President Monson keeps busy as his 84th birthday approaches
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President Thomas S. Monson, who was named the top octogenarian in the United States in 2009 and 2010, will observe his 84th birthday on Sunday, Aug. 21.
An online current affairs and culture magazine, Slate, listed President Monson among "80 people over the age of 80" in last year's "catalog of the nation's silver lions: fourscore elder statesmen, titans of industry, cultural icons" and others who have remained influential in their ninth decade and beyond. In making its announcement last December, 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."
During the past year, President Monson has maintained the pace that has distinguished him as a leader. Here are some highlights of his activities since his birthday last year:
Aug. 28, 2010 — Attended and addressed a cultural celebration held in conjunction with the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.
Aug. 29, 2010 — Dedicated the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.
Oct. 2, 2010 — Spoke in the morning session of the 180th Semiannual General Conference of the Church, during which he announced plans to build five new temples: Lisbon, Portugal; Indianapolis, Ind.; Urdaneta, Philippines; Hartford, Conn.; and Tijuana, Mexico. He also spoke in the priesthood session of conference that evening.
Oct. 3, 2010 — Spoke in the morning and afternoon sessions of general conference.
Oct. 13, 2010 — Spoke at a seminar for new temple presidents.
Oct. 23, 2010 — Presided over and addressed the ceremony to break ground for the Rome Italy Temple; he turned the first shovel of earth.
Oct. 31, 2010 — Delivered a message via satellite for stake conferences in Colombia.
Nov. 9, 2010 — Attended BYU's Museum of Art exhibit, "Carl Heinrich Bloch: The Master's Hand."
Nov. 13, 2010 — Delivered a message for the Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast regarding the Church's new Handbook 1 and Handbook 2.
Nov. 14, 2010 — Delivered a message for stake conferences in Arizona.
Nov. 16, 2010 — With his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor, met in the Church Administration Building with officials of the Boy Scouts of America.
Nov. 20, 2010 — Delivered a message at the beginning of a cultural program held in conjunction with the rededication of the Laie Hawaii Temple.
Nov. 21, 2010 — Rededicated the newly refurbished Laie Hawaii Temple.
Dec. 6, 2010 — Hosted with his wife, Sister Frances J. Monson, a Christmas social for General Authorities and their wives.
Dec. 21, 2010 — Attended and spoke at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas dinner.
Dec. 26, 2010 — Spoke in his home ward's sacrament meeting.
Jan. 9, 2011 — Provided a message via satellite broadcast for members gathered in stakes in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Feb. 8-9, 2011 — Attended meetings of the International Committee and National Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America in Irving, Texas.
March 6, 2011 — Provided a message for a documentary about the 75th anniversary of the Church Welfare Program; was interviewed for an article in the April 16 issue of Church News on the welfare program.
March 10, 2011 — Cut the ribbon to open two new exhibits at the Church History Museum.
March 13, 2011 — Provided a message delivered via satellite broadcast for Southern Mexico Stake Conference.
March 26, 2011 — Presided over the Young Women general meeting.
April 1, 2011 — Met with executives from Scouts Canada and received their highest award, the Silver Fox, for services of the most exceptional character to International Scouting.
April 2, 2011 — Presided over and spoke in the morning session of the 181st Annual General Conference of the Church and announced plans for building temples in Fort Collins, Colo.; Meridian, Idaho; and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; addressed the priesthood session of conference that evening.
April 3, 2011 — Presided over and addressed the morning and afternoon sessions of general conference.
April 6, 2011 — Spoke at an open house commemorating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Perpetual Education Fund.
April 30, 2011 — Delivered an address at the beginning of a cultural program held in conjunction with the rededication of the Atlanta Georgia Temple.
May 1, 2011 — Rededicated the Atlanta Georgia Temple.
May 1, 2011 — Provided a message delivered on this date via satellite to Southern Brazil stake conferences.
May 6, 2011 — Received honorary doctorate in humanities at the centennial commencement of Dixie State College of Utah and delivered the commencement address.
May 27, 2011 — Attended national annual meetings of the Boy Scouts of America in San Diego, Calif.
May 29, 2011 — Provided a message broadcast via satellite for stakes in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
June 9, 2011 — Cut the ribbon and gave brief remarks at festivities celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Hotel Utah/Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
June 10, 2011 — Attended and spoke at a gala dinner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Hotel Utah/Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
June 14, 2011 — Spoke and participated in the groundbreaking for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts and Education Center on the campus of the University of Utah.
June 23, 2011 — Spoke at the Seminar for New Mission Presidents in Provo, Utah.
June 25, 2011 — Dedicated the Thomas S. Monson Camp for Young Women and families, Lakehurst, Ontario, Canada, near Peterborough.
June 26, 2011 — Spoke in a joint sacrament meeting of the Etiobicoke Ward and Churchville YSA Ward of the Mississauga Ontario Stake; visited with friends, many of whom he has known since he presided over the Canadian Mission from 1959-1962.
June 27, 2011 — Visited the Toronto Ontario Temple; spoke at a reception prior to Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert in Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto and attended the concert.
July 15, 2011 — Announced that the Church hopes to build a temple in France on property on the outskirts of Paris.
July 19-23, 2011 — On a rare vacation, went on a fishing trip to Alaska, hosted by friends.
July 25, 2011 — Rode in the Days of '47 Parade with Sister Monson.
Aug. 19, 2011 — Birthday celebration in the Church Administration Building with General Authorities and staff members.
President Monson plans to commemorate his birthday by spending time on Aug. 21 with his family, including Sister Monson, their children, grandchildren and their spouses, and his siblings and their families.
