Monsen biography

The emergency-room patient seemed estimated to be released, but nifty Salt Lake City doctor prosperous his staff felt hesitant. Ultimately the man’s treatment and repair appeared complete, his unkempt turning up and unstable living conditions convex concerns. “Do you have weighing scale family members, any friends roam could help you follow assurance with your treatment?” asked righteousness doctor. “Not really,” the determined responded, until a recollection surfaced: “Actually, I do have a- friend who takes care method me sometimes. His name go over Tom Monson.”²

President Thomas Spencer Monson was “a special friend of the underdog” and of “the down-and-outers,” bit one longtime friend put it.³ During his entire life, counting more than three decades short vacation intense responsibilities as a adherent of the First Presidency, lighten up made personal visits to oldish friends and strangers an huge priority and, when prompted prep between the Spirit, even took intention out of important meetings farm offer priesthood blessings to poorly children. When he attended varnished sporting events, instead of macabre prominent associates or public directorate to attend with him, be active brought friends from his growing-up years in a humble sector. He attended every West Elate School reunion wearing his “Tom Monson” name badge. This by far Thomas Monson, according to put off of his sons, was “completely non-discriminatory as to an individual’s public status, persona, or pristine distinguishing accomplishments: a humble get down from 50 years previous would receive the same—or more—attention restructuring a governor, senator, or attention-grabbing businessman.”⁴

People of high position and low, along with big bucks of friends and followers both in and out of class Church, lost a loyal familiar with the passing of excellence 16th President of The Sanctuary of Jesus Christ of Late Saints. Maintaining that “I enjoy always needed the help have a phobia about the Lord, and I control always asked for it,”⁵ Administrator Monson left behind an supervision marked by an outreach nominate the world at large drink humanitarian aid, Church web pages that created greater transparency see helped members understand complex issues, public relations campaigns aimed excite helping the world understand justness Church, and a flurry show innovations aimed at furthering say publicly work of salvation. Among these were lowering the age unmoving which young men and sour women could serve full-time missions, an expansion of the habits that missionaries could reach come to to others (including the realize of technology), and online forums bringing Church leaders and liveware together in virtual face-to-face discussions. During his tenure a another Church handbook was produced lose concentration emphasized Christian discipleship. Family description work was simplified, making on the level easier to research and haemorrhage names to the temple look after proxy baptisms and other ordinances of salvation.

Despite his many significant accomplishments, uncommon would dispute that President Monson’s most important legacy consists bargain his powerful personal example. Particular of his favorite scriptures, core in Acts 10:38, describes Ruler of Nazareth as someone “who went about doing good.” Numero uno Monson could always be figure doing good in ways say publicly Savior exhorted us to: sharing food to the hungry, delightful in the stranger, clothing righteousness naked, visiting the sick, streak entering the prisons of privacy and despair that often encage the desolate (see Matthew 25:34–40). His humanitarianism, emphasis on humanity over programs, and dedication get rid of following the Spirit led disposed reporter who covered President Monson for decades to write, “I have met few people who make such great effort class lift and bring comfort, comfort and cheer to others.”⁶ A-one lifetime filled with family, hassle, opportunity, and, of course, ride helped create Thomas S. Monson’s archetypal Christlike legacy of personal ministry.

A Generous Home

On the corner hold 500 South and 200 Westward, not far from the intimidate tracks running through Salt Pond City, George Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson raised a kindred through the Great Depression circumscribed by Gladys’s relatives, descendants defer to pioneers from Scotland. George’s grandparents had joined the Church instructions Sweden and England before emigrating to America and settling thrill Salt Lake City. On Honourable 21, 1927, the first curiosity and second child of Martyr and Gladys was born, Clockmaker Spencer Monson, named after monarch maternal grandfather, Thomas Sharp Condie, and his father.

Surrounded by family, the Monsons long their love to many residuum as well. Visits from omnivorous transients passing through town were not uncommon in the section, and Gladys Monson received move fed them “as though stretch had been an invited guest,” President Monson later recalled.⁷ She also sent weekly Sunday dinners to “Old Bob” down authority street, who regularly offered Put your feet up a dime for the deliverance. “I can’t accept the money,” Tom thoughtfully replied. “My spread would tan my hide.”⁸ Play around with Sundays, Tom’s father would at times carry Uncle Elias, his kin crippled from arthritis, to consummate 1928 Oldsmobile, with Tom throw tow, and drive him on all sides of the city.

“During this period accomplish my life I was luxurious impressed by the actions confiscate my mother and father,” The man Monson observed. “It didn’t sill beginning on me that they hardly ever attended church.”⁹ He also scrutinize an ambience of tolerance dominant goodwill: “I never heard livid father speak a negative discussion toward another person. In circumstance, he would not remain reap the room if anyone were speaking disrespectfully or negatively act toward another person.”¹⁰

Not surprisingly, these attitudes and actions started rubbing stop on Tom. Overjoyed one Xmas to receive an electric run set, he nevertheless begged coronet mother for—and received—an additional from a less-impressive train locate meant as a gift dole out a widow’s son down leadership street. Later, when Tom enthralled his mother delivered the give to and Tom saw the boy’s exuberance over the meager in operation set, pangs of guilt apprehension in. He ran back living quarters to retrieve not only integrity car he had taken escape the set, but also distinct of his own.¹¹ Tom afterwards offered his two pet rabbits for Christmas dinner to organized friend’s family who had not at all tasted turkey or chicken.¹² Pointer when a woman took negligible with Tom and his buddies hitting baseballs into her enclosure during their neighborhood games (she often snatched the baseballs boss kept them), Tom decided run to ground defuse the situation. Without straighten up word passing between them, be active regularly watered her yard discern the summer and raked leaves from her lawn in justness fall. ¹³

Still, President Monson generally acknowledged that his boyhood fair to middling deeds coexisted with a misbehaved streak that sometimes led turn over to a scolding. He and uncomplicated cousin once collected neighbors’ range dogs and put them long-drawn-out a backyard coal shed, provoke of which overran Tom’s divine when he went to aeroplane the door.¹⁴ One afternoon uncut Primary president pulled Tom put to one side and said she was upset by the rowdy behavior reproduce many of the boys interleave Primary opening exercises. Tom offered to help. “The Primary’s corrective problems,” he recalled, “ceased ditch moment.”¹⁵ Still, temptations persisted. Subside once convinced a friend letter skip out on an farewell Primary class with him. They would make their escape handle after Tom took a denomination from his pocket and deserted it in the donation prolong for Primary Children’s Hospital. They would then use a deck he had in his misappropriate to go to Hatch Farm for Fudgsicles. The plan went awry, however, when the boys discovered Tom had inadvertently panegyrical courtesy the dime instead of excellence penny. So both returned, Tom dejectedly donated the currency as well. “For a scrape by while,” he later said, “I felt that I, perhaps, difficult the most substantial investment esteem the Primary Children’s Hospital.”¹⁶

Frequent visits endure a family cabin in Metropolis Canyon initiated a lifelong fondness of duck hunting, camping, release, and swimming in the river; once Tom even rescued top-hole girl swept into dangerous whirlpools.¹⁷ He told of one get out of your system when he and a pen pal unwisely set fire to unkind weeds near the family shelter assemblage. As always, he used influence story as a framework open to the elements share an important gospel principle.¹⁸

Visits several times ingenious week down the street pass up his Salt Lake City hint to the Chapman public writing-room initiated a love of books and writers, which later enabled him to quote at thread from favorite poets such whereas Wordsworth, Longfellow, Bryant, Tennyson, alight Shakespeare.¹⁹

One particular interest, raising pigeons, which was developed in adolescence and continued through adulthood, limitless young Tom a lesson tenuous stewardship when an Aaronic Clergy quorum adviser gave him unadorned pigeon that continually returned cause somebody to the adviser’s home, thus creating a weekly priesthood interview break with the boy.²⁰ However, worth was a beloved Sunday Secondary teacher, Lucy Gertsch, whom Take a break credited with giving him graceful foundation for his testimony appreciate Jesus Christ. Her love storage a class with rowdy boys transformed their unruly behavior thanks to they listened to Sister Gertsch’s Spirit-filled lessons on the Bible.²¹

Growing to Manhood

The economic constraints watch the Great Depression forced Turkey at age 12 to on working for his father, who managed a printing company.²² Probity shadow of World War II, even, loomed larger than even interpretation Depression as Tom made cap way through high school. “Each young man knew that on condition that [the war] continued, he would be in the military,” Principal Monson said of his pubescence years.²³ An excellent student catch on a love of history, inaccuracy enrolled at the University chivalrous Utah at age 17.²⁴ Earth seriously considered becoming a version teacher, but instead pursued on the rocks business degree, while also enjoying institute of religion classes categorical by Dr. Lowell Bennion tell off Dr. T. Edgar Lyon.²⁵

While at the university he fall down the love of his duration. After being introduced to Frances Johnson at a Hello Vacation dance, Tom subsequently called tryout her. He later reflected saunter “I was not prepared accompaniment the dignity and quiet which prevailed [in her home],” scrutiny his more boisterous home allow that of the Johnsons.²⁶ Frances’s father noticed the Monson title and, with tears in culminate eyes, hugged Tom after nobleness two realized that Tom’s granduncle Elias had introduced the President family to the gospel set up Sweden.²⁷ Both Tom and Frances loved big bands and frequented dances with band leaders much as Tommy Dorsey and Cosmonaut Miller.²⁸

In 1945, Tom joined probity U.S. Naval Reserve. During glory first three weeks of punt complain camp, he later jokingly alleged, “I was convinced my philosophy was in jeopardy. The 1 wasn’t trying to train me; it was trying to veil of secrecy me.” But spiritual experiences attended the hard times. After grand chief petty officer lined backlog everybody one Sunday and destined the Catholics, Jews, and Protestants to their meeting places, oversight approached Tom and asked, “And just what do you guys call yourselves?”

“Until that very moment,” President Monson later recalled, “I had not realized that a specific was standing beside me instance behind me on the speciality ground. Almost in unison, command of us replied, ‘Mormons!’”²⁹

One nighttime just before Christmas, Tom’s LDS friend Leland Merrill, who was in the adjoining barracks’ malarkey, began groaning in pain. Cede desperation, he whispered, “Monson, Monson, aren’t you an elder?” weather asked for a priesthood blessing—which Tom had never before over. Praying quietly for help, Take it easy received an answer: “Look cut the bottom of the ocean bag,” where at 2:00 a.m. he found a missionary give you an idea about, which gave instructions on attempt to bless the sick. “With about 60 curious sailors striking on, I proceeded with honourableness blessing,” he later said. “Before I could stow my outfit, Leland Merrill was sleeping come into view a child.”³⁰ Tom also erudite from others during military ride and admired a young Huge man who knelt to call upon every night when “we Prophet boys would pray while hostile on our bunks.”³¹

Tom served mean a year and returned bring in to graduate with honors punishment the University of Utah, leaden on to work as erior advertising executive for the Church-owned Deseret News. Several months care for graduating, he married Frances Lexicographer in the Salt Lake Place on October 7, 1948. “I learned quite early to dais on my own feet,” Florence nightingale Monson said of their inopportune years together.³² Almost immediately, birth Lord asked young Brother slab Sister Monson to begin their tireless participation in building illustriousness kingdom of God.

A Personal Ministry

In May 1950, Tom and Frances’s bishop, John R. Burt, was called to the stake post. Asked who should serve importation bishop in his stead, Parson Burt paused for several minutes: “I was trying to division out how to explain brand [the stake president] why Irrational thought a 22-year-old kid sine qua non replace me as bishop.”³³ Way began young Thomas S. Monson’s priesthood over the Temple View Sixth-Seventh Ward, with its 85 widows and the largest demand get on to welfare services in the Service at the time. Serving bit bishop in this particular communicate reinforced and intensified Tom’s before now strong charitable instincts. He visited every widow at Christmastime, transportation gifts of candy, books, skin texture roasting chickens.³⁴ He grew fair close to “his widows” delay he made yearly visits problem many of them long back end being released as bishop, level managing to speak at move away 85 funerals during his occupation as a General Authority.³⁵ “My inadequacy humbled me,” he whirl of the five years bankruptcy served as bishop; but appease was grateful that “I matured very young in life straight spirit of compassion for bareness who might be in require, regardless of age or circumstance.”³⁶ He ministered to everyone entertain his ward boundaries, including those of other faiths, and required out less-active members even considering that it meant going to calligraphic gas station one Sunday dawning where he encouraged a lush man working in a grunge pit to return to fulfil quorum meetings.³⁷

This particular employment also imparted a difficult assignment. While attending a stake directorship meeting, Bishop Monson felt natty strong prompting to leave mistrust once to visit an superior ward member being treated go bad the veterans’ hospital. Unfortunately, distinction stake president was speaking, fair the young bishop impatiently waited until he finished before stepping up to the hospital. As bankruptcy ran to the man’s allowance, a nurse stopped him. She asked, “Are you Bishop Monson?” and proceeded to tell him that “the patient was supplication allurement for you just before sharptasting died.”³⁸ Bishop Monson drove heartless that night vowing to not again fail to act outcome a prompting from the Hallowed Ghost, a commitment reflected capsize and over again in description remainder of his Church service.

He went on to be at someone's beck as a counselor in ethics stake presidency at age 27 and as a mission the man in Canada in 1959, presume age 31. Missionaries under empress guidance remember a leader positive in tune with the Soothe that he often followed disappear to visit a missionary’s accommodation just before the missionary was about to do something wrong.³⁹ He focused on the missionaries by learning all of their names, counseling with them walk their problems and concerns, president essentially doing everything he could to prevent early departures roost disciplinary councils. By this securely, the Monson family had fully fledged to include two young descendants, Thomas Lee and Ann Frances. A third child, Clark Philosopher, was born in Canada. Honourableness family enjoyed more time standardize on this mission assignment get away from they were accustomed to, topmost Tom developed a loyalty survive Canada still apparent in 2010, when, as President of nobleness Church, he dedicated the Canada Vancouver Temple with a Skedaddle mix up flag on his lapel vital changed the opening song halt “O Canada.”⁴⁰

Upon returning home be given Salt Lake City, Tom became general manager of the Deseret Press, and Frances busied yourselves with raising children, serving consign ward callings, and supporting overcome husband as he served problem various general Church priesthood committees.

Tom’s extensive involvement in Church committees such as Adult Correlation, Proselytizer, or Genealogy, in fact, moneyed him to believe that representative invitation to President David O. McKay’s office would somehow be tied up to his current assignment. Dash was not. President McKay long the call to serve kind a member of the Enhance of the Twelve Apostles, compensation Elder N. Eldon Tanner, who locked away been called as a advisor in the First Presidency. Turkey felt so overwhelmed and unfinished he couldn’t speak. Finally, crystal-clear assured President McKay that “any talent with which I fortitude have been blessed would remark extended in the service help the Master in putting cutback very life on the tidy if necessary.”⁴¹

President Monson agreed assessment keep the sacred call hushhush to everyone except his helpmeet and did not sleep outburst all the night before public conference on October 4, 1963. Upon arriving at conference, sharp-tasting sat among the members unravel the Priesthood Home Teaching board on which he served. Splendid friend next to him, Hugh Smith, told him of fine strange coincidence: the last combine times a General Authority confidential been called, that man locked away been sitting next to Hugh.⁴² After Thomas Monson’s name was called, “Hugh Smith looked dear me and said simply, ‘Lightning has struck for the 3rd time.’ I believe the reposition from the audience to rank stand was the longest wend of my life.”⁴³

Service as a Member of picture Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Thomas S. Monson, at age 36, became the youngest man called slam the Quorum of the Xii Apostles since 1910, when Patriarch Fielding Smith joined the Finishing touch at age 33. His arbitrate with the Twelve spanned 22 years, from 1963 until coronate call to the First Tiller under President Ezra Taft Benson in 1985, and included boasting on every major committee remind the Church, frequently as integrity chair.⁴⁴ During this time, Cathedral membership evolved from a close group centered in the love affair United States into a international business, highly diverse global community.⁴⁵ Blooper was called to the apostleship by President David O. McKay however went on to serve slip up President Joseph Fielding Smith stranger 1970 to 1972 and confirmation under Harold B. Lee from 1972 to 1973. It was not later than President Spencer W. Kimball’s tenure, wean away from 1973 to 1985, that Big cheese Monson led a scripture publications committee that in 1979 revive a 2,400-page edition of righteousness King James Version of honourableness Bible that included a Current Guide, Bible Dictionary, and progressive footnote system. President Monson very participated with President Kimball thorough the landmark revelation that blast of air worthy male members would hire the priesthood.⁴⁶

But with members confined behind the Glib Curtain throughout the post–World Contest II years, President Monson’s top accomplishment as a member win the Quorum of the Cardinal Apostles was his overseeing conjure the Eastern European Saints. “The actual blessings he brought dissertation our country and to Europe,” observed German First Presidency adherent Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “are so actual and so significant and and above singular in their value renounce I really believe that honesty Lord had prepared him guard be an instrument in dynamic the history of Germany.”⁴⁷ Rectitude Communist government of the Germanic Democratic Republic severely repressed churchgoing observance, yet Church members lengthened faithful despite discrimination, loss perceive job and educational opportunities, sports ground frequent surveillance as they tumble together. President Monson visited them frequently, once studying the abundant Church handbook with the objective of retyping the entire whole after crossing into East Frg, because Church materials were moan allowed to be taken walkout the country. He went cuddle a branch office and afoot this task, and after some pages he glanced around weather discovered a copy of excellence handbook on a shelf recklessness him.⁴⁸ He worked tirelessly make sense East German officials to agree to at least a few Saints to attend general conference delighted to visit the temple unattainable the country, but still Eastside German Saints yearned for opportunities akin to those of additional members around the world.

Then, etch 1978, President Kimball promised Presidency Monson that “the Lord liking not deny temple blessings be selected for those worthy [East German] members” and added with a alleviate, “You find the way.”⁴⁹ Importance President Monson and East European Church leader Henry Burkhardt elongated to petition the government expose permission for six couples exploit a time to visit influence Swiss Temple, they received fraudster astounding suggestion from government leaders: “Why don’t you build a- temple here?” In October 1982, the First Presidency announced stroll a temple would be method in Freiberg, German Democratic Commonwealth, the first temple ever constructed in a Communist country. That announcement was almost as ineffable as the miraculous agreement Chief Monson, then-Elder Russell M. Nelson be bought the Quorum of the Xii Apostles, and East German Creed leaders later made with authority officials and head of indict Erich Honecker to allow missionaries to enter and leave authority country before the collapse late the Berlin Wall.⁵⁰ “I collection a living witness,” wrote Vice-president Monson, “of how the plam of the Lord has anachronistic made manifest in watching acquire the members of the Communion in what once were Communist-ruled countries.”⁵¹

Yet, amidst world-changing events and unbearable administrative duties, President Monson’s priesthood continued to focus on integrity promptings of the Holy Revenant and on reaching out realize the one. After offering uncluttered blessing to a friend rotation a veterans' hospital, President Monson felt he had “accomplished finer good in that visit escape in a week of meetings at Church headquarters.”⁵² Stories prevail of detours taken from Typical Authority duties as President Monson retreated to hospital rooms, nursing homes, and solitary bedsides next visit the sick and blue blood the gentry lonely waiting for him. As stake meeting schedules in City, Louisiana, wouldn’t allow President Monson time to visit a painfully ill girl who had gratuitously for a blessing from him, he was nevertheless prepared like that which, during the Saturday evening ascendancy session, “I heard a blatant speak to my spirit,” subside said. “The message was mini, the words familiar: ‘Suffer honesty little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is rectitude kingdom of God’ (Mark 10:14).”⁵³ He made the 80-mile (129 km) trip to Christal Methvin’s home the next morning, advantage her in a Spirit-filled kinfolk gathering before she died match up days later.

When meeting with fetid East German members, President Monson would give away his suits, shoes, calculator, and even simple set of marked scriptures.⁵⁴ Swallow he never forgot his person members from the Sixth-Seventh Escort, watching out for aging essential low-income friends like Ed Erickson, whom President Monson invited halt family gatherings and birthday deed. In a 2009 talk, bankruptcy taught: “Have the courage style refrain from judging and testy those around you, as sufficiently as the courage to sham certain everyone is included ride feels loved and valued.”⁵⁵

President Monson’s honesty and friendliness engendered bridge-building and goodwill for the Communion among various religions, civic organizations, and community leaders. He difficult to understand grown up in a different neighborhood, felt close to one\'s own flesh of different faiths, and really professed, “I think there catch unawares good people everywhere.”⁵⁶ He dissimilar readily with others, “many be worthwhile for whom are not necessarily comrades of the Church,” he experimental, “but are community spirited build up civic minded individuals.”⁵⁷ Community terrific like one former publisher do away with the Salt Lake Tribune, trig Catholic, voiced their appreciation: “If he’s ever met you, Break Monson is your friend. … The Church gave this grouping special unification through friendship just as it elevated Tom Monson leak the First Presidency.”⁵⁸ A Saline Lake community advocate once discovered, “I don’t know if party know how much the LDS Church gets involved with honesty nonprofit world. President Monson quite good very aware of what high-mindedness needs are.”⁵⁹ Another faith head of state wrote to President Monson: “You always open your heart chew out meet the needs and requests of the Salvation Army. Sure you and your associates put on overwhelmed us with your cordiality and gracious spirits.”⁶⁰ He crooked and spoke at activities engaged in conjunction with the 1993 dedication services of the unusual Cathedral of the Madeleine look Salt Lake City and besides spoke at Catholic funerals pine close friends.⁶¹

Hobbies like pigeon-raising offered respite from the pressures bring to an end President Monson’s duties and poetic his great-grandchildren to call him “Grandpa Birdie.” His passion muddle up raising pigeons was reflected stem a merit badge on pigeon-raising offered by the Boy Scouts of America for a put on ice. His service on the Scouts’ National Executive Board began wellheeled 1969 and continued through magnanimity years as he received nobleness Silver Beaver Award, the White Buffalo Award, and international Scouting’s highest award, the Bronze Robber, in 1993. However, one one-time chief Scout executive, Roy Clergyman, joked that President Monson couldn’t quite get over the Scouts’ decision to abandon a pigeon-raising merit badge.⁶²

President Monson’s interests ranged broadly. While organized member of the Quorum warm the Twelve Apostles, he fair a master’s degree in speciality administration, and throughout his trip he liked to visit belligerent cemeteries—hallowed places that evoke, crystal-clear said, thoughts of “shattered dreams, unfulfilled hopes, grief-filled hearts president lives cut short by character sharp scythe of war.”⁶³ Subside loved to study about Pretend War II and, on dialect trig lighter note, relished Perry Histrion reruns on television at obscurity, though he sometimes fell quiescent and missed the ending.⁶⁴ Proceed was fond, too, of musicals. “I am what my little woman, Frances, calls a ‘show-a-holic,’” crystal-clear once told a general debate audience.⁶⁵ He also enjoyed ruler share of New Year’s Daytime football games in which “I can start out neutral obeying two football teams, but centre minutes I have selected loftiness team which I think nothing to win.”⁶⁶ He could persuade about chickens for an plentiful flight with a seatmate good turn, at a Boy Scouts swallow America prayer breakfast at nobleness White House in 1989, derrick a shared love of Humanities springer spaniels with United States president George Bush.⁶⁷

His deepest club, of course, was his kinfolk, which grew to include 8 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Childhood his time at home was limited, his children remember about games, fishing, duck hunting, weeding gardens, going to movies, free, and sleigh riding with their father.⁶⁸ Two particular memories put out for son Tom: interpretation checkers as a young youth with his father and acquiring his father fly to Metropolis, Kentucky, to give him marvellous blessing because he had meagre pneumonia during military basic training.⁶⁹ Daughter Ann enjoyed the Solicitous evening reports her father public with the family after repeated from Church assignments. And Explorer especially cherished the day sovereign father drove 40 miles (64 km) out of his disclose so that he and Adventurer could examine a hawk’s outspoken near Randolph, Utah.⁷⁰ President Monson relished mowing the lawn extort participating in family Ping-Pong tournaments in the basement of their home.⁷¹

Member of the First Presidency

Thomas S. Monson served for 22 maturity in the First Presidency, case in 1985 as Second Counsellor to President Ezra Taft Benson and then continuing in prowl role with President Howard W. Huntswoman in 1994. Thirteen of those years, from 1995 to 2008, were at the side farm animals President Gordon B. Hinckley, who callinged President Monson to be top First Counselor.⁷² President Monson’s designate in the First Presidency player on his varied background imprison Church administration and left him with a heavy workload think about it made it difficult to vacate the office. President Hinckley became the most traveled President adjoin Church history, and this frankly administration kept extremely busy. Smart temples enabled the pace be more or less temple building to rapidly increase; an enormous new Church Conversation Center was constructed to permit thousands of members to tend general conference and other functions; worldwide training meetings via hanger-on broadcast began; and a Light of day of Celebration in Rice-Eccles Arena at the University of Utah commemorated the 200th birthday have a high regard for the Prophet Joseph Smith, meet 42,000 youth from Salt Power point Valley and Wyoming performing.⁷³

As always, though, in the fearful of Elder Ronald A. Rasband pan the Quorum of the Xii Apostles, President Monson was “never too busy for people,”⁷⁴ other in the winter of 2000, one person he took sicken out for was his better half. After she suffered a despotic fall, he spent several weeks taking his paperwork to their way hospital room until, finally, Frances became alert enough to speech her first words: “I forgot to mail the quarterly unsympathetic payment.”⁷⁵ Another recipient of cap kindness was Church News journalist Gerry Avant, who frequently stationary President Monson’s travels and was once invited to some tourism with the Monsons because, considerably President Monson told her, “you’ve been working hard.”⁷⁶

President of magnanimity Church

President Gordon B. Hinckley died achieve January 27, 2008. The Control Presidency was dissolved and Supervisor Monson returned to his location as President of the Supplement of the Twelve Apostles. Distinction man who grew up next to the railroad tracks, instigated elvish childhood antics in Primary, instruction willingly shared his meager chattels even during the Great Hollow would soon become the head of millions of Latter-day Saints worldwide. “I’ve never speculated succession what might lie down justness road for anything in loose life,” he said in apartment house interview shortly before he was to be sustained as Principal of the Church in fastidious solemn assembly during the Apr 2008 general conference. “I didn’t know but what President Hinckley would outlive me.” He vocal, “I’ve always followed the moral, ‘Serve where you’re called, shriek where you’ve been or spin you might be. Serve whither you’re called.’”⁷⁷

Thomas S. Monson was consign apart and ordained as rendering 16th President of the Communion on February 3, 2008, verdict President Henry B. Eyring to continue as his First Counselor. Pray his Second Counselor, he chose President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a trilingual German convert to the Communion and a member of excellence Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 2004. The new Chief Presidency symbolized the global assemblage of the expanding Church.⁷⁸ Go back a press conference on Feb 4, 2008, President Monson resonant reporters, “As a Church amazement reach out not only skin our own people, but besides to those people of high regard throughout the world in renounce spirit of brotherhood which be handys from the Lord Jesus Christ.”⁷⁹

This anima of brotherhood and reaching training to others became hallmarks admire President Monson’s administration. Church dazzling worked regularly with Catholics, Evangelistic Christians, and other religious soar community groups in supporting principled causes such as traditional wedding. Church leaders invited other certainty leaders to speak at LDS campuses and bolstered support plan religious freedom with online resources.⁸⁰ President Monson and members have the Quorum of the 12 Apostles also encouraged Church components to reach out to else faiths in service and territory building and enhanced already present-day accounted f humanitarian connections with other institutions to relieve the staggering necessarily of people affected by aberrant and man-made disasters worldwide. Generous the first five years chide President Monson’s tenure, the Communion contributed to relief efforts boil the aftermath of earthquakes soupзon Haiti and Nepal, a Asian tsunami, and floods in Siam. It also offered help play a part immunizing people in underdeveloped countries, providing clean water to faroff villages, easing food crises internationally, and offering disaster relief suppose the United global aid slab influence was noted by , which in 2009 ranked Pilot Monson first in a record of the 80 most burly octogenarians in America.⁸¹

Also under Top banana Monson’s leadership, Church public dealings began an outreach to aid others better understand the dissimilarity of Latter-day Saints. The “I’m a Mormon” campaign featured Latter Saints who worked for much diverse organizations as Harley Davidson, the Library of Congress, take rock bands. Church headquarters likewise launched websites for youth keep from others, and the Church-owned BYUtv channel and website began in britain artistry high-quality programs to appeal reveal a wider audience. On high-mindedness Church’s website, a series misplace high-quality videos began appearing, image scenes from the New Exemplification that could be appreciated coarse people of many faiths. Overturn online resources included the promulgation of several Gospel Topics essays, designed to address complex issues in a straightforward and intellectual manner, and the website Prophet and Gay, providing relevant Sanctuary teachings and featuring personal traditional from gay Latter-day Saints person in charge their families.

Perhaps the most main changes that transpired during The man Monson’s tenure, however, took spring in historic administrative developments. Best changes impacted the way honourableness Church leads, functions, teaches, stomach proselytes. In 2009, the Religion distributed a DVD and essay on welfare principles and be grateful for 2010 released a new prove of instructions for Church influential, accompanied by two worldwide qualifications broadcasts. The new handbook tense working in councils through gush and honest discussions, alleviating class load of the bishop right the way through delegation, and, most important, piece Church members become true grammar of Jesus Christ. Also edict 2010, international training by helpers of the Quorum of class Twelve Apostles began implementing the cloth leadership conferences and area reviews that included a comprehensive context of humanitarian service, welfare requirements, missionary work, and temple work.

One of the most dramaturgical developments to occur under Manager Monson’s direction was announced check the October 2012 general debate when President Monson declared wander men could begin serving full-time missions at age 18 extra women at 19. This new policy change lowering age prerequisites Churchwide generated an eagerness oblige missionary work that resulted take away historically high numbers of other ranks and especially women serving full-time missions. The creation of unusual missionary training centers and newfound missions accompanied the rising back copy of missionaries, which reached 85,000 at the end of 2014. Members became part of picture “hastening of the work” (see D&C 88:73) as well, decode preparing sons and daughters in line for missions within the home endure participating more fully in their local missionary programs. Technology become peaceful online proselyting, as well type the creation of “sister way leaders”—a leadership role for wet-nurse missionaries—also added to the exciting sense of progress and novelty that the mission-age-change announcement created.

Enabling young women to serve missions at younger ages dovetailed shrink an ongoing effort during Concert-master Monson’s tenure to better middle women in leadership roles, staying power making, and ward and pledge council participation. To better benefit Latter-day Saint women and general public appreciate the crucial role sisters have played in the doctrine in every dispensation—especially during leadership Savior’s ministry and during high-mindedness Restoration period from 1830 converge the present—the Church published Daughters in My Kingdom and pleased its use in the soupзon, in Relief Society and Grassy Women, and in quorums. Mend 2014, the general women’s fondness of general conference replaced righteousness general Relief Society and Minor Women meetings, with all ages 8 and older welcome to attend this twice-a-year meeting.

Better and more interactive teaching customs, especially in helping youth follow full participants in the philosophy, also became a priority pay money for President Monson’s administrative innovations. Picture 2013 implementation of Come, Drag Me, a youth curriculum calculated to “bless the youth dash their efforts to become just fine converted to the gospel disrespect Jesus Christ,”⁸² offered teachers enthralled youth alike better ways repeat teach as Jesus Christ sincere. It used online resources, juvenescence participation, and Spirit-inspired discussions guarantee building faith and gospel mistake. Similar efforts to improve able teaching in the Church came in 2016 with the creative resource Teaching in the Savior’s Way and the introduction faux monthly teacher council meetings timetabled wards and branches.

Also during Cicerone Monson’s administration, announcements of novel temples to be built from end to end the world continued. Temple dedications and rededications saw President Monson traveling to locales around integrity globe, including Cebu City, Philippines; Curitiba, Brazil; Kyiv, Ukraine; Panama City, Panama; and Kansas Spring up, Missouri. In 2013, the promotion of online resources to element members find their ancestors resulted in an 11 percent boost in family names submitted bid members for temple ordinances buy what was called “a pennant year for family history.”⁸³

Despite the heavy demands on coronet time, however, President Monson remained Thomas Monson, the Church head who, in the words shop Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of honourableness Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “will show up, probably discourteous, at the funeral of pure rank-and-file employee. I can’t imagine of anything that exemplifies author the ministry of President Monson than that kind of individualised attention.”⁸⁴

On May 23, 2013, be active presided at the funeral very last his own beloved wife, Frances, after she passed away sloppiness May 17 in a Over-salted Lake hospital. “She has bent supportive from the day amazement married,” said President Monson bulldoze the services, calling her “the ideal wife and mother.”⁸⁵ Proscribed fulfilled the remainder of potentate presidency as a widower, again and again accompanied to special events from end to end of his daughter, Ann.

During Cicerone Monson’s tenure, improved Sabbath put forward observance was emphasized as skilful means of increasing faith compel Heavenly Father and Jesus The almighty. Beginning in 2015, a ungainly and sustained effort at mesmerize levels of the Church champion in the home urged associates to “make the Sabbath fine delight” (see Isaiah 58:13) do without focusing on the Lord meticulous their covenants with Him counter order to reap the blessings promised to the faithful.

President Monson also continued to remain recognize the value of of those estranged from goodness Church and never treated them as unfit for the sovereignty. When an older man who had not been involved uphold the Church for 20 duration came to a General Faculty for advice on coming revert to, he pulled out the sign that had motivated his remove from power desire to return: “You keep been long enough away, topmost it is time to build on back. Tom.”⁸⁶ According to Manager Monson, “I find there hype a little bit of sainthood in everybody, and I appearance for it.”⁸⁷

Even as President short vacation the Church, he maintained tiara sense of comradeship with bareness, said Elder L. Tom Perry (1922–2015): “He’ll talk about the BYU game or the Jazz [basketball team]; he’s a great exercises fan. And then he’ll get paid down to business.”⁸⁸ And bankruptcy always maintained his sense be proper of humor. At a 2009 doorknob with the members of depiction Mormon Tabernacle Choir, he sat down at the gigantic means of expression and offered up his rendering of “To a Birthday Party” from a beginner’s piano book.⁸⁹ In 2013, the Church renowned its “100 Years of Scouting” with a program that very paid homage to President Monson’s lifelong support of Scouting—just rob of many interests that booked him connected to his boy beings, whom he loved be introduced to comfort and make happier, appealing all Scouters, regardless of idealistic affiliation, to participate.

“Feeling say publicly nudge of the Lord, illustriousness promptings,” President Monson said be thankful for a 1997 interview, brought him the most joy, especially corner situations like the one be thankful for which he had visited enthrone father in the hospital other, rushing afterward to get not far from his next meeting, felt soil should nevertheless wait near authority elevator. A family asked him to offer a blessing hearten their mother, who was heroic between life and death, build up he agreed. Later that lifetime, he received word that intrusion family member had kissed high-mindedness mother and said a painful good-bye after the blessing abide before she died.⁹⁰

“I’ve had ensure happen to me all safe my life to the margin that I try to own the antennae up,” President Monson observed. And countless individuals—some line of attack whose stories have been booming, but many more whose encounters with Thomas Monson remain unknown—can attest to this remarkable man’s connection with the divine. “You develop an appreciation that Drop-dead Father knows who you are,” reflected President Monson. “He says, ‘Here, go do this fit in me.’ I always thank Him.”⁹¹

And his witness to the imitation was unfailing. “With all tawdry heart and the fervency treat my soul,” said President Monson, “I lift up my tone in testimony as a key witness and declare that Demiurge does live. Jesus is Coronet Son, the Only Begotten clean and tidy the Father in the semiliquid. He is our Redeemer; Closure is our Mediator with honourableness Father. He it was who died on the cross add up to atone for our sins. Loosen up became the firstfruits of rendering Resurrection. Because He died, resistance shall live again. ‘Oh, luscious the joy this sentence gives: “I know that my Deliverer lives!”’ [Hymns, no. 136]. Hawthorn the whole world know recoup and live by that knowledge.”⁹²

Notes

1. Thomas S. Monson, “Be of Useful Cheer,” Ensign or Liahona, Could 2009, 92.
2. Email correspondence with Hildebrand Parkin, M.D., Sept. 2, 2008.
3. In “A Life Guided by Service,” Deseret News, general conference muchrepeated supplement, Apr. 1, 2008, 4; see also Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: Man of Instantaneous, Man of Faith, Always ‘on the Lord’s Errand,’” Ensign, Feb. 1986, 12.
4. Tom Monson, son, telecommunicate to Joshua Perkey, Church Magazines, Feb. 19, 2008.
5. In Heidi S. Swinton, To the Rescue: The Account of Thomas S. Monson (2010), 518.
6. Gerry Avant, “President’s Heartfelt Efforts Universal,” Deseret News, Feb. 7, 2008, M6.
7. In “A Life Guided indifferent to Service,” 4.
8. In “Speaking from Experience,” Deseret News, Feb. 7, 2008, M4.
9. In Carrie A. Moore, “LDS Ruler Has Fond Memories of Juvenile Up in the S.L. Area,” Deseret News, Feb. 5, 2008, M3.
10. In Gerry Avant, “On Lord’s Errand since His Boyhood,” Church News, Feb. 9, 2008, 5.
11. Much of the biographical information instruct in this article is taken detach from Swinton, To the Rescue.
12. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 50–51.
13. See Heidi S. Swinton, “Baseballs and Service,” Friend, Sept. 2012, 2.
14. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 35.
15. In Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of illustriousness Master,” supplement to the Ensign and Liahona, June 2008, 5.
16. In “In His Own Words,” Deseret News, general conference special attachment, Apr. 1, 2008, 7.
17. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 58.
18. See Poet S. Monson, “Obedience Brings Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 89–90.
19. See Moore, “LDS Leader Has Fond Memories,” M3; “A Blunted Guided by Service,” 5.
20. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 74–75.
21. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 63–65.
22. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 78.
23. In Composer, “LDS Leader Has Fond Memories,” M3.
24. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 79, 87.
25. See Swinton, To distinction Rescue, 89, 288.
26. In Moore, “LDS Leader Has Fond Memories,” M3.
27. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 90.
28. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 92.
29. Thomas S. Monson, “Dare to Stand Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 61.
30. In “Speaking from Experience,” M5.
31. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 99.
32. In Moore, “LDS Leader Has Amorous Memories,” M3.
33. In “A Life Guided by Service,” 5.
34. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 144.
35. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 142.
36. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 132.
37. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 158–59.
38. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 135–36.
39. See Gary Noise, in “Recollecting,” Deseret News, Feb. 5, 2008, M3.
40. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 175–76.
41. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 216.
42. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 217–18.
43. In “In Top Own Words,” 17.
44. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 252.
45. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 224.
46. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 530–32.
47. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 279.
48. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 293–94.
49. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 309.
50. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 309, 313, 333–34.
51. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 340.
52. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 405.
53. In Jeffrey R. Holland, “In the Tail diminish of the Master,” 11.
54. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 316.
55. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 248.
56. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 464.
57. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 401.
58. John W. Gallivan, in Jeffrey R. Holland, “Man spot Action, Man of Faith,” 15.
59. Pamela Atkinson, in “Recollecting,” M3.
60. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 440.
61. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 402–3, 453.
62. See Joseph F. Dougherty, “LDS Leader Likewise Lifelong Scouter,” Deseret News, Feb. 7, 2008, M6.
63. In “In Ruler Own Words,” 20.
64. Ann Dibb, netmail to Joshua Perkey, Church Magazines, Feb. 13, 2008.
65. Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 85.
66. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 452.
67. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 463–64, 453.
68. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 200.
69. See Jeffrey R. Holland, “Man honor Action, Man of Faith,” 16–17.
70. See Jeffrey R. Holland, “Man of Achievement, Man of Faith,” 17.
71. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 265.
72. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 532–33.
73. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 471, 472, 478, 484, 485.
74. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 485.
75. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 492.
76. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 487.
77. Gerry Avant, “Church President to Be Sustained mess Solemn Assembly,” Church News, Apr. 5, 2008, 3–4; see very
78. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 496.
79. Thomas S. Monson, “The Lord’s Work,” Church News, Feb. 9, 2008, 3.
80. See “Church Launches New Plea bargain on Freedom of Religion,”
81. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 515.
82. First Presidency letter, Sept. 12, 2012.
83. Paul G. Nauta, “2013 Was a Pennant Year for Family History,”
84. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 502.
85. Gerry Avant, “Sister Frances J. Monson Was ‘the Ideal Wife and Mother,’”
86. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 504.
87. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 504.
88. In Swinton, To the Rescue, 512.
89. See Swinton, To the Rescue, 515.
90. Gerry Avant, “Oct. 4 Task President Monson’s 50-Year Anniversary whilst Apostle,”
91. In Avant, “Oct. 4 Is President Monson’s 50-Year Day as Apostle,”
92. Thomas S. Monson, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives!” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 25.

Selected Teachings

The masses teachings are from President Monson’s ministry as President of loftiness Church and are arranged chronologically.

Following Promptings: “The sweetest experience Uproarious know in life is in feel a prompting and warn upon it and later rest out that it was say publicly fulfillment of someone’s prayer epitomize someone’s need. And I again want the Lord to know again that if He needs more than ever errand run, Tom Monson wish run that errand for Him” (On the Lord’s Errand [DVD, 2008]).

Receiving Divine Help: “Remember drift this work is not yours and mine alone. It recap the Lord’s work, and during the time that we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled end up the Lord’s help” (“To Inform, to Do, to Be,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 62).

Love for Others: “What is nearly important almost always involves authority people around us. Often phenomenon assume that they must save how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know” (“Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 86).

Service: “Unless we lose man in service to others, here is little purpose to lastditch own lives. Those who secure only for themselves eventually become limp or flaccid up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who clinch themselves in service to remains grow and flourish—and in dump save their lives” (“What Scheme I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 85).

Marriage: “Choose a companion close up and prayerfully; and when prickly are married, be fiercely dependable one to another. Priceless suggestion comes from a small set-up plaque I once saw fragment the home of an novelist and aunt. It read, ‘Choose your love; love your choice’” (“Priesthood Power,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 68).

Temple Blessings: “Until you have entered the line of the Lord and be blessed with received all the blessings which await you there, you put on not obtained everything the Cathedral has to offer. The essential and crowning blessings of relationship in the Church are those blessings which we receive dependably the temples of God” (“The Holy Temple—a Beacon to righteousness World,” Ensign or Liahona, Hawthorn 2011, 93).

Atonement of Jesus Christ: “I believe that none close the eyes to us can conceive the all-inclusive import of what Christ frank for us in Gethsemane, on the contrary I am grateful every gift of my life for Surmount atoning sacrifice in our behalf.

“At the last moment, Purify could have turned back. However He did not. He passed beneath all things that Oversight might save all things. Break down doing so, He gave evil life beyond this mortal confrontation. He reclaimed us from greatness Fall of Adam.

“To nobleness depths of my very essence, I am grateful to Him. He taught us how pause live. He taught us regardless to die. He secured oration salvation” (“At Parting,” Ensign stump Liahona, May 2011, 114).

Prayer: “Our Heavenly Father is aware substantiation our needs and will edifying us as we call arrive suddenly Him for assistance. I esteem that no concern of ours is too small or miserable. The Lord is in leadership details of our lives” (“Consider the Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 88).

Trials: “We notice that there are times in the way that we will experience heartbreaking heartbreak, when we will grieve, existing when we may be proved to our limits. However, much difficulties allow us to touch for the better, to refurbish our lives in the impediment our Heavenly Father teaches uncultivated, and to become something diverse from what we were—better surpass we were, more understanding prior to we were, more empathetic prevail over we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before” (“I Will Not Fail Thee, shadowy Forsake Thee,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 87).

God’s Love: “Your Heavenly Father loves you—each pageant you. That love never instability. It is not influenced by way of your appearance, by your big money, or by the amount tip off money you have in your bank account. It is snivel changed by your talents countryside abilities. It is simply wide. It is there for order around when you are sad refer to happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for restore confidence whether or not you determine you deserve love. It court case simply always there” (“We Not in any way Walk Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 123–24).

Preparedness: “We living in turbulent times. Often high-mindedness future is unknown; therefore, thoroughgoing behooves us to prepare let slip uncertainties. When the time storeroom decision arrives, the time beg for preparation is past” (“Are Amazement Prepared?” Ensign or Liahona, Family. 2014, 5).

Example: “As the sphere moves further and further departed from the principles and guidelines given to us by a-ok loving Heavenly Father, we wish stand out from the congregation because we are different. … Those things which make low-spirited different from most of decency world also provide us angst that light and that features which will shine in be over increasingly dark world” (“Be highrise Example and a Light,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 88).