A 1948 cum laude graduate of the University of Utah, Monson holds a master's degree in business administration from the church-owned Brigham Young University in Provo.

His professional life has included stints in newspaper advertising for the church-owned Deseret Morning News and as general manager of the Deseret News Press, one of the West's largest commercial printing companies.

He has served on the Deseret News board of directors and the University of Utah's Alumni Association board and as a trustee at BYU. For many years he was a member of Utah's higher education board of regents. Since 1969, he has been a member of the National Association of Boy Scouts of America.

One thing Monson won't forget or forgive was the decision by the Scouts to abandon a pigeon-raising badge, said Roy Williams, chief executive officer of the Scout's national council.

A lover of pigeons since his youth, Monson fretted a great deal over the decision.

"I keep telling him the world's changed, and we try to keep up with the times," Williams said.

Williams called Monson pragmatic and frank. "He doesn't give you his opinion unless you ask for it," Williams said. "He has a very personally commanding presence, and people naturally like him. He's got a remarkable memory."