The quote below comes from Thomas S Monson's official Facebook page. Two questions:

1. Does anyone actually believe he wrote this?

2. What does it even mean? People on Facebook are commenting on how inspired it is, but it's really just vague and meaningless. It seems more a reiteration of common and popular sentiments than it is a call to do anything specific to Mormonism or even to Christianaity for that matter. How can all of these people possibly think it's prophetic, even by their own standards?

"At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help us all gain the abundant life.

A in my ABCs refers to attitude.

B is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles.

C is for courage. Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently."

D is for: Don't pay attention to the little man behind the curtain.

^^^Good one.

E is for Ear-Wiggle Daily

F-full tithing

... you have to be gullible enough to accept the Lard's simple truths.

J is for Joseph Smith and his forty thieves. Wait, that isn't right.

don't pay attention to the man behind the curtain, or to those flicks of history



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mlCTHLlemA

My 2015 will consist of:

-wonderful southern Alberta prairie sunrises & sunsets
-quality time with my precious children & grandchildren
-time spent with my beloved wife
-driving my '72 Chevy pickup hot rod when the weather allows
-trapshooting when I can afford it
-camping with good friends
-sampling more excellent beer

sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than TSM's lame-ass shit, doesn't it?

Ron Burr



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2014 12:58AM by Lethbridge Reprobate.

^^^Yes! Now, those are specific and meaningful pursuits. I hope to come up with my own list; you've inspired me much more that the so-called prophet has.

Lethbridge Reprobate Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My 2015 will consist of:
>
> -wonderful southern Alberta prairie sunrises &
> sunsets
> -quality time with my precious children &
> grandchildren
> -time spent with my beloved wife
> -driving my '72 Chevy pickup hot rod when the
> weather allows
> -trapshooting when I can afford it
> -camping with good friends
> -sampling more excellent beer
>
> sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than TSM's
> lame-ass shit, doesn't it?
>
> Ron Burr

Oh! Man a '72 Chev P/U. Maybe the finest p/u ever. Tell me more. Is it a 350? I'll close my eyes and walk around it, I'll feel the fender metal above the front tire, the solid double thickness. I'll admire the perfect lines and the perfect size. lucky man.

I will admit to having a wee bit of an obsession about '71-'72 Chevy pickups. Contact me at 48dirtfarmer@gmail.com and I can provide pics and a full run down on it. Your anonymity will always be respected.

RB



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2014 12:59PM by Lethbridge Reprobate.

lineuponline Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The quote below comes from Thomas S Monson's
> official Facebook page. Two questions:
>
> 1. Does anyone actually believe he wrote this?

I believe he or someone old wrote it. My sister sent me a flash drive for Christmas with a bunch of old stuff on it. In it is a letter from my Great Grandfather Hugh B. Brown to his daughter and son-in-law back in 1947. He uses the word 'abundant' and the term "abundant life" in reference to his Mormon beliefs over and over again.

It isn't a term younger people use. And his biography written by his grandson Edwin Firmage Jr. are subtitled - you guessed it - An Abundant Life.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/28/2014 11:17PM by Elder Berry.

Hmm... Interesting. Thanks.

Perhaps it's an older quote of his as opposed to something he just wrote. I have hard time believing he is capable of writing this if the rumors are true that his mental health is declining.

It seems to me the PR department of the church is trying to make it seem like he is still capable of receiving and delivering inspired messages.

It is as inspiring as a bad life coach or motivational speaker.

I just saw this on Facebook moments before you posted it here. I was honestly surprised to read anything from Monson. It's nice, generic advice. Nothing memorable. Mormons are eager to get anything from their leaders at all that they gobble up anything that they do say.

hausfrau Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mormons are eager to get
> anything from their leaders at all that they
> gobble up anything that they do say.

Perfectly said. And frankly, it's kind of sad.

Courage is a determination to live decently. Obedience is freedom. Tithing is voluntary. Conformity is an individual choice. Minds that are not made up make things up. The thinking has been dumb.

You made me laugh out loud, scaring my husband.

Indeed. Mini T (Ministry of Thinking) has done all the hard brain work for you. All you have to do is follow it.

And never forget these words my brothers and sisters....

everything that comes to pass from this day forth will be in the future.

Believe - in yourself... Not the typical Mormon Challenge. Not prophetic, but progress in comparison to what you'd expect them to tell us to believe in

It's just more brainwashing, so the cult members don't think they're in a cult!

abundant life?? Who uses words like that anymore? It's almost as bad hearing somebody say "Swell" when asked on how they are!!

That line sounded to me more like law of attraction BS than Mormon BS.

Exactly! I know a lot of new age-y types who just LOVE the word "abundant".

According to wikipedia the term "abundant life" comes from John 10:10. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundant_life

Monson's facebook update starts with a word for word copy and paste from a January 2012 article, see:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/01/living-the-abundant-life?lang=eng

Did you really think that Monson would be working over the Christmas holidays?

to reuse old sermons.

I admit i'm a bit of a cynic sometimes, but i swear i heard a whip crack as i read that! just as i was thinking that 10% of abundance is probably better than 10% of lack . . .

Sounds a bit like something plagiarized from the doofus boss on 'The Office.'
bleh, sad.

Well, well , well, that is certainly an amazing "new" revelation isn't it???

It reminds me of stuff Hinckley used to write.

I didb't take it as meaningless. i thought it meant:

"If you are not experiencing abundance, you've done one of these extremely basic things wrong.

A) You have a bad attitude.
B) You don't really believe enough.
Or C) you are a coward.

So which is it, loser?"

Some happy new year message.

I can see how you'd read it that way.

It's just like the positive thinking cults: if you aren't rich and successful, it's because you have too much negative energy.

"...willingness to die manfully..." WTF????

What drivel....

That's a cool story about the ABC's Thomas now can you talk to Jeezus and find out where that airplane that crashed is?

This is hardly the worst advice Monson has ever given. I would definitely tell people to believe in themselves and live with a positive attitude.

"P" is for PR representative.

RMM

It's very 'Monson' - i.e. uninteresting and just a bit meh.

Contrast with the current pope who is a real leader, inspirational and a change agent. Bruce R Mc must be turning in his grave.

Tom's most memorable speech for all New Years:

LET'S GO SHOPPING!!

He'll be remembered for it long after he's dead.