Elder Wirthlin honored as Man of Excellence
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REXBURG, Idaho — Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve was named the recipient of the Man of Excellence award at a fireside Feb. 13 at BYU-Idaho.
Interim BYU-Idaho President Robert Wilkes, who presented the award, introduced Elder Wirthlin as a man of "absolute integrity, totally loyal to principle." He spoke of Elder Wirthlin's lifelong work ethic, his devotion to his family, and the strength of his testimony. President Wilkes illustrated the extent of Elder Wirthlin's testimony by quoting one of the apostle's own statements: "Since early childhood, I have never doubted or had a question as to the divinity of the Church."
In his remarks, Elder Wirthlin spoke of Polynesian sailors guided by the stars as they crossed the ocean. They used the stars as reference points, "and when they drifted off course, they looked to the stars and adjusted their sails," he said.
Elder Wirthlin mentioned three individuals who serve as guiding lights today. "Their stars shine bright in the annals of history, their examples bright and never failing," he said.
The first person he mentioned is President Gordon B. Hinckley, who Elder Wirthlin called "my prophet and my friend. . . . You will never find a man as kind and considerate."
Elder Wirthlin said President Hinckley is a "visionary man" who has visited nearly every nation on earth and borne testimony to "literally millions of people." He spoke of President Hinckley's desire to increase the availability of temples to members of the Church worldwide, and the remarkable development of smaller temples. "Never underestimate the power and promises of the Lord," said Elder Wirthlin.
The second guiding light Elder Wirthlin spoke of is the Prophet Joseph Smith. Elder Wirthlin said, "The more I learn of him, the more I love and revere him." Some adjectives quoted by Elder Wirthlin to describe the Prophet include "extraordinary," "noble" and "godlike," a "man of compassion and a kind heart." As the third and foremost guiding light of which Elder Wirthlin spoke is Jesus Christ. "He lived that we may live forever, our hearts and minds filled with a fullness of love, joy and peace," said Elder Wirthlin. He referred to the many miracles Christ performed, such as healing the sick, raising the dead and feeding the multitudes. "The Savior calls to us today as He has in the ancient past: Follow me," Elder Wirthlin said.
He concluded his address with an invitation to "work every day to be a little more perfect, a little more righteous, a little more holy."
Before his remarks, Elder Wirthlin asked his wife, Elisa, to bear her testimony. She said with a laugh, "The Brethren are given two to three weeks to prepare, but their wives are always called on extemporaneously." She counseled students, "Follow the rules and follow your leaders, and you'll be successful."
