Thomas Spencer Monson (August 21, 1927 – January 2, 2018) was an American religious leader and writer. On February 3, 2008, he became the sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after the death of Gordon B. Hinckley. He was appointed on the basis of seniority following the death of the previous president. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah.