Thomas Spencer Monson (1927)

Biography
Thomas Spencer Monson is an American religious leader, author, and the 16th President of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). As president, Monson is considered by adherents of the religion to be a "prophet, seer, and revelator." A printer by trade, Monson has spent most of his life engaged in various church leadership positions and public service.

Monson was ordained an LDS apostle at age 36, served in the First Presidency under three church presidents and was the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from March 12, 1995, until he became President of the Church on February 3, 2008. He succeeded Gordon Bitner Hinckley (1910-2008) as church president.

Monson has received four honorary doctorate degrees, as well as the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Buffalo and the World Organization of the Scout Movement's Bronze Wolf—both awards are the highest awards in each organization. Monson is a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the organization's governing body.

Monson is chairman of the Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System, and Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911-2004) appointed him to the U.S. President's Task Force for Private Sector Initiatives. Monson married Frances Beverly Monson (née Johnson) in the Salt Lake Temple in 1948 and they are parents to three children. Frances Monson died on May 17, 2013.