I n M e m o r i a m: A S u p p l e m en t to t h e en s i g n
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Committed to the Kingdom
Photograph by Craig Dimond; border by Pat Gerber
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n a memorable Christmas Faith and Football Joseph Bitner Wirthlin was Eve in 1937, Elder Joseph B. born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wirthlin, then a full-time June 11, 1917, the first of five chilmissionary, and his companion dren born to Joseph L. Wirthlin, walked from Salzburg, Austria, to who served as Presiding Bishop, the village of Oberndorf, nestled and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. in the Bavarian Alps. While visiting Joseph’s father supported the the village known as the inspiration family as head of Wirthlin’s Inc., for the hymn “Silent Night,” 1 they paused in a small church to listen to a wholesale and retail food busiChristmas music sung by a choir. ness, while his mother encour“A crisp, clear winter night aged their children in a variety enveloped us as we began our of pursuits, including music and return trip,” Elder Wirthlin recalled. sports. Joseph and Madeline “We walked under a canopy of taught their children humility, stars and across the smooth stillhonesty, diligence, service, comJune 11, 1917–December 1, 2008 ness of new-fallen snow.” 2 passion, and faith. As they walked, the young missionaries shared their Young Joseph had many talents but eventually gravihopes, dreams, and goals for the future. In that heavenly tated to sports, lettering in high school football, basketball, setting, Elder Wirthlin renewed his commitment to serve the and track. After playing quarterback at East High School, Lord: “I made up my mind that I would magnify any callings he went on to play running back for three years at the 3 I received in the Lord’s kingdom.” University of Utah. 5 Elder Wirthlin kept that commitment for the rest of his From the pulpit, Elder Wirthlin enjoyed sharing lessons mortal life, which ended on December 1, 2008, when he he had learned as a football player. One important lesson died peacefully at age 91 of causes incident to age. came at the bottom of a pile of 10 players during a conferOf his service as a bishop, counselor in a stake presience championship game. After attempting to score what dency, counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, would have been the winning touchdown, Joseph was Assistant to the Twelve, and member of the First Quorum of tackled just short of the goal line. the Seventy, he declared, “I’ve loved every assignment I’ve “At that moment I was tempted to push the ball forever had in the kingdom.” Upon being sustained as a memward. . . . I would have been a hero,” he recalled. But ber of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 4, then he remembered the words of his mother: “Joseph,” 1986, he explained, “And in that service, every day seemed she had often said to him, “do what is right, no matter like Sunday, because it was in the service of the Lord.” 4 the consequence.” ensign February 2009
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