Church Leaders Host Area Clergy

Leaders of a variety of churches throughout the Salt Lake Valley joined together for an evening of fellowship and song during the holiday season.

As guests of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, those in attendance first met at an open house in the Church Administration Building and then enjoyed the Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concert on Temple Square.

The reason for the evening of fellowship was to provide LDS Church leaders and other religious leaders an opportunity to renew acquaintances and establish friendships. The Church had a similar open house a few years ago.

Guests were greeted by President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency, and President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, as they entered the main lobby of the Church Administration Building. Other general authorities who attended the event, in addition to Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, were the Utah Central Area presidency: Elders Loren C. Dunn, Lloyd P. George, and John E. Fowler of the Seventy. Regional representatives and stake presidents from throughout the area helped host. Approximately 150 people attended the open house.

“I’m delighted to have an opportunity to meet many of my counterparts,” said Dr. Max Glenn of Shared Ministries of Utah. “What delights me is to see the respect and understanding developing among the diverse religious groups in Utah.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley, right, and President Thomas S. Monson, left, accompanied by their wives, greet area clergy. (Photo by Stuart Johnson.)