Thomas S. Monson: Everything you need to know about recently deceased Mormon Church president

He died on January 2, 2018, at the age of 90.

The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, also known as Mormon, has lost her president.

The church’s president, Thomas S. Monson, died peacefully on January 2, 2018, at the ripe age of 90.

 

His death was announced by a spokesperson through the church’s organization’s official Twitter feed.

 

According to the church-affiliated Deseret News, the late Mormon president died at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Reactions

The news of his death has been met with an outpouring of positive responses from Mormon church members, politicians, and world leaders including Donald Trump.

The American said in a statement that he and First Lady Melania Trump were “deeply saddened” by his death.

 

“More than anything else during a lifetime of ministry, President Monson will be known for his charitable acts,” Stuart Reid, a former state legislator, told The Salt Lake Tribune.

“A great, great soul; I loved him,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

 

“Will miss his friendship. I’ll miss him as a friend,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

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What you need to know about Thomas S. Monson

He was named the Church’s 16th president in 2008. Prior to this, he was a counselor to three Church presidents: second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson and President Howard W. Hunter, and, for nearly 13 years, first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley.

His entry into the church’s governance started after he joined the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a governing body of the church at 36 years old. He ended up spending 54 years in several leading positions, including his last rank as President of the Church. Monson held this position for almost 10 years, Deseret News reports.

 

Under his leadership, membership grew from 13 to over 16 million worldwide. A lot of new temples were built, according to the church.

He also caused an increase in the number of missionaries by reducing the minimum age requirement.

Church members saw Monson as a kind-hearted, selfless leader who genuinely cared about others. He was also considered to be a “prophet who received divine revelations.”

 

According to several sources, the longest-serving member of the church’s governing body named 93-year-old Russell Nelson is most likely to be his successor.

The next president will assume office after Monson’s funeral on January 12, 2018.

 

Personal life

To his daughter, Ann M. Dibb, Monson was an incredible father who led with love.

In her words, “My children do have good memories with my parents. Whether it’s sitting around the campfire at Vivian Park, roasting marshmallows at the cabin, or whether it’s a trip, or whether it’s just in the basement on a Sunday night: they have great remembrances and they always feel loved.”

 

When asked how he wanted to be remembered in 1997, the Church News reports that he responded with this: “I tried my best. He certainly succeeded in doing just that.

 

He is survived by an ex-wife, Sister Frances Johnson Monson (1927–2013) and three children, Dibb, Thomas Lee Monson, and Clark Spencer Monson.

posted by Campus94