Thomas S. Monson
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Thomas Spencer Monson (born August 21, 1927) holds two of the most senior positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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[edit] Early life
Thomas S. Monson, affectionately called "Tommy Monson" by his family, is known for his photographic memory and his ability to quote scriptures extensively without assistance. His talks are considered unique and poetic, and his delivery style exceptional. He frequently quotes poetry and shares stories about the many people he has known over the years, relating how the gospel has helped them in their lives. He is known for his extensive use of alliteration and the passive voice. He often speaks about his childhood experiences, as well as the influence people can have on one another.
Monson was born on August 21, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. The second of six children, he grew up in a tight knit family. In fact, many of his mother's relatives lived on the same street and the extended families frequently went on trips together. As a child Monson loved to swim and fish and once during a family outing to the Provo River, in Provo, Utah, Monson rescued a girl from drowning. Though his family was not wealthy, they were nevertheless known for their generosity. On several occasions, young Monson gave away animals that he had raised to other, more needy families.
In the spring of 1945, at age 17, Monson joined the United States Naval Reserves and anticipated participating in World War II in the Pacific theater. Instead, Germany capitulated within weeks of his joining and the war in Pacific ended within months. His tour of duty lasted only six months after the end of the war and upon its completion, he enrolled in the University of Utah. Monson graduated cum laude in 1948 with a bachelors in business management.
He taught for a time at the university, then began his career in publishing. His first job was with the Deseret News and became an advertising executive there and with the Newspaper Agency Corporation. That same year, he met and married Frances Beverly Johnson. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on October 7, 1948. The couple has three children: Thomas Lee, Ann Frances, and Clark Spencer. They have eight grandchildren.
He later transferred to the Desert News Press, one of the largest presses in the Western United States, beginning as sales manager and eventually becoming general manager. He continued his education and received his masters in Business Administration from Brigham Young University in 1952. He accomplished all this before the age of 32.
In addition to these work and family responsibilities, Monson also became a bishop at age 22, one of the youngest men ever called to that position. As a bishop in Salt Lake City, he presided over a ward of over 1,000 people, including nearly ninety widows. Early on, Monson was recognized for his leadership and organizational skills and his concern for the downtrodden and humble. He visited those widows regularly and even after leaving the position, continued to visit them each Christmas for the rest of their lives bringing them gifts (often poultry he raised himself) and chatting with them. He spoke at every one of their funerals. There were also many poor people living within the boundaries of this ward, and Monson took special care to help them as he could. Today, he continues to visit former members of this ward and regularly visits nursing homes in Salt Lake City to attend to the elderly, especially those who have no one else to visit them.
[edit] Call to the apostleship
At age 27, he became a counselor to a stake president in Salt Lake City, and became a mission president at age 32. As mission president, he presided over the Canadian Mission of the LDS Church from 1959 to 1962, supervising LDS missionaries who were not much younger than he was. Upon his return, he resumed his work with the Deseret News until he was called to be an apostle in 1963 at age 36, the youngest apostle since 1910. He is currently the only living apostle to have been ordained at an age younger than 38, Joseph Smith's age at his death.
As an apostle, Monson has worked in many areas of the world and in many capacities for the LDS Church. With his business background, he has helped to oversee many operations of the Church including KSL and Bonneville Communications. He was chair of the scripture publication committee in the 1970s that oversaw publication of the LDS edition of the Bible and revised editions of LDS scriptures containing extensive footnotes and guides. He has also overseen the printing advisory committee, the missionary executive committee, which oversees the missionary program of the Church, and the general welfare committee. Monson currently serves as first vice chairman of the Church Board of Education and Board of Trustees that govern the Church Educational System.
Monson has also been instrumental in the growth of the LDS Church in Europe, where for a time he oversaw church operations in Eastern Europe. His friendly and open manner gained access for the church to its members in the Soviet bloc. In 1982, he organized the first stake in Soviet-controlled territory in Germany. He was instrumental in obtaining permission for the Church to build a temple in Freiberg, East Germany, in 1985.
Despite these duties, Monson has continued to be active in community and civic affairs. He is past president of the Printing Industry of Utah, and former board member of the Printing Industry of America. Since 1969, he has served on the national executive board of the Boy Scouts of America from whom he has received the Silver Beaver (1971), the Silver Buffalo (1978), which is the highest honor bestowed by the BSA and, in 1993, the Bronze Wolf, the highest honor bestowed by the international Scouting movement. He received the distinguished alumnus award from the University of Utah in 1966 and later served on the Utah State Board of Regents. In December of 1981, President Ronald Reagan appointed Monson to the President's Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives. He remained with the initiative until it completed its work in December of 1982.
Following the death of Church President Spencer W. Kimball in 1985, Monson was chosen as second counselor in the First Presidency by new Church President Ezra Taft Benson, at age 58 the youngest counselor since 1901. Serving in this position under Benson and Howard W. Hunter, he was named first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1995, simultaneously becoming president of the Twelve by seniority.
[edit] Position in church hierarchy
As president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he is first in succession to the presidency of the LDS Church; as first counselor in the First Presidency he is senior adviser to current president Gordon B. Hinckley. Because he serves in the First Presidency, Apostle Boyd K. Packer serves as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Monson is not considered a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, although he still holds the priesthood office of Apostle.
[edit] Controversies
During the declining years of the presidency of Ezra Taft Benson, his counselors Hinckley and Monson were increasingly called upon to conduct the business of the church. Benson's grandson, Steve Benson, complained in press interviews that his grandfather was being portrayed by church leaders as mentally competent when he was, in fact, incapable of communication.[1]
[edit] Books by Thomas S. Monson
Monson has written several books, some of which are compilations of speeches given by him, or of inspiring quotes. Others discuss particular gospel themes.
- Be Your Best Self (ISBN 978-0-87747-787-7)
- Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: From the Life and Ministry of Thomas S. Monson (ISBN 978-0-87579-901-8)
- Favorite Quotations from the Collection of Thomas S. Monson (ISBN 978-0-87747-749-5), collection of his favorite poems and quotes.
- Live the Good Life (ISBN 978-0-87579-192-0)
- Faith Rewarded: A Personal Account of Prophetic Promises to the East German Saints (ISBN 978-1-57345-186-4)
- Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings (ISBN 978-0-87747-976-5)
- The Search for Jesus (ISBN 978-0-87579-669-7)
- Meeting your Goliath (ISBN 978-1-57345-357-8)
- A Christmas Dress for Ellen (ISBN 978-1-59038-386-5)
- Invitation to Exaltation (ISBN 978-1-57345-358-5)
- Pathways to Perfection (ISBN 978-0-87747-511-8)
[edit] External references
- ^ Jayroe, Walt. "Drawing the line on religion," Editor & Publisher, 1994
[edit] External links
- Thomas S. Monson's Biography (from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Website)
- Thomas S. Monson's Biography
| Preceded by Gordon B. Hinckley |
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles March 3, 1995— |
Succeeded by Boyd K. Packer(acting) |
| Preceded by N. Eldon Tanner |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles October 4, 1963— |
Succeeded by Boyd K. Packer |
