Elder Dallas N. Archibald of the Seventy, who drowned while fishing in the Biobio River near Santa Barbara, Chile, was eulogized at funeral services Dec. 28 as a servant of the Lord committed to doing the work he was called to do.

President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust, spoke at the funeral held in the Salt Lake Eagle Gate Stake Center.

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder Harold G. Hillam of the Presidency of the Seventy, also spoke, as did Elder Archibald's widow, Linda R. Archibald, and his daughter, Teresa.

Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy conducted the service. Keith W. Wilcox, a former member of the Quorums of the Seventy and bishop to Elder Archibald when he was a teenager, gave the opening prayer. Helvecio Martins, also a former member of the Quorums of the Seventy offered the benediction.

Elder Archibald drowned Dec. 14 while fishing at the confluence of the Biobio and Hequecura rivers, about 11 miles east of Santa Barbara and 300 miles south of Santiago. Searchers recovered his body on Dec. 20. (Please see Church News, Dec. 19 and Dec. 26.)

President Hinckley noted that Elder Archibald's was the first accidental death of a General Authority in 60 years, since Elder J. Golden Kimball died in an automobile accident in Nevada in 1938, the year that Elder Archibald was born.

He said that Elder Archibald's professional career stemmed from the fact that he spoke Spanish, having served as a missionary in Uruguay. Employed by an international chemical company, he lived in Japan, the Philippines, South Africa, Canada, Paraguay, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil. He served in many positions of Church leadership in those countries. He also served as president of the Spain Seville Mission. At the time of his death, he and his wife were living in Chile, where he was president of the Chile Area.

President Hinckley described Elder Archibald as a "moving force" in the progress of the Church in Brazil, where the Archibalds lived a number of years, and where he had also served as area president. He commented on Elder Archibald's enthusiasm in fulfilling his callings, and his kindness and charity.

"Nobody can tell the consequences of that which he has done; a baptism here, a teaching of the truth there will go on bearing fruit for generations yet to come. . . .

"He's gone. None of us can understand why, but we know that there is Someone who does understand why, and that there's a purpose in all of this. Nobody could think for one minute that a life so vital could be snuffed out and come to no eternal good. That which he gained here, he will take with him to where he has gone. His capacity to teach the gospel here will be magnified in the area which he has gone. He has left this world for a better place. I am satisfied with that."

President Monson quoted a couplet, " 'Here and there and now and then, God makes a giant among men.' "

"And such a giant among men was and is Dallas Archibald," he added. "When I think of his virtues I'm impressed by the statement of the Lord concerning Nathanael, whom He saw in the distance, and said, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!' (John 1:47.)

"Dallas Archibald was a man with no chink in his armor, no guile in his soul, no flaw in his character. There wasn't room, because love was so dominant in his heart."

President Monson called Elder Archibald's accomplishments "legendary" because they were so varied and took place in so many different locations.

"The first time I went to Brazil, there was only one mission and the second stake had just been created. Today, there are 26 missions in Brazil and 173 stakes. Brother Archibald has seen and been a vital part of this growth. . . .

"In Dallas Archibald our Heavenly Father had a choice servant, one who would answer, 'Here am I, send me.' And he was called because the Lord heard his plea."

President Faust referred to Elder Archibald as a "beloved friend and associate."

He cited 1 Ne. 17:35, which states, "He that is righteous is favored of God."

"Dallas Archibald was both righteous and favored," President Faust said. "We are all shocked by his sudden passing. Of course, we grieve. Of course we mourn. But I should like to look on the positive side of his life. We recall a life of service . . . the tremendous good that he accomplished, the greatness of his life, and the homes that have been blessed by his ministry."

He said that Elder Archibald always engaged anxiously in a good cause. "He's done so many things, brought to pass so much righteousness, particularly among the Latin people who love him and whom he loved so very much. He was always so outgoing, so educated."

President Faust said, "We must all move forward in life. We accept what comes. We look not at the shocking circumstances [of his death], but rather at the great accomplishments he achieved in his life."

Elder Scott quoted President Joseph F. Smith who, in speaking about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other faithful men who had gone "behind the veil," said, " 'I believe they are as deeply interested in our welfare today, if not with greater capacity, with far more interest, behind the veil, than they were in the flesh. I believe they know more; I believe their minds have expanded beyond their comprehension in mortal life, and their interests are enlarged and expanded in the works of the Lord to which they gave their lives and their best service.' "

Elder Scott told members of Elder Archibald's family that in quiet moments they could still feel his influence.

Elder Hillam said that there was never an assignment that Elder Archibald didn't fulfill with honor. "He was always where he was supposed to be," he said.

"I always found him to be absolutely fair. I never heard him say a negative word about a person, not ever. He was always kind. . . . Elder Archibald loved people, he loved nature and he loved life, but he didn't love any of them as much as he loved his Heavenly Father and his Savior, Jesus Christ."

In her remarks, Sister Archibald quoted her husband's favorite scripture: "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, . . . But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me." (Alma 29:1-3.)

She said that Alma did the work he was called to do on earth, and that the desires of his heart were granted, "and he now speaks with the trump of God through the pages of the Book of Mormon. Elder Archibald, likewise, was willing to do whatever the Lord asked of him. Perhaps he, like Alma, now can have the wish of his heart and speak with even more power . . . to preach the gospel which he loved."

Elder Archibald's daughter, Teresa, spoke of some of the "light and fun side" of her father's life. She said that he always "had a lust for life. . . . He loved conversation and great food. . . . He loved nature. Fishing, games, jet skis, anything that equaled fun he absolutely loved." She spoke of his love for music, and for children and for his family.

"Committed," she said, is the best word to describe him. "He was committed to his faith, committed to enjoying life and every part of it, and committed to his family and friends."

A memorial service for Elder Archibald was held in Chile, and one has been planned for Brazil.