Thomas S. Monson (1927-2018) was the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Born in 1927 in Salt Lake City, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later became a prominent business figure. Monson held various leadership roles within the LDS Church before becoming its president in 2008. Known for his compassionate leadership, he emphasized service, humanitarian efforts, and global outreach. Under his tenure, the church continued its expansion, reaching diverse communities worldwide. Monson’s presidency highlighted a commitment to Christ-like love and kindness. Following his death in 2018, Russell M. Nelson succeeded him as the church president, leaving a legacy of dedicated service and inclusive leadership.
Thomas S. Monson Quotes
1. “The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it.”
— Thomas S. Monson
2. “Decisions determine destiny.”
— Thomas S. Monson
3. “The future is in your hands, the outcome is up to you.”
— Thomas S. Monson
4. “Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live in the present.”
— Thomas S. Monson
5. “Remember who you are and what God expects you to become.”
— Thomas S. Monson
6. “When we deal in generalities, we shall never succeed. When we deal in specifics, we shall rarely have a failure. When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of performance accelerates.”
— Thomas S. Monson
7. “The Book of Mormon changes lives.”
— Thomas S. Monson
8. “Let us be kind to one another, to be aware of each other’s needs, and try to help in that regard.”
— Thomas S. Monson
9. “God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.”
— Thomas S. Monson
10. “Our lives will depend upon the decisions which we make, for decisions determine destiny.”
— Thomas S. Monson
11. “We are reminded that anger doesn’t solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything.”
— Thomas S. Monson
12. “Choose your love, Love your choice.”
— Thomas S. Monson
13. “Don’t save something for a special occasion. Every day of your life is a special occasion.”
— Thomas S. Monson
14. “Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”
— Thomas S. Monson
15. “I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.”
— Thomas S. Monson
16. “Fill your mind with truth; fill your heart with love; fill your life with service.”
— Thomas S. Monson
17. “Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have and offer thanks for all the troubles we don’t have.”
— Thomas S. Monson
18. “When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.”
— Thomas S. Monson
19. “Our code of conduct is definitive; it is not negotiable.”
— Thomas S. Monson
20. “Gaze Upward, Look Inward, Reach Outward, Press Forward.”
— Thomas S. Monson
21. “You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.”
— Thomas S. Monson
22. “Life by the yard is hard; by the inch, it’s a cinch. Decisions Determine Destiny.”
— Thomas S. Monson
23. “By choosing our path, we choose our destination.”
— Thomas S. Monson
24. “Find joy in the journey.”
— Thomas S. Monson
25. “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.”
— Thomas S. Monson
26. “So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference.”
— Thomas S. Monson
27. “Stand for right, even if you stand alone.”
— Thomas S. Monson
28. “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.”
— Thomas S. Monson
29. “Without a goal there can be no real success.”
— Thomas S. Monson
30. “Help others in their race of life. Remember that when you help another up a mountain, you are a little nearer the top yourself.”
— Thomas S. Monson
31. “Our task is to become our best selves. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final.”
— Thomas S. Monson
32. “Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities. You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.”
— Thomas S. Monson
33. “It has been said that the gate of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny.”
— Thomas S. Monson
34. “If you want to give light to others you have to glow yourself.”
— Thomas S. Monson
35. “Your patriarchal blessing is your passport to peace in this life. It is a Liahona of light to guide you unerringly to your heavenly home.”
— Thomas S. Monson
36. “Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty.”
— Thomas S. Monson
37. “Never, never, never postpone following a prompting.”
— Thomas S. Monson
38. “Prayer is the passport to peace.”
— Thomas S. Monson
39. “May we be people of honesty and integrity trying to do the right thing at all times and in all circumstances.”
— Thomas S. Monson
40. “Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with family and friends.”
— Thomas S. Monson
41. “As you walk through life, always walk toward the light, and the shadows of life will fall behind you.”
— Thomas S. Monson
42. “Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier.”
— Thomas S. Monson
43. “As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way.”
— Thomas S. Monson
44. “I promise you that one day you will stand aside and look at your difficult times, you will realize that he was always there beside you.”
— Thomas S. Monson
45. “Have an attitude of gratitude.”
— Thomas S. Monson
46. “You can’t be right by doing wrong; you can’t be wrong by doing right.”
— Thomas S. Monson
47. “The road to anywhere is the road to nowhere, and the road to nowhere leads to dreams sacrificed, opportunities squandered, and a life unfulfilled. In our journey we will encounter forks and turnings in the road.”
— Thomas S. Monson
48. “Spiritual strength frequently comes through selfless service.”
— Thomas S. Monson
49. “There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today, and to live most fully today, we must do that which is of greatest importance. Let us not procrastinate those things which matter most.”
— Thomas S. Monson
50. “Choose good friends. Friends help to determine your future. You will tend to be like them and to be found where they choose to go. Remember, the path we follow in this life leads to the path we follow in the next.”
— Thomas S. Monson
51. “Love is the very essence of the gospel.”
— Thomas S. Monson
52. “When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be.”
— Thomas S. Monson
53. “You can share your testimony in many ways, by the words you speak, by the example you set, by the manner in which you live your life.”
— Thomas S. Monson
54. “As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always.”
— Thomas S. Monson
55. “We tend to become like those whom we admire.”
— Thomas S. Monson
56. “A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder – never likely to reach home port. To us comes the signal: chart your course, set your sail, position your rudder, and proceed.”
— Thomas S. Monson
57. “If you will study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased.”
— Thomas S. Monson
58. “To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.”
— Thomas S. Monson
59. “Have the moral courage to be a light for others to follow.”
— Thomas S. Monson
60. “Men take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears.”
— Thomas S. Monson
61. “Work will win when wishy washy wishing won t.”
— Thomas S. Monson
62. “Heavenly Father loves you – each of you. That love never changes.”
— Thomas S. Monson
63. “Look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue.”
— Thomas S. Monson
64. “You may sometimes be tempted to say, ‘Will my influence make any difference? I am just one. Will my service affect the work that dramatically?’ I testify to you that it will. You will never be able to measure your influence for good.”
— Thomas S. Monson
65. “A woman needs to be told she is beautiful. She needs to be told she is valued. She needs to be told she is worthwhile.”
— Thomas S. Monson
66. “Any excuse, no matter how valid, only weakens the character.”
— Thomas S. Monson
67. “At times some may think that no one cares – but someone always cares! Your Heavenly Father will not leave you to struggle alone, but stands ever ready to help.”
— Thomas S. Monson
68. “Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: ‘I know that my Redeemer lives!’”
— Thomas S. Monson
69. “We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.”
— Thomas S. Monson
70. “A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.”
— Thomas S. Monson
71. “Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”
— Thomas S. Monson
72. “In the temple we can find peace. The blessings of the temple are priceless.”
— Thomas S. Monson
73. “Love is the catalyst that causes change. Love is the balm that brings healing to the soul.”
— Thomas S. Monson
74. “Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives.”
— Thomas S. Monson
75. “Testimony bearing is the key to missionary work.”
— Thomas S. Monson
76. “Missionary work is an identifying feature of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Always has it been; ever shall it be.”
— Thomas S. Monson
77. “Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change.”
— Thomas S. Monson
78. “Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.”
— Thomas S. Monson
79. “God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one.”
— Thomas S. Monson
80. “Physically walking where Jesus walked is less important than walking as He walked.”
— Thomas S. Monson
81. “My dear sisters, do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle.”
— Thomas S. Monson
82. “He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face.”
— Thomas S. Monson
83. “We were not placed on this earth to walk alone.”
— Thomas S. Monson
84. “May we be faithful followers of Christ, examples of righteousness, thus becoming lights in the world.”
— Thomas S. Monson
85. “We are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven.”
— Thomas S. Monson
86. “Study with purpose, both in church and in school. Write down your goals and what you plan to do to achieve them. Aim high, for you are capable…”
— Thomas S. Monson
87. “Dedicated missionary service returns a dividend of eternal joy which extends throughout mortality and into eternity.”
— Thomas S. Monson
88. “I testify that when we do all we can to accomplish the work that is before us, the Lord will make available to us the sacred key needed to unlock the treasure which we so much seek.”
— Thomas S. Monson
89. “Ours is the responsibility to keep our light bright for others to see and follow.”
— Thomas S. Monson
90. “Blame keeps wounds open; only forgiveness heals.”
— Thomas S. Monson
91. “No one can make us angry. It is our choice.”
— Thomas S. Monson
92. “Heavenly Father has a picture of you on His dresser. He loves you and will help you. Call upon Him.”
— Thomas S. Monson
93. “Opportunities are everywhere. Needed are eyes to see the pitiable plight and ears to hear the silent pleadings of a broken heart.”
— Thomas S. Monson
94. “The gospel of Jesus Christ is that penetrating light which shines through the darkness of our lives.”
— Thomas S. Monson
95. “Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.”
— Thomas S. Monson
96. “The courage to say no, the courage to say yes. Decisions do determine Destiny.”
— Thomas S. Monson
97. “Who the Lord calls, the Lord will qualify.”
— Thomas S. Monson
98. “There are lives to brighten. There are hearts to touch. There are souls to save.”
— Thomas S. Monson
99. “We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey.”
— Thomas S. Monson
100. “Wishing will not make it so. The Lord expects our thinking. He expects our action. He expects our labors. He expects our testimonies. He expects our devotion.”
— Thomas S. Monson
101. “Through tears and trials, through fears and sorrows, through the heartache and loneliness of losing loved ones, there is assurance that life is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is the living witness that such is so.”
— Thomas S. Monson
102. “We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.”
— Thomas S. Monson
103. “When faith replaces doubt when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes.”
— Thomas S. Monson
104. “Choose your friends carefully, for you will tend to be like them and be found where they choose to go.”
— Thomas S. Monson
105. “Think to Thank. In these three words are the finest capsule course for a happy marriage, formula for enduring friendship, and a pattern for personal happiness.”
— Thomas S. Monson
106. “He who gives money gives some, he who gives time gives more, and he who gives of himself gives all.”
— Thomas S. Monson
107. “The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility.”
— Thomas S. Monson
108. “Wonderful, glorious things are in store for you, if only you will believe, obey, and endure.”
— Thomas S. Monson
109. “Your mind is a cupboard and you stock the shelves.”
— Thomas S. Monson
110. “Love thy neighbor is more than a divine truth. It is a pattern for perfection.”
— Thomas S. Monson
111. “What is most important almost always involves the people around us.”
— Thomas S. Monson
112. “Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval.”
— Thomas S. Monson
113. “When God speaks and we obey, we will always be right.”
— Thomas S. Monson
114. “Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, drugs, the power of peer pressure-all these and more-cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered dreams.”
— Thomas S. Monson
115. “May we show increased kindness toward one another, and may we ever be found doing the work of the Lord.”
— Thomas S. Monson
116. “Graduation is not the conclusion of an achievement but simply the ending of one chapter and the beginning of another chapter.”
— Thomas S. Monson
117. “Kneel down to pray. Step up to serve. Reach out to rescue. Each is a vital page of God’s blueprint to make a house a home and a home a heaven.”
— Thomas S. Monson
118. “The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it.”
— Thomas S. Monson
119. “One day each of us will run out of tomorrows. Let us not put off what is important.”
— Thomas S. Monson
120. “It’s not enough to wish, it’s not enough to dream, it’s not enough to promise. We must do.”
— Thomas S. Monson
121. “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ.”
— Thomas S. Monson
122. “Let us not only remember the past and its required sacrifice, let us also remember that we are responsible to build a legacy for the generations which follow us.”
— Thomas S. Monson
123. “There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: ‘Judge not.’”
— Thomas S. Monson
124. “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”
— Thomas S. Monson
125. “Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings.”
— Thomas S. Monson
126. “As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation.”
— Thomas S. Monson
127. “If we are to have the very best Christmas ever, we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet. We must reach out for the Carpenter’s hand. With every step we take in his footsteps, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth.”
— Thomas S. Monson
128. “True love can alter human lives and change human nature.”
— Thomas S. Monson
129. “A friend is more concerned about helping people than getting credit. A friend cares. A friend loves. A friend listens. And a friend reaches out.”
— Thomas S. Monson
130. “Prayer can solve more problems, alleviate more suffering, prevent more transgression, and bring about greater peace and contentment in the human soul than can be obtained in any other way.”
— Thomas S. Monson
131. “Avoid any semblance of pornography. It is dangerous and addictive. If you continue to view pornography, your spirit will become desensitized and your conscience will erode.”
— Thomas S. Monson
132. “When we are on the Lord’s errand, we are entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember that the Lord will shape the back to bear the burden placed upon it.”
— Thomas S. Monson
133. “Ours is the responsibility to show our gratitude by the actions of our lives.”
— Thomas S. Monson
134. “How grateful we are that the heavens are indeed open, that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, and that the Church is founded on the rock of revelation. We are a blessed people, with apostles and prophets upon the earth today.”
— Thomas S. Monson
135. “Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.”
— Thomas S. Monson
136. “We are going to make mistakes, but none of us can become an expert in family history work without first being a novice.”
— Thomas S. Monson
137. “No problem is too small for His attention nor so large that He cannot answer the prayer of faith. Prayer surely is the passport to spiritual power.”
— Thomas S. Monson
138. “When fear replaces faith, remember prayer.”
— Thomas S. Monson
139. “Don’t forget: one of the saddest things in life is wasted talent.”
— Thomas S. Monson
140. “Serving throughout the world is a great missionary force going about doing good. Missionaries teach truth. They dispel darkness. They spread joy. They bring precious souls to Christ.”
— Thomas S. Monson
141. “If you are persistent, you will succeed.”
— Thomas S. Monson
142. “By learning of Him, by believing in Him, by following Him, there is the capacity to become like Him.”
— Thomas S. Monson
143. “When you’re on the Lord’s errand, you’re entitled to the Lord’s blessings.”
— Thomas S. Monson
144. “I urge you to live within your means. One cannot spend more than one earns and remain solvent. I promise you that you will then be happier than you would be if you were constantly worrying about how to make the next payment on nonessential debt.”
— Thomas S. Monson
145. “The Lord is in the details of our lives.”
— Thomas S. Monson
146. “Men and women of integrity, character, and purpose have ever recognized a power higher than themselves and have sought through prayer to be guided by that power. Such has it ever been. So shall it ever be.”
— Thomas S. Monson
147. “The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things.”
— Thomas S. Monson
148. “To live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.”
— Thomas S. Monson
149. “We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.”
— Thomas S. Monson
150. “Cooperativeness is not so much learning how to get along with others as taking the kinks out of ourselves, so that others can get along with us.”
— Thomas S. Monson
