(LDS.org)
My wife and I were privileged, nearly three weeks ago now, to attend a dinner in honor of Elder Robert Gay of the Seventy, whom I’ve known since before his call as a General Authority and even before his assignment as a mission president in Ghana. It was sponsored by the Utah Youth Village, which is a very estimable and worthwhile organization in its own right.
Here’s the press release that was sent out on that dinner beforehand:
It was a who’s who of prominent Utahns, including high-ranking leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We sat at a table with three state senators. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency was there, as were President Russell M. Nelson and Elders M. Russell Ballard and Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve, several other members of the Seventy, and Gérald Caussé and one of his counselors from the Presiding Bishopric.
The speakers were noteworthy, as well. They included Governor Gary Herbert of Utah, former Governor Mitt Romney of Massachussetts, and Martin Luther King III. Gary Crocker, a prominent Utah businessman whom I’ve also been privileged to know for years, conducted the program.
An excellent short film was shown, containing testimonials from some of the many people (in the United States and Africa) whose lives and work have been benefitted by the remarkable and (trust me on this) generally very quiet benevolence of Elder Gay and his wife Lynette.
Most stunning to me was the lengthy, lengthy listing, read by Scott Anderson (the president and CEO of Zion’s Bank, whom I was once able to take on a tour of Israel, with his wife), of the unbelievably many charitable organizations and activities with which Elder Gay has been involved. And, when I say “involved,” I don’t mean simply by means of extraordinarily generous financial donations. I mean “hands on,” both in terms of organizational involvement and, surprisingly often, in terms of wielding hammer and tools himself.
It was an inspiring evening, but also a profoundly humbling one. As we drove home afterward, I wondered whether I’ve ever done anything at all with my life and resources.
I had already been deeply, deeply impressed by Elder and Sister Gay. I came away awestruck. And I’m not exaggerating.
The General Authorities take a lot of flack from harsh critics of the Church. They’re supposedly callous, uncaring, out of touch, empty suits, mere corporate functionaries. Elder Robert Gay is a spectacular, living refutation of such calumnies.
It’s been a surprise and a privilege to have come to know him and his wife.
I wish that all members of the Church had been able to be there that night.
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