Thomas Spencer Monson, an affable orator known for his compassion, fondness for modern-day parables and willingness to enlist non-Mormons in humanitarian causes, became The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' 16th president Sunday in a private ceremony in the Salt Lake Temple.

In his first act as president, the 80-year-old Monson chose the first European member of the LDS First Presidency in modern times.

Monson named LDS Apostle Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of Germany, as his second counselor, and retained Henry B. Eyring, 74, as first counselor.

The Uchtdorf appointment is unusual for several reasons: The charismatic German - known among some Mormons as "the silver fox" for his impressive head of hair - is a relatively young 67; is almost at the bottom of seniority in the LDS Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and was not born in the Mormon faith.

The move signaled Monson's eagerness to continue the international efforts of his predecessor, Gordon B. Hinckley, who died Jan. 27 at 97. It showed an awareness of the global reach of the church, which has more than 13 million members in 176 nations and territories and sometimes is viewed negatively abroad. The selection also added an element of energy and novelty to the ruling threesome.

Uchtdorf responded with enthusiasm and humility. "I have just two words to explain my feelings," he said Monday, "joyfully overwhelming."

He said his wife told him not to worry about his Arnold Schwarzenegger-like accent because more than half of church members speak "with an other-than-English accent."

Uchtdorf made it clear he does not see himself as the apostle to Germany.

"We're not representing a nation, or a country or an ethnic group, we're representing the church of Jesus Christ," he said. "Church membership is going all across the world. It is a message of universal power, and it is the message which will connect and combine, unite and bless all the countries, all the ethnic groups."

Monson on Monday promised to maintain alliances with Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups with whom the LDS Church, under his leadership, has collaborated in causes such as homeless shelters, food banks, nursing homes and disaster relief efforts in the United States and abroad. "It's important that we eliminate the weakness of one standing alone," he said, "and substitute for it the strength of people working together."

He assured reporters his health is good.

"I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, but it is under control," he said. "I can put in a day's work and half a night, too."

Ellis Ivory, chairman of the Deseret News Publishing Co., believes the LDS Church is entering a new growth era under Monson.

"President Hinckley was a developer and builder of temples and chapels," Ivory said. "President Monson is a great salesman and a great missionary who will fill up those chapels and temples."

In recent years, the percentage of LDS growth has plateaued and even declined in some areas. Keeping new members also has been a problem. Ivory expects Monson's leadership to reverse that.

"Retention suffers when enthusiasm falls off, that's when you lose people," Ivory said. "I expect this will be a great, great era of growth."

Edward Barner has seen another Monson strength - his openness.

"He has such a broad range of friends and acquaintances at every level of society," said Barner, who hosted Monson when he represented the LDS Church at the funeral of President Nixon about 14 years ago. "He values them and listens to them."

Barner, who lives for most of the year in the Czech Republic, where Uchtdorf was born, thinks Uchtdorf's service will be crucial.

"He has great world experience," said Barner, an international businessman who was the first missionary called to a newly created Berlin Mission in 1961. "He's not intimidated by foreign bureaucracies."

With his interest in education, Eyring adds additional strength to the LDS triumvirate.

His father, Henry B. Eyring Sr., was an accomplished and internationally known chemist who taught his son that there was no conflict between science and religion.

"Dad's idea was that if you live a decent life and have the Holy Ghost and you're fairly intelligent," Eyring said in a recent speech, "you'll find the truth one way or another."

At the end of the news conference, Harriet Uchtdorf walked away with the look of amazement still on her face.

She heard about her husband's new position in the First Presidency on Sunday; at mid-day Monday, the Uchtdorfs' children and grandchildren, who all live in Europe, still didn't know about it.

"It was not expected," Harriet Uchtdorf said. "It's very humbling but we love and honor President Monson as a true prophet of God and will do anything to help him build [God's] kingdom."

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* JESSICA RAVITZ contributed to this story.