Monson delivers first address as Mormons’ leader

SALT LAKE CITY – In his first official address, the new president of the Mormon church called upon the faith’s men and boys to strive to be steadfast examples of virtue in a “complex world.”

“We have been placed on earth in troubled times,” Thomas S. Monson said in prepared remarks Saturday night. “We live in a complex world with currents of conflict everywhere to be found.”

Monson spoke at the 21,000-seat church conference center to a gathering of men and boys in the faith’s lay priesthood, calling them a “chosen generation.” At age 12, all worthy Mormon males can be ordained.

The session, which prohibits attendance by women, was also broadcast to church facilities worldwide via satellite.

“Ours is the task to be fitting examples,” Monson said before adding a direct message to church youth. “My young friends, be strong. You know what is right and wrong … be the one to make a stand for right, even if you stand alone.”

Earlier in the day, Monson’s presidency was affirmed by millions of faithful Mormons worldwide who stood with upraised hands – whether in attendance here or in their homes watching the proceedings on TV – in a symbolic vote of support.

Monson took over The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February after the death of Gordon B. Hinckley, but the faith traditionally calls for a sustaining vote by members in a ceremony known as the solemn assembly.

The ceremony calls for each church organization – from its top leadership to youth organizations – to stand individually when called to cast their votes.

Mormons last held an assembly in April 1995, when Hinckley was named president. He was remembered Saturday by church apostle Russell M. Nelson, who said all Latter-day Saints felt a deep sense of loss with the 97-year-old Hinckley’s Jan. 27 passing.

“However, we have felt our mood shift from grief to gratitude,” said Nelson. “We are very grateful for what we have learned from this great prophet of God.”

Monson, 80, is the youngest church president since 1973 and the 16th president of the American-born denomination, which claims 13 million members worldwide. Since the early part of the 20th century the church has followed a system of apostolic succession in selecting its president. The position passes automatically to the next most senior member of the church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles, the second-highest leadership circle.