The following tributes were shared recently by Mormon Newsroom.
In addition to tributes from Presidents Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who served with President Thomas S. Monson in the First Presidency, and from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, many religious, educational, humanitarian and government leaders around the world have extended prayers and condolences in the wake of President Monson’s passing.
His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Catholic Church in the United States wishes to extend to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints community our prayers and condolences on the death of President Monson. During his tenure as president, understanding and friendship developed between our two communities on national and local levels. As we engage important questions on family and the dignity of the human person, Catholics and Mormons work together and support each other. Today, Catholics join their Latter-day Saint brothers and sisters in commending his soul to the mercy and love of God.
American Jewish Committee (AJC)
AJC stands with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in mourning the passing of Thomas Monson, who served as LDS President since 2008. He was 90.
“President Monson played a key role in deepening Jewish-Mormon relations,” said Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations. [President Monson] had major success in the supervision and expansion of the Church’s welfare program and its humanitarian work and developmental projects around the world to help those in need, regardless of faith.
United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Thomas S. Monson, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
USCIRF Chairman Daniel Mark described Monson as “the embodiment of a lifelong commitment to the church’s mission. He strongly believed in religious freedom and actively traveled the world, addressing tens of thousands of people in countless countries over his half-century of service. His passing is a great loss for the LDS Church and all people of good will.”
Anwar Khan, President, Islamic Relief USA
Islamic Relief USA and its supporters across the world are deeply saddened by the passing of His Eminence Thomas S. Monson, the beloved President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
During his 50-plus years of service and leadership of the Church, President Monson extended an olive branch and helped shed light to the most troubled and impoverished regions of the world.
We thank President Monson for his dedication and love to those who are most in need. Under his leadership, LDS Charities has strived to work with diverse communities of faith and consciousness. Together, our collective communities and humanitarian organizations have made the world a better place.
As Muslims, we are reminded of what Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stated in the Covenants with Christians of Persia: “All pious believers shall deem it their bounded duty to defend believers and to aid them wherever they may be, whether far or near, and throughout Christendom shall protect the places where they conduct worship, and those where their monks and priests dwell. Everywhere, in mountains, or in the plains, in towns and in waste places, in deserts, and wheresoever they may be, that people shall be protected, both in their faith and in their property, both in the West and in the East, both on sea and land.” President Monson and LDS Charities exemplified this rhetoric by helping those in need in Yemen, in Somalia, and many more places without discrimination of creed and vigorously advocating for religious freedom for all faiths.
As revered by 16 million-plus members of the LDS Church, President Monson’s message was one of engagement, pluralism, faith, charity and sincerity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his three children. May the Almighty have peace and blessings upon him.
Dr. Salman Masud, President, Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake
The Muslim community in Utah is deeply saddened by the loss of the great leader, President Monson, admired for his kind nature and service. Aging is not necessarily essential for greatness, but living effectively is. We will remember him as a compassionate leader whose charitable nature benefitted the needy locally and victims to disasters across the world.
During his tenure, the Muslims always felt Utah to be a warm and welcoming home. I say this to my Mormon brothers and sisters: although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.