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Mormon Apostle Remembered As Devoted, Tireless

Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
Members and leaders of the LDS Church gathered at the Salt Lake Tabernacle to honor apostle Robert D. Hales who passed away last weekend.

The funeral services for Mormon apostle Robert D. Hales - who died last weekend - were held at the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle today.

If you're an apostle, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings at your funeral. Also, it's one of the few times you'll be called by your first name.

 

“Before Bob and I were called as general authorities, we made our living in the world of business," says Russell M. Ballard who served with Hales in the Quorum of the Twelve for many years.

 

Hales success in business was mentioned more than once. A graduate of Harvard Business School and executive at a number of high profile companies, Hales put that life to the side when called as a full-time general authority for the LDS church back in 1975.

 

Another apostle, Russell Nelson—who’s next in line to lead the church—spoke about Hales’ heart.

 

“I know Bob’s heart. Literally," said Nelson to laughter from the audience.

 

Nelson is a former heart surgeon and was in the operating room when Hales underwent open heart surgery two decades ago. Hales had a lot of health struggles and surprised many with his ability to continue serve until he was 85 years old.

 

Hales’ death leaves a vacancy in the second highest governing body of the church, which is expected to be filled sometime in the next six months.

 

Lee Hale began listening to KUER while he was teaching English at a Middle School in West Jordan (his one hour commute made for plenty of listening time). Inspired by what he heard he applied for the Kroc Fellowship at NPR headquarters in DC and to his surprise, he got it. Since then he has reported on topics ranging from TSA PreCheck to micro apartments in overcrowded cities to the various ways zoo animals stay cool in the summer heat. But, his primary focus has always been education and he returns to Utah to cover the same schools he was teaching in not long ago. Lee is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is also fascinated with the way religion intersects with the culture and communities of the Beehive State. He hopes to tell stories that accurately reflect the beliefs that Utahns hold dear.
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