Pres. Monson observes 73rd birthday
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency,
observed his 73rd birthday on Monday, Aug. 21.
Members in Toronto, Ontario, were among the first to extend birthday greetings as they presented a cake to him during a dinner on Aug. 19. He spent his birthday by working in his office on Monday. That evening, he and his wife, Frances, enjoyed time with their family. After President Gordon B. Hinckley returned from dedicating the Caracas Venezuela Temple, he and President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, joined others from their offices in extending best wishes to President Monson during a small reception in the Church Administration Building on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
President Monson was born Aug. 21, 1927, in Salt Lake City to George Spencer Monson and Gladys Condie Monson. He was their first son and second child. He married Frances Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple on Sept. 14, 1948. They are parents of two sons and a daughter and have eight grandchildren.
He was set apart as first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 12, 1995. He was also set apart on that date as president of the Quorum of the Twelve. From June 5, 1994, until March 3, 1995, he was second counselor to President Howard W. Hunter. Earlier, from Nov. 10, 1985, until May 30, 1994, he was second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson.
President Monson was sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve Oct. 4, 1963, and ordained an apostle on Oct. 10, 1963; he was 36.
Before being called as a General Authority, he was general manager of Deseret Press. He began employment with the Deseret News in 1948 as an advertising executive, and later served as chairman of the Deseret News board for 19 years.
He graduated cum laude from the University of Utah in business management, and received an MBA degree from Brigham Young University. In April 1981, BYU conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
President Monson served in the U. S. Navy at the end of World War II. He was ordained bishop of a Salt Lake City ward at age 22. He served in the presidency of the Temple View Stake in Salt Lake City prior to being called as president of the Canadian Mission in 1959.
