14th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on a train ride with Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who woke up from a short nap to find President Hunter (then in the Quorum of the Twelve) kneeled at his side shining the younger and recently ordained Apostle's shoes hoping not to get caught. After his first wife Clair died, President Hunter's own health began to deteriorate, going through several major surjuries. In February 1993, he was about to address a ninetten-stake fireside at BYU when a man carrying what he declared to be a bomb rushed the stage and ordered President Hunter to read a prepared statement. President calmly refused. Then, the enormous audience in the Marriott Center distracted the intruder by singing " We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet" allowing police to subdue the man. President Hunter rested only a few moments before giving the rest of his prepared speech. "Life has a fair number of challenges," adding, "as demonstrated." Three months later, President Hunter underwent gall bladder surgery but could not be roused afterward. Some days later, he surprised his doctors by walking, coherent, and fully recovered. Upon his ordination as President of the Church he told the press, "I have shed many tears and have sought my Father in Heaven in earnest prayer with a desire to be equal to the high and holy calling which is now mine."

14th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While on a train ride with Elder Neal A. Maxwell, who woke up from a short nap to find President Hunter (then in the Quorum of the Twelve) kneeled at his side shining the younger and recently ordained Apostle's shoes hoping not to get caught. After his first wife Clair died, President Hunter's own health began to deteriorate, going through several major surjuries. In February 1993, he was about to address a ninetten-stake fireside at BYU when a man carrying what he declared to be a bomb rushed the stage and ordered President Hunter to read a prepared statement. President calmly refused. Then, the enormous audience in the Marriott Center distracted the intruder by singing " We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet" allowing police to subdue the man. President Hunter rested only a few moments before giving the rest of his prepared speech. "Life has a fair number of challenges," adding, "as demonstrated." Three months later, President Hunter underwent gall bladder surgery but could not be roused afterward. Some days later, he surprised his doctors by walking, coherent, and fully recovered. Upon his ordination as President of the Church he told the press, "I have shed many tears and have sought my Father in Heaven in earnest prayer with a desire to be equal to the high and holy calling which is now mine."

Bio by: John J