LDS Anthropologist Daymon Smith......

[_Jason Bourne]

LDS Anthropologist Daymon Smith on Post-Manifesto Polygamy, Correlation, the Corporate LDS Church, and Mammon

http://mormonstories.org/?p=980

In this incredibly fascinating 4-part series, long-time Mormon Stories supporter Andrew Ainsworth interviews Daymon Smith Ph.D., a Mormon Anthropologist and the author of a new book called: The Book of Mammon: A Book About A Book About The Corporation That Owns The Mormons (Paperback). In this interview they discuss:

* Episode 1: Federal Prosecution, Post-Manifesto Polygamy and the Rise of Mormon Fundamentalism
* Episode 2: The Life and Death of the Mormon Speculative Tradition, and the Rise and Costs of Correlation
* Episode 3: The LDS Church as a Corporation and the Corporation as a Church
* Episode 4: Is the LDS Church Serving God, Mammon, or Both?


in my opinion this is a must listen too podcast. I also think I must purchase this book. There is much of interest for all who debate and discuss things Mormon here. Financial issues are discussed and analyzed. The cost of correlation and what I will term the dumbing down of Church curriculum was fascinating.

However, more troubling to me than I think ever is this. If Daymon Smith is at all accurate the Church really is as so many criticize, a massive corporate structure that really does seem bent on profitability and the accumulation of assets and wealth. One wonders if a Church claiming to be the Church of Christ is appropriately focused. The information discussed here is causing me some real introspection about the donations I make to the LDS Church. Can I just tithe to the LDS Humanitarian fund? I think they need my money more that the Corp of the presiding bishop. Ahhh what to do.

[_Runtu]

However, more troubling to me than I think ever is this. If Daymon Smith is at all accurate the Church really is as so many criticize, a massive corporate structure that really does seem bent on profitability and the accumulation of assets and wealth. One wonders if a Church claiming to be the Church of Christ is appropriately focused. The information discussed here is causing me some real introspection about the donations I make to the LDS Church. Can I just tithe to the LDS Humanitarian fund? I think they need my money more that the Corp of the presiding bishop. Ahhh what to do.

I listened to the podcast today while I was compiling a couple of projects. Fascinating stuff, indeed. I think it's going too far to say that the church is focused on wealth to the exclusion of its religious mission.

My feeling has long been that the church sees validation in growth and income. Good numbers and solid profits are seen as evidence of good stewardship, so there is a definite emphasis within the COB on both convert baptisms and growth of wealth. But I also saw the spiritual and charitable sides of the church when I worked there. Most of the people I worked with were good people with good intentions. Yes, the church is run as a corporation in many respects (with a very old-fashioned corporate culture), but it is nonetheless a religion and a charity.

[_Jason Bourne]

I agree. Yet the proportion of aid to the poor and hungry seems so low at times. However as I listened to the interview I wondered if he was taking fast offering assistance into account. I think that on an annual basis that has to be a substantial amount.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

However, more troubling to me than I think ever is this. If Daymon Smith is at all accurate the Church really is as so many criticize, a massive corporate structure that really does seem bent on profitability and the accumulation of assets and wealth. One wonders if a Church claiming to be the Church of Christ is appropriately focused. The information discussed here is causing me some real introspection about the donations I make to the LDS Church. Can I just tithe to the LDS Humanitarian fund? I think they need my money more that the Corp of the presiding bishop. Ahhh what to do.

What to do?

Stand for something Jason.

Vote with your ass by getting it out of the Mormon pew.

[_John D the First]

LDS Anthropologist Daymon Smith on Post-Manifesto Polygamy, Correlation, the Corporate LDS Church, and Mammon

http://mormonstories.org/?p=980

In this incredibly fascinating 4-part series, long-time Mormon Stories supporter Andrew Ainsworth interviews Daymon Smith Ph.D., a Mormon Anthropologist and the author of a new book called: The Book of Mammon: A Book About A Book About The Corporation That Owns The Mormons (Paperback). In this interview they discuss:

* Episode 1: Federal Prosecution, Post-Manifesto Polygamy and the Rise of Mormon Fundamentalism
* Episode 2: The Life and Death of the Mormon Speculative Tradition, and the Rise and Costs of Correlation
* Episode 3: The LDS Church as a Corporation and the Corporation as a Church
* Episode 4: Is the LDS Church Serving God, Mammon, or Both?


in my opinion this is a must listen too podcast. I also think I must purchase this book. There is much of interest for all who debate and discuss things Mormon here. Financial issues are discussed and analyzed. The cost of correlation and what I will term the dumbing down of Church curriculum was fascinating.

However, more troubling to me than I think ever is this. If Daymon Smith is at all accurate the Church really is as so many criticize, a massive corporate structure that really does seem bent on profitability and the accumulation of assets and wealth. One wonders if a Church claiming to be the Church of Christ is appropriately focused. The information discussed here is causing me some real introspection about the donations I make to the LDS Church. Can I just tithe to the LDS Humanitarian fund? I think they need my money more that the Corp of the presiding bishop. Ahhh what to do.

Interesting...it almost looks as if he views this as a devolution. I'll have to listen to the podcast. In any event, to me there is not much discontinuity between corporate LDS of today and theocratic LDS of yesteryear, at least in terms of not being shy about a this-worldly focus. Our church was founded by a prophet, mayor, general, presidential candidate and self coronated king of the world, after all.

[_Willy Law]

The corporation of the president stuff was a kick in the gut. Hard to believe all these years I have actually been donating money to the CEO of a corporation and not a church.
It was amazing to hear his stories of all the church programs that are created because of economic. ie the Book of Mormon Family Fund project of ETB.

[_Darth J]

The corporation of the president stuff was a kick in the gut. Hard to believe all these years I have actually been donating money to the CEO of a corporation and not a church.
It was amazing to hear his stories of all the church programs that are created because of economic. ie the Book of Mormon Family Fund project of ETB.

https://secure.utah.gov/bes/action/searchresults

[_Darth J]

The corporation of the president stuff was a kick in the gut. Hard to believe all these years I have actually been donating money to the CEO of a corporation and not a church.
It was amazing to hear his stories of all the church programs that are created because of economic. ie the Book of Mormon Family Fund project of ETB.

Just to clarify, the Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is the actual legal name of the Church, is a specific kind of entity under Utah law called a "corporation sole."

16-7-1. Formation -- Purposes.
Corporations sole may be formed for acquiring, holding or disposing of church or religious society property for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship, in the manner hereinafter provided.

http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE16/htm/16_07_000100.htm

However, if you plan on starting a new church in Utah now, you have to use a different legal entity.

16-7-16. Prohibition on formation of corporation sole after May 3, 2004.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a corporation sole may not be formed or incorporated under this chapter after May 3, 2004.

http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE16/htm/16_07_001600.htm

[_Jason Bourne]

Interesting...it almost looks as if he views this as a devolution. I'll have to listen to the podcast. In any event, to me there is not much discontinuity between corporate LDS of today and theocratic LDS of yesteryear, at least in terms of not being shy about a this-worldly focus. Our church was founded by a prophet, mayor, general, presidential candidate and self coronated king of the world, after all.

One correction. Joseph Smith did not anoint himself king of the world. Rather it was King of Israel on Earth.

[_Jason Bourne]

Darth

Well the corporation sole was a new term for me and I am actually a bit familiar with these things. I assumed LDS Inc was a typical standard not for profit corporation. I found it interesting as well as a bit concerting that the person in control, or essentially the only owner of this Corporation Sole is whoever the president of the church is. He owns the corporation sole and it owns the assets. So the president owns the assets. Written into the corporate by laws though is this. At the presidents death the president of the 12 takes control of the corporation sole and its ownership transfers to him. So succession to the LDS presidency by the senior apostle seems to be for more reasons than that is just the way the Lord wants it. Keep in mind that this all came to be because Brigham was trustee over all Church assets and his family thought they were entitled to these assets when Brigham died.

Also I had not idea that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a trademark and not a legal entity. The Corporation of the President is the Corporation Sole and it is not considered a Church. So if Daymon Smith is correct, from a legal stand point there is no Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.