Our challenge is to join forces of the old and the new- experience and experiment, history and destiny, the world of man and the new world of science- but always in accordance with the never-changing word of God.

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.