SALT LAKE CITY — In 45 years of service in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, President Boyd K. Packer gave many addresses from the pulpit, but for many Latter-day Saints, they will remember him for the more private moments of teaching.

Following his death Friday, we asked people to share memories of private moments with President Packer — moments where they interacted with him one-on-one.

Geraldine L. Bastian

"When my husband, Lewis Mangum Bastian, was first counselor to President Ernest J. Wilkins of the Language Training Mission (forerunner of the MTC in Provo) in 1963, he was asked by President Wilkins to do some coaching in Spanish. The assignment was to go from Provo to the Salt Lake Valley in the early morning to give Spanish lessons to Elder Boyd K. Packer, who was an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve. When Elder Packer was going to be available, Lewis would get a phone call. "He shared with me what a great experience it was to go to the Packer home and spend time with the apostle. Elder Packer was preparing to go Mexico City to establish and also divide a big number of stakes (I recall the number was about 16) and he wanted to be able to speak some of what he was going to say in the Spanish language.

"He told me about Elder Packer's love of birds and about his artwork, too. And, what a blessing to be in the lovely home of the Packer family.

"Fast forward to Nov. 25, 1979. My husband was the assistant director of the LDS Church School in Mexico City, the Benemerito de las Americas, and also the first director of the MTC for Mexico and Central America at the time. We were privileged to attend the groundbreaking for the Mexico City Temple on the grounds of the Aragon Stake Center. My husband translated for some of the dignitaries who spoke. After the talks and the prayers, our family was invited to attend a reception in the stake center.

"The youngest of our eight children is named Boyd Hugh Bastian. He was 4 years old at the time and really blonde. Lewis introduced our family to Elder Packer and when he heard the little boy was named Boyd, he said, 'Well, you are a better Boyd than I am, because Boyd means one with golden hair.' "Our Boyd is the father of three and will turn 40 on Sept. 16. This story has precious meaning to our family."

Deseret News Archives

Doreen Sorensen

"I was at Temple Square at Christmastime with a choir. Security guards were helping President and Sister Packer when President Packer asked one of them a question. After the guard responded, he looked at the choir kids, raised his hands and swung them back and forth as if to lead a song. The choir quickly sang 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas.' Elder Packer was grinning the whole time. When the song was done he exclaimed, 'Well a merry Christmas to you, too!'"

Heidi Christensen

"In 2006, President Packer visited our stake conference in Twin Falls, Idaho. He said he was assigned to another but had felt that he shouldn't go and that he had learned over the years that when those promptings come he should listen. So there he was with us.

"He was wonderful to listen to, of course, but this experience happened after the conference. He wanted to shake hands with all who were there. Quickly the line formed and we spent some time waiting to meet him. My husband and I were excited, of course — I loved President Packer.

"We explained to our five children who he was and how neat it was that he would let us meet him. Our 9-year-old daughter, who was unpredictable on a regular basis, didn't care to wait and was not happy about it. After the long wait, we finally got to meet President Packer. He shook the hands of each as we introduced our children. When it was my 9-year-old's turn, she hid behind me and would not shake his hand. Not only did she refuse but was a little unkind in her refusal. I apologized to him and we moved on.

Related:

President Packer's son shares memories from his dad's life

President Boyd K. Packer was preparing a talk last week for the LDS Church's October general conference before he died on Friday at age 90. He served 21 years as president of the faith's Quorum of the Twelve and 53 years as a general authority.

"I, as her mother, was of course not very happy. I realized that I had not instilled a love for the apostles in my daughter's heart. I didn't want her to think it was OK to treat them like that. So after explaining why we shouldn't act like that, I took some time and helped her write an apology letter to President Packer. We sent the letter and thought nothing more of the experience. To our surprise, on Oct. 19, 2006, we received a letter and a signed copy of 'A Christmas Parable,' a book written and illustrated by President Packer. It is about forgiveness and the atonement. The letter was also signed by him.

"It read, 'Thank you for your letter. Sweet little girls like you are never rude. Sometimes they might be a bit frightened or not feel well. You have a very sweet spirit. I send my blessings to you for a happy life.'

"My daughter has forever since loved Elder Packer, and I have ever since understood a little better the love of our Father in Heaven because of his simple message to a little girl. We are all his little girls. We will always cherish President Packer and the many years of wisdom he has shared."

Emily Mortensen

"My grandpa went to high school with President Packer. When I was 10, I got to meet President Packer, and when my dad mentioned my grandpa to him, he remembered my Grandpa Vear and I thought it was so great that an apostle knew my grandpa! You will be missed, President Packer. You were a skilled teacher and taught the gospel without fear, no matter who it offended."

Emily Mortensen

Allison Tullis

"While I was serving my mission in Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to meet President Packer. He came down to dedicate the country for the preaching of the gospel. He met with a group of us that evening, answered questions and we got to meet him and shake his hand. He asked each of us where we were from, and when I said Brigham City, his face lit up and he held on to my hand a little longer and spent a little more time talking to me. I also got a quick hug! I will never forget it and the impact his blessing had on the work after he left. Baptisms went up and a temple was built a few years later."

Related topics