Mormon President Thomas Monson dies at the age of 90
Tuesday night Mormons across the world lost a leader.
President Thomas Monson died in his home in Salt Lake City after leading the church for nearly a decade.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will soon be seeing a new leader in the days to come.
ABC-7 spoke to a local leader and found out Mormons have long time roots in El Paso.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith around 1820 and the first church was built in 1830.
During the 1880s, the federal government intensified legal efforts to eliminate the Mormon marriage practice of polygamy.
As a result many families created colonies in Northern Mexico and Southern Canada.
But during the Mexican revolution, around 1912, thousands of Mormons left their homes and many came to El Paso.
Members eventually settled and built their church in 1930.
“We have about 9,500 to 10,000 members in El Paso and we have 22 to 23 congregations,” said Karl Murphy, a stake president.
He told ABC-7 throughout time 12 apostles have always led the church now headquartered in Utah — one of those apostles is considered president.
The most recent president, Thomas Monson died at the age of 90.
“From our standpoint, we’ve had some great prophets in presence of the church and he is well known for his service to individuals and his ability to go out and rescue and help people,” Murphy said.
Russell M. Nelson is likely to be formally named to the post in the coming days.
But Nelson is 93, can that be of concern to church members? Murphy says no.
“Elder Nelson is still healthy. He’s a well known cardiologist, a very active cardiologist, but he’s still very active,” Murphy said.
New leadership can sometimes mean new reform but Murphy says one can expect more continuity than change.
“You have 12 apostles and you have the president and his two councilors and things are done within that group. Decisions are made and ultimately it’s taken to the Lord for confirmation but there is no concern at all,” Murphy said.
Nelson will be formally appointed most likely after a funeral is held for Monson on Jan. 12.
