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President Monson cheers on Jazz

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mom | 1:04 p.m. March 29, 2008
James, being critical of the Church and being anti-mormon are not the same thing. We can take critisism as well as anyone else. We are not a perfect people. We make mistakes. Anti-mormons make comments about the church, not caring whether they are factual or not. Anti-mormons spew venomous comment to get a reaction. Anti-mormons tear down the Church because they may have a personal ax to grind. When was the last time you heard any LDS leader make a negative personal comment publicly about anyone? Visit Temple Square, talk to the people there, learn what our religion is all about. I think it's great that Pres. Monson takes his wife on a Friday night out, even though his responsibilities are incredible. It shows he has his priorities straight. And if he had not acknowledged the players on his way back to his seat, he would have been thought of as unfriendly at the very least. But I'm sure that isn't why he did it. He was just as excited to be there like anyone else would be!
Justin | 1:09 p.m. March 29, 2008
I hate to tell you this, but our constitutional rights in no way empower us to say whatever we want using a private organization's medium. If you want to stand on the street, on public ground, you can say whatever you want. The Deseret News has every right to censor whatever they want and us, as posters, have absolutely no guaranteed right to have our opinions published by them.

Anyway, President Monson's awesome. I'd hate to be LDS and on the other team though. I bet Sloan would have known who President Monson was if he saw him though. I thought Boozer's comments were kind of funny just because it's amazing someone could live in Salt Lake for so long and not know who President Monson was.
It's Obvious | 1:23 p.m. March 29, 2008
A few people have commented that this story isn't newsworthy...well based on the fact that it's currently the most popular story, and climbing up the most commented list, there must be some news value.
Comments continue below
A believer | 1:24 p.m. March 29, 2008
To Phil,

Actually, if you new anything about Mormon beliefs, you would know that we do encourage everyone, members and nonmembers, to go to the SOURCE for all things. That source is GOD! You might want to try it.
jazz | 1:41 p.m. March 29, 2008
No one should be able to touch a coach or player during the middle of a game. If I would have done that I would have been escorted out of the building. No anti-momanism here, just a sportsfan who knows proper manners when I am at a game. Monson is no better than anyother fan in ESA last night.
jazz | 1:36 p.m. March 29, 2008
Sloans "fine" comment was just PR. How would people react if he said something like he doesn't care who Monson is, we are in the middle of a game!
Henry Drummond | 1:45 p.m. March 29, 2008
**smile**

There are other General Authorities who are jazz fans as well.

Elder Tom Perry sits a few from me on occasions. While I am not LDS, I am glad Church Leaders can enjoy a game well played.
Life is too short... | 2:05 p.m. March 29, 2008
"An arena divided by itself cannot stand." Come on people. Really.

It was a gusture and a token of good will.

I wonder if there is basketball in Heaven? I'm certain there is mint chocolate chip icecream and Thai food.

Enjoy life!
Anonymous | 2:10 p.m. March 29, 2008
What a great country! What a great man Pres. Monson is. It's just a game. Some of us take things to seriously. LOOSEN UP!It matters how we play the game.Pres. Monson plays the game of life as well as it can be played, with honesty and kindness.Besides Larry Miller doesn't seem to mind, they maybe friends? Sloansshock if you were, or would end your life being half the man Pres. Monson is and have 1/2 the people trust and follow and support you as he does, and if you open your eyes, you just might see more truth in life then you now see.
jph1223 | 2:32 p.m. March 29, 2008
I am not surprised at the negative comments that come out on an innocent story like this. As LDS, it reminds me that we are wound too tight sometimes and even General Authorities can relax. Pres. Monson likes the Jazz, Joseph B. Wirthlin is loved at the U of U basketball games, L. Tom Perry gets to throw out an opening pitch for the Red Sox. I say, you go guys.
Bill Simmons | 3:02 p.m. March 29, 2008
You've got to love that the Mormon church president's favorite Jazzmen are Kyle Korver and Matt Harpring. Unintentional comedy at its finest.

Let me take a wild venture to guess that his next three favorite players are Kirilenko, Fesenko, and Memo?
wow | 3:12 p.m. March 29, 2008
Are there going to be playoffs for comment critic of the year to determine who spews the most hypocritical hyperbole?
Phil the believer... | 3:11 p.m. March 29, 2008
You don't believe we received the true answer and we don't believe you did either. Who cares. Can't we all still be friends and get along? Why do each of our respective beliefs have to be such a divisive issue. I'm sorry that you feel Mormons withhold some of your rights.
Fun night. | 3:12 p.m. March 29, 2008

I don't think Mormons are excited about seeing Monson at the game because he is some superman but rather because he is a high profile figure that many of us don't usually see in these sort of situations/contexts. I understand if it doesn't interest some people but i don't understand why it would bother others.

Relax, It's just like when John Malkovich was at the game, it was a news story... Not because we all think he's better than us because he makes movies but because it's cool to see someone famous relate to us on a level of common interest.
Ernest T. Bass | 3:52 p.m. March 29, 2008
What a stupid story
Anonymous | 4:04 p.m. March 29, 2008
Monson's actions were both arrogant and inappropriate. The Jazz players, and Sloan, could care less about the state's dominant religion or the people that run it -- as readily seen by their reactions. They don't care, and they felt his actions highly uncalled for.

During the game and after, all quotes lead to "who the hell is that, and why is he in our huddle?"

Monson's 3rd row seats were a publicity stunt, as was his forced entry into the huddle. Luckily, Mormons are losing numbers in SLC -- signifying the reason for Monson's impromptu third row "date."

This article was written complete bias. A complete joke to ethical journalism.
Anonymous | 4:06 p.m. March 29, 2008
Abercrombie & Fitch, I think he is a little too old to be wearing that. I'm sorry
Anonymous | 4:08 p.m. March 29, 2008
NM, wrong guy but that guy is WAYYYYY to old to be wearing anything from there.
Love it. | 4:41 p.m. March 29, 2008
I think pres monson is a tremendous person. I found nothing wrong with what he did. If it was the pope, or pres bush, or Al Sharpten these people complaining would not be saynig a word. Don't hate on people just cause they live a way that is not drugs, booz, and immorality. You anti LDS people just like to take a jab when you can at mormons. It's to bad for you guys our religion is growing rapidly around the world and there is nothing you can do about it. I love it.
I talked to players too | 5:03 p.m. March 29, 2008
I once spoke to Magic Johnson during a timeout at a Jazz game. He was as friendly as a person could be. Did I get preferential celebrity treatment? Wow, I must be famous!!! Oh wait, I was just a fan like Monson. Neither one of us got kicked out and we both got to smile for having spoken to an athlete we admire.
No one should interupt Sloan | 5:15 p.m. March 29, 2008
1. I'm LDS
2. No one - including Pres. Monson - should be interrupting the huddle or trying to approach/personally greet Coach Sloan or his players during a timeout in the middle of the game. It's just not proper decorum for anyone. I can't imagine a "normal fan" trying to do such a thing. It's simply not the right time or place.
3. This just seems like common sense to me. Why would anyone honestly think that Coach Sloan would want to speak to ANYONE other than an official or one of his coaches or players in the middle of a game?
4. Sloan was once asked in an interview who his favorite band was. He replied "rubber." I seriously doubt he has any clue who Pres. Monson is.
5. He has certainly been here long enough to realize, however, not to publicly express his displeasure about the situation. Of course he is "fine" with it. What do you expect him to say?
Dave | 5:23 p.m. March 29, 2008
Sloanshock may be offensive and off base, but having a multitude of people rail on him is also offensive in my opinion. Lets collaborate and talk about something fun, a religious leader at a Jazz Game and interacting with the Coach...thats kindof fun, wouldn't you agree.
Jane | 5:20 p.m. March 29, 2008
It is refreshing to see a highly esteemed religious leader take time to introduce himself and take his wife on a date!
Mormon, Jazz Fan from Illinois | 7:01 p.m. March 29, 2008
1. I am glad I don't live in Utah anymore to hear the bickering between members and non-members. It is exhausting.

2. Those of you Utahns who say, "If you don't like it, leave" need serious help. Not everyone in Utah has to like every little thing about Utah. I'm sure there are a lot of unhappy people there or the depression rates wouldn't be so high.

3. When a team is huddled together and the coach is talking, nobody should interrupt. It is simply not good form. Now, Pres Monson may not be as primed in to sports ettiquete, but anybody that's played sports knows that an outsider does not bust into a team huddle.

4. I would think of all coaches in the NBA, Sloan would be the last person who would want to be interupted and have his team lose focus in the middle of a game. Why do you think Larry Miller sits on the complete opposite side of the court?
Love Deseret | 7:04 p.m. March 29, 2008
Great article. I wish Monson could visit a L.A. Lakers game and pat PHil Jackson on the back. Love to see that. I still hate the Jazz but love Pres. Monson.

For those who say Deseret News is LDS controlled. I say If you don't want LDS stories in your local newspaper then move to another state. There are 49 other states for you to move to, but Utah is Utah!
DJ | 7:15 p.m. March 29, 2008
I wonder if President Monson will start sitting with Jazz Fan and wear a license plate around his neck? That would be AWESOME!

I'd love to see him in casual duds and a Jazz tee. I won't keep my fingers crossed.
Chris from Lubbock | 7:19 p.m. March 29, 2008
To elo and James above, you obviously don't read the Deseret News very often, or very objectively, or both. The coverage of many LDS topics is very straight up, with a perspective that couldn't be questioned by any neutral party. Granted, the editorial positions hue to the church's position when there's a choice, but considering who owns the paper, the surprise would be if they didn't do that. As one who formerly worked in media, I will say that EVERYONE has their own perspective. You're a fool if you think the Salt Lake Tribune doesn't. Same with the Ogden Standard-Examiner, USA Today, etc. These should be evaluated with dispassion. I personally don't think that elo or James have done this. I suspect that the Tribune story about this probably had about the same tone as the DNews. (If there was one-- seeing as how ESPN covered it, I suspect the Trib did, too.) Everybody just take a deep breath and have fun.
Aaron | 7:50 p.m. March 29, 2008
If the Pope or the Dalai Lama did what President Monson did, nobody would be upset and nobody would say it was "creepy." I think some people just have a bone to pick with the LDS Church, and they don't like it when LDS officials are treated with the same respect that is afforded other religious leaders.
Stop the paranoia | 8:12 p.m. March 29, 2008
I am mormon, and even myself I accept this is propaganda. If you ask me, President Monson padded Sloan's shoulder very much uneventfully. Some people saw this, and decided to make it nearly a front page article about it. President Monson has nothing to be ashamed of, or the mormon church nothing to have to be held against their face.

Just another propagandist writter indeed. Mormon articles = Mormon market profits. Simple business calculations. Make sure to visit mormontimes too.

Once again, before you come all bashing on me, I am mormon and I love my religion. If I have anything against, is the fact that something so uneventful has been sensationalized for the purpose of selling papers. Good luck Jazz on the playoffs, and great luck President Monson on the reigns of the church.
Geraldine | 8:18 p.m. March 29, 2008
Back to the thread of the story. I remember seeing Elder Monson in the halls of the Marriott Center after a BYU game many years ago. Danny Ainge was playing in the game. People were whispering about Elder Monson being there and he could hear the whispers and had a big smile. I know we common people in the church love to see the Prophet. I was 18 before I ever got to see a prophet in person. As a commoner in the USA I always wanted to see the President of the country, but was 70 years old before that ever happened. And I loved it! I see nothing wrong with being excited about it. I have also enjoyed meeting celebrities at various times. I am not worshiping anyone, but it is fun to see them in person and to know they are real people! And I thought it was great that President Monson was on a date with his wife! And I love that he is a basketball fan!
Opiros | 8:27 p.m. March 29, 2008
With all the Mormons rationalizing their adulation and praise of their Church leaders, I must ask a very important question.

What exactly do you mean by "worship"?

If what you are doing to your Church leaders is NOT "worship", then what is it and how do you distinguish it from the "worship" you presumably DO to God?
Happy Valley | 9:04 p.m. March 29, 2008
Anonymous at 9:03 AM on March 29 responding to Mahonri, I'm sure we'll all be privileged to hear about his soup kitchen service in a sweet story at the upcoming General Conference!
jenny | 9:23 p.m. March 29, 2008
I laugh at everyone who worries about sloanshock...Since the restoration of the gospel, people everywhere mormons have been have criticized them. I wouldn't worry too much. I think it is cool that you stick up for President Monson, but don't lose too much sleep over it.
As for you sloanshock... if you don't like the mormon influence, move. Hard to believe that anyone would move to Italy and try to tell the catholic church and the Pope to stay away from a soccer coach. Mormons settled the valley so I dont think they will be going anywhere. Accept it! And as far as President Monson going to the game...Good for him...It just shows you how in touch with the rest of us he is (especially if he would compliment the potty mouth coach)...And obviously if the security guards had been really worried, they would have stopped him.. If readers like sloanshock had been in attendance, I think that President Monson would have been the one in danger.
Justin | 9:24 p.m. March 29, 2008
Confrontational, non-conversational blogs are so damaging and negative. Can't we all just get along instead of coming to a thread to tell invisible people we've never met that their beliefs aren't valid?
Re: Opiros | 9:31 p.m. March 29, 2008
So what if Mormons "worship" church leaders? It's not going to change your view of them any.
weloveyou | 10:08 p.m. March 29, 2008
God bless our Prophet dear!!!!
EL TAB | 10:17 p.m. March 29, 2008
I wish people like elo and "James" (Peter and John, are you yet to be heard from?) could stop being so full of yourselves and realize how childish your sandbox comments are perceived by rational individuals...Mormon and non-Mormon alike.
Joe | 11:19 p.m. March 29, 2008
What would happen if anybody else tapped on Jerry Sloan's shoulder during a game? They'd get kicked out of the game. Mr. Monson overstepped Mr. Sloans personal boundaries. This is extremely disrespectful and he should apologize.
arc | 12:28 a.m. March 30, 2008
I have always liked Pres. Monson. I remember asking a couple of years ago if he gets time to fish much, and he said didn't as much as he would like. I am glad he spends a little time going to a basketball game. I am sure, if life had been different, he would have been on the court, many years ago. It appears he is periodically in Huntsman's box. Whether he should have touched the coach behind his back or not, he was trying to show support. Give him credit for trying.

Some people think he is a little "stiff", but he isn't. He loves people. He is warm and friendly.

As far as this paper being propaganda, usually it isn't. The Trib has been for over 100 years.

As a former printer, Pres. Monson would likely say something if the Des News was not being truthful.
Anonymous | 12:53 a.m. March 30, 2008
I wonder if i had third row seats and tapped coach solan on the shoulder if i would still be sitting in the third row.
insensitive | 1:49 a.m. March 30, 2008
Anonymous 9:35 and others who may wonder at Frances Monson's facial expression: you may notice if you look again that the whole left side of her face is slack likely from a stroke, treatment for an acoustic neuroma or other medical condition. Uncouth observation without much forethought. Then again perhaps she was already envisioning the forthcoming comments on this board.
ehemple | 7:29 a.m. March 30, 2008
What is it about the Church that bothers those who are expressing this rage against this warm expression of friendship?
What is it about Mormonism that causes this opposition?
As a former member of several other faiths, I enjoy the fact that no offering plate is passed in church, none of my church leaders are supported by the congregation, but members in good standing seeking financial are never turned away. I appreciate the example that President Monson and our dear beloved President Hinckley give and have given and that is loving, faithful service. They are good men. President Monson, thank you for your years of selfless service. I hope in some small way I can live up to your loving example of care and service. To my friends who feel that they need to express their concerns that this paper is a propaganda tool
for the Church, why not take a vacation from your problems and join with us in worship of a God who wants your to have everything good. A good name, a loving family, prosperity, self-reliance, stature in your family, in church and community. Today is Sunday, come join us. You are important and needed.
Stan | 9:18 a.m. March 30, 2008
samhill, I agree with you!
Weird? | 10:05 a.m. March 30, 2008
I don't find it weird that Pres. Monson would tap Jerry on the back to give him a bit of praise. Especially if the Jazz were taking a bit of a breather in running up the score on the clippers. I'm sure if it was a much tighter game with more tension at the time, it wouldn't have been appropriate for Pres. Monson to but his hand in the huddle and I really think he's smart enough that he wouldn't have done that. But knowing that the atmosphere of the huddle was probably a little more laid back at that point in the game, and Sloan was probably very pleased with the effort of his two big stars, it was a good time for Pres. Monson to pay his complements in passing by the huddle.
Oregon Duck | 10:15 a.m. March 30, 2008
Bill Simmons -- It crossed my mind that someone would take it that way. But perhaps you didn't catch what else President Monson said. He stopped by the broadcasters Bolerjack and Boone. He told Boone that his (Monson's) dad had been a big basketball fan and that Boone was his dad's favorite player. Monson's choices had nothing to do with color. Lots of people like Korver. He's the new hot commodity. And Monson is a fan of just digging in and doing hard work -- hence the Harpring choice.
judy | 10:18 a.m. March 30, 2008
come on, there are more important things in the world to get angry or critical about that all of this...you people have too much time on your hands...get over it!
GO JAZZ | 10:27 a.m. March 30, 2008
Go Jazz
Marl Kalone | 10:42 a.m. March 30, 2008
Anyone noticed how he didn't acknowledge(speak to) or compliment any of the black players? Go figure, huh?
Dallin | 11:09 a.m. March 30, 2008
good point NYT its stupid to single out the DN for propaganda when every newspaper does the SAME THING!
Utah Mormons | 11:22 a.m. March 30, 2008
You Utah people crack me up. My friend from Salt Lake forwarded me this article and I thought it was great. Then I read the blogs and it cracks me up. All this about the money for those tickets should have gone to starving children. Get out of here! I'll bet you the person who made that comment has never paid money for anything other than his bare necessities. Lighten up people! Security should be increase? Get serious! Like this was harmful. Only in Utah! Hahaha

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Danny Chan La, Deseret Morning News

President Thomas S. Monson, left, and his wife, Frances, sit in Row 3 at Friday's Jazz-Clippers game.

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