From John:
You know what's funny? Because Dad's callings almost never let him sit with us (or even carpool with us), I hardly have any memories about being actually in church with Dad. I do remember him being up on the stand, though, often looking pretty sleepy. That struck me as kind of unfair when I was a kid, that the people on the stand got to nap through the meetings. Doesn't seem so unfair now. Especially when I consider that I also remember him coming home late on stormy nights after taking care of the rest of the branch or stake or whatever.
Some of my favorite Dad and church memories are from going to the temple with Dad. Cancer kept Dad (and most of the rest of the family) in Kansas while I was in Salt Lake taking out my own endowments. But the lessons he gave me before I went through were a lot of help. And even better, we've been able to sit in the celestial room several times to share our thoughts and feelings. Best of all, Dad was there to witness when JaNae and I were sealed, which is my all time favorite day in the temple.
Dad has always tried to give us opportunities to talk about spiritual things, like when we were home teaching companions. I think I learned more in the car on the way there and back than I did at any of our appointments. I still remember some of the things he taught me on long rides to see the Robbins family and others.
I have lots of other memories about Dad and church: from Book of Mormon stories to singing hymns around the piano. But it's hard to separate out certain memories and say that these are the church ones and the others aren't. The gospel is and always has been Dad's life. Pretty much everything he does or says or likes-- from tickle wrestle to Star Trek-- in some way reflects that faith. I think we could probably tie his love of salt into the gospel in some way if we wanted to.
It all comes down to the first two commandments, which Dad has shown me how to live. Love God and keep his commandments. Love one another and serve one another. That's what I remember, and what I'm still learning from his example. Thanks, Dad.
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From Sam:
My perspective of church with Dad just changed, as I now sit on the stand and watch my children in Sacrament meeting. I wonder what my children will think, particularly Levi who won’t remember me any other way. But I still have some wonderful memories of church with Dad. I remember traveling with dad to visit various wards and branches while he was presumably Stake President. I think that I went to all the little congregations in southern Missouri. I don’t know which unit it was, but I remember being there on a fast Sunday. In this particular ward they invited all the children to come up first. And they all got in a line with a portable microphone (not the actual podium) and bore their testimony. I thought it was strange to single out all the children and have them go separately.
I remember my baptism fairly well. For not remembering much else of my childhood, I am very glad that I can remember this day. I was baptized in Sikeston, so we had to drive the hour or so to the chapel. It was January, and so it was very cold. But I remember that for my birthday present I got a huge bag of skittles. Like a 5 pound bag or something. I sat in the back of the van and ate them the whole way down.
I remember going to a regional conference in St. Louis with Dad where President Benson spoke. He was not yet the prophet, but was probably the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. Afterwards, I remember dad took me to the exit where he would he going and we got to meet him and shake his hand. I was perhaps a bit unreverent when I asked for his autograph, but it was a wonderful moment to remember.
I also remember a stake meeting with Dad, when I was still young, but was at least 14 as I was a home teacher. For some reason the presiding authority asked those with 100% home teaching to stand up. I was glad to be able to stand up with my Dad. I think he quipped something like “I’ve had 100% home teaching nearly every month for 40 years.”
Like John, I remember going through the temple with Dad. He and I went on my last day of freshman year at BYU. He had come up to Provo to represent ESU in the inauguration of the new school president, President Bateman. Together with John and Betsy and a few others, we went through the Salt Lake Temple. I remember sitting with him in the celestial room afterwards as we talked about a few of the symbols. That moment where he described how he thought about the endowment has shaped how I think about the endowment and try to understand the symbolism.
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From JaNae:
I have had only a few years to build memories with the Payne family. But it was apparent from the first time I met David that he was a man who had taken to heart the principles and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who strove daily to emulate Him. My first encounter with him was at his retirement celebration at the University, and though this was not a church function, I could tell from the way people spoke about David that he was a person who treated others with exceptional kindness and respect, and that he was loved and respected in turn by those he worked with. From the things that John told me about his church experiences with his dad, I knew that David's Christlike leadership abilities had been honed during his many years of dedicated service to the church. Before John and I were married, I had the opportunity to participate in a few family scripture study sessions and family prayer, and I was impressed that this was still a habit for the Paynes in spite of all the children having grown up and moved away. This greatly increased my desire to be part of the family and my confidence that I was making the right decision (as if John's excellent qualities weren't enough). The most powerful memory I have relating to David and the gospel came the the first Christmas after John and I were married. I don't remember what occasioned the comment, but I remember David gathering together all of us who were visiting and telling us that he wanted to be sure that we knew that he knew that God lives and that the gospel is true. His testimony was very simple and very powerful, and the spirit immediately filled the room. I did not have the slightest doubt that he did indeed know of the truth of the gospel because I could see Christ's influence in his countenance, in the way he treated others, in his dedicated service, and in everything he did. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to know him better and to have him for a father-in-law.
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From James:
My memories of church with dad,
1. First as a primary aged child sitting, when I would get rowdy or ask dad a question he wouldn't say anything he would just look at me, point at his ear and then point at the pulpit, to indicate for me to listen. I still am looking for ways to keep my children in the chapel during church, I hope to be able to get them to listen someday.
2. I remember dad as a faithful hometeacher, driving out to the Redding Ks, or Trinity Tx. I also remember stealth hometeaching, parking the car a half block away from the Garcia families house so the would not hide until we actually got to their doorstep.
3. Many of the pivotal times in my life have been shaped through Father's blessings. They are recorded in my journal for myself and whatever posterity may come across them.
4. Dad took an interest in my playing for priesthood and coaching me to be ready. Many of my first years of church accompaniment have been particularly traumatic, but I learned an invaluable lesson about preparing for church and not simply winging it. I still play organ and piano for church. Dad probably just remembers being nervous about my level of preparedness.
Love
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From David II:
When I was in elementary school, Mom would go with the older kids to seminary. While they were gone, Dad, James, and I would stay at home to eat breakfast and read scriptures together. I remember sitting around the table in Emporia reading and having Dad explain who was talking, what was happening, and what it all meant to us. At the time, I assumed that this was how all families worked, but I have since come to appreciate how special this time with Dad was. It laid the foundation for my lifetime love of learning and the scriptures.
When I was older, I was blessed to have Dad as my home teaching companion. He taught me how to care about others and how to connect to people who are very different from me through our shared faith in Jesus Christ. I remember how persistent he was in reaching out to people like Herb Decker, who had no real interest in the church, and who, frankly, I would have given up on without Dad's insistence that we visit. I doubt that these visits will ever get through to Herb, but they definitely got through to me and taught me that every soul is worth saving.
Dad taught me the importance of acting on my faith. I don't think it was until college that I learned that the phrase "Teach me to do all the things that are right" is not actually in "Teach Me to Walk in the Light." For my entire life, I have watched Dad do all the things he knows to be right. He doesn't simply teach or testify, but he acts.
