Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Dies

Elder Joseph Bitner Wirthlin (11 June 1917 – 1 December 2008) was an American businessman and religious leader and served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was sustained to the Quorum on October 4, 1986, and ordained an apostle on October 9, 1986 by Thomas S. Monson, following the death of Church President Spencer W. Kimball. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Wirthlin was accepted by the church members as a prophet, seer, and revelator.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Elder Wirthlin was the son of Joseph L. Wirthlin, who was also an LDS Church general authority. He is a half-first cousin of late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.

As a young man, Elder Wirthlin earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. As a standout high school quarterback, Elder Wirthlin was offered a football scholarship at the University of Utah, but deferred it and served as a missionary in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland from 1936 to 1939, returning to Utah just before the outbreak of World War II. He played halfback for the University of Utah following his mission. Before his call as a general authority, Elder Wirthlin was a prominent business leader in Salt Lake City. He was also president of a trade association in Utah.

For over nine years (May 25, 1955 – June 7, 1964) Elder Wirthlin was the bishop of the Bonneville Ward in Salt Lake City. The same day he was released as bishop he was called to serve in the stake high council, set apart by Joseph Fielding Smith.

On December 6, 1964, Elder Wirthlin was set apart by LeGrand Richards as second counselor to Russell M. Nelson in the Salt Lake Bonneville Stake Presidency. Elder Wirthlin’s call to the Quorum of the Twelve came very shortly after his call to serve in the presidency of the seventy. Elder Wirthlin became a general authority of the church in 1975, when he was called to serve as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was the last individual called as an Assistant to the Twelve before the position was discontinued in 1976. With the death of Gordon B. Hinckley in 2008, Elder Wirthlin became the oldest living apostle.

Elder Wirthlin married Elisa Young Rogers on May 26, 1941, in the Salt Lake Temple.

On 1 December 2008, Elder Wirthlin died at about 11.30 pm of causes incident to age. His oldest daughter, Jane Wirthlin Parker, was present. A member of the family had been staying and caring for Elder Wirthlin, whose wife died in 2006.