President Thomas S. Monson on Jan. 12 greeted a 12-year-old visitor to his office with a textbook three-finger Scout salute.

The young man, Richard Garff Folkerson, promptly returned the salute. Practicing Scout tenets comes naturally to young Richard. He wears his Boy Scout uniform with pride and his merit badge sash is filled with awards. Still, the lessons of Scouting — along with the promptings of the Holy Ghost — have recently taken on new meaning to Richard and his family.

Last summer, Richard and his family were enjoying a houseboat outing on Lake Powell near the Arizona-Utah border when his 4-year-old cousin, Josh Garff, accidently fell overboard into the water. Enlisting the Scout challenge to "Be Prepared," Richard jumped into the 15-foot-deep water, grabbed his cousin and swam to shore.

Family members credit Richard with saving Josh's life. Using life jackets was a strict family rule, but young Josh had removed his while putting on his pajamas inside the boat. In an instant, the little boy darted back to the deck while his parents and other adults were inside.

Fortunately, Richard noticed Josh was not wearing his life jacket and followed the little boy to the deck. He was sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and went into action when Josh fell into the water.

"Those were probably the most important two minutes of Richard's life," said Josh's father, John Garff.

Richard said he didn't think twice about going after Josh. He is happy he can help look after his young cousin.

"I've always been close to Josh," said Richard, the son of Rick and Jennifer Garff Folkerson.

Other family members say Richard, a deacon in the North Canyon 4th Ward, Bountiful Utah North Canyon Stake, did not act alone.

"This is a clear example of how the Holy Ghost works in our lives," said Richard's grandmother, Kathy Garff.

Richard's instinctive actions and Scouting know-how have made him a hero to Josh and his grateful parents. They contacted Scouting offices in hopes of formally recognizing Richard's bravery.

"My words can never hope to explain how fortunate I feel to still have Josh with us," wrote Josh's mother, Amy.

The Boy Scouts of America presented Richard with its Heroism Award in October in recognition of his lifesaving actions. The honor was bestowed at the Boy Scout headquarters of the Great Salt Lake Council. According to the Boy Scout standards, the award is given "for demonstrating heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at minimum risk to self."

Richard and Josh, along with their parents and grandparents, Robert and Kathy Garff, were invited to Church headquarters on Jan. 11 to show President Monson and Elder Robert K. Dellenbach of the Seventy the award.

President Monson congratulated Richard on the honor, then talked Scouting.

"Which of all your merit badges has been the hardest to earn?" President Monson asked.

"Insects," Richard answered.

President Monson said the fishing merit badge was probably his favorite, adding he had once served as counselor for a now discontinued merit badge, pigeon raising.

The Garff family has long been special to President Monson. He recalled once speaking at a Boy Scout function at the invitation of Richard's great-grandfather, Ken Garff. Ken's brother, Royal, had been President Monson's public speaking professor at the University of Utah. A cousin to Ken and Royal, Mark Garff, was also a good friend.

When Ken, Royal and Mark Garff passed away, President Monson spoke at their funerals. Now he is happy to have two new treasured Garff friends, young Richard and Josh.