Whether investigating the gospel, serving in the bishopric, overseeing a mission in post-war Germany or helping to pioneer the Church's welfare program, Walter Stover has sought to do the Lord's will.

It's a wonder he had time to develop his bedding and mattress manufacturing company into a successful business. But Brother Stover remembered when neighbors rallied to help his family in Germany, and he has spent his life rallying to help thousands of others who have been in need.He was honored by friends and family on his 90th birthday on June 2. President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, attended the gathering, saluting Brother Stover as a true Latter-day Saint.

"Ever willing to give of his time, his means and his talents, he has always put first the kingdom of God," said President Monson, a long-time friend. "Though the years have slowed the rapid step and energetic style of Walter Stover's life, yet the delightful twinkle in his eye, smile on his lips and love in his heart continue undiminished at this, the 90th milestone of his life."

Avoiding the spotlight of publicity, Brother Stover followed the pattern advocated by the Savior - to give in quiet humility, President Monson added. Thousands of BYU students were recipients of his generosity when he donated all the bedding used in student housing at Heritage Halls. One of the halls is named after him.

This willingness to share with and serve others stems from his childhood in Germany, Brother Stover explained in a Church News interview this week. His mother and father died when he was a child.

"We were poor and had a little farm in BremerhavenT," he said, pausing often, his voice full of emotion. "The neighbors helped us. They plowed the ground, sowed the seeds and harvested the crops. I had a second mother, and she was just wonderful."

In January 1923, he married Martha Bohnestengel and, in that same year, they were introduced to the gospel.

"We did fall in love with the missionaries," he said. "Our home became the missionaries' home away from home. First, we were good prospects and, second, my wife was a good cook."

The Stovers were baptized Nov. 3, 1923. His first calling in the Church was to operate the foot pump powering an organ. He also proselyted with the missionaries, translating for them and helping them teach. Soon membership of the small branch in his city had grown from a handful to about 30. Branch meetings were held on the second floor of his bedding factory.

The couple came to America in 1926 and settled in the Holladay area, southeast of Salt Lake City. In the mid-1930s he was called as second counselor in a bishopric.

Brother Stover's eyes brightened and his voice strengthened as he remembered how he and the other members of the bishopric responded to the Church welfare program in 1937. At the first few ward welfare meetings, he said, the bishop would find hymns with many verses just to fill up the time. "Some of us prayed as long as we knew how," he added. Finally, he urged the bishop to find out more about "this welfare program." The Church referred him to the Pioneer Stake, then presided over by Harold B. Lee. The Pioneer Stake had a farm on which members raised vegetables and produce to divide among the poor.

"That is the welfare program," Brother Stover told his bishop. "You have it in a nutshell. Let us do likewise."

Through much sacrifice, the ward purchased a farm and developed one of the first welfare projects in the Church. This experience proved priceless when Brother Stover was called to preside over the German Mission in 1946.

Germany had been devastated by World War II. Pres. Stover took food and clothing with him to Germany, but it was not near enough. When Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve went to Germany to coordinate Church relief efforts, he was assisted by Pres. Stover.

"The help he provided the saints in Germany, along with President Ezra Taft Benson, following World War II, buoyed their spirits, gave them hope and literally saved lives," President Monson said.

Although the Dutch harbored animosity for the Germans because of World War II, the mission president in Holland, at Pres. Stover's request, persuaded the Dutch saints to send potatoes to members in Germany.

He returned to Utah in 1951 and served on the Church's General Welfare Committee for about 20 years. In later years he served in the Salt Lake Temple. He directed his family history research, generating 250,000 to 300,000 names for temple work.

Age now has slowed his body, but his testimony remains firm. Church service provided the happiest times of his life, he said.

"I was engaged in the work of the Lord, and it made me happy."