Mormon President Monson to Miss Conference

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mormon President Thomas S. Monson won't attend this weekend's church conference due to his ailing health. Church spokesman Eric Hawkins confirmed Thursday that the 90-year-old Monson will miss the twice-yearly conference and referred to church's May statement that Monson is no longer coming to meetings at church offices regularly because of limitations related to his age. As church president, Monson is considered a prophet, seer and relevator. He oversees the religion's church and business operations with help from two top counselors and twelve members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Monson has scaled back conference participation recently and gave just two short speeches at April's conference. He was hospitalized afterward when he reported "not feeling well." The religion also announced Thursday that 85-year-old Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, won't be at conference either due to ailing health.