187th Annual General Conference
Man is that he might have joy: Stories celebrating his 90th year and the man that makes the prophet A special product of www.heraldextra.com
March 26, 2017
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Thomas S. Monson: The man
Defining doctrine
The prophet has built a multi-faceted life beyond the pulpit
Inspiration from on high Quotes from Thomas S. Monson’s speeches across years of service
A leader among members Thomas S. Monson has spent two-thirds of his life serving the Lord
Thomas S. Monson influences decades of the faithful across the world
Master of stories
Digital Editor Stacy Johnson Design David Revilla Writers Genelle Pugmire Laura Giles
Members glean meaning from Thomas S. Monson famous Storytelling
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www.BeeHiveHomes.com 4 CELEBRATING PRESIDENT MONSON’S 90TH YEAR
Finding 90 years of joy in family, faith and work Genelle Pugmire
O
DAILY HERALD
f all people, President Thomas S. Monson has learned to find the joy in life.
With a life packed full of sweet memories and opportunities, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints will celebrate his 90th birthday before the fall general conference on Aug. 21. Since his early childhood Tommy Monson, as he was referred to, has learned to enjoy the world around him while garnering numerous friends and associates. He has found joy in his childhood, joy in his friends and family, joy in his school and work, joy in his church service and joy in living. While a great portion of his joy comes from his complete devotion to the service of God and the LDS Church, he is not without a private life as well. Whether 9 or 90, Monson has garnered the best the earth can give and he shares as much as he can with those around him. Whether it’s a smile, a well-rehearsed poem, a wink, a wiggle of the ears, a hand up or a blessing, the world is better for his
dogged optimism and joyful tenacity. Like a finely cut diamond, Monson has built a shining, multi-faceted life beyond speeches at the pulpit and being the spiritual leader of approximately 15 million people worldwide. Leading up to his monumental birthday, the Daily Herald interviewed a few friends and lifetime associates of the prophet to to have a better understanding of Thomas S. Monson the man and what brings him joy.
Joy in his youth Thomas Spencer Monson was born Aug. 21, 1927, at Saint Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, the son of G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. The Monsons lived at 311 W. 500 South in Salt Lake City. Five other children were born to the Monsons: Marjorie, Robert, Marilyn, Scott and Barbara. From his birth, Monson’s life has been full of family activities, friends, pets, hobbies and school. Growing up, he loved the outdoors and was always surrounded by nature whether playing with friends, hiking, camping or recreating. In his personal biography, “To The Rescue” by Heidi S. Swinton, he reiterates that joy during the annual summer months of his youth were filled with hiking and fishing at his grandparents’ cabin at Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. When summer in the canyon was over, Monson
Thomas S. Monson in his naval uniform.
Courtesy
came back home to Salt Lake City, where his friends were always waiting to play baseball or basketball and get involved in school activities with See MONSON, Page 6
Significant events in Thomas S. Monson’s life Aug. 21, 1927 – Born to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson, St. Mark’s Hospital, Salt Lake City
Sept. 21, 1935 – Baptized at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, confirmed Sept. 29, 1935
Fall 1944 – Enrolled at the University
of Utah, met Frances B. Johnson
1945-1946 – Completed basic training and served in the U.S. Naval Reserve in San Diego
August 1948 – Graduated with honors from University of Utah with a bachelor of science in marketing
Oct. 7, 1948 – Married Frances Beverly Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple
May 1950-July 1955 – Served as
bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward, Temple View Stake, Salt Lake City
July 1955-June 1957 – Served as
second counselor in the Temple View Stake presidency
April 1959-January 1963 – Served
1971-1977 – Served on Utah State
Board of Higher Education and State Board of Regents
as mission president of the Canada Toronto Mission
1978-1982 – Served as chairman of
1962 – Named general manager of the
1981-1982 – Member of President
Deseret News Press
Oct. 4, 1963 – Sustained as a member
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at age 36
July 6, 1965 – Assigned to Missionary Executive Committee
1969-1988 – Served on Mountain Bell board of advisors and board of directors
1969-1993 – Served on board of
directors of Commercial Security Bank (later Key Bank)
November 1969 – Named member of the National Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America
Missionary Committee
Ronald Reagan’s Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives
Aug. 29, 1982 – Created first
LDS Church stake in communist East Germany
Jan. 27, 2008 – President Gordon B. Hinckley dies
Feb. 3, 2008 – Ordained and set apart at the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Aug. 17, 2012 – Celebrated his 85th birthday with thousands of wellwishers at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City Oct. 6, 2012 – Announced the lower
of age for full-time missionaries
May 17, 2013 – Sister Frances B. Monson dies at age 87
Nov. 25, 2014 – Under the direction of the First Presidency, church sends first email message to members church-wide Oct. 3, 2015 – Called three new
apostles: Elders Ronald A. Rasband, Gary E. Stevenson and Dale G. Renlund
March 17, 2017 – Relief Society celebrated 175th birthday, under direction of the First Presidency, enhances purpose of the organization focusing on the atonement and preparing for celestial life This timeline, in part, comes from President Monson’s biography “To the Rescue,” by Heidi S. Swinton. Information from 2012 forward comes from information found on mormonnewsroom.org Daily Herald March 26, 2017 5
Monson From 5
The Thomas S. Monson family.
6 CELEBRATING PRESIDENT MONSON’S 90TH YEAR
Courtesy
him. They loved being around their loyal friend Tommy. Mark Jacobsen recalls the story about a time when Tommy Monson and other boys in Monson’s Boy Scout troop were planning a weeklong adventure in the high Uintas. What they didn’t expect was to be left alone in the mountains by their leader. “Their Boy Scoutmaster smoked a big cigar,” Jacobsen said. “He drove the troop to the high Uintas, dropped them off and said he would be back in a week. He put Tommy in charge.” According to Jacobsen, the Scout leader came back like he said he would. He found everything was in order. The boys followed Monson, as told to, and were in good shape. Monson often expressed to Lowell Jacobsen, his lifelong friend and father to Mark, that he doesn’t think folks understand the importance of the Boy Scouts to the LDS Church. While reminiscing about his youth during a Temple View 6th-7th Ward reunion, Monson, the ward’s former bishop, spoke about a prank he was involved in during the annual ward roadshow. Monson was about 13 years old when he and some other friends were performing. These one- or two-act plays were called roadshows because the wards would travel on the road to the various buildings to share their plays with audiences throughout the area. While they were on the road from one church building to another, Monson and some of the boys took one of the dummies being used as a prop in the roadshow and laid it in the street. The prop scared a man in a car who stopped short of hitting the dummy thinking it was a real person. He got out of the car and yelled at the boys as they ran off, according to Monson’s recollection. “We got in a lot of trouble that day,” Monson told the reunion audience, according to Mark Jacobsen, who was in attendance. As a boy, Monson also loved to raise pigeons, rabbits and chickens, and he won prizes for them. That love extended into his adult years as well. Lowell Jacobsen and Monson both grew Rhode Island Red hens. They were exceptional. While in their early 20s the two men competed for
several years in the county fair. “Every year Tommy would win the blue ribbon,” Mark Jacobsen said. “My father could never figure out what he was doing differently.” Monson loved Lowell Jacobsen. They worked together at the Deseret Press and Lowell Jacobsen was his ward clerk when Monson was bishop. It was a lifelong friendship. Lowell Jacobsen died June 15, 2009 at age 75. “I have learned to find joy and humor in every part of my life including sad and tragic moments,” Mark Jacobsen said of knowing Monson. One such occasion was his own father’s funeral, where Monson was a speaker. When Lowell Jacobsen passed away, his neck stiffened in a position that twisted his head slightly to the side. Mark Jacobsen said even the morticians couldn’t straighten it. “As President Monson and I stood at my dad’s casket in the Relief Society room before the funeral started, I asked him why my dad’s head was turned towards the people in the room. Without skipping a beat President Monson said, ‘If I know Lowell he wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on anything.’”
Joy in family In the Swinton authored biography, Monson describes his childhood as “idyllic with hours spent fishing and exploring the surrounding valleys.” “Ours was a close-knit family,” Monson said. “We gained a sense of appreciation and love for our relatives, because all of us lived together on one corner on Salt Lake’s west side.” By the time World War II had started, Monson was attending West High School in Salt Lake City. He graduated in 1944. After graduating from high school, Monson enrolled at the University of Utah. Unfortunately, school was soon put aside for the war. Monson joined the United States Navy Reserve and went for basic training in San Diego. At the end of the war in 1946, Monson returned to Utah, and graduated two years later with honors and a degree in business from the University of Utah. He also had acquired a special admiration for fellow student Frances B. Johnson. Their relationship turned to love and they were sealed for time and all eternity Oct. 7, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple.
While Monson stayed busy in the printing business and with his church responsibilities, his wife built a home for them. During this time of career building between ages 22 and 31, Monson was also serving as a bishop and in stake leadership positions. Two-and-a-half years after they were married, son Thomas Lee was born May 28, 1951, and three years later daughter Ann Frances followed on June 30, 1954. Life was moving forward and at about the same time Monson was called to be the mission president for the Canada Toronto Mission, Feb. 21, 1959, Frances learned she was pregnant. Seven months after leaving for their mission Clark Spencer was born Oct. 1, 1959. “President Monson loved his kids,” said Barry Grant, a missionary in the Toronto mission under President Monson. “I remember him bringing them to meetings. He was the epitome of a husband, father and mission president.”
Joy in work As a young man, Monson worked part time with his father at Western Hotel Register Company, a printing firm. It was there Monson got his first taste of the printing industry. After his college graduation and a short stint teaching at the University of Utah, Monson was hired in the
Courtesy of Mark Jacobsen
Thomas S. Monson with mentor Louis C. Jacobsen and wife Imogene Jacobsen, and granddaughter JoAnn Jacobsen Cleveland at the Deseret Press, circa 1963. classified advertising department at the Deseret News Publishing Company. Within a short time he was named the classified advertising manager. In 1952, he was named the assistant general manager of the Deseret News Press. Soon thereafter he was named assistant sales manager and then sales manager of the press division. It was during that time that Ray
Beckham came to know the tenacity of Monson. “I was alumni director at Brigham Young University in the ’50s. Thomas Monson was an account representative at Deseret Press. The press did commercial as well as church printing,” Beckham said. Beckham noted the Deseret Press competed with other printers for jobs and Monson had called the
Alumni Association a handful of times to see if he could get the Alumni Magazine printing job. Beckham continually answered, “No, we do our printing in house.” “He came down in person and said I’m going to give you an offer you can’t refuse,” Beckham said. “He said he would print it for half the price we were.” Beckham took the news to BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson, and he said to go with the offer. “President Monson was always professional in his job,” Beckham said. “And he was very persistent.” Monson’s career in the printing industry included serving on the board of directors of the Printing Industries of America, and as president of the Utah Printers Association. He has received numerous accolades and awards and in 2009 was inducted into the Utah Printers Hall of Fame. On the same day, Monson also came to Provo to dedicate the Deseret News print shop at the Crandall Historical Printing Museum. While at the museum, Monson spent time printing sheets of the Gutenberg Bible on the replica of the Gutenberg Press.
Joy in Toronto By the time Monson was 31, he had See MONSON, Page 8
A love of food President Thomas S. Monson loves life, and that includes enjoying a variety of foods. Members of the LDS Church are always fascinated by personal tidbits that bring a human element to their beloved prophet — including the universal commonality of gathering to eat. Monson’s friend Wayne Chamberlain says he has had countless meals with the prophet. Chamberlain says Monson has been a regular visitor to the buffet at The Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. “I have watched him eat hundreds of meals and he dearly loves meat and potatoes – and desserts,” Chamberlain said. And then there is Cummings Chocolates.
“President Monson loves Cummings Chocolates and Brother Cummings provides a 2-pound box of Cummings Chocolates each and every week for the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve meeting in the Salt Lake Temple,” Chamberlain said. “President Monson always joked that when he was the ‘junior’ member of the Twelve he rarely got to choose his favorite flavor, because all of the good ones were taken by the senior members of the Twelve.” Every friend interviewed by the Daily Herald for this special section acknowledged that Monson loves his soda, but like President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said in his October 2016 conference talk, referring to a soda that kept him going, it shall
remain nameless. In a New Era magazine article from October 2009 entitled “The Joy of Service,” Monson said, “I have many memories of my boyhood days. Anticipating Sunday dinner was one of them. Just as we children hovered at our so-called starvation level and sat anxiously at the table with the aroma of roast beef filling the room, Mother would say to me, ‘Tommy, before we eat, take this plate of food I’ve prepared down the street to Old Bob, and then hurry back.’ “I could never understand why we couldn’t first eat and later deliver his plate of food. I never questioned aloud but would run down to his house and then wait anxiously as
Bob’s aged feet brought him eventually to the door. Then I would hand him the plate of food. He would present to me the clean plate from the previous Sunday and offer me a dime as pay for my services. My answer was always the same: ‘I can’t accept the money. My mother would tan my hide.’ He would then run his wrinkled hand through my blond hair and say, ‘My boy, you have a wonderful mother. Tell her thank you.’ “You know, I think I never did tell her. I sort of felt Mother didn’t need to be told. She seemed to sense his gratitude. I remember, too, that Sunday dinner always seemed to taste a bit better after I had returned from my errand.”
Daily Herald March 26, 2017 7
Monson
Joy of Scouting
From 7
In a video on mormonnewsroom.org, President Monson describes his experiences with Scouting as an adult, including a visit to Westminster Abbey in London, England, where he saw the memorial to Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting. “He was a builder of boys, one who taught them well how to run, and win, the race of life,” Monson said in the video. “I believe in the power of Scouting to bless and enrich lives for good.” Monson has served more than 40 years on the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. Former Chief Scout Executive Jere Ratcliffe said in an earlier mormonnewsroom.org statement, “I don’t know any person about whom I could say more good things than I can say about Tom Monson. For me Tom personifies ‘enthusiasm’ in its original meaning, ‘God within’ or literally ‘inspired,’ He lights up every meeting he is in. The LDS Church is blessed to have such a leader of youth.” In the summer of 2016 The Boy Scouts of America celebrated the groundbreaking of the Thomas S. Monson leadership Excellence Complex – a state-ofthe-art facility that will provide hands-on training on the principles of leadership at the expansive Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia. Mark Jacobsen said, “President Monson’s example as a lifelong Scouter, and as a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, encourage and moved me to action in Scouting my whole adult life. I too received the Silver Beaver, it was special to me because I had followed in the President’s footsteps and was inspired to be a lifetime Scouter.” The complex is expected to be completed in 2020.
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CELEBRATING PRESIDENT MONSON’S 90TH YEAR
put his career on hold, farmed out the pigeons, hens and rabbits, left a brand-new home and took his family by train to serve as the mission president of the Canada Toronto Mission. “His energy level was amazing,” said Wayne Chamberlain, a missionary in that mission and lifelong friend of Monson. “I don’t recall him ever taking more than five minutes to eat his lunch or dinner. He was back at his desk immediately, or off to a meeting with the city fathers, the Boy Scout council, or with missionaries. “He is a born salesman. He knows how to sell anything and he transferred his God-given talent into missionary work. We responded to his charge. Our convert baptisms doubled almost immediately.” When the Monson family came to Toronto, there were a few skeptical missionaries who wondered how someone so young, who himself hadn’t served a mission, would get along. That changed quickly, according to Grant — everyone respected him. Grant was deeply touched by the Monsons’ relationship. He noticed how close they were as they served the missionaries in the mission. He noted they won the missionaries’ hearts immediately. Grant said that at one point, he had a rough time with one of his companions. Grant was from Salt Lake City, was on a baseball scholarship at Brigham Young University and was socially skilled. His companion was a farm boy from Alberta, Canada and was never taught the social graces. It bugged him. Grant took the problem to Monson. The experience changed his life. “Elder Grant, we need to have a prayer,” Monson said. According to Grant, that prayer lasted 10 minutes or more. “The spirit was so strong, I had tears in my eyes,” Grant said. As they got up from their knees Monson looked at his elder and said, “Elder Grant, I know your problem — get over yourself.” “He gave me a big hug,” Grant said. He recalled a meeting with the missionaries when they were singing Monson’s favorite missionary
song, “Called to Serve.” Monson went to the pulpit and stopped the singing and told the missionaries they could do much better. “Whatever you do, do it well,” Monson told his missionaries. “He was a man of integrity and had a sense of humor like no other,” Grant said. “He was the life of the party at our reunions. I love him so much. “If I make it to the Celestial Kingdom it will be because of him.” Chamberlain noted that Monson at his full height is 6-foot-3 and not only likes to watch basketball, but in his younger days loved to play it. That love went with him as he served as the mission president. As a 31-year-old mission president, Monson was only 10 to 12 years older than the missionaries serving in the mission. “I don’t know how often, but I think at least weekly President Monson would join a group of missionaries and play basketball in the cultural hall of our chapel in Toronto,” Chamberlain said. “He dearly loved basketball and was very good, according to those who played with him regularly.” Monson loved sports and until recently attended most of the home games for the Utah Jazz, according to Chamberlain. “To this day, I don’t think I have attended a Utah Jazz, or the former professional team Utah Stars game either in the Salt Palace, or in the new Vivint Arena, that President Monson was not in attendance, either near us in the stands in the Utah Stars days, or now sitting in the Huntsman Box. Sister Monson also came to the Jazz games,” Chamberlain said. According to Chamberlain, Monson attended every Toronto Mission Reunion between 1964 and last October.
Joy of living “I honestly don’t know anyone who enjoys life as much as President Monson,” Chamberlain said. “I can honestly say I have never seen him down or despondent, or even discouraged. He is always upbeat.” As life and loves go, most know Monson loves music and poetry and a good story. His love of theater is legendary. Chamberlain said he has been with Monson on several events. Lowell Jacobsen used to meet Monson at the opera.
“He has attended the musical ‘Annie’ in 13 different languages,” Chamberlain said. “He never misses ‘Scrooge’ at the Hale Centre Theatre in December. It is part of his Christmas celebration every year.” During Monson’s 85th birthday celebration at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a host of professional singers gave renditions of some his favorite Broadway tunes including “Memory” from the musical “Cats,” “All I Ask of You” from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” and a rousing chorus of “76 Trombones” from “The Music Man.” He gave standing ovations as each song ended. During the October 2008 Semiannual General Conference, Monson noted, “I am what my wife, Frances, calls a ‘show-a-holic.’ I thoroughly enjoy many musicals, and one of my favorites was written by the American composer Meredith Willson and is entitled ‘The Music Man.’ “Professor Harold Hill, one of the principal characters in the show, voices a caution that I share with you. Says he, ‘You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.’” Chamberlain said when Monson enters a room, the room fills with love. However, his greatest joy, his greatest love was Frances. “President Monson’s love affair with Frances is legendary,”
Chamberlain said. “They were sweethearts from their first meeting in a class at the University of Utah.” Even in the mission field, the missionaries could see what great love looked like from their president. “She was his one and only,” Grant said. “I remember they were inseparable. Everybody knew she was his heart and soul.” Chamberlain said during the course of the Monsons’ marriage he knows of at least two occasions where Monson, by heeding the promptings of the spirit, literally saved Frances’ life. “From the first day of our marriage, Tom has served in leadership positions,” Frances Monson said in her husband’s biography. “Some have asked how a new bride adjusts to that, but it has never been a sacrifice to see my husband doing the Lord’s work. It has blessed me, and it has blessed our children. He always knew that if it was for the Church, I expected him to do what he had to do.” Frances J. Monson passed away at 6:35 a.m. May 17, 2013, of causes due to age, in a Salt Lake City hospital surrounded by her family. She had been hospitalized for several weeks. Monson was most always at her side. She was 85 years old. According to family friends, a bit of the sparkle in President Monson’s eyes dimmed that day. According to Chamberlain, his love for people has never dimmed. “He is anxious to lift everyone around him,” Chamberlain added.
Courtesy
President and Sister Monson wave to the congregation following a session of general conference.
SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson, back-center, exits behind the casket after the funeral service for his wife, Frances J. Monson, at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on May 23, 2013. Daily Herald
March 26, 2017
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“I would encourage members of the Church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.” “Looking Back and Moving Forward”, April 2008
“My brothers and sisters, temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service.” “The Holy Temple-A Beacon to the World”, April 2011
“I believe that the more we act upon the inspiration and impressions which come to us, the more the Lord will entrust to us His errands.”
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Thomas S. Monson’s path in LDS Church leadership is long and diverse Genelle Pugmire
W
DAILY HERALD
hen 36-year-old Thomas S. Monson was called to come to LDS Church President David O. McKay’s office in October 1963, he assumed it was to look at some printed books. According to Monson’s biography, “To The Rescue,” by Heidi Swinton, the prophet did not want to talk printing. He had something different in mind. “Brother Monson,” started McKay, according to Monson’s biography. “With the passing of President Henry D. Moyle I have named Elder Nathan Eldon Tanner to be my Second Counselor in the First Presidency, and the Lord has called you to fill his place in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Could you accept that calling?” Monson would be the youngest apostle to be called in more than 53 years. From the day he was called that October until now, and as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday in August, Monson has served the Lord, has loved His children and has been a special witness of His Son Jesus Christ. McKay’s remarks at the time of Monson’s calling, according to the latter’s biography, set a course for Monson’s ministry that continues today. “The true end of life is not mere existence,” McKay said. “The true purpose of life is the perfection of humanity through individual effort, under the guidance of God’s inspiration. Real life is response to the best within us. To be alive only to appetite, pleasure, pride, money-making, and not to goodness and kindness, purity and love, poetry and music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hopes, is to deprive one’s self of the real joy of living.” For more than 53 years Monson has carried through with that course. He has found the joy in living and has given it to millions of saints throughout the world. In December 2011, Monson was listed among the most admired
people in the world, according to a Gallup/USA Today poll. Monson was named in the Top 10 along with religious leaders Rev. Billy Graham and Pope Benedict XVI.
Joy in service
As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Monson had innumerable opportunities to serve, preach and teach around the world about the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has traveled to nearly every continent and visited with heads of state, religious leaders and local dignitaries wherever he has been. Monson spent approximately 20 years working with local church and political leaders to help get a temple built in Frieberg, Germany, then behind the Iron Curtain, according to mormonnewsroom.org. It’s not uncommon during a general conference weekend to hear major announcements from the pulpit. Monson, knowing the curiosity of the saints gets the better of them, often plays to that curiosity with well-timed wording or a lift of the eyebrows, or with that big Monson grin. One such moment was on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, during the first session of the 182nd Semiannual General Conference, when Monson announced a lower age requirement of missionary service. He also got an audible response of pleasure from the congregation when he announced, during a general conference session on Oct. 1, 2011, that the burned out Provo Tabernacle would be restored and renovated to become the Provo City Center Temple. That same exclamation of excitement was also heard when he announced on Oct. 4, 2008, a temple would be built in Rome. Perhaps one of his biggest assignments during his time as an apostle was being called to serve as chairman of the Scriptures Publications Committee. The ultimate result when it was complete in 1982 was new editions of all of the standard works of the LDS Church with new cross-referencing and a topical guide, including the Old and New Testament, The Book of Mormon,
DOUGLAS C. PIZAC, Associated Press
Thomas S. Monson, the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, is flanked by his counselors, Henry B. Eyring, left, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, during a news conference, Feb. 4, 2008, in Salt Lake City. Monson replaced Gordon B. Hinckley who died Sunday, Jan. 27, at age 97.
Courtesy mormonnewsroom.org
President Gordon B. Hinckley with counselors President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust. the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. In past years Monson worked alongside members of the Quorum of the Twelve that were two and nearly three times his age. His youth was a benefit to the quorum and was manifest by the years he served as a member of the First Presidency. On Nov. 10, 1985, after 22 years of service as part of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Monson was called by President Ezra Taft Benson to serve as second counselor in the First
Presidency. In 1994, he was called as second counselor to President Howard W. Hunter and in 1995, was called as first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley. In 2008, following the death of Hinckley, Monson became the 16th president of the LDS Church. Now, in his 90th year, Monson is the second-oldest member by age of the church leadership, only younger See SERVICE, Page 12 Daily Herald March 26, 2017 11
Service From 11
than President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who is 93. Monson has seen the LDS Church grow by millions during his service as an apostle. He has been a part of major revelations including the revelation on the Priesthood that allowed all worthy men to be ordained to the priesthood. He is the prophet of the millennials. He has brought the women’s auxiliary leaders into the highest councils of the church, which historically was reserved for male leaders. He has seen technology expand missionary work, and genealogical and family history research. Gospel and leadership training are being proclaimed from Salt Lake City and locations around the world right into the very cellphones and tablets of members in all corners of the earth.
Joy of the Spirit
Monson’s entire life has been a preparation to serve God and his
fellow brothers and sisters on earth. His friends, while acknowledging the “earthly” side of Monson the prophet, have also said they cannot remember a time when he was not heeding the promptings of the Holy Ghost. “I have often remarked about President Monson that I can think of no other man I have ever known quite like him, with the notable exception of Joseph Smith,” said Wayne Chamberlain, a lifelong friend and former Canada Toronto Mission elder. “He and Joseph shared a genuine love for people. They loved to talk and convert them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His naturally jovial nature and love of life and people approximates no other man except Joseph Smith. “I have known President Monson to give the very shoes off his feet and the coat off his back to the saints in East Germany, just as Joseph Smith did with the less-fortunate saints throughout his ministry. They are cut from the same Christ-like fabric.” Mark Jacobsen has been influenced by Monson since his infancy. Monson was his bishop when he was born. His father Lowell Jacobsen was also a lifelong friend and mentor of Monson’s.
Photo courtesy of the Monson family
On a hill overlooking the Elbe River, Elder Monson gave a prayer of dedication for East Germany on April 27, 1975. From left: Gary Schwendiman, Elder Monson, Walter and Edith Krause, Gottfried and Gertaude Richter, and Henry and Inge Burkhardt. Mark Jacobsen said he has learned that no matter what name the prophet goes by, be it Tommy, Tom or President Monson, he will always follow the spirit, heed its promptings and love those around him unconditionally. “I could go on and on about my interaction with President Thomas S. Monson,” Jacobsen said. “I will simply
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Thomas S. Monson’s religious instruction centers on family, blessings and love
T
Laura Giles CORRESPONDENT
homas Spencer Monson, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, has been the church’s president and leader since Feb. 3, 2008. Love, service, family, kindness, hope, cheer, temples, Jesus, God. These words come to mind when members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints think of their prophet. For decades, these have been some of the words he has spoken which have rallied the people who look to him for inspiration and for revelation about what their Heavenly Father wants them to know.
Family Monson has often taught about the importance of family. He speaks
fondly of his own family, relating stories and teachings based on his family experiences. During the LDS April 2008 Annual General Conference, he spoke of a time when his wife, Frances, had a serious fall and lay in a coma for 18 days. “I sat by her side. She never moved a muscle. The children cried, the grandchildren cried and I wept,” he said. He then went on to tell about her waking up and the joy that was felt. In that same talk, he invited others to show love to family, treating each other
with dignity and respect. “To you who are parents, I say, show love to your children. You know you love them, but make certain they know as well.”
Hope “Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” These two sentences undoubtedly gave hope to people around the world when uttered by Monson on more than one occasion. During the April 2009 Annual General Conference, Monson spoke about the dismal happenings in the world at the time. The financial outlook of the global economy seemed grim. Wars, natural disasters and personal misfortunes were occurring and society’s moral footing seemed to be slipping, he said. While it would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future, Monson encouraged members to focus on blessings, rather than dwelling on the trials of life. “We are not left to walk alone, no matter how dark our pathway,” he said.
the October 2008 Semiannual General Conference. “Finding Joy in the Journey” became a much-loved and oftenrepeated phrase in word and in print after that talk. Recognizing blessings and living a thankful life go hand in hand. After telling the story of the Ten Lepers at the same October 2008 conference, he said, “May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.”
Temples One blessing that Monson refers to often is that of temples. Throughout Monson’s time in church leadership, he has stressed the importance of going to the temple. “As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the
doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world,” he said during the April 2015 Annual General Conference. He has also spoken of his desire to make the temple as accessible as possible to all members of the church across the globe.
Love Love one another. This has been the subject of many of Monson’s teachings and possibly encompasses everything he has taught. This includes loving those who are different from us. “I consider charity-or the ‘pure love of Christ’ — to be the opposite of criticism and judging,” he said in an October 2010 talk. “… I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.”
Recognize blessings Focusing on blessings comes as individuals learn to recognize them and Monson has often illustrated the importance of this in his teachings. “Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family,” he said during
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President Thomas S. Monson shakes hands with a young girl as he exits at the end of the Saturday morning session of the 184th Annual General Conference at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City on April 5, 2014.
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As a church leader, Monson is known for weaving lessons into tales Laura Giles
P
CORRESPONDENT
erhaps what is so endearing about listening to President Thomas S. Monson speak is the stories he shares.
Teaching through stories that enthrall the listener has become his hallmark. These stories, many from his own life, help him to teach sacred truths and help the listeners grasp the messages. One such story illustrates obedience. During the April 2013 Annual General Conference, Monson spoke about a significant event from his youth. The autobiographical tale of his friend Danny and himself, and the desire to clear a field, disobediently using fire as the means to do it, has become a well-known favorite of young and old. With good intentions, the two boys’ act of clearing a field turned into a fire out of control. A young Monson learned the hard way that rules and commandments protect us. “Life would be simpler for all of us if we were to obey such rules completely,” he said in the conference. “Many of us, however, learn through experience the wisdom of being obedient.” When Monson was 12 years old, he inadvertently left his hardearned $5 bill in the pocket of his pants, and they were sent to be laundered. The money was very important to him and he had plans to spend it on something special. He had to wait two days, sick with worry, until the “wet wash” would be returned for his mother to hang it out to dry. “I wanted that money; I needed that money; I had worked very hard to earn that money,” he said during an October 2011 talk titled, “Stand in Holy Places.” “I realized there was only one thing I could do. In my extremity, I turned to my Father in Heaven and pleaded with Him to keep my 14 CELEBRATING PRESIDENT MONSON’S 90TH YEAR
money safe in that pocket somehow until our wet wash came back.” Later, he found that his money did come back with the laundry. “Since that time of long ago, I have had countless prayers answered.” Monson has taught, through many stories, the importance of acting on promptings in order to help others. A story was told at the October 2012 Semiannual General Conference about one of these experiences. He spoke of he and his wife driving home after visiting friends. He had the prompting to drive many miles out of the way into town to visit an elderly widow, Zella Thomas. She was a resident in a care center and very frail. Thomas had prayed for Monson to come give her a blessing. She was prepared, she said, to die if the Lord wanted her to return home. “I kissed her on the forehead, knowing that I perhaps would not again see her in mortality,” he said. “Such proved to be the case, for she passed away the following day. To have been able to provide some comfort and peace to our sweet Zella was a blessing to her and to me.” Another story was related in October 2012 about following a prompting to visit a friend. Monson felt the inspiration to go to the hospital, where a friend was staying after losing the use of his lower limbs. He immediately went. After finding the friend at the hospital swimming pool, they talked and Monson gave him a priesthood blessing. Monson learned later that his friend was contemplating taking his own life at the moment that he had arrived at the hospital pool. “How pleased I am to have been an instrument in the Lord’s hands on that critical day at the swimming pool,” he said. Through stories, others can learn these lessons for themselves. Throughout the years of Monson’s church leadership, teaching through storytelling has continually blessed lives.
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