Back to the BYU Cougars Newsfeed

Utah’s top religion stories for 2017 — an absent Mormon prophet, a present Catholic bishop, a Protestant anniversary and much more

Thomas S. Monson, like all Mormon prophets, is known for what he does: making unexpected visits to widows, lowering the age of missionary service, announcing new temples.

In 2017, though, the 90-year-old Monson made headlines mainly for what he didn’t do — attend fall General Conference — and for what he no longer can do: Go to the office and oversee the daily operations of a global faith.

Soon after the April conference, during which he gave two short sermons and unveiled plans to build Utah’s 18th temple, this one in Saratoga Springs, Monson was hospitalized briefly.