New President of the Church

Thomas S. Monson is the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was announced today at a news conference in the Church Office Building. President Monson, 80, succeeds President Gordon B. Hinckley, who died 27 January.

The new world leader of the Church has called to serve with him in the First Presidency, the top governing body of the 13-million-member faith, President Henry B. Eyring, 74, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, second counselor.

President Boyd K. Packer, 83, is the new president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be filled later.

President Hinckley will be sorely missed but is carrying on the work on the other side of the veil with his wife Marjorie. This is such exciting news and such a young/new Apostle came as a surprise to me at least. I know that this is the will of the Lord and that this is his Church. President Monson is the Prophet/President for us and he will lead the work forward.