SALT LAKE CITY?One of the Mormon church’s top three officials was questioned Monday in a lawsuit to decide the ownership of The Salt Lake Tribune.

Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the church’s governing body, submitted to a 3 1/2-hour deposition by lawyers for the Tribune’s former owners and managers.

It wasn’t immediately clear what Monson was asked, but the Tribune’s lawyers were expected to question him about the church-owned Deseret News’ deliberations on buying the Tribune. They also were to ask about the Deseret News’ approval for MediaNews Group Inc. to buy the Tribune instead.