At the funeral of author W. Cleon Skousen, Thomas S. Monson recited, from memory, a passage found in The First 2,000 Years (by Skousen). President Monson said that he had previously quoted this to a man who had asked about Skousen’s character:

“Often the wisdom of God is foolishness to men, but the greatest single lesson to be learned in mortality is that when God commands and a man obeys, that man will always be right.”

President Monson also said: “Everyone he spoke to, everyone he taught, is closer to Christ than before they met Cleon Skousen.”

Other comments made at Skousen’s funeral by President Monson, who at the time was the first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:

“He (Cleon Skousen) has lived a wonderful life, extended, look at all these years, but he has never, ever deviated.”

“…and the song that Cleon Skousen is hearing: ‘well done thy good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into [the joy of] thy lord.’”

President Thomas S. Monson went on to read a message from the LDS First Presidency (Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust) to Skousen’s wife, Jewel. Some excerpts from that letter:

“We were saddened to hear of the passing of… our friend” President Monson then interjected “The Savior used the word Friend…”

“Skousen was indeed an extraordinary man who set a high standard of integrity and achievement…”

“His fierce loyalty to our country and his attempts to protect our freedoms are well-recognized. As he lifted his voice, both in the books he authored and the speeches he delivered, he was a powerful influence for good…”

“His vision and achievements will remain a lasting legacy and blueprint for others to follow…”

After reading the letter, President Monson also said:

“Our lives are better because of him whom we honor.”