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Thomas S. Monson was called as President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 3, 2008, upon the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley. Monson is the 16th president of the Church. Monson was the senior member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, having served the longest of any current apostle. He had served as First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church to President Hinckley.

Thomas Spencer Monson was born on 21 August 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the second of six children born to G. Spencer and Gladys Condie Monson. The Monsons were of hardy Northern European ancestry. They were hardworking, humble, loving parents. The family went without many of the luxuries of life, especially during the Great Depression. Yet Thomas Monson was tender-hearted and sensitive to those around him who were even less fortunate. His compassion was manifested one Christmas, when he couldn’t bear watching his friend’s family endure a Christmas dinner of cereal and water. He gave the family his two prize rabbits, saying while holding back tears, “It isn’t turkey, but they will make you a good Christmas dinner.”¹ (Thomas S. Monson)