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PROVO -- It's become a tradition for the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to speak on the Church-owned campus, usually at the beginning of the school year. On Tuesday morning, Church President Thomas S. Monson continued that tradition by offering advice and hope for students wondering about their future.
"You are in the prime of your lives. You are on the cutting edge of progress. You live in a time of extreme difficulty, but also a time of exceptional opportunity," President Monson told the students. "I think the nation and the world have never been beset with a greater variety of challenges to meet and problems to solve. You, those similar to you, are destined to meet those challenges."
President Monson spoke to more than 20,000 students and faculty members in the Marriott Center, which was filled to capacity. He gave an individual account of his experiences of the previous nine church presidents of his lifetime and spoke of his own personal experiences with them and what they taught him--lessons he believes others can benefit from.
"We can learn that they never wavered, never faltered, never failed; that they are men of God. May we be persistent in those things which are good and noble," President Monson said.
He acknowledged that as the 16th president of the Church, his story has not been written yet. He then pledged to do his best to serve and lead those of the LDS faith.
President Monson drew the most laughs as he shared each of the previous president's favorite food. It was obvious from the look on his face, that some of those dishes are something he hopes to never see on the menu.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
