Monson poised, prepared as new Mormon leader: Predecessor has died at age 97
Thomas S. Monson, tapped to succeed Gordon B. Hinckley as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has spent his entire career in the service of the LDS church. He has worked in Salt Lake City alongside every Mormon president since 1963, when, at age 36, he was named to the LDS church’s council of 12 apostles. Monson was a counselor to Hinckley, who died January 27 at the age of 97.