BYU-Idaho among those paying tribute to President Monson

Brigham Young University-Idaho will fly its flags at half-staff beginning today in memory of Thomas S. Monson, the 16th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It was but one of many tributes following the announcement of the President’s death Tuesday evening.

NAACP Salt Lake Branch President and President of the NAACP’s Tri-State Conference of Idaho-Nevada-Utah sent her condolences to the family of President Monson and Church Members. In a statement, she said:

“President Monson was a very kind and caring individual and leaves a great legacy.” Williams recalls that President Monson would always greet her with a warm smile and handshake whenever he saw her, calling her by name as they talked about the community and working together. He was aware of the respect of President Gordon B. Hinckley and President James E. Faust had toward me and my work as a Civil Rights Leader. He too, would always ask how I was treated by the people in Utah,” said Jeanetta Williams.

Williams said that there will be quotes remembered by President Monson but one that she will remember is, “Never let a problem to be solved, become more important than a person to be loved.”

The NAACP sends our deepest condolences upon the passing of LDS President Thomas S. Monson.”

Senator Mike Crapo issued a statement praising Monson as a powerful example of service to others. In a statement, Crapo said:

“Today I join those of the LDS faith and others who mourn the passing of LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson. He was a great leader, a kind man who spent more than half a century in service to others through his responsibilities in the Church. His focus was ‘the one’, and he shared that love and kindness whenever he spoke. He was a man of humility, energy, action and intelligence, and those who came in contact with him never forgot it. His was a life to celebrate, and he has left a wonderful legacy of example and service.”

“I am saddened by the news of President Monson’s death. He had a servant’s heart and always walked through life looking for ways to help others. His humility and love for every person and his focus on the individual is an example to people of every faith. I hope that his passing will inspire all of us to reach out to those who would benefit from an encouraging word or an act of kindness.

“While I will miss President Monson, I am sure he had a happy reunion with his wife, Frances. The world would be a better place if all of us were a little bit more like Thomas S. Monson.”

Idaho Senator Jim Risch issued the following statement:

“Vicki and I offer our sincere condolences to the family of President Thomas S. Monson. We join millions of people around the world in mourning his passing. President Monson was one of a kind; he had a true passion for serving others and helped so many people throughout his life. He will forever be remembered for his servant leadership and dedication to ministering to those in need.”

Condolences were also offered by other regional religious leaders:

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that they were saddened by the passing of President Monson, 90, a great humanitarian who collaborated with other religions/denominations worldwide on programs aimed at improving the human condition.

“An affable, kind and approachable leader; highly influential Monson was instrumental in expansion of Church’s disaster relief projects worldwide, openness to Mormonism scholars, greatly raising the number of young women missionaries, etc.; Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out.

Rajan Zed further said that Monson embraced various humanitarian causes, reached out to the less fortunate, found time to visit the sick, valued transparency, lived a selfless life, and never shied away from acts of kindness and charity.”

The Church has produced a video highlighting the President’s life. You can see that here.