Thomas S. Monson

Thomas S. Monson was the sixteenth President of the LDS Church, serving from 2008 to 2018. Born in Salt Lake City, Monson worked in the printing and publishing industry, eventually becoming an executive with the Deseret News Press. He was called as a bishop at age 22 and as an apostle at age 36, making him one of the youngest apostles in modern history.

Monson was known for his prodigious memory for names and faces, and his countless stories of personal ministry to individuals—particularly widows. His general conference talks frequently featured accounts of visiting the sick, the lonely, and the struggling. Critics noted these stories sometimes seemed embellished or repetitive.

His presidency saw the church lower the missionary age (to 18 for men, 19 for women), resulting in a significant increase in missionary numbers. He announced many new temples and oversaw the church’s response to California’s Proposition 8, which opposed same-sex marriage—a controversial involvement that brought significant criticism.

Questions arose about Monson’s mental acuity in his later years. He gave fewer public talks, and his conference addresses became notably shorter. Reports suggested he suffered from dementia, though the church never confirmed this. His presidency ended with his death in January 2018 at age 90.