Face of a Prophet

Posted by Emily M. | April 5, 2008 | 11 Comments

During the Solemn Assembly sustaining I watched President Monson’s face. He had this look of deep humility, of awe, and also of acceptance.

Noticing President Monson’s face this morning was an answer to my prayers. I’ve had a hard time letting go of President Hinckley. I thought I was done crying about it, but the other day I happened to see a video clip of him speaking and I got emotional again. I miss him.

I’ve seen that very expression on President Hinckley’s face, a kind of weighty, loving acceptance of his responsibility. It was good, very good, to see President Monson wearing it.

My kids stood up when it was their turn to sustain. And that, I think, was my favorite time of the entire day: My older son saying “Get up! Stand up! Raise your hand!!” urgently to his younger sister and toddler brother. He understood the importance of this moment, and they followed his example. And I realized, this morning, that for my little two year old, President Monson’s face will be the first prophet’s face he remembers, the prophet of his childhood.

I have early memories of hearing President Kimball’s rasping voice. I was too little to really pay attention to what he taught. But I knew that face, and I knew he was a prophet. This is why I put up with bickering over Conference Bingo Froot Loops, why we all watch Conference together as a family: these are the faces I want my kids to become familiar with. Starting with President Monson, our newly sustained prophet.

Category: Daily Special

Comments

11 Responses to “Face of a Prophet”

Justine
April 5th, 2008 @ 11:11 pm

My kids: “Is it our turn yet???” “Now?” “Are the kids going to have to be dead last?” “Mom, why are you crying? Did you get hurt?”

It was a really cool morning.
Dalene
April 6th, 2008 @ 9:15 am

Yes. I had kids who wanted to play Nintendo next to the TV on which we were watching conference. But I also enjoyed watching the second session in peace right next to my oldest son who sat there and took notes. Eventually they get it and he, at least, gets it a lot earlier than I admittedly did.

And yes to this…”a kind of weighty, loving acceptance of his responsibility. It was good, very good, to see President Monson wearing it.”

I saw it too and it made the transition much easier than I expected.

Your post reminded me of when, alsmot 20 years ago, I rode up the elevator at UVRMC with President Monson. I was nine months pregnant with my first child–the son I mentioned above–and was going to look at the babies in the nursery (back in the day when you could do that). He spoke with me and my husband–and in that way the general authorities have, found a way to connect with us personally. Then he wished us well with the baby and went on his way. I’d completely forgotten about it until I read your post.
Brooke
April 6th, 2008 @ 9:50 am

i was crying too. i kept thinking of the story about how when brigham young became the second prophet and everyone in attendance said he just took on the visage/countenance of joseph smith, and they knew he was the next prophet.

that’s how i’ve felt about president monson. i just knew, and it was because of his face. he’s just taken on this look.

yesterday was just sublime. i will never forget standing in my family room, with all my kids, sleep still in our eyes, raising our hands… amazing.
Kathryn Soper
April 6th, 2008 @ 9:51 pm

I thought conference would be kinda like going to a party knowing your best friend wouldn’t be there. But it wasn’t that way at all. Fascinating and comforting and wonderful to see the change in Pres. Monson.
Emily M.
April 6th, 2008 @ 9:56 pm

Thanks for sharing your experiences with conference, everyone. Keep them coming!

Kathy, absolutely. Especially that last talk. So amazing. I also loved what Elder Holland said about watching the mantel of the prophet descend on President Monson. It’s much more than just an “expression on his face like President Hinckley’s” as I wrote here last night. It’s the mantel of the prophet, and the more I heard him speak, the more I felt it.
eljee
April 6th, 2008 @ 10:45 pm

I’ve always loved President Monson, but I’ve always thought of him more as a storyteller, while others did the heavy doctrinal work. That perception completely changed today. Of course he still told stories (which I love!), but not as many–it was much more about giving counsel. I definitely noticed the mantle!
Brooke
April 6th, 2008 @ 11:15 pm

i thought the same thing when elder holland said “the mantle!” i was thinking, “THAT’S IT! that’s what changed…”
Shelah
April 7th, 2008 @ 11:41 am

I too have been missing President Hinckley, and although I don’t think I realized it fully, had dug my heels in a little bit at the idea of accepting someone new up there, even if that someone was President Monson. I’ll admit that I only had about 20% of my attention to give during his Sunday Morning session talk, but during Sunday Afternoon, tears streaming down my face and the kids all calling for me from the downstairs, I felt like I was falling in love with him and finally accepting him as our new prophet.
Cheri
April 11th, 2008 @ 1:36 pm

The first time I recognized the mantle of a calling was when I saw it lift off from the beloved bishop of my childhood. As an adult, I watched it rest on our current bishop when he was called. One week he was a good guy with a great sense of humor. The next week he was The Bishop who has a great sense of humor. Emily, don’t discount your description of the countenance, because that is where we see it, that weight and love and acceptance. Those are good words, Emily. It was good, so good, for me to see on President Monson. It was a boost my testimony really needed. That’s right. We have prophets. The do speak for the Lord. This is His church.
Maddison
April 12th, 2008 @ 10:32 am

Oh I am so glad to have read this post, Sister. I too have been missing President Hinckley, and even though I’ve always loved President Monson, it’s been hard for me to let go too. But I have a strong testimony that President Monson is the Prophet of the Lord and I am so grateful to have witnessed it (that was the first time I’ve seen, and participated in a Prophet being sustained – I am a fairly new convert). But again, thank you, Sister, for this post, I am glad to see that I’m not the only one who’s still having a bit of a tough time. I also saw the look on President Monson’s face that you’re speaking of and felt the same way… I am so grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel, Sisters!
Emily M.
April 12th, 2008 @ 10:58 am

Maddison, I’m glad you read it too . When I wrote this I wondered if anyone else would see the same thing I did. It’s been sweet to me to read of all those who also witnessed President Monson’s very real transformation from Apostle to Prophet. I think this is one of those experiences that I will always remember, that will bring me strength when I’m struggling. So glad you commented.