NORTH SALT LAKE, Utah — Family, friends and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered Tuesday in North Salt Lake to honor the life and ministry of W. Mark Bassett, who died unexpectedly last week at age 59.
Bassett, a General Authority Seventy who spent the past three years serving as the executive director of the church’s Missionary Department, died May 11.
According to a press release, President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor in the First Presidency, presided over the service, which highlighted Bassett’s global ministry and devotion. Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles read a letter of condolence from the First Presidency to Bassett’s wife, Angela.
“He demonstrated love for the Lord throughout his life as he spent time in selfless service to his family and his fellow man,” the letter read. “He leaves a legacy of light, personal integrity, kindness and commitment to righteous living.”
During the service, Bassett’s family reflected on the suddenness of his passing and the comfort they draw from their faith. His son, Taylor, humorously noted that because of Latter-day Saint beliefs regarding preaching in the afterlife, his father “has not been released from the Missionary Department.”
Taylor added that the grieving family found profound solace in a line from the church’s missionary guide: “All that is unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
David Bassett, Mark’s brother, shared memories of Bassett’s time presiding over the Arizona Mesa Mission from 2007 to 2010. He praised his brother’s life philosophy to “choose joy” and remember that “things are just things.” Addressing the deep pain of loss, David pointed to his heart and acknowledged the sting of death, but countered it with scriptures promising that the grave has no victory.
In his concluding remarks, Christofferson offered specific comfort to Bassett’s father, Lynn, who buried his wife just months ago. Christofferson recalled his own early assignments alongside Bassett, who previously worked as the owner and chief financial officer of West Coast Auto Auctions, Inc., before his full-time church service.
Christofferson quoted Bassett’s April 2023 general conference address about the biblical story of Lazarus, praising his words as “the voice of experience, the voice of faith, the voice of one who has proved his faith.”
He closed the service by emphasizing the church’s core belief in a universal resurrection, quoting a recent address by President Dallin H. Oaks.
“The conviction that death is not the conclusion of our identity changes the whole perspective of our mortal life,” Christofferson shared, noting that the promise of resurrection gives people the courage to face “even deaths we might call premature.”