At 97, Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve can still catch people by surprise. He did it again April 25 as he and his wife, Sister Ruby Haight, addressed a Salt Lake University Institute graduation fireside.

More than 1,800 students, faculty and guests stood in honor as Elder Haight, the oldest member ever to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve, and Sister Haight, slowly made their way to the stand. They were present to honor the 169 students who completed religious studies at the institute. Their daughter, Sister Karen Huntsman, and her husband, Elder Jon M. Hunstman, Area Authority Seventy, escorted them.

While clearly weakened by his 97 years, Elder Haight spoke with a strong voice and with great conviction. To the delight of the audience, Elder Haight continued to speak powerfully nearly 45 minutes until he closed with his deep conviction of testimony. He entertained and uplifted the attentive congregation with stories from his past, including the account of when he first saw Ruby and requested that his date identify "the beautiful girl in the red and white dress who had caught my attention on the dance floor." Later Ruby, for obvious reasons, stood out among five applicants for summer employment with his company. Since it was his responsibility to select two from the five, and with a twinkle in his eye he asked, "And who do you think got the job?"

He recounted that marriage followed their courtship and that a long trip from Salt Lake City to California in a Model T Ford followed their marriage. He described that their long drive on gravel roads proceeded "at 100 miles per hour — 30 miles per hour forward and 70 miles per hour up and down."

Interlaced through the accounts of his life with Sister Haight were gems of spiritual insights. A spiritual highlight of the evening was Elder Haight's relating his experience in feeling the sublime power of God as President Spencer W. Kimball, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve prayed in the Salt Lake Temple and God revealed that all worthy male members of the Church would have the opportunity to hold the priesthood of God.

Particularly delightful to the audience was Sister Huntsman's relating the regular two-question interview that Elder Haight has given her during the 53 years of her marriage: First, "Is the gospel of Jesus Christ still true?" and second, "Will that husband of yours ever amount to anything?" From his seat behind the pulpit, Elder Haight quipped, "He's still on trial."

Sister Haight followed Elder Hunstman to the pulpit, frail but tender in her demeanor and thoughts. She lovingly admonished all to "take advantage to learn more — to learn more that will take you closer to our Savior; to learn more about what He would have us do."

In their talks, both Elder and Sister Huntsman paid tribute to Elder and Sister Haight for their devoted service to the family. As Elder and Sister Haight and Elder and Sister Huntsman exited the building, the congregation stood, many with tears streaming down their faces.