Well, as I said in posting just yesterday, funeral services were held today for Elder Glen L. Rudd, emeritus general authority. Much to my surprise and delight, in the report of the funeral services, there was a rather long list of those who attended and spoke at that service today. The biggest surprise in terms of those speakers was that President Monson was the keynote speaker. He gave an extensive address reflecting on his long association with Elder Rudd and reflected on the influence Elder Rudd's service had on him personally. Also speaking at the services was President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Russell M. Nelson, Bishop Keith B. McMullin, emeritus General Authority who served for years as a member of the Presiding Bishopric; and Elder Rudd's son, Charles, representing the family at the services.
Also in attendance were Elders M. Russell Ballard, David A. Bednar, and Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elders L. Whitney Clayton and Donald L. Hallstrom, the two most senior members of the Presidency of the Seventy; and the entire Presiding Bishopric (Gerald Causse, Dean M. Davies, and W. Christopher Waddell).
Click here for more on the funeral services, including the tributes that were given of this spiritual giant.
As I said, the biggest surprise for me personally in reading about funeral proceedings was that President Monson not only attended but also gave a keynote address that sounds like it was of a considerable length. Not sure what to make of this. I am hoping it means that President Monson has to some degree sufficiently recovered from the health difficulties he has been experiencing for the last several years. But time will tell. I will do my level best to keep an eye on the situation and make a further report if and when more is known in that regard.
If he is doing better, it's a very good sign for the Church. We have had prophets many times in the past who have suffered due to age and health later in life. President Monson will be 90 years old this year. Any improvement, no matter how small, has to be a good thing. It will be interesting to see how he is doing round about conference time and to see if he will be able to speak on his regular schedule for longer than he recently has been able to. More to come as soon as I hear anything.
Sounds like Elder Rudd's funeral services today served as a wonderful tribute to the life of a very great man. For what it's worth, that's the latest in Church news and developments.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Church News Report on the funeral services for Elder Glen L. Rudd
I have had a lifelong love for Church history, which has extended to ongoing reports of the ministry of our apostles and prophets, General Conference, and all temple developments. This blog enables me to share that love with all who read my thoughts on these developments, which are sometimes reported multiple times per day as needed.
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I'm hoping you're right, but I wonder if the writer tried to make the most out of a short talk.
ReplyDeleteI always prefer to see things like this as a good sign. President Monson was a life-long friend of Elder Rudd, and often asked him to travel. This wasn't just an aging, ailing prophet paying tribute to a former colleague. This was a man who had traveled extensively with Elder Rudd and knew him better than almost anyone in the Church. And there is no way an association like that can be covered in a short talk. This was an extensive tribute. I'd be willing to stake everything I know from my study of Church history on that fact. And that is no small wager. I have studied the ebb and flow of the life of the prophets with great regularity throughout my life. And I have heard all the time of accounts where good health will come and go. It very well might have been that President Monson only summoned the strength for this on account of the need he felt to pay an extensive and appropriate tribute to the memory of this good friend. But all things seem to point in the direction of at least the slightest improvement in the prophet's health. And for a man nearing 90, that's saying a lot. At this point, nothing would surprise me. I will be most interested to see if my theory holds true. And I will be particularly interested to see how any improvement might affect what has become within the last couple of General Conferences his customary less than 10 minutes total speaking time. You can bet I am and will continue to be keeping an eye out for any news on this front, and that I will report such updates as I am able to do so. Thank you, Michael!
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