Thomas S. Monson

Thomas S. Monsonlds.org 

A little boy sits in his Sunday school class learning the teachings of Jesus; little did he know someday he would become the President of his church. As a young child, Tommy Monson sought out ways he could help others (“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign). Thomas S. Monson was born on August 21, 1927 in Salt Lake City Utah, to G. Spencer and Gladys Monson (“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign). Throughout his life, he served in various capacities in multiple organizations such as, “The National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America and received numerous awards from national and international scouting bodies” (Charles, Trumbull). Not only was he an ambassador for many organizations, but he personally reached out to individuals who might need an extra amount of attention (Swinton). In 1985 Monson was appointed to the church's highest executive body, the First Presidency, and in 2008 he was sustained as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Charles, Trumbull). Throughout his presidency, he ministered all around the world blessing countless lives. On October 4, 2017 health concerns arose and a few months later on January 2, 2018 Thomas S. Monson passed away (Janae Francis). President Monson, the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was a hero because of his compassion towards everyone he served, his willingness to be selfless to fulfill his callings, and faith in God that helped him lead his church.

Boys Scouts of Americaldsbsa.orgThomas S. Monson was a compassionate individual, doing his best to serve all people. He traveled to countries around the world, finding people in need of his service. During one such trip to Germany, Monson gave away his second suit, returned home shuffling through the airport in his slippers due to also giving away his shoes to one in need (Swinton). He had the opportunity to serve in humanitarian groups, “The 80-year-old Monson is a folksy orator known for his compassion and willingness to enlist non-Mormons in humanitarian causes” (Monson Poised). He was awarded the Rotary’s Worldwide Humanitarian Award for his service in causes such as The Boys Scouts of America and being on the board of President’s Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives appointed by Ronald Reagan.

Thomas Monson shakes a little girl's handldschurchnews.comEver since the beginning of Thomas S. Monson’s church service he was determined to do his best, trusting in the Lord. He was engaged in his callings in the church and always tried his best to help the members, “But Bishop Monson wasted no time; he prayed and went to work” (“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign). Monson prayed for those he taught and served. He also talked with members from the church to find ways he could further serve them. Something that mattered to President Monson was getting to know people on a personal level. He and his wife often traveled together on assignment, “And during those trips, ...Monson would always make time to meet and shake hands with as many church members as he could” (Lee, Hale). Even after being in a long meeting, that included speaking and training assignments, instead of quickly exiting, Monson would go down from the rostrum and spend significant time shaking hands with the people who come to listen to him. This act made the people feel special and loved. These compassionate acts by President Monson resulted in his ability to gain their trust and faith to guide them with revelation from God. The service and time he gave to the church resulted in gaining His people’s trust,  “...his service is most often manifest in reaching out, in caring for the one in need, in being prompted by the spirit and then acting on the prompting” (Swinton 498). Monson served others by acting on prompting's from God. It was always very important that he sought the guidance and direction from the Lord in carrying out his ministry. Thomas S. Monson served well in his calling because of the compassion he had to serve and help others in need; he never saw this as a burden.

Serving as the President of a church requires significant time, best efforts and spiritual strength. President Monson was a great example of what it means to be a significant spiritual leader. Monson put helping others first, “His concern and care for others, especially widows, continues to this day” (“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign). He was more caring for others than for himself, this made him a great church leader that people were drawn to listen to. He had a very supportive family; his children served him as his health declined. When he accepted his calling, his wife was extremely encouraging and explained that she would do her duty to support him from home with their three kids. When Monson and his wife, Frances Beverly Johnson, grew older he would take his wife on his business trips, “Under Monson's direction, the LDS church joined with mainstream Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups in supporting homeless shelters, food banks, nursing homes and disaster relief efforts in the United States and abroad” (Monson Poised). While they traveled together, Frances would care for Monson and make sure he was safe. The love they had for each other was eternal and this made their sacrifices bearable. Although being the President of his church made Monson’s life difficult, his willingness to sacrifice his time, made him a great leader.

Thomas S. Monson reaches out to servelds.orgThomas S. Monson was a man of great faith. His faith in God and calling as a prophet, allowed him to receive revelation from God to guide and direct the Church, “...Monson was seen as the closest link to God's guidance and revelation and the primary source for spiritual instruction” (Lee, Hale). Over a ten-year span, members of the church around the world looked to Monson for guidance from the Lord. He shared his thoughts in special gatherings, known as General Conferences of the Church, where members of the Church and people of all faiths could listen to him speak on how they could become closer to God. His talks in these gatherings would uplift people who listened, “He served, he loved, he strengthened; it was his duty, but it was also the course his heart dictated” (“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign). Monson always had a serving heart that brought him to those who needed help. His relationship with God was strong because his heart was aligned with God’s will. The people Monson ministered to could see the hand of God in his work, ‘ “We felt through it all that we were in the hands of the Lord, and we had confidence that whatever His judgement might be, that would be the right thing for us…” (Swinton 250). Everything Monson did was done as a disciple of Jesus Christ, serving Him and helping the Lord serve His children here on earth. Monson always acted as Jesus would in the ways he taught and served. President Monson was a dedicated man whose faith allowed him to influence people in Christ-like ways and bring a positive change in the lives of others around the world.

President Thomas S. Monson, is my hero because of his compassionate service and positive outlook on others, his willingness to selflessly fulfill God’s will, and his faith in God that allowed him to lead his Church. He was willing to do anything for anyone and was known for the love he showed the world, “Throughout his ministry, President Monson has emphasized service. He has also encouraged members to rescue those who are struggling” (“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign). He not only served but he also inspired others to serve as well. Monson gained inspiration from God on how he could help the Lord better the world. He was a man of God and an example of a loving individual, “No man was better prepared to engage the Church in such a concentrated effort to reach out to those facing the loneliness of the self-absorbed, self-centered cultures of today”(Swinton 504). He is an inspiration to all on how to resemble Christ in their lives. Thomas S. Monson is a hero to all for all of the service, love and compassion he provided to many throughout the world. He brought joy, peace, and comfort to many lives, including mine through his talks and ministering. I am striving to become someone just as influential and faithful as he was, as I attempt to make a positive change in the world.

Monson with his peoplelds.org 

Works Cited

Charles, Trumbull. "Monson, Thomas Spencer." ["Britannica Biographies"]. Britannica Biographies, 3/1/2012, p. 1. EBSCOhost,

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Janae Francis, Sonja Carlson. "Concerns for Thomas S. Monson's Health Arise during Conference." Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT), 05 Oct. 2015.

EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=2W62141730446&site=ehost-live.

Meixler, Eli. "Thomas S. Monson, the President of the Mormon Church, Has Died at 90." Time.Com, 09 Jan. 2018, p. 1. EBSCOhost,

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"Monson Poised, Prepared as New Mormon Leader." ["Christian Century"]. Christian Century, vol. 125, no. 4, 26 Feb. 2008, pp. 16-17. EBSCOhost,

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"Thomas S. Monson Announces 4 New LDS Temples during April General Conference." Standard-Examiner (Ogden, UT), 03 Apr. 2016. EBSCOhost,

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“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign, LDS Church, 2018, www.lds.org/church/leader/thomas-s-monson?lang=eng.

“Thomas S. Monson.” Ensign, LDS Church, 2018, www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/what-are-prophets/bio/thomas-s-monson?lang=eng.

Swinton, Heidi S. To the Rescue: the Biography of Thomas S. Monson. Deseret Book, 2010.