Follow The Prophet – The Words & Deeds of God's Living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson

On behalf of her late husband, President Monson kisses Thelma Fetzer's forehead. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)

Place: Thelma Fetzer’s house
Purpose: Celebrate friend’s 100th birthday

A week ago from last Thursday, on April 8th, President Monson visited one of his “golden” friends of over 60 years, Thelma Wooley Fetzer, to celebrate her 100th birthday, as reported in the Church News.

Sister Fetzer’s husband, Percy K. Fetzer (who passed away in 1982), was a stake president in Salt Lake City’s Temple View Stake long ago, and called President Monson to be one of his counselors.

“Since I was his counselor and friend, I’ll say for Percy, ‘Happy birthday, sweetheart.’ ” President Monson then placed a kiss on Sister Fetzer’s forehead.

See more in the Church News article:
‘Golden friend’ receives visit from President and Sister Monson

The LDS blog Segullah recently posted some anecdotes about President Monson.  One may or may not be true, as it is told several times removed from the source.  The other was told by Elder Lansing of the Seventy that spoke at a stake conference last weekend.

The first story is about a woman who is not a member of the Church, but who has a coworker who is, and who she speaks with often about the Church.  While the women is traveling on one occasion she meets a nice older gentleman, and they have a conversation:

…she finds out the gentleman is also a member of the church. She tells him about her co-worker [the member]. They talk and have a friendly conversation. As their meeting is coming to a close he asks her to tell her friend hello. Puzzled, she asks, “Will she know you?” He answers, “Yes, she probably will. Tell her Tommy Monson says hello.”

The second story is Elder Lansing’s account of President Monson’s visits to Elder Marion D. Hanks, who is in the hospital with Alzheimer’s disease.  The things that President Monson did for his friend is touching.

Read the stories and the additional anecdotes in the comments at Segullah:
I’m Trying to Be Like…

Place: Ensign Stake Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Purpose: William Robert McConkie’s Funeral

Last Saturday, March 13th, President Monson attended and spoke at the funeral of Br. William Robert McConkie, who passed away earlier this month, the youngest brother of Bruce, Briton, James, Margaret (Bill J. Pope), and Oscar W. McConkie Jr.  A grandchild describes the service:

We went to Grandfather McConkie’s funeral, at his funeral the Prophet came. The front row was reserved for the immediate family so we went to go sit on the front row. One of our relatives told us that we shouldn’t sit on the front row, in case our children are too noisy for the prophet, because they will be distracting. Seth told her that the Prophet loves children and that we are going to sit on the front row. We listened to the program and at the end Pres. Monson stood up to speak. He mostly spoke about Bruce R. but the stories he told were pretty funny. In his speech he mentioned the beautiful children on the front row, which was Jordan and Atticus. Then half way through his speech he looked down at Jordan, because she was pointing at him. Pres. Monson said, “little girl, look up here, watch my ears.” Then Pres. Monson wiggled his ears for Jordan. After the program was over, everyone stood up after Pres. Monson stood up and Jordan ran up on the stand right to him. They held both hands together and Grandpa was right their ready with the camera and took their picture. Then Jordan led him off the stage holding his hand, he met me at the bottom of the stairs to hand over Jordan and then he touched Atticus on the cheek and told me how cute he was. It was such a neat experience.

William Robert McConkie’s obituary

Place: Provo, Utah
Purpose: Funeral services for Marie Osmond’s son

Today at a private service in Provo, Utah, President Thomas S. Monson presided and gave the closing remarks at the funeral of Marie Osmond’s son, Michael Bryan.  The services started with Marie’s brother, Donny Osmond, giving the opening prayer, and then family members expressing their thoughts.  After the closing remarks by President Monson, the services ended with the Osmond family singing “God Be with You Till We Meet Again.”

See additional information at the following links:

Deseret News
People Magazine
Associated Press (with pictures)

Place: West Jordan Sunset Ridge Stake Center, UT
Purpose: The viewing of Br. William David Miller

A couple weeks ago (Jan 14, 2010) President Monson attended the viewing of one of the missionaries who served under him when he was mission president in the Canadian Mission from 1959-1962.  The brother was William David Miller from West Jordan, Utah.

A member from the stake, Julie Weiss, tells of a special experience that happened that evening: Continue reading