President Thomas S. Monson

Throughout this next little while I plan to post about each member of the First Presidency and the 12 Apostles. They are all such wonderful examples and give great guidance and counsel for our time. I hope that we will come to know them a little better and have a greater resolve to follow their words.

President Monson's Biography

President Thomas S. Monson has served as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since February 3, 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 sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 4, 1963, and ordained an Apostle on October 10, 1963, at the age of 36. (Click on the link above for the entire biographical sketch.)

President Thomas S. Monson
By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

This talk is filled with wonderful stories and experiences of President Monson (to read the talk it it's entirety click on the link above). I selected only a portion of the very beginning of the talk because I think it perfectly portrays the devotion President Monson has for this work and for the Savior. He has indeed responded according to the will of the Lord.

"Over the course of his many callings in the Church, President Thomas S. Monson has moved from office to office, location to location. With every move he has carefully taken with him a particular painting. He has had it since he was a bishop in the 1950s. He took it with him when he presided over the Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto. It now hangs in the office he occupies as President of the Church. The painting is a striking image of the Lord Jesus Christ by famed artist Heinrich Hofmann (I am assuming the picture below is the picture spoken of).

The painting is more than a decoration for the office wall. It is more than a reminder of who is the “chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is more than a declaration that the man called to be President of the Church is expected to be chief among the living witnesses of the Savior. The painting represents an ideal—the Master after whom Thomas Monson has modeled his life. “I love that painting,” President Monson said as he gazed at it yet again. “I feel strength in having it near me. Look at the kindness in those eyes. Look at the warmth of expression. When facing difficult situations, I often look at it and ask myself, ‘What would He do?’ Then I have tried to respond accordingly.”

Recent General Conference Addresses by President Monson

October 2008 - To Learn, to Do, to Be

Finding Joy in the Journey

April 2008 - Examples of Righteousness

Looking Back and Moving Forward

Abundantly Blessed

Articles and Videos of President Monson

President Monson Wiggles His Ears

President Monson as a Little Boy