Do you notice the slow withering of Church in Utah?

[_bcspace]

So the followers should not follow Jesus?

They shouldn't treat people like dirt and then use the excuse that Jesus was sometimes harsh with people.

I can certainly agree with that however I'm sure we will disagree on whether or not that is happening here.

[_Runtu]

I can certainly agree with that however I'm sure we will disagree on whether or not that is happening here.

I didn't say it was happening here, just a general pattern I've noticed.

[_TAK]

New chapels are constantly being built in Utah County, at least.

So, no, I don't see the church withering here.

What you are seeing whether you recognize it or not is a withering of the tax base with every new church and temple that are tax free and your obligation going up to meet the demands of the city and county.

Imagine how many millions in additional revenue the municipalities would have if church (all churches..) properties were taxed like any other business. - Which is exactly what religion is - a business. (a very profitable one at that.. )

[_John Larsen]

I don't live in Utah anymore but have strong ties to the State that I love more than any other place on Earth.
I do usually stay in one of the downtown hotels, make my obligatory visit to Temple Square.
I've been back probably two dozen times since moving to Houston, I see the place decaying, becoming a
beehive, sharing the same fate with the animal they iconed into their Flag.

I don't see what you see and I don't understand your beehive analogy.

I wanted to take some pictures of Grand Jesus, my wife absolutely refused to go with me, few years back when I showed her the Statue, she was horrified seeing such a "grotesquely monsterous" statue of him. (I don't share her opinion but she
has a point I think).

Are you referring to the Christus statue at Temple Square? That is a copy of a famed non-Mormon work by Bertel Thorvaldsen. It really doesn't reflect on Mormonism one way or the other.

Anyway, as you enter the place (as a man) you are in the midst of half a dozen chicks of every color from every corner of the Planet, and they are no older than 21. I kid you not, there were six girls waiting to greet me at South entrance. They are not aggressive, smiling and polite. I don't talk to hem usually, I can't pretend anymore.

These are missionaries, so they are all over 21. The Church has a program in which it tries to bring non-native speakers to Utah to help them learn English. I think it is an admirable program. However, yes there are a lot of them.

New Temples, Wards command every prominent hill of Corridor.

This is true, there is a lot of new building of Churches. How do you reconcile this with your claim of decay, above?

I imagine some of you guys drive to work from Point of the Mountain, do you notice that huge white Church in midst of Million Dollar homes? Incrredible wealth an might is displayed, I ask myself, for what?

Are you referring to the Jordan River Temple? That has been there for about 30 years.

The Church is heading into an unavoidable implosion and the leaders act clueless what to do about it.

I don't see how this follows.

[_solomarineris]

Houston is on a totally different planet, here I used to see few mishies now and then, they seem to be extinct lately.
The world is so oblivious to "One, True Church".

So not seeing LDS missonaries in Houston equates to a slow withering of the Church in Utah? The delusions you guys operate under are quite palpable.

I really don't care one way the other, being a businessman I am quite keen on seeing what is gaining what is losing. If LDS church were a publicly trading company how much would you invest in it under the promises of converting wealthy, educated, average Joes around the world. Ask yourself; was there a single Swiss, German, Swedish, Canadian citizen converted yesterday? Obviously I am exxagarating a little but I'd put serious money into betting of that Church is losing more members than gaining as of now.
I am glad Church has some (ha ha) influence in SLC, Utah, I don't mind buying my booze from officially designated profit stores if I get a clean city in return.

Scottie
New chapels are constantly being built in Utah County, at least.
So, no, I don't see the church withering here.

Again, what you see is a very sad, misleading prospect which will eventually lead to emptiness and mediocrity.
The foundation of the Church was ripped wide open with the advent of Internet. It is only matter of time before
we'll see the results.

And I disagree Infymus, that Church has that much control in City's daily life. I agree it is boring and empty
but at least you can view the canyons when you turn your heads up.

[_moksha]

I imagine some of you guys drive to work from Point of the Mountain, do you notice that huge white Church in midst of Million Dollar homes? Incrredible wealth an might is displayed, I ask myself, for what?

So the decision was made to accomodate the wealthy for Draper Temple ease and convenience as well as to increase property values. This happens everyday in other walks of life.