President Thomas S. Monson

A few short weeks ago, Thomas Spencer Monson was sustained as the 16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the upcoming April General Conference (April 5th and 6th, 2008), we will have the chance to add our individual sustaining vote to the chorus of Heaven that already sustains him.

There is no other man on earth more experienced, or more spiritually equipped to helm the Church at this time. President Monson has served as an Apostle since October 4, 1963 (over 44 years), and has been working in Church leadership for more than 65 years. He has served all over the world, coming to know the many peoples in the Lord's Kingdom. His unique gifts include a photographic memory, a legendary ability to work (sometimes requiring up to three secretaries at a time to handle all he accomplishes in a day1), and a complete and total dedication to acting as the Savior would. These enable President Monson to touch each individual he comes in contact with.

When he speaks, President Monson often teaches through songs, poetry and even stories. Often he will be a character in the stories he tells, but his focus is never on himself or his accomplishments, but on simply doing what Heavenly Father wants for each of us to be doing--being about our Father's business, loving and serving our brothers and sisters.

Perhaps the greatest lesson we learn from President Monson is the power of a personal ministry. Very very few of us can claim to be busier than he is, and yet President Monson makes time to serve, not just in the grand councils of the Church, but through individual personal service. His service is a model for what our own efforts should be to bless the lives of others. President Monson, as Prophet, Seer and Revelator for the Church visits the widows and serves in scouting, serving both the old and the young. In this and in so much more, our President is much like the Christ, who as the source of all prophecy, sight and revelation, still serves each of us individually and personally.

The words Elder Jeffrey R. Holland wrote of him in 1994 still ring true today, "This man, whom we sustain in a new First Presidency of the Church, is a finisher, a winner, a friend to all he ever knew. He is the man the late Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve once called 'a genius in Church government.' But he is also the man whose greatest talent may be, according to his daughter, 'making memories for his grandchildren.' This is a man who seemingly does it all--and does it all the way." 1 May the Lord bless our new Prophet and President and may we sustain him by following his example in loving and serving our fellow beings.

1Jeffrey R. Holland, "President Thomas S. Monson: Finishing the Course, Keeping the Faith," Ensign, Sep 1994, 12-13