By Jacob Conde
A capacity crowd said goodbye to Elder Neal A. Maxwell at funeral services held Tuesday in the Salt Lake Tabernacle at Temple Square. Later, friends and family said a quiet goodbye as they dedicated Elder Maxwell”s gravesite in the Salt Lake Cemetery on a hill overlooking the valley.
Elder Maxwell, an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 23 years, died of leukemia July 21. He was 78 years old.
Although the services weren”t scheduled to begin until noon, people began filling Temple Square about 10 a.m. An hour later, as the doors opened to the public, a crowd of people filed its way into the Tabernacle, filling up the benches that were not reserved for family members or friends.
About 40 minutes later, an entourage of General Authorities, family and security pulled up to the tabernacle. A team of pallbearers laboriously unloaded Elder Maxwell”s heavy-wood casket from a gleaming hearse.
Flanked by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, they brought it into the center of the Tabernacle and set it down in front of an elaborate arrangement of flowers. Meanwhile, an empty chair between Elder David B. Haight and Elder Russell M. Nelson denoted Elder Maxwell”s place in life.
President Hinckley, who conducted the meeting, sat the audience down with a gesture of his hands. He said the death of Elder Maxwell was the close of a chapter in the history of the church. He expressed his condolences to the Maxwell family and thanked church members on their behalf.
“There has been a tremendous outpouring of respect and appreciation,” President Hinckley said.
President Boyd K. Packer, the first speaker of the meeting, said Elder Maxwell never lost his sense of humor or his love for others during his struggles with his health.
“It has been a moving and inspiring experience to be associated with him,” Elder Packer said. “He endured with perfect patience the challenge of his last days.”
He also said Elder Maxwell”s “graduation from life” meant the apostle would be reunited with loved ones and the Lord, while continuing the work he did in his life.
Speaking next was Elder Maxwell”s son, Cory Maxwell. He said his father had a lifelong love of learning and teaching, especially the scriptures.
“He compared them to parachute flares above the trenches of life,” Cory Maxwell said.
In addition, he also said Elder Maxwell loved to spend time with his family, having frequent family get-togethers and vacationing as a group. He quoted Elder Maxwell”s words: “The flame of family can warm us and at the same time be a perpetual pilot light to rekindle us.”
After a musical number provided by the Tabernacle Choir, President James E. Faust recounted several episodes from Elder Maxwell”s life. Elder Maxwell had been a ribbon-winning pig farmer in his youth who enlisted in the Army on his 18th birthday. He was a master sergeant by the time he was 19, then returned home to serve a mission in Canada. He later returned home and married Colleen
Hinckley, had four children and pursued a career in education before becoming a General Authority.
“The glory of God was manifested in him and his accomplishments,” President Faust said. “He was a conceptual genius, a prolific writer and a gifted administrator. I think we”re all profoundly grateful for all he has taught us.”
President Monson spoke next, saying Elder Maxwell had an intimate relationship with the Lord and a love for the people he served with.
“To those who heard his sermons … Neal Maxwell became a part of the family,” President Monson said. “I speak for all of us when I say ”Neal, we still love you.””
Finally, President Hinckley concluded the meeting. Many of his remarks were addressed to Elder Maxwell”s wife, Colleen. President Hinckley spoke of his difficulty after losing his wife, Marjorie Pay, and promised Colleen Maxwell the Savior would comfort her and reunite her with her husband. He also spoke of Elder Maxwell”s achievements and many unique gifts and talents.
“I think we shall not see one like him again,” President Hinckley said.
After a hymn by the choir and a prayer, Elder Maxwell”s body was carried out and loaded into the waiting hearse. The Tabernacle was silent except for the organ music, slowly playing “God Be With You ”Til We Meet Again.”
The convoy carried his body to the cemetery, where Elder Maxwell”s son-in-law, Mark L. Anderson, dedicated his grave. The site overlooks much of the Salt Lake Valley and Temple Square.
After the dedication, each grandchild of Elder Maxwell placed a rose on his casket, following which President Hinckley said a final goodbye.
“Goodnight Neal,” he said quietly. “God bless you, we love you.”
