Reminiscing about bygone years
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Thomas S. Monson is a man with a variety of names and titles.
To those gathered in the Salt Lake Pioneer Stake Center on Feb. 22, he has been known as Tommy, Tom, Thomas, Bishop Monson and, finally, President Monson, the latter title coming as a counselor in a stake presidency and now as the leader of the Church.
President Monson and his wife, Frances, attended a reunion of the Sixth-Seventh Ward, the unit over which he presided from 1950 until 1955. He was just 22 when he was called as bishop, and 27 when called to the stake presidency.
The Sixth-Seventh Ward was formed when two wards that had been in the Pioneer Stake were combined in 1922 and added to the Temple View Stake. Although the ward was dissolved in 1964, it remains a presence in the lives of its former members; they gather every five years on or as near to Feb. 22 as can be arranged. It was on that date in 1849 that the Great Salt Lake City was divided into 19 wards; the Sixth and Seventh wards were among them.
President Monson's brother, Robert Monson, conducted the reunion program, which was attended by several hundred people. He recounted some of the Sixth-Seventh Ward's history, including the events of the day the two wards were combined. The bishop of the Sixth Ward announced to the congregation that the members, accompanied by the Poulton Brothers Brass Band, would march out of the chapel and go a few blocks east to the building housing the Seventh Ward, where they would be welcomed as members of that ward.
Brother Monson said that during the years the Sixth-Seventh Ward existed, its members always celebrated on Washington's birthday. "We would have a party for the young children in the afternoon, and then a program, dinner and dance in the evening."
He and other former ward members mentioned some of the things that created such fond memories. "We've always been proud of our road shows," he said. "And we had good basketball teams. We won the All-Church title in 1941."
Louis Dean Brems remembers another title for President Monson: Coach. "He and my older brother were the same age," Brother Brems told the Church News before the reunion program began. "President Monson was our priesthood adviser and basketball coach. We were ward teaching partners for a while. My father (Francis Brems) was his Sunday School teacher."
This is the same Francis Brems of whom President Monson wrote in a First Presidency Message in the January 2008 Ensign:
"I received a telephone call from a granddaughter of an old friend. She asked, 'Do you remember Francis Brems, who was your Sunday School teacher?' I told her that I did. She continued, 'He is now 105 years of age. He lives in a small care center but meets with the entire family each Sunday, where he delivers a Sunday School lesson. Last Sunday Grandpa announced to us, "My dears, I am going to die this week. Will you please call Tommy Monson and tell him this. He'll know what to do."'
"I visited Brother Brems the very next evening. I could not speak to him, for he was deaf. I could not write a message for him to read, for he was blind. What was I to do? I was told that his family communicated with him by taking the finger of his right hand and then tracing on the palm of his left hand the name of the person visiting and then any message. I followed the procedure and took his finger and spelled on the palm of his hand T-O-M-M-Y M-O-N-S-O-N. Brother Brems became excited and, taking my hands, placed them on his head. I knew his desire was to receive a priesthood blessing. The driver who had taken me to the care center joined me as we placed our hands on the head of Brother Brems and provided the desired blessing. Afterward tears streamed from his sightless eyes. He grasped our hands, and we read the movement of his lips. The message: 'Thank you so much."'
Louis Dean Brems said, "My father died the morning after President Monson gave him that blessing. It was as if he refused to leave this earth until President Monson visited him one last time."
In opening remarks at the reunion, President Monson quoted author James Barrie: "God gave us memories that we might have June roses in the December of our lives."
"That," said President Monson, "is what a reunion is all about — memories."
He then recounted many memories from his days in the Sixth-Seventh Ward, including those from his childhood. Turning to Jack Hepworth, who gave the opening prayer at the reunion, President Monson asked, "Jack, do you remember when we jumped out of a classroom window?"
President Monson spoke of teachers and other leaders who had great influence upon the lives of young people. One he mentioned by name was Lucy Gertsch, of whom he has spoken in various addresses, including general conferences. Lucy Gertsch's sister, Lena Gertsch Morton, age 96, attended the reunion. Other older members present were Karla Guertler, 99, and Reba Carn, 91.
In addition to President Monson's brother, Robert, two of his sisters attended the reunion: Marilyn M. Martin and Barbara M. Fleming.
Music at the reunion was provided by Scott Woodbury who, accompanied by Debbie Griffiths, sang a musical medley. Hagen siblings William, 15, and Nathaniel, 11, violinists; and Nicholas, 18, pianist, also performed.
After the program concluded, President Monson and Sister Monson visited with fellow members of the Sixth-Seventh Ward.
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