LIVE BLOG: Character defined Carter’s presidency, Biden says

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday recalled his friendship with former President Jimmy Carter—a relationship that lasted decades. Biden said Carter’s presidency was defined most by his character as a man. Carter showed what it meant to practice good works, Biden said. Biden echoed Jason Carter's assessment that Micah 6:8 described Carter’s life.

Grandson Jason Carter, speaks during the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter Associated Press / Photo by Ben Curtis

Update, 11:40 a.m.: 

Jason Carter, grandson of Jimmy Carter, reads Scripture

Jason Carter opened his remarks by quoting the words of the praise and worship song “Goodness of God.” The song’s lyrics, “from the moment that I wake up until I lay my head, I will sing of the goodness of God,” characterized his grandfather’s life, Jason Carter said. The former president’s life was a love story not only to his wife, Rosalynn, but to all the people of the world, Jason said. The words of Micah 6:8 also characterized his grandfather’s life, Jason said:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

Updates, 11:30 a.m.: 

Former domestic policy adviser remembers Carter’s strength

Stu Eizenstat described how former President Jimmy Carter was a man of steel and determination behind his toothy smile. Carter was the closest an American president came to being a renaissance man, Eizenstat said. He recalled how Carter promised the American people that he would never lie to them. Carter fulfilled that promise, Eizenstat said.

Son of former Vice President Walter Mondale delivers remarks 

Ted Mondale delivered remarks on his deceased father’s behalf. Carter’s former Vice President recalled how the former president was a devout Christian throughout his life. Mondale’s remarks discussed how Carter sought to play a long game while he was in the White House, not only seeking short-term political successes. 

Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford Associated Press / Photo by Jacquelyn Martin

Update, 11 a.m.: 
Steve Ford, son of former President Gerald Ford, speaks

Former President Gerald Ford’s son delivered a tribute to Jimmy Carter on behalf of his deceased father. The remarks prepared by the late former President Gerald R. Ford described a close friendship with Carter. The distance between the two former presidents’ hometowns—Plains, Ga., and Grand Rapids, Mich.—vanished when it was measured in values, and not in miles, the former president said through his son. Steve Ford ended his father’s remarks with the words, “Welcome home, old friend.”

Update, 10:45 a.m.: 

Carter’s grandson delivers opening remarks

During opening remarks at the funeral, Joshua Carter recalled the Sunday school classes his grandfather would teach. He described how people would line up before dawn to enter the former president’s classroom and how his grandfather would ask attendees where they came from. Jimmy Carter taught the most diverse Sunday school ever assembled, his grandson said. Joshua Carter then read various scripture passages describing the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and how the only hope for salvation rested in faith in Jesus Christ.

Marilyn Quayle, from third row left, former Vice President Al Gore, from second row left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush and his wife former first lady Laura Bush, and from front row left, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden listen during a state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at Washington National Cathedral. Associated Press / Photo by Ricky Carioti / The Washington Post via AP, pool

Update, 10:40 a.m.:

Carter’s remains arrive at Washington National Cathedral

U.S. servicemen carried former President Jimmy Carter’s remains down the center aisle of the Washington National Cathedral shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday morning. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, along with former presidents, vice presidents, and first ladies were in attendance inside the church. The cathedral’s in-house choir and different military bands were scheduled to perform hymns during the ceremony,according to the U.S. military.

Former President Jimmy Carter's casket in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Associated Press / Photo by Andrew Harnik, pool

Original story, 9:30 a.m.:

State funeral begins for former President Jimmy Carter

The remains of former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday left the Capitol building and headed to the Washington National Cathedral for his state funeral starting 9:30 a.m. Mourners crowded the route his motorcade followed across the city. Carter’s remains had arrived in Washington on Tuesday, where they lay in state in the Capitol.

What’s next? The 39th president of the United States will later be flown back to Georgia, for a private funeral and interment ceremony later on Thursday.

What ceremonies have honored Carter so far this week? Lawmakers and members of the public paid their respects to Carter as he was lying in state in the U.S. Capitol building. Security fences and police vehicles blanketed Capitol grounds for most of the week, as officers supervised crowds and snowpiles alike. Before arriving in D.C., Carter received another funeral service at the Carter Presidential Service in Atlanta, Ga. over the weekend.

Dig deeper: Read Juliana Chan Erickson’s obituary honoring the former president.