The Latest: Mormons choose 3 new high-ranking leaders

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The latest on developments at the Mormon Conference, held twice a year to give guidance, inspiration and news from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (all times local):

2:15 p.m.

The Mormon church has chosen three new members for the top governing body that sets policy and runs the faith’s business operations.

Church leader Henry B. Eyring, a member of the quorum, announced the selections at the church conference in Salt Lake City. The new members of the religion’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are: Gary E. Stevenson, Ronald A. Rasband and Dale G. Renlund.

The selections prove outside church scholars wrong who speculated that one of the selections would be a person from outside North America or Europe.

It had been six years since a new quorum member was chosen, and more than a decade since the leadership council had two openings. The last time there were three was in 1906.

Quorum members serve until they die, and three recent deaths created the unprecedented void.

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12:09: p.m.

A Mormon leader says that Christianity is under attack in the modern world, urging Latter-day Saints to exercise self-control and avoid temptations.

Quentin L. Cook of the faith’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles acknowledged Saturday that his guidance may seem difficult in today’s world.

“Christianity is under attack,” Cook said. “We live in difficult times. There is an increased tendency to call evil good, and good evil. A world that emphasizes self-aggrandizement and secularism is cause for great concern.”

About 100,000 people are expected to attend one of five sessions held over two days at the conference where Mormons gather to hear guidance, inspiration from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions more watch live broadcasts.

Three new members of the quorum will be named later Saturday.

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11:11 a.m.

A Mormon leader urges Latter-day Saints not to make their faith more complicated than it needs to be.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said Saturday at a church conference that asking questions is healthy, but advised people not to overlook the value of simple truths in search of mysterious or complicated answers.

“Sometimes we take this beautiful lily of God’s truth and gild it with layer upon layer of man-made good ideas, programs and expectations,” Uchtdorf said.

About 100,000 people are expected to attend one of five sessions held over two days at the conference in Salt Lake City where Mormons gather to hear guidance, inspiration from church s. Millions more watch live broadcasts.

Three new members of the quorum will be named later Saturday.

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8:43 a.m.

Mormon church leaders confirmed that three new high-ranking leaders will be named during a weekend conference that has kicked off in Salt Lake City.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf said Saturday that three new members will be chosen for the religion’s top governing body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Uchtdorf is on the board.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has three vacancies due to recent deaths of long-standing members.

It’s been six years since a new quorum member was chosen, and more than a decade since the leadership council had two openings. The last time there were three openings was in 1906.

M. Russell Ballard of the quorum said in a speech Saturday that the Lord uses these leaders as living apostles to send teachings and guidance.