Twelve

I had just managed to get the satellite system working at the church as President Hinckley welcomed members to the opening session of conference. Rather than rush home and miss the first few minutes I stepped into the chapel to listen to President Hinckley.

I like President Hinckley. He has a great sense of propriety and yet he's not locked into "we can only do it one way". He took the opportunity during his opening remarks to mention the passing of Elders David B. Haight and Neal A. Maxwell. Then he said that after much fasting and prayer the call to serve as an apostle had been extended to Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and President David A. Bednar.

I was not surprised about President Bednar. On a number of occasions I have said (usually to myself) that President Bednar would be an Apostle some day. Yesterday as I was setting up the equipment the thought came to me "President Bednar will be sustained as an Apostle today." It just seemed natural.

I don't mean to digress, but one of the gifts of the spirit is enumerated as the ability "to believe on their [those who "it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God"] words". I am one to whom that gift has been given. (See Doctrine and Covenants 46: 13-14)). I have heard Elder Bednar bear testimony of the Savior on about a dozen occasions. It has strengthened my testimony immensely as I have heard him.

The sad thing about President Bednar's call to the Apostleship is that he will no longer be the President of BYU Idaho. He has been there for three of our four children. He presided and spoke at the funeral of Seth and Jessica. Seth left BYU-Idaho with a charge from Elder Bednar to "be a missionary for the University". There is a connection between our family and President Bednar that goes deeper than just admiration for a man. He has helped us bear our burden and his own inspired counsel has eased our pain at the loss of Seth and Jessica. I have no hesitation in sustaining him because I have seen into his soul and know the goodnes that is there. Sister Bednar is every bit his equal in her own strengths.

As we listened to Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar today all of us had tears in our eyes. I can only speak for myself, but my tears were the result of a witness of the Spirit of God that these two men had been called by God to bear witness unto all the world of Christ's life and ministry and restored Gospel.

My feelings were even more poignant as I thought about Seth and Jessica carrying on that work unhampered by the limitations of this earthly life. I can't even imagine the joy they must feel, and the happiness that Seth must have felt as he learned of President Bednar.