Just two days before general conference, Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve received a phone call from President Gordon B. Hinckley. In a conversation described as "personal and endearing," the Church president asked the 74-year-old apostle if he would fill the First Presidency position left vacant by the recent death of President James E. Faust.
Despite feeling inadequate, Elder Eyring accepted the call.
"President Hinckley is always saying, 'Things will work out," said the newly sustained second counselor in the First Presidency at an Oct. 6 news conference. "And I have that feeling as well, even as I face this momentous responsibility."
President Eyring was joined at the televised press conference by Elder Quentin L. Cook, who was called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve created when President Eyring was called to the First Presidency.
The newest member of the Church's governing triumvirate said he was grateful for the trust shown him by the Lord, President Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency.
"(This is) an opportunity to serve with people whom I love. People I sustain as prophets, seers and revelators — true apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ," said President Eyring.
Elder Cook told the many reporters gathered at the news conference that he did not seek or expect the call to the Twelve. "But neither do we turn down a call, particularly when it comes from a faithful, loving prophet who is so dear to us.
"I accept that call and pledge to do everything I possibly can to be worthy to accomplish what the Lord would have me accomplish."
The news conference was held between the Saturday morning and afternoon sessions of general conference in the lobby of the Church Office Building in front of a large, familiar mural of Christ sending His apostles into the world.
President Eyring became emotional speaking of his First Presidency predecessor.
"(President Faust) was the dearest friend you could have and the best mentor you could have."
The new counselor said it was President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, who had contacted him with the news of President Faust's death. "I said to President Packer, 'How sad. (President Faust) is who I always wanted to be when I grew up.' President Packer assured me there was still time."
President Eyring said he learned a valuable lesson from President Faust after being called as an apostle. "Rather than trying to solve all my problems, (President Faust) sent me to God. He had that gift of being very sensitive and kind."
When asked what message he would share with people who don't belong to the Church, President Eyring answered: "We would hope they would understand that the Church in many ways reaches out to everyone — that there may be something we have that would bring them great happiness. I would hope they would feel that our concern is to offer the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
When asked how he had received his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Cook said his experience was a bit different than President Eyring's late afternoon phone call. Instead, he was invited to President Hinckley's office.
"If somebody had called me on the phone I would have been sure it was a prank of some sort," Elder Cook said, drawing laughs from the assembled media. He described his life-altering conversation with President Hinckley as "wonderful, sweet and short."
Elder Cook said he first became acquainted with the Harvard-educated President Eyring years ago when both were at Stanford University. Elder Cook was a law student and President Eyring was serving on the school's faculty. Still, he scoffed at suggestions that ties to prominent universities are prerequisite to prominent Church callings.
"It would be a terrible mistake to think there is an educational or occupational requirement to serve in the Church," Elder Cook said. "Nothing could be further from the truth. If you were to look at all the people who are serving, you would find (leaders) from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds. People who love the Lord and have a commitment to Him and have spiritual maturity are called into positions."
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
