Mormon church appoints administrator to apostle

Salt Lake City, USA - The Mormon church has named a member to its Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

Church president Thomas S. Monson on Saturday announced the appointment of 57-year-old Neil L. Andersen to the second-highest governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Andersen replaces member Joseph B. Wirthlin, who died in December at age 91. Apostles serve for life and are in line to become president of the church.

Andersen has been the senior member of the Presidency of the Seventy, which oversees church administrative affairs worldwide. He was graduated from Brigham Young University and has a master's degree in business from Harvard University.