President Thomas S. Monson 16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

President Thomas S. Monson was named as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 4, 2008. He had served as a Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church since November 10, 1985. Most recently, on March 12, 1995, he was set apart as First Counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley. Prior to that, on June 5, 1994, he was called as Second Counselor to President Howard W. Hunter, and on November 10, 1985, as Second Counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson. He was ordained an Apostle and called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 4, 1963, at the age of 36.

President Monson served as president of the Church’s Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, from 1959 to 1962. Prior to that time he served in the presidency of the Temple View Stake in Salt Lake City, Utah, and as a bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in that stake.
Born in Salt Lake City, on August 21, 1927, President Monson is the son of G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. He attended Salt Lake City public schools and graduated cum laude from the University of Utah in 1948, receiving a degree in business management. He did graduate work and served as a member of the College of Business faculty at the University of Utah. He later received his MBA degree from Brigham Young University. In April 1981, Brigham Young University conferred upon President Monson the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. He was given the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by Salt Lake Community College in June 1996. He received the Honorary Doctor of Business from the University of Utah in May 2007. He is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, an honorary business fraternity.

President Monson served in the United States Navy near the close of World War II. He married Frances Beverly Johnson on October 7, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of three children.

Professionally, President Monson has had a distinguished career in publishing and printing. He became associated with the Deseret News in 1948, where he served as an executive in the advertising division of that newspaper and the Newspaper Agency Corporation. Later he was named sales manager of the Deseret News Press, one of the West’s largest commercial printing firms, rising to the position of general manager, which position he held at the time of his appointment to the Quorum of the Twelve in 1963. He served for many years as chairman of the board of Deseret News Publishing Co. President Monson is a past president of Printing Industry of Utah and a former member of the board of directors of Printing Industry of America.

With his broad business background, President Monson served for many years as a board member of several prominent businesses and industries. He currently serves as a trustee of Brigham Young University and the Church Board of Education.

Since 1969 President Monson has served as a member of the National Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America.

President Monson has held membership in the Utah Association of Sales Executives, the Salt Lake Advertising Club, and the Salt Lake Exchange Club.

For many years, President Monson served as a member of the Utah State Board of Regents, the body which governs higher education in the State of Utah. He also served as an officer in the Alumni Association of the University of Utah.

In December 1981, President Monson was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the President’s Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives. He served in this capacity until December 1982, when the work of the task force was completed.

President Monson was awarded the University of Utah’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1966. He is also the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America’s Silver Beaver Award (1971), its prestigious Silver Buffalo Award (1978), and international Scouting’s highest award, the Bronze Wolf (1993). In 1997 he received the Minuteman Award from the Utah National Guard, as well as Brigham Young University’s Exemplary Manhood Award. In 1998 he and Sister Monson were each given the Continuum of Caring Humanitarian Award by the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph Villa.

Relief Society General Conference Highlights!

For those of you who did not, could not attend General RS Conference last night, here are a few highlights:

Sister Julies B. Beck talked about the history and importance of the Relief Society organization. It's purpose, when organized through Joseph Smith, was to Organize, Teach, and Aspire His daughters (Heavenly Father) to prepare them for the blessings of eternity. Each of us has three responsibilities as Relief Society sisters
1. Increase faith and Personal Righteousness
2. Strengthen Home and Family and
3. Serve the Lord and His children
She had a sense of urgency in explaining that the Home should be a place of refuge from the evils our children come in contact with every day. We can do the work of the Lord if we seek, pray, listen and act on the promptings of the spirit. It really was a wonderful talk.

Sister Silvia Allred spoke on "Temple Worship" and why it is important to build temples, attend, and live worthy to serve in the temple.

Sister Barbara Thompson spoke on again the history and prupose of the Relief Society Organization and how service in the church, in whatever capacity, magnifies and strengthens each and every one of us. We, through visiting teaching and other activities nourish each sister through the Good Word of God. She said now is the time to step up, be strong, Declare the Truth, and live so people know we love our Heavenly Father!

President Utchdorf talked about two qualities our Heavenly Father has that we need to emulate: He is a God of Creation and Compassion. He said sometimes the sisters undermine their abilities, They stress on the little imperfections instead of focusing on the successes! Everyone can create. We are made in the image of our Heavenly Father, who is a neverending creator. We, as mothers, assist in the creation of each child we carry. We provide nourishment and attend to the physical and emotional needs of His Children. (I had never thought of it that way before and thought this was a really sweet experience we get to have as women)!Don't let fear of failure discourage you. Start small and grow from there.
Being compassionate is a fundamental of our Heavenly Father and each of us. As we serve and uplift others blessings our poured upon us and we are uplifted as well. Like President Hinckley was told, "Forget yourself, get up and go to work"! There is plenty of work to do and we are surrounded by opportunites to serve. But as we serve we should not seek for position. He reminded us that Christ, although a King, never sought for position or power. He went among the people, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick. He also said Greatness has little to do with our position in life or the accomplishments we have, by way of career. He said "Happiness is our Heritage".

Is was a really great conference session and what a great way to start it off! I am excited to hear what our Brethren will say this next week! Stay strong and Declare the Truth!