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Thomas S. Monson named as new LDS Church president

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Paul Farris | 10:58 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Wonderful.
NEWZ | 11:06 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
What surprising news! I would have never guessed.
AZ Teacher | 11:06 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Wow!! These men are the men who the Lord called. They have my prayers and support.
Comments continue below
David Doyle | 11:00 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Adding Elder Uchtdorf to First Presidency shows the increasingly international membership of the church.
Quote | 11:01 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
"Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." One of my favorite President Monson quotes.

Patata Brava | 11:01 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Fantastic! I'm glad to hear that such dedicated men will work together. I am impressed by their spirit and their love.
wayne | 11:07 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
That's wonderful. finally an INTERNATIONAL First presidency
Camano Island | 11:07 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Our full support
Missionaries, Canada Winnipeg | 11:02 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
The Lord has spoken! We love you President Monson, and your two counselors!
We are proud to belong to our Savior's church, and to be led by such great and spiritual men in these latter days.
kat | 11:02 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I was thinking Boyd K Packer would be one of the counselors. I guessed Pres. Eyring. Thank you, brethren, for your dedicated service.
Christopher Estep | 11:02 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I was hoping for L. Tom Perry. It's so much easier to pronounce than Uchtdorf. :)
Sef | 11:02 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I just want to say, that they will be fantastic leaders of the church. It is amazing to see the process of God's church in action.
Mary Jane in CA | 11:08 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
How lucky we are to have President Monson! Although we will sorely miss President Hinckley, I KNOW the church is in good hands now!
your LDS friend | 11:08 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
What a wonderful force for good as they lead our world to safer ground.
LDS in Texas | 11:03 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
May the Lord grant each of them the strength to carry out this awesome responsibility and may we all humbly accept the Lord's counsel to us as given through these great men.
Tennor | 11:09 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store through President Monson.
Ley de Murphy | 11:04 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
God bless this three mans of faith. Elder Uchtdorf is a good leader.


We have a first presidency to accomplish President Hinckley vision... All will be good...
Angry Steve | 11:04 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I find it exciting that there is the possibility of having a member of the first presidency who doesn't have farm stories about Payson.
Jake | 11:04 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Bon Courage, President Monson! Our family is elated to support you from here in Belgium.
Indiana | 11:11 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Inspiration and revelation at work.... We are in wonderfully changing times and these men are definitely up to the task of leading the Saints. Thanks be to the Father for these amazing men, their testimonies, their leadership and their skills. The Lord has provided.
carfull | 11:05 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
The Church is in good hands, those of the Lord and those of the First Presidency.
Katie | 11:11 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Wow! What a wonderful 1st Presidency!! This is very exciting.
John Lambert, Detroit Michigan | 11:12 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I should have guessed that President Monson would choose President Uchtdorf as his counselor. President Monson grew up surrounded largely by Germans and has spent more time in East Germany than anyone except Elder Uchtdorf among the apostles.
However I have to admit that Elder Uchtdorf never crossed my mind as someone to guess as the new member of the First Presidency. Well I am glad to hear it is them.
Grandma D | 11:06 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
What a glorius day!!! What a great presidency...constancy amid change.
Youth is served | 11:11 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Wow, two relatively young (in the length of apostleship sense) counselors. This will be a popular presidency with the youth of the church.

Here's the best part about being LDS when there's a change at the top: You don't just have to accept this change on faith. As a child of God, you have a right to go to Him in prayer and ask Him if this new leadership is right by Him. Some other churches just trot out a new leader and say "well, here he is.....deal with it." But I hope every LDS member will kneel and ask God to confirm it to you rather than just accept it blindly. I believe He will confirm to you that this was the right decision.
jo | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
hail to the prophet and all our prayers - always loved president monson
Anonymous | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
This is simply amazing. The church is so true and works so soundly! This will be an exciting transition!
Shelby | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I'm excited to sustain the new first presidency in April. Elder Uchtdorf came as a bit of a surprise.
wallyworld | 11:09 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
that is great news. a perfect choice, or choices, They will make a great Frist Presidency. Cant wait to hear them speak in conferance in April. :-)
Gy | 11:15 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
The Church is moving on with a new President and will lead well as President Hinkley did.
Robert | 11:16 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Wow. Elder Uchtdorf. I didn't expect that. It's a couple of youngsters as counselors.
Katie | 11:16 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Wow! What a great 1st Presidency. Whomever the Lord calls, I'll sustain and follow.
SteveC | 11:16 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Wish the presidential elections went as smoothly as the appointment of a new president in the LDS church!
Anonymous | 11:11 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I think the First presidency is wise to now guard against the quorum getting too elderly, leaving one man to do the duties.
YES! | 11:17 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
YES YES YES! I am completely pleased with President, Prophet Thomas Monson, 1st Eyring, 2nd Uchtdorf. SUPPER!!!!! And B Packer head of the 12... Super wonderful!!! The church is in excellent hands. God be with us all.
Rick in Nashville | 11:14 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Thanks DesNews for the timely info. It is amazing that those of us out in the rest of the world can get this GREAT info in such a timely fashion.
Paul1 | 11:15 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I knew that Elder Uchtdorf was going to be in the presidency. I just had a funny feeling he would.
Grandma C | 11:21 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continues to direct this church! May we all rejoice in our new President and his Counselors. And may we pray daily for President Monson, President Eyring, President Uchtdorf, and their families.
David Hansen | 11:21 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I'm very excited about the call of Deiter F. Uchtdorf to the First Presidency and look forward to seeing the process of spiritual growth and leadership that this calling will bring to this already great man.
Bferrell | 11:15 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet!! How exciting to look forward to a new and (assuming the church continues to grow which it will) even more accomplished era of a presidency!! I whole heartedly sustain them!
CA LDS | 11:21 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
What inspired choices for the presidency! I love the idea of Elder Uchtdorf! We are a worldwide church and having a member of the presidency come from somewhere other than the U.S. and/or the intermountain west is wonderful!
Mary | 11:17 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I loved the Gordon B. Hinckley era. I want to be as supportive to Pres. Monson as I was to Pres. Hinckley. I look forward with much hope, faith, and determination to this new chapter. I am exited for April Conference to learn what his focus will be.
Daniel | 11:23 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
May God bless them
True Blue! | 11:25 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
What a contrast to the manner in which we select the leader of the free world! A pefect, all-knowing God selects His prophet and in turn, His children may all know of the truthfulness of His choice. In our democratic process, we try to prove to him that we choose leaders who are examples of good character, unshaken integrity, proven wisdom and sound judgement. Although we may choose incorrectly at times, God will never lead His children astray with His prophet. Such a truth gives me comfort and keeps me "...dyed in the wool; true blue, through and through".
Kjaerbye | 11:25 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Bravo Zulu...the Lord Always Prevails in his Leadership of his Church! What a Faithful and very Spiritual First Presidency the Lord has set Forward today.
Kirsten | 11:25 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I think the selection of Elder Uchtdorf was very inspired. He's the first non-American apostle in a long time to be called to the Twelve. And Presidents Eyring and Uchtdorf are young and will help sustain the First Presidency for a long time. If recent precedent holds, these two will have a lot of experience in the First Presidency for the next couple of Presidents (although President Monson in young enough to be around for a long time). They will be very prepared if they are ever called to be the President of the Church.
Soldier In Iraq | 11:26 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
How fortunate we are! I feel so blessed to be a part of such an inspired organization. And I certainly don't mean the US Army...haha. I first met President Monson when I was four years old and he spoke at my stake conference in Atlanta, GA. I met President Eyring's daughters--who are absolutely gorgeous--at a waterpark in Ogden, Ut, and remember them telling me that they grew up without a TV in their home. While on a mission, President Uchtdorf came and spoke with us. Haha he was eating a big sandwich and said, "What? We Apostles eat too! And we're allowed to sleep past 6:00 on most days of the week!" I am so grateful for President Hinckley and these new brethren all have my sustainment!
John Connolly | 11:26 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
Isn't the internet great? Here I am in my own house in Ireland watching the press conference in SLC.
JBH | 11:25 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
This also has to be one of the youngest entire presidencies in a long time.

It's great to have Elder Uchtdorf in such a prominent position. This might bring some positive press exposure in Europe (where it's sorely needed).
Ellis hunsaker | 11:26 a.m. Feb. 4, 2008
I love this church! Pres Monson is gonna be a great leader!!!! Woohoo!!!

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President Thomas S. Monson, center, has been ordained and set apart as the 16th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church announced Monday. President Henry B. Eyring, left, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf were named as first and second counselors, respectively, in the First Presidency.

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