Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Sugar Beets and the Worth of a Soul



Thomas S. Monson, “Sugar Beets and the Worth of a Soul,” Liahona, Jul 2009, 2–5

Many years ago, Bishop Marvin O. Ashton (1883–1946), who served as a counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, gave an illustration I’d like to share with you. Picture with me, if you will, a farmer driving a large open-bed truck filled with sugar beets en route to the sugar refinery. As the farmer drives along a bumpy dirt road, some of the sugar beets bounce from the truck and are strewn along the roadside. When he realizes he has lost some of the beets, he instructs his helpers, “There’s just as much sugar in those which have slipped off. Let’s go back and get them!”

In my application of this illustration, the sugar beets represent the members of this Church for whom we who are called as leaders have responsibility; and those that have fallen out of the truck represent men and women, youth and children who, for whatever reason, have fallen from the path of activity. Paraphrasing the farmer’s comments concerning the sugar beets, I say of these souls, precious to our Father and our Master: “There’s just as much value in those who have slipped off. Let’s go back and get them!”

Right now, today, some of them are caught in the current of popular opinion. Others are torn by the tide of turbulent times. Yet others are drawn down and drowned in the whirlpool of sin. This need not be. We have the doctrines of truth. We have the programs. We have the people. We have the power. Our mission is more than meetings. Our service is to save souls.

There is more to the article but I didn't even bother reading it. This much is plenty deserving of some "constructive criticism".

What are Monson's stated reasons for the wayward sugar beets?
  • Popular opinion
  • Turbulent times
  • Whirlpool of sin
What is the most important aspect that this dishonest man failed to share?
  • Knowledge
No one leaves the church because they discover that its history is shrouded in secrecty and cover-ups, do they? Just like they are so good at doing, they are actively engaged in misleading the members into believing that the apostate is the one at fault.

The lies of LDS, Inc. are alive and well.

Secondly, what is with all the pickles and sugar beets? Only in Mormon Land can someone call you a pickle and it is a huge compliment. Now the members are sugar beets, which are being hauled to the refinery where their precious "sugar" can be extracted.

Thanks for making it so clear, Monson.

2 comments:

Team Bryan said...

Wow. What an angry point of view. And if we are being completely honest you added a few little lies in there. But you aren't completely honest, are you? Anyone can see the correlation he is making in his analogy about everyone having worth. You are twisting and exaggerating what is simply stated. There is no trickery there, no hidden innuendo. You are looking for something that is simply not there. Good luck with your new lifestyle. I hope you find better ways to use your time than attacking stories about sugar beets.

Mormon411 said...

I understand his comparison showing the worth of a soul, however in my view, this is a very dishonest man who doesn't give a shit about you or your soul. As long as the "sugar" keeps flowing in, he's happy.

Call it what you want. But god doesn't need your money. And anyone who tells you he does is scamming the hell out of you.

I hope you find a better use for your money than by giving it to these con men.