Dec 29, 1973

We have gathered as a family to listen to the funeral of Pres. Harold B. Lee – Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

What a shock!! A feeling of emptiness to hear of his death on Wed. night, Dec. 26. He was in good health and was such a vigorous leader. He had done so many things during his short tenure of around 18 months. He talked “straight” and was beloved by the entire church. We had all felt that he would lead us for 20 or more years. Surely the Lord has specific designs in the scheme of things to take his life at this time.

I feel a spiritual awareness that perhaps now we are to see the latter day Moses referred to in the 103rd sec of D&C.

Were it not for the fact that our individual relationships were directly with the Lord and our individual testimonies and conversion of and to the Gospel of Jesus Christ were the direct line of communication and strength for each of us individually, we would be very insecure in the latter-day world with its many changes and challenges.

The testimony of the life of Pres. Lee indicates to us that a man or woman who is righteous may be taken anytime according to the call of the Lord. With death it is a time of joy for the ones who “passes” because of the glorious change in his life – but for those who remain behind it is a time of great mourning. As Pres. Lee’s life has been an example, I see that my life has been of little consequence. I say this in honest humility without self-pity. Would that I might someday know and live in the midst of these great and noble spirits, such as Pres. Lee, who have so nobly walked the earth. Nevertheless, I rejoice that I have participated in some rich experiences with wonderful people in my family, saints in my ward and Stake, and my brothers and sisters of “the world”. May God sustain me and grant me the desire to live a worthwhile life with some accomplishments that will benefit others according to the plan of our Lord as revealed in his gospel.