* Our Prophet: Thomas S Monson

This week I thought it would be powerful to learn more about our Prophet. You may also want to refresh your memory of our Prophet's words from this past weeks General Conference.

“I testify that with God, all things are possible. He is our Heavenly Father; His Son is our Redeemer. As we strive to learn His truths and then to live them, our lives and the lives of others will be abundantly blessed.” Pres. Monson

Prophet and President:
Thomas S. Monson is the 16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is a prophet of God. On February 4, 2008, after the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley, the Church announced Thomas S. Monson as the president of the first presidency with Henry B. Eyring as his first counselor and Dieter F. Uchtdorf as his second counselor.

Prophets are Men of God:
A prophet is a man who has been called of God to speak for Him and be His messenger. A prophet receives the Lord's word for mankind including revelations, prophecies, and commandments. When a prophet writes down the word of God it is called scripture.
"A prophet, then, is the authorized representative of the Lord. While the world may not recognize him, the important requirement is that God speaks through him. A prophet is a teacher. He receives revelations from the Lord. These may be new truths or explanations of truths already received" (A. Theodore Tuttle, "What Is a Living Prophet?," Ensign, Jul 1973, 18).

As the prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ President Monson leads the Church and is the only one authorized of God to receive revelation for the entire body of the Church.
An Apostle of God:
President Monson was called as an apostle of God and a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles at the age of 36 in October of 1963. Apostles are sustained by the Church as prophets, seers, and revelators.As an apostle President Monson is a special witness of Jesus Christ and was one of the signers of the proclamation, The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles (pdf version).

Known for His Compassion:
One of the greatest things President Monson is known for is his outstanding compassion. He was called as a bishop at the very young age of 22 and served in a huge ward of over 1000 members, 85 of which were widows. He regularly visited and took care of these women during his years as their bishop, but continued to visit them after being called to other offices within the Church. He served these women for decades and eventually spoke at each of their funerals.

President Monson's great love for others also includes the youth. For almost three decades he served on the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America.
Speaking to the World:
Through his calling as God's prophet and apostle, President Monson is authorized to receive revelation for the church and to reveal the word of God to the world. Every six months the Church holds a General Conference which is broadcast worldwide. President Thomas S. Monson, along with his counselors, the apostles, and other church leaders speak to the world. Their words are recorded and made available in the following edition of the church's Ensign magazine and can also be viewed in the online archives.
Well Known Talks and Speaches:
President Monson is an eloquent speaker and is well known for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ by sharing the stories and experiences of himself and others. These examples show how to come unto Christ through the service and compassion of others. Here are just a few of his numberless speeches:
"The Paths Jesus Walked"
"Mercy-The Divine Gift"
"Finding Joy in the Journey"
"An Attitude of Gratitude"
"Your Eternal Home"
"Never Alone"
"An Invitation to Exaltation"

Favorite Quote by President Monson:
"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help."We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues" ("An Attitude of Gratitude, Ensign, May 1992, 54).

The Life of President Thomas S. Monson:
Born on August 21, 1927 to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson, Thomas was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. At age 22 he married Frances Beverly Johnson, and continued his path in life by developing a remarkable professional career and selfless community and church service. From an early age President Monson has faithfully served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Timeline of President Monson's Church Service.

02/04/2008 - Named 16th President of Church
03/12/1995 - First Counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley
06/05/1994 - Second Counselor to President Howard W. Hunter
11/10/1985 - Second Counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson
10/04/1963 - Ordained an Apostle
1959-1962 - President of Canadian Mission in Toronto, Ontario
06/1955 - Counselor in SLC Temple View Stake Presidency
05/07/1950 - Bishop of Sixth-Seventh Ward in Salt Lake City

I know that President Monson is God's living prophet today and that by listening and following his words we will be led unto Christ