In his tribute to Monson, President Henry B. Eyring, Monson’s first counselor in the governing First Presidency, spoke of his generous spirit to people the world over.
“He was a member of the church everyone could relate to, and everyone could feel comfortable in his presence. At the same time, when he walked with kings, with prime ministers, with presidents, with representatives of nations, it was the same way — they all felt that he was their friend.”
Monson’s daughter Ann Dibb referred to her father’s oft-quoted service to widows, a practice he developed when he was a 22-year-old bishop that lasted for the rest of his life.