David B. Haight
Elder David B. Haight served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from his call in 1976 until his death in 2004.
David B. Haight was born on September 2, 1906, in Oakley, Idaho. His father died when he was only nine, and he was raised mostly by his mother and older brothers and sisters.
After graduating from high school in Idaho, Elder Haight attended Utah State University and studied business administration. He then worked as a personnel manager in Salt Lake City. It was there he met Ruby Olson. The night David B. Haight had asked her out, she already had another date set for 8:00. Elder Haight, however, refused to give up easily and asked if he could take her out at 6:00. David and Ruby were married on September 4, 1930. They left the next day for California where Elder Haight had taken a job.
During the next few years, the Haights were blessed with the arrival of two boys, Bruce and Robert, and a girl, Karen. When the United States entered World War II, Elder Haight felt it was his duty to serve. He joined the U.S. Navy and played a vital role in organizing the movement of supplies to the Pacific. The war was a defining event in David B. Haight’s life. A significant moment came one night, when he had to fly to Hawaii. His family accompanied him to the dock. He stayed up most of the night thinking about his life and came to the realization that all that he valued he had left back on that dock. Elder Haight also began to feel that his commitment to Church service had not been all it might have been. That night, he promised the Lord that if He would spare his life through the war, he would accept whatever the Lord called him to and do whatever was required. Elder Haight lived to see the end of WWII and spent his life keeping his promise to the Lord.
After the war, Elder Haight received an important business assignment for which he moved his family to Chicago. The Haight family then moved back to Palo Alto, California, where Elder Haight became the owner of a group of retail stores and later mayor of the city. As mayor, Elder Haight showed a good deal of common sense. His foresight, looking ahead ten and even twenty years, along with his integrity and credibility, helped Mayor Haight do much to develop and serve the needs of Palo Alto. Mayor Haight also won over many friends because of his warmth and kindness. People grew to understand and respect the standards he lived by.
During this same time, David B. Haight also served as the Palo Alto Stake President for 12 years. In 1963, he accepted a call to serve as a mission president in Scotland. Following this mission, he served as a regional representative. In April 1970, Elder Haight was called to be an Assistant to the Council of the Twelve Apostles. On January 8, 1976, he was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When he received this call he stated, “My great concern is to fulfill my calling totally and fully, with all the ability I have. I know I have been blessed far beyond my natural ability.”
Elder Haight served faithfully as an apostle until he passed away July 31, 2004, at the age of 97. He had been the oldest living apostle. Elder David B. Haight is remembered for his ability to train leaders, his ability to uplift those around him, and his unwavering devotion to his sweetheart and wife, Ruby. David B. Haight was the father-in-law of Church general authority and billionaire philanthropist Jon Huntsman, Sr., and grandfather of Utah's governor Jon Huntsman, Jr.
Quotes from Elder David B. Haight
- "Unchangeable, God-centered principles and ideals adopted by our Founding Fathers not only form the basis of freedom but are the rivets that hold it together. There is a vast difference between principles that are unchangeable and preferences where there is a choice. There should be no question about our standards, our beliefs—about who we are!"
- “Successful Living of Gospel Principles,” Ensign, Nov. 1992
- "The devastation that comes to the families and loved ones of those convicted of crimes such as stealing, fraud, misrepresentation, child abuse, sexual transgression, or other serious crimes is immeasurable. So many sorrows, heartaches, and even broken homes result from a false belief that people can set their own rules and do what they want to do as long as they don’t get caught. Individuals may deceive and even go undetected or unpunished, but they will not escape the judgments of a just God. No man can disobey the word of God and not suffer for so doing. No sin, however secret, can escape retribution and the judgment that follows such transgression.... Do we really believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, and virtuous? On this test may hinge the survival of our society, our constitutional government, and our eternal salvation."
- “Ethics and Honesty,” Ensign, Nov. 1987
