Former Executive Named to Lead Mormon Church

[ursi]

Source: New York Times

An 80-year-old former advertising and publishing executive, Thomas S. Monson, was named on Monday to be the 16th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one week after the death of the previous president, Gordon B. Hinckley.

Mr. Monson’s appointment was expected. Leadership changes in the 13-million member Mormon Church are based on seniority in the upper ranks, which makes the transition free of politics, but also guarantees a certain mantle of age. Mr. Hinckley was 84 when he got the job in 1995. He died at age 97.

In a news conference at church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Mr. Monson said he had worked with Mr. Hinckley for more than four decades in various assignments, and hinted at no significant departures.

snip...

That a Mormon is running for president — former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is trying to become the Republican nominee — has also put a spotlight on the church and its beliefs and practices. How Mormons fit in the fabric of mainstream America, and how they do not, has become the subject of a political debate that will only intensify if Mr. Romney advances toward the nomination.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/us/05mormon.html

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Dang, this dude is older than McCain!

[tanyev]

1. About time the younger generation takes over.

:)

[Momgonepostal]

2. That is almost a generation younger! LOL

He is older than McCain, but he has a a lot energy and seems to me to be younger than he his. I've always liked him and from stories I have heard, suspect he'd be a fun Dad or Grandpa.

[kestrel91316]

3. And he's a MONSON. Imagine that.

When I lived in UT it seemed like about every third Mormon I met was a Monson........

[customerserviceguy]

4. Practically a whippersnapper!

The six months I spent in Utah in 2005 were among the worst in my life. And that's including my first marriage...

[Ilsa]

5. Taking over at age 80? Statistically,

they'll be naming his replacement before the end of the year, won't they? I guess getting a Gen-Xer in the job is too risky.