Joseph B. Wirthlin

Joseph B. Wirthlin – Life, Career, and “Quotes”

Discover the life and legacy of Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008): American businessman, religious leader, and longtime apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From running a family business to global ecclesiastical service, his life blends faith, service, and leadership.

Introduction

Joseph Bitner Wirthlin (June 11, 1917 – December 1, 2008) was an American businessman and religious leader who served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Though he is sometimes described first as a religious figure, his background and contributions in business played a formative role in his approach to leadership, ethics, and service. In his life he bridged secular and spiritual responsibilities, offering lessons about integrity, humility, and devotion to duty.

Early Life and Family

Joseph B. Wirthlin was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, as the eldest of five children to Joseph L. Wirthlin and Madeline Bitner Wirthlin. Presiding Bishop of the LDS Church from 1952 to 1961.

From an early age, Joseph was exposed to values of hard work, service, and compassion. During the Great Depression, his father would load their red wagon with food to help needy neighbors, encouraging Joseph to assist the deliveries himself.

He was also active musically and athletically from youth: singing in school, participating in operettas, and showing athletic promise.

Youth, Education, and Early Career

After high school, Wirthlin enrolled at the University of Utah, where he majored in business management.

However, in the late 1930s, Wirthlin paused his athletic ambitions to serve a mission for the LDS Church. From approximately 1936 to 1939, he preached and taught in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. 1941, he married Elisa Young Rogers (May 26) and took over management of his family’s wholesale food business, Wirthlin’s, Inc.

Wirthlin grew up working in that business, learning about management, employee relations, and the challenges of balancing commerce and integrity.

Religious Service and Church Leadership

Alongside his business responsibilities, Wirthlin remained deeply involved in church service. His ecclesiastical path included:

• Serving as bishop of the Bonneville Ward in Salt Lake City from 1955 to 1964.

• After release as bishop, serving on a stake high council, and later as a counselor in the stake presidency.

• In June 1971, he was called to be a counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency.

• In April 1975, he was called as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a position that was later discontinued.

• In October 1976, when the office of Assistant was abolished, he became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.

• In his time in the Seventy, he served in executive assignments over regions such as Europe, Africa, Brazil, and the Southeast U.S.

• On October 4, 1986, he was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and ordained on October 9, 1986.

As an apostle, he held roles on multiple committees and oversaw missionary, welfare, educational, and ecclesiastical functions worldwide.

Later Years and Death

Joseph B. Wirthlin remained active in his apostolic service until late in life. On December 1, 2008, he passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City at about 11:30 p.m. from causes incident to age. oldest apostle serving in the church.

He was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

In honor of his memory, the University of Utah established the Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Family Scholarship, benefiting the university’s football program.

Legacy and Influence

Joseph B. Wirthlin is remembered for:

• Humility and integrity: He was often described as unassuming, warm, and consistent in his values.

• Service and compassion: His childhood lesson of helping the poor became a lifelong principle.

• Balanced leadership: His experience in business informed his approach to organizational matters in the church—balancing administration, human relations, and mission.

• Global perspective: Through his assignments in Europe, Brazil, Africa, etc., he contributed to the international growth and governance of the LDS Church.

• Enduring inspiration: His talks and writings are still cited by church members for their warmth, clarity, and spiritual insight.

Notable Quotations

Joseph B. Wirthlin was also known for his thoughtful and spiritually oriented statements. Some quotations attributed to him include:

“Every day is an adventure … Every day carries with it a responsibility.” “Those who walk in faith will feel their lives encompassed with the light and blessings of heaven. They will understand and know things that others cannot.” “My life has been filled with adventure, spiritual experiences and joy that surpasses understanding.”

These reflect his perspective of life as a journey marked by faith, service, and gratitude.

Lessons from Joseph B. Wirthlin

1. Lead by serving
   His life shows that true leadership emerges from humble service rather than seeking authority.

2. Integrate secular and sacred
   He balanced business stewardship with spiritual devotion—showing that faith and profession need not be compartmentalized.

3. Small acts matter
   His early lessons in helping the poor, doing what’s right even when unnoticed, framed his lifelong outlook.

4. Consistency over spectacle
   Rather than grand gestures, his lasting impact came from steady character, integrity in small decisions, and relational warmth.

5. Live with purpose daily
   His remark about treating each day as an adventure underscores the idea that legacy is built in ordinary moments.

Conclusion

Joseph B. Wirthlin’s life is not defined solely by his ecclesiastical title but by the character and compassion he brought to every calling. From managing a family business to leading in global church administration, he remained centered on service, humility, and faith. His legacy offers a portrait of how secular success and spiritual devotion can enrich one another.