During a Church News interview in 1985, President Thomas S. Monson, then second counselor in the First Presidency, told of having been called at age 22 to serve as bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward, in which he had grown up in Salt Lake City.

"Why I was called as bishop, I can't tell you," he said during the interview. "Only the Lord would know that."

On Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, that former bishop was introduced at a news media briefing as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

No living person is more acquainted with the office of Church president. He has spent the past 22 years in the First Presidency, serving as a counselor to three presidents: second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson and President Howard W. Hunter and, for nearly 13 years, first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley.

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Stories displayed below are sorted by date, most recent at the top of the list and contain at least one reference to President Monson.

• Service — a gift to Savior that lasts the year around
  
  Published: Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999
• 'He was always the giver, seldom the recipient'
  
  Published: Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999
• Church leaders tour dairy plant
  
  Published: Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999
• Sunday School seals latest time capsule
  
  Published: Saturday, Dec. 11, 1999
• Blessing for saints of Montana, Wyoming
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 27, 1999
• Following the Good Shepherd
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999
• Pursuing righteousness makes life's journey a pleasant one
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 13, 1999
• BYU's Marriott School honors noted executive
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 6, 1999
• Follow Savior's example, and 'We will be blessed'
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 23, 1999
• Bittersweet time reminiscing, saying farewell
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 23, 1999
• The Savior outlined how to live, teach and serve
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999
• Saturday afternoon speakers, session notes
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999
• Moving forward
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999
• Miracles are everywhere when priesthood callings magnified
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999
• Members throng to attend last conference of an era
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999
• Conference capsules
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 9, 1999
• Declaration reaffirms roles, values of women in Church
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999
• Sister Virginia U. Jensen: Home, family, and personal enrichment
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 2, 1999
• Focus on spiritual goals, leaders tell Relief Society
  
  Published: Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999
• Scriptures: 'a welcome oasis to weary traveler'
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999
• New dairy adds to resources to help poor and the needy
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999
• Sailing intrepidly into uncharted waters -- a period of expansion
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999
• Sailing intrepidly into uncharted waters — a period of expansion
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 11, 1999
• President Thomas S. Monson observes his 72nd birthday
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 28, 1999
• City memorializes namesake, a stalwart pioneer
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 21, 1999
• Paul speaks of man's divine origins
  
  Published: Saturday, July 31, 1999
• Ground broken for apartment complex
  
  Published: Saturday, July 31, 1999
• Sunday School lesson No. 31
  
  Published: Saturday, July 31, 1999
• Groundbreaking anniversary marks two years of progress
  
  Published: Saturday, July 24, 1999
• Future is bright: 'Growth of Church is unlimited'
  
  Published: Saturday, July 24, 1999
• Sunday School lesson No. 29
  
  Published: Saturday, July 17, 1999
• Humanitarian service
  
  Published: Saturday, July 17, 1999
• What can I do to help? — project guidelines
  
  Published: Saturday, July 17, 1999
• Pres. Monson: 'No failure ever need be final'
  
  Published: Saturday, July 17, 1999
• New mission presidents receive counsel
  
  Published: Saturday, June 26, 1999
• Cover Story: New mission presidents receive counsel
  
  Published: Saturday, June 26, 1999
• President Faust counsels: Have positive attitude in missionary work
  
  Published: Saturday, June 26, 1999
• President Hinckley observes 89th birthday
  
  Published: Saturday, June 26, 1999
• Pres. Monson encourages missionaries in their calling
  
  Published: Saturday, June 26, 1999
• 'Historic step' as Web site promises great boon to family history research
  
  Published: Saturday, May 29, 1999
• Ground broken for Palmyra Temple, will overlook Sacred Grove
  
  Published: Saturday, May 29, 1999
• Cover Story: 'Historic step' as Web site promises great boon to family history research
  
  Published: Saturday, May 29, 1999
• Giving is art of living a good life, says Huntsman
  
  Published: Saturday, May 8, 1999
• Quorums of Seventy set in place
  
  Published: Saturday, May 1, 1999
• Largest class in history embarks from BYU
  
  Published: Saturday, May 1, 1999
• The Church in the 20th Century: Quorums of Seventy set in place
  
  Published: Saturday, May 1, 1999
• Largest class in history embarks from BYU
  
  Published: Saturday, May 1, 1999
• Dream of Quebec temple near reality with groundbreaking
  
  Published: Saturday, April 17, 1999
• A tribute to 1849 Utah Valley pioneers
  
  Published: Saturday, April 17, 1999
• 'Cold, inspiring' sight as wagons roll in honor of trek of 1849
  
  Published: Saturday, April 17, 1999