July 20, 2009

President Barack Obama meets with (from left) Senator Harry Reid, Joshua DuBois, Director of the White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, LDS Church President Thomas Monson and Elder Dallin Oaks in the Oval Office, July 20, 2009. During the meeting they looked at a five volume geneology prepared by the Church's Family History Committee. (Official White House Photograph by Pete Souza)

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today made the following statement following his meeting with President Barack Obama and Church of Latter Day Saints President Thomas Monson.

“I thank President Monson and Elder Oaks for sharing our religion’s tradition of genealogical research with the President and his family,” Reid said. “I am also glad that President Obama and Elder Oaks had an opportunity to discuss their shared passion of the law. Recognizing the President and First Lady's deep regard for family, I am honored that our Church can have any part in documenting their family history.”

At today’s meeting, President Obama was presented with five large leather-bound volumes by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, detailing multiple generations of his family history. The presentation was made by church President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Church has also presented personal histories to other U.S. Presidents including George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.