Funeral recalls Douglas H. Smith
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During funeral services Feb. 4, family, friends and Church leaders remembered Douglas Hill Smith — a former General Authority — for his tender heart, strong work ethic and steadfast testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Smith died Jan. 29, 2009, at his home in Salt Lake City of causes incident to age.
Born May 11, 1921, Elder Smith served as a bishop, stake president, regional representative, member of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy and temple sealer. His wife, Barbara B. Smith, was the Relief Society general president from 1974 to 1984.
President Thomas S. Monson presided and spoke at Elder Smith's funeral, held at the Ensign 2nd Ward building in Salt Lake City. President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, and three family members also spoke.
President Monson reminisced about his longtime association and friendship with Elder Smith, who was given difficult assignments as a member of the Seventy. He said that Elder Smith would work on each assignment and "get it into shape," and then would be given another difficult assignment.
He recalled an effective lesson on the priesthood taught by Elder Smith at a meeting with leaders in a stake in Salt Lake City. Elder Smith asked a man to unscrew two-thirds of the light bulbs in a chandelier, and then said, "In your stake, one-third of the Melchizedek Priesthood brethren are active. Look how dim it is with only one-third of the lights on." President Monson said that when it was his time to speak, he asked the same man to put all the light bulbs back in the chandelier, and said, "See how much illumination comes when everyone in the priesthood is doing his duty." President Monson spoke of Douglas and Barbara Smith's family and then said to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, "You have a noble heritage. Live up to it. That would be my charge today."
President Monson said that Elder Smith has "simply gone to the spirit world." He told of giving a blessing to a dying young man who asked where his spirit would go upon his death. President Monson turned to Alma 40, wherein is stated "the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, . . . are taken home to that God who gave them life" (Alma 40:11). The righteous, President Monson said, are received into a state of happiness, "which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow" (Alma 40:12).
President Monson said, "Life is just a part of our eternal journey."
He then quoted President J. Reuben Clark Jr., who wrote in his book Lord of the Gospels: "Beyond the here I shall live in a hereafter in happy union and companionship with my loved ones who have gone before and who shall come after, through untold eternities of joy and service. Shall we or shall we not pass this heritage to our beloved ones who follow us? God give us the strength to make the gift, I pray."
President Monson added, "Douglas Smith made the gift."
During his remarks, President Packer spoke directly to Elder Smith's grandchildren.
"I remember well we traveled together in China and Asia, and Europe and many places," he said of Elder Smith. "I worked with him on many business boards and, more importantly, served with him in Church callings. . . . I loved him dearly."
President Packer told the family that for the righteous, funerals can be "exalting."
He spoke of the Great Plan of Happiness, telling the Smiths' grandchildren that their grandfather was born, and graduated step by step. He was baptized, given the Holy Ghost, and moved through priesthood quorums. "He was a good man and he filled every assignment as he had been called. Now he has graduated again. This graduation is a final graduation."
President Packer said Elder Smith looked forward to his last graduation. He was a worthy, beloved man who raised a righteous posterity, he said. "There is no fear. Fear is the opposite of faith."
"I pray that you young grandchildren will understand where Grandpa is now. He is alive, as much alive as he was before he was ill. He is moving about doing the things he is expected to do. . . . He is supremely happy."
Barton D. Smith offered a life sketch of his father.
Daughter Lillian Alldredge said her father was a protector of his seven children, 39 grandchildren, and 78 great-grandchildren. "Dad taught us to give as the Savior gave by loving and looking for ways that we could help others."
She said he was an honest man that others could rely on. "Dad's testimony of the Savior and His mission was steadfast and immovable," she said.
Claron Alldredge, a son-in-law, said Elder Smith modeled his life after a strong desire to serve the Lord. He said that Elder Smith's theme was that of Joshua's: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). — Gerry Avant and Sarah Jane Weaver
