Decisions

Taken from the book, To the Rescue, The Biography of Thomas S. Monson, by Heidi S. Swinton, beginning on page 110, (emphasis has been added):

"Tom (Monson) had rejoined the naval reserve, with the intent to acquire a commission as an officer so that if a further conflict should break out he would be an officer rather than an enlisted man.  He attended drill every Monday night at Fort Douglas and studied hard to qualify for a commission in the navy.  He passed every examination, mental, physical and emotional.  Finally, the letter came from Denver, Colorado:  "You have been accepted to receive the commission of an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve."  He was thrilled, as was Frances, his wife.

But before accepting the commission, he was called as a counselor in the ward bishopric.  Unfortunately, the bishop's council meeting was on the same night as his navy drill.  He had to make a decision.  At the time he did not realize it was one of the most important he would ever make. 

What he did know was that he had in his hands the chance to be an officer.  He prayed about it.  He felt prompted to visit with his boyhood stake president, Elder Harold B. Lee.  He explained how hard he had worked for the commission and how much it meant to him.  Then he showed Elder Lee the letter of appointment.

Elder Lee paused and then said, "Here's what you should do, Brother Monson.  You write a letter to the Bureau of Naval Affairs and tell them that because of your call as a member of the bishopric, you can't accept that commission in the United States Naval Reserve."

Tom's heart stopped.  This wasn't what he had hoped to hear. Elder Lee continued, "Then write to the commandant of the Twelfth Naval District in San Francisco and tell him that you would like to be discharged from the reserve."

Tom said, "Brother Lee, you don't understand the military.  Of course they will decline to give me that commission if I refuse to accept it, but the Twelfth Naval District isn't going to let me off.  A noncommissioned officer will surely be called up, with a war brewing in Korea.

If they are called back, I would rather go back as a commissioned officer, but I won't if I don't accept this commission.  Are you sure this is the counsel you want me to receive?"

Elder Lee put his hand on Tom's shoulder and reassured him, "Brother Monson, have more faith.  The military is not for you."

Tom went home.  He declined the commission and returned the forms to the office in Denver.  Then he composed a letter to the Twelfth Naval District requesting a discharge from the naval reserve.  Miraculously, it was granted.  His discharge was in the last group processed before the outbreak of the Korean War.  His headquarters outfit was soon activated and dispatched to Korea.  Six weeks after his call as a counselor Tom was called to be the bishop of his ward.

That experience illustrated what President Monson has taught for years:  "Decisions determine destiny."  Decades later, he said, "I would not be standing before you, had I not followed the counsel of a prophet, had I not prayed about a decision, had I not come to an appreciation of the important truth.  The wisdom of God oft times appears as foolishness to men.  But the greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right."