President Thomas S. Monson often expresses his gratitude for the service given by members of the Church as they love each other and live in obedience to the commandments of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
“I thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel,” President Monson said in his opening remarks at the April 2012 general conference. “I thank you for the love and care you show one to another. I thank you for the service you provide in your wards and branches and in your stakes and districts. It is such service that enables the Lord to accomplish many of His purposes here upon the earth.
“I express my thanks to you for your kindnesses to me wherever I go. I thank you for your prayers in my behalf. I have felt those prayers and am most grateful for them.”
Expressions of Appreciation
President Monson offered a similar expression of appreciation during his closing remarks at the October 2011 general conference.
“I thank you for the service you so willingly give to one another. We are God’s hands here on this earth, with a mandate to love and to serve His children.
“I thank you for all that you do in your wards and your branches. I express my gratitude for your willingness to serve in the positions to which you are called, whatever they may be. Each is important in furthering the work of the Lord.”
Thanks for Those Who Serve
At every general conference, President Monson expresses his appreciation for those who have been called to serve and those who have been released from callings. He also thanks those who are currently serving, wherever they may be in the Church, and those who have helped with music, translation, and other services related to conference.
“I express profound appreciation to my faithful and dedicated counselors and thank them publicly for the support and assistance they provide to me,” he said at the same conference. “They are truly men of wisdom and understanding, and their service is invaluable.
“I thank my brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve for their most able and untiring service in the work of the Lord. Likewise I express my gratitude to the members of the Quorums of the Seventy and to the Presiding Bishopric for their selfless and effective service. I similarly express my appreciation for the women and men who serve as general auxiliary officers.”
We Are One with You
“As your humble servant, I desire with all my heart to do God’s will and to serve Him and to serve you,” President Monson continued.
“I love you; I pray for you. I would ask once again that you would remember me and all the General Authorities in your prayers. We are one with you in moving forward this marvelous work. I testify to you that we are all in this together and that every man, woman, and child has a part to play. May God give us the strength and the ability and the determination to play our part well.
“I bear my testimony to you that this work is true, that our Savior lives, and that He guides and directs His Church here upon the earth. I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real. May we realize and understand how close to us He is willing to come, how far He is willing to go to help us, how much He loves us, and how much He does and is willing to do for us.”
