SALT LAKE CITY — In Elder L. Tom Perry's 92 years of life, he touched millions of people worldwide.

Serving in leadership callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for most of his life, including the last 41 in the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, Perry had the unique opportunity to speak to church members all across the world.

We asked people to share memories of private moments with Elder Perry — moments where they interacted with him one-on-one.

Sabine Temi Frühauf

"My companion and I were waiting at the light to cross a road by Temple Square when Elder Perry stopped next to us, bowed his hand down to us and asked, ‘So sisters — where you up to?' We told him that we had our preparation day and had to run some errands and we asked him where he was going.

"He pointed on his watch and said, ‘I'm going home — my wife is already waiting — I'm late for lunch!' We all laughed. It was so good to experience that men of God have normal problems."

Paul and Tammy Morton

"My wife and I were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Perry. Before we were married, she worked across the street from Temple Square at a bank, where he went often. Because of his visits, she became friends with him. On one occasion he forgot to stop by her desk and say hi. So the next time he was there, she reprimanded him. From that time on, he made sure to go out of his way to come and say hello to her — even when she was helping other people.

"A few months after she left the bank, I was there visiting a friend. I was planning on proposing to her. While my friend was helping the tellers, Elder Perry came in and stood in line. My friend called over to Elder Perry and asked him if he remembered ‘the short, blond haired girl, Tammy.' He said yes. My friend then said, ‘This is the guy who's going to marry her.' Elder Perry turned to me and said, "How'd you get her!?" We chatted for a while and then I left.

"A few weeks later during our wedding planning preparations, we ended up asking him to seal us in the Salt Lake Temple. We were hesitant because it is not recommended to ask an apostle directly if he'll marry you. But, because we had a special connection we thought we'd give it a try. We soon heard back that, pending any assignments, he'd be happy to perform the sealing. That was a joyous occasion and we received wonderful counsel from him that special day.

"It has been nearly seven years from that day. We've been through college, law school, and are expecting child number two next month. We are forever grateful for Elder Perry and his generosity in sealing us, and we will forever remember and cherish this wonderful memory!"

"I met him 20 years ago today (June 4). He spoke in Payson at our stake conference. We went up and shook his hand and talked with him afterwards. I wrote this experience in my journal."

Tyler Daines

"I was Born with Spina Bifida and was not able to serve a regular mission, so I served a church service Mission at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. One day I was wheeling in my wheelchair in the snow to get my hair cut and was in front of the LDS Church Administration Building when the door opened and I look up to Elder Perry. He waved to me and asked where I was headed. Lo and behold he was headed to get his hair cut at the same place, so he offered to push me there if I would hold his umbrella for him.

"It just goes to show what kind of person Elder Perry was — always willing to help those in need. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to share that moment with him personally."

Laura Sauvageau Tingey

"He called my husband short and told him to eat his veggies."

Sherri Johnson Thomas

"My husband and I were in the Salt Lake Temple 15 years ago attending a wedding ceremony. We rounded a corner and ran into him. He was so nice and shook our hands."

Dale Cressman

"I was introduced to Elder Perry in 1988, at a KBYU Administrative Board meeting, as a 27-year-old ‘menace to society.' He put his big hand on my shoulder and, with that booming voice of his, promised me that I'd be married within a year. ‘And if you're not,' he added, ‘you let me know and I'll call a young lady to the position.' I met Rebecca Parker a week later in the Manti Temple.

"Not long after that, Sister Perry had the COB operator track me down in a KBYU editing suite so she could offer to introduce me to her niece ‘at the BYU.' I politely declined, hoping that beautiful brown-eyed girl from San Diego would be my destiny. Thank you, Elder Perry. Rest in peace."

Leesa Tuaileva Coles

"He came and spoke to our ward a few years ago and he was amazing. I was able to shake his hand and talk to him. I could feel the spirit so strongly just being in his presence. I always looked forward to his talks at conference and I will miss him so much."

Julio Camacho

"He was good friends with my first mission president. He spoke with us 16 years ago at the president's funeral and urged us to follow the example that the president set."

Josi Kilpack

"On the day my husband and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 1, 1993, we were taking pictures at the temple grounds when Elder Perry and his wife walked by and congratulated us. We asked for a photo and they obliged us so long as my husband's cute niece and cousins would be in one too.

Courtesy of Josi Kilpack

"Exactly a year to the day later, on our first wedding anniversary, we ran into them again in the elevator at the Joseph Smith Memorial building where we had gone for our anniversary dinner. The Perrys were gracious enough to pretend they remembered us from the year before and congratulated us on our anniversary. We moved to Northern Utah a few years later and Elder Perry was the presiding general authority when our stake was split and attended the Brigham City Temple Celebration just a few years ago which I helped to write. Of all the 12 apostles he is the one who seemed to be the most connected to the places my family and I have been over the years.

"He will be remembered for his kindness, his faith,his dedicated work ethic, and the small but special connection we had to him on our wedding day. I'm glad he was able to pass without greater pain and discomfort and imagine the reunion on the other side was a joyous one. God bless his family at this time."

Russ Haney

"He visited my office at the Motion Picture Studio 10 years ago. He looked at my desk and said, in his gravelly voice, ‘the only problem I have with your desk is that Giants baseball. It should be a Red Sox ball.' Years later I got to eat lunch next to him and he recalled the visit. I proudly reported that I now also had a Red Sox ball. He just chuckled and said, ‘As long as it is in front of the Giants ball.' "

Kris Irvin

"Back in the 80s, there was a thing called the Mormon Youth Chorus. It was basically Mormon Tabernacle Choir for people ages 18-25. My mom was in the choir. She saw this cute guy across the room one day and decided she wanted to get to know him. At their concerts, the singers lined up according to height. My mom is really short, so she wore high heels and was lined up next to this cute guy. Her plan had paid off! Except this cute dude didn't really notice her. until, as they were walking into the Tabernacle to sing, they had to stop and wait for their turn to go on stage. Elder Perry was sitting where they stood. He turned to them, smiled, and said ‘isn't it nice that they let couples sing together in this choir?' Then my dad decided he should probably ask my mom on a date and the rest, as they say, is history.

"My parents have been married for 25 years now, thanks to that nudge from Elder Perry. (I've decided that this makes him my honorary grandfather.)"

Lee McAllister

"I recall him walking into my wife's grandfather's viewing. They were good friends. He was so tall and the room grew really quiet when he entered. He was so kind to express his condolences to each member of the family."

Bart Green

"I have the cherished memory of Elder Perry sitting down next to me on a Saturday morning, telling me how the words to the hymn ‘I Believe in Christ' came about. What a Saturday morning it was, and one I'll never forget."

Do you have any memories you want to share? Do so in the comments.

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