The Church's New Era / Barack Obama

As you faithful readers know, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley, died last Sunday. Today, the new presidency was announced (via byu.tv - go to Monday, February 4 @ 11:00am to watch the press conference). I am now happy to announce that I sustain the following men:

President Thomas S. Monson (President)
President Henry B. Eyring (First Counselor)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Second Counselor)

I am very excited for this announcement. I know that this is exactly right for our time. I thought the press conference was well done, and I am excited for the next era of the Church.

Something I enjoyed from the press conference:

Reporter: "With the church now being big and international, there are likely to be members who disagree with certain positions taken by the leaders of the church. For example, the marriage amendment. Is it okay for people to disagree and still be in good standing with the church?"

President Monson: "I would say that depends on what the disagreement is. If it were some sort of apostasy situation, that would not be appropriate. If it were something political, why, we don't enter into politics and so there's room for opinions on here or there. Either side."

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Reporter: (paraphrased) With the exception of President Uchtdorf, all top leaders of the church are Utah born and bred. 'Splain yo sef. (included subset questions; this is the main idea)

President Uchtdorf: Recently I was asked if [the church] was a global church. I said, 'No. It's a universal church. Its a message of universal power, and it is the message that will connect and combine, unite and bless all the countries, all the nations, all the ethnic groups.'"

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And PLEASE read this awesomeness I found on Barack Obama and the church (pulled word for word from http://whoaremormons.blogspot.com:

"Barack Obama was scheduled to visit Salt Lake City this coming Saturday, but the presidential hopeful has canceled his visit to Utah out of respect for President Gordon B. Hinckley whose funeral services will be held on Saturday morning.

Obama spoke with President Thomas S. Monson on the telephone to express his condolences.

“Last night I spoke with President Thomas Monson and expressed my deepest sympathies to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” said Senator Obama.

Barack Obama is the only Democratic presidential candidate who has publicly expressed an interest in forming a strategy to reach out to and mobilize Latter-day Saints, especially in the Western United States.

Senator Obama's new Western tour will include a quick campaign stop in Phoenix, then he will travel directly to Boise, skipping over Salt Lake City."