One-on-One with President Monson

On August 21, 2016, during President Thomas S. Monson’s birthday reception in the boardroom of the Church Administration Building, I was filled with indescribable joy when President Monson spoke to me about his experience leading to the 1978 revelation on the priesthood.

On President Monson’s 89th birthday, the General Authorities serving at Church Headquarters, along with staff members and others, were invited to a reception. This was my very first time attending a birthday reception in the United States of America. I must have gotten there earlier than most people, including President Monson. The receptions I was accustomed to were associated with lots of food. No wonder my eyes focused on the large table in the middle of the room. There were very beautiful decorations and lots of different snacks and fruits.

Noticing that those who came into the room would help themselves to a small plate of selected snacks, I joined them and enjoyed the delicious food. I thought that at some time, President Monson would come into the room so that we could sing “Happy Birthday” to him. It wasn’t until Elder Joseph W. Sitati came in and started chatting with me that I realized that President Monson was already in the room. My mind and focus had been on the large table with eats, and I hadn’t paid attention to what was happening around me. I learned from Joseph that most General Authorities who were coming in would go and shake President Monson’s hand, pick up a few refreshments, and leave the room.

I was surprised to see that the room was almost empty, and looking at my watch, I realized that I had spent over an hour in the room, standing, eating, and chatting, without paying much attention. I immediately walked toward where President Monson was sitting. I stopped when I realized that Sister Harriet Uchtdorf was chatting with him and waited for my turn. When Sister Uchtdorf was finished, she walked to me and started chatting with me. She inquired about my wife, Naume, and the children. Sister Uchtdorf must have sensed my lack of concentration, as my mind was drawn to President Monson, especially realizing that I was the last person in the room, and I did not want to keep him waiting. I could even see from the corner of my eye that he was looking at me intently. Sister Uchtdorf graciously wished me all the best and left.

As I leaned over to greet President Monson, he reached out with both his hands, gently touched my shoulder, and brought me down so that he could look into my eyes. He then narrated to me the events leading to the 1978 revelation that every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood. He said to me, “I was there, and felt that it was time.” He continued, “We all knew and felt it was time.” I learned a lot about the process of revelation. Most of what he said was just for me. It is too sacred to share.

This one-on-one tutoring from President Monson on this subject left me with an overwhelming feeling of reverence and admiration for the role of prophets, seers, and revelators. The only other person in the room was President Monson’s daughter, Sister Ann M. Dibb, who waited patiently. I felt the Spirit enlightening and edifying. Indeed, I felt indescribable joy!

Since that first evening in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, as a young missionary at the professor’s home, I have come to understand and find peace about the revelation on the priesthood in June 1978. I am convinced that any earnest-seeking person will receive answers and guidance from the Lord, as I and many of my African brothers and sisters have. If you have a firm testimony of what happened in 1820 and trust in the Savior, He will provide the peace that you seek.