George Cannon died

George Cannon was one of my favorite people for many reasons. We had the great blessing of living in their ward many years ago. I have not forgotten the lessons he taught by his humble and devoted example.

My favorite memory was kneeling with him in an office in the stake center every month and reporting my stewardship as an elder's quorum president. On one such occasion, sensing my need, he offered a priesthood blessing that was comforting and reassuring. He never failed to lift and inspire me to more consecrated service. I loved him for his humility and his total devotion to the kingdom. The great ones never assume they are great. They know it is God that magnifies them. He was such a man.

I will never forget when he was called as a stake patriarch. We were seated as a family near the front of the hall in the stake center. Elder Bruce R. McConkie was the visiting authority that day. It was in the days when only a member of the Twelve was authorized to name stake patriarchs, but there was no indication before conference that such a calling was in the offing.

As the conference started, Elder McConkie was in the Primary room meeting with all the children and not on the stand. Soon thereafter, he took a few long quick strides to his place on the podium. Before the conference had started, he wandered through the assembling crowd and shook every hand he could reach.

As he settled himself on the stand, only a few minutes passed before he arose, exited the stand and walked along the side of the hall to the back. He motioned for George Cannon to come with him. I watched the whole thing unfold -- Elder McConkie was a tall man and was an imposing presence. I suspect I was not the only one whose neck was cranked to see what he was up to.

Toward the end of the meeting, when the time had been turned over to Elder McConkie, he asked George to stand at the rear of the hall and then called for a sustaining vote for his calling as a stake patriarch. He then asked George to take the stand and share his testimony with us.

George explained that the reason they were seated at the rear of the hall was that they were late arriving. They had been in St. George vacationing. Isabel, his devoted wife, arose early with the impression they should start immediately back to Salt Lake so they could attend stake conference. Just an impression. How sweet and subtle are those whisperings!

Elder McConkie spotted their late entrance, testified of his impression to issue the calling, and then proceeded to give a masterful sermon to the conference on the patriarchal order of the priesthood. He taught that day, as he did many times during his ministry, about natural patriarchs and ordained patriarchs, and he explained the differences and the similarities.

He testified that in every sense of the definition that George Cannon qualified as a "natural" patriarch, the father of his posterity, and because of his worthiness would someday stand as a priest and a king in our Father's kingdom. He then differentiated his new role as an "ordained" patriarch, and discussed the many ways he would bless the lives of others beyond the lives of his own posterity.

I have no idea how many patriarchal blessings George Cannon gave, but I can testify knowing the man that those recipients of his blessings can rest assured that the Lord was speaking directly to them through George Cannon. He was a pure vessel, a dedicated servant, a natural patriarch, and my friend.

I loved him, I love his family, and he will be enshrined in the Goates memory "hall of fame" forever.