--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As I approached my 18th birthday and…" description: "\"As I approached my 18th birthday and prepared to enter military service in World War II, I was recommended to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.\" — Th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ac/thomas-s-monson-409_18th-birthday_as-i-approached-my-18th-birthday-and-pre_1764197.png" --- # As I approached my 18th birthday and prepared to enter… ![“As I approached my 18th birthday and prepared to enter military service in World War II, I was recommended to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ac/thomas-s-monson-409_18th-birthday_as-i-approached-my-18th-birthday-and-pre_1764197.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ac/thomas-s-monson-409_18th-birthday_as-i-approached-my-18th-birthday-and-pre_1764197.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ac/thomas-s-monson-409_18th-birthday_as-i-approached-my-18th-birthday-and-pre_1764197.png) > “As I approached my 18th birthday and prepared to enter military service in World War II, I was recommended to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflects on youthful readiness for service and spiritual guidance before a major life transition. **In simple terms:** Youth faced with duty and faith. Key Takeaway Seek spiritual counsel before big commitments. Themes faith service young adulthood Mood reflective determined Type personal historical When to use this quote - joining the army - religious initiation - personal decision making Key Concepts spiritual readiness military duty Questions to Reflect On - How did faith influence your military decision? - What practical steps complemented your spiritual preparation? A Different Perspective May overlook practical preparation in favor of spiritual focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Birthday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birthday/) [Military service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-service/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-war/) [World war ii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-war-ii/) ## Related quotes > [I am not going to say that people who enter the military are doing anything wrong. As I often jokingly tell my students, "Many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tripp-york/i-am-not-going-to-say-that-people-who-enter-the-military-are-doing/) [Tripp York](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tripp-york/) > [I look sick and I have no makeup on…i have blonde hair and it makes me look LIKE TRASH!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivan/i-look-sick-and-i-have-no-makeup-on-i-have-blonde-hair-and-it-makes/) [VIVAN](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivan/) > [Wishing you a very warm welcome to the manhood!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wishing-you-a-very-warm-welcome-to-the-manhood/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's my borthday I am officially 18 I can d what ive been doing sonce I was 13 but I can do it legally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/it-s-my-borthday-i-am-officially-18-i-can-d-what-ive-been-doing-sonce/) [Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/) > [Men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for the draft on their 18th birthday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/men-between-the-ages-of-18-and-25-must-register-for-the-draft-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ushering in your 18th Birthday, say hello to a driver's license, multiple dates, credit cards, a room of your own and your own phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ushering-in-your-18th-birthday-say-hello-to-a-driver-s-license/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. Happy 18th Birthday!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-more-you-praise-and-celebrate-your-life-the-more-there-is-in-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love how you try to make nasty lies about me to make yourself sound like a better person. Beat me down, break me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-how-you-try-to-make-nasty-lies-about-me-to-make-yourself-sound/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I just remember celebrating my 18th birthday at home, so that was a big party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelique-kerber/i-just-remember-celebrating-my-18th-birthday-at-home-so-that-was-a/) [Angelique Kerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelique-kerber/) > [Only the best are waiting for you since you've made an adult breakthrough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-the-best-are-waiting-for-you-since-you-ve-made-an-adult/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Turning 18 is amongst most beautiful things in life. Don't bat an eyelid to miss a single moment of your wonderful day today! Happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/turning-18-is-amongst-most-beautiful-things-in-life-don-t-bat-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we could be twice young and twice old we could correct all our mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/if-we-could-be-twice-young-and-twice-old-we-could-correct-all-our/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Wishing you a very joyful and remarkable 18th Birthday!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wishing-you-a-very-joyful-and-remarkable-18th-birthday/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I promised myself: Before your 18th birthday, you're going to be at Jean Paul Gaultier. And it worked. I was hired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-ghesquiere/i-promised-myself-before-your-18th-birthday-you-re-going-to-be-at/) [Nicolas Ghesquiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-ghesquiere/) > [I want to raise a toast and make you a Birthday wish. But since you've just turned 18, I'm sorry I can't legally do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-want-to-raise-a-toast-and-make-you-a-birthday-wish-but-since-you-ve/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Thomas S. Monson > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some find it difficult to withstand the mocking and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/some-find-it-difficult-to-withstand-the-mocking-and-unsavory-remarks/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Choose your love, Love your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/choose-your-love-love-your-choice/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-ask-you-to-make-institute-a-priority/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. Missed is the laughter of children, the commotion of teenagers, and the tender, loving concern of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/those-who-grieve-frequently-find-themselves-alone-missed-is-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-hope-with-all-my-heart-and-soul-that-every-young-man-who-receives/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. In our families, as well as with our friends, there can be hurt feelings and disagreements.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/forgiveness-should-go-hand-in-hand-with-love-in-our-families-as-well/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/born-in-a-stable-cradled-in-a-manger-he-came-forth-from-heaven-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“A happy home is but and earlier Heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-happy-home-is-but-and-earlier-heaven/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is my philosophy on all life, not just when it comes to love. All the best things are terrifying, but that's why they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-my-philosophy-on-all-life-not-just-when-it-comes-to-love-all/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [You have a heritage honor it. You have posses a testimony share it. You will face temptations withstand it. You know the truth live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/you-have-a-heritage-honor-it-you-have-posses-a-testimony-share-it-you/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-learn-and-grow-and-become-stronger-as-we-face-and-survive-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-am-certain-that-the-lord-who-notes-the-fall-of-a-sparrow-looks-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) [Explore all 586 Thomas S. Monson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More 18th birthday quotes > [I want to raise a toast and make you a Birthday wish. But since you've just turned 18, I'm sorry I can't legally do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-want-to-raise-a-toast-and-make-you-a-birthday-wish-but-since-you-ve/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I promised myself: Before your 18th birthday, you're going to be at Jean Paul Gaultier. And it worked. I was hired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-ghesquiere/i-promised-myself-before-your-18th-birthday-you-re-going-to-be-at/) [Nicolas Ghesquiere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-ghesquiere/) > [Wishing you a very joyful and remarkable 18th Birthday!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wishing-you-a-very-joyful-and-remarkable-18th-birthday/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we could be twice young and twice old we could correct all our mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/if-we-could-be-twice-young-and-twice-old-we-could-correct-all-our/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Turning 18 is amongst most beautiful things in life. Don't bat an eyelid to miss a single moment of your wonderful day today! Happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/turning-18-is-amongst-most-beautiful-things-in-life-don-t-bat-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Only the best are waiting for you since you've made an adult breakthrough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/only-the-best-are-waiting-for-you-since-you-ve-made-an-adult/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I just remember celebrating my 18th birthday at home, so that was a big party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelique-kerber/i-just-remember-celebrating-my-18th-birthday-at-home-so-that-was-a/) [Angelique Kerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelique-kerber/) > [I love how you try to make nasty lies about me to make yourself sound like a better person. Beat me down, break me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-how-you-try-to-make-nasty-lies-about-me-to-make-yourself-sound/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. Happy 18th Birthday!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-more-you-praise-and-celebrate-your-life-the-more-there-is-in-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ushering in your 18th Birthday, say hello to a driver's license, multiple dates, credit cards, a room of your own and your own phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ushering-in-your-18th-birthday-say-hello-to-a-driver-s-license/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for the draft on their 18th birthday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/men-between-the-ages-of-18-and-25-must-register-for-the-draft-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's my borthday I am officially 18 I can d what ive been doing sonce I was 13 but I can do it legally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/it-s-my-borthday-i-am-officially-18-i-can-d-what-ive-been-doing-sonce/) [Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/) > [Wishing you a very warm welcome to the manhood!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wishing-you-a-very-warm-welcome-to-the-manhood/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I look sick and I have no makeup on…i have blonde hair and it makes me look LIKE TRASH!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivan/i-look-sick-and-i-have-no-makeup-on-i-have-blonde-hair-and-it-makes/) [VIVAN](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivan/) > [Hey this me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hey-this-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 64 18th birthday quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As I approached my 18th birthday and prepared to enter military service in World War II, I was recommended to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas S. 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