In his Saturday morning message, President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, counseled church members to remember that their personal influence can affect people throughout the world.

President Monson illustrated his point using a story about one of his Sunday School teachers.

He said his teacher taught the class how to follow Jesus Christ when she suggested the students give the money they had saved for a Christmas party to a class member's family who had just lost its mother.

"The boys and girls who learned, who laughed, who grew under the direction of that inspired teacher of truth have never forgotten her love and her lesson," President Monson said. "Her personal influence for good was contagious."

President Monson also counseled church members to look to Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of personal influence.

"[His] personal influence covers the continents, spans the oceans and penetrates the hearts of true believers," President Monson said. "He atoned for the sins of mankind."
Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Apr 2004