President Pres ident Thoma Thomas s S. S. Monso Monson n Sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints A Supplement to the Ensign
President Thomas S. Monson IN
THE
FOOTSTEPS
BY ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND Of the Quorum of the Twelve Twelve Apostles
THE
MASTER
at it and ask myself, ‘What would He do?’ Then I have tried to
ver the course of his many
O
respond accordingly.”
callings in the Church,
President Thomas S. Monson has moved from office to
That loyalty to the Lord, that constant reference to the Master’s example, that determination to walk
office, location to location. With
the path marked by the Savior—
every move he has carefully taken with him a particular painting. He has had it since he was a bishop in the 1950s. He took it with
these are the principal characteristics of Thomas S. Monson’s life and
him when he presided over the Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto. It now hangs in the office he occupies as President of the Church. The painting is a striking image
leadership. Many of the stories about his discipleship are well-known. This is the lad who gave up a treasured toy because he thought another boy needed it more and gave away his two pet rabbits so that
of the Lord Jesus Christ by famed artist Heinrich Hofmann. The painting is more than a decoration for the office
Christmas dinner. dinner. This is the
wall. It is more than a reminder of who is the “chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20) of The Church of Jesus Christ
young bishop who took great care to minister to 84 widows in
of Latter-day Saints. It is more than a declaration
his ward—and kept them in his
that the man called to be President of the Church is expected to be chief among the living witnesses of the Savior. The painting represents
heart for decades. This is the General Authority who was
an ideal—the Master after whom Thomas Monson has modeled his life. “I love that painting,” President Monson said as he gazed at it yet again. “I feel strength in having it near me. Look at the kindness in those eyes. Look at the warmth of expression. When facing difficult situations, I often look 2
OF
a friend’s family could have
Top: A teenage Thomas Monson (second from left) with members of his family, including his mother and father (seated in front). Above and left: As a boy, President Monson was known as “Tommy.” “Tommy.” Opposite page: President Thomas S. Monson with his wife, Frances, at the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.
N I P S O T O H P © D N U O R G K C A B ; D N O M I D G I A R C Y B N O S N O M R E T S I S D N A T N E D I S E R P F O H P A R G O T O H P ; D E T O N S A T P E C X E , Y L I M A F N O S N O M E H T F O Y S E T R U O C S H P A R G O T O H P
MILESTONES IN THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON
Aug. 21, 1927
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. 1945–46
Served in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
1948
attentive enough to the whisperings of the
Monson does those things because they are
Holy Ghost to know when a meeting schedule
what his Savior would have done.
should be interrupted to minister to a child.
In short, President Monson is a true disci-
Those who know him well understand
ple of that “Jesus of Nazareth . . . who went
that he has not done these things simply
about doing good” (Acts 10:38), a scripture
because his parents expected him to do so or
President Monson often quotes. His responsi-
because the widows were the responsibility
bilities include a volume of administrative
of a bishop or because it was his role as an
decision making and paperwork that would
Apostle. He has given this kind of selfless
be staggering to most men. But that volume
service because that is who he is. Thomas S.
has never made him lose his focus on those
Graduated cum laude from the University of Utah. Began professional work with Deseret News.
ENSIGN JUNE 2008
3
whom his Exemplar would serve. His life has
his maternal grandfather, Thomas Sharp
plate of hot food to a
been one extended sequence of reaching out
Condie, and his father, Spencer Monson.
lonely neighbor was
to the one, of encouraging the disadvantaged,
Above: Carrying a
just one of many ways
of remembering those whom it is easy to for-
side of Salt Lake City in an area not known for
young Tommy Monson
get. Perhaps no one in the leadership of the
affluent or influential families, but he was sur-
learned to serve.
Church in recent years has so honored the
rounded there by charitable, hard-working
Opposite page:
divine injunction to “succor the weak, lift up
men and women, particularly in his own
President Monson
the hands which hang down, and strengthen
home. His family lived not far from the rail-
(pictured with his son
the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5).
road tracks, and their home was familiar to many of the transients who traveled the rails
Clark) learned to love fishing as a boy and later carried on the
The Beginning
To know the man Thomas Spencer Monson
during the Great Depression of the 1930s. When these travelers—some only young men
tradition with his
has become, it is important to know his roots
in their teens—knocked at the Monson back
children.
and the environment that nurtured him.
door, the family knew that Gladys Monson
He was born on August 21, 1927, the first
would invite them to sit at the kitchen table
son and second child of G. Spencer and Gladys
while she prepared a sandwich and poured
Condie Monson. On his father’s side, he is
a glass of milk to go with it. At other times it
of Swedish and English ancestry, and on his
was young Tommy’s Tommy’s task to car ry plates of
mother’s side, Scottish. His great-grandfather
hot food prepared by his mother to a lonely
was Mons Okeson, and so, according to the
neighbor, neighbor, “Old Bob,” who lived in a house
pattern of Swedish sur names, his grandfather
provided for him by Tom’s grandfather. The
was Nels Monson. Beginning with his father,
Monson neighborhood was filled with such
the family surname followed the common
recipients of Christian charity. charity.
American pattern, remaining as Monson. President Monson bears the given names of 4
President Monson grew up on the west
Often on Sunday afternoons young Tom accompanied his father as he picked up
H T I M S A N I T S I R H C Y B N O I T A R T S U L L I O T O H P : T F E L P O T
“Uncle Elias” to take him for a ride around the city. city. President Monson remembers that
of the newspaper company’s Deseret Press. During his career he gave exactly
his father would tenderly carry his frail uncle,
the same care and attention to his print-
crippled by arthritis, to the car and place the older man in the front seat, where he would
ing tasks that he had seen his father demonstrate years before.
be able to enjoy the best view. “The drive was brief and the conversation limited, but oh, what a legacy of love!” President Monson
Boyhood in a Close Family
Oct. 7, 1948
Pictures of young Tommy show a hand-
Married Frances Beverly
recalls. “Father never read to me from the
some lad with w ith a lively, lively, engaging expression
Johnson in the Salt Lake
Bible about the good Samaritan. Rather, he
and an occasional twinkle of impishness in his eye. He would be the first to admit that
Temple.
took me with him and Uncle Elias in that old 1928 Oldsmobile and provided a living lesson I have always remembered.” Memorable too was the fatherly example of hard work. G. Spencer Monson was known to finish every task he started and to do the
he was a typical boy. He relates this story about an experience in Primary: “During my Trekker year [a class for 10 year-olds], I remember that our deportment in Primary was not always as it should be. I
job right. He was manager of a printing com-
had a lot of energy and found it difficult to sit
pany, and at an early age, young Tom began learning the business. Printing management
patiently in a class. Melissa Georgell was our ward Primary president. One day she asked
would become his career. Following gradua-
me if I would visit with her. We sat on the
tion (with honors) in 1948 from the University
front row of the benches in the chapel, and she began to cry. She then told me that she
of Utah with a degree in business management, he became an advertising executive
was sad because the boys in particular
for the Church-owned Deseret News daily
did not behave during Primary opening
newspaper. (A firm believer in lifelong
exercises. Innocently, I asked, ‘May I help, Sister Georgell?’ “With a smile on her face
learning, he would later earn a master’s degree in business administration— while serving in the Quorum of the Twelve!) He worked in the newspaper and printing industry for 11 years, until he was called in
and a twinkle in her eye, she responded, ‘Would you?’ you?’ “I told her I would. The Primary’s disciplinary problems ceased that moment,” he laughs.
May 7, 1950 Sustained as bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in the Temple View Stake, Salt Lake City. 1953 Appointed sales manager of Deseret Deseret Press. Press. June 26, 1955 Sustained as second counselor in the Temple View Stake presidency.
At 500 South and 200
1959 to preside over the
West in Salt Lake City,
Canadian Mission. After his service as mission president, he returned
Thomas Condie had built four houses for his daughters and their
to a position as
families. In “Condie’s
general manager
Terrace,” as the area ENSIGN JUNE 2008
5
1958
Named assistant manager of Deseret Deseret Press. Press.
became known, Tommy Monson was always surrounded by family, feeling free to visit in
special, the adviser explained; she had only
any of his cousins’ homes almost as though they were his own. He enjoyed visits to the
by a cat. On his adviser’s instructions, he kept
one eye, the other eye having been damaged
Condie family farm out in Granger, an area of
them in his own pigeon loft for about 10 days, then let them fly free to see if they would
the Salt Lake Valley that was rural then but is
return. The male came back, but the female
quartered in i n Toronto.
now covered by subdivisions and shopping areas. Until his mid-teens, when summer jobs
flew away—back to the adviser’s home. When Tom went to retrieve her, the adviser talked
Feb. 1, 1962
began to take priority, he dearly loved spend-
Sustained as a high
ing time at the family cabin in Provo Canyon’s
with him about a boy in the quorum who was not active. Tom replied, “I’ll have him at quo-
councilor in the Valley
Vivian Park, about 60 miles (95 km) from home. There he played with cousins in the outdoors, swam in the river (once saving the
rum meeting this week.” He took the pigeon home, but the next time he released the pair, she flew once again to the adviser’s home.
life of a young woman who was drowning), and it was there he learned to love fishing, a pastime he has enjoyed all his life.
When Tom retrieved the pigeon this time, the adviser talked about another boy who had not been coming to quorum meetings. Each time
He also learned to enjoy hunting ducks and other game birds, but over time nurturing and protecting birds would become much
the pigeon was released, she returned to the
1959–62
Served as president of the Canadian Mission, head-
View Stake.
more the norm for him. As a boy he had been fascinated by pigeons and began to raise them Oct. 4, 1963
Sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
at home. Eventually he would raise prize winning birds. In fact, his pigeons were the key to some lasting lessons in leadership. For example, when young Tom Monson was
1966
president of the teachers quorum in his ward, he was thrilled when the quorum
Received University of
adviser inquired about his interest in
Utah’s Distinguished
raising birds. The adviser then asked, “How would you like me to give you a
Alumnus Award.
pair of purebred Birmingham Roller pigeons?” The female of the pair was
adviser’s home, and each time Tom went to retrieve her, there would be a conversation about another anothe r boy. “I was a grown man,” President Monson recalls, “before I fully realized that, indeed, Harold, my adviser, had given me a special pigeon, the only bird in his loft he knew would return every time she was released. It was his inspired way of having
6
an ideal personal priesthood interview with
Opposite page:
the teachers quorum president every two
President Monson
weeks. Because of those interviews and that
has enjoyed raising
old one-eyed pigeon, every boy in that teach D E I P O C E B T O N Y A M
, S W E N T E R E S E D /
L L A C L L E V A R Y B H P A R G O T O H P : T F E L ; A T E I T A R . H A R M A T Y B N O E G I P F O H P A R G O T O H P
Birmingham Roller
ers quorum became active.”
pigeons. Above: Demanding Church
Coming to Manhood
By his mid-teens, World War II was an inevitable part of the future for young men his age. Tom Tom graduated from high school
service came early to
latter of these two pursuits was far more important than the former!) Tom and Frances had met during his first
and enrolled at the University of Utah. As he
year at the university. university. His relationship with
approached his 18th birthday, it seemed cer-
her family was cemented the first time he was
tain he would be drafted into military service,
introduced to them. As Tom came to call,
so he chose to enlist in the United States
Frances’s father produced a picture of two
Navy. Navy. A decision he made on enlistment had a
Latter-day Saint missionaries from earlier
profound effect on his future: he elected to
years, both dressed in top hats. He pointed
sign up in the Navy Reserve. This meant that
to one of the men in the photo and asked if
shortly after the end of the war, when military
Tom were related to this Monson. Yes, Tom
forces were being trimmed back, his active
replied, that was his father’s uncle Elias. Tears
service ended. Thus he was able to return
came to the eyes of Frances’s father as he
home and resume his college career—and
explained that Elder Elias Monson had been
also resume his courtship of Frances Beverly
instrumental in his family’s conversion to the
Johnson. (He confesses that at the time the
gospel. Tom smiled inwardly, knowing this
President Monson, who was called as a bishop at age 22 and as an Apostle at age 36. Above left: Frances and Thomas Monson with their three children, Thomas, Clark, and Ann.
ENSIGN JUNE 2008
7
Above: President
courtship was off to a particularly good start.
Monson visited the
Thomas Monson and Frances Johnson
Tongan Mission in
were married on October 7, 1948, in the Salt
1965. Opposite page, from top: President
Lake Temple. Sister Monson has never known a time
profoundly powerful faith.” She was, he acknowledges, instrumental in maintaining a strong home environment for their three children: Thomas Lee, Ann
Monson has a long
when her husband was not busily serving in
Frances, and Clark Spencer Monson. Those
record of service in
the Church. “Tom was serving as ward clerk,
three children and their spouses have brought
then as superintendent of the YMMIA when we
President and Sister Monson eight grand-
were first married, and he has gone from one
children and four great-grandchildren.
Scouting. He helped the Church obtain permission to build the
assignment to another since then,” she says
Clark S. Monson, their son, says that even
with a smile. He has been involved in promi-
though his dad had to travel frequently for
Temple (shown here
nent Church leadership roles constantly since
Church business and was gone many week-
during the open house
May of 1950, when he was called as bishop of
ends, he “always made time for his children,
in 1985). He was
his ward at the age of 22. “It has never been a
and he continues to do so today. today. I never felt
appointed in 1981
sacrifice to see my husband doing the Lord’s
deprived of time with Dad. When he was
by U.S. president
work,” Sister Monson says. “It has blessed me,
home, he would play games with us and take
Ronald Reagan to the
and it has blessed our children. He always
us out to get ice cream. In the summer he
President’s Task Force
knew that if it was for the Church, I expected
would have more free time, and we would
for Private Sector
him to do what he had to do.”
spend this time together in Provo Canyon at
Freiberg Germany
Initiatives.
President Monson said his wife’s support
the family cabin. I spent a lot of time as a boy
has been essential in his ministry. ministry. “I have
fishing with my father. I can’t think of a better
never known Frances to complain once of
way for a father to spend time with a son.”
my Church responsibilities,” he says. “I have
8
supportive and is a woman of quiet and
President and Sister Monson’s daughter,
been gone many days and many nights, and
Ann Monson Dibb, says she always under-
I have rarely been able to sit with her in
stood that one of the best ways to serve and
the congregation. But there is no one like
honor her father was to serve and honor her
her—absolutely no one. She is in every way
mother. Her father, she says, has always been
loving and supportive of his children and now his grandchildren. “My boys have enjoyed
1971
Received Boy Scouts
helping Grandpa mow the lawn,” she says. “They loved working alongside him.” And she
of America’s Silver Beaver Award.
adds, “Everyone in the family enjoys sitting
1974
around a campfire at the family cabin, roasting marshmallows and listening to Grandpa tell stories.” Her father has always been generous
and, somewhat miraculously, has been able to speak at each of their funerals—all
in sharing what he has learned, she says.
84 of them! He still makes regular visits to local rest homes and convalescent centers, vis-
What he has learned came through experi-
R J N A H A N S O R B Y H T O M I T Y B E L P M E T Y N A M R E G G R E B I E R F T A H P A R G O T O H P ; R E I E R W E H T T A M Y B D R A W A R E V A E B R E V L I S F O H P A R G O T O H P
Received master of business administration from Brigham Young University.
ence gained in hard work, beginning when he was very young. Any man, for example, might have been intimidated by receiving the mantle
iting with folks he met when “his” widows and other friends were staying in those facilities. “My father lives three scriptures from
of bishop at such a young age. It was a large ward, with 1,080 members, 84 of those being widows who needed a bishop’s attention. But
James,” says Sister Dibb. “First, James 1:22: ‘Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.’ Second, James 1:25: ‘A doer of the work,
missionary work.
Bishop Monson wasted no time being preoccupied with the load; he prayed and he went to work. He served, he loved, he strengthened;
this man shall be blessed in his deed.’ And third, James 1:27: ‘Pure religion and undefiled
Received Boy Scouts of
before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and
the Silver Buffalo.
to keep himself unspotted from the world.’” world.’ ”
1981
it was his duty, duty, but it was also the course his heart dictated. He was “on the Lord’s errand”
Apr. 27, 1975
Rededicated the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) for
1978
America’s highest award,
(D&C 64:29). Many Church mem-
Received honorary doctor
bers have heard him
Young University.
of law from Brigham
tell personal accounts
Apr. 23, 1983
of ministering to the needs of those widows.
Presided at the groundbreaking ceremony for the
Few know the full story.
Freiberg Germany Temple.
At Christmastime, he would visit each one of the widows, taking a welcome gift of food; for many years it was a dressed hen from his own poultry flock. In the beginning it took a week of his per-
She says President Monson emulates the Savior in his manner of offering help to others. “No matter what their
sonal vacation time to make all the
trial or sorrow may be, he
visits. Long after he was no longer their bishop, those widows looked forward to his yearly visits, knowing
extends his hand. He lifts them, steadies them, and
he would come. He continued visiting them in their declining years
their own faith and trust in their Savior, Jesus Christ.”
supports them as they apply
ENSIGN JUNE 2008
9
Nov. 10, 1985
Set apart as Second
Loyalty to Friends and to the Lord
His faithful attention to such dear friends
loyalty to the voice of the Spirit. As a young bishop, he received a call one evening
Counselor to President
underscores one of the qualities that stands
informing him that an older member of his
Ezra Taft Benson.
out conspicuously for those who know him
ward had been taken to the veterans’ hospi-
best: his loyalty. With those who are his
tal in Salt Lake City for treatment. Could he
friends—and almost everyone he meets
come to give the man a blessing? he was
becomes a friend—a bond of loyalty develops
asked. Bishop Monson explained that he
that is never broken. Companions of his youth
was just on his way to a stake meeting, but
are still good friends. Given the opportunity,
he would stop by the hospital as soon as the
Jan. 17, 1986
Dedicated the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple.
meeting was over. At that leadership meeting, he felt unsettled, ill at ease. A prompting came strongly: leave the meeting at once, and go directly to the hospital. But surely it would be discourteous to walk out while the stake president was speaking, wouldn’t it? He waited until the end of the stake president’s address and then made his way to the door even before the closing prayer. At the hospital he found himself
1993
for example, to enjoy one of the
Received the Bronze Wolf
executive boxes at a Utah Jazz
Award from the World
basketball game, he might invite
Scout Committee.
civic and business leaders or
June 5, 1994
Set apart as Second Counselor to President Howard W. Hunter.
other influential i nfluential acquaintances to join him. But as often as not he will choose to invite some of those much less prominent friends of yesteryear and follow
Mar. 12, 1995
the basketball action with them enthusiasti-
running down the corridor. There seemed
Set apart as First
cally. Even those who do not know these asso-
to be a flurry of activity outside the man’s
Counselor to President
ciates can enjoy listening as President Monson
room, and a nurse stopped the new arrival.
Gordon B. Hinckley.
reminisces about past times with them, always
“Are you Bishop Monson?” she asked. as ked. “Yes,”
conveying even in the tone of his voice the
was his anxious reply. reply. “I’m sorry,” sorry,” the nurse
loyalty he still has for them.
replied. “The patient was calling your name
This reminds us of another kind of loyalty so characteristic of Thomas S. Monson— 10
just before he passed away.” away.” As the young bishop walked out of the
conference meetings and found there was no time for the 80-mile (130-km) trip to Christal’s home. He asked the stake president to have Christal remembered in the public prayers during the stake conference. The Methvin family f amily understood the travel problem but prayed, nevertheless, that their daughter’s desire might be realized. Elder Monson was preparing to speak in the Saturday evening leadership meeting when, as he recalls, “I heard a voice speak to my spirit. The message was brief, the words familiar: ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God’ (Mark 10:14).” With the help of the stake president, a visit to the Methvin home was quickly arranged for the following morning. It was a solemn and sacred experience for Opposite page, from left: Before being sustained as President of the Church, D E I P O C E B T O N Y A M
, S W E N H C R U H C
F O Y S E T R U O C H P A R G O T O H P : P O T T H G I R ; D E I P O C E B T O N Y A M
, S W E N H C R U H C /
T N A V A Y R R E G Y B H P A R G O T O H P : T F E L
President Monson served in the First Presidency under President Ezra Taft Benson, President Howard W. Hunter, Hunter, and President Gordon B. Hinckley (above and right).
those involved. Only four days after receiving the desired blessing, Christal returned home to her Heavenly Father. Frequently, Frequently, events such s uch as this one created spiritual ripple effects in the lives of others. Speaking in general conference in October
hospital that night, he vowed he would never again fail to
1975, Elder Monson shared Christal’s story. story. Seeing a little blonde girl of about Christal’s age in the balcony of the
act on an impression from the Lord. No man could have been more true to that vow. Indeed, his life has been one
Tabernacle, he felt moved to address his remarks to her. After relating the story of Christal’s heartfelt desire that
miracle after another in response to his faithful adherence
Heavenly Father lovingly honored, Elder Monson said in conclusion, “To you, my little friend in the upper balcony,
to promptings of the Spirit. Perhaps Perhaps that experience at the hospital was in the back of his mind years later as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles when his visit to a stake conference became something out of the ordinary. He had originally been assigned to visit another stake that weekend, but there was a need to change the assignment. Elder Monson knew of no special significance to the place when President Ezra
and to believers everywhere, I bear witness that Jesus of Nazareth does love little children, that He listens to your prayers and responds to them.” When Elder Monson returned to his office after that session of conference, he found the young blonde girl from the balcony waiting for him with her h er grandmother. grandmother. The little girl had been trying to decide whether to be baptized; someone
Taft Benson (1899–1994), then President of the Quorum of the Twelve, said, “Brother Monson, I feel impressed to
close to her had advised her to wait until she was 18. She
have you visit the Shreveport Louisiana Stake.”
faith that Jesus would help her find an answer. Taking Elder Monson’s hand, she said, “You helped Him answer my
Arriving in Shreveport, Elder Monson learned of 10 year-old year-old Christal Methvin, suffering from terminal cancer, who had a desire to receive a blessing from one General Authority in particular—him. He studied the schedule s chedule of
had asked her grandmother to take her to conference, with
prayer. prayer. Thank you.” She was baptized soon afterward. Throughout Thomas Monson’s ministry minis try,, there have h ave been regular, recurring, dramatic experiences in answering ENSIGN JUNE 2008
11
the whispered beckonings of the Spirit—a visit at just the right moment to give a desired blessing, a response to someone’s unspoken need, a marshaling of help from leaders and members at the time when someone needed it most. President Monson would point out that these experiences have come through the workings of the Holy Ghost and not through any special talent or ability of his own. “The sweetest feeling you can have in this world is to feel
active Navy Reserve Res erve after World World War II, Tom Tom had been offered a commission as an ensign—an officer. Should he accept it, knowing that if his unit were activated he would be called away from home? When Elder Lee advised that he decline the t he commission and resign from the navy, navy, Tom Tom struggled with the decision because the commission as an officer was an advancement he had eagerly sought.
the hand of the Lord upon your shoulder,” he says with emotion. “In my patriarchal blessing as a boy, I was promised that I would have the gift of discernment. I have to acknowledge that such a declaration has been abundantly fulfilled in my life.” Those lessons he began learning as a young man have been strengthened and amplified through the years. A Call to Lifetime Service
We have already noted how young Thomas was when called to positions of leadership. At 22 years of age he was called as bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in Salt Lake City’s Temple View Stake. At age 27 he was called as a counselor in the presidency of that stake. He was serving
Pathways to Perfection, 1973, 1976 Behold Thy Mother, 1976 In Search of the Christmas Spirit, 1977, 2007 Be Your Best Self, 1979 Conference Classics, vol. 1, 1981
in that position when, at age 31, he was called as president of the Canadian Mission. After he returned from presiding
Honor Thy Mother, 1981
over the mission, he was called to serve on the high council and on general Church committees. It would be only lit-
Conference Classics, vol. 2, 1983
tle more than a year until he would, at age 36, receive a call to the holy apostleship.
Favorite Favorite Quotations from the Collection of Thomas S. Monson, 1985
When Thomas S. Monson was called to fill a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1963, members who knew nothing of his background may have thought he had come out of nowhere. He was the youngest man called to that office since 1910, when Joseph Fielding Smith was called at age 33. But those who were acquainted with Elder Monson knew that he had been prepared for the office. His association with Church leaders began early in his life. President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) was once president of his stake, and in 1950 Tom Monson turned to his friend, then-Elder Lee of the Quorum of the Twelve, for help with a crucial decision. Serving as a yeoman in the 12
BOOKS BY THOMAS S. MONSON
Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings, 1983 Conference Classics, vol. 3, 1984 Invitation to Live the Good Life, 1988, 1993 The Church in a Changing World, 1989 The Search for Jesus: A Christmas Message, 1992 Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith, 1994 Faith Rewarded: A Personal Account of Prophetic Promises to the East German Saints, 1996 An Invitation to Exaltation, 1997 Meeting Your Goliath, 1997 A Christmas Dress for Ellen, 1998, 2004
business and government leader Nathan Eldon Tanner Tanner (1898–1982). Indeed, the vacancy that Thomas Monson would fill in the
Received honorary doctor
Quorum of the Twelve in 1963 was occasioned by the calling c alling of President Tanner from that
Salt Lake Community
quorum to a position in the First Presidency, as a counselor to President David O. McKay (1873–1970).
D E I P O C E B T O N Y A M
, S W E N T E R E S E D /
D E R L L A . D Y E R F F E J Y B H P A R G O T O H P : T H G I R ; D E I P O C E B T O N Y A M
, S W E N H C R U H C /
N I E L E T T E N N A Y B H P A R G O T O H P : P O T T H G I R ; E K U L N H O J Y B S H P A R G O T O H P : T F E L
1996
Back in Salt Lake City after his service as mission president, Brother Monson was called to the Church’s Priesthood Missionary
of humane letters from College. 1997
Received Minuteman Award from Utah National Guard. Received Brigham Young
Committee, directed by then-Elder Spencer W. W. Kimball (1895–1985) of the Quorum of the
Manhood Award.
Palmyra New York Temple groundbreaking
Twelve. Thomas Monson served on the Priesthood Genealogical Committee under
1998
ceremony on May 25, 1999.
Elder Tanner Tanner.. He later served on the Adult
With Sister Monson, received Continuum of
Nevertheless, he followed the counsel. When
Correlation Committee and the Priesthood Home Teaching Teaching Committee under Elder
Tom was called as bishop a short sh ort time later,
Marion G. Romney (1897–1988), who was
Award by the Sisters
Elder Lee, who set him apart, pointed out that had Tom Tom been committed to naval service, servi ce,
then a member of the Quorum Quor um of the Twelve
of Charity of St. Joseph
and later a counselor in the First Presidency. Presidency. Brother Monson was so involved in work on Church committees that on the day he
Villa (below).
President Hinckley and President Monson received help from a young member at the
the call as bishop likely would not have come. Neither, Neither, we assume, would the string of significant callings callings that followed followed it.
Apostles, he thought he was being invited to President McKay’s office to discuss one of his
dle name. The Monsons’ second son, Clark, was named for another family friend: President
committee assignments.
the First Presidency. In his role as a printer, Tom Monson worked with President Clark on the Church leader’s many books, including the landmark Our Lord of the Gospels. The relationship between the two men resembled that of father and son. In his work Tom Monson also learned to know and admire Elder LeGrand Richards (1886–1983) of the Quorum of the Twelve. Twelve. While presiding over the mission in Toronto, President Monson came to know Canadian
Caring Humanitarian
received his call to the Quorum of the Twelve
It was from Elder Lee that Thomas Monson’s oldest son, Tom, Tom, received his midmid-
J. Reuben Clark (1871–1961), a counselor in
University’s Exemplary
A Learner, a Teacher
In his early associations with Church leaders, Elder Monson was an eager and quick learner. Both his ability and his capacity for service came to be well-known to his Brethren of the quorum. President Kimball referred to him as “truly a ‘do it’ man”—one “who acts promptly and resolutely.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Twelve once called him “a genius in Church government.” Speaking of his great loyalty to others, thenElder James E. Faust (1920–2007), later to ENSIGN JUNE 2008
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2000 Dedicated six temples. Apr. 24, 2003 Addressed the largest graduating class in Brigham Young University’s history during commencement exercises. Oct. 21, 2005 Delivered a devotional address commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of BYU–Hawaii. 2007 Received the Special Worldwide Humanitarian Award at the Rotary International Convention.
serve with him in the First Presidency, commented, “That mind of his doesn’t forget any-
pass on this training at stake conferences. Just as he was an eager and apt pupil of those
thing, but neither does his heart—especially people.” Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004)
great leaders who went before him in the
of the Quorum of the Twelve said of Thomas Monson that his administrative and executive abilities came from “something inherent and innate. He doesn’t need twenty years with an issue to grasp its significance and retain its meaning. He has devoured the contents of
one of the junior members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I (along with all of my Brethren) have been profoundly affected by President Monson. His enthusiasm, his atten-
most matters while everybody else is still trying to get the wrapper off.” President Boyd K. Packer, who sat at President Monson’s side for
tion to detail, his personal lessons from a life-
all their years together in the Quorum of the Twelve, has said, “If I needed someone to steer a sensitive matter carefully through the coun-
because they have come over a period of so many years from one who was called to the
cils of the Church, Thomas S. Monson is the man I would pick for the task.” While serving in the Quorum of the Twelve, President Monson chaired the Adult Correlation Committee, Missionary Executive
Received honorary doctor
Committee, and Church Welfare Executive Committee. His concern for welfare matters
of business from the
is well-known; he has been a moving force in
University of Utah.
the Church’s involvement in meeting community needs in both the Salt Lake Valley and for the worldwide Church. His concern is not abstract. He has been known to literally give the clothes off his back to members in need who had no opportunity to buy new clothing. His service is often given out of the public eye. “So much has taken place privately,” says his daughter, Ann. Frequently, individuals will share those experiences with his sons or daughter. “Not even we children know all he has done,” she says. As a member of the Twelve, Elder Monson also chaired the Leadership Committee, responsible for training General Authorities on Church programs so they in turn could
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ranks of special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ, he has been a willing and able teacher for those of us who have followed him. As
time of experience—these and so many other influences have had a great impact, especially
apostleship at such a young age. We have felt his loyalty to us in such matters, just as much as did those first friends on the west side of Salt Lake City. City. President Monson has been involved in serving and strengthening youth of the
D E I P O C E B T O N Y A M
, S W E N G N I N R O M T E R E S E D
F O Y S E T R U O C S H P A R G O T O H P ; T R A M S M O T D N A D E R L L A . D Y E R F F E J Y B S H P A R G O T O H P : T H G I R ; Z T I E S A R U A L Y B H P A R G O T O H P : T F E L
that government to allow Latter-day Saint missionaries to move freely into and out of the country before the Berlin Wall came down. President Monson’s ministry is a matter of record—a record that delights faithful Latter-day Saints young and old alike. Uplifting stories from his discourses and writings endure because they have the quality of modern-day parables. Many of those stories were collected in a book published in 1994, Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: From the Life and Ministry of Thomas S. Monson.
On the page following the table of contents is printed this heading: “Service to Others.” Beneath this heading is the familiar scripture from Mosiah 2:17: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” It is a fitting bit of scriptural counsel to associate with the life of Thomas S. Monson, for he has taken it deeply to heart. He lives it. Top: President Monson speaks at a BYU devotional. Above: President Monson and his wife, Frances, wave to crowds lining the streets during the annual Pioneer Day parade in Salt Lake City. Left: President and Sister Monson pose together during a
Pledge of a Lifetime
Through his many years of service, President Monson has kept the pledge he made on October 4, 1963, the day he was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the
celebration of his 80th birthday last year.
Twelve Apostles. Speaking in the Tabernacle for the first time as a General Authority, he said:
Church since his early 20s. His concern for the spiritual welfare of youth has been manifest in personal action. He
“My sincere prayer today, President McKay, is that I might always obey you and these, my brethren. I pledge
has, for example, served on the National Executive Board
my life, all that I may have. I will strive to the utmost of my
of the Boy Scouts of America since 1969, and because of his service, he has received Scouting’s highest national and
ability to be what you would want me to be. I am grateful for the words of Jesus Christ, our Savior, when he said:
international awards. Through his service in his Church callings, he has become known to leaders in government, business, and civic affairs throughout the world. The respect he has earned from them has allowed him to be an influential voice for the Church. One of his singular accomplishments was in obtaining permission for a temple to be built in the former German Democratic Republic, when it was still behind the Iron Curtain. He had similar success in getting
“ ‘I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him. . . .’ (Rev. 3:20.) “I earnestly pray, my brothers and sisters, that my life might merit this promise from our Savior.” In leading the Church now, perhaps President Monson might say to all of us what he said to the sisters at the September 2007 general Relief Society meeting: “Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks ENSIGN JUNE 2008
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Feb. 3, 2008
Set apart as the 16th
At a press conference in the Church Office Building on February 4, 2008, President
volume he wrote: “Looking back on my life, I acknowledge readily the guiding influence of a
of Jesus Christ of Latter-
Church, with President Henry B. Eyring (left) as
day Saints.
First Counselor and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
loving Heavenly Father Father.. I testify testif y that His watchful care and promised blessings have been welcome gifts to me. His words have lived in my
(right) as Second Counselor.
life: ‘I will go before your face. I will be on your
President of The Church
Feb. 10, 2008
Dedicated the Rexburg Idaho Temple (below).
Monson was introduced as President of the
right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle.” For those who might protest their lack of qualification or their inadequacy, he might
be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.’ (D&C 84:88).”
add what he taught in the April 1996 general
Frances and their children and grandchildren,
conference: “Remember that this work is
he closed, “May I always be found ‘on the Lord’s errand.’” errand.’ ”
not yours and mine alone. It is the Lord’s work, and when we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember Remember that whom whom the Lord calls, calls, the Lord qualifies.” It is obvious to all who know him that the Lord has qualified President Thomas S. Monson for his present call. In 1985, the year he was called to the First Presidency, he gave to family members his personal memoirs. In that 16
After expressing gratitude for his beloved
That prayerful hope, expressed 23 years ago, has become a certainty now. Thomas Spencer Monson, by divine call, will spend the rest of his life “going about doing good,” as the Savior he loves so much did before him. He will walk in His footsteps, and he will do so with the inspiration of a favorite painting that will guide every day of that sacred ministry. ■
E K U L N H O J Y B H P A R G O T O H P : M O T T O B ; D N O M I D G I A R C Y B H P A R G O T O H P : P O T
