Top octogenarian leads 'catalog of the nation's silver lions'
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President Thomas S. Monson, for the second consecutive year, has been named the top octogenarian in the United States by Slate, an online current affairs and culture magazine. In its latest posting, Slate features "80 people over the age of 80" in its annual "catalog of the nation's silver lions: fourscore elder statesmen, titans of industry, cultural icons" and others who have remained influential into their ninth decade and beyond.
Slate announced: "As always, we've ranked these still-twinkling stars according to their power and importance, with extra credit given for energetic achievements post-80. ..."
Slate stated that President Monson "stands atop the list. As the divine prophet, seer, and revelator for 5.5 million Americans and more than [14] million people around the world, he's the most powerful 83-year-old we could find."
President Monson has maintained an active schedule during 2010. In addition to overseeing the affairs of the Church — which now numbers more than 14 million worldwide — addressing two general conferences and other assemblies, and meeting national and international leaders and dignitaries, he has traveled widely. Among his travels this year were trips to dedicate four new temples in Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 2; The Gila Valley, Ariz., on May 23; Cebu City, Philippines, on June 13; and Kyiv, Ukraine, on Aug. 28. On Oct. 23, he broke ground for the Rome Italy Temple, and on Nov. 21 he rededicated the Laie Hawaii Temple.
Wherever he has gone, President Monson has enjoyed being among the members of the Church and others. He reaches out to shake hands, tousle children's hair, lift youngsters up on his lap and hug those he feels need a little extra attention. People reach out to him, and he reaches out to them in return.
Without doubt, he is the most influential leader in the Church today and now, according to Slate, is recognized as the nation's most influential man who is in his ninth decade.
