The above book written by Lewis Carroll must be an important book to read since our Prophet quoted from it instead of any scripture in the last General Conference.
President Monson spoke for a total of 4 minutes during the four General Sessions of Conference. (not including the Priesthood Session). Below is his formal message to the members of the Church and to the world in general. No longer do we really quote scriptures especially from past prophets who actually saw our day and had warnings for us including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mormoni, even Joseph Smith.. but now prefer to quote from fictional children book authors or current church leaders. The highlighted portion which is one third of his talk is about Alice in Wonderland.
Here is the entirely of his talk:
- Now, brothers and sisters, I wish to express my gratitude for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you this morning. I have been thinking recently about choices. It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny.When we left our premortal existence and entered mortality, we brought with us the gift of agency. Our goal is to obtain celestial glory, and the choices we make will, in large part, determine whether or not we reach our goal. Most of you are familiar with Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. As she contemplates which way to turn, she is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.” Unlike Alice, we know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life leads to our destination in the next life. May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith which will be our most effective defense against the designs of the adversary—a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and will bolster our desire to choose the right. Without such faith, we go nowhere. With it, we can accomplish our goals. Although it is imperative that we choose wisely, there are times when we will make foolish choices. The gift of repentance, provided by our Savior, enables us to correct our course settings, that we might return to the path which will lead us to that celestial glory we seek. May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice. That this may ever be so is my heartfelt and humble prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.
Now, don't get me wrong, I think the message is interesting. Yes, it is even wise because if you don't know where we want to go, than it doesn't matter which path you follow. I often wonder what path we are headed down collectively as a Church. But that is a different blogpost altogether.
But what I wanted to point out that I found it interesting is that this message is not new from President Monson. He has actually used almost the same words in seven previous conference talks. Here is the rundown of past conference talks he quotes Lewis Carroll. It is almost as if it was a copy and paste from talk to talk.
April 1995:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/04/a-time-to-choose?lang=eng
In Lewis Carroll’s delightful classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice finds herself coming to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path should I take?”
The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t really matter which path you take.”
Unlike Alice, each of you knows where you want to go. It does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life surely leads to the path we shall follow in the next. Choose carefully.
...........................................................................................................................................................
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/who-honors-god-god-honors?lang=eng
As Lewis Carroll tells us, Alice was following a path through a forest in Wonderland when it divided into two directions. Standing irresolute, she inquired of the Cheshire Cat, which had suddenly appeared in a nearby tree, which path she should take. “Where do you want to go?” asked the cat.
“I don’t know,” said Alice.
“Then,” said the cat, “it really doesn’t matter, does it?”
...........................................................................................................................................................April 1999:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/your-celestial-journey?lang=eng
As Lewis Carroll tells us in his well-known Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice was following a path through a forest in Wonderland when it divided in two directions. Standing irresolute, she inquired of the Cheshire cat, which had suddenly appeared in a nearby tree, which path she should take. “Where do you want to go?” asked the cat.
“I don’t know,” said Alice.
“Then,” said the cat, “it really doesn’t matter, does it?”
We know where we want to go. Do we have the resolution—even the faith—to get there?
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April 2002:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2002/04/pathways-to-perfection?lang=eng
In Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice finds herself coming to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom she asks, “Which path shall I take?”
The cat answers: “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t really matter which path you take!”
Unlike Alice, each of you knows where you want to go. It does matter which way you go, for the path you follow in this life leads to the path you will follow in the next.
...........................................................................................................................................................
October 2004:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/10/choose-you-this-day?lang=eng
Let us not find ourselves as indecisive as is Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”
The cat answers: “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”
Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life surely leads to the path we will follow in the next.
...........................................................................................................................................................
October 2010:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-three-rs-of-choice?lang=eng
Let us not find ourselves as indecisive as is Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”
The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”
Unlike Alice, we all know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for by choosing our path, we choose our destination.
...........................................................................................................................................................
April 2016:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/choices?lang=eng
Most of you are familiar with Alice in Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will remember that she comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions. As she contemplates which way to turn, she is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”
The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”
Unlike Alice, we know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life leads to our destination in the next life.
...........................................................................................................................................................
That is over 7 Conference talks...
Here is a quote from the previous President of the Church Gordon B Hinckley from the following statement:
“How wonderful it is that we believe in modern revelation. I cannot get over the feeling that if revelation were needed anciently, when life was simple, that revelation is also needed today, when life is complex. There never was a time in the history of the earth when men needed revelation more than they need it now.” (President Gordon B Hinkley May 29, 2004)
What a great statement. I completely agree..
"There never was a time in the history of the earth
when men needed revelation more than they need it now.”
and is this what is considered "continuous revelation"?
or maybe it is just that... a continuous repeat of the same story.
I think this is a very important post for a couple reasons. The first is the point you are making which highlights very well the misconception we have about general leadership in the church. They (or their ghost writers) prepare talks in the same fashion that we members prepare talks, which is to use search engines on a topic to find source material and quotes as a basis for the subject. We then rely on the Spirit to influence the way we organize our thoughts to present something meaningful and relevant to the audience. We may even have a family member or friend proofread the the talk for historical accuracy ang grammar. In the circles of church leadership, it's called correlation. In the First Presidency message of this month's Ensign, Pres. Eyering noted that some years ago he was asked to review a conference talk of a fellow apostle. This effort would result in the 22nd draft of the talk.
ReplyDeleteComparing this process to the revelatory engine in place with Joseph Smith exposes a fundamental error in belief we Mormons labor under today, which is that the current church president is equivalent to Joseph in obtaining the mind and will of God. In reality, modern church leaders only preside as caretakers over the oracles of God given through THE prophet at the dawn of the restoration. Beyond that, they are the same as you and I and entitled to similar lines of divine revelation in matters of home and heart. So also, they (the brethren) are as lost and fallen as you and I and in need of rescue as we labor together to remove the church-wide condemnation pronounced upon us by Joseph before he died and reiterated by Ezra Benson in 1982.
Publicly recognizing this fact would not only inoculate future generations against the firey darts of our enemies but would also imbibe a greater sense of humility in the characters of the brethren and allow the lay-members to exercise more charity towards them as they struggle to reconcile and explain the historical record with what we have today.
Secondly, this post illustrates how church leaders are not spared the infirmities of old age nor are they immune from diminished capacity. Pres. Monson has been mentally ill for some time. Dimentia is a progressive diseases that affects some quicker than others but ultimately has the same end. We should exercise a greater portion of charity for ANYONE suffering from mental disorder by not placing unrealistic expectations upon them or attributing a level of health they are not capable of.
Excellent comment. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow. What a stark contrast.
ReplyDeleteI just got home from a church service where a sermon was given precisely in the manner described in 2 Nephi 33:1: "for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." The words I heard today were beautiful, powerful, and serving a vital purpose in that part of the body of Christ in bringing about the work God has for those people.
And then, I read this. And my heart weeps and breaks for those who are starving, who are promised living water and receive sand, instead.
The spirit of prophecy is alive and well, and breaking out among believers.
Annalea, clearly you don't know how to do generate spiritual gifts on your own. Men, called to leadership, are in place to motivate and inspire, not to give you revelation. Revelation is received on your own accord, not through some other person. If you continue to rely on man, you will never know God. Stop relying on others.
ReplyDeleteDC, Christ quotes Isaiah, Jacob quotes Zenos. Everyone uses inspiration from others to make a point and inspire. President Monson is old and suffers from Alztimers. Still, his points are more refreshing than anything that has ever come across your blog. Clearly your membership doesn't mean anything to you. If you continue down this path, I will make your SP aware of you and your blog. Then we will see where the rubber meets the road.
Please reach me directly at awakearise99@gmail.com and we can talk about some of your concerns. I will also try and contact you in a private email.
DeleteYeah, I know this blog may not be "refreshing", so I wouldn't blame you if you stopped reading it.
Looking forward to talking with you offline.
Anonymous, who commented on Annalea abive. ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
ReplyDeleteThat might be one of THE most hilarious things I ever heard. Threatening her? And, threatening with the 'arm of flesh'?! I haven't laughed this hard for a long time!
So, free agency starts and end with the missionary discussions, it seems.
Further, you really expect a follower of Jesus, the Very Eternal Father, to be scared by your threat to report and tell tales to a man in a suit who can't move mountains or demonstrate a single thing as stated in JST Genesis 14:25-40?
2 questions:
Are you called Judas and your/her stake president named Caiphas?
Secondly, what are you, 5 years old??
Give me a break.
Get out of your tiny insular world in a building you call a church, and realize this Jesus, is the Very Eternal Father who created gazillions of worlds and creations. All built on free agency and unconditional love.
Stay the course Annalea. I did. And i walked out of the church with the same two things that brought me in- the Book of Mormon and free agency.
I still have both. Stronger than ever.
R
Even unconditional love will one day require justice. Justice based on a concept of free agency which you have yet to understand. Your way is clearly taking you down a path that will send you to one of those gazillion worlds that is even lower in progression than this one.
ReplyDeleteRead more closely next time, the second paragraph was not written to Annalea, only the first.
So your threat is justified because it is to this blog owner rather than Annalea? Yes, how righteous you must be indeed.
ReplyDeleteAs for those worlds you mention, especially the lowest that you have me confined to- anyway of verifying this knowledge? Perhaps an angel or the Spirit of the Lord showed you in a vision like Nephi?
Unconditional is unconditional - if it has a condition of justice, then it ceases to be unconditional. If it was good enough for Jesus to forgive those who saw Him perform miracles in the flesh coz 'they know not what they do', then i am sure full of hope that blessed are folks like me who know not and yet believe.
Or perhaps, to steal a phrase from your Highness, you didn't read my last paragraph?
Let me be clear- i believe in Jesus. I believe He is the Very Eternal Father as the Book of Mormon states. I believe therefore in the Book of Mormon. I believe in true prophets that He has sent and demonstrate their gufts and powers from Enoch to Moses, Abraham to Alma, Abunadi to Joseph Smith- they all contributed scripture based of visions, dreams and boldly declared their experiences, regardless of hiw sacred they were.
I do NOT believe those who followed JS are anything other than frauds. Businessmen who are wolves in sheeps clothing operating the 2nd richest religious group on earth, after the catholics and very much like them.
If i had the chance i would stand before their faces and tell them they are frauds. They are the very arm of flesh.
I'll happily take the sins of the blog owner- go ahead, find me and tell my stake president...how lovely will be the smell of the burnt rubber on the road.
I hope you are there to testify of my words in person...my face would light up and glow!
Meanwhile, I'll worship the Creator. Go ahead, worship His creations ;)