Parkview Relief Society: Prophets of Our Day: Thomas S Monson

Thomas Spencer Monson, 16th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stands as our beloved Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. He IS the one that holds the prophetic keys of the priesthood. May we learn more about this great and powerful but humble man.

Born August 21, 1927

Son of G Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson

Raised on the west side of Salt Lake City

"Typical Boy" he grew.

After high school he was enrolled into University of Utah. Where he met his sweetheart Frances Beverly Johnson.

When it became evident that he would be drafted into the military (World War II), President Monson enlisted in the Navy Reserve.

Graduated with a business management degree and became accounting executive for Deseret News

October 7, 1948 Frances and President Monson were married in the Salt Lake temple.

Called as a bishop at age 22. His ward had 1,080 members with 84 widows

Age 27, called to be a stake president

Age 31, called to be mission president of the Canadian Mission.

After the mission, he was to high council and various general Church committees

At age 36, called to be an apostle

He obtained permission for a temple to be built in the former German Democratic Republic and for missionaries to freely proselyte.

President Uchtdorf:

“Some years ago, President Monson came to a regional conference in Hamburg, Germany, and it was my honor to accompany him. President Monson has a remarkable memory, and we talked about many of the Saints in Germany—I was amazed that he remembered so many so well.

“President Monson asked about Brother Michael Panitsch, . . . who had been one of the stalwart pioneers of the Church in

Germany

. I told him that Brother Panitsch was seriously ill, that he was bedridden and unable to attend our meetings.

“President Monson asked if we could pay him a visit. I knew that shortly before his trip to Hamburg, President Monson had undergone foot surgery and that he could not walk without pain. I explained that Brother Panitsch lived on the fifth floor of a building with no elevators. We would have to climb the stairs to see him. But President Monson insisted. And so we went.

“I remember how difficult it was for President Monson to climb those stairs, . . . but President Monson cheerfully persevered until we arrived at the apartment of Brother Panitsch on the fifth floor.

“Once there, we had a wonderful visit. President Monson thanked him for his life of dedicated service and cheered him with a smile. Before we left, he gave him a wonderful priesthood blessing.

“No one but Brother Panitsch, the immediate family, and myself ever saw that act of courage and compassion. . . . President Monson came to Hamburg to teach and bless the people of a country, and that is what he did. But at the same time, he focused on the one, name by name. . . .“When the Apostle Peter spoke of Jesus, who had been his friend and teacher, he offered this simple description: ‘[He] went about doing good.’“I feel the same can be said of the man we sustain today as the prophet of God”

In 1985, called to first presidency

February 3, 2008 called as 16th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with President Eyring and President Uchtdorf as his counselors.