Prophets and Church leaders/Revelation after Joseph Smith/Thomas S. Monson/Claims that President Monson doesn't bear witness of foundational doctrines

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Questions

It has been claimed that President Thomas S. Monson does not bear testimony of such foundational concepts as the truth of the Book of Mormon, the reality of Joseph Smith's First Vision, and so forth. Some have wondered if this means that he intends to downplay such doctrines, or if he does not believe strongly in them:

Since [being sustained as President of the Church, in February 2008], he has given 51 talks in 12 Semiannual General Conferences and during the two years prior, he gave 10 talks in 4 such Conferences. In many of these 61 talks over the last eight years, he has borne witness of his beliefs, in keeping with LDS custom and doctrine. Interestingly, however, in none of them has he testified of the church’s unique foundational claims, including the historicity of the Book of Mormon, the divine calling of Joseph Smith, the restoration of the priesthood, or the status of the church’s top leaders as prophets, seers, and revelators.^[1]

To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, click here

Answer

A review of President Monson's writings and talks demonstrates that he does bear such testimony. The implication, then, that he does not believe such things or is trying to down play them is thus shown to be false.

These citations are reported from latest to earliest. Emphasis has been added by the editors in all cases.

2014

Pending

2013

• "It has been just over 183 years since the Church was organized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, under the direction of the Lord." - "Welcome to Conference," Ensign (November 2013). off-site
• "The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer. The reason? They have made the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives." - "'I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee'," Ensign (November 2013). off-site
• "My brothers and sisters, I want you to know how grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored in these latter days through the Prophet Joseph Smith. It is the key to our happiness." - "Until We Meet Again," Ensign (May 2013). off-site
• Mr. Pollard invited the missionaries into his home. They presented to him their message. He did not catch the spirit. In due time he asked that they leave and not return. His last words to the elders as they departed his front porch were spoken in derision: “You can’t tell me you actually believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God!”....

The door was shut. The elders walked down the path. Our country boy spoke to his companion: “Elder, we didn’t respond to Mr. Pollard. He said we didn’t believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet. Let’s return and bear our testimonies to him.” At first the more experienced missionary hesitated but finally agreed to accompany his companion. Fear struck their hearts as they approached the door from which they had just been ejected. They knocked, confronted Mr. Pollard, spent an agonizing moment, and then with power borne of the Spirit, our inexperienced missionary spoke: “Mr. Pollard, you said we didn’t really believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I testify to you that Joseph was a prophet. He did translate the Book of Mormon. He saw God the Father and Jesus the Son. I know it.”

Some time later, Mr. Pollard, now Brother Pollard, stood in a priesthood meeting and declared, “That night I could not sleep. Resounding in my ears I heard the words ‘Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know it. I know it. I know it.’ The next day I telephoned the missionaries and asked them to return. Their message, coupled with their testimonies, changed my life and the lives of my family.” - "Come All Ye Sons of God," Ensign (May 2013). off-site

2010

• "We thank Thee for the Prophet Joseph Smith and that Thou did appear to him in person to open the heavens and to restore to the world the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son and Thy holy purposes" - Re-dedicatory prayer for Hawaii Temple, 21 November 2010, cited in Church News (27 November 2010), 6.

2009

• We express our gratitude for the ushering in of a new dispensation, even the dispensation of the fulness of times, by Thine own appearance and the appearance of Thy Beloved Son to the boy Joseph Smith, to open the heavens and to restore to the world the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son and Thy holy purposes." - Dedicatory prayer for Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple, 21-23 August 2009, cited in Church News (29 August 2009), 4.
• "We thank Thee for the Prophet Joseph Smith and for the Restoration, and that Thou did appear to him in person to open the heavens and to restore to the world the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son and Thy holy purposes" - Dedicatory prayer for Draper, Utah temple, 28 March 2009, cited in Church News (28 March 2009), 6.
• "Regarding a desire to find truth during an uncertain period of life, President Monson spoke of the answer to Joseph Smith's prayer: He saw the Father and the Son, and the Father commanded Joseph to hear the Son (see Joseph Smith 1. 10-13). 'Joseph listened, Joseph learned. His question had been answered,' President Monson testified." - Church News (17 January 2009), 3. [Reference to CES satellite broadcast to college-age adults, 11 January 2009.]

2008

• "I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the Restoration of the gospel in these latter days and for what that has meant in my life. Each of us has been influenced and shaped as we have followed the Savior and have adhered to the principles of His gospel....My dear brothers and sisters, I love you, and I pray for you. Please pray for me. And together we will reap the blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for each one of us. This is my prayer, my plea as I add my testimony. This work is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." - "Abundantly Blessed," Ensign (May 2008). off-site

• "I know without question, my brothers and sisters, that God lives. I testify to you that this is His work. I testify as well that our Savior Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church, which bears His name. I know that the sweetest experience in all this life is to feel His promptings as He directs us in the furtherance of His work....I felt them again as a mission president in Toronto, Canada, working with wonderful missionaries who were a living witness and testimony to the world that this work is divine and that we are led by a prophet. I have felt them throughout my service in the Twelve and in the First Presidency and now as President of the Church....

I am keenly aware of the 15 men who preceded me as President of the Church. Many of them I have known personally. I have had the blessing and privilege of serving as a counselor to three of them. I am grateful for the abiding legacy left by each one of those 15 men. I have the sure knowledge, as I am confident they had, that God directs His prophet. My earnest prayer is that I might continue to be a worthy instrument in His hands to carry on this great work and to fulfill the tremendous responsibilities which come with the office of President." - "Looking Back and Moving Forward," Ensign (May 2008). off-site

• "I feel to express thanks to my Heavenly Father for His countless blessings to me. I can say, as did Nephi of old, that I was born of goodly parents...." (President Monson would be unlikely to refer to Nephi as an ancient prophet unless he believed the Book of Mormon to be what it claims to be.) - "Looking Back and Moving Forward," Ensign (May 2008). off-site

Quotations which predate his Presidency

== Notes ==

1. [note]  TruthIsReason [pseudonymn], "Monson's Refusal to Testify," [original posted 7 January 2012, published at www.mormoncannon.com on 11 April 2012, most recent update 20 October 2013]