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SALT LAKE CITY -- A week before the release of a new biography of President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the author spoke with KSL to discuss the stories behind the book and the meaning behind the title.
Heidi Swinton, an award-winning author and screenwriter, says "To The Rescue" tells of the remarkable experiences of a man who became a worldwide Church leader. She says those experiences prepared President Monson for his life's work.
"He seems to always be available, to go on the Lord's errand ... to do whatever needs to be done, to give someone a boost, to give them a sense of comfort, some peace," said Swinton of the Church's prophet. "To be sitting with someone at the last moment of their life and be patting their hand, he's always 'to the rescue.'"
That is the meaning behind the title of the biography of Thomas S. Monson, the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Swinton says Monson is a man for his time.
"Not only does he have a grasp of how important it is for us to connect with one another, in an era where people are self-absorbed and tweeting and texting rather than ... relating to one another, President Monson is all about reaching out and helping someone else," she said.
To the Rescue is the much-anticipated official biography of President Thomas S. Monson. Beginning with President Monson's family heritage and his early years in Salt Lake City, it includes his vocational preparation and his career in the world of journalism. More importantly, this inspiring book recounts his lifetime of Church service. CLICK HERE to read more
The book contains a story of faith about President Monson's early life and a church pulpit, which used to be in an old LDS meetinghouse in Salt Lake City but is now on display at the Deseret Book flagship store.
President Monson stood at that pulpit to deliver his first talk in church at age 10. Later, when he was a bishop at age 22, he stood at the pulpit as he shouldered huge responsibilities.
"He would sometimes go to the chapel late at night and he'd kneel down at this pulpit, put his hand on the side of this pulpit, and he'd pray to the Lord for guidance," Swinton said.
The biography also contains photographs capturing private moments the public has not seen: There is one of Thomas S. Monson in 1963 at an LDS General Conference, waiting for his name to be announced as a new apostle. Another shows President Monson walking alone along a path in Europe where 20 years before he blessed the nation what was then East Germany.
Deseret Book officially releases the book Monday, Sept. 27, but you can meet the author and buy a copy early at the flagship store in downtown Salt Lake City on Sept. 25. At 7:30 p.m.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
