President Monson hospitalized then released

[JLHPROF]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=43751995&nid=148&title=lds-church-president-thomas-s-monson-hospitalized-release-expected-soon

Glad it was just a short visit.
At 89 his tenure is probably nearing an end in the next couple of years.  The next few years could prove very interesting for the Church.

[clarkgoble]

1 hour ago, JLHPROF said:

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=43751995&nid=148&title=lds-church-president-thomas-s-monson-hospitalized-release-expected-soon

Glad it was just a short visit.
At 89 his tenure is probably nearing an end in the next couple of years.  The next few years could prove very interesting for the Church.

Given his diabetes and other ailments (reportedly some mild form of dementia as well) it's honestly surprising he's done as well as he has. When he was first called many didn't think he'd be there long. So overall he's doing really well to reach almost 90 despite the various ailments he has. 

[Robert F. Smith]

3 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=43751995&nid=148&title=lds-church-president-thomas-s-monson-hospitalized-release-expected-soon

Glad it was just a short visit.
At 89 his tenure is probably nearing an end in the next couple of years.  The next few years could prove very interesting for the Church.

I was just grateful that he spoke to us twice during Conference.  I think that he enjoyed it, even though he appears to get exhausted quickly.

[Tacenda]

14 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I was just grateful that he spoke to us twice during Conference.  I think that he enjoyed it, even though he appears to get exhausted quickly.

I was excited to see him give his talk so well! I've watched someone with dementia/Alzheimer's (my mom) and there is no way she would be able to get up to a podium with the composure he did and read off the teleprompter.

[bsjkki]

Not released and still in the hospital. http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/5139341-155/mormon-leader-thomas-s-monson-still. 

[rongo]

38 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I was excited to see him give his talk so well! I've watched someone with dementia/Alzheimer's (my mom) and there is no way she would be able to get up to a podium with the composure he did and read off the teleprompter.

He seems to be very good at the podium (although he did have to read the teleprompter this time, and stumbled a bit reading. It seems like his formidable memory for stories and scriptures has been intact as recently as the last couple of conferences).

It's when he's not at the podium that the dementia symptoms are more pronounced. He exhibited really erratic and bizarre behavior at the Gila Valley Temple dedication, and that was many years ago. Or, when he kept flapping his coat like a bird to the audience at the women's session a few years ago, and continued past the point where it was no longer  "sweet" and became awkward (this, per my wife). There is a reason why he has handlers and is whisked away and doesn't interact with people. But, there are no symptoms at all behind the pulpit or at the mike. Pretty amazing for someone his age. 

Almost all of us have experienced a loved one dealing with the ravages of advanced age. He's doing very well, all things considered.

Edited April 5, 2017 by rongo

[Duncan]

Just now, rongo said:

He seems to be very good at the podium (although he did have to read the teleprompter this time, and stumbled a bit reading. It seems like his formidable memory for stories and scriptures has been intact as recently as the last couple of conferences).

It's when he's not at the podium that the dementia symptoms are more pronounced. He exhibited really erratic and bizarre behavior at the Gila Valley Temple dedication, and that was many years ago. Or, when he kept flapping his coat like a bird to the audience at the women's session a few years ago, and continued past the point where it was no longer  "sweet" and became awkward (this, per my wife). There is a reason why he has handlers and is whisked away and doesn't interact with people. But, there are no symptoms at all behind the pulpit or at the mike. Pretty amazing for someone his age. 

Almost all of us have experienced a loved one dealing with the ravages of advanced age. He's doing very well, all things considered.

Same thing at the Calgary Temple dedication, it was apparent he was not well. He could read well of the teleprompter  but it's when he's on his own his can exhibit some of this erratic behaviour/thoughts

[Guest]

15 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I was just grateful that he spoke to us twice during Conference.  I think that he enjoyed it, even though he appears to get exhausted quickly.

If he is going to keep trying to do so, he needs to be seated like others have in the past. I still remember when he almost fainted before. 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Duncan said:

Same thing at the Calgary Temple dedication, it was apparent he was not well. He could read well of the teleprompter  but it's when he's on his own his can exhibit some of this erratic behaviour/thoughts

It is so sad, my heart breaks for him. Those around him need to protect him better, before these trips ends up killing him. It is time for his daughter to step up and protect her father. I know he wants to do all within his power, but if, as you said, "when he's on his own [he] can exhibit some of this erratic behavior/thoughts"...then his desire to travel and speak, at least from a standing position needs to be called into question for his sake. 

[rongo]

It looks to me like his traveling days are over. 

I was surprised that they captioned his talks. He could be understood just fine. Maybe that was a "game time decision," and it isn't known in advance if he can be understood or not?

And they didn't have the words to the hymns for the first time in a while . . . 

[JLHPROF]

13 minutes ago, rongo said:

It looks to me like his traveling days are over.

I was surprised that they captioned his talks. He could be understood just fine. Maybe that was a "game time decision," and it isn't known in advance if he can be understood or not?

And they didn't have the words to the hymns for the first time in a while . . . 

I wonder if it is permitted to go "off script" if the spirit dictates.

Their pre-written talks are loaded into the teleprompter, given to translators in advance.  (There was a really interesting show between sessions on how the Church runs temple square and conference - apparently interpreters get talks in advance but have to be ready to adjust for any minor changes in the moment.)

But I wonder if the speakers are allowed to completely change their talks in the moment...(I'm sure the FP is permitted that option).

[ElPatron]

There are two distinct voices that provide me comfort when I hear them. One is the voice of Pres. James E. Faust. When I hear his voice, I immediately feel the love that he exuded in his life. The second is that of Pres. Monson. It's a voice I've grown accustomed to hearing throughout my life. I don't recall Pres. Kimballs voice but I do remember Pres. Bensons and that's about when I started to recognize Pres. Monsons voice. I love him and I'm grateful that I was able to see and hear him speak at this past conference. Praying for a comfortable recovery for him. 

[cinepro]

22 minutes ago, rongo said:

It looks to me like his traveling days are over. 

I was surprised that they captioned his talks. He could be understood just fine. Maybe that was a "game time decision," and it isn't known in advance if he can be understood or not?

And they didn't have the words to the hymns for the first time in a while . . . 

Apparently even the people that make the Church website had some problems...

 

[rongo]

23 minutes ago, JLHPROF said:

I wonder if it is permitted to go "off script" if the spirit dictates.

Their pre-written talks are loaded into the teleprompter, given to translators in advance.  (There was a really interesting show between sessions on how the Church runs temple square and conference - apparently interpreters get talks in advance but have to be ready to adjust for any minor changes in the moment.)

But I wonder if the speakers are allowed to completely change their talks in the moment...(I'm sure the FP is permitted that option).

The speed with which President Packer's spoken words about "Why would God do that to anyone?" or the Proclamation being revelation were stricken from the record was dizzying. I've asked in the past who insisted on that, and it was insisted that he, himself, had to have changed them completely on his own. I don't believe that. They seem consistent with his views and his voice all the time I knew him. 

[clarkgoble]

BTW - I don't think he's been released. As of 4 hours ago the Deseret News was still saying he was in the hospital.

[HappyJackWagon]

2 hours ago, rongo said:

The speed with which President Packer's spoken words about "Why would God do that to anyone?" or the Proclamation being revelation were stricken from the record was dizzying. I've asked in the past who insisted on that, and it was insisted that he, himself, had to have changed them completely on his own. I don't believe that. They seem consistent with his views and his voice all the time I knew him. 

Totally agree. Packer was very consistent on the topic over decades. He said what he meant but someone overrode him and had him change his words.

[Robert F. Smith]

14 hours ago, rongo said:

He seems to be very good at the podium (although he did have to read the teleprompter this time, and stumbled a bit reading. It seems like his formidable memory for stories and scriptures has been intact as recently as the last couple of conferences).

It's when he's not at the podium that the dementia symptoms are more pronounced. He exhibited really erratic and bizarre behavior at the Gila Valley Temple dedication, and that was many years ago. Or, when he kept flapping his coat like a bird to the audience at the women's session a few years ago, and continued past the point where it was no longer  "sweet" and became awkward (this, per my wife). There is a reason why he has handlers and is whisked away and doesn't interact with people. But, there are no symptoms at all behind the pulpit or at the mike. Pretty amazing for someone his age. 

Almost all of us have experienced a loved one dealing with the ravages of advanced age. He's doing very well, all things considered.

Yes, I recall a very frail Pres David O. McKay at the Oakland Temple Dedication in 1965.  He had to be helped in walking and I did not expect him to be able to do the dedicatory prayer (I was at the first session).  However, once they helped him up to the podium, he came alive and delivered a powerful prayer. I don't think that he did subsequent sessions.

[rongo]

16 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

Totally agree. Packer was very consistent on the topic over decades. He said what he meant but someone overrode him and had him change his words.

Yet, I was dog-piled on by many posters here, who insisted that he, himself had to have been the one who wanted to edit his talk. "What, some editor or PR person can make the President of the Quorum of the Twelve change his talk?"

In my experience, yes, if he let's them. It could be one of those "pick your battles" or "pick the hill you're willing to die one" things. Not that the Brethren couldn't stand up to that, but in my experience, they usually/often don't, which gives some COB bureaucrats free reign at times. I have had some bad experiences with Church Office Building bureaucrats running amok, acting officiously without, I am sure, Brethren even knowing. 

I wouldn't mind downsizing in the COB and more Brethren involvement in day-to-day things, but I realize that administering the Church does take manpower. 

[HappyJackWagon]

6 minutes ago, rongo said:

Yet, I was dog-piled on by many posters here, who insisted that he, himself had to have been the one who wanted to edit his talk. "What, some editor or PR person can make the President of the Quorum of the Twelve change his talk?"

In my experience, yes, if he let's them. It could be one of those "pick your battles" or "pick the hill you're willing to die one" things. Not that the Brethren couldn't stand up to that, but in my experience, they usually/often don't, which gives some COB bureaucrats free reign at times. I have had some bad experiences with Church Office Building bureaucrats running amok, acting officiously without, I am sure, Brethren even knowing. 

I wouldn't mind downsizing in the COB and more Brethren involvement in day-to-day things, but I realize that administering the Church does take manpower. 

Totally agree about the COB. Sometimes bureaucrats feel like they have their own little kingdom to protect and it's no different at the COB.

I don't think we can know for sure why he changed his talk. Maybe PR pushed back. Maybe he received feedback from family or friends. Or maybe members of the Q12 or First Presidency pushed back and asked him to soften the language. Who knows. But I'm fairly confident that the change was made based on negative feedback he received.

[Rain]

20 hours ago, JLHPROF said:

I wonder if it is permitted to go "off script" if the spirit dictates.

Their pre-written talks are loaded into the teleprompter, given to translators in advance.  (There was a really interesting show between sessions on how the Church runs temple square and conference - apparently interpreters get talks in advance but have to be ready to adjust for any minor changes in the moment.)

But I wonder if the speakers are allowed to completely change their talks in the moment...(I'm sure the FP is permitted that option).

I was in our regional choir when President Hinckley spoke in conference. I was seated on the front row very close to a monitor which showed what was on the teleprompter. There was someone there that looked to be scrolling the words - it looked like she (memory says she was female) was scrolling the words as needed. For the majority of the time she scrolled fairly constantly unless someone paused or coughed etc.

Then President Hinkley came on. I could clearly see the words. He went along as normal till one point he was not saying anything close to what was on the screen. He went for a number of minutes on his own. Then suddenly he came back to the words and she scrolled as normal.

I would assume this happens in General Conference as well,  but I do not have any actual knowledge that it does. 

Edited April 6, 2017 by Rain

[rongo]

39 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

Totally agree about the COB. Sometimes bureaucrats feel like they have their own little kingdom to protect and it's no different at the COB.

I don't think we can know for sure why he changed his talk. Maybe PR pushed back. Maybe he received feedback from family or friends. Or maybe members of the Q12 or First Presidency pushed back and asked him to soften the language. Who knows. But I'm fairly confident that the change was made based on negative feedback he received.

I agree. But even then, the speed with which the changes were made was --- almost instant. Like there wouldn't have been enough time for colleagues in the quorums to have said, "Say, President Packer, about what you said today? Would you mind . . .?" 

[Avatar4321]

I've been praying since I heard. The Lord will sustain him till his ministry is complete

[clarkgoble]

Sounds like he finally was released and is home.

[HappyJackWagon]

1 hour ago, rongo said:

I agree. But even then, the speed with which the changes were made was --- almost instant. Like there wouldn't have been enough time for colleagues in the quorums to have said, "Say, President Packer, about what you said today? Would you mind . . .?" 

I don't know about that. Reaction to that one line in his talk was pretty swift. I recall news stories that seemed to be out the same or next day. People took immediate notice and began talking about it. I don't know why it would take much effort or time for one of his Q15 colleagues to reach out and ask him to change that line.