Thomas Spencer Monson (August 21, 1927 – January 2, 2018) was an American religious leader who served as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from February 3, 2008, until his death in January 2018. As president, he was regarded by adherents as a prophet, seer, and revelator.
Early Life and Education Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to G. Spencer Monson and Gladys Condie Monson. He grew up during the Great Depression and attended public schools in Salt Lake City, graduating from West High School. He served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1945 to 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of Utah in 1948 and later received a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1974.
Early Career Before his full-time service as a general authority of the LDS Church, Monson worked in the printing and publishing industry. He began his career with the Deseret News in 1948, eventually becoming an advertising executive. He later served as the sales manager for Deseret News Press, one of the largest printing companies in the western United States. He was also involved with the Printing Industry of Utah and Printing Industries of America.
Service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Monson's extensive service in the LDS Church began at a young age:
- Bishop and Stake President: He was ordained a bishop at age 22, overseeing a ward of over 1,000 members. He later served as a counselor in a stake presidency.
- Mission President: From 1959 to 1962, Monson presided over the Canadian Mission, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.
- Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: In 1963, at the age of 36, Monson was called to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, one of the church's highest governing bodies. He served in this capacity for 45 years, becoming the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1995.
- First Presidency: In 1985, Monson was called to serve as Second Counselor in the First Presidency by President Ezra Taft Benson. He continued in this role under President Howard W. Hunter and then as First Counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley from 1995 until Hinckley's death in 2008.
President of the Church Following the death of Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson was ordained and set apart as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 3, 2008. His presidency was characterized by a continued emphasis on missionary work, humanitarian service, and temple building.
- Humanitarian Efforts: Monson often spoke of the importance of service and charity. He was known for his personal visits to the sick and elderly throughout his life, exemplifying the church's commitment to compassionate outreach.
- Temple Building: During his tenure, the church continued to announce and dedicate new temples worldwide, making sacred ordinances accessible to more members. He presided over the dedication of numerous temples across the globe.
- Missionary Work: Under his leadership, the church lowered the age requirement for missionary service in 2012, allowing young men to serve at 18 and young women at 19, which led to a significant increase in the number of missionaries serving worldwide.
- Technology and Outreach: The church also expanded its use of technology for gospel dissemination, family history work, and global communication.
Personal Life Monson married Frances Beverly Johnson on October 7, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children. Frances Monson passed away in 2013. Monson was known for his storytelling, his love for the outdoors, and his compassionate nature, often remembered for his ability to connect with individuals.
Death Thomas S. Monson died on January 2, 2018, at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 90, from causes incident to age. He was succeeded by Russell M. Nelson as President of the Church.