Can You Wiggle Your Ears Like
President Monson?


A Note to Kent Broadhead,
BYH Class of 1949

Dear Kent,

You recently asked me if I could wiggle my ears like President Monson.

This is an intriguing question, because as long as I can remember, this HAS been one of my lesser known talents. I was surprised that anyone would care enough to ask.

Thank you for asking!

But I wonder, how can you believe me when I said "Yes, I can!"

I will gladly demonstrate my ability.

I have put together this little series of pictures to assure you of my veracity.

Best wishes,

Larry Christensen
BYH Class of 1966

(Hover your cursor over each photograph.)



President Thomas S. Monson


Larry Christensen ear wiggling in Calif.


Receiving Masters in Ear-Wiggling.


Taking a break from BYH website work.


Practicing Hawaiian ear wiggling techniques.


Ear wiggling in Idaho.


Ear wiggling in Georgia.


Ear wiggling on mission in Taiwan.


Ear wiggling for BYH graduation.


BYH G&A Ltd. Club - Wiggling ears.


Ear wiggling at Nat'l Jamboree in 1964.


Demonstration in BYH journalism class.


Stereopticon ear wiggling.


Early talent discovered & recorded.



President Monson

"Always remember that people are looking to you for leadership and you are influencing the lives of individuals either for good or for bad, which influence will be felt for generations to come . . . it is our duty to live our lives in such a way that we may be examples of righteousness for others to follow.

"As I have pondered how we might best provide such examples, I have thought of an experience I had some years ago while attending a stake conference. During the general session, I observed a young boy sitting with his family on the front row of the stake center. I was seated on the stand.

"As the meeting progressed, I began to notice that if I crossed one leg over the other, the young boy would do the same thing. If I reversed the motion and crossed the other leg, he would follow suit. I would put my hands in my lap, and he would do the same. I rested my chin in my hand, and he also did so.

"Whatever I did, he would imitate my actions. This continued until the time approached for me to address the congregation. I decided to put him to the test. I looked squarely at him, certain I had his attention, and then I wiggled my ears. He made a vain attempt to do the same, but I had him! He just couldn't quite get his ears to wiggle.

"He turned to his father, who was sitting next to him, and whispered something to him. He pointed to his ears and then to me. As his father looked in my direction, obviously to see my ears wiggle, I sat solemnly with my arms folded, not moving a muscle.

"The father glanced back skeptically at his son, who looked slightly defeated. He finally gave me a sheepish grin and shrugged his shoulders.

"I have thought about that experience over the years as I've contemplated how, particularly when we're young, we tend to imitate the example of our parents, our leaders, our peers.

"The Prophet Brigham Young said; 'We should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.' "

~ ~ President Thomas S. Monson
LDS General Conference,
Saturday Evening, April 5, 2008