Sustaining the Prophet.
First, a congratulatory note to a missionary that I served with. Elder Taylor. I served in Jaen along side him for my last three months. He had barely been in Spain, and was already un Director de Zona. We had some great times. He was called today as a General Authority Seventy during the afternoon session of General Conference. Congratulations Brian, er, Elder Taylor!
A much more serious note, pertaining to some observations from General Conference. I noticed it when President Monson was not in attendance for the afternoon session, and was very shaky as he spoke during the Priesthood session.
For those who remember, one of the most iconic photos of President Hinckley was when he sat as the lone representative of the First Presidency during the Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball.
For those who may not know what I am talking about, a brief explanation. Those who serve as Apostles of Jesus Christ in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, are called for life. I believe that they serve until the Master calls them home. The most senior apostle serves as President of the Church. Today, that is Thomas S. Monson. The only release that they receive from that call is death, (the norm) or transgression (which is exceedingly rare). When I say senior, I mean by time as an apostle, not age. When they become President, they call counselors, usually from the Twelve.
In the early 1980s, when the above picture was taken, President Hinckley was the Second Counselor to President Kimball, with Marion G. Romney as 1st Counselor. Both President Kimball and President Romney were often not sufficiently well to attend to the duties associated with Conference. President Hinckley traveled all over the world on behalf of the church, representing President Kimball.
When Ezra Taft Benson became the prophet upon the death of President Kimball, he served for several years, eventually becoming less visible publicly. It was different with President Benson, as people began to question whether he was actually governing the church, and even some family members called for his release.
We may not understand the trials that those called to such positions face, or the why of those trials. I have faith that even when incapacitated to the point of no longer being public, they still were and are engaged in the affairs of the church.
Which brings us to President Monson. I have no doubt that he is engaged in leading the church. The burden of someone wearing the mantle of the Lord's mouthpiece is heavy. It takes a significant toll on the mortal called to serve in that capacity. I suspect that there are those that saw his talk and are questioning whether he is actually serving. Some may call me blind, or naive to think otherwise. I am not. The naysayers will be out. They think that the Lord's Plan can be thwarted. It can't. The Lord compensates for the frailties of humanity in ways that we cannot comprehend.
Whether he is in conference tomorrow, or not, is irrelevant. He is the prophet, and until he is called home will have my sustaining vote. Prophet, Seer, Revelator. The only man on earth that speaks for God to all of us.
President Monson, we pray for you. We love you. We sustain you.
A much more serious note, pertaining to some observations from General Conference. I noticed it when President Monson was not in attendance for the afternoon session, and was very shaky as he spoke during the Priesthood session.
For those who remember, one of the most iconic photos of President Hinckley was when he sat as the lone representative of the First Presidency during the Presidency of Spencer W. Kimball.
In the early 1980s, when the above picture was taken, President Hinckley was the Second Counselor to President Kimball, with Marion G. Romney as 1st Counselor. Both President Kimball and President Romney were often not sufficiently well to attend to the duties associated with Conference. President Hinckley traveled all over the world on behalf of the church, representing President Kimball.
When Ezra Taft Benson became the prophet upon the death of President Kimball, he served for several years, eventually becoming less visible publicly. It was different with President Benson, as people began to question whether he was actually governing the church, and even some family members called for his release.
We may not understand the trials that those called to such positions face, or the why of those trials. I have faith that even when incapacitated to the point of no longer being public, they still were and are engaged in the affairs of the church.
Which brings us to President Monson. I have no doubt that he is engaged in leading the church. The burden of someone wearing the mantle of the Lord's mouthpiece is heavy. It takes a significant toll on the mortal called to serve in that capacity. I suspect that there are those that saw his talk and are questioning whether he is actually serving. Some may call me blind, or naive to think otherwise. I am not. The naysayers will be out. They think that the Lord's Plan can be thwarted. It can't. The Lord compensates for the frailties of humanity in ways that we cannot comprehend.
Whether he is in conference tomorrow, or not, is irrelevant. He is the prophet, and until he is called home will have my sustaining vote. Prophet, Seer, Revelator. The only man on earth that speaks for God to all of us.
President Monson, we pray for you. We love you. We sustain you.
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