By Carrie A. MooreDeseret Morning News
Published: February 4, 2008
President Thomas S. Monson was named Monday morning as the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf were named as first and second counselors, respectively, in the First Presidency.
The announcement was made at an 11 a.m. press conference at the Church Office Building.
After the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley on Jan. 27, the church's First Presidency was automatically dissolved, with President Monson and President Eyring, former counselors to President Hinckley, returning to their places in the faith's Quorum of the Twelve. Leadership of the church has rested with that body since President Hinckley's death.
President Monson spoke during the press conference of the "legacy of love" left by President Hinckley and said his thinking is similar to that of the church's 15th president.
"I testify that this work in which we're engaged is the Lord's work," President Monson said. "I've felt His sustaining influence."
In response to reporters' questions, President Monson said his health is good and that he intends to travel as church president.
"Traveling is difficult when you go for long stretches at a time, but you always come back refreshed, feeling that you've accomplished something," he said.
President Monson also indicated that the growth of temple-building seen during President Hinckley's time will continue, "because the church keeps growing."
President Uchtdorf, a native German, said he was "joyfully overwhelmed" by his new responsibilities.
"I learned quickly in the church that we're not representing a nation or country or ethnic group," President Uchtdorf said. "We are ... representing the Church of Jesus Christ. We are representatives of Him."
President Uchtdorf said his wife told him he does not have to worry about his accent, because more than half of the 13 million church members speak with something other than an English accent.
Members of the church had expected to see President Monson named as the next president, following a pattern of succession in the church that has been established and developed throughout its history and through doctrinal pronouncements in LDS scripture.
At age 80, President Monson is one of the youngest men to become church president in the past quarter century. President Hinckley was 84, and Presidents Howard W. Hunter and Ezra Taft Benson were 86. President Spencer W. Kimball became president Dec. 30, 1973, at the age of 78.
Published: February 4, 2008
President Thomas S. Monson was named Monday morning as the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf were named as first and second counselors, respectively, in the First Presidency.
The announcement was made at an 11 a.m. press conference at the Church Office Building.
After the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley on Jan. 27, the church's First Presidency was automatically dissolved, with President Monson and President Eyring, former counselors to President Hinckley, returning to their places in the faith's Quorum of the Twelve. Leadership of the church has rested with that body since President Hinckley's death.
President Monson spoke during the press conference of the "legacy of love" left by President Hinckley and said his thinking is similar to that of the church's 15th president.
"I testify that this work in which we're engaged is the Lord's work," President Monson said. "I've felt His sustaining influence."
In response to reporters' questions, President Monson said his health is good and that he intends to travel as church president.
"Traveling is difficult when you go for long stretches at a time, but you always come back refreshed, feeling that you've accomplished something," he said.
President Monson also indicated that the growth of temple-building seen during President Hinckley's time will continue, "because the church keeps growing."
President Uchtdorf, a native German, said he was "joyfully overwhelmed" by his new responsibilities.
"I learned quickly in the church that we're not representing a nation or country or ethnic group," President Uchtdorf said. "We are ... representing the Church of Jesus Christ. We are representatives of Him."
President Uchtdorf said his wife told him he does not have to worry about his accent, because more than half of the 13 million church members speak with something other than an English accent.
Members of the church had expected to see President Monson named as the next president, following a pattern of succession in the church that has been established and developed throughout its history and through doctrinal pronouncements in LDS scripture.
At age 80, President Monson is one of the youngest men to become church president in the past quarter century. President Hinckley was 84, and Presidents Howard W. Hunter and Ezra Taft Benson were 86. President Spencer W. Kimball became president Dec. 30, 1973, at the age of 78.
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