After his first wife Clair died, President Hunter's own health began to deteriorate, going through several major surjuries.
In February 1993, he was about to address a ninetten-stake fireside at BYU when a man carrying what he declared to be a bomb rushed the stage and ordered President Hunter to read a prepared statement. President calmly refused. Then, the enormous audience in the Marriott Center distracted the intruder by singing " We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet" allowing police to subdue the man. President Hunter rested only a few moments before giving the rest of his prepared speech. "Life has a fair number of challenges," adding, "as demonstrated." Three months later, President Hunter underwent gall bladder surgery but could not be roused afterward. Some days later, he surprised his doctors by walking, coherent, and fully recovered.
On May 30, 1994, President Ezra Taft Bensen passed away. Elder Hunter was sustained and set apart by fellow Apostles on June 5 as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On the following Monday, President Hunter spoke to the press: "I have shed many tears and have sought my Father in Heaven in earnest prayer with a desire to be equal to the high and holy calling which is now mine."
