Thomas S. Monson president of Church of Mormon dead, here's his incredible life

The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, also known as Mormon, has lost her president.

The church’s president, Thomas S. Monson, died peacefully on January 2, 2018, at the ripe age of 90.

Monson was well loved by the church

His death was announced by a spokesperson through the church’s official Twitter feed.

According to the church-affiliated Deseret News, the late Mormon president died at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Reactions

The news of his death has been met with an outpouring of positive responses from Mormon church members, politicians, and world leaders including Donald Trump.

The American said in a statement that he and First Lady Melania Trump were “deeply saddened” by his death.

Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/statement-president-donald-j-trump-regarding-passing-thomas-s-monson-president-church-jesus-christ-latter-day-saints/ … 

“More than anything else during a lifetime of ministry, President Monson will be known for his charitable acts,” Stuart Reid, a former state legislator, told The Salt Lake Tribune.

“A great, great soul; I loved him,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

Monson with President EyringHB and President UchtdorfDF. They were his first and second counselors

“Will miss his friendship. I’ll miss him as a friend,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency.

President Monson was among the greatest men I have ever known. Service was his motto and humility his hallmark. Countless were the lives he touched as a prophet, father, and friend. Today, I join millions across the globe in mourning his passing. #LDSChurch #utpol 

My heart is filled with love for Pres. Monson. He touched countless lives, including my own, in a positive and sweet manner influencing good throughout the world. https://twitter.com/kslcom/status/948448038841806849 … 

What you need to know about Thomas S. Monson

He was named the Church’s 16th president in 2008. Prior to this, he was a counselor to three Church presidents: second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson and President Howard W. Hunter, and, for nearly 13 years, first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley.

His entry into the church’s governance started after he joined the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a governing body of the church at 36 years old. He ended up spending 54 years in several leading positions, including his last rank as President of the Church. Monson held this position for almost 10 years, Deseret News reports.

Monson poses with others members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in March 1973

Under his leadership, membership grew from 13 to over 16 million worldwide. A lot of new temples were built, according to the church.

He also caused an increase in the number of missionaries by reducing the minimum age requirement.

Church members saw Monson as a kind-hearted, selfless leader who genuinely cared about others. He was also considered to be a “prophet who received divine revelations.”

 

According to several sources, the longest-serving member of the church’s governing body named 93-year-old Russell Nelson is most likely to be his successor.

The next president will assume office after Monson’s funeral on January 12, 2018.

Monson was well loved by the church

Personal life

To his daughter, Ann M. Dibb, Monson was an incredible father who led with love.

In her words, “My children do have good memories with my parents. Whether it’s sitting around the campfire at Vivian Park, roasting marshmallows at the cabin, or whether it’s a trip, or whether it’s just in the basement on a Sunday night: they have great remembrances and they always feel loved.”

President Thomas S. Monson with some of his great-grandchildren

When asked how he wanted to be remembered in 1997, the Church News reports that he responded with this: “I tried my best. He certainly succeeded in doing just that.

Monson with his family: Sister Frances J. Monson; Thomas, 12; Ann, 9; and Clark, 4 in 1963

He is survived by an ex-wife, Sister Frances Johnson Monson (1927–2013) and three children, Dibb, Thomas Lee Monson, and Clark Spencer Monson.