Deseret News | Reader comments: His words entertain but also teach us

Reader comments
Orson Scott Card: His words entertain but also teach us

Clyde | 10:29 a.m. Feb. 14, 2008

Yes, I agree whole heartaly with you. I have only had the privilege of visiting with him once. He is very down to earth and when not at the pulpet he jokes and laughs very easily.

Joan Manwaring Bartyn | 8:29 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

I have loved Pres. Monson since I was a teen which is long, long ago. I saw his devotion in action when he gave my father a Priesthood blessing. I remember his talks because of his wonderful stories. I pray that he will be sustained with good health for many years to come. I love and support him with all my heart.

Cedric Phan | 10:29 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

As a convert to the Church 8 years ago in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, I have always found President's talks / stories to be very inspiring and moving. Indeed, much like the Savior, President Monson uses his personal experiences to teach Gospel principles and doctrine. In my daily involvement with missionary work, I also find sharing personal stories and testimonies of a particular Gospel principle to be one of the best ways to help investigators understand well the teachings of the Church. I'm looking forward to hear more of President Monson's great life stories and lessons in the weeks, months and years to come!

Comments continue below

KC Merrill | 10:37 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

I am so sad to have lost President Hinkley, but only because I loved him as a person. I was never in doubt that there would be a new wonderful prophet to lead the church. I am grateful that you are showing President Monson's unique and amazing character. How blessed are we to continue to have presidents of the church that are different in personality but always the same in faith and calling.

Marilyn | 10:36 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

I loved your words (as usual, as I'm a big fan of your books) and agree with you about storytelling and President Monson.

I'm sure President Monson knows exactly what he's doing when he tells us his wonderful stories. He's a great teacher and will be a fantastic prophet.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feelings with us!

Anne Edwards | 11:36 a.m. Feb. 15, 2008

I have always enjoyed President Monson's stories, his humour, his sensitivity and the universal and timeless appeal . He shows a great love for his ancestral roots and as I drive through the small township of Clackmannan in Scotland I always think of him and that from small beginnings comes great things........... as the mantle of the leadership of the Church falls upon him I have a strong feeling that we will now witness additional dimensions and a new vigour in his sermons. God bless us to pay heed to his words.

Jeff Crane | 1:27 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

President Monson is a man of the people. I used to raise Roller Pigeons with him in the 50s and again as an adult with his son Tom Jr. in the 80s.I believe he still has a few Rollers in his backyard to this day.
His stories enthralled all of us after he became a general authority but he never talked in front of us about his efforts as a bishop. It was just something he quietly did as he was on the Lord's errand. Back then he was just one of the guys allbeit one who didn't curse or show anger. We described him as a nice guy who became a giant for the Lord.

Tammy Durham | 1:31 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

You speak the truth. When a person writes or talks, they do not have to use words meant to impress others with their education. Stories that depict real human traits or desired traits are the ones that touch a persons soul, and the lesson stays in their mind and transfers to their actions. President Monson has this gift. Just as you mentioned, the Savior did.

I am a convert and a sinner. Before I joined the church, when people only presented their polished educated Sunday version for my viewing or acquaintance I thought that there was no way that I could ever measure up to being a saint. With the help of such stories, I grew to understand that all people have struggles they need to overcome. With the examples in the wonderful stories told by Jesus and President Monson, I knew that I too could overcome my weaknesses, and become a person that could stand before Heavenly Father knowing that I had changed, and find myself worthy to become a Temple recommend holder. Stories give you hope and hope leads to faith. With faith you can do anything.

Sandy Evans | 2:43 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

From a little girl I have loved listening to President Monson. My own children have loved to be told stories, first from conventional or scriptural books and then just when the lights have been turned out one more story before they go to sleep from our lives. These stories teach them that we and their ancestors were very real people who have left great legacies, and overcame great struggles. I find stories about real people make me feel like I can become with time, a more refined person.

Constance Fox | 2:58 p.m. Feb. 15, 2008

I really enjoyed your article. I loved President Gordon B. Hinckley and was sad when he died. President Monson is a wonderful person and devoted to the work of the Lord so what more could I ask. I have always cherished his stories because they make me thinks. I always relate to them as I believe the people of Jesus time related to his parables.

I use to teach Relief Society and always found it so much easier to get a point across by adding one or two personal stories to the lesson.

I look forward to General Conference this spring to hear from all three of the new First Presidency. They are all Heavenly Father's chosen leaders and I know we will all learn a great deal from them.

Lee Carroll | 5:19 a.m. Feb. 17, 2008

Thank you so much for your article. You expressed exactly what my heart tells me. On that Sunday morning, when he spoke in our televised conference, several in our ward spoke of how we felt the "Mantel of the Prophet" had passed on to President Monson. We did not know at the time that President Hinckley was gravely ill.

I'm grateful for that witness and for your insightful analysis.

Juaana Alpizar | 7:50 p.m. Feb. 17, 2008

One of things I have loved about President Monson and always look forward to any time he speaks are his stories. I'm a convert of 24 years, I grew up with my grandmother living with us most of my life and her ways of teaching was always by telling us
family stories. I love President Monson, not only for his wounderful teaching stories, but because he is God Special Man on earth @ this time and dispensation, we should all pay close attention to his stories and learn from them.

Thank you for this oportunity to voice my heart

Elna Van Horn | 10:27 p.m. Feb. 17, 2008

How I love hearing Pres. Monson's "stories"....Jesus was the greatest teacher of all and taught by parables--------why then can't our modern day prophets do the same?? I sang in a regional conference choir once here in Fresno when Pres. Monson came----the power of his spirit was incredible!! His easy smile and droll sense of humor are totally endearing. His voice is well-beloved and comes into my mind with bits of wisdom at times when I need direction {sometimes a LOT of it} and scripture is always at the forefront! May we be blessed with this great prophet for MANY years......Oh,yes,...the article is really great!..thanks.....

Marilyn Anderson | 8:08 p.m. Feb. 18, 2008

I have always had a great admiration for Pres. Monson. I am totally spiritually fed by his talks, his storytelling and of course the ability to remember; how to speak with such enthusiasm!!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.