Mormons Have 12 Apostles Once Again

Salt Lake City, Utah – Over 20,000 Mormons gathered at the Conference Center on Temple Square to hear the announcement that a new Apostle of Jesus Christ has been selected, an announcement that was also broadcast by satellite to church meeting houses to the more than 13 million church members around the world.

The 179th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was opened by President Thomas S. Monson, leader of the First Presidency of the church, and regarded by members as a modern prophet of God.

"Because of the passing of Elder (Joseph B.) Wirthlin, there exists a vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. After much fasting and prayer, we have called Elder Neil L. Andersen to fill this vacancy," announced President Monson as he opened the conference.

He then asked all who were in attendance to sustain the selection of Elder Andersen by raising their right hand. He then asked for a raise of hands of any who were opposed. It did not appear that anyone was in objection.

Elder Andersen, 57, was selected to fill the vacancy created upon the death of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, an Apostle of Jesus Christ who passed away in December 2008.

Mormons believe that when Jesus Christ was on the earth anciently, he organized a church and that it was restored to the earth in 1830 through a modern prophet of God. When the Church of Jesus Christ was restored a group of twelve men were called to serve as Apostles of Jesus Christ, and that group has been maintained ever since.

Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles serve under the direction of the First Presidency, the governing body of the Church. Their primary responsibility is to serve as special witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Each member has an administrative responsibility to oversee programs of the Church.

"There are very happy times ahead," Elder Anderson said to reassure people who may be concerned about difficult times, when he spoke at a news conference following the announcement of his new position. He said that members of the Church of Jesus Christ should be a voice of strength in their community, and should "be at peace and know the Lord will bless us."

He had difficulty with his emotions as he spoke of what it means to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ and regarded as a prophet, seer, and revelator.

"I know that Jesus Christ lives and that he was resurrected," said Elder Andersen. "We speak his will. We see beyond. We understand what is not understood."

He said he was very humbled by the call to serve, and that he is overwhelmed by what lies ahead for him. He said he was grateful to the members of the Church who raised their hands to sustain him during the conference.

Asked what is the greatest challenge facing members of the Church, Elder Andersen said, "To remain righteous in a secular society."

Elder Andersen was born in Logan, Utah and raised in Pocatello, Idaho where he worked daily on his family´s dairy farm. He graduated from Brigham Young University, and then earned a masters of business administration from Harvard University. He moved to Tampa Florida where his business involvements included advertising, real estate development, and health care.

He later served as president of the Tampa Florida Stake, and mission president of the France Bordeaux Mission prior to serving as a General Authority of the Church.

Elder Andersen and his wife Kathy William Andersen are the parents of four children and have twelve grand children.