He was, quite literally, always happy and smiling. I loved the positive way he spoke concerning the gospel, focusing on it being a positive influence in our lives, and not something to be endured.

My favorite memory is when he did the sealing for my cousin and her husband. At the luncheon after I ordered Dr. Pepper, just like always. When the waitress came back and asked, “Who had the Dr. Pepper?” Uncle Tom piped up and said, “Who ordered Dr. Pepper?” Mom was mortified. I don’t think Uncle Tom cared, and I thought it was hilarious.

Second, Elder Perry commented that the Church needed one convert in the United States for every two (or three or four — I forget the exact ratio) converts outside the United States. At the time, I was taken aback by this crass number crunching, but I now realize that this was part of managing the growth of the Church and tendering its resources.

Finally, when it came time for questions from the missionaries, Elder Perry reminded us that “the other” tall member of the Twelve was better suited for tricky doctrinal inquiries. Ironically, that other tall member of the Twelve, Elder McConkie, visited the mission a few months later. Rather than deliver a doctrinal discourse for which he was famous, Elder McConkie told stories of his time as a mission president in Australia. (One highlight: “As a mission president, you can do anything you want — [dramatic pause] as long as Salt Lake doesn’t find out about it.”)