Place: Hamilton, New Zealand
Purpose: Various

Last week, after the celebration and dedication of the temple in Cebu, Philippines, President Monson made a stop in Hamilton, New Zealand.  The New Zealand LDS Newsroom reports:

President Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visited Hamilton briefly this week (June 15).

He inspected the Church College of New Zealand campus, toured the Temple View community and met with members of the Temple View Envisioning Committee.

The Envisioning Committee is made up of local residents and others with an interest in Temple View and CCNZ. The aim of the committee is to study various options for the future of the former CCNZ campus and surrounding Church land holdings.

During the meeting, ideas were shared with President Monson, particularly with respect to helping young Latter-day Saints to develop confidence, build character and become better educated.

President Monson expressed his love for New Zealand, in particular the Polynesian people. He also paid tribute to the character of New Zealand Latter-day Saint leaders and members.

“You always learn more than you leave behind, when you come here,” he said. “I’m a better man for having visited New Zealand.”

President Monson made the trip after dedicating a temple in the Philippines. He left for the United States yesterday.

He is traveling with his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, as well as Bishop H. David Burton, presiding bishop of the Church, and other officials.

See the original story at this link:
President Monson Visits New Zealand

President Monson Visits New Zealand is a post from: Follow The Prophet - The Activities of God's Living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson

President Monson made mention of one particularly interesting detail:

“…a new temple south of Salt Lake, location still secret, but land is ready…”

I wonder where the new temple would go?  Any ideas?  Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

See more information at the links below:

Tweet by ChaseEverton
Tweet by ChaseEverton
Tweet by akseez

President Monson Mentions Another Temple in Utah Will Be Built is a post from: Follow The Prophet - The Activities of God's Living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson

Location: Kirtland, OH
Purpose: Visiting Church History sites

Yesterday, the prophet was in Kirtland, OH, visiting the Kirtland Temple and meeting with the Saints there.  He was hosted by the director of the Community of Christ Visitors Center and Kirtland Temple, Ron Romig.  While in the temple he spoke with a group who were with him.

Elder Butterfield said, “He was real, he was personable, he was kind, tender; he was everything you would expect the prophet to be.”

He also visited the LDS Visitors Center, and Newell K. Whitney Store.

Elder Butterfield said that in the Whitney Store, where the School of the Prophets had been held, President Monson “sat in front of us and talked to us like a father, or grandfather. There was just a tenderness as he shared some things from the scriptures teaching us for a few minutes. Time was not of the essence. It was the moment that was important to him and doing the things he was impressed to do and saying the things he was impressed to say.”

Brent and Tracie wrote about their experience meeting the prophet:

He started to head to his car to leave when he saw Will. He said to those with him “Wait just a minute,” and came over to talk to us. He asked me for Will’s name, I told him, “William” and he rubbed Will’s head and said “Hi, Billy.” Then Grandpa sent Beka over and President Monson asked Beka if she liked her younger brother. She said something about brother and Beka and President Monson responded “I think she does.”

Amazing isn’t it? We are so grateful to have had such a rare experience to meet the Prophet of God face to face and to speak with him and feel the spirit he brings. Our testimonies have been strengthened and I know with a surety President Monson is the prophet chosen to lead the church today. I was impressed with the love I felt from him and the comfort I felt in his presence.

Here are Brent and Tracie’s photos of the experience:

You can read more about the visit at the following links:

Church News – “A Prophet’s Visit”
JustinNThompson tweet
By Small and Simple Things blog – “Once in a Lifetime Experience”

The Prophet in Kirtland is a post from: Follow The Prophet - The Activities of God's Living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson

Location: Nauvoo, IL, USA
Purpose: Visiting Church History sites

President Monson is on a tour of Church History sites this weekend.  Yesterday he visited the Nauvoo Temple, and met with temple missionaries.  Later he went to the Visitor’s Center and met with other missionaries.  He played a few songs on the piano while he was there.  Sister Annette notes,

There was no preaching, just reminiscing about his youth, his mother and siblings, some experiences in the Navy and some experiences as a bishop. What a once in a lifetime experience to hear a prophet talk so casually and to be so relaxed. He said that this week he could be anywhere in the world and he chose to be in Nauvoo!

Annette also notes that President Monson gave this counsel to the missionaries:

President Monson closed his comments this afternoon by promising us that the Lord would be on our right hand and on our left hand and angels would hover over us as we serve our missions. He talked about how small choices make such a big difference in one’s life. Serving a mission is a choice that will have a positive effect on us and our family forever.

Amy Woodruff noted the special experience it was to meet the prophet:

The minute that [he] walked out the door, I knew. The Spirit, so fervently, bore witness to me that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. … He had a warm smile, and sincerely greeted each of us students individually. I was and always will be elated at the idea that I have met God’s living prophet today, President Thomas S. Monson.

President Monson on the Piano. (Office of the President)

You can read more about the visit at the following links:

Grandpa and Grandma McMinn blog
Church News – “A Prophet’s Visit” (see pictures of his trip here)

President Monson visits Nauvoo is a post from: Follow The Prophet - The Activities of God's Living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson