SeattleGrunge Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 I was reading a blog post this morning and in it the author mentioned as an aside the "pretty well known" reports of President Monson's dementia. Has anyone heard of this? Anyone notice that he has less of a public presense because of it? I googled it and only found posts on other forums discussing it. I searched here back through June and didn't see any mention of it.It will be interesting to see if there is any less of him at conference this weekend.
thesometimesaint Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 It's possible. He's not a young man anymore. But without further proof we need to reserve judgement.
SeattleGrunge Posted October 3, 2012 Author Posted October 3, 2012 I thought if the reports were well known I would have heard something as I try to keep my finger on the pulse of things related to the church. She probably would have been more accurrate had she written Rumors instead of Reports. I was just wondering if there were little reports (new articles, first hand reports of seeing something happen, etc.) here and there that I hadn't come across.
fatherofone Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Would the church release him if the reports were true?
Calm Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 It is probably "well known" in places that take delight in such news.
Calm Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Would the church release him if the reports were true?There wouldn't be a need as his counselors can act fully in his stead and more assistants added if needed.A previous bishop used to take off 3 months out of each year during the summer holidays and leave the ward functioning to his counselors. As far as I could tell, no one complained or felt anything fell through the cracks.
SeattleGrunge Posted October 3, 2012 Author Posted October 3, 2012 If they were true I would assume E. Utchdorf would do what President Hinckley did. It is just a physical ailment.
fatherofone Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 There wouldn't be a need as his counselors can act fully in his stead and more assistants added if needed.A previous bishop used to take off 3 months out of each year during the summer holidays and leave the ward functioning to his counselors. As far as I could tell, no one complained or felt anything fell through the cracks.Why not simply replace him instead adding the extra work for the counselors?
wenglund Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) Why not simply replace him instead adding the extra work for the counselors?Assuming the rumors are founded (it is questionable), and assuming you are correct to be concerned about the extra work (again, this is questionable), you need to address this question to God rather than to us since that is his decision and not ours.Thanks, -Wade Englund- Edited October 3, 2012 by wenglund
MorningStar Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 When the second counselor in our bishopric was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, rather than release him, they called a third counselor. I thought that was wonderful. As far as I know, the president of the church is only released through death.
urroner Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Why not simply replace him instead adding the extra work for the counselors?Picture of Boromir with caption "One doesn't simply replace the president of the Church."Do the Twelve decide when to replace an ailing president or does God decide? I realize this is the logical fallacy false dichotomy, but I don't care.
Duncan Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) According ot the Trib, Pres. Monson is going to Germany for a month or thereabouts right after conference, for who knows what reason but still. Edited October 3, 2012 by Duncan
urroner Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 According ot the Trib, Pres. Monson is going to Germany for a month or thereabouts right after conference, for who knows what reason but still.Oktoberfest!!! 2
Avatar4321 Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 When the second counselor in our bishopric was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, rather than release him, they called a third counselor. I thought that was wonderful. As far as I know, the president of the church is only released through death.The scriptures do provide for a way for him to be released, but it would have to come through revelation. I dont anticipate that.
Avatar4321 Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 There wouldn't be a need as his counselors can act fully in his stead and more assistants added if needed.A previous bishop used to take off 3 months out of each year during the summer holidays and leave the ward functioning to his counselors. As far as I could tell, no one complained or felt anything fell through the cracks.Pres Monson could call a Third counselor.
rongo Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 When the second counselor in our bishopric was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, rather than release him, they called a third counselor. I thought that was wonderful. As far as I know, the president of the church is only released through death.Brigham Young had seven counselors in the First Presidency at one time in his declining years (cf. CHC 5:506; DHC 2:509; multiple JoD sources, but they are in my notes at home).
wenglund Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Please keep in mind that there are varying degrees of old-age dementia. Onset and presence of the disease doesn't necessarily translate into non-functionality. My father had Alzheimers for years, and it wasn't until the last weeks of his life that it significantly affected his functionality, if then.Thanks, -Wade Englund-
Duncan Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Brigham Young had seven counselors in the First Presidency at one time in his declining years (cf. CHC 5:506; DHC 2:509; multiple JoD sources, but they are in my notes at home).he had several, Albert Carrington, John W. Young, Albert Carrington, Lorenzo Snow, et al
wenglund Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 he had several, Albert Carrington, John W. Young, Albert Carrington, Lorenzo Snow, et alIt is amusing that you would repeat Albert Carrington's name in a thread on dementia. Thanks, -Wade Englund-
rongo Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 For what it's worth, I can confirm that President Monson suffers from age-related dementia, but it isn't a constant condition (it comes and goes, and sometimes he's very lucid, and other times isn't). I can't/won't reveal my source, but it's a well-placed one. I myself am not any kind of source that would mean anything to anyone. Hence, the "for what it's worth." His actual physical health aside from that is supposed to be excellent (i.e., heart, body systems, etc.), so there is a prospect that it could be another situation similar to with President Benson. I am completely comfortable with the Church essentially being run by the counselors, if it comes to that.Anyone who's paid attention over the last while would notice certain things, though. My wife said that he flapped his coat at the sisters in a YW broadcast, and kept doing it to the point where it wasn't just cute banter with the audience ---- she said it was really odd and she hadn't seen anything like it before. I also remember at the Gila Valley Temple dedication, he kept cracking joke after joke during the cornerstone ceremony, and it seemed really out of place. He also kept repeating the same story over and over during the remarks, not remembering that he had just told that same story. Things like that.I would guess that most of us have elderly family members or loved ones who have gone through something similar, and the same fate awaits many of us, if we live long enough.
Senator Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 I think it would be helpful if the church made a statement apprising us of his condition. It would help alleviate the questioning and discomfort when we notice him doing something out of place. 1
bluebell Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 I think it would be helpful if the church made a statement apprising us of his condition. It would help alleviate the questioning and discomfort when we notice him doing something out of place.Has this been noticed? (sincere question)
Senator Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Has this been noticed? (sincere question)Yes. As another poster noted his behavior in the Gila Valley temple dedication. I too was in attendance. My siblings also noticed and made comment.
Senator Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 Has this been noticed? (sincere question)It's also my understanding that he is diabetic. A low blood sugar could also have affected him.
rongo Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 There's also opening session of the April 2012 General Conference, where he wasn't there at the beginning, arrived sometime during the morning session, and was whisked out by security immediately after it ended (who kept him from having contact with people on the way out). From what I am told, he vacillates between complete lucidity (he gave some great Conference talks in April) and periods where he struggles.
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