The passing of Elder Marion D. Hanks

Michael and I just heard of the passing of Elder Marion D. Hanks. Although we have not seen him for several years, due to his failing health, he is in our hearts as a great leader and beloved friend. Several years ago, when we were heading our school, Deseret Academy, we discovered we were neighbors and our fondness for him blossomed.

We had established a pattern of training our teachers every summer, on our philosophies of education. Elder Hanks, or "Duff" as he was called by his friends, was always a great teacher and we used much of his ideology in training our teachers. One summer, after our first day of training, one of our teachers who lived across the street for the school, shared with us that Elder Hanks was her next door neighbor. She suggested we invite him to come to the school the next day and share his thoughts in person. Imagine our excitement when, the next day, we spied him crossing the street to join our training! The meeting was a feast and our friendship was born.

He was always good to offer encouragement and support during a difficult time for the school. We decided to dedicate our building and he agreed to offer the dedicatory prayer - blessing our building as a place for our students to feel the Spirit of God and to have peace as an environment of learning. It was an evening never to be forgotten.

Several months later I was being plagued by daily intense headaches that were no longer responding to medication. I sensed something serious and finally consulted a physician, who concurred with the possible seriousness of my condition. Without going into personal detail, I would like to share only that Elder Hanks offered a priesthood blessing. The power of his lifelong worthiness and spiritual confidence were, in a few moments, concentrated on my behalf. I feel I owe my healing and my life to his willingness to share the priesthood of God. Within three days, the headaches were completely gone and I have been symptom free ever since.

Elder Marion D. Hanks was a true example of "enduring to the end." While he was physically and mentally able, he gave and blessed - in innumerable ways. We will miss him, but we know that freed from his well-worn mortal tabernacle, he will be able to wield an even greater influence for our good - and the good of many others, from the other side of the veil. I will continue to work to be more like him.