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.

• First Presidency expresses thanks for Christmas greetings
  
  Published: Saturday, Dec. 20, 1997
• President Monson: Season's common element is love
  
  Published: Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997
• Strengthening new members
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 29, 1997
• `Am I my brother's keeper?'
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 29, 1997
• Salvation Army honors Church
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 15, 1997
• Symbol of heritage, testimony
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 8, 1997
• The faithful labor beyond the grave
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 8, 1997
• Speakers at dedication of Vernal temple
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 8, 1997
• BYU's Exemplary Manhood Award given to Pres. Monson
  
  Published: Saturday, Nov. 1, 1997
• Chart: General Authorities
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 18, 1997
• Children entrusted to parents' earthly care
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• Priesthood capsules
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• Conference capsules
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• `Drawing near to the Lord'
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• Saturday afternoon speakers
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• LDS Calendar
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• Saturday morning speakers
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• Priesthood session speakers
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• President Monson: Home teaching fulfills scriptural mandate
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997
• Find joy in service, gain knowledge and make home a heaven
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 4, 1997
• Thousands from many lands gathering for conference
  
  Published: Saturday, Oct. 4, 1997
• `Out of very small acorns, giant oak trees grow'
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 27, 1997
• A thought from the scriptures
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 27, 1997
• Relief Society general meeting to be Sept. 27
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 13, 1997
• Violinist, violin maker are in harmony
  
  Published: Saturday, Sept. 6, 1997
• Follow Savior's example - `Go out and do good' -- Pres. Faust awarded honorary doctorate
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997
• Reflections upon 70th birthday
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 23, 1997
• Attitude is important, missionaries told
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 16, 1997
• Canadian stalwart honored during Pres. Monson's visit
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 16, 1997
• Church in Upper Canada: rich history is celebrated
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 16, 1997
• Pres. Monson busy on brief Canada trip
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 16, 1997
• `Footsteps of faith' move parade -- Spectators rise for wagon train
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 2, 1997
• Sesquicentennial Spectacular
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 2, 1997
• Ground broken for assembly building
  
  Published: Saturday, Aug. 2, 1997
• Trail ends with triumphal tears
  
  Published: Saturday, July 26, 1997
• Ribbon cutting opens `Jubilee Level'
  
  Published: Saturday, July 12, 1997
• First winter mild, but challenging
  
  Published: Saturday, July 5, 1997
• Mission presidents seminar: Joys, rewards of missionary service
  
  Published: Saturday, June 28, 1997
• Missionaries need personal testimony
  
  Published: Saturday, June 28, 1997
• Travelers encouraged on journey
  
  Published: Saturday, June 21, 1997
• Newcomen Society honors early prophet
  
  Published: Saturday, June 21, 1997
• Members `ecstatic,' public pleased about new temple
  
  Published: Saturday, June 14, 1997
• St. Louis Missouri Temple: `May it be preserved by Thy power'
  
  Published: Saturday, June 7, 1997
• Church dedicates its 50th temple
  
  Published: Saturday, June 7, 1997
• `Beware detours, pitfalls and traps'
  
  Published: Saturday, June 7, 1997
• 260,000 visit temple during open house
  
  Published: Saturday, May 31, 1997
• New home for pioneer newspaper
  
  Published: Saturday, May 31, 1997
• Pres. Monson returns to France
  
  Published: Saturday, May 24, 1997
• Church News: Question of the week
  
  Published: Saturday, May 17, 1997
• Mantle of responsibility
  
  Published: Saturday, May 3, 1997