Distinguished Utahn lauded for leadership
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.
Lauded by associates, family members and friends for his lifetime of leadership and service, President Thomas S. Monson received the BYU Management Society 2004 Distinguished Utahn Award May 26.
"No one in our time has been called so young to do so much," said President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, at a dinner reception in the Church Office Building honoring President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency.
Hundreds — including several members of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve and President Monson's family — attended the event, sponsored by the Salt Lake and Utah Valley chapters of the BYU Management Society.
In response to the distinguished recognition, the many speakers who offered kind words, and the support of all those in attendance, President Monson simply said thank you. "To the amazement of all those who know me, I am without words," he said. "Thank you."
During the event, President Faust called President Monson's Church service extraordinary.
At the age of 22, President Monson was called as the bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in Salt Lake City. He was a counselor in the stake presidency at age 27, president of the Canadian Mission at 31, an apostle at 36 — the youngest in 71 years — and a counselor in the First Presidency at 58 — the youngest in the last 100 years, said President Faust.
"President Monson has been blessed with many gifts, including a remarkable memory," he continued. "This has served him well in memorizing messages and recalling details, as well as names."
President Faust also noted that President Monson has a "highly developed sense of humor and an infectious laugh."
"He is a big man with a big heart," he said. "He is quick to respond to the feelings of that big heart. Indeed, one of his outstanding traits is his loyalty which often reaches out to old friends who are less fortunate and need a champion. Once you are his friend, you are always his friend."
President Faust also paid tribute to President Monson's wife. "The long and varied service President Monson has given has been possible because of the complete cooperation and support of Sister Frances Monson. She is self-effacing and does not seek the limelight. Through the years, her life has been focused on her husband and family."
President Monson's daughter, Ann Monson Dibb, described her father as a "man of routine" who likes, among other things, old movies, American cars, pigeons, Perry Mason episodes, fly fishing, spending time with his family at their cabin, and mowing the lawn. "He is very good at doing multiple things at once," she said.
Her father, she added, wakes up most mornings happy and whistling.
"As a daughter I express that my dad is larger than life. He learns, he lifts, he leads and he loves," she said.
Lynne Cannegieter, President Monson's secretary for the last 39 years, called him a doer of the word. "He literally cares for the widow and the orphan, lifts up the hands which hang down and strengthens the feeble knees. He forfeits his personal time to visit the sick and those in need, providing blessings, compassion and companionship. He responds to countless requests to speak at funerals, sharing words of solace and comfort with grieving families."
President Monson, she continued, has a phenomenal understanding of Church government, is filled with faith, and has many friends — the rich and famous and the poor and unknown.
"I know that I am a better person for my association with him," she said.
Former Deseret News publisher Wm. James Mortimer recounted President Monson's distinguished career in publishing and printing, which started at age 12 with his father's printing firm and spanned decades at the Deseret News Publishing Company, the Newspaper Agency Corporation, and Deseret Press. He also served on the boards of Deseret Book, Mountain Bell, Beneficial Life Insurance Company, KSL, Bonneville International and Deseret News Publishing Company — where he was chairman from 1977 to 1996, when General Authorities ceased serving on business boards.
"Suffice it to say that his life has been filled with honesty and integrity as a business executive," said Brother Mortimer. "He has used his numerous talents and abilities well with the positions he has held in the business world."
Elder Jon M. Huntsman, an Area Authority Seventy and philanthropist, served as master of ceremonies for the event, offering praise to both President and Sister Monson.
He called President Monson a beloved citizen of Utah. "His life has been one of giving, one of serving, one of helping others," he said.
At the conclusion of the event — co-sponsored by the Deseret Morning News — Glen Snarr, chairman of the Deseret Morning News board, assisted Dan Dillingham, president of the BYU Management Society Salt Lake Chapter, and Garr Judd, president of the Utah Valley Chapter, in presenting the award to President Monson. They gave him a painting by local artist Valoy Eaton that is a rendition of a stretch of the Provo River where President Monson likes to fly fish.
"What a wonderful evening for a wonderful man," Brother Snarr said.
This is the 11th year the BYU Management Society has given the annual award to recognize achievement. Past recipients include Larry H. Miller, 2003; Rodney H. Brady, 2002; LaVell Edwards, 2001; Jerold and JoAnn Ottley, 2000; Jon and Karen Huntsman, 1999; Alan and Karen Ashton, 1998; President Gordon B. Hinckley, 1997; Stephen R. Covey, 1996; Rex E. Lee, 1995; and Dick Bass, 1994.
E-mail: sarah@desnews.com
