SALT LAKE CITY — LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson continued to rest and recover in the hospital late Wednesday afternoon, despite unfounded rumors that he had died.

[Update: President Monson home after brief hospital stay]

Eric Hawkins, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the church was aware of the rumors, but Hawkins confirmed at 3:20 p.m. that President Monson was alive.

President Monson, 89, was hospitalized Monday night. He has received treatment and fluids, Hawkins said.

President Monson had given two short talks over the weekend at the 187th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He has led the 15.8-million member faith for nine years.

President Monson has been "feeling the effects of advancing age" for a few years.

He was called as an apostle in 1963. The next most senior LDS apostle is President Russell M. Nelson, 92, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Nelson was called in 1984.