News Release from Mormon Newsroom
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the following statement on the condition of Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
Elder Robert D. Hales was admitted to the hospital several days ago for treatment of pulmonary and other conditions. 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.
Elder Hales has struggled with health challenges for a number of years; he was not able to participate in the April 2011. In October 2015, Elder David A. Bednar spoke of Elder Hales’ spirit of long-suffering:
Several years ago I spent a Sunday afternoon with Elder Hales in his home as he was recovering from a serious illness. We discussed our families, our quorum responsibilities, and important experiences.
At one point I asked Elder Hales, “You have been a successful husband, father, athlete, pilot, business executive, and Church leader. What lessons have you learned as you have grown older and been constrained by decreased physical capacity?”
Elder Hales paused for a moment and responded, “When you cannot do what you have always done, then you only do what matters most.”
