In his first address to a general Church congregation since being sustained as president of the Church, President Thomas S. Monson recalled how, 44 years before, he had stood at the pulpit of the Salt Lake Tabernacle in October 1963 after having been sustained to the Quorum of the Twelve.

Photo by Scott G.Winterton/Deseret Morning News

In first address to general Church audience since being sustained, President Thomas S. Monson speaks on Sunday morning.

"On that occasion I mentioned a small sign I had seen on another pulpit. The words on the sign were these: 'Who stands at this pulpit, let him be humble.' I assure you that I was humbled by my call at that time to the Twelve.

"However, as I stand at this pulpit today, I address you from the absolute depths of humility. I feel very keenly my dependence on the Lord. I humbly seek the guidance of the Spirit as I share with you the feelings of my heart."

Speaking Sunday morning, the day after the Church's historic solemn assembly, President Monson addressed the Church, speaking with his familiar warmth and humor and expressing gratitude for the support of family and members of the Church, as well as reaching out to those who struggle with adversity or feel alone.

Referring to the recent passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Monson called the 15th president of the Church "beloved of all. We miss him. More than 53,000 men, women and children journeyed to the beautiful 'Hall of the Prophets' in this very building to pay their last respects to this giant of the Lord who now belongs to the ages."

President Monson, the Church's 16th president, then spoke of the solemn assembly, in which "you raised your hands in a sustaining vote.... As your hands were raised toward heaven, my heart was touched. I felt your love and support, as well as your commitment to the Lord.

"I know without question, my brothers and sisters, that God lives. I testify to you that this is His work. I testify as well that our Savior Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church which bears His name. I know that the sweetest experience in all this life is to feel His promptings as He directs us in...His work."

Continuing, the Church president said a "spirit of unity exists among the General Authorities.... We will continue to be united in one purpose — namely, the furtherance of the work of the Lord."

President Monson then expressed gratitude for his parents and ancestors who "were gathered out of the lands of Sweden and Scotland and England by dedicated missionaries."

He spoke in particular of his great-great-grandparents, Charles Stewart Miller and Mary McGowan Miller, who joined the Church in Scotland and in the spring of 1848 journeyed to St. Louis, Mo., with a group of saints, arriving in 1849. One child, Margaret, would become President Monson's great-grandmother. While in St. Louis, a plague of cholera swept the area, taking the lives of four of the family members, including both parents.

"Little is recorded of the heartache and struggles of the nine remaining Miller children as they continued to work and save for that journey their parents and brothers would never make. We know that they left St. Louis in the spring of 1850 with four oxen and one wagon, arriving finally in the Salt Lake Valley that same year."

From all his ancestors, President Monson said, "I received a legacy of total dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of these faithful souls, I stand before you today."

Continuing, President Monson expressed heartfelt gratitude for his "sweet companion, Frances. This October she and I will celebrate 60 wonderful years of marriage. Although my Church service began at an early age, she has never once complained when I've left home to attend meetings or to fulfill an assignment. For many years my assignments as a member of the Twelve took me away from Salt Lake City often — sometimes for five weeks at a time — leaving her alone to care for our small children and our home.

"Beginning when I was called as a bishop at the age of 22, we have seldom had the luxury of sitting together during a Church service. I could not have asked for a more loyal, loving and understanding companion."

President Monson also expressed gratitude for their three children and their companions, for eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"During more than 44 years as a General Authority, I have had the opportunity to travel the world over. One of my greatest joys has been to meet with you, the members, wherever you may be — to feel of your spirit and your love. I look forward to many more such opportunities."

President Monson spoke of the casualties along the pathway of life. "Over the years we have issued appeals to the less-active, the offended, the critical, the transgressor — to come back. 'Come back and feast at the table of the Lord and taste again the sweet and satisfying fruits of fellowship with the saints.'

"We again issue that heartfelt invitation: Come back. We reach out to you in the pure love of Christ and express our desire to assist you and to welcome you into full fellowship. To those who are wounded in spirit or who are struggling and fearful, we say, let us lift you and cheer you and calm your fears. Take literally the Lord's invitation, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."'

President Monson encouraged "members of the Church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.

"May we also demonstrate kindness and love within our own families. Our homes are to be more than sanctuaries; they should also be places where God's Spirit can dwell, where the storm stops at the door, where love reigns and peace dwells."

The world can be a frightening place, the new Church president said. None is exempt, the young, old or in-between, from that which has the potential to drag down and destroy. Saying "we are waging a war with sin," he declared: "It is a war we can and will win. Our Father in Heaven has given us the tools we need in order to do so. He is at the helm. We have nothing to fear. He is the God of light. He is the God of hope. I testify that He loves us — each one."