Intermountain Press Release

Salt Lake City—Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be honored tonight with the 2005 Legacy of Life Award.

The annual life achievement award is bestowed by the Deseret Foundation's Heart and Lung Research Foundation to a Utah citizen who has made significant humanitarian contributions to the community.

President Monson will receive the award tonight [April 14, 2005] at the 15th annual Legacy of Life Awards banquet at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

The Deseret Foundation saves lives by providing seed money to fund important clinical research studies at LDS Hospital, Cottonwood Hospital and Alta View Hospital. These efforts have resulted in numerous national grants to expand the research initially funded by the Foundation. Proceeds from the banquet will help advance cardiovascular and pulmonary research at the hospitals.

President Monson has served as a counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since November 10, 1985. He was first called as second counselor to President Ezra Taft Benson. On June 5, 1994, he was called as second counselor to President Howard W. Hunter. Most recently, on March 12, 1995, he was called as first counselor to President Gordon B. Hinckley.

"President Monson is honored, loved and revered by millions worldwide as a prominent religious leader, teacher and friend," says David K. Redd, chairman of the Legacy of Life Committee. "His quiet dignity and compassion for others have benefited and enriched our community. It's an honor to present the 2005 Legacy of Life Award to him."

President Monson, born and raised in Salt Lake City, served in the U.S. Navy near the close of World War II, graduated cum laude from the University of Utah in business management, and earned an MBA degree from Brigham Young University.

He has enjoyed a distinguished career in publishing and printing and served as a board member of several prominent businesses. He's been a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America since 1969 and has received scouting's highest awards.

President Monson has received the University of Utah's Distinguished Alumnus Award and BYU's Exemplary Manhood Award. In 1998 he and Mrs. Monson received the Continuum of Caring Humanitarian Award from the Sisters of Charity of St. Josephs Villa.

"Devoted to the common good and welfare of all mankind, President Monson is a civic leader who has faithfully served our local community and beyond with his patient resolve and compassionate heart," says Redd. "Often lauded as a quiet, sincere man of service and God, President Monson's devotion to duty and supreme sense of loyalty to friends is appreciated by al those who know him."