Claims About Thomas S. Monson's Character

The question was put:

"There is this person in Provo who claims to have a perfect IQ. He has multiple websites and a radio program of some sort. He has posted on his web site what I consider to be vile accusations against President Monson. Further more, he is advertising for others to “come forth” with more of these accusations, which he is posting anonymously.

Is this common for people to demonize our current Prophet? I guess I have come to expect these comments about Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and tend to ignore it. For some reason, I am very offended that someone would say these things about President Monson. Do any of you feel indignation when this happens?"

To which I responded:

1. I don't know exactly what you mean by "demonize". But I think it is fair to say you can always find a few wackos with all kinds of conspiracy theories about public figures. Some people are delusional or willing to outright lie about being witnesses to fictional events in order to get attention or to fight something they feel is wrong. Others are willing to mischaracterize facts to create an illusion of reality. I have seen that kind of thing in anti-mormon (generally evangelical-based) literature (the Tanners come to mind).

2. All of that said, we should evaluate everything on its merits. We should not cast aside serious accusations against church officials merely because those accusations conflict with the public persona we have come to embrace. If this commentator has something seriously negative to share about President Monson's character, then it seems he should come forward with the evidence and let us evaluate it for ourselves as objectively as possible. I, for one, would love to hear what he/she has to say.

3. My opinion of President Monson, based upon my very limited personal knowledge gathered in generally non-private settings, is that he is a man of God with a huge heart full of love. Though I believe there is serious error in some of his beliefs (which I have discussed at length in hundreds of previous posts), it seems it would be difficult to impeach his character and good intention.