Hindus have offered condolences on the death of Thomas Spencer Monson, 16th president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also known as Mormon Church, who died on January two in Salt Lake City (Utah, USA).

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that they were saddened by the passing of President Monson, 90, a great humanitarian who collaborated with other religions/denominations worldwide on programs aimed at improving the human condition.

An affable, kind and approachable leader; highly influential Monson was instrumental in expansion of Church’s disaster relief projects worldwide, openness to Mormonism scholars, greatly raising the number of young women missionaries, etc.; Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out.

Rajan Zed further said that Monson embraced various humanitarian causes, reached out to the less fortunate, found time to visit the sick, valued transparency, lived a selfless life, and never shied away from acts of kindness and charity.

Formally organized in upstate New York in 1830, LDS, now headquartered in Salt Lake City, has nearly 16 million members and 30,304 congregations worldwide.