Elder Haight was very wise in the ways of the world, he never let that stand in the way of dedicated church service.
He also recalled a life-threatening illness that Elder Haight had from 1989-90, though his life was spared and he went on to spend 15 more years in the service of others.
President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the LDS First Presidency, said, "I loved him as a brother and cherished him as a friend."
He said Elder Haight was an honorable man of God, with no chink in his armor.
President Monson also read "Crossing the Bar," by Alfred Lord Tennyson, a favorite poem of Elder Haight and one that had been read to him by his request at his bedside during his final minutes of life Saturday.
President Monson recalled Elder Haight going out of his way to comfort people he didn't even know in their times of adversity.
From his humble beginnings in Oakley, Idaho, Elder Haight served ably in every calling in the church with his beloved wife, Ruby, President Monson said.
President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, said he used to sit in between both Elder Haight and also the late Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who died July 21, for some 14 years before becoming a member of the First Presidency. Since 1995, Elders Maxwell and Haight had sat side-by-side in church meetings.
"I wonder if Elder Maxwell was having a hard time without his old seat mate," President Faust said.
He also spoke highly of Elder Haight's warm style of greeting and personal charm.
"We loved to hear his childhood memories," he said.
President Faust also spoke of a mismatched football game that Oakley High and Elder Haight had played in against Twins Falls and lost 106-6, saying Elder Haight was never on a losing team again after that.
"His greatest work was among the people," President Faust said, referring to thousands of lives that were touched by a uniquely caring man.
President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, said Elder Haight especially loved the youth of the church and that he also had a strong sense of humor. For example, he often said things like, "Stand aside, here comes the old guy now," to other members of the Twelve.
Jon M. Huntsman, son-in-law of Elder Haight, said there was the young brave "David" who slew Goliath and "Then there was the other 'David,' who lived almost to be a 100 years of age," and that the gospel of Jesus Christ was the older David's foundation and anchor, too.
He said the romance of Elder Haight and his wife, Ruby Olson Haight, are legendary — having been the longest married couple ever in the apostles' ranks at what would have been 74 years together come Sept. 4.
President Packer also referred to Ruby as a "true heroine," while President Faust noted her great influence for good on her husband's long life.
Huntsman also said Elder Haight was his hero and trusted friend, one who never criticized.
Robert P. Haight, a son, said his father had once promised he would never turn down a calling in the church, and he kept that vow, touching untold numbers of members with his love, compassion and humor.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir provided the music for the services, while Elders M. Russell Ballard and Henry B. Eyring offered the two prayers during the funeral. D. Bruce Haight, his other son, offered the family prayer before the services.
A private burial was held at the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, with Jon M. Huntsman Jr., Elder Haight's oldest grandson, dedicating the grave.
Elder Haight was called to the Quorum of the Twelve on Jan. 8, 1976, and had served as an assistant to the Twelve before that, beginning on April 6, 1970. He would have turned age 98 on Sept. 2. Elder Haight has three children, 18 grandchildren as well as 78 great-grandchildren.
Tape-delayed TV broadcasts of the funeral will be available on KBYU, Ch. 11, today at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 4:30 p.m.; on BYU-TV, today, 9 p.m. and Sunday, 7 p.m.; and on KSL-TV, Ch. 5, Sunday, 10 a.m.
Tape-delayed radio broadcasts of the funeral can also be heard on KBYU (FM-89.1), Sunday, 8 p.m. and on BYU Radio, today, 9 p.m. and Sunday, 7 p.m.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com