When I was very young, a visiting leader came to our church to divide one “stake” (group of congregations), into two stakes. This man was an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church) and was ordained to be a “special witness of Jesus Christ”. In my childish naivety, after the meeting I asked this apostle if he had ever seen an angel. Of course, he declined to answer such a sacred question.
Today, that man, Thomas S. Monson, was sustained in a “solemn assembly” as the Prophet and 16th President of the LDS Church. President Monson became the President of the LDS Church in February, shortly after the passing of his predecessor, Gordon B. Hinckley. However, in the LDS faith, we have “general conference” every six months, and at the first general conference after a prophet is called, the members of the Church have the opportunity to sustain their new Prophet and President in a ceremony known as a “solemn assembly”.
This was the first solemn assembly that I can remember watching live. The last two presidents of the Church were sustained while I was serving a mission in Brazil. Prior to that, I was only about 10 years old when the solemn assembly for President Ezra Taft Benson was held. So, even though I have been a member since I was 8 years old, the solemn assembly today was a new experience for me.
Tonight President Monson spoke for his first time after being sustained Prophet and President by the membership of the Church. In his talk, he taught that if we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help, and that we should ask ourselves whether we are worthy servants of the Lord. He challenged us to stand for right, even if it is alone. He taught many other things, however, what will stay with me for a long time is the impression I received as he spoke that he really is a prophet of God. I will follow him.
For more information about President Thomas Monson, visit:
- ThomasSMonson.org from the LDS Church.
- ThomasMonson.com, from the More Good Foundation.
Posted on April 5th, 2008 by Nathan Gwilliam
Filed under: Faith
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