Drawing from some of his beloved sermons and recollections, President Monson's own words tell the story of his life.Youthful plot does not go as planned (1930s)"During our primary years, there were those occasional disappointments which would leave us a little bruised — but never in a state of despair."At that time the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City was located in a remodeled house on North Temple, but a new hospital was soon to be constructed on the Avenues in Salt Lake City. Each Wednesday afternoon in Primary, we would talk about the future Primary Children's Hospital, where little children could be cared for and where skilled physicians could mend broken limbs and ease the effects of sickness."In our ward we had a cardboard replica of the hospital. It formed a bank with a little slot in the top of it. Each Wednesday we would sing and march to the tune, 'Give, said the little stream; Give, oh! give, give, oh! give. Give, said the little stream, as it hurried down the hill.'"To its cadence we would walk by the bank and put our pennies in it."I recall sitting next to a dear friend of mine and saying, 'Jack, I've got a good idea. I've got in my pocket a dime and a penny. When we march by and put that penny in the little bank, let's just march right out the front door. We won't go to class at all, but I'll take you over to the Hatch Dairy, and there we'll buy two of those delicious five-cent fudgesicles.'"Jack snuggled up to me and said, 'Let's see the dime.' He was doubting. Financial depression did that to boys."I reached in my pocket, produced the dime, and then carefully returned it to its safe place. Suddenly we heard the strains of the music and stood and marched by the little bank as we sang 'Give, said the little stream.'"I reached in my pocket and dropped my coin in the bank, walked out the front door with Jack, and headed for the Hatch Dairy. Just then he said, 'Let's see the dime again.'"I reached into my pocket to show him the dime and produced the penny. The dime had gone to the Primary Children's Hospital."As a disappointed boy, I walked back and put the penny in the bank also. For a long while I felt that I, perhaps, had the most substantial investment in the Primary Children's Hospital." — Ensign, April 1994Birds offer insight for first church talk (1930s)"I remember when I was asked to give my first talk."I was given the liberty of choosing any subject I wanted. I've always liked birds, so I thought of the Seagull Monument. In preparation I went to Temple Square and looked at the Seagull Monument."First of all, I was attracted to all the coins in the water and tried to figure out how to get the coins out without being seen. Then I looked upward at the seagull perched atop that monument and tried to imagine what it would be like to be a pioneer watching the first year's harvest of grain being devoured by crickets and then seeing those seagulls descending upon the fields and eating the crickets."I loved the story, and I sat down with a pencil and wrote out a 2 1/2-minute talk. I've never forgotten the seagulls. I've never forgotten the crickets. And I've never forgotten my knees knocking together during that 2 1/2-minute talk. I've never forgotten the experience of letting some of my innermost feelings be expressed verbally at the pulpit." — General conference, October 2000Boy's sacrifice adds to Christmas spirit (1930s)"Again Christmastime had come. We were preparing for the oven a gigantic turkey and anticipating the savory feast that awaited. A neighborhood pal of mine asked a startling question: 'What does turkey taste like?'"I responded, 'Oh, about like chicken tastes.'"Again a question: 'What does chicken taste like?'"It was then that I realized my friend had never eaten chicken or turkey. I asked what his family was going to have for their holiday dinner. There was no prompt response, just a downcast glance and the comment: 'I dunno. There's nothing in the house.'"I pondered a solution. There was none. I had no turkeys, no chickens, no money."Then I remembered I did have two pet rabbits. Immediately I placed them in a box and handed the box to my friend with the comment: 'Here, take these two rabbits. They're good to eat — just like chicken.'"He took the box, climbed the fence and headed for home — a Christmas dinner safely assured. Tears came easily to me as I closed the door to the empty rabbit hutch. But I was not sad. A warmth, a feeling of indescribable joy, filled my heart. It was a memorable Christmas." — Ensign, December 1995Unlike toy boats, we have the power to steer (1930s)"When I was about 10, my boyfriends and I would take pocketknives in hand and from the soft wood of a willow tree fashion small toy boats. With a triangular-shaped cotton sail in place, each would launch his crude craft in a race down the relatively turbulent waters of the Provo River."We would run along the river's bank and watch the tiny vessels sometimes bobbing violently in the swift current and at other times sailing serenely as the water deepened."During such a race, we noted that one boat led all the rest toward the appointed finish line. Suddenly, the current carried it too close to a large whirlpool, and the boat heaved to its side and capsized. Around and around it was carried, unable to make its way back into the main current."At last it came to rest at the end of the pool, amid the flotsam and jetsam which surrounded it, held fast by the fingerlike tentacles of the grasping green moss."The toy boats of childhood had no keel for stability, no rudder to provide direction and no source of power . . . We have been provided divine attributes to guide our destiny. We entered mortality not to float with the moving currents of life but with the power to think, to reason, and to achieve." — Ensign, November 1976"Special" pigeon prepares a teacher (1940s)"As a boy of 15 I was called to preside over a quorum of teachers. Our adviser was interested in us, and we knew it. One day he said to me, 'Tom, you enjoy raising pigeons, don't you?'"I responded with a warm 'Yes.'"Then he proffered, 'How would you like me to give you a pair of purebred Birmingham roller pigeons?'"This time I answered, 'Yes, sir!' You see, the pigeons I had were just the common variety trapped on the roof of the Grant Elementary School."He invited me to come to his home the next evening. The next day was one of the longest in my young life. I was awaiting my adviser's return from work an hour before he arrived. He took me to his loft, which was in a small barn at the rear of his yard."As I looked at the most beautiful pigeons I had yet seen, he said, 'Select any male, and I will give you a female which is different from any other pigeon in the world.'"I made my selection. He then placed in my hand a tiny hen. I asked what made her so different. He responded, 'Look carefully, and you'll notice that she has but one eye.' Sure enough, one eye was missing, a cat having done the damage."'Take them home to your loft,' he counseled. 'Keep them in for about 10 days and then turn them out to see if they will remain at your place.'"I followed his instructions. Upon releasing them, the male pigeon strutted about the roof of the loft, then returned inside to eat. But the one-eyed female was gone in an instant. I called Harold, my adviser, and asked, 'Did that one-eyed pigeon return to your loft?'"'Come on over,' said he, 'and we'll have a look.'"As we walked from his kitchen door to the loft, my adviser commented, 'Tom, you are the president of the teachers quorum.' This I already knew. Then he added, 'What are you going to do to activate Bob?'"I answered, 'I'll have him at quorum meeting this week.'"Then he reached up to a special nest and handed to me the one-eyed pigeon. 'Keep her in a few days and try again.'"This I did, and once more she disappeared. Again the experience, 'Come on over and we'll see if she returned here.'"Came the comment as we walked to the loft: 'Congratulations on getting Bob to priesthood meeting. Now what are you and Bob going to do to activate Bill?'"'We'll have him there this week,' I volunteered."This experience was repeated over and over again. I was a grown man before I fully realized that, indeed, Harold, my adviser, had given me a special pigeon; the only bird in his loft he knew would return every time she was released. It was his inspired way of having an ideal personal priesthood interview with the teachers quorum president every two weeks."I owe a lot to that one-eyed pigeon. I owe more to that quorum adviser. He had the patience to help me prepare for opportunities which lay ahead." — General conference, April 1979Second shot given to prove self on court (1940s)"As a young teenager, I participated in a church basketball game . . . The coach sent me onto the playing floor right after the second half began. I took an inbounds pass, dribbled the ball toward the key and let the shot fly. Just as the ball left my fingertips, I realized why the opposing guards did not attempt to stop my drive: I was shooting for the wrong basket!"I offered a silent prayer: 'Please, Father, don't let that ball go in.' The ball rimmed the hoop and fell out."From the bleachers came the call: 'We want Monson, we want Monson, we want Monson — out!'"The coach obliged."Many years later, as a member of the Council of the Twelve, I joined other general authorities in visiting a newly completed chapel where, as an experiment, we were trying out a tightly woven carpet on the gymnasium floor."While several of us were examining the floor, Bishop J. Richard Clarke, who was then in the Presiding Bishopric, suddenly threw the basketball to me with a challenge: 'I don't believe you can hit the basket, standing where you are!'"I was some distance behind what is now the professional 3-point line. I had never made such a basket in my entire life."Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Twelve called out to the others, 'I think he can!'"My thoughts returned to my embarrassment of years before, shooting toward the wrong basket. Nevertheless, I aimed and let that ball fly. Through the net it went!"Throwing the ball in my direction, Bishop Clarke once more issued the challenge: 'I know you can't do that again!'"Elder Petersen spoke up, 'Of course, he can!'"The words of the poet echoed in my heart: 'Lead us, O lead us, great molder of men, out of the shadow to strive once again.'"I shot the ball. It soared toward the basket and went right through. That ended the inspection visit." — General conference, April 2004Lineage touches future father-in-law (1940s)President Monson's wife, Frances, was only one generation away from Sweden; her parents were born there."I was shy as I called at her home the first time and met her parents. Her father said to me when he heard my name, 'Monson — that's a Swedish name.'"'Yes.'"He brought a photo of two missionaries, one was Elias Monson."My future father-in-law asked, 'Are you related to this man?'"The man was President Monson's grandfather's brother."And then Frances' father began to weep. He said, 'He is one of the missionaries who brought the gospel to my mother and father and to all my brothers and sisters and me.'"Then he put his arms around me, and I knew I had won an advocate." — From "Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith," by Thomas S. MonsonDaring to be LDS in the U.S. Navy (1940s)"As a 17-year-old, I enlisted in the United States Navy and attended boot camp in San Diego, California."For the first three weeks, one felt as though the Navy were trying to kill rather than train him on how to stay alive."I shall ever remember the first Sunday at San Diego. The chief petty officer said to us, 'Today everybody goes to church.'"We then lined up in formation on the drill ground. The petty officer shouted, 'All of you who are Catholics — you meet in Camp Decatur. Forward, march! And don't come back until 3!' A large number marched out."He then said, 'All of you who are of the Jewish faith — you meet in Camp Henry. Forward, march! And don't come back until 3!' A smaller contingent moved out."Then he said, 'The rest of you Protestants meet in the theaters in Camp Farragut. Forward, march! And don't come back until 3 o'clock!'"There flashed through my mind the thought, 'Monson, you're not Catholic. You're not Jewish. You're not a Protestant.'"I elected to stand fast. It seemed as though hundreds of men marched by me."Then I heard the sweetest words which the petty officer ever uttered in my presence. He said, 'And what do you men call yourselves?' He used the plural, 'men.' This was the first time I knew that anyone else was standing behind me on that drill ground."In unison we said, 'We're Mormons.'"He scratched his head, an expression of puzzlement on his face, and said, 'Well, go and find somewhere to meet — and don't come back until 3 o'clock.'"We marched away."One could almost count cadence to the rhyme learned in Primary:"'Dare to be a Mormon;'Dare to stand alone.'Dare to have a purpose firm,'And dare to make it known.'" — General conference, April 2000Naval officer tests honesty of his men (1940s)"Honesty is the best policy. I learned this truth in a dramatic manner during boot camp when I served in the Navy 55 years ago."After those first three weeks of isolated training, the good news came that we would have our first liberty and could visit the city of San Diego. All of the men were most eager for this change of pace."As we prepared to board the buses to town, the petty officer commanded: 'Now all of you men who know how to swim, you stand over here. You will go into San Diego for liberty. Those of you who don't know how to swim, you line up over there. You will go to the swimming pool and have a lesson on how to swim. Only when you learn to swim will you be permitted liberty.'"I had been a swimmer most of my life, so I prepared to get on the bus to town; but then that petty officer said to our group: 'One more thing before we board the buses. Follow me. Forward, march!' He marched us right to the swimming pool, had us take our clothing off and stand at the edge of the deep end of the pool. Then he directed, 'Jump in and swim the length of the pool.'"In that group, all of whom could supposedly swim, were about 10 who had thought they could fool somebody. They did not really know how to swim. In the water they went, voluntarily or otherwise. Catastrophe was at the door. The petty officers let them go under once or twice before they extended the bamboo pole to pull them to safety. With a few choice words, they then said, 'That will teach you to tell the truth!'"How grateful I was that I had told the truth, that I knew how to swim and made it easily to the other end of the pool." — General conference, October 2000Ward member acts after a faithful plea (1950s)"Every bishop needs a sacred grove to which he can retire to meditate and to pray for guidance. Mine was our old ward chapel."I could not begin to count the occasions when on a dark night at a late hour, I would make my way to the stand of this building where I was blessed, confirmed, ordained, taught and eventually called to preside. The chapel was dimly lighted by the streetlight in front; not a sound would be heard, no intruder to disturb."With my hand on the pulpit, I would kneel and share with him above my thoughts, my concerns, my problems."(At a time when fresh produce, in particular, was very difficult to come by) my prayer that night is sacred to me. I pleaded that these widows were the finest women I knew in mortality, that their needs were simple and conservative, that they had no resources on which they might rely."The next morning, I received a call from a ward member, a proprietor of a produce business. 'Bishop,' he said, 'I would like to send a semitrailer filled with oranges, grapefruit and bananas to the bishops' storehouse to be given to those in need. Could you make arrangements?'" — General conference, October 1980Visit puts purpose behind fast offerings (1950s)"In many areas, the (fast) offerings are collected each month by the boys who are deacons as they visit each member's home, generally quite early on the Sabbath day."I recall that the boys in the congregation over which I presided had assembled one morning, sleepy-eyed, a bit disheveled, and mildly complaining about arising so early to fulfill their assignment."Not a word of reproof was spoken, but during the following week, we escorted the boys to Welfare Square for a guided tour. They saw firsthand a lame person operating the telephone switchboard, an older man stocking shelves, women arranging clothing to be distributed — even a blind person placing labels on cans. Here were individuals earning their sustenance through their contributed labors."A penetrating silence came over the boys as they witnessed how their efforts each month helped to collect the sacred fast-offering funds which aided the needy and provided employment for those who otherwise would be idle."From that hallowed day forward, there was no urging required by our deacons. On fast Sunday mornings they were present at 7 a.m., dressed in their Sunday best, anxious to do their duty as holders of the Aaronic Priesthood. No longer were they simply distributing and collecting envelopes. They were helping to provide food for the hungry and shelter for the homeless — all after the way of the Lord. Their smiles were more frequent, their pace more eager, their very souls more subdued." — General conference, October 1977Noisy project has an adverse effect (1950s)
"In the vicinity where I once lived and served, we operated a poultry project. Most of the time it was an efficiently operated project, supplying to the (bishops') storehouse thousands of dozens of fresh eggs and hundreds of pounds of dressed poultry."On a few occasions, however, the experience of being volunteer city farmers provided not only blisters on the hands but also frustration of heart and mind."For instance, I shall ever remember the time we gathered together the Aaronic Priesthood young men to really give the project a spring-cleaning treatment. Our enthusiastic and energetic throng assembled at the project and in a speedy fashion uprooted, gathered and burned large quantities of weeds and debris."By the light of the glowing bonfires, we ate hot dogs and congratulated ourselves on a job well done. The project was now neat and tidy."However, there was just one disastrous problem: The noise and the fires had so disturbed the fragile and temperamental population of 5,000 laying hens that most of them went into a sudden molt and ceased laying. Thereafter we tolerated a few weeds that we might produce more eggs." — General conference, October 1988Spontaneous calling demands courage (1950s)
"The general session of the Temple View Stake's conference was being held in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Our stake presidency was to be reorganized."The Aaronic Priesthood, including members of bishoprics, were providing the music for the conference."As we concluded singing our first selection, President Joseph Fielding Smith, our conference visitor, stepped to the pulpit and read for sustaining approval the names of the new stake presidency. He then mentioned that Percy Fetzer, who became our new stake president, and John Burt, who became the first counselor — each of whom had been counselors in the previous presidency — had been made aware of their new callings before the conference began."However, he indicated that I, who had been called to be second counselor in the new presidency, had no previous knowledge of the calling and was hearing of it for the first time as my name was read for sustaining vote. He then announced, 'If Brother Monson is willing to respond to this call, we will be pleased to hear from him now.'"As I stood at the pulpit and gazed out on that sea of faces, I remembered the song we had just sung. It pertained to the Word of Wisdom and was titled 'Have Courage, My Boy, to Say No.'"That day I selected as my acceptance theme 'Have Courage, My Boy, to Say Yes.' The call for courage comes constantly to each of us — the courage to stand firm for our convictions, the courage to fulfill our responsibilities, the courage to honor our priesthood." — General conference, April 2007Important decisions lead to conversion (1960s)
"During the period 1959 to 1962, I had the privilege to preside over the Canadian Mission, with headquarters in Toronto, Canada."There Sister Monson and I had the wonderful opportunity of working with 450 of the finest young men and young women in all the world. From that particular experience I should like to relate an experience that came to Sister Monson that had far-reaching significance."One Sunday she was the only person in a usually very busy mission home. The telephone rang, and the person who was on the other end of the line spoke with a Dutch accent and asked the question, 'Is this the headquarters of the Mormon Church?'"Sister Monson assured her that it was as far as Toronto was concerned, and then she said, 'May I help you?'"The party on the line said: 'Yes. We have come from our native Holland, where we've had an opportunity to learn something about the Mormons. We'd like to know more.'"Sister Monson, being a good missionary, said, 'We can help you.' Then the lovely lady who had called said, 'We have chicken pox in our home; and if you could wait until the children are better, we'd love to have the missionaries call.'"Sister Monson said that she would arrange this, and that terminated the conversation."Excitedly she told the two missionaries on our staff, 'Here is a golden referral,' and the missionaries agreed. Then, as some missionaries do, they procrastinated calling upon the family. Days became weeks, and the weeks became several."Sister Monson would say, 'Are you going to call on that Dutch family tonight, elders?' And they would respond, 'Well, we're too busy tonight, but we're going to get around to it.'"After a few more days Sister Monson would say, 'What about my Dutch family? Are you going to call on them tonight?' Again the reply, 'Well, we're too busy tonight, but we're going to work it into our schedule.'"Finally Sister Monson said, 'If you aren't able to call on the Dutch family tonight, my husband and I are going to call on the family,' and the elders replied, 'Well, we'll work it into our schedule tonight.'"And thus they called on a lovely family. They taught them the gospel. Each person in the family became a member of the church. The family was the Jacob de Jager family. Brother de Jager became the president of an elders quorum. His employer, the gigantic Phillips Company, then transferred him to Mexico, where he served the church with distinction. Later he became the counselor to several mission presidents in Holland; he then became a regional representative of the Twelve; he then became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, serving as the executive administrator of the work in Southeast Asia."I ask the question: Was it an important decision that was made on the part of the missionaries to call on the de Jagers? Was it an important decision for Sister Monson to say, 'Tonight is the night, or else!' Was it an important decision for the de Jagers to telephone mission headquarters in Toronto, Canada, and say, 'Could we have the missionaries come to our home?'"I bear testimony that these decisions had eternal consequences, not only for the de Jagers, but for many other people as well, for here is a man who can teach the gospel in English, in Dutch, in German, in Spanish, and in Indonesian, and he now is learning to preach the gospel in Chinese. I ask the question, 'What will be our faith?'"Our conversion may not be as dramatic as Brother and Sister de Jager's happened to be, but to each it will be equally as vital and equally as long-lasting and equally as far-reaching. That which we believe is a very important matter. Let us weigh carefully our responsibility to search for truth." — New Era, November 1979New apostle part of strange coincidence (1960s)"(In October 1963), President David O. McKay invited me to his office and extended to me a call to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."He asked that I keep this sacred call confidential, revealing it to no one except my wife, and that I be present for general conference in the Tabernacle the next day, when my name would be read aloud."The following morning I came into the Tabernacle not knowing exactly where to sit. Being a member of the Priesthood Home Teaching Committee, I determined that I would be seated among the members of that committee. I noticed a friend of mine by the name of Hugh Smith, who was also a member of the Priesthood Home Teaching Committee. He motioned for me to sit by him, and as I did so, he said, 'I really don't know if you want to sit here or not.'"'Why, Brother Smith?' I asked."He answered, 'A strange coincidence; the last two times that a general authority has been appointed, the fellow was sitting right next to me when his name was read.'"I couldn't say a thing, but I sat down. In a few moments, the members of the Twelve were sustained and, of course, my name was read."Hugh Smith looked at me and said simply, 'Lightning has struck for the third time.'"I believe the walk from the audience to the stand was the longest walk of my life." — General conference, April 2007; "Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith," by Thomas S. MonsonTestimony building in an unexpected place (1970s)
"Years ago when our youngest son, Clark, was attending a religion class at Brigham Young University, the instructor, during a lecture, asked him, 'Clark, what is an example of life with your father that you best remember?'"The instructor later wrote to me and told me of the reply which Clark had given to the class. Said Clark: 'When I was a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood, my father and I went pheasant hunting near Malad, Idaho. The day was Monday — the last day of the pheasant-hunting season. We walked through numerous fields in search of pheasants but saw only a few, and those we missed."'Dad then said to me, "Clark," he looked at his watch, "let's unload our guns, and we'll place them in this ditch. Then we'll kneel down to pray.""'I thought Dad would pray for more pheasants, but I was wrong. He explained to me that Elder Richard L. Evans of the Quorum of the Twelve was gravely ill and that at 12 noon on that particular Monday the members of the Quorum of the Twelve — wherever they may be — were to kneel and, in a way, together unite in a fervent prayer of faith for Elder Evans. Removing our caps, we knelt, we prayed.'"I well remember the occasion, but I never dreamed a son was watching, was learning, was building his own testimony." — General conference, October 1998Doors opened in Portugal politics (1970s)In 1975, President Monson had an assignment to dedicate Portugal for preaching of the gospel, after the church had received permission for missionaries to be assigned to that country. The mission had opened, and W. Grant Bangerter was president of the Portugal Lisbon Mission.Prior to Portugal, President Monson was in Sweden. President Bangerter called and asked that President Monson come immediately instead of waiting for the scheduled day."He revealed that a general election was to take place in two days time that could have a very marked effect on the establishment of the church in that land."The Monsons flew to Lisbon, were met by the Bangerters and a few church members and missionaries."The commodious hotel where we stayed was largely vacant, as pre-election fear of violence gripped the hearts of the populace."The next morning atop a hillside, our small party gathered. Just as I was about to offer the prayer of dedication, President Bangerter said, 'Ask our Heavenly Father to take charge of the election, that the church may remain in Portugal and fulfill its destiny among this people.'"In the prayer of dedication, I importuned our Heavenly Father to watch over the land and to bless the people with an outcome in the election that would be beneficial to the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ."Two days later in Europe, I read the Paris edition of the Herald Tribune, which carried a headline, 'Moderates Sweep Portugal Election!'"From that point of dedication, the membership grew dramatically." — From "Inspiring Experiences That Build Faith," by Thomas S. MonsonSouth African Saints pleaded for temple (1980s)"Yes, sometimes expectations of those who love us are a bit beyond our capacity."Years ago, before a temple was completed in South Africa, the Saints planning to visit a temple had to travel the long and costly route to London, England, or, later, to Sao Paulo, Brazil."When I visited South Africa, they, with all the strength of their hearts and souls, petitioned me to importune President Kimball to seek the heavenly inspiration to erect a temple in their country."I assured them this was a matter for the Lord and his prophet. They responded, 'We have faith in you, Brother Monson. Please help us.'"Upon returning to Salt Lake City, I discovered that a proposed temple for South Africa had already been approved and was to be announced immediately."When this occurred, I received a telegram from our members in South Africa. It read, 'Thank you, Elder Monson. We knew you could do it!'"You know, I believe I never did convince them that though I approved the proposal, I did not bring it about." — General conference, October 1992Missionary request OK'd in East Germany (1980s)
"Prior to World War II, (the area of East Germany) was the most productive area of the German-speaking world as pertained to missionary success ...."Decades later, the church received permission from the communist government to build chapels in the country, and then a temple in Freiberg."A miracle of miracles had taken place. One more was needed. How can the church grow without missionaries? How can our numbers increase despite an aging population?"Such was the dilemma uppermost on my mind as my plane landed in Berlin that October afternoon. We went forward with the vital assignment to visit with the leaders of the German Democratic Republic.... We were driven to the chambers of the chief representatives of the government."Beyond the exquisite entry to the building, we were greeted by Chairman (Erich) Honecker. We presented to him the statuette First Step, depicting a mother helping her child take its first step toward its father. He was highly pleased with the gift...."Chairman Honecker began: 'We know members of your church believe in work; you've proven that. We know you believe in the family; you've demonstrated that. We know you are good citizens in whatever country you claim as home; we have observed that. The floor is yours. Make your desires known.'"I began, 'Chairman Honecker, at the dedication and open house for the temple in Freiberg, 89,890 of your countrymen stood in line, at times up to four hours, frequently in the rain, that they might see a house of God. In the city of Leipzig, at the dedication of the stake center, 12,000 people attended the open house. In the city of Dresden there were 29,000 visitors; in the city of Zwickau, 5,300.... They want to know what we believe."'We would like to tell them that we believe in honoring and obeying and sustaining the law of the land. We would like to explain our desire to achieve strong family units. These are but two of our beliefs. We cannot answer questions, and we cannot convey our feelings, because we have no missionary representatives here as we do in other countries. The young men and young women whom we would like to have come to your country as missionary representatives would love your nation and your people.... Then we would like to see young men and young women from your nation who are members of our church serve as missionary representatives in many nations, such as in America, in Canada, and in a host of others. They will return better prepared to assume positions of responsibility in your land.'"Chairman Honecker then spoke for perhaps 30 minutes, describing his objectives and viewpoints and detailing the progress made by his nation. At length, he smiled and addressed me and the group: 'We know you. We trust you. We have had experience with you. Your missionary request is approved.'" — General Conference, April 1989Consider spending time at cemetery (1990s)
"A visitor once asked me, 'What is there to see while I am in Salt Lake City?'"Instinctively I suggested a tour of Temple Square, a drive to the nearby canyons, a visit to the Bingham copper mine and perhaps a swim in the Great Salt Lake. A fear of being misunderstood kept me from expressing the thought, 'Have you considered spending an hour or two at one of our cemeteries?'"I never did reveal to him that wherever I travel I try to pay a visit to the town cemetery. It is a time of contemplation, of reflection on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death."In the small cemetery in the town of Santa Clara, Utah, I remember the preponderance of Swiss names which adorn the weathered tombstones. Many of those persons left home and family in verdant Switzerland and, in response to the call 'Come to Zion,' settled the communities where they now 'rest in peace.' They endured spring floods, summer droughts, scant harvests and backbreaking labors. They left a legacy of sacrifice."The largest cemeteries, and in many respects those which evoke the most tender emotions, are honored as the resting places of men who died in the cauldron of conflict known as war while wearing the uniform of their country. One reflects on shattered dreams, unfulfilled hopes, grief-filled hearts and lives cut short by the sharp scythe of war."Acres of neat white crosses in the cities of France and Belgium accentuate the terrible toll of World War I. Verdun, France, is in reality a gigantic cemetery. Each spring as farmers till the earth, they uncover a helmet here, a gun barrel there — grim reminders of the millions of men who literally soaked the soil with the blood of their lives." — Ensign, April 2003Survivors of blast show compassion (1990s)
"Oklahoma City, Okla., is a most interesting place. In company with Elders Richard G. Scott, Rex D. Pinegar and Larry W. Gibbons, I presided at a regional conference there just a short time ago. The facility in which we met was packed with members of the church and other interested persons. The singing by the choir was heavenly, the spoken word inspiring, and the sweet spirit which prevailed during the conference will long be remembered."I reflected on my previous visits to this location, the beauty of the state song — 'Oklahoma,' from the musical production of Rodgers and Hammerstein — and the wonderful hospitality of the people there."This community's spirit of compassionate help was tested in the extreme, however, on April 19, 1995, when a terrorist-planted bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, taking 168 persons to their deaths and injuring countless others."Following the regional conference in Oklahoma City, I was driven to the entrance of a beautiful and symbolic memorial which graces the area where the Murrah building once stood. It was a dreary, rainy day, which tended to underscore the pain and suffering which had occurred there. The memorial features a 400-foot reflecting pool. On one side of the pool are 168 empty glass and granite chairs in honor of each of the people killed. These are placed, as far as can be determined, where the fallen bodies were found."On the opposite side of the pool there stands, on a gentle rise of ground, a mature American elm tree — the only nearby tree to survive the destruction. It is appropriately and affectionately named 'The Survivor Tree.' In regal splendor it honors those who survived the horrific blast."My host directed my attention to the inscription above the gate of the memorial:"'We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever."'May all who leave here know the impact of violence."'May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity.'"He then, with tears in his eyes and with a faltering voice, declared: 'This community, and all the churches and citizens in it, have been galvanized together. In our grief we have become strong. In our spirit we have become united.'"We concluded that the best word to describe what had taken place was compassion." — Ensign, May 2001Praying together binds a marriage (2000s)"My wife, Frances, and I have been married 53 years. Our marriage took place in the Salt Lake Temple."He who performed the ceremony, Benjamin Bowring, counseled us: 'May I offer you newlyweds a formula which will ensure that any disagreement you may have will last no longer than one day? Every night, kneel by the side of your bed. One night, Brother Monson, you offer the prayer, aloud, on bended knee. The next night you, Sister Monson, offer the prayer, aloud, on bended knee. I can then assure you that any misunderstanding that develops during the day will vanish as you pray. You simply can't pray together and retain any but the best of feelings toward one another.'"When I was called to the Council of the Twelve Apostles 38 years ago, President David O. McKay, ninth president of the church, asked me concerning my family. I related to him this guiding formula of prayer and bore witness to its validity."He sat back in his large leather chair and, with a smile, responded, 'The same formula that has worked for you has blessed the lives of my family during all these years of our marriage.'"Prayer is the passport to spiritual power." — General conference, October 2001A timely blessing for a dying friend (2000s)
"May I share with you an account of an opportunity of service which came to me unexpectedly and in an unusual manner."I received a telephone call from a granddaughter of an old friend. She asked, 'Do you remember Francis Brems, who was your Sunday school teacher?'"I told her that I did."She continued: 'He is now 105 years of age. He lives in a small care center but meets with the entire family each Sunday, where he delivers a Sunday School lesson. Last Sunday, Grandpa announced to us, "My dears, I am going to die this week. Will you please call Tommy Monson and tell him this. He'll know what to do."'"I visited Brother Brems the very next evening. I could not speak to him, for he was deaf. I could not write a message for him to read, for he was blind."What was I to do? I was told that his family communicated with him by taking the finger of his right hand and then tracing on the palm of his left hand the name of the person visiting and then any message."I followed the procedure and took his finger and spelled on the palm of his hand T-O-M-M-Y M-O-N-S-O-N. Brother Brems became excited and, taking my hands, placed them on his head. I knew his desire was to receive a priesthood blessing."The driver who had taken me to the care center joined me as we placed our hands on the head of Brother Brems and provided the desired blessing."Afterward, tears streamed from his sightless eyes. He grasped our hands, and we read the movement of his lips. The message: 'Thank you so much.'"Within that very week, just as Brother Brems had predicted, he passed away. I received the telephone call and then met with the family as funeral arrangements were made. How thankful I am that a response to render service was not delayed." — Ensign, November 2003