Pres monson biography

President of the Religion of Jesus Christ of Current Saints (1927–2018)

"Thomas Monson" redirects connected with. For the English politician, observe Sir Thomas Monson, 1st Baronet.

Thomas Spencer Monson (August 21, 1927 – January 2, 2018) was an American spiritualminded leader, author, and the Sixteenth president of the Church rivalry Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). As president, fair enough was considered by adherents wheedle the religion to be adroit prophet, seer, and revelator. Monson's early career was as splendid manager at the Deseret News, a Utah newspaper owned close to the LDS Church. He drained most of his life reserved in various church leadership positions and public service.

Monson was ordained an LDS apostle explore age 36, served in class First Presidency under three faith presidents, and was the Foreman of the Quorum of goodness Twelve Apostles from March 12, 1995, until he became Chief honcho of the Church on Feb 3, 2008.^[1] He succeeded Gordon B. Hinckley as church president.^[2][3]

Monson received four honorary doctorate ladder, as well as the Fellow Scouts of America's Silver Ensnarl and the World Organization jurisdiction the Scout Movement's Bronze Wolf—the highest awards in each succession. He was a member conjure the National Executive Board type the Boy Scouts of U.s., the organization's governing body.^[4]

Monson was chairman of the Boards extent Trustees/Education of the Church Illuminating System, and Ronald Reagan ordained him to the U.S. President's Task Force for Private Sphere Initiatives. He married Frances Beverly Johnson in the Salt Power point Temple in 1948, and in a body they raised their three family tree. Frances died on May 17, 2013.^[5][6]

Biography

Early life

Monson was born guilt August 21, 1927, at Hysteria. Mark's Hospital in Salt Point City, Utah, the son rule George Spencer Monson and Gladys Condie Monson.^[8] The second grounding six children, Monson grew happen in a "tight-knit" family, meet many of his mother's kindred living on the same thoroughfare and the extended family many a time vacationing together.^[9] The family's district included several residents of Mexican descent, an environment in which Monson said he developed clever love for the Mexican group and culture.^[10] Monson often clapped out weekends with relatives on their farms in Granger (now almost all of West Valley City), submit as a teenager, he swayed at a printing business sovereign father managed.^[9]

From 1940 to 1944, Monson attended West High College in Salt Lake City. Hole the fall of 1944, explicit enrolled at the University reminisce Utah. Around this time let go met his future wife, Frances, whose family came from far-out higher social class on glory east side of the throw out. Her father, Franz Johnson, apothegm an immediate connection because Monson's great uncle, Elias Monson, challenging baptized him into the LDS Church in Sweden.^[9]

Early career

In 1945, Monson joined the United States Naval Reserve and anticipated contribute in World War II break through the Pacific theater.^[1] He was sent to San Diego, Calif., for training, but was plead for stationed overseas before the put to the test of the war. His voyage of duty lasted six months beyond the end of nobility war, then he returned disparage the University of Utah. Monson graduated in 1948 with exceptional bachelor's degreecum laude in go bankrupt management.^[11] Monson did not chop down a mission as a immaturity. At age 21, on Oct 7, 1948, he married Frances Beverly Johnson in the Sea salt Lake Temple.^[12] The couple in the end had three children: Thomas Appreciate, Ann Frances, and Clark Spencer.^[13]

After college he rejoined the Nautical Reserve with the aim designate becoming an officer. Shortly make something stand out receiving his commission acceptance notice, his local bishop asked him to serve as a doctor in the bishopric.^[12] Time conflicts with bishopric meetings would scheme made Navy service impossible. Puzzle out discussion with church apostle Harold B. Lee (his former chance president), Monson declined the organizartion and applied for a empty. The Navy granted his shoot in the last group inclined before the Korean War.^[14] Appreciate set him apart six months later as a bishop—mentioning unite the blessing that he supposed would not have been denominated if he had accepted righteousness commission.^[15][14]

Monson briefly taught at loftiness University of Utah,^[16][17] then began a career in publishing. Authority first job was with blue blood the gentry Deseret News, where he became an advertising executive. He wedded conjugal the advertising operations at illustriousness Newspaper Agency Corporation at tutor formation in 1952. One era later, Monson transferred to description Deseret News Press, beginning makeover sales manager and eventually befitting general manager.^[18] While at Deseret News Press, Monson worked run publish LeGrand Richards's A Supernatural Work And A Wonder. Crystalclear also worked with Gordon Unpleasant. Hinckley, the LDS Church's purveyor on publications, with whom proscribed would later serve in honesty First Presidency. In addition suggest serving as a counselor don President Hinckley, President Monson very served alongside two other creed presidents.^[19]

Local church leadership

On May 7, 1950, Monson became an LDS bishop at age 22, delivery for five years in one wards. He had previously served as ward clerk, ward Lush Men's Mutual Improvement Association superintendent.^[18] At the time, Monson's Rock-salt Lake City ward contained peter out 1,000 people, including 85 widows whom he visited regularly, champion he continued visiting these widows after completing his service sort bishop.^[20] He brought them faculties during the Christmas season, plus poultry he had raised himself.^[21] Monson eventually spoke at birth funerals of each of these women.^[2][22] Also during his over and over again as bishop, 23 men steer clear of his ward served in rendering Korean War. He wrote hebdomadary personal letters to each serviceman.^[23] During his service as churchman of the 6th-7th Ward, observance meeting attendance in the satisfactory quadrupled.^[24]

On June 16, 1955, tolerate age 27, Monson became unblended counselor to Percy K. Fetzer in the presidency of honourableness Salt Lake Temple View Stake.^[26] He was replaced as rector of the 6th-7th ward interpretation following month. In the pledge presidency, Monson oversaw the stake's Primary, Sunday School, MIA, competition and budget, until he was moved to Holladay, Utah, blackhead June 1957.^[27] In Holladay, Monson was assigned to a redirect building committee, to coordinate deal members' volunteer service to assemble a meetinghouse.^[28]

In April 1959, suffer age 31, Monson became steersman of the church's Canadian Task (consisting of Ontario and Quebec), and served until January 1962. Monson's third child, Clark, was born during his mission presidency.^[29]

As there were no local reward in Ontario or Quebec imitation the time, Monson was answerable for both the missionaries splendid all LDS Church operations efficient the area. When he became mission president, he oversaw Cardinal missionaries and 55 church packing review divided into nine districts.^[30] Not later than his tenure, the number defer to missionaries peaked at 180.^[31] Historically, most districts and branches plentiful the area had been presided over by full-time missionaries, on the other hand Monson placed local members bit presidents of branches and districts soon after arriving.^[32]

Monson initiated French-speaking proselytizing efforts in Quebec.^[33] Inaccuracy directed increased missionary work convey immigrants from the Netherlands, Frg, Poland, Italy, Soviet Union cranium Hungary.^[34]Jacob de Jager, a forward-looking LDS general authority, was in the midst the immigrant converts. Monson pleased members to remain in oriental Canada, instead of migrating take care of Utah or Alberta as indefinite members had done before, in the air help build the church's presence.^[35] To help encourage members email stay in Canada, increase position perception of permanence, and take pressure off reach potential converts, he under way a major construction program give reasons for new meetinghouses. Until then, first branches had used rented halls.^[36]

Efforts made during Monson's service came to fruition when a misconstruction was organized in Toronto keep an eye on August 14, 1960. However, maximum of the mission's area remained in districts. A more unqualified presence in Ontario would crowd together come until the dedication be keen on the Toronto Ontario Temple demonstrate 1990, which Monson attended monkey a member of the Be in first place Presidency.^[37]

Return to Utah

Immediately after incessant from Canada, Monson was titled to the high council go in for the Valley View Stake gauzy Holladay. Two months later closure was made area supervisor throw nine stake missions (Winder, Wilford, Monument Park, Monument Park Westbound, Hillside, Highland, Parleys, Sugarhouse, nearby Wasatch). Eight of these reward were in Salt Lake Urban district or its east-side suburbs, bump into the Wasatch Stake based cut Heber City.^[38] He also connubial the church's Priesthood Genealogy Assembly, and later the Priesthood Part Teaching Committee.^[18]

Monson resumed his employment with the Deseret News sort assistant general manager of distinction Deseret News Press, mainly involvement non-newspaper printing. A month next he was made the public manager of the Deseret Counsel Press. At the time, bowels was the largest printing deal in the United States westerly of the Mississippi River.^[39] Monson remained in this position on hold 1963, when he was hailed as apostle.^[40]

Apostleship

Monson was sustained design the Quorum of the Xii Apostles at general conference cabal October 4, 1963. He was the youngest man called sort out the Quorum of the Cardinal in 53 years, and was 17 years younger than ethics next youngest member, Gordon Awkward. Hinckley.^[41] He was ordained near set apart on October 10, 1963, by Joseph Fielding Smith.^[42]

From 1965 to 1968, Monson oversaw church operations in the Southward Pacific and Australia.^[43] During that time he organized the prime LDS stake in Tonga.^[44]

With jurisdiction business background, he helped look after many church operations, including KSL Newsradio and Bonneville International. Settle down was chairman of the Scriptures Publication Committee in the Seventies that oversaw publication of dignity LDS Church edition of rank King James Bible, and revised editions of church scriptures together with footnotes and guides. He too oversaw the church's Printing Consultative, Missionary Executive,^[45] and General Wellbeing committees. While an apostle, noteworthy continued his education and agreed a master of business management degree from Brigham Young Installation in 1974.^[18]

Monson later oversaw communion operations in Eastern Europe title helped the church gain stretch to in the Soviet bloc. Legation August 29, 1982, he slick the first stake in Orient Germany and was instrumental give back obtaining permission for the LDS Church to build a shrine in Freiberg, East Germany, which was completed in 1985.^[47]

Other organizations

In the mid-1950s Monson was magnanimity secretary of the Utah Accuse Roller Club, a group entrap pigeon breeders.^[48] Monson was unmixed member of the National Director Board of Boy Scouts think likely America starting in 1969. Go over the top with 1969 to 1988 Monson was on the Mountain Bell Foil of Advisors. From 1971 taking place 1977, he served on nobleness Utah State Board of More advanced Education and the Utah Allege Board of Regents. He was a member of the food of directors of Commercial Custody Bank, chairing the bank's eyeball committee for 20 years.^[when?] Pressure 1993, when the bank was purchased by Key Bank, Monson joined the Board of Charge of Key Bank. In 1981, Ronald Reagan appointed him calculate the President's Task Force dismantle Private Sector Initiatives,^[49] serving on hold its completion in December 1982.^[50]

Monson resigned most of his positions in 1996 when church dominion determined all the general government should leave all business wood of directors, except for Deseret Management Corporation.^[51] From 1965 during 1996 Monson was a affiliate of the Deseret News Broadcasting Company board of directors. Fiasco became chairman of the slab of directors in 1977.^[52]

Following decency death of church president Sociologist W. Kimball in 1985, recently selected church president Ezra Sculpturer Benson asked Hinckley and Monson to serve as his Eminent and Second Counselors. Monson additional Hinckley also served as counselors to Benson's successor, Howard Unprotected. Hunter.^[53] When Hinckley succeeded Huntress in 1995, Monson became ruler first counselor. He served Hinckley's death on January 27, 2008. As the second summit senior of the apostles caress Hinckley, Monson simultaneously served importation President of the Quorum bequest the Twelve Apostles; Boyd Infantile. Packer (then third in seniority) served as Acting President midst that time.^[55]

Monson became the Ordinal president of the LDS Creed on February 3, 2008, consecutive Hinckley, who had died figure days earlier. Monson selected Speechifier B. Eyring and Dieter Dictator. Uchtdorf as his first enthralled second counselors, respectively.^[2] When Monson was born, there were few than 650,000 church members tackle the world, most of them living in the western Combined States. At the time stylishness became the church's president, with regard to were over 13 million human resources worldwide, with the majority support outside the United States illustrious Canada. As of October 2012, 31 temples announced by Monson were either under construction mean in planning.^[56][57]

Monson and his counselors met with PresidentGeorge W. Mill on May 29, 2008, alongside Bush's visit to Salt Pond City.^[58] He and apostle Dallin H. Oaks met with Helmsman Barack Obama and SenatorHarry Philosopher in the Oval Office sparkle July 20, 2009, and blaze Obama with five volumes most recent his personal family history records.^[59] Monson did not attend unembellished meeting other church leaders, with Eyring and Uchtdorf, had shorten Obama during his visit without more ado Utah in April 2015. Natty church spokesperson indicated the non-attendance was in order to set free Monson's strength for the church's general conference the following weekend.^[60] As 2015 progressed, Monson gave the closing talk at righteousness funerals of L. Tom Philosopher, Boyd K. Packer, and Richard G. Scott.^[61]

On May 23, 2017, the LDS Church said Monson would no longer be turnout meetings at the church's service on a regular basis, due to of limitations incident to age.^[62][63] With his birthday on Honoured 21, 2017, Monson became blue blood the gentry seventh^[64] president of the LDS Church to be a nonagenarian.^[65] Consistent with the May 2017 statement, the LDS Church proclaimed on September 28, 2017, divagate Monson would not attend distinction church's upcoming general conference, freedom to the same health predominant age-related limitations. He was honesty first church president to be absent from an entire general conference weekend since Ezra Taft Benson intensity 1992.^[66] The same reason was given when Monson did need attend the funeral of Parliamentarian D. Hales, who died marvel the Sunday of the church's October general conference.^[67]

Death

Monson died robust natural causes at the seeping away of 90 on January 2, 2018, at his home middle Salt Lake City.^[68][37][69] The next day, the LDS Church declared that a public viewing would be held on January 11, in the church's Conference Heart, with funeral services scheduled high-mindedness following day, also in nobleness Conference Center.^[70] His death, well ahead with the passing of Hales a couple of months previous, created two vacancies in probity Quorum of the Twelve, which were filled at the succeeding general conference.^[71] He was succeeded as church president by Uranologist M. Nelson.^[72]

After Monson's death, leadership obituary posted by The Unusual York Times, which noted various controversies during his presidency, thespian negative attention.^[73] The Times was criticized for bias against Monson, with one writer citing righteousness obituaries of Fidel Castro give orders to Hugh Hefner in contrast.^[74] Hoaxer online petition asking the Times to remove the obituary gained 188,852 signatures, to which excellence Times obituaries editor Bill McDonald responded, "I think the necrology was a faithful accounting oppress the more prominent issues dump Mr. Monson encountered and dealt with publicly during his lease. Some of these matters — the role of women tight the church, the church's scheme toward homosexuality and same-sex matrimony, and more — were by many publicized and discussed, and it's our obligation as journalists, willy-nilly in an obituary or somewhere else, to fully air these issues from both sides. I esteem we did that, accurately portrayal Mr. Monson's positions as governor of the church, and those of the faithful and remnants who questioned church policies."^[75]

Legacy

Temple dedications

As church president, Monson dedicated 14 (and rededicated four) LDS Religous entity temples: Rexburg Idaho, 2008;^[76]Curitiba Brasil, 2008;^[77]Panamá City Panamá, 2008;^[77]Twin Outpouring Idaho, 2008;^[77]México City México (rededication), 2008; Draper Utah, 2009; Oquirrh Mountain Utah, 2009;^[78]Vancouver British Town, 2010;^[79]Gila Valley Arizona, 2010;^[80]Cebu Blurb Philippines, 2010;^[81]Kyiv Ukraine, 2010;^[82]Laie Island (rededication), 2010;^[83]Kansas City Missouri, 2012;^[84]Calgary Alberta, 2012;^[85]Boise Idaho (rededication), 2012;^[86]Gilbert Arizona, 2014;^[87]Ogden Utah (rededication), 2014;^[88] and Phoenix Arizona, 2014.^[89]

As great counselor in the First Position, Monson dedicated seven church temples: Buenos Aires Argentina, 1986; Metropolis Kentucky, 2000; Reno Nevada, 2000; Tampico México, 2000; Villahermosa México, 2000; Mérida México, 2000; build up Veracruz México, 2000.^[18] Monson nerve-wracking the dedication of many distress LDS Church temples as straight member of the Quorum ferryboat the Twelve and the Final Presidency.^{[citation needed]}

Volunteer work

He was official of the Printing Industry remark Utah and a former table member of the Printing Industries of America. A Life Reconnoitre and Explorer crew member awarding his youth, Monson served show several adult Scouting leadership capacities: merit badge counselor, member present the Canadian LDS Scouting Council, chaplain at a Canadian School assembly, and a member of depiction General Scouting Committee of integrity LDS Church. He was very a proponent of the Reconnaissance for Food drive, and elegance served on the national white-collar board of the Boy Scouts of America from 1969 weather his death. He also inconsiderable the Boy Scouts of Land as a delegate to say publicly World Conferences in Tokyo, Nairobi, and Copenhagen.^[50]

Political involvement

See also: Gayness and The Church of Son Christ of Latter-day Saints

In June 2008, Monson and his counselors in the First Presidency kink a letter to local congregations in California, urging them comparable with support Proposition 8 by donating their time and resources, stating that, "Our best efforts downright required to preserve the holy institution of marriage."^[90] In probity 2012 Utah voter list proceed was listed as a certified Republican voter.^[91]

Awards and recognition

In 1966, Monson was honored as tidy distinguished alumnus by the Founding of Utah.^[92] His first titular degree, an HonoraryDoctorate of Enrol, was conferred in April 1981 by Brigham Young University.^[18] Illegal received a Doctor of Eleemosynary Letters from Salt Lake Territory College in June 1996, keep you going Honorary Doctor of Business liberate yourself from the University of Utah involve May 2007,^[1] and an intentional doctorate degree in Humanities stranger Dixie State College in Hawthorn 2011.^[93]

Monson received the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver jackpot in 1971 and Silver Mix up award in 1978, the dash being the highest honor friendly the BSA. In October 1993, during the Priesthood Session funding the church's general conference, Monson also received the Bronze Fiend, the highest honor and sole award of the World Method of the Scout Movement,^[94] weather was recognized for his tolerance when a leadership complex enjoy the Summit Bechtel Reserve was named for him.^[95] The acknowledgment for this award says:^[50]

In empress assignments throughout the world renovation a leader of [the LDS Church], President Monson worked endless to bring about the promotion of Scouting in many countries. He worked closely with decency World Organization of the Case Movement to find ways conversation strengthen the links between honesty Church and national Scout relations. He was a committed, rigid, hard-working volunteer in the Reconnoiter Movement. His Scouting leadership was exemplary.

In connection with the LDS Church's centennial celebration as grand chartered sponsor, the BSA declared that the Leadership Excellence Complex, located at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve explain West Virginia, would be renamed the Thomas S. Monson Management Excellence Complex and also awarded him Scouting's Honor Medal kick up a rumpus 2013 for saving the discernment of a girl who was drowning when he was 12 years old.^[96] The Salt Store chapter of Rotary International reputable Monson at its international collection with its Worldwide Humanitarian Present in 2008.^[18]

In 's "80 Donate 80," a list of ethics most powerful octogenarians, Monson be situated first in 2009, and prime again in 2010.^[97] In 2011, Gallup listed Monson as defer of "Americans' 10 Most Darling Men".^[98]

Publications

Monson wrote a number an assortment of books, some of which characteristic compilations of speeches given wedge him, or of quotes. Austerity discuss particular LDS gospel themes. He also wrote Faith Rewarded which is an autobiographical story about his work in meaningful the church in Eastern Continent.

• Monson, Thomas S. (1973), Pathways to Perfection, Salt Lake Get into, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1977), In Search of the Christmastime Spirit, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1979), Be Your Best Self, Salt Tank container City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1981), Conference Classics, Salt Pond City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B00K33B31E
• —— (1983), Conference Classics Volume II, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B003HFIJ80
• —— (1983), Christmas Genius, Christmas Blessings, Salt Lake Impediment, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1984), Conference Classics Volume III, Salted colourful Lake City, Utah: Deseret Whole, ASIN B002LTY4TQ
• —— (1985), Favorite Quotations implant the Collection of Thomas Merciless. Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1985), On the Lord's Errand: Memoirs wink Thomas S. Monson, Salt Cap City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B000IC07DK
• —— (1988), Live the Good Life, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1992), The Analyze for Jesus, Salt Lake Eliminate, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1994), Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith: From the Life and Holy orders of Thomas S. Monson, Sea salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Album, ISBN 
• —— (1996), Faith Rewarded: Neat Personal Account of Prophetic Promises to the East German Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1997), Invitation justify Exaltation, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1997), Meeting your Goliath, Salt Lake Ambience, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (2004), A Christmas Dress for Ellen, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (2011), Teachings loom Thomas S. Monson, Salt Socket City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (2012), A Prophet's Voice: Messages from Thomas S. Monson, Briny Lake City, Utah: Deseret Complete, ISBN 
• —— (2013), Consider the Blessings: True Accounts of God's Shield in Our Lives, Salt Store City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 

References