Sunday, April 6, 2008

President Monson

I met Thomas Monson when I was in Argentina 29 years ago. There was an area conference and I happened to be at the church building where he was performing some of his duties. He stopped in the lobby where I was and talked to me for a couple minutes. He was very personable and friendly. He asked me questions about my own life. He left a positive impression on me.

Yesterday Thomas Monson was officially accepted as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He looks a lot more frail now than he did 29 years ago.

In the Priesthood Session of Conference he gave the closing speech. He talked of a young man that was sitting in the front pew where he was sitting on the stand. He noticed that as he made movements that the young man would mimic him. He would cross his legs the same; he would rest his chin on his fist; etcetera. Brother Monson then looked him straight in the eyes and had his attention. As he was staring directly at the young man he wiggled his ears. (In the talk he was giving he then demonstrated that he could in fact wiggle his ears -- I want a video of that.) The young man tried as he could and did not manage to wiggle his ears. He leaned over and talked to his father and explained about the ears and pointed to Brother Monson. Brother Monson said he just sat there dignified and watched the boy as the boy raised his hands palms up and shrugged his shoulders showing that he was defeated.

I have always liked President Monson. He has been an inspiration to me with his kind and gentle nature and his charitable character.

4 comments:

  1. When President Hunter died, I was sad that the new prophet would be Gordon B. Hinckley. I wanted it to be Thomas S. Monson. I had heard Pres. Monson speak and loved him. I knew nothing about Pres. Hinckley. I had only been a member a couple of years and was very spiritually immature.

    I'm now grateful for the leadership of Pres. Hinckley, and miss him. And I still love Pres. Monson.

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  2. I have never met him personally, but I enjoy his stories.

    He seemed so different at conference. It must an enormous responsibility to lead a world wide church.

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  3. Today in church Bishop bore his testimony and said he couldn't wiggle his ears. I didn't know what he was talking about until I read your blog. My brother Keith could wiggle his ears.

    President Monson is a wonderful person as well as a humble president. He will be a wonderful leader.

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  4. Larry, I enjoyed the scholars comments on President Monson, and all of the others. You are a lot smarter than I am to be able to put them on the blog.. Thanks. Mom

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