Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. MDT from causes incident to age, while surrounded by his family at his home in Salt Lake City. He was 86. @Elder Scott was sustained as an apostle on October 1, 1988. He was called as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on April 2, 1977, and served as a member of the presidency of that quorum from October 1983 until he was called as an apostle in 1988. @Elder Scott was able, very successfully, to keep his eye on eternity,” said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who served as a young missionary under Elder Richard G. Scott. “His messages were filled with hope. And he was unapologetic about repentance and the Atonement because he knew that that's where hope came from or what one could hope for as a consequence of true, full repentance and the effect of the Atonement, the grace of Jesus Christ, in one's life.” @As with the apostles in New Testament times, Latter-day Saint apostles are called to be special witnesses of Jesus Christ. Elder Scott was one of 15 men who help oversee the growth and development of the global Church, which numbers more than 15 million members. @Elder Scott taught, “There are few things in life that bring as much joy as the joy that comes from assisting another improve his or her life.” @“I don't go anywhere, especially in Latin America, where he served for so long and in so many places — I don't go anywhere there that I don't see his footprints, where I don't meet somebody who hasn't been influenced by him in some way,” Elder Christofferson said. @Richard Gordon Scott was born November 7, 1928, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Kenneth Leroy and Mary Whittle Scott. He served a full-time mission to Uruguay and presided over the Argentina North Mission in Córdoba, Argentina, from 1965 to 1969. @He graduated from George Washington University as a mechanical engineer and completed post-graduate work in nuclear engineering at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. From 1953 to 1965 Elder Scott served on the staff of Admiral Hyman Rickover, directing the development of nuclear fuel for a wide variety of naval and land-based power plants. He also worked as a private consultant for nuclear power companies. @Elder Scott received an honorary doctor of Christian service degree from Brigham Young University in 2008. @Elder Scott was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanene, who passed away on May 15, 1995. He was well known to many members of the Church for the love he expressed for his wife. He is survived by seven children. @“He'll be remembered as a tireless worker, a tireless servant, and a friend of the Lord who wore out his life in the Lord's cause and was happy to do it,” Elder Christofferson said. “I think he'll always be remembered as someone who conveyed hope.” @The Church will announce details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available. It is undetermined when the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be filled.~@~8:40pm, Tuesday, 9/22/15 Woah, bps, am I ever surprised! 3 apostles bite the dust! Lucky, dogs! They are all done. I listened to RGS 4 times today as he compared Rock Climbing to living the gospel. Solo climbing was like no help from any one or anything and most likely to end in tragedy as continued. Companionship climbing is like having the anchors and ropes of Jesus Christ and gravity is like justice. I listened so many times because I wanted to feel the truth of the analogy. His voice was so steady, expressive and filled with confidence and love. Personally I figured he had been a professional psychiatrist or counselor because he was so sensitive. Nothing could have been further from the truth. A NUCLEAR engineer! Both he and RMN missed their wives so much after they passed away, I get that aspect of their personalities mixed up. She died 10 years ago. Elder Richard G. Scott on his mission, in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission, from 1950 to 1953[age 22-25] He was born in '28 that means in '48 he was 20, '68 he was 40 and a mission president. In '88 he was 60 and called as an apostle. He served the 11 years before that as a Seventy. I wonder if he went back to his profession from'69-'77? Additional excerpts: Although his parents taught him correct principles and values, Elder Scott did not attend church regularly as a child. “While there were no influences in the home which were adverse to Church membership or growth,” he said, “it just wasn’t a high priority until later in life when both mother and dad became very active.” As Richard grew, so did his curiosity, and he began to have strong feelings that something was seriously lacking in his life. Despite all he had learned about the physical workings of the world around him, he knew there had to be more. He found that “something more” as a teenager on a Forest Service job in Idaho cutting down diseased trees in the Caribou National Forest. There he met a group of young men who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and rediscovered his family’s faith. Local priesthood leaders made arrangements for Elder Scott to be ordained a priest, and later that year he toured the newly completed Idaho Falls Temple, where he had a profound religious experience. “I think one of the very strongest spiritual experiences I had at that time in my life was when I went through the temple. I remember very, very clearly feeling a special spirit within that temple.” @Elder Scott continued his personal religious studies while he completed his education, graduating from George Washington University with a degree in mechanical engineering. It was there he met Jeanene Watkins, a modern dance major who Elder Scott said “captivated me since the first moment I met her.” He had plans for marriage and a career, but Jeanene encouraged him to serve a mission for the Church. “That decision thoroughly changed my life and laid the foundation ... for a marvelous experience in life together.” [I am so proud of her. Look how she blessed all humanity because of her steadiness!]vj @Elder Scott’s mission to Uruguay became the next course in his studies of the workings of the Spirit. “When I went into the mission field,” he said, “I thought I had a testimony; but I soon found that it was a very thinly woven skeleton.” His testimony increased when he asked the Lord to “help me be an instrument to help other people. When I would pray for others and the things they needed in their lives, then I would feel impressions to make changes or additions in my own life. It’s easier, I think, for one to be inspired or know what to do for another than for himself or herself — and with that inspiration always comes feedback for your own growth.” @Though he had been told that going on a mission would be detrimental to his career, after his mission Elder Scott was hired from a large field of candidates by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover to work on the design of the nuclear reactor for the Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine. @Even though Elder Scott’s job often took him away from home, his bond with his wife and children remained strong through nightly phone calls. [I find this part particularly sweet. I called Kathyx upon my safe arrival at all of my summer workshops. I was so in love with her and my family.] The Scotts relied on this bond to draw closer to each other and their Heavenly Father when they experienced the deaths of two children, a daughter just before birth and a two-year-old son in heart surgery six weeks later. But Elder Scott said some of his sweetest family memories were from the adoption of four additional children as a result of that hardship. [Woah, they adopted 4 additional children! How awesome. Can't get them one way then we will get them some way else! No one ever talks about adoption in general conference. I wonder if it is because it applies to so few of us?]vj “The truth is,” Elder Scott said, “that when people make sacrifices to raise children, when they work together to build a home, the enduring joy is so much more profound and beautiful than any of the temporary things for which people give family up for.” @Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who served as a young missionary under Richard G. Scott, said, “I can't imagine anyone treating his wife better than Elder Scott treated Jeanene. It was, for me, and is, still, an ideal. I think his love for her is legendary — and hers the same, during their lifetime. He was always willing to sacrifice for her happiness, and it was clear to me that his happiness was found in her happiness.” @Elder Scott was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 1, 1988. As an apostle, he helped govern a worldwide Church of more than 15 million members whose organization is a restoration of Christ's ancient church. Shortly after his call, Elder Scott, the soft-spoken scientist, humbly spoke to members of the Church about his new lifelong responsibility: “It is understandable that when one has received a call and been conveyed a trust that will completely change his life forever, feelings would be sensitive and emotions very near the surface. As I have struggled to begin to understand this sacred assignment and all that it implies, I have spent much time pouring out the feelings of my heart to our beloved Father in Heaven. I have pled that He would guide me and strengthen me that I may serve Him and His Beloved Son as well as I am able.” @Elder Scott spent his life in the pursuit of truth. He had the mind of a scientist but the soul of an apostle of God. He bore testimony that while scientific truths are relative, God’s truths are absolute and will ultimately bring joy to those who follow them. “I think [with] a life centered in truth, with values that are held and kept, and a recognition that we are not all alone, we can receive guidance from the Lord through the Holy Ghost. That is the core of happiness.” @Elder Richard G. Scott never settled for just seeing the electric light cast from a lamp, hearing the roar of a car engine or feeling the smooth, gentle curve of a decorative vase; he wanted to know how each was created and the workings of all its bits and parts. Even as a child he operated power tools and, with encouragement from his parents, learned to take things apart, see how they worked, make repairs and build them all over again. Elder Scott recalled, “I remember once we put in an exhaust manifold on our car and put in a whistle from the caboose of a freight train, so every now and then you could get a very nice shrill whistle out of it.” @One of Elder Richard G. Scott's hobbies was painting. He wrote: "Creativity can engender a spirit of gratitude for life and for what the Lord has woven into your being. Creativity gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, a zest for life that we all need." [He was left handed in his painting picture. Brandon, I so love and believe that last sentence. Creativity! HughN never used to give the same lesson or lecture twice. He always created new. I wasn't quite like that but Mrs. Jen Walker the math teacher on my team heard what my science lesson was in one class and when she brought it up in the next class she found it wasn't the same as what we had learned in the next one. I found It boring to repeat and so I often made check lists and covered what I wanted on that day and filled in the rest of the checks on subsequent days. Some of my fellow teachers thought I was unusual and there is no doubt about that! :) So why do I talk about it with you? Because you need that spark of creativity. Just writing what you are thinking and questions that come to mind while you are reading, in those books that will always be yours is a way of expressing yourself and being creative. When I think about painting pictures like RGS or carving birds like BKP I just shy
away! But writing words and performing in front of an audience with music or words, and writing limericks and other word poems, those are areas where I enjoy creating! How about you? That's the big question, how about you?] [Can you relate to the part of his life where he lived in Idaho with his parents but they were not active in the church? What a miracle he was able to serve a mission! That was late!][On his marriage picture it says:Kenneth was on the personal staff of Agriculture Secretary Ezra Taft Benson . V-small world! Can you imagine? His dad was on Benson's personal staff! Yay, his mom and dad got to associate with ETB! No wonder they became active!] [Jeanene's dad, Arthur Watson was a Senator from Utah. Small world! Washington DC] Brandon, I believe he was the shortest of all the current apostles. But not any more. I think Bednar has that distinction now. Lol @ As I said, I was always touched with his slow, powerful, feeling way of speaking. HBE speaks with deep feeling and tons of humbel personal application. As you know I love Mark Clayton my therapist. Some of that love extended to RGS because they sounded so much alike. Well, he sure was a marvelous gift to us. I sure wasn't expecting anyone else to pass away. v- I can just imagine a meeting in the temple with the 15 apostles minus 3. OK brethren General Conference is in two weeks. Do you think we can have a 3rd apostle ready to be sustained? You know all those names we brought up before but passed on? Do you remember how it was so hard to pick between those 3 men? Well, now we have a spot for all three! But let's fast and pray and see if there isn't someone else the Lord has in mind.-v (was I being creative? Did it bring anything to your mind? Tell HF! You are not alone. I know it gets boring not hearing much in return, but at least you are hearing from me!) So, I am not sure if I should send you the talk by RGS that I listened to 4 times today. Well, in honor of he death today I guess I will: ~~@~ ~Our Father in Heaven wants each of us to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. Our Master, Jesus Christ, and His prophets have taught how to have that peace and happiness, even in a world that is ever more challenging, with increasing conflict and an intense concentration of alluring temptations. @I will illustrate the wrong way to find peace and happiness, and then the proper way, by using an analogy to rock climbing. There are those who attempt to scale a difficult rock cliff by a method called “soloing.” They ascend alone, without equipment, companions, or any secure protection. They depend on their own skill and capacity. They do it for the thrill of living on the edge with high risk. It is done despite the probability that in time they will fall and be seriously injured or lose their life. They are like many who face the challenges and temptations of life without the security of following the commandments of God, guided by the Holy Spirit. In today’s difficult world they will almost surely violate critical laws, with painful, destructive consequences. Do not “solo” in life. You will almost certainly fall into transgression. @There is a safer way to rock climb. When a pair of climbers tackle a difficult ascent, the leader scales a wall, placing anchors a few feet apart. His or her rope is linked to the anchor by a carabiner. Safety is assured by a companion, called the second, stationed in a very solid position. The lead is protected as the second belays, that is, carefully controls how the rope is payed out. In this way the lead is assured protection while ascending. Should there be an inadvertent misstep, the anchor will safely limit the fall. The second not only secures the lead but gives encouragement with comments and signals as they communicate back and forth. Their goal is a safe, exhilarating experience by overcoming a significant challenge. They employ techniques and equipment that are tried and proven. The essential equipment includes a secure harness, a reliable rope, a variety of anchors to be fixed to the rock face, a chalk bag to improve grip, and proper boots or special shoes that a leader can use to grip the surface of the steep wall. @The companionship has studied the rules and techniques of rock climbing. They have received instruction from experienced climbers and have practiced to become comfortable with the proper moves and the use of equipment. They have planned a route and determined how they will work together. When the leader scales far enough and finds a convenient place that is very safe, he or she belays while taking up the rope as the second follows the “pitch” or length of rope that has been extended. When the leader is reached, the process is then repeated. One belays while the other climbs, inserting anchors every few feet as protection should there be an inadvertent fall. While technical rock climbing appears to be risky and dangerous, these precautions assure an exhilarating experience, safely accomplished by following correct principles. @In real life, the anchors are the laws of God that provide protection under all of the challenges that you will face. The rope and carabiners that secure the rope to the anchors represent obedience to those commandments. When you learn those commandments, continue to practice them, and have a plan to avoid danger, you will have a secure means of obtaining protection against Satan’s temptations. You will develop strength of character that will fortify you against transgression. Should you make a wrong move, there need be no enduring problem because of the belaying or help that is available through your repentance. @Let the Savior be your “lead” in life. He has said, “I am … the Rock of Heaven … ; whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall.” 1 The Redeemer will safely lead you over the most difficult obstacles of life. His laws are absolutely secure anchors of protection that dispel fear and assure success in an otherwise dangerous world. Such a life will certainly provide you peace and happiness. @True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a secure ascent in the journey of life. That takes effort. While there is no guarantee of overnight results, there is the assurance that, in the Lord’s time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and happiness will be yours. @The challenges you face, the growth experiences you encounter, are intended to be temporary scenes played out on the stage of a life of continuing peace and happiness. Sadness, heartache, and disappointment are events in life. It is not intended that they be the substance of life. I do not minimize how hard some of these events can be. When the lesson you are to learn is very important, trials can extend over a long period of time, but they should not be allowed to become the confining focus of everything you do. Your life can and should be wondrously rewarding. It is your understanding and application of the laws of God that will give your life glorious purpose as you ascend and conquer the difficulties of life. That perspective keeps challenges confined to their proper place—stepping-stones to further growth and attainment. @The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. Your progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth
experience you encounter, whether you welcome the experience or not. Trust in the Lord. Ask to be led by the Spirit to know His will. Be willing to accept it. You will then qualify for the greatest happiness and the heights of attainment from this mortal experience. @Peace and happiness are the precious fruits of a righteous life. They are only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I will explain. @Each of us makes mistakes in life. They result in broken eternal laws. Justice is that part of Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness that maintains order. It is like gravity to a rock climber, ever present. It is a friend if eternal laws are observed. It responds to your detriment if they are ignored. Justice guarantees that you will receive the blessings you earn for obeying the laws of God. Justice also requires that every broken law be satisfied. When you obey the laws of God, you are blessed, but there is no additional credit earned that can be saved to satisfy the laws that you break. If not resolved, broken laws can cause your life to be miserable and would keep you from returning to God. Only the life, teachings, and particularly the Atonement of Jesus Christ can release you from this otherwise impossible predicament. @The demands of justice for broken law can be satisfied through mercy, earned by your continual repentance and obedience to the laws of God. Such repentance and obedience are absolutely essential for the Atonement to work its complete miracle in your life. The Redeemer can settle your individual account with justice and grant forgiveness through the merciful path of your repentance. Through the Atonement you can live in a world where justice assures that you will retain what you earn by obedience. Through His mercy you can resolve the consequences of broken laws. @The Atonement was a selfless act of infinite, eternal consequence, arduously earned alone, by the Son of God. 2 Through it the Savior broke the bonds of death. It justifies our finally being judged by the Redeemer. It can prevent an eternity under the dominion of Satan. It opens the gates to exaltation for all who qualify for forgiveness through repentance and obedience. @Pondering the grandeur of the Atonement evokes the most profound feelings of awe, immense gratitude, and deep humility. Those impressions can provide you powerful motivation to keep His commandments and consistently repent of errors for greater peace and happiness. @I believe that no matter how diligently you try, you cannot with your human mind fully comprehend the eternal significance of the Atonement nor fully understand how it was accomplished. We can only appreciate in the smallest measure what it cost the Savior in pain, anguish, and suffering or how difficult it
was for our Father in Heaven to see His Son experience the incomparable challenge of His Atonement. Even so, you should conscientiously study the Atonement to understand it as well as you can. You can learn what is needful to live His commandments, to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. You can qualify, with obedient family members, to live with Him and your Father in Heaven forever. @Lehi taught his son Jacob, “No flesh … can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.” @Jesus Christ possessed merits that no other being could possibly have. He was a God, Jehovah, before His birth in Bethlehem. His beloved Father not only gave Him His spirit body, but Jesus was His Only Begotten Son in the flesh. Our Master lived a perfect, sinless life and therefore was free from the demands of justice. He is perfect in every attribute, including love, compassion, patience, obedience, forgiveness, and humility. His mercy pays our debt to justice when we repent and obey Him. Since with even our best efforts to obey His teachings we will still fall short, because of His grace we will be “saved, after all we can do.” @I testify that with unimaginable suffering and agony at an incalculable price, the Savior earned His right to be our Redeemer, our Intermediary, our Final Judge. I know that He lives and that He loves you. Consistently make Him your “lead” in life. The secure anchors of His laws will assure safety and success as you scale the challenges you will face. You will not fall into serious transgression. Yours will be a life of peace and happiness crowned with exaltation in the celestial kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ~~@ ~~ 10:10pm I believe I added/ copied enough stuff to this post card that I didn't take me half as long as usual. Apostles are so special to me Brandon. I have felt blessed to be able to compile this for you tonight. I added a number of things that I thought were interesting. Chances are that if you can remember half of this stuff you will know more than you mom or any other member of your family about Elder Richard G Scott. Gby-bltpjs-vj or using my FHC alias: Vincenzo Papalardo !
VERSE 1
How much is that hound dog in the window
I hope that flea bag's for sale
How much is that hound dog in th window
The one with long waggly tail
VERSE 2
I'll give you two bits for that hound dog
Th one with th sad achin' heart
That looks so much like my girl friend
I can hardly tell them apart
VERSE 3
I don't want a monkey or baboon
Don't want an ole muley cow
Don't want a measley ole cat fish
For cat fish can never meow
VERSE 4
How much is that hound dog in th window
The one with th baseball nose on his face
You know what a baseball means sir,
It dribbles all over th place
