Not buying into this

[jana7]

I love President Monson and respect his right to keep his health private.  Last conference, I noticed he was quite a bit more feeble than before.  This conference, he proudly hung on to the pulpit while speaking, so he wouldn't slip further than he did, and I hoped he'd make it to the end without tumbling.  So I am not buying into those saying he is doing okay when my eyes see the truth.  This does NOT diminish in the least my love and respect for him.  

Edited October 4, 2015 by jana7

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

To tell the truth, I was genuinely afraid that he was going to collapse at the end of his talk this morning.  He seemed to be slouching, and he was repeating his words.  I was holding my breath!  

[Vort]

I think he's doing fine, perhaps even better than I had previously thought. He gave a long and powerful talk last night in the Priesthood session. Clearly, he is not as young as he once was, and I don't expect he will return to that younger state. His wife's death seemed to age him. He did appear to be nearly unable to complete his address this morning, but one incident does not reveal the whole story. President Monson will continue to lead the Church exactly as long as the Lord wills.

[Guest]

It could be as simple as low blood sugar. That's what I really think it was, having witnessed the same in my husband. He is diabetic, after all. 

[Guest MormonGator]

I had the same fears-that he would collapse or something. It was heartbreaking to watch. I teared up. 

[The Folk Prophet]

Any particular reason that discussing his struggle in the talk need to be brought up in the form of "the church is lying to us" rhetoric?

[Guest MormonGator]

Any particular reason that discussing his struggle in the talk need to be brought up in the form of "the church is lying to us" rhetoric?

 Oh goodness, that wasn't my intention at all! Sorry if it came out that way, Folk Prophet. 

[pam]

Let's think about it.  He's 88 years old.  This week he has had Elder Scott's funeral, he has had to call 3 new apostles, in addition to all of the speaking he has had to do this week.  I can imagine the spiritual strength it has taken to do all of this let alone the physical strength.  

 

I think when people say he is doing okay, he is doing okay taking into consideration his age and his responsibilities.

[BeccaKirstyn]

It broke my heart to watch. 

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

Oh goodness, that wasn't my intention at all! Sorry if it came out that way, Folk Prophet.

I don't think that was anyone's intent. For sure I didn't get that vibe from you.

[Guest MormonGator]

Let's think about it.  He's 88 years old.  This week he has had Elder Scott's funeral, he has had to call 3 new apostles, in addition to all of the speaking he has had to do this week.  I can imagine the spiritual strength it has taken to do all of this let alone the physical strength.  

 

I think when people say he is doing okay, he is doing okay taking into consideration his age and his responsibilities.

 Totally agree. It's a Catch-22 for these guys. They need a young man's stamina and an old man's life experience and wisdom. 

[pam]

 Oh goodness, that wasn't my intention at all! Sorry if it came out that way, Folk Prophet. 

 

I don't think TFP was referring to you but to the OP.

[Guest MormonGator]

I don't think TFP was referring to you but to the OP.

 My bad. It was right after mine, I read it wrong.

[jana7]

Every prophet is different.  President Hinckley was more open with his health challenges, I respect that.  President Monson is more private, I respect that.  NO one is lying to us.  

[The Folk Prophet]

 Oh goodness, that wasn't my intention at all! Sorry if it came out that way, Folk Prophet. 

 

I was referring to the OP -- rather even the title.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

Every prophet is different.  President Hinckley was more open with his health challenges, I respect that.  President Monson is more private, I respect that.  NO one is lying to us.  

 

That's how I understood you the first time, no worries.  :) 

[The Folk Prophet]

Every prophet is different.  President Hinckley was more open with his health challenges, I respect that.  President Monson is more private, I respect that.  NO one is lying to us.  

 

If no one is lying, then what is it, exactly, that you're not buying into?

 

I can respect if you just misspoke. But putting into terms that there's something that people are buying into implies that there's something that's being sold. The entire thing just comes across like the church is being accused of being a smarmy tonic salesman.

[Vort]

Every prophet is different.  President Hinckley was more open with his health challenges, I respect that.  President Monson is more private, I respect that.  NO one is lying to us.  

 

I'm glad to read that clarification. But in that case, just who is it that's saying the stuff that you're "not buying into"?

[Just_A_Guy]

I'm not sure any official source is saying Monson is "fine".  What the Church was saying, in May of this year, was: 

 

President Monson is 87. It's natural that he and others in Church leadership are feeling the effects of advancing age. However, he spoke publicly at General Conference earlier this month and attended all the meetings. He comes to the office every day, attends all First Presidency and committee meetings, leads the discussion, and makes decisions. The workload of the First Presidency is up to date. President Monson has always been private about his health, but appreciates the prayers and sustaining support of Church members, as do all of the First Presidency and the Twelve.

 

This was shortly after President Monson skipped a meeting with President Obama, who was in Utah; citing a need to preserve Monson's strength for the upcoming general conference.

Edited October 4, 2015 by Just_A_Guy

[The Folk Prophet]

 My bad. It was right after mine, I read it wrong.

 

That's actually kind of funny if you look at the two post.

 

You: It was heartbreaking and I teared up.

 

Me: Why are you suggesting the church is lying to us?!

 

That would be an odd response to what you said. :)

[Guest MormonGator]

That's actually kind of funny if you look at the two post.

 

You: It was heartbreaking and I teared up.

 

Me: Why are you suggesting the church is lying to us?!

 

That would be an odd response to what you said. :)

LOL! So true! I just noticed that too. That's awesome. LOL! 

Edited October 4, 2015 by MormonGator

[mnn727]

I was half expecting them to need to re-organize the First Presidency between sessions.

President Monson did not look good. I saw that he was helped out by a younger man and then a women took his other arm.

 

 

I don't believe the Church is hiding things, I believe his health condition is a personal thing to him.

I do wish he had given his talk sitting down though.

[Just_A_Guy]

The woman is his daughter, Ann Dibb.

[askandanswer]

 The workload of the First Presidency is up to date. 

 

I guess this statement must have been made by, or cleared by, the First Presidency, because I can't imagine anybody else making a judgement as to whether or not the First Presidency are up to date with their work!

[Leah]

The woman is his daughter, Ann Dibb.

 

Who customarily walks out with him along with his security person.

 

I am saddened - but not surprised - that the online speculation about President Monson's health began anew after conference.  People certainly didn't waste any time, did they?

 

But the "not buying into this"?  It's one thing to feel concerned regarding his health but to basically say that the Church is lying about something and covering something up - that's a whole different attitude.