Elder Clinton L. Cutler, who died April 9 at his home in South Jordan, Utah, was remembered during funeral services April 12 as an example of courage, perseverance and faith in the Lord.
Elder Cutler, 64, a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy since March 31, 1990, was a counselor in the Sunday School general presidency and an assistant executive director of the Family History Department.President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, presided over and addressed the funeral, held in the South Jordan Utah River Stake Center. President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor, conducted the service and also addressed the congregation, which filled the chapel and nearly all the cultural hall. Elder Rex D. Pinegar of the Presidency of the Seventy also spoke.
The Presidency of the Seventy served as honorary pallbearers.
Also on the funeral service were two sons of Elder Cutler, Charles L. Cutler and Clinton Reed Cutler, who spoke of their father, and a musical quartet comprised of daughters and daughters-in-law, accompanied by Keri L. Wright, a son-in-law. A son, Clark N. Cutler sang the hymn, "How Great Thou Art."
President Hinckley noted that Elder Cutler was born (on Dec. 27, 1929) in the Christmas season and died in the season of Easter (April 9, 1994). "All of his life, between his birth and his death, was marked by faith that was cultivated in him, nurtured in him by his mother, who is here today," President Hinckley said. "How tremendous is the influence of a good mother, how powerful is the example of a good son."
President Hinckley spoke of the monthly meeting in the Salt Lake Temple of all General Authorities who are in town. He said the last time Elder Cutler was in that meeting, he was asked to bear his testimony. Although he was in pain, and knew the end was not far away, he spoke words of faith and gratitude. President Hinckley said Elder Cutler expressed thanks for life, for his companion and family, for good parents and friends, and for the love and respect of the Brethren. President Hinckley said Elder Cutler earned that love and respect through his great and dedicated service.
He referred to Elder Cutler's 32-year career with the telephone company. (He retired from U.S. West as assistant vice president in 1986.) President Hinckley said, "It is always a wonderful thing to see a man who can begin
his careerT as a telephone installer and leave as a top officer of a big corporation, moving up the ladder through integrity - simple integrity - hard work and honesty. That says more than a long, long, long sermon would say. What a precious thing in this day and time is a man of honesty."
President Hinckley spoke of Elder Cutler's faith, of how he put the Lord first in his life and walked with faithfulness, and how he taught faith by example, as well as by what he said.
President Hinckley commented that although Elder Cutler died at a relatively young age, he lived his years fully and simply.
Expressing consolation to the family, President Hinckley quoted D&C 42:45, in which the Lord said: "Thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die." President Hinckley added, "The Lord goes on to say, ` . . . those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them.' " (D&C 42:46.)
President Monson said when he thought of Elder Cutler, he recalled one particular passage of scripture. "When the Savior saw Nathanael approaching from afar off, He said: `Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.' (John 1:47.) There was not an ounce of guile in Clinton Cutler. What you saw is what you got, for what he said was what he did. He was an example of the believers, as Paul cautioned all of us to be. . . . (1 Tim. 4:12.) He was always found doing what he was supposed to be doing, and setting before others an example of loyalty, competence, kindness and love.
"An example was when I visited him at home one day. . . . He immediately turned the attention from himself. He said, `Brother Monson, when you leave, would you be willing to drop in and see Brother Holt? He lives nearby and is very sick.'
"Brother Alma M. Holt was the man who contributed the property for the erection of the Jordan River Temple. Elder Cutler and Brother Holt had the same kind of illness (cancer), enduring the same suffering. They were noble high priests together. Elder Cutler's main concern was for another in a time of great need." (Brother Holt died Feb. 1, 1994.)
President Monson spoke of the many times Elder Cutler was transferred during his professional career. "Mountain Bell may have thought they were transferring Clinton Cutler, but in reality the Lord was doing the transferring," President Monson said. "Wherever he went, it took only about two days for word to catch up, and he was put to work in the service of God. He served twice as stake president. He had great influence for good in the lives of others."
He said that when Elder Cutler retired, he and his wife, Carma Cutler, planned to restore an old home that needed a lot of work, put down roots and live a life "with no more transfers." It was at that time, President Monson said, that Elder and Sister Cutler were called to Seattle, Wash., where Elder Cutler presided over a mission until he was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy. He said Elder Cutler's response, upon realizing his retirement dream of putting down roots would not be fulfilled, was simply: "We're ready to go."
After quoting John 4:2-3, in which the Savior said, "In my Father's house are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a place for you . . . that where I am, there ye may be also," President Monson said to Sister Cutler, "I wouldn't be surprised if, when you join your husband, you find that the mansion he has prepared for you just may have a lot of features of that old home that you were preparing to enjoy."
To Elder Cutler's children and grandchildren, President Monson quoted 3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." He told them, "This is the finest monument you can erect to the memory of your beloved father and grandfather."
Elder Pinegar said Elder Cutler filled assignments as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy right up until the end. He sometimes attended quorum meetings, enduring so much pain and discomfort that he was unable to sit through the meetings. He stood but did not complain, Elder Pinegar said. "He would take his cane, his car and Carma . . . and fulfill the
stakeT conference assignments he had," Elder Pinegar said.
"His attitude of faith revealed a firm belief that doing God's will was best. He served with an utmost assurance that those who abide by the will of the Lord are those who will be the happiest and the most satisfied with what life has to offer. Yet he suffered pain continuously. Even in the face of that suffering, his spirit never faltered."
Elder Pinegar read excerpts from a discourse Elder Cutler delivered in January 1993 to fellow members of the Quorums of the Seventy. Elder Pinegar said Elder Cutler closed his remarks to the quorums by telling "us we should always seek to retain the peace that comes from the Savior. He gave us a warning, however, with these words: `The Lord's peace comes not without pain, but in the midst of pain.' "
Elder Pinegar further said, "Death found Clinton Cutler with no chink in his armor of faith, no guile in his soul."
Before he was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Cutler served as a mission president, regional representative, stake president and bishop.
Elder Cutler was born in Salt Lake City to Benjamin Lewis Cutler and Nellie Helena Sharp Cutler on Dec. 27, 1929. On June 22, 1949, he married Carma Nielsen in the Salt Lake Temple.
He is survived by his wife, and by three sons and three daughters: Connie C. Giaque, Boise, Idaho; Cathy C. Peterson, Carolee C. Wright of Draper, Utah; Clinton Reed Cutler, Charles L. Cutler and Clark N. Cutler of Sandy, Utah. Elder Cutler is survived also by his mother, five brothers and three sisters, and 28 grandchildren.
