Pair cultivated clubby image as they set plans for alleged s

[_Morrissey]

I would rather be endlessly self-deceptive than endlessly unimaginative.
[/i][/b]

Who says God does not answer prayers?

No reasonable person would say that this story is reflective of Mormons in any general sense.

It is, however, yet another lesson about the dangers of trusting someone simply because he/she belongs to your tribe.

It is also a lesson about the limitations of the power of discernment of Mormon leadership (and Mormons in general), despite their much ballyhooed claims of possessing it in quantities greater than the average person.

It is further a lesson that you just do not really know much about people after all--everyone (or most everyone) has a private side. Outward displays of righteousness all too often mask inward avarice and other character flaws. One never really knows who really is righteous, who's half-righteous, and who's just faking it.

This also suggests that the LDS leadership's 'just trust us, we're called of God' mantra vis its refusal to open the financial books should be viewed with a very high degree of skepticism.

[_bcspace]

improper girls

?

[_harmony]

Fitzgerald, his wife and five kids regularly attended temples in Westwood and Newbury Park, said James Jacobson, a public affairs official with the Church of Jesus Christ in Los Angeles.

In December 2002, Fitzgerald purchased a 5,600-square-foot, $725,000 home in Hesperia for Shawna Fitzgerald, who according to court papers is one of Fitzgerald's two wives.

The papers, filed by Michael Wachtell, attorney for court-appointed receiver David Pasternak, said Shawna Fitzgerald found out about Fitzgerald's other wife, Meya, about 18 months ago and immediately filed for divorce.

The divorce was never finalized, however, and Shawna Fitzgerald said she last saw Fitzgerald and Abrams in May 2003, when they spent several days gambling in Las Vegas, the filing says.

"Shawna said that she lived with Elliott during the weekdays for most of their marriage and that she understood that Meya was the 'weekend' wife," Wachtell wrote in the filing.

And they complain about MY temple recommend. Looks to me like Fitzgerald was reading his Sex 132 too much.

[_JohnStuartMill]

What's the source for this story? The way it named the Church-- "the Church of Jesus Christ" -- is a bit of a coup for the Church's PR department.

Also, good luck trying to blame this guy's behavior on his religion. He's a bit of a gambler, and it looks like he drinks a bit, too.

[_Yong Xi]

Affinity fraud is not exclusive to the LDS community. Bernie Madoff's thievery from the Jewish community is a case in point. What may differentiate affinity fraud among LDS might have root in LDS teachings and/or cultural pressures. Growing up LDS, the belief that financial attainment attended those who possessed Mormon moral superiority was prevalent. Payment of tithing was seen as a pathway to prosperity. Church leaders (the righteous) were usually financially successful. LDS men receive strong impressions that the achievement of financial wealth can elevate one's social standing within the Mormon community and possibly lead to leadership positions.

In addition, LDS members are often under severe financial pressure to provide for large families. I don't think LDS who fall for financial scams are more greedy than non LDS. The pressures are merely more acute and the potential social reward is greater. Then, of course, members do trust other member more than outsiders. Since Mormonism is all encompassing, the spirtual and temporal conjoined, many members have difficulty in making unique spiritual and secular decisions.

[_moksha]

I agree with Will. If there was much fraud connected with Mormons or Utah, we would have heard about it before now.

These guys who defrauded Lehman Brothers were not under orders from the Church and has been pointed out, they were dutiful churchgoers - so that must count for something.