The principles of living greatly include the capacity to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and trial with humility.

He has also overseen the church's Printing Advisory Missionary Executive and General Welfare committees. For his service to Scouting and the community Monson has received the Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver Award (1971) as well as the Silver Buffalo Award (1978) which is the highest honor bestowed by the BSA. Jacob de Jager who would later be an LDS general authority was among the immigrant converts.

As president Monson is considered by adherents of the religion to be a "prophet seer and revelator" of God's will on earth. Monson is a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America the organization's governing body.