What I am about to say may be shocking. If it startles or offends you please read on. For I am not a heretic but a believer and have a faith filled observation to make:
During my life I have always felt a bit squeamish when Thomas S. Monson comes to the pulpit. He seems to have a tendency to “toot his own horn,” which has always put me off. Had it been up to me, he might not have come to the position that is about to be placed upon him.
That said, I am presently prepared to sustain him as the new President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with all my heart. Let me explain why.
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I am more fully aware of President Monson’s life, teachings, service and history (largely because of his tooting) than I have been with regard to any of his predecessors as they approached the office. His life has been truly exemplary from a very early age. He was called to be Bishop at the age of 22.
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He is not the first of the presidents of the church, with whom I had personality conflict that put me off in some way. Yet my experience has been that the conflict seemed to evaporate as I observed them accept the mantle of prophet leader of the church. I don’t pretend to fully understand why this has happened in the past, but it has occurred often enough that I fully expect it to occur again this time.
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When I filter out the horn tooting, there is nothing in the teachings of this great man that are not inspiring, uplifting, beneficial, plain, simple and true. In all these years, he as taught only correct principles of life and living and the gospel of Jesus Christ. His loyalty to the truth is unmistakable.
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His reputation for kind, thoughtfulness is irrefutable. He clearly walks the walk, not merely talking the talk.
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His life is characterized by doing what God wishes, rather than what Thomas wishes. I take that back, it is clear that Thomas only wishes what God wishes. I just meant that he is careful to consider the wishes of God and then to do them. He is clearly, long practiced in hearing and heeding the promptings of the Spirit. And….it occurs to me that the Spirit has quite likely required him to “toot his own horn” on many occasions.
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If God had not wanted Thomas S. Monson to be in the position he is presently in, that of soon being called to serve as Prophet and President of the church, he simply would not be here. The system of succession in the church is flawless, entirely in the hands of God, consistent and confidence building. None of these men have sought the positions in which they serve. They simply lived worthy lives and answered the call.
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I have no expectation that any of the prophets are, or will be, during their tenure, perfect human beings. They are good, fine, loyal, righteous people, to be sure, but I do not expect them to be flawless and neither does God. All that is expected is that they do their best and that they humbly rely upon God to compensate for their weakness. Perhaps that is the chief characteristic that qualifies them to serve in such positions - they have learned humility, through which God is able to strengthen them sufficiently to make magnificent use of them.
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Finally, and under-girding and overarching all the rest, I have prayed and asked God for a personal affirmation that this man, Thomas S. Monson, is truly Heavenly Father’s choice to lead His church through the coming years. I have received that affirmation. An undeniable witness in my heart that God continues to direct the affairs of His church. That personal revelation is the rock upon which His church is founded. In the present and coming days millions upon millions of Latter-day Saints (and any others who would) will quietly plead with their Father in Heaven to confirm in their hearts the witness that President Monson is His prophet, their prophet, and He will answer.
There is a fine biographical sketch of President Monson in the Salt Lake Tribune.
