Thomas S. Monson
Thomas S. Monson | |
---|---|
16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | |
February 3, 2008 | – January 2, 2018|
Predecessor | Gordon B. Hinckley |
Successor | Russell M. Nelson |
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with Boyd K. Packer as Acting President) | |
March 12, 1995 | – February 3, 2008|
Predecessor | Gordon B. Hinckley |
Successor | Boyd K. Packer |
End reason | Became President of the Church |
First Counselor in the First Presidency | |
March 12, 1995 | – January 27, 2008|
Called by | Gordon B. Hinckley |
Predecessor | Gordon B. Hinckley |
Successor | Henry B. Eyring |
End reason | Dissolution of First Presidency upon the death of Gordon B. Hinckley |
Second Counselor in the First Presidency | |
November 10, 1985 | – March 3, 1995|
Called by | Ezra Taft Benson |
Predecessor | Gordon B. Hinckley |
Successor | James E. Faust |
End reason | Dissolution of First Presidency upon the death of Howard W. Hunter |
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
October 4, 1963 | – November 10, 1985|
Called by | David O. McKay |
End reason | Called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency |
N. Eldon Tanner added to First Presidency | |
Reorganization at end of term | Gerrit W. Gong and Ulisses Soares were ordained following deaths of Monson and Robert D. Hales |
Military career | |
1945–1946 | |
Service/branch | U.S. Naval Reserve |
Personal details | |
Born | Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. | August 21, 1927
Died | January 2, 2018 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. | (aged 90)
Education | |
Spouse(s) |
Frances Beverly Johnson
(m. 1948; died 2013) |
Children | 3 |
Awards |
|
Website | thomassmonson.org |
Signature | |
Thomas Spencer Monson (August 21, 1927 – January 2, 2018) was an American religious leader, author, and the 16th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). As president, he was considered by adherents of the religion to be a prophet, seer, and revelator. Monson's early career was as a manager at the Deseret News, a Utah newspaper owned by the LDS Church. He spent most of his life engaged in various church leadership positions and public service.
Monson was ordained an LDS apostle at age 36, served in the First Presidency under three church presidents, and was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from March 12, 1995, until he became President of the Church on February 3, 2008.[1] He succeeded Gordon B. Hinckley as church president.[2][3]
Monson received four
Monson was chairman of the Boards of Trustees/Education of the
Biography
Early life
Monson was born on August 21, 1927, at St. Mark's Hospital
From 1940 to 1944, Monson attended
Early career
In 1945, Monson joined the
After college he rejoined the Naval Reserve with the aim of becoming an officer. Shortly after receiving his commission acceptance letter, his local
Monson briefly taught at the University of Utah,
Local church leadership
On May 7, 1950, Monson became an LDS
On June 16, 1955,
Mission president in Canada
In April 1959,[25] at age 31, Monson became president of the church's Canadian Mission (consisting of Ontario and Quebec), and served until January 1962.[25] Monson's third child, Clark, was born during his mission presidency.[29]
As there were no local
Monson initiated French-speaking proselytizing efforts in Quebec.[33] He directed increased missionary work to immigrants from the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Italy, Soviet Union and Hungary.[34] Jacob de Jager, a future LDS general authority, was among the immigrant converts. Monson encouraged members to remain in eastern Canada, instead of migrating to Utah or Alberta as many members had done before, to help build the church's presence.[35] To help encourage members to stay in Canada, increase the perception of permanence, and better reach potential converts, he started a major construction program for new meetinghouses. Until then, most branches had used rented halls.[36]
Efforts made during Monson's service came to fruition when a stake was organized in Toronto on August 14, 1960. However, most of the mission's area remained in districts. A more complete presence in Ontario would not come until the dedication of the Toronto Ontario Temple in 1990, which Monson attended as a member of the First Presidency.[37]
Return to Utah
Immediately after returning from Canada, Monson was called to the
Monson resumed his work with the Deseret News as assistant general manager of the Deseret News Press, mainly doing non-newspaper printing. A month later he was made the general manager of the Deseret News Press. At the time, it was the largest printing plant in the United States west of the Mississippi River.[39] Monson remained in this position until 1963, when he was called as apostle.[40]
Apostleship
Monson was
From 1965 to 1968, Monson oversaw church operations in the South Pacific and Australia.[43] During this time he organized the first LDS stake in Tonga.[44]
With his business background, he helped oversee many church operations, including
Monson later oversaw church operations in
Other organizations
In the mid-1950s Monson was the secretary of the Utah State Roller Club, a group of pigeon breeders.
Monson resigned most of his positions in 1996 when church leadership determined all the general authorities should leave all business boards of directors, except for Deseret Management Corporation.[51] From 1965 until 1996 Monson was a member of the Deseret News Publishing Company board of directors. He became chairman of the board of directors in 1977.[52]
First Presidency
Following the death of church president Spencer W. Kimball in 1985, newly selected church president Ezra Taft Benson asked Hinckley and Monson to serve as his First and Second Counselors. Monson and Hinckley also served as counselors to Benson's successor, Howard W. Hunter.[53] When Hinckley succeeded Hunter in 1995, Monson became his first counselor.[54] He served until Hinckley's death on January 27, 2008. As the second most senior of the apostles behind Hinckley, Monson simultaneously served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Boyd K. Packer (then third in seniority) served as Acting President during that time.[55]
LDS Church president
Monson became the 16th president of the LDS Church on February 3, 2008, succeeding Hinckley, who had died seven days earlier. Monson selected
Monson and his counselors met with President George W. Bush on May 29, 2008, during Bush's visit to Salt Lake City.[58] He and apostle Dallin H. Oaks met with President Barack Obama and Senator Harry Reid in the Oval Office on July 20, 2009, and presented Obama with five volumes of his personal family history records.[59] Monson did not attend a meeting other church leaders, including Eyring and Uchtdorf, had with Obama during his visit to Utah in April 2015. A church spokesperson indicated the absence was in order to save Monson's strength for the church's general conference the following weekend.[60] As 2015 progressed, Monson gave the closing talk at the funerals of L. Tom Perry, Boyd K. Packer, and Richard G. Scott.[61]
On May 23, 2017, the LDS Church said Monson would no longer be attending meetings at the church's offices on a regular basis, because of limitations incident to age.[62][63] With his birthday on August 21, 2017, Monson became the seventh[64] president of the LDS Church to be a nonagenarian.[65] Consistent with the May 2017 statement, the LDS Church announced on September 28, 2017, that Monson would not attend the church's upcoming general conference, due to the same health and age-related limitations. He was the first church president to miss an entire general conference weekend since Ezra Taft Benson in 1992.[66] The same reason was given when Monson did not attend the funeral of Robert D. Hales, who died on the Sunday of the church's October general conference.[67]
Death
Monson died of natural causes at the age of 90 on January 2, 2018, at his home in Salt Lake City.[68][37][69] The following day, the LDS Church announced that a public viewing would be held on January 11, in the church's Conference Center, with funeral services scheduled the following day, also in the Conference Center.[70] His death, along with the passing of Hales a couple of months prior, created two vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve, which were filled at the next general conference.[71] He was succeeded as church president by Russell M. Nelson.[72]
After Monson's death, the obituary posted by The New York Times, which noted several controversies during his presidency, drew negative attention.[73] The Times was criticized for bias against Monson, with one writer citing the obituaries of Fidel Castro and Hugh Hefner in contrast.[74] An online petition asking the Times to remove the obituary gained 188,852 signatures, to which the Times obituaries editor responded, "I think the obituary was a faithful accounting of the more prominent issues that Mr. Monson encountered and dealt with publicly during his tenure. Some of these matters — the role of women in the church, the church’s policy toward homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and more — were widely publicized and discussed, and it’s our obligation as journalists, whether in an obituary or elsewhere, to fully air these issues from both sides. I think we did that, accurately portraying Mr. Monson’s positions as leader of the church, and those of the faithful and others who questioned church policies."[75]
Legacy
Temple dedications
As church president, Monson dedicated fourteen (and rededicated four) LDS Church
As a counselor in the First Presidency, Monson dedicated seven church temples:
Volunteer work
He was president of the Printing Industry of Utah and a former board member of the
Political involvement
In June 2008, Monson and his counselors in the
Awards and recognition
In 1966, Monson was honored as a distinguished alumnus by the University of Utah.[92] His first honorary degree, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, was conferred in April 1981 by Brigham Young University.[18] He received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Salt Lake Community College in June 1996, an Honorary Doctor of Business from the University of Utah in May 2007,[1] and an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities from Dixie State College in May 2011.[93]
Monson received the
In his assignments throughout the world as a leader of [the LDS Church], President Monson worked tirelessly to bring about the advancement of Scouting in many countries. He worked closely with the World Organization of the Scout Movement to find ways to strengthen the links between the Church and national Scout associations. He was a committed, solid, hard-working volunteer in the Scout Movement. His Scouting leadership was exemplary.
In connection with the LDS Church's centennial celebration as a chartered sponsor, the BSA announced that the Leadership Excellence Complex, located at
In
Publications
Monson wrote a number of books, some of which are compilations of speeches given by him, or of quotes. Others discuss particular LDS gospel themes. He also wrote Faith Rewarded which is an autobiographical account about his work in leading the church in Eastern Europe.
- Monson, Thomas S. (1973), Pathways to Perfection, Salt Lake City, Utah: ISBN 978-0-87747-511-8
- —— (1977), In Search of the Christmas Spirit, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87747-684-9
- —— (1979), Be Your Best Self, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87747-787-7
- —— (1981), Conference Classics, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B00K33B31E
- —— (1983), Conference Classics Volume II, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B003HFIJ80
- —— (1983), Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87747-976-5
- —— (1984), Conference Classics Volume III, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B002LTY4TQ
- —— (1985), Favorite Quotations from the Collection of Thomas S. Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87747-749-5
- —— (1985), On the Lord's Errand: Memoirs of Thomas S. Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B000IC07DK
- —— (1988), Live the Good Life, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87579-192-0
- —— (1992), The Search for Jesus, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87579-669-7
- —— (1994), Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: From the Life and Ministry of Thomas S. Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-0-87579-901-8
- —— (1996), Faith Rewarded: A Personal Account of Prophetic Promises to the East German Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-57345-186-4
- —— (1997), Invitation to Exaltation, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-57345-358-5
- —— (1997), Meeting your Goliath, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-57345-357-8
- —— (2004), A Christmas Dress for Ellen, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-59038-386-5
- —— (2011), Teachings of Thomas S. Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-60908-890-3
- —— (2012), A Prophet's Voice: Messages from Thomas S. Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-60907-218-6
- —— (2013), Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God's Hand in Our Lives, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 978-1-60907-716-7
References
- ^ LDS Church. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Thomas S. Monson Named 16th Church President". LDS Newsroom. LDS Church. February 4, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ As the church's president, he is recognized as the most senior apostle.
- ^ "Boy Scouts of America Annual Report 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 14, 2012.
- ^ "Frances B. Monson, Wife of President Thomas S. Monson, Passes Away". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. May 17, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- ^ Mims, Bob (May 17, 2013). "Frances Monson, wife of Mormon church leader, dies". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
- ^ Chase 2013, p. 485.
- Deseret Morning News, 2005).
- ^ a b c Moore, Carrie A. (February 4, 2008). "President Monson recalls influence of family on his life". Deseret News. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2008.
- ^ Swensen, Jason (November 17, 2008). "87,000 gather at LDS event in Mexico". Deseret News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ "Thomas Spencer Monson". History of Mormonism.com. More Good Foundation. Archived from the original on January 9, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
- ^ a b Holland, Jeffrey R. (October–November 1986). "President Thomas S. Monson: Always "on the Lord's Errand"". Tambuli. LDS Church. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ "Monson Family Members Recall a Warm and Loving Father, Grandfather - Church News and Events". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ a b Holland, Jeffrey R. (June 2008). "President Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of the Master". Liahona (Supplement). LDS Church. Archived from the original on June 3, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ Monson, Thomas S. (February 6, 1977). Decisions (Speech). Brigham Young University. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- Deseret Morning News. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Monson Timeline". Deseret News. February 5, 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2008.
- ^ "President Hinckley says health is good". Church News. October 1, 2006. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ Monson, Thomas S. (September 1987). "Lost Battalions". Tambuli. LDS Church: 2. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ Holland, Jeffrey R. (October 1994). "President Thomas S. Monson: Finishing the Course, Keeping the Faith". Liahona. LDS Church. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ Prescott, Marianne Holman (January 3, 2018). "Part 2: Thomas S. Monson Served "His Widows"". Church News. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
- ^ Heidi S. Swinton, To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2010) p. 156
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 136
- ^ a b c Chase 2013, p. 490.
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 162
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 167
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 167–68
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 174
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 182
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 176
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 190
- ^ "President Monson Keeps Close Ties to Canada". LDS Newsroom. LDS Church. February 11, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2008.
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 184
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 177
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 188
- ^ Salt Lake Tribune. January 2, 2017. Archivedfrom the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 203
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 197
- ^ "President Thomas S. Monson - Ministry". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 218
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 226
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 262
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 273
- ^ Seventy, President Loren C. Dunnof the First Council of the; Committee, Managing Director of the Missionary. "A Mission Call". www.churchofjesuschrist.org.
- ^ Chase 2013, p. 494.
- ^ "President Thomas S. Monson: Additional Biographical Information". lds.org.uk — the Official LDS Country website for the United Kingdom. LDS Church. February 4, 2008. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2008.
- ^ Swinton, To the Rescue, p. 168
- ^ Swinton. To the Rescue, pp. 531–32
- ^ a b c Stack, Peggy Fletcher; Mims, Bob (February 6, 2008). "Monson ready for presidential duties". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2008.
- ^ Swinton. To the Rescue, pp. 258, 530–31
- ^ Swinton. To the Rescue, p. 530
- ^ "Thomas S. Monson named 16th president of Mormon church". Boston Herald. February 4, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2008.
- ^ Chase 2013, p. 497.
- ^ William O. Lewis III. "Thomas S. Monson". Grandpa Bill's G.A. Pages. Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved June 5, 2008.
- ^ "Mormon temple planned for Rome". The Dallas Morning News. October 5, 2008. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2008.
- ^ "LDS church announces 6 new temples". ABC4.com. October 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2008.
- The White House. Retrieved June 5, 2008.
- ^ Christina Bellantoni (July 20, 2009). "Mormon leader brings family records to President Obama". The Washington Times. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
- ^ Burr, Thomas; Davidson, Lee; Gehrke, Robert (April 2, 2015). "Obama meets with Mormon church leaders, Gov. Herbert during Utah trip". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ^ Rascon, Dan (September 22, 2015). "Elder Scott is third LDS apostle to die in last few months". KUTV. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
- LDS Church, May 23, 2017
- ^ "Mormon President Thomas S. Monson scales back duties". Fox News. May 23, 2017.
- ^ Wilford Woodruff, David O. McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, and Gordon B. Hinckley also lived past their 90th birthdays.
- LDS Church, August 17, 2017
- ^ Taylor, Scott (September 28, 2017). "President Monson will not attend October general conference, LDS Church confirms". Deseret News.
- ^ "'God be with you till we meet again': Funeral services held for LDS Apostle Elder Robert D. Hales". www.ksl.com. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
- ^ "The Private Prophet: Mormon Church President Thomas Monson Dies At 90". National Public Radio. January 3, 2018.
- LDS Church, January 2, 2018
- LDS Church, January 3, 2018
- ^ "Two New Apostles Called to Quorum of the Twelve - Church News and Events". ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
- ^ "Noted heart surgeon unlikely to transform Mormon church as new president". NBC News. January 17, 2018. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
- ^ Christensen, RaeAnn (January 8, 2018). "NY Times, LDS members react after controversial obituary of Thomas S. Monson". KUTV. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ "Fidel Castro got a much more favorable New York Times obituary than the late Mormon faith leader". Washington Examiner. January 4, 2018. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ Burkitt, Bree. "Petition calling for new Monson obituary draws response from New York Times". The Spectrum. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ Kyra Davis (February 11, 2008). "Temple Dedication". Standard Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c "5 new temples planned for Mormon church". NBC News. October 4, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ "LDS Church dedicates new Canadian temple". The Salt Lake Tribune. May 2, 2010. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ Jon Johnson (March 17, 2010). "LDS Church preparing for temple open house". Eastern Arizona Courier. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ "Mormon President Thomas S. Monson arrives to dedicate Cebu City Philippines Temple". Philippine Times. June 12, 2010. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- Religious Information Service of Ukraine. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ "Mormon leader attends temple rededication". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. November 27, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
- ^ "LDS Church News - Kansas City Missouri Temple dedicated by President Thomas S. Monson". Church News. May 6, 2012.
- ^ "LDS Church News - Calgary Alberta Temple: Dedication marks 140th operating temple for Church". Church News. October 28, 2012.
- ^ "LDS Church News - Boise Idaho Temple: A priceless treasure". Church News. November 18, 2012.
- ^ "Gilbert Arizona Temple". www.ldschurchtemples.com.
- ^ Sarah Jane Weaver, President Monson rededicates Ogden Utah Temple, Church News, September 21, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
- ^ "Phoenix Arizona Temple". www.ldschurchtemples.com.
- ^ "California and Same-Sex Marriage". LDS Newsroom. LDS Church. June 30, 2008. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
- ^ Canham, Matt; Burr, Thomas (December 6, 2012). "Top Mormon church posts dominated by registered Republicans". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "University of Utah Distinguished Alumni Award past recipients" (PDF). University of Utah. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
- ^ "LDS President Thomas S. Monson to Deliver 2011 Dixie State College Centennial Commencement Address". Dixie State College. March 29, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ "President Monson is honored for his contributions to Scouting", Church News, October 9, 1993.
- ^ Plummer, Sarah (June 16, 2016). "Bechtel Summit to open leadership complex to give youth a solid foundation". Beckley Register-Herald. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Swensen, Jason (October 29, 2013). "LDS Church, Boy Scouts celebrate 'A Century of Honor'". Deseret News.
- ^ "80 Over 80". Slate. October 20, 2009.
- ^ Jones, Jeffrey M. (December 27, 2011). "Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton Again Top Most Admired List". The Gallup Organization. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
Sources
- Chase, Randal S. (2013). Church History Study Guide, Pt. 3: Latter-Day Prophets Since 1844. Making Precious Things Plain. Vol. 6 (Revised ed.). Plain & Precious Publishing. ISBN 978-1-937-90106-6.
- ISBN 978-1-60641-898-7
External links
- Thomas S. Monson, official church profile.
- Thomas S. Monson profile with Timeline
- Thomas S. Monson, Mormon Newsroom, Leadership Biographies.
- Thomas S. Monson, Church News feed.