A news release from the LDS church website, www.lds.org, reads, “With tender feelings we announce that Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, died this evening (January 2, 2018) at 10:01 p.m. in his home in Salt Lake City. He was with family at the time of his passing. He died at age 90 from causes incident to age.”
Thomas S. Monson was born in Salt Lake City on August 21, 1927, to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. He was ordained an apostle on October 10, 1963, at the age of 36.
President Monson has served as president of the Church since February 2008. He was the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Sixteen million members of the Church knew President Monson as one who was a faithful servant and who was a strong example of Jesus Christ and his teachings.
A quote President Monson was well remembered for is: “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.” There was always careful attention given to ‘the one’ by President Monson as he so eloquently expressed in his many stories over the years. We fondly remember how he ministered to the widows in his ward when he was first called as an LDS bishop at age 22.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd counselor in the First Presidency of the LDS Church said, “…Everyone could feel comfortable in his presence. At the same time, when he walked with kings, with prime ministers, with presidents, with representatives of nations, it was the same way. They all felt that he was their friend.”
Here are some other well-remembered quotes President Monson has said over the years:
“Decisions do determine destiny.”
“Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.”
“Choose your love, love your choice.”
“Keep the commandments. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.”
“Prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.”
“Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless but they are perishable! There are hearts to gladden, there are kind words to say, there are gifts to be given!”
Jennie Taylor, of North Ogden, says, “When I see pictures of President Monson through the years, I am touched by how evident it is that he truly gave his entire life to the Lord—his young adulthood, his early family life years, the decades that would have spanned a successful professional career, and even his retirement and “sunset” years. He has worn out his mortal life in the service of his Master, and I can think of no greater accolade to bestow on the passing of this beloved Prophet of God.”
Funeral services for President Thomas S. Monson will be held in the Conference Center on Temple Square Friday, January 12, 2018, at 12:00 p.m. MST. The funeral will be open to the public ages 8 and older. Those who attend the funeral services must be in their seats by 11:30 a.m. Seating is a first come first served basis. Overflow seating will be offered in the adjacent tabernacle with large-screen viewing.
A public viewing open to all ages will take place Thursday, January 11, from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Center.
My dear mom, Cheryl Humphreys, said, “In this decade of discouraging news headlines, President Monson’s optimism was sunshine to our souls.”
With the apostle Paul, President Monson will certainly be able to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
