Before his work in Presiding Bishopric and as a General Authority Seventy,Elder Dean M. Davies helped find and acquire sites for temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — one of which was the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple.
During a BYU devotional in November 2015, Elder Davies spoke about how the Church was successful in secured the temple site after all seemed lost.
“However,” Elder Davies asid to the BYU audience, “you probably already know that when it comes to building the kingdom of God — and especially when it comes to building temples — things often don’t go as smoothly as we would hope.”
Elder Davies in a meeting with the Mayor of the city bore his testimony about temples and experiences with them.
He said something like: “Mr. Mayor, many years ago when I was a young boy in Tonga, my father and mother and my brothers and sisters sold our home, we sold fruits and vegetables, and we sold everything we could to have enough money to travel to Hamilton, New Zealand, to be sealed as an eternal family in the temple. You need this temple. This temple will bless your city. This temple will bless your community. It will bless the people.”
The Mayor would later ask questions and come to the conclusion that yes, the temple would be built. It is very likely the spirit has something to do with changing his mind.
The Funeral
Many people spoke in the funeral service but we will just touch on some of the speakers words.
President Nelson and his counselors in the First Presidency spoke during Elder Davies’ funeral on Saturday, September 4, at the North Salt Lake Utah Stake Center. He was a husband, father, grandfather and a dedicated disciple of the church. He served almost a decade as a general authority. Elder Davies was usually a familiar face at many new temple sites in the days leading up to the temple dedication events.
“Dear children and grandchildren and those yet to come,” President Nelson spoke, “as you face your future, you can depend upon the rock solid testimony of this great patriarch, this exemplary, noble and humble man: Elder Dean Myron Davies.”
President Oaks also spoke and said that the members of the First Presidency have a combined 100 years experience with working closely with and knowing Elder Davies.
“He was a man of great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a man of immense worldly wisdom and inspiring action that he brought to bear in his service to the Lord. … We commend his model, his example to his family, to his friends and to his associates, and testify of Jesus Christ, whom he served so valiantly and so thankfully.”
Jennifer Woodland said, “Though Dad’s cancer journey was heart wrenching and devastating on so many levels, I will be forever grateful for the ways in which it served to enrich our relationship and deepen our love and appreciation for each other.”
Jill Ottley recalled once asking her father a question, “Dad, how is that you are calm even when people, even when your children, tell you things that are hard to hear?”
He responded, “I found that many situations, even things that seem very terrible, are often resolved over time, or they simply aren’t that important after a year or two goes by.”
Sarah Davies shared her memories of her father being there with her during challenging times. “Time and again, Dad showed up with love and support,” she said.
Aaron Davies reflected on his memories of father/son campouts as well as home teaching moments with his father. “The beauty of his life well-lived is that the treasures he shared with all of us do not corrode with time but grow richer and deeper. … I love my father and I know I will see him again. A treasure he gave me was a map to find him where he has gone,” he said.
After the funeral, Elder Davies was buried at Bountiful City Cemetery where his body will await the glorious resurrection day.
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