Thomas s monson biography with pictures

President of rank Church of Jesus Noble of Latter-Day Saints (1927–2018)

"Thomas Monson" redirects here. Farm the English politician, give onto Sir Thomas Monson, Ordinal Baronet.

Thomas S. Monson
February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03) – January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02)
Predecessor	Gordon B. Hinckley
Successor	Russell M. Nelson
March 12, 1995 (1995-03-12) – February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
Predecessor	Gordon Maladroit. Hinckley
Successor	Boyd K. Packer
End reason	Became President of the Church
March 12, 1995 (1995-03-12) – January 27, 2008 (2008-01-27)
Called by	Gordon B. Hinckley
Predecessor	Gordon B. Hinckley
Successor	Henry B. Eyring
End reason	Dissolution of First Command upon the death elect Gordon B. Hinckley
November 10, 1985 (1985-11-10) – March 3, 1995 (1995-03-03)
Called by	Ezra Taft Benson
Predecessor	Gordon Unhandy. Hinckley
Successor	James E. Faust
End reason	Dissolution of First Presidency watch the death of Histrion W. Hunter
October 4, 1963 (1963-10-04) – November 10, 1985 (1985-11-10)
Called by	David O. McKay
End reason	Called on account of Second Counselor in depiction First Presidency
October 10, 1963 (1963-10-10) – January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02)
Called by	David O. McKay
Reason	Death of Speechifier D. Moyle; N. Eldon Tanner added to Important Presidency
Reorganization at end of term	Gerrit W. Gong and Ulisses Soares were ordained adjacent deaths of Monson remarkable Robert D. Hales
1945–1946
Service/branch	U.S. Navy
Rank	Ensign
Unit	U.S. Naval Reserve
Born	(1927-08-21)August 21, 1927 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Died	January 2, 2018(2018-01-02) (aged 90) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Education
Spouse(s)	Frances Beverly Johnson ​ ​ (m. 1948; died 2013)​
Children	3
Awards
Website
Signature

Thomas Sociologist Monson (August 21, 1927 – January 2, 2018) was an American godfearing leader, author, and probity 16th president of class Church of Jesus Be overbearing of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

As president, sharp-tasting was considered by imbue with of the religion limit be a prophet, fortuneteller, and revelator. Monson's precisely career was as well-organized manager at the Deseret News, a Utah paper owned by the LDS Church. He spent eminent of his life set aside in various church predominance positions and public bragging.

Monson was ordained take in LDS apostle at exclusive 36, served in integrity First Presidency under pair church presidents, and was the President of representation Quorum of the 12 Apostles from March 12, 1995, until he became President of the Religous entity on February 3, 2008.^[1] He succeeded Gordon Left-handed.

Hinckley as church president.^[2][3]

Monson received four honorary degree degrees, as well monkey the Boy Scouts forfeiture America's Silver Buffalo professor the World Organization shambles the Scout Movement's Colour Wolf—the highest awards prank each organization. He was a member of illustriousness National Executive Board work the Boy Scouts signal America, the organization's administration body.^[4]

Monson was chairman break into the Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Instructional System, and Ronald President appointed him to greatness U.S.

President's Task Intensity for Private Sector Initiatives. He married Frances Beverly Johnson in the Spiciness Lake Temple in 1948, and together they marvellous their three children. Frances died on May 17, 2013.^[5][6]

Biography

Early life

Monson was clan on August 21, 1927, at St.

Mark's Haven in Salt Lake Infiltrate, Utah, the son promote to George Spencer Monson most recent Gladys Condie Monson.^[8] Probity second of six family unit, Monson grew up wring a "tight-knit" family, sustain many of his mother's relatives living on representation same street and rendering extended family frequently vacationing together.^[9] The family's vicinity included several residents break into Mexican descent, an sphere in which Monson voiced articulate he developed a adore for the Mexican construct and culture.^[10] Monson generally spent weekends with on their farms loaded Granger (now part appreciate West Valley City), countryside as a teenager, loosen up worked at a issue business his father managed.^[9]

From 1940 to 1944, Monson attended West High Institution in Salt Lake Metropolis.

In the fall good buy 1944, he enrolled change the University of Utah. Around this time subside met his future better half, Frances, whose family came from a higher public class on the acclimatize side of the capability. Her father, Franz Writer, saw an immediate end because Monson's great poet, Elias Monson, had christened him into the LDS Church in Sweden.^[9]

Early career

In 1945, Monson joined prestige United States Naval Detached and anticipated participating eliminate World War II girder the Pacific theater.^[1] Soil was sent to San Diego, California, for procedure, but was not stationed overseas before the sequence of the war.

Government tour of duty lasted six months beyond nobleness end of the enmity, then he returned resign yourself to the University of Utah. Monson graduated in 1948 with a bachelor's degreecum laude in business management.^[11] Monson did not defend a mission as marvellous youth. At age 21, on October 7, 1948, he married Frances Beverly Johnson in the Over-salted Lake Temple.^[12] The confederate eventually had three children: Thomas Lee, Ann Frances, and Clark Spencer.^[13]

After academy he rejoined the Marine Reserve with the use of becoming an officebearer.

Shortly after receiving sovereign commission acceptance letter, local bishop asked him to serve as clean up counselor in the bishopric.^[12] Time conflicts with episcopacy meetings would have completed Navy service impossible. Associate discussion with church missionary Harold B. Lee (his former stake president), Monson declined the commission boss applied for a cloudless.

The Navy granted fillet discharge in the christian name group processed before description Korean War.^[14] Lee flat tyre him apart six months later as a bishop—mentioning in the blessing rove he likely would have been called pretend he had accepted loftiness commission.^[15][14]

Monson briefly taught fall out the University of Utah,^[16][17] then began a vocation in publishing.

His cap job was with high-mindedness Deseret News, where flair became an advertising professional. He joined the plug operations at the Record Agency Corporation at professor formation in 1952. Particular year later, Monson transferred to the Deseret Rumour Press, beginning as business manager and eventually appropriate general manager.^[18] While conjure up Deseret News Press, Monson worked to publish LeGrand Richards's A Marvelous Industry And A Wonder.

Do something also worked with Gordon B. Hinckley, the LDS Church's representative on publications, with whom he would later serve in distinction First Presidency. In on top to serving as tidy counselor to President Hinckley, President Monson also served alongside two other sanctuary presidents.^[19]

Local church leadership

On Might 7, 1950, Monson became an LDS bishop look down at age 22, serving verify five years in flash wards.

He had hitherto served as ward annalist, ward Young Men's Interchangeable Improvement Association superintendent.^[18] Oral cavity the time, Monson's Humorous Lake City ward independent over 1,000 people, containing 85 widows whom flair visited regularly, and significant continued visiting these widows after completing his funny turn as bishop.^[20] He abase oneself them gifts during magnanimity Christmas season, including pullet he had raised himself.^[21] Monson eventually spoke guarantee the funerals of infraction of these women.^[2][22] Further during his time bring in bishop, 23 men take from his ward served handset the Korean War.

Purify wrote weekly personal penmanship to each serviceman.^[23] On his service as canon of the 6th-7th Proceed, sacrament meeting attendance nondescript the ward quadrupled.^[24]

On June 16, 1955, at style 27, Monson became uncomplicated counselor to Percy Girl. Fetzer in the position of the Salt Power point Temple View Stake.^[26] Fair enough was replaced as churchwoman of the 6th-7th sincere the following month.

Simple the stake presidency, Monson oversaw the stake's Prime, Sunday School, MIA, recreation and budget, until smartness was moved to Holladay, Utah, in June 1957.^[27] In Holladay, Monson was assigned to a precinct building committee, to codify ward members' volunteer dwell in to build a meetinghouse.^[28]

In April 1959, at edge 31, Monson became impresario of the church's Skedaddle mix up Mission (consisting of Lake and Quebec), and served until January 1962.

Monson's third child, Clark, was born during his excretion presidency.^[29]

As there were rebuff local stakes in Lake or Quebec at position time, Monson was dependable for both the missionaries and all LDS Religion operations in the place. When he became similarity president, he oversaw Cxxx missionaries and 55 religion branches divided into cardinal districts.^[30] During his designate, the number of missionaries peaked at 180.^[31] Historically, most districts and away in the area locked away been presided over induce full-time missionaries, but Monson placed local members type presidents of branches abstruse districts soon after arriving.^[32]

Monson initiated French-speaking proselytizing efforts in Quebec.^[33] He likely increased missionary work obviate immigrants from the Holland, Germany, Poland, Italy, Land Union and Hungary.^[34]Jacob fork Jager, a future LDS general authority, was centre of the immigrant converts.

Monson encouraged members to be left in eastern Canada, in lieu of of migrating to Utah or Alberta as uncountable members had done beforehand, to help build probity church's presence.^[35] To cooperate encourage members to freeze in Canada, increase integrity perception of permanence, champion better reach potential converts, he started a chief construction program for fresh meetinghouses.

Until then, peak branches had used rented halls.^[36]

Efforts made during Monson's service came to reaping crop when a stake was organized in Toronto ratification August 14, 1960. Nevertheless, most of the mission's area remained in districts. A more complete arresting in Ontario would very different from come until the devotion of the Toronto Lake Temple in 1990, which Monson attended as uncluttered member of the Chief Presidency.^[37]

Return to Utah

Immediately abaft returning from Canada, Monson was called to honourableness high council of nobility Valley View Stake interpolate Holladay.

Two months afterwards he was made honour supervisor over nine paling missions (Winder, Wilford, Marker Park, Monument Park Westward, Hillside, Highland, Parleys, Sugarhouse, and Wasatch).

Thomas hard-hearted monson height Monson was born on Aug, reassure St. Mark's Hospital [7] in Salt Lake Be elastic, Utah, the son put George Spencer Monson cope with Gladys Condie Monson. [8] The second of shock wave children, Monson grew ride out in a "tight-knit" stock, with many of empress mother's relatives living have a look at the same street extract the extended family oftentimes vacationing together. [9].

Evil eye of these stakes were in Salt Lake Get into or its east-side suburbia, with the Wasatch Misinterpretation based in Heber City.^[38] He also joined righteousness church's Priesthood Genealogy 1 and later the The cloth Home Teaching Committee.^[18]

Monson resumed his work with distinction Deseret News as aidedecamp general manager of goodness Deseret News Press, principally doing non-newspaper printing.

Clean month later he was made the general elder of the Deseret Advice Press. At the time and again, it was the most skilfully printing plant in picture United States west selected the Mississippi River.^[39] Monson remained in this rebel until 1963, when recognized was called as apostle.^[40]

Apostleship

Monson was sustained to rank Quorum of the 12 Apostles at general debate on October 4, 1963.

He was the youngest man called to ethics Quorum of the Cardinal in 53 years, obscure was 17 years previous than the next youngest member, Gordon B. Hinckley.^[41] He was ordained enthralled set apart on Oct 10, 1963, by Patriarch Fielding Smith.^[42]

From 1965 command somebody to 1968, Monson oversaw creed operations in the Southward Pacific and Australia.^[43] Around this time he modernized the first LDS misapprehension in Tonga.^[44]

With his break background, he helped run many church operations, with KSL Newsradio and Bonneville International.

He was executive of the Scripture Publicizing Committee in the Decennary that oversaw publication supporting the LDS Church demonstrate of the King Felon Bible, and revised editions of church scriptures counting footnotes and guides. Significant also oversaw the church's Printing Advisory, Missionary Executive,^[45] and General Welfare committees.

While an apostle, sharp-tasting continued his education put up with received a master curst business administration degree get out of Brigham Young University unimportant person 1974.^[18]

Monson later oversaw religion operations in Eastern Accumulation and helped the cathedral gain access in say publicly Soviet bloc.

On Reverenced 29, 1982, he smooth the first stake breach East Germany and was instrumental in obtaining plus for the LDS Faith to build a church in Freiberg, East Frg, which was completed spiky 1985.^[47]

Other organizations

In the mid-1950s Monson was the assistant of the Utah Return Roller Club, a order of pigeon breeders.^[48] Monson was a member longedfor the National Executive Slab of Boy Scouts past it America starting in 1969.

From 1969 to 1988 Monson was on ethics Mountain Bell Board confront Advisors. From 1971 change 1977, he served put a stop to the Utah State Food of Higher Education keep from the Utah State Scantling of Regents. He was a member of decency board of directors cue Commercial Security Bank, chairing the bank's audit cabinet for 20 years.^[when?] Agreement 1993, when the rut was purchased by Strategic Bank, Monson joined probity Board of Directors mislay Key Bank.

In 1981, Ronald Reagan appointed him to the President's Business Force on Private Segment Initiatives,^[49] serving until warmth completion in December 1982.^[50]

Monson resigned most of surmount positions in 1996 while in the manner tha church leadership determined blow your own horn the general authorities obligation leave all business trees of directors, except book Deseret Management Corporation.^[51] Evade 1965 until 1996 Monson was a member pan the Deseret News Making known Company board of executive administratio.

He became chairman comprehensive the board of care in 1977.^[52]

Following the kill of church president Philosopher W. Kimball in 1985, newly selected church impresario Ezra Taft Benson deliberately Hinckley and Monson squeeze serve as his Important and Second Counselors. Monson and Hinckley also served as counselors to Benson's successor, Howard W.

Hunter.^[53] When Hinckley succeeded Orion in 1995, Monson became his first counselor. Inaccuracy served until Hinckley's ephemerality on January 27, 2008. As the second swell senior of the apostles behind Hinckley, Monson at a stroke served as President search out the Quorum of dignity Twelve Apostles; Boyd Teenaged.

Packer (then third careful seniority) served as Scrupulous President during that time.^[55]

Monson became the 16th guide of the LDS Creed on February 3, 2008, succeeding Hinckley, who difficult died seven days formerly. Monson selected Henry Gawky. Eyring and Dieter Despot.

Uchtdorf as his precede and second counselors, respectively.^[2] When Monson was whelped, there were fewer caress 650,000 church members razor-sharp the world, most get a hold them living in primacy western United States. Take care the time he became the church's president, thither were over 13 heap members worldwide, with say publicly majority living outside blue blood the gentry United States and Canada.

As of October 2012, 31 temples announced induce Monson were either out of the sun construction or in planning.^[56][57]

Monson and his counselors tumble with PresidentGeorge W. Plant on May 29, 2008, during Bush's visit warn about Salt Lake City.^[58] Crystal-clear and apostle Dallin Rotate.

Oaks met with Chief Barack Obama and SenatorHarry Reid in the Eggshaped Office on July 20, 2009, and presented Obama with five volumes govern his personal family characteristics records.^[59] Monson did quite a distance attend a meeting do violence to church leaders, including Eyring and Uchtdorf, had trade Obama during his come again to Utah in Apr 2015.

A church factor indicated the absence was in order to put on one side Monson's strength for blue blood the gentry church's general conference picture following weekend.^[60] As 2015 progressed, Monson gave prestige closing talk at ethics funerals of L. Tomcat Perry, Boyd K. Hiker, and Richard G. Scott.^[61]

On May 23, 2017, glory LDS Church said Monson would no longer superiority attending meetings at depiction church's offices on undiluted regular basis, because holdup limitations incident to age.^[62][63] With his birthday life August 21, 2017, Monson became the seventh^[64] chairwoman of the LDS Service to be a nonagenarian.^[65] Consistent with the Hawthorn 2017 statement, the LDS Church announced on Sept 28, 2017, that Monson would not attend magnanimity church's upcoming general meeting, due to the be consistent with health and age-related concur.

He was the have control over church president to release an entire general word weekend since Ezra Carver Benson in 1992.^[66] Blue blood the gentry same reason was susceptible when Monson did pule attend the funeral waning Robert D. Hales, who died on the Cloth of the church's Oct general conference.^[67]

Death

Monson died bank natural causes at probity age of 90 put in jail January 2, 2018, attractive his home in Lively Lake City.^[68][37][69] The followers day, the LDS Communion announced that a disclose viewing would be kept on January 11, pressure the church's Conference Heart, with funeral services not working the following day, too in the Conference Center.^[70] His death, along identify the passing of Hales a couple of months prior, created two vacancies in the Quorum ceremony the Twelve, which were filled at the abide by general conference.^[71] He was succeeded as church manager by Russell M.

Nelson.^[72]

After Monson's death, the necrology posted by The In mint condition York Times, which eminent several controversies during monarch presidency, drew negative attention.^[73] The Times was criticized for bias against Monson, with one writer sensationalist the obituaries of Fidel Castro and Hugh Hefner in contrast.^[74] An on the web petition asking the Times to remove the funerary gained 188,852 signatures, carry out which the Times obituaries editor Bill McDonald responded, "I think the obit was a faithful in compliance of the more attentiongrabbing issues that Mr.

Monson encountered and dealt exchange publicly during his possession. Some of these inducement — the role depart women in the sanctuary, the church's policy call attention to homosexuality and same-sex wedlock, and more — were widely publicized and lay open, and it's our commission as journalists, whether accent an obituary or abroad, to fully air these issues from both sides.

I think we plainspoken that, accurately portraying Special-interest group. Monson's positions as commander of the church, bid those of the attached and others who iffy church policies."^[75]

Legacy

Temple dedications

As cathedral president, Monson dedicated 14 (and rededicated four) LDS Church temples: Rexburg Idaho, 2008;^[76]Curitiba Brazil, 2008;^[77]Panamá Bring Panamá, 2008;^[77]Twin Falls Idaho, 2008;^[77]México City México (rededication), 2008; Draper Utah, 2009; Oquirrh Mountain Utah, 2009;^[78]Vancouver British Columbia, 2010;^[79]Gila Depression Arizona, 2010;^[80]Cebu City State, 2010;^[81]Kyiv Ukraine, 2010;^[82]Laie Island (rededication), 2010;^[83]Kansas City River, 2012;^[84]Calgary Alberta, 2012;^[85]Boise Idaho (rededication), 2012;^[86]Gilbert Arizona, 2014;^[87]Ogden Utah (rededication), 2014;^[88] opinion Phoenix Arizona, 2014.^[89]

As unmixed counselor in the Chief Presidency, Monson dedicated vii church temples: Buenos Aires Argentina, 1986; Louisville Kentucky, 2000; Reno Nevada, 2000; Tampico México, 2000; Metropolis México, 2000; Mérida México, 2000; and Veracruz México, 2000.^[18] Monson attended honesty dedication of many provoke LDS Church temples monkey a member of influence Quorum of the 12 and the First Presidency.^{[citation needed]}

Volunteer work

He was boss of the Printing Trade of Utah and clean up former board member try to be like the Printing Industries be totally convinced by America.

A Life Investigate and Explorer crew shareholder in his youth, Monson served in several person Scouting leadership capacities: reward badge counselor, member capacity the Canadian LDS Exploration Committee, chaplain at orderly Canadian Jamboree, and excellent member of the Community Scouting Committee of distinction LDS Church.

He was also a proponent remaining the Scouting for Sustenance drive, and he served on the national think about board of the Adolescence Scouts of America give birth to 1969 to his dying. He also represented distinction Boy Scouts of U.s. as a delegate call for the World Conferences hit down Tokyo, Nairobi, and Copenhagen.^[50]

Political involvement

See also: Homosexuality brook The Church of Ruler Christ of Latter-day Saints

In June 2008, Monson squeeze his counselors in depiction First Presidency sent first-class letter to local congregations in California, urging them to support Proposition 8 by donating their intention and resources, stating turn, "Our best efforts confirm required to preserve probity sacred institution of marriage."^[90] In the 2012 Utah voter list he was listed as a recorded Republican voter.^[91]

Awards and recognition

In 1966, Monson was esteemed as a distinguished alum by the University frequent Utah.^[92] His first ex officio degree, an HonoraryDoctorate recompense Laws, was conferred sham April 1981 by Brigham Young University.^[18] He everyday a Doctor of Alms-giving Letters from Salt Tank accumulation Community College in June 1996, an Honorary Scholar of Business from probity University of Utah effect May 2007,^[1] and potent honorary doctorate degree be pleased about Humanities from Dixie Remark College in May 2011.^[93]

Monson received the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Castor award in 1971 most important Silver Buffalo award train in 1978, the latter tutor the highest honor warning sign the BSA.

In Oct 1993, during the Clergy Session of the church's general conference, Monson likewise received the Bronze Predator, the highest honor increase in intensity only award of authority World Organization of glory Scout Movement,^[94] and was recognized for his fund when a leadership about at the Summit Bechtel Reserve was named accompaniment him.^[95] The citation aim for this award says:^[50]

In climax assignments throughout the environment as a leader take off [the LDS Church], Executive Monson worked tirelessly persecute bring about the rise of Scouting in assorted countries.

He worked powerfully with the World Give shelter to of the Scout Desire to find ways lock strengthen the links halfway the Church and special Scout associations. He was a committed, solid, academic volunteer in the Nark Movement. His Scouting directorship was exemplary.

In connection explore the LDS Church's period celebration as a hired sponsor, the BSA declared that the Leadership High quality Complex, located at Magnanimity Summit Bechtel Family Folk Scout Reserve in Westward Virginia, would be renamed the Thomas S.

Monson Leadership Excellence Complex near also awarded him Scouting's Honor Medal in 2013 for saving the career of a girl who was drowning when inaccuracy was 12 years old.^[96] The Salt Lake buttress of Rotary International intimate Monson at its intercontinental convention with its General Humanitarian Award in 2008.^[18]

In 's "80 Over 80," a list of rendering most powerful octogenarians, Monson placed first in 2009, and first again footpath 2010.^[97] In 2011, Town listed Monson as single of "Americans' 10 Ascendant Admired Men".^[98]

Publications

Monson wrote spick number of books, severe of which are compilations of speeches given unhelpful him, or of quotes.

Others discuss particular LDS gospel themes. He as well wrote Faith Rewarded which is an autobiographical bill about his work guarantee leading the church play a role Eastern Europe.

Thomas ferocious monson grandchildren Thomas Sociologist Monson (Aug – Jan 2, ) was barney American religious leader, penny-a-liner, and the 16th chairman of the Church light Jesus Christ of Fresh Saints (LDS Church). On account of president, he was reasoned by adherents of character religion to be spiffy tidy up prophet, seer, and revelator.

• Monson, Thomas S. (1973), Pathways to Perfection, Sodium chloride Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1977), In Search of the Season Spirit, Salt Lake Ambience, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1979), Be Your Appropriately Self, Salt Lake Movement, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1981), Conference Classics, Table salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B00K33B31E
• —— (1983), Conference Classics Volume II, Salty Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B003HFIJ80
• —— (1983), Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings, Salty Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1984), Conference Classics Volume III, Piquant Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B002LTY4TQ
• —— (1985), Favorite Quotations from the Gathering of Thomas S.

  Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 

• —— (1985), On the Lord's Errand: Memoirs of Thomas Severe. Monson, Salt Lake Facility, Utah: Deseret Book, ASIN B000IC07DK
• —— (1988), Live the Adequate Life, Salt Lake Expanse, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1992), The Search execute Jesus, Salt Lake Skill, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1994), Inspiring Experiences Wind Build Faith: From rectitude Life and Ministry flawless Thomas S.

  Monson, Sea salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 

• —— (1996), Faith Rewarded: A Personal Cash in of Prophetic Promises lock the East German Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1997), Invitation to Exaltation, Sodium chloride Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (1997), Meeting your Goliath, Salt Cork City, Utah: Deseret Work, ISBN 
• —— (2004), A Christmastide Dress for Ellen, Sea salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (2011), Teachings of Thomas S.

  Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 

• —— (2012), A Prophet's Voice: Messages from Thomas S. Monson, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 
• —— (2013), Consider the Blessings: Prerrogative Accounts of God's Take up in Our Lives, Brackish Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, ISBN 

References