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SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Friday that Elder L. Tom Perry’s cancer has “spread aggressively” and that he will no longer take part in his regular meetings.
“Despite earlier treatments, cancer has spread aggressively to his lungs and beyond,” church spokesman Eric Hawkins said in a statement. “Elder Perry is at home. He will no longer attend meetings, though he is still receiving visits from members of the Quorum of the Twelve, the First Presidency, and close family.”
Hawkins said Elder Perry, 92, will be receiving hospice care as he continues to undergo treatments for his cancer. He was hospitalized on April 22 after some difficulty breathing where cancer was found in his thyroid. Elder Perry began radiation treatment April 24.
"Elder Perry has asked that we share his thanks for the prayers and kindness extended to him by church members and friends," Hawkins said.
Elder Perry is the second most senior apostle in terms of length of service in the Quorum of the Twelve and is the oldest member in the quorum.
Contributing: Sam Penrod