Written by Crystal Schwalger
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are mourning the death of their apostle Boyd K. Packer who passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, July 3, at age 90 from natural causes.
At the time of his passing, Elder Packer was serving as the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, an office he had held since February 2008, where he had also served as the acting President since June 1994. Since his ordination as an apostle on April 6, 1970, he spent more than 40 years as one of the general authorities for the Church.
M. Russell Ballard, an elder of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said of Elder Packer on the Church website, “From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he represented the Savior of the world.”
For decades Elder Packer traveled the world spreading the gospel and his testimony and knowledge of Jesus Christ. A teacher by trade, he spoke up for the things that he believed, and according to the Church, he “played a critical role in the growth and development of the global Church, which now numbers more than 15 million members.”
At the LDS Church’s General Conference in 2014, he said “After all the years that I have lived and taught and served, after the millions of miles I have traveled around the world, with all that I have experienced, there is one great truth that I would share, that is my witness of the Savior Jesus Christ.”
President Packer was a fearless defender of his faith and was known for speaking boldly about the principles and doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, even when those views differed from social acceptable positions. His unwavering traditional views on many social issues made him a target from those that disagreed with his stand on those issues. However, he was also revered by many within and without the Church for his testimony and service to others.
Elder Allan Packer, son of President Packer, told the LDS church newsroom, “He had a deep testimony of the gospel, an inherent love of the Savior, of the people themselves, and wanted to share with them that which was important,” He went on to say, “So I think he, when he knew those things, felt a responsibility to communicate and to share and to teach.”
Ralph Becker, Mayor of Salt Lake City told the Associated Press, “President Packer was a dedicated leader and a man committed to his faith. He was devoted to community and service. As a native and lifelong Utahan, Elder Packer traveled the world, sharing his understanding and perspective of his church with passion and zeal.”
Others also shared their thoughts of Elder Packer’s passing with the Salt Lake Tribune, including Monsignor Colin F. Bircumshaw, administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City who said of Elder Packer “His decades of service to his church and the community and his commitment to his family mark a rich and enduring legacy. We always considered him a true friend.”
Elder Packer was an author of many books and was an accomplished artist in his own right. He was an avid nature lover and especially loved birds. Much of his artwork, both painting and carvings, have been displayed at the Church History Museum. Even though he was busy with his church duties, he was also devoted to his family, and according to his son in a statement to the LDS church newsroom, “He always made them a priority.” He is survived by his wife, Donna; 10 children; 60 grandchildren; and 111 great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services for President Boyd K. Packer are being held on Friday, July 10, in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple square at 11 a.m. The funeral will be open to anyone in the general public over the age of 8. Those wishing to attend are asked to be in their seats by 10:30 a.m. The Temple Square gates and the Tabernacle doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Overflow seating has been arranged in the Assembly Hall and the North Visitor’s Center on Temple Square. All of the church campus buildings will close at 10:30 a.m. and will re-open at 1 p.m. after the funeral services are over. A private service will be held at the Brigham City Cemetery following the funeral services.
For more information on the life of President Packer, you can go to:
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-boyd-k-packer-dies-at-age-90
