No, LDS Church President Thomas Monson has not died
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SALT LAKE CITY — Word began circulating Friday that Thomas S. Monson, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had died.
The Church cleared up any confusion by posting a message on the Mormon Newsroom Facebook page.
“Church spokesman Eric Hawkins says rumors of President Thomas S. Monson’s passing are false,” the post reads.
LDS Church officials announced Thursday that Monson, 90, and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apotles will not attend sessions of the 187th Semiannual General Conference this weekend.
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Hales, 85, was admitted to the hospital “several days” ago for treatment of “pulmonary and other conditions,” according to a statement by Hawkins.
Later Thursday afternoon, Hawkins confirmed that Monson will also not attend meetings this weekend. He cited an earlier statement church officials released in May saying President Monson would no longer attend regular meetings.
“Because of limitations incident to his age, President Monson is no longer attending meetings at the Church offices on a regular basis,” the statement said. “He communicates and confers with his counselors on matters as needed.”