Glen L. Rudd becomes a general authority in the Church — April 1987
Susan’s parents served as President and Matron of the New Zealand Temple from 1984 to 1987. They were due to be released and return home in August of 1987, but we received word from them that they would unexpectedly be coming home for April Conference in 1987 to attend a “seminar”. When questions concerning the nature of the seminar elicited nonspecific answers, we all became suspicious. Eventually Dad Rudd said, “You will probably want to pay close attention during the opening session of Conference.” We were all proud beyond description to hear Glen L. Rudd called into the Quorum of the Seventy as a General Authority of the Church. It was a well-deserved honor and responsibility for a wonderful leader and spiritual priesthood holder. It was wonderful to go with the family into the First Presidency conference room at Church headquarters and witness his setting-apart by Presidents Hinckley and Monson (his setting-apart blessing is on the following page). Elder Rudd subsequently served 5 years as a General Authority, serving in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. He was able to share many wonderful experiences and insights with us family members, which were uplifting and edifying. For three years, I had the privilege of having my Uncle Russell and my father-in-law serving as General Authorities simultaneously.
In February of 1988, Father Rudd was assigned to be the devotional speaker at the Brigham Young University. All of the children and their spouses were invited to come as special guests. We were privileged to sit on the front row, and Elder Rudd gave a marvelous talk on keeping the gospel simple. We enjoyed a special banquet afterwards with President Jeffrey Holland and other BYU dignitaries. We joked about all those Rudd University of Utah fans coming to enjoy the hospitality of the Lord’s University. President Holland encouraged them to continue to pay their tithing in support of this great institution.
In April of 1988, Father Rudd spoke in General Conference, and again many of us were able to go to the Tabernacle and enjoy this great event with our parents. We love Mom and Dad Rudd, and are so grateful for their love, for their example, and for the righteous influence they have on us and our children.
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