Spokane Mormons Gather To Mourn Death Of President

Several hundred Spokane members of the Jesus Christ Church of Latter-day Saints gathered to grieve Wednesday during the funeral of church President Howard W. Hunter.

The service, which was held at Tabernacle in Temple Square in Salt Lake City, was broadcast via satellite to three locations in Spokane.

“He was a hero of mine,” said Micah Merrill, 20. “It’s nice to hear about the life that he had.”

Merrill is a missionary from Bountiful, Utah. He was one of about 20 missionaries who watched the proceedings at the LDS church on 29th Avenue.

“I want to try to pattern my life after his,” Merrill said.

Hunter, 87, had been president for nine months. The LDS church claims about 9 million members worldwide. Church officials estimate there are 56,000 members in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

As the 14th president of the church, Hunter urged his followers to emulate Jesus Christ in their daily lives.

“I was impressed with his challenge,” said Shari Olson, 31. “I felt like he was speaking directly to me when he challenged us to be more like the Savior, to reach out to others and to be kind.”

Other Mormons watching the service via satellite said they felt it was important to mark the passing of their leader, even though he held the office for less than a year.

“He was our prophet and he gave us wonderful direction,” said Valerie Heaton, 38.

Heaton was watching the service from the hallway of the South Hill church with her 2-year-old daughter, Shelley.

“I think it is really important to pay tribute.”

Hunter’s personal counselors and several senior apostles of the church spoke at the funeral.

John Timmons, 46, took a long lunch break Wednesday to watch the service and listen to the speakers.

“If you’re a Latter-day Saint, this is very important,” he said. “I believe the leaders of the church are blessed with inspiration in order to do their jobs. That’s why it’s important to me to be here and hear what they say.”