July 04--High-ranking Mormon leader Boyd K. Packer, who was next in line to be president of the church, died Friday at his home in Salt Lake City, said the church in a statement. He was 90.
Packer was one of the most conservative members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' top hierarchy, at one point identifying homosexuals, feminists and "so-called intellectuals" as enemies of the church.
His strict interpretation of doctrine and other statements sparked protests in recent years.
Packer had been a member of the church's powerful Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 1970. He was the second member of that body to die in recent months. L. Tom Perry died of cancer May 30.
Quorum member Russell M. Nelson, 90, now becomes the leader who would take current Mormon President Thomas S. Monson's place. Monson is 87, and church officials have said he's feeling the effects of his age.
Replacements for Packer and Perry will be chosen sometime in the coming months by Monson, who is considered the religion's prophet.
david.colker@latimes.com
The Associated Press contributed to report. A full obituary will appear later at latimes.com/obits.
