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.
Filed under: Current Events, Inspiration, Relationships, Religion , apostle, church, flaws, God, Gordon B. Hinckley, Heavenly Father, humility, imperfection, Jesus Christ, kindness, love, Mormons, perfection, Power, prophet, Service, succession, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Holy Ghost, Thomas S. Monson
SHOCKING!
Just kidding. I don’t share your squeamishness for Monson (he’s one of my favorites), but I appreciate your post. While the leaders of the church are great men, they are still men and have many flaws. Some people have difficulty accepting that. I think your post provides an excellent example of the right attitude to have in this sort of situation. Especially important is your #8 point.
It’s good that we have prayer to comfirm things that our minds can’t understand. I am also a fan of President Monson and all of the Apostles. They are humans on God’s errand. They ALWAYS make it a point to make that known. Perhaps in the coming General Confrence you might be thankful that the desicion was not left to you. And that if any of us had half the faith and commitment that Pres. Monson does. We would be better off. And you may want to prepare yourself before a meeting to have the spirit and be in tune. Might I suggest my friend that it’s possible that it is you and a lack of preparation that makes you squeemish. And perhaps why you, as well as I have much to learn about Heavenly Fathers way of doing things. If we have trouble with something…prayer is the answer. I am glad you have recieved that witness for yourself. However I might suggest that next time you might talk to your friends and ward family about your concerns instead of posting them on the internet.
It appears Sandy has a problem with my posting my thoughts on the internet. I’d like to know what those concerns are. I have discussed this with others in my ward and elsewhere. Is this not appropriate for internet discussion?
I don’t see anything wrong with you expressing your feelings about this online. I think you’ve shown us a process that is fundamental to personal testimony. Often, I hear the idea that members of the church BLINDLY follow their leaders. You have demonstrated this is not true. You have listed many positive qualities of Brother Monson, you’ve expressed your personal past, yet truthful, feelings, and you’ve told how you have prayed for a personal confirmation that Thomas Monson is the Lord’s choice to lead His church. Every member of the church should go through that same process of study and prayer before blindly following any person, or belief.
I have experienced this same thing before and by the time General Conference came around I felt nothing but love for the new prophet. The Lord has the ability to change our hearts and I’m sure you are feeling love for our next President and Prophet.
Hi! I appreciated your post about President Monson, because I know that I and a few others who I have talked to also have had a hard time with the idea of him being the prophet. This hasn’t really been based on any conflict with his teachings or concern about his worthiness at all. You know what it is? We don’t think he’s a great speaker. He has a tendency to follow a certain pattern in most of his talks, he tells old-fashioned sugary sweet stories from his childhood, he recites simple poems that sound like they were memorized out of “A Child’s Book of Verse”, and he quotes “Fiddler on the Roof” just about every chance he gets. He sounds like a flashback to another era, someone the family would gather around the radio to listen to on Sunday evenings.
That being said, I think we as members of the church have a tendency to judge our leaders too much based on the quality of their conference addresses. We forget that the Lord doesn’t call people to be apostles because they can write a great talk. All of the members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have great strengths and skills in a variety of areas that we don’t see in April and October. We don’t see or know them on a personal level, and yet we assume we know them because we have heard them speak. Well, how would all of you like to be judged on your worthiness and abilities by the talks you have given in sacrament meeting? I think we’d all be in trouble there.
I may or may not enjoy President Monson’s talks more after he is sustained as the prophet. But it doesn’t really matter. I know that the Lord has called him for a specific purpose at this time, and I’m sure that we’ll begin to understand that purpose more clearly over the course of the next few years.
I appreciate your post and I can relate to many of the comments here. For my part, I am looking forward to watching the transformation that will soon take place in Thomas S. Monson once the mantle of the office is (as we all assume) conferred upon him.
I have been privileged to watch this happen in several prophets over the course of my life thus far. It ALWAYS happens. Each man has issues that we think may be irreconcilable but then the priesthood keys are confirmed, and everything works out. I will never forget how vehemently people spoke out against Ezra Taft Benson due to his political views and firey anti-communist comments, however his presidency was focused on revitalizing the publishing and reading of the Book of Mormon and building missionary work to new heights. A lot of people worried about Gordon B. Hinckley as well. He was known to have a temper and be very outspoken. However, the Lord used all of that drive and passion inside and channeled it into overseeing the greatest growth physically and spiritually our church has ever experienced. If you study any other prophet in the past you will find similar stories. It becomes a marvelous testimony builder for the Saints! We are reminded that the head and director of this church is Jesus Christ. This is truly His church. If it wasn’t it would have failed a long time ago. Christ is the one who knows who will be the best mouthpiece and leader for each time period. What a joy and a privilege it will be for all of us to witness the legacy He has in store for Thomas S. Monson.
All of this is going to come at an immense sacrifice on the part of the one being called. Our hearts should be poured out in prayer continually for our dear apostles during this transition period, and for Thomas S. Monson in particular. Imagine how completely overwhelmed he must feel right now! He has lost his two best friends and his most trusted guides in only a matter of months. First, President Faust, and then President Hinckley. He now stands alone. He faces the terrifying and humbling responsibility to follow in such large footsteps.The best thing we can do right now is to follow our dear President Hinckley’s constant plea to “Go Forth With Faith”.
As President Hinckley was fond of saying:
“It will All Work Out!”
I think you are open to be criticized if your post on the internet, and you should probably expect it…your first line even sounded like you might expect some criticism. However, I find no problem with you voicing your opinions openly and honestly. I think it is refreshing to hear that the power of prayer has worked to confirm to you that President Monson is God’s choice, and the fact that he has made you squeamish in the past does not reflect badly upon you, in my eyes. That you do not use that as a reason to think he is the wrong man for the position reflects highly upon your character.
I also think this is a wonderful topic to share on the internet. Somewhere out in the world, someone may be feeling the same squemishness and discover, by reading your post, that he/she is not a bad person for feeling that way, and that they need only to pray in order to receive the same comformation you have received. I appreciate your honest and heartfelt comments on this subject.
I used to groan when President Monson stood to speak. I did not like his anecdotal approach and the poetry he weaved into his talks. As I have grown older, and hopefully wiser, I am eager to hear President Monson’s reamrks. I don’t know what happened but I love his talks now. I think it may have something to do with James’ teaching on how pure religion, undefiled is to visit the widow and the fatherless. Here is a man who has found power in the priesthood by so doing. He will be an amazing Church leader. He has been in the First Presidency for 22 years, and he has great organizational and leadership skills. Mark my words; if you thought President Hinckley’s tenure was dynamic, we ain’t seen nothing yet. President Hinckley often said “this is only the beginning”!! Mind blowing.
I love the prohpet Thomas S. Monson for he is a true prophet that leads us for our way to heavenly father
The future is as bright as your faith.
-Thomas S. Monson