There’s something about the office of President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called “the Mormons“) that invites a higher level of public interest and scrutiny regarding his life. President Thomas S. Monson, who was recently named as the new prophet and president of the Church following the recent passing of Gordon B. Hinckley, has been in the First Presidency of the Church since 1985 and was called into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1963. Both of these are considered to be prominent callings.
Yet with his new position as prophet and president of the Church, there is a renewed public interest in who President Monson is and what his life has been like. There is also an increased interest in his wife Frances. Many women in particular look to the wife of the current prophet as an example for them to follow.
The Monsons’ daughter Ann Dibb, who is also a member of the Young Women General Board of the Church, has recently spoken about her parents. The following remarks come from a devotional address that she gave at BYU-Idaho on February 19, summarized in a news release at byui.edu, and an article in the Salt Lake Tribune published on February 8 following an interview with her.
At BYU-Idaho, Sister Dibb quoted True to the Faith regarding the role of a prophet: “Like the prophets of old, prophets today testify of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel. They make known God’s will and true character. They speak boldly and clearly, denouncing sin and warning of its consequences.”
One of the significant events of her father’s young adult life was his service in the military. Military service can be difficult for many people, particularly those striving to live with high moral values. But, said Sister Dibb, President Monson “made the choice to keep the Lord’s commandments. Because he did so, he qualified for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and he received the promised blessings.”
President and Sister Monson met in 1944 and married four years later. The first year of marriage requires lots of adjustments for any couple, but President Monson (or “Tom”) was called to serve as a bishop (the leader of a local congregation) within a year of their marriage. Only a few years later, with two young children and a third on the way, he was called to serve as the president of the Toronto mission. This is typically a calling that spans a few years and necessitates the temporary relocation of the new mission president and his whole family. The Monsons only had three weeks to pack up and execute the move. When they arrived, the mission home was greatly in need of renovation. Meanwhile, the young Sister Monson was thrust into the role of “mission mom” for over 100 young missionaries. However, according to Sister Dibb, she loved it. She was “grateful she was to be part of something important (and)…enjoyed serving them all.”
Sister Dibb described how her parents used prayer in their family, and their pattern continues today. “My father has always prayed with and for our family morning and night. His prayers are prayers of gratitude for the many blessings we receive. As the family has grown, my father and mother still pray for each family member in their daily prayers.”
Meanwhile, President Monson loved to work with and help the people around him. His responsibilities often took him away from the home for days or weeks at a time when he traveled to other areas. Sister Monson would shoulder the load of caring for the family and taking care of things at home. But even when he was home, he labored among the people. As Peggy Fletcher Stack, the author of the **Tribune article, put it, “(President Monson) was the last one out at church every week, had to shake every hand and greet every missionary. Once he went to Primary Children’s Medical Center to give a healing blessing to one child and ended up visiting nearly every sickbed on the floor, while Frances waited patiently in the lobby.”
But, according to Sister Dibb, her mother never complained. “My father was bigger than life and she appreciated him,” she said. “She was all right with waiting. She has done so with grace and dignity all her life.”
Sister Dibb ended her talk at BYU-Idaho with her own testimony. “The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth, through revelation, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. We have scriptures to bless us and strengthen us in our day. Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God, and it is through His Atonement and Resurrection that we can return to our Heavenly Father after this mortal probation is complete and receive our eternal exaltation.”
We are grateful to have a prophet today who has been prepared throughout his life to lead the Church at this time.
