LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson hospitalized; release expected soon

SALT LAKE CITY — President Thomas S. Monson, the leader of the LDS Church, is in the hospital.

“President Monson was not feeling well last evening and was admitted to the hospital,” Eric Hawkins, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said Tuesday. “He has received treatment and fluids and will hopefully be released soon.”

President Monson, 89, attended the morning and evening sessions of the 187th Annual General Conference on Saturday, but remained at home for the afternoon session to conserve his energy.

President Monson was absent from the Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon sessions of General Conference, and according to a spokesman at the time was, “weary but well.” Additionally, President Monson was the opening speaker during the Priesthood Session of Conference on Saturday evening, which doesn’t follow with the tradition of having the presiding authority speak last. He spoke for five minutes on the value of kindness and was then helped to his seat.

Interestingly, many of the General Authorities during conference mentioned they were praying for President Monson – alluding to the words found in the hymn “We Ever Pray For Thee.”