Mormon apostle Robert D. Hales hospitalized

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at the Saturday afternoon session of general conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 5, 2014 | Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Thursday that Elder Robert D. Hales, one of the church’s apostles, has been hospitalized and will not be attending this weekend’s general conference.

“Elder Robet D. Hales was admitted to the hospital several days ago for treatment of pulmonary and other conditions,” the church said in a statement. “To permit their continued medical attention to Elder Hales, his doctors have determined that he should not participate in the church’s general conference this weekend.

The 85-year-old Hales is a member of the church’s Quorum of Twelve Apostles, having been called to the position in April 1994. The quorum forms the top governing body of the church under its president and his two counselors, known as the First Presidency.

Hales also missed the church’s April 2011 general conference due to health issues, according to the Deseret News. He returned to speak at the October 2011 conference, albeit from a chair and not the pulpit.

Hales’ most recent conference appearance was the April 2017 general conference. During the fall conference he told church members to develop attributes exemplified by Jesus Christ and not to be a “part-time disciple.”

“Brothers and sisters, now more than ever, we cannot be a ‘part-time disciple.’ We cannot be a disciple on just one point of doctrine or another,” Hales said. “The constellation of characteristics that result from faith in Christ – including the ones we have talked about today – are all necessary to our standing strong in these last days. As we earnestly strive to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, these characteristics will be interwoven, added upon, and interactively strengthened in us.”

The LDS church’s general conference will be held Saturday and Sunday and takes place in Salt Lake City twice a year. It is also broadcast over television, radio and the internet.

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Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

 

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9 Comments

  • Bob September 28, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    I am sure he is a nice guy and all, and I wish him a speedy recovery for whatever he is hospitalized for, but why is this news. People go to the hospital all the time, what makes him special? Sad how people put these so called apostles on a pedestal like they are better than everyone else. These “apostles” are just people like the rest of us. I don’t see no stories about the passing of Hugh Hefner, I wonder why?

  • Brian September 28, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    The world doesn’t revolve around Mormon’s, Bob, but it also doesn’t revolve around you. In the 2000 census 92.5% of Washington County were Mormons. I’m sure it’s lower than that now, but still far high enough to warrant reporting like this on St. George News. The story right after this one is about a shooting competition. Do you really think 90% of Washington County residents care about that? Or about sports? Or about National Poetry Day?!? Newspapers report news that is of interest to its readers collectively, and MANY in southern Utah are interested in this story and others like it (all of which have the same childish, bigotry-motivated complaints that you have). Please, grow up and get over it.

    • Bob September 28, 2017 at 5:15 pm

      I was going to say that you had a good point about the census info. That was until you called me a childish bigot. Now I will just tell you to toss off. And just because 92% say they are Mormon doesn’t mean that they care about the apostles. I bet half the people in Washington County don’t even know who he is anyway.

      • mesaman September 28, 2017 at 9:38 pm

        Bob; I’m quite certain you thought you were right in your assumptions but I stood with Brian on the bigot and held judgment on the childish until you entered into the childish rant using generalities and broad parallels of what you think the public thinks. I think Brian was correct in using both terms. Do you think you have the courage to grow up and get over it? Let’s watch and see.

    • 42214 September 29, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      Google, “what percentage of Utah residents are Mormon” Your numbers are laughable. You Brian, are fake news.

      • Gcia October 2, 2017 at 11:11 pm

        He didn’t say Utah, he said Washington County.

  • 42214 September 28, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    If Tommy Monson talks to God daily I’m sure this was no surprise to the church.

  • .... September 29, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    I found some good deals on some yard sales today

  • davidhuffakerdds.com October 5, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Rest in peace, Elder Hales. He was a great speaker. I always enjoyed it when he would come speak at the stake in Centerville, UT. His message was one of peace and happiness. I knew his dentist.

    -davidhuffakerdds.com

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