Principles from Prophets - Thomas S. Monson

This morning, I watched a BYU devotional given by Thomas S. Monson. He talked about some qualities and interesting facts about the Prophets since he was born. So, I decided to take some excerpts from his talk and post them on my blog. I did not include most of the stories which were very interesting. So I would encourage you to read the entire transcript. I will post a link for you. Principles from Prophets transcript link

Principles from Prophets
Thomas S. Monson

Thomas S. Monson was President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints when this BYU Devotional was given in the Marriot Center on September 15, 2009.

"The seventh President of the Church, Heber J. Grant.  He was ordained and set apart as President on November 23, 1918, at the age of 62.

President Grant’s favorite song was “Do What Is Right.” And let me add the words “let the consequence follow.” Think of that: Do what is right. President Grant lived by the words of that song. His favorite food was bread and milk—very common, simple fare.

A favorite quotation of his is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson: “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our capacity to do has increased.”

What would be the trait of President Heber J. Grant that he would probably have you remember and incorporate in your life? I feel it would be persistence. Persist in all those things which are good and noble.

After 27 years as President of the Church, President Grant passed away on May 14, 1945, at the age of 88.

I move next to President George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on May 21, 1945, at the age of 75.

President George Albert Smith’s favorite song was “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words,” which he personified.

His favorite food was apple pie with a little warm milk on it.

What was one of his favorite statements? He always taught, “There is a great tug‐of‐war going on between the Lord and the adversary. Stay safely on the Lord’s side of the line.” Oh, how applicable it is today in our lives! A trait of President Smith’s which he would no doubt encourage us to incorporate in our lives would be compassion. This great leader had a compassionate heart.

President George Albert Smith served as President of the Church for six years, passing away on his 81st birthday, April 4, 1951.

Now we move to David O. McKay, the ninth President of the Church. He was sustained as President on April 9, 1951.

President McKay’s favorite song was “Oh Say, What Is Truth?” His favorite food: Cummings chocolates.

What would be an expression of his? From his own heart and soul he said, “True Christianity is love in action.”

Again, the noble principle from President McKay that I would share with you today is consideration. May we ever be considerate.

President McKay served nineteen years as President, until his death January 18, 1970, at the age of 96.

Next I mention Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart on January 23, 1970, at the age of 93.

His favorite song was “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire.” And I’ll add the next thought: “uttered or unexpressed.”

And as for his favorite food, I observed him at our luncheon table in the temple on Thursdays, and he seemed to love sweet pickles. I hate them! I would see to it that he got the sweet pickles, and I’d take the dill pickles.

What would be a favorite quotation from President Smith? From the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon he emphasized the scripture “Wickedness never was happiness.” I’ll repeat it: “Wickedness never was happiness.”

What would be his guiding principle for us? It would be gospel scholarship. He was truly a scholar. I believe we could say that he would leave for you and for me this advice: Be studious. I say that to you as student body members too: be studious. When it is test week, you’ll be grateful you were studious!

President Joseph Fielding Smith served as President of the Church for two and a half years, until his death on July 2, 1972, at the age of 95.

Harold B. Lee, eleventh President of the Church, was ordained and set apart as President on July 7, 1972, at the age of 73.

One of President Lee’s favorite songs was “Praise to the Man”—“who communed with Jehovah!” I’ll pause for a moment and say that when I was first called to the Twelve, I noted that Brother Lee was playing the organ. And he said, “Brother Monson, as our newest apostle, would you choose the song you’d like for us to sing today?” And I chose his favorite, and we all sang it with gusto.

A favorite food of his was bread and milk, and a favorite quotation of his was “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”  Remember this. I will repeat it: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”

What would be a guiding principle from him? I would say he would encourage us to be in tune with and to be responsive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

Harold B. Lee served just one and a half years as President of the Church. He passed away on December 26, 1973, at the age of 74.

After President Lee came President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on December 30, 1973, at the age of 78.

For President Kimball, obstacles became his opportunities. He was totally dedicated, a worker such as one seldom sees.  He cared not at all about personal aggrandizement.

President Kimball was totally, completely, unequivocally dedicated to the Lord. He was dedicated to living the gospel.

One of President Kimball’s favorite songs was “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Let’s remember that one particularly. That choice demonstrates his humility.

Concerning his favorite food, I watched him for all the years I was in the Twelve while he was living. He would fill a glass with milk and take some date nut bread and crumble it into the glass until it was thick. Then he would take a spoon and eat it! I did not follow his example.

What was a favorite quotation or a lesson from him? “Lengthen your stride.” We had to lengthen our stride in order to keep up with him! I asked President Kimball what would be a guiding principle from his life. And then I answered it: I believe it would be dedication.

Spencer W. Kimball served as President of the Church for twelve years until his death on November 5, 1985, at the age of 90.

Now I come to Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart as President on November 10, 1985. I had the privilege of serving as his second counselor during the years he was President.

President Benson was a generous leader.

President Benson’s favorite song was “How Great Thou Art.”

His favorite food was fresh raspberries, and we had them as often as possible at our temple luncheons when he was President of the Church.

His favorite quotation was from the Book of Mormon, words spoken by the Lord. It’s in the form of a question, and I pose it to you: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”  That would apply to every man and woman here today: “Even as I am,” said the Lord.

What is a guiding principle from President Benson? I’d have to say it is love. The manner in which he treated his sweet companion and, indeed, all with whom he came in contact provides an example for all of us. Let us love one another.

Ezra Taft Benson served as President of the Church for eight and a half years until his death on May 30, 1994, at the age of 94.

We come now to Howard W. Hunter, fourteenth President of the Church, who was ordained and set apart on June 5, 1994, at the age of 86.

One of President Hunter’s hallmarks was that of courtesy. Whether in a moment of pleasant conversation or in times of constant pain, he was ever courteous.

President Hunter loved all the hymns, but one of his favorites was “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?”

One of his favorite foods was Alaskan crab.

What would be one of his favorite quotations? He loved the scripture found in Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 2: “Let another man praise thee . . . and not thine own lips.” Modesty, modesty, modesty.

What would be a guiding principle from President Hunter’s life? I believe it would be his ability always to look for the best in people— such an important quality to emulate.

President Hunter died March 3, 1995, at the age of 87.

Finally, brothers and sisters, I come to Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth President of the Church, ordained and set apart on March 12, 1995, at the age of 84.

He was a kind man who taught and who lived tolerance,never disparaging another person’s beliefs.

President Hinckley was a wordsmith. I will repeat the word: wordsmith. He was well read and a scholar, and he could put words and phrases together in such a way that it was a pleasure to listen to his messages.

One of President Hinckley’s favorite hymns has words written by Rudyard Kipling— that’s the British in him. The hymn is “God of Our Fathers, Known of Old.”

One of his favorite desserts was pie and ice cream.

He loved the Prophet Joseph Smith; he loved the Savior. A favorite quotation was taken from the words of the Prophet Joseph concerning the Savior: And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.

What would be a guiding principle from President Hinckley’s life? It is one which we would all do well to follow: Do your best.

Gordon B. Hinckley served as President of the Church for nearly thirteen years until his death on January 27, 2008, at the age of 97.

What can we learn from the prophets whom I have known and about whom I have visited with you today? We can learn that they never wavered, never faltered, never failed; that they are men of God."

I hope you enjoyed these excerpts from Pres. Monson's talk. It would be well worth your time and effort to read the entire transcript. There are many stories about the Prophets that I'm sure you would find enjoyable and uplifting. We would all do well to try to emulate some of the wonderful qualities of these men of God mentioned by Pres. Monson.

That's my two cents.