President Thomas S. Monson, 16th President of the Church

Thomas S. Monson is the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was announced today at a news conference in the Church Office Building. President Monson, 80, succeeds President Gordon B. Hinckley.

The new world leader of the Church has called to serve with him in the First Presidency, the top governing body of the 13-million-member faith, President Henry B. Eyring, 74, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, second counselor.

It was expected that Pres. Monson would be the successor of the late Pres. Hinckley. But it was a surprise that Elder Uchtdorf is called as a counselor in the 1st Presidency. I think no one, maybe except for a few: Pres. Monson and of course, the Lord, has expected it. Even for him it's a big surprise. He described his feelings as "joyfully overwhelmed" for his new calling. He is the very first not native american to be in the First Presidency. He is a German (pilot). The fact that he is just young in his years of service in the apostleship (merely over 3 years), I believe he has a significant task to accomplish in this new era of the church.

I am grateful for these wonderful faithful men, who will make a vital part of the lives of the members of the church. I know they are called of God and I sustain our Pres. Monson as our new Prophet.

Here I embed the video of the news conference announcing the new constellation of the First Presidency of the church.