Elder Perry was a 'big brother to all his juniors in the Quorum of the Twelve'

SALT LAKE CITY — Thousands gathered on Temple Square Friday morning for the funeral of Elder L. Tom Perry of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"Every day of his life was glorious to him," Elder Perry's son, Lee T. Perry said, addressing his father's life. "He embraced a life that was always full steam ahead. He immersed himself so completely in everything he did that he forgot until very late in life that it was necessary to slow down. And so the end came much sooner than expected. Still, he lived his life to the fullest — a life of devotion to God, family and country."

Perry thanked those in attendance and the members of the LDS Church from around the world for their gratitude and support shared with the family.

"Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the many church leaders and employees, especially sister Burton, who have done so much to honor this beloved servant of the Lord," he said. "The prayers and expression of comfort and gratitude from the members of the church have been overwhelming."

Perry said he was also grateful to the various religious leaders in attendance for their work and cooperation with his father over the years.

"My father often said, you were among the best people he has ever met," Perry said, speaking to the religious leaders of other denominations and faiths. "Thank you for your examples and willingness to work to find common ground with the leaders of the LDS faith."

Perry highlighted his father's "devoted" career as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and his love of his family.

Quoting an address his father delivered prior to his death, Perry said: "The older I get, the more I realize that the family is the center of life and is the key to eternal happiness. I give thanks to my wife, and to my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren and for all the cousins and in-laws and extended family who made my life so rich, and yes, even eternal."

Elder M. Russell Ballard added that Elder Perry had "little patience if time was not productive."

"Elder Perry, by his nature, is one who always expected to see things move forward," Elder Ballard said. "He seemed to have very little patience if time was not productive. He always taught, encouraged and inspired all of the general authorities that we could do more, we could do better, and we could move faster in blessing the lives of every member of the church. His vision of the impact the gospel should have in all of our lives was an important part of his apostolic calling."

After being called to serve as an Apostle for the LDS Church, Elder Ballard recalled an opportunity he got to talk to Elder Perry at a mission presidents seminar in New York City. The two shared stories about their life and callings in the church.

"I knew then that L. Tom Perry would be a powerful Apostle and he would be admired and respected as he served the Lord Jesus Christ," Elder Ballard said.

"He's always been larger than life in my eyes with his powerful and convincing voice," he said. "His physical stature of over 6 feet 4 inches and his positive, enthusiastic attitude. He was someone I knew would make a great impression on anyone he would come in contact with."

"L. Tom Perry was a big brother to all his juniors in the Quorum of the Twelve," Elder Dallin H. Oaks said.

Elder Ballard said he and Elder Oaks visited the Perrys a couple days before his death and that Elder Perry wished more could use the sacrament portion of the church's religious service as an opportunity to improve their lives.

"Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world," Elder Ballard said, quoting Elder Perry. "Everything depends on him. We better find a way to stay close to him. And if you can't, there's not much hope. That is what we need. We can build in the stakes of Zion a real, strong love for the gospel.

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A 'sweet, peaceful passing' for LDS apostle, son says

Funeral services were still pending one day after the death of Elder L. Tom Perry, the apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who died Saturday at the age of 92.

First, we're starting with sacrament meeting," he continued. "If I could get every member of the church to go and partake of the sacrament, and when they took the bread, they ask themselves, ‘Who am I? What am I doing? How am I living? Where am I going? What should I be accomplishing?' as they renew their covenants with the Lord."

Elder Oaks recalled Elder Perry saying: "I just worry about what's going on in the world. How did we get mixed up in this mess? Where worldwide morals are declining at the same time we have populations all over the world that are suffering. We have lost our good, strong, Christian beliefs; it is just a tough time."

Lee Perry said the day of the funeral was a "special day" because it is the day President Boyd K. Packer and his father would have celebrated 21 years together as members of the Quorum of the Twelve as the most senior apostles.

"President Packer, I want you to know of my father's deep love and respect for you as the quorum president," Perry said. "Thank you for visiting him last Friday and expressing your love to him."

"They shared their love for one another and their expectation that their friendship will continue into the next life when they will have new assignments," Elder Oaks said of Elder Perry's and President Packer's visit that Friday.

Elder Perry died Saturday at the age of 92 from thyroid cancer.

Elder Perry served as an Apostle for the LDS Church for 41 years. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was known for his enthusiastic speeches, his love for family, his big grin and his optimism.

Elder Perry was one of four church leaders to meet with President Barack Obama during his recent Utah trip.

He worked as a retail executive before being named to the Quorum of the Twelve in 1974.

Contributing: Linda Williams

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