SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 28, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — President Thomas S. Monson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will not be attending this weekend’s 187th Semi-annual General Conference.
The news that Monson would not be in attendance was confirmed to Gephardt Daily Thursday afternoon by LDS Church spokesman Eric Hawkins.
While Hawkins did not release an official statement, he directed members of the media to a previous statement released last May after President Monson’s health led him to miss sessions of spring’s General Conference.
“Because of the limitations 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.”
Earlier Thursday, the Church announced that Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, had been hospitalized ahead of General Conference this weekend.
“Elder Robert D. Hales was admitted to the hospital several days ago for treatment of pulmonary and other conditions,” the statement said. “To permit their continued medical attention to Elder Hales, his doctors have determined that he should not participate in the Church’s general conference this weekend.”
Hales, who is 85, was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of LDS Church on April 2, 1994.
