Mormon church appoints new leadership

Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet and president of the 13-million member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Jan. 27 at age 97. President Hinckley had served in the leadership of the church for more than 46 years, his last 13 as the world leader of the church.

At Hinckley’s passing, his presidency (called The First Presidency) consisting of himself and two councilors was automatically dissolved and the church’s Quorum of 12 Apostles (with the two additional apostles who represent his former councilors) met concerning the new prophet and president of the church. On Feb. 4 in a scheduled press conference, the church announced its new leader is President Thomas S. Monson, 80, with Elder Henry B. Eyring, 74, as first councilor and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67 as second councilor.

Monson had been Hinckley’s first councilor and Eyring had been newly called to be second councilor after the Aug. 10, 2007 passing of James E. Faust at age 87. When leaders in the church serve as apostles or in the First Presidency, they serve for life. The order of the church has always been that the most senior member of the Quorum of 12 Apostles will become president at the passing of the current president.

When asked about the direction of the church under his leadership, Monson said he had counseled so long with Hinckley on church matters that there would be “no abrupt changes” in the course of the church. He also praised Hinckley’s work for the Perpetual Education Fund, a fund to provide education loans to young people of the church in disadvantaged areas of the world. He also pledged continuation of humanitarian efforts the church has performed in the aftermath of hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes around the world assisting members and non-members, along with building temple building.

Michael Logan, president of the Wasilla Stake, said he’s “a convert to the Church of 30 years and have never met President Monson, but I’ve heard him speak many times. I’ve always appreciated his upbeat approach to things.

“I’ve always enjoyed his stories about the people he has known and with whom he has served,” President Logan said.

With Hinckley’s passing and the reorganizing of the First Presidency, there is now an opening in the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. The First Presidency and Quorum of 12 Apostles, with Boyd K. Packer, 83, as its new president and senior member, will meet soon to fill this vacancy.

James D. Brown is public affairs director for the Wasilla Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.