The Mormon Wealth Attribution

[_Kevin Graham]

The Mormon Wealth Attribution
Wheat and Tares.org ^ | Oct. 27, 2010 | Troth Everyman
Posted on Mon Dec 06 2010 20:12:02 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time) by Colofornian

Do we really believe that just because one is rich one is blessed by God? According to a study published in 2004 which researched the Mormon Wealth Attribution (MWA), we do. The MWA can be defined as the tendency of LDS individuals to perceive those who are wealthy as more righteous or pious than their less wealthy neighbors. The randomized empirical study reported that “Church members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than to a poor one” and that (in general) wealthy members of the church are seen as being better people, both secularly and spiritually than poor people.

I have seen many LDS individuals (including priesthood leaders) apply negative attributions and stereotypes toward those who are poor or lacking resources. They implied that these poor individuals need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” and either work harder or be more righteous. To me, making these kinds of attributions based on wealth alone (or at all) seems to be dangerous and hurtful.

What about environmental influences? Take the example of someone who has worked diligently to obtain training in a tech position. Then abruptly all of those tech jobs are shifted out of country. Did that person sin? Is s/he somehow less righteous than the wealthy person whose job was not shipped overseas? What about the person who invested all their savings in the housing market?

Wealth does not equal righteousness. There are many wealthy people within the LDS church (more per capita than most religions). However, just because one is LDS and rich does not mean one is righteous. I have known many wealthy LDS members who ran pyramid schemes, sold faulty merchandise, and were certainly not kind to their fellow-man. And yet at Church they were given a level of respect and positive regard simply because they made more than six figures. It has always struck me as odd that individuals who ruin other peoples financial stability can be perceived as somehow more righteous simply because they figured out how to make money and keep it. Does the value of the almighty dollar outweigh other values?

Poverty does not equal unrighteousness. I have known many people who had difficulty making ends meet. To me, these people seemed to be righteous and pious people who had deep and abiding faith in God. And yet these people were slighted, marginalized, and given menial callings at church. I also once had a close relative (who had experienced several financial setbacks in a row) ask me “why is it that this keeps happening to us? We pray, we go to church, we pay our tithing, we budget, we work hard, we do everything we are supposed to, why can’t we seem to get ahead?” Should I tell her she simply isn’t righteous enough?

While I disagree with people within the church that apply the MWA, I can understand why they apply it. Many LDS members buy into the concept of individualism as an explanation of poverty, if someone is lazy (an ungodly trait) then they are simply earning their just rewards. If they would pray more, be more obedient and work hard they would earn money. Individualism as an explanation of poverty asserts that poverty is always within ones control (based on secular conduct or spiritual conduct).

Mormons are also encouraged to believe in the MWA because of scriptures in the Book of Mormon which state that blessings (including worldly ones) are predicated upon righteousness; the more righteous the more blessings. At least until an individual becomes prideful (an unrighteous state) which is followed by a fall (which could mean they lose their money). It’s not a big leap to see why many members view those who are wealthy as somehow more righteous (They have earned their blessings by piety!). Those who are poor may have been prideful, or were guilty of some other sin which caused their fall.

The full reference for the study is: Rector, J. M. (2004). The Symbolic Universe of Latter-day Saints: Do We Believe The Wealthy Are More Righteous? AMCAP Journal, 29, 102-112. And can be read here:

https://ojs.lib.BYU.edu/spc/index.php/I ... le/494/469

Do you believe wealth and righteousness are relate? What do you think about the MWA? What are the implications of such beliefs?

[_Yahoo Bot]

I have seen many LDS individuals (including priesthood leaders) apply negative attributions and stereotypes toward those who are poor or lacking resources. They implied that these poor individuals need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” and either work harder or be more righteous. To me, making these kinds of attributions based on wealth alone (or at all) seems to be dangerous and hurtful.

Perhaps you are not well-read. This is a common argument that pervades much of Protestant writings, preachings and musings.

Just as the New Testament can be read to justify slavery, so it can be read to justify the argument that wealth = righteousness.

[_Everybody Wang Chung]

Kevin,

Great OP. I’ve wondered many times about this entitlement attitude that seems so ingrained in the LDS culture.

Year after year, Utah is at or near the top in bankruptcy filings. Keeping up with the Jones, multi-level marketing and get rich quick schemes all thrive here in Utah.

I think part of the blame lies with many people's interpretation The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon can be used as a perfect example of the Prosperity Principle which you can see being promoted in certain best-selling books and being preached over and over by certain televangelists.

The Book of Mormon teaches when the Nephites/Lamanites were righteous, the Lord blessed them with material prosperity. Eventually the Nephites/Lamanites would become prideful and less righteous and the Lord would punish them. This theme is repeated over and over.

On one hand, the Brethren continue to stress the importance staying out of debt, being financially conservative and preparing for emergencies. On the other hand, you have the Book of Mormon which many people interpret and believe as teaching that you will materially prosper as long as you keep the commandments.

This belief is obviously harmful.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Kevin,

Great topic!

I have pondered this idea a lot, actually it is one that is at the root of my disbelief in the LDS church.

I think it all started with Abraham! LOL!

In the LDS church and in much of society, starting way back about 6,000 years ago, it seems that men did equate wealth and power and possessions, (and owning women), with righteousness.

What are the blessings of Abraham? STUFF! Power! Wealth!

Where do we read of the blessings of the righteous being, no longer needed or wanting wealth and power? Do we see the blessings of the righteous being an increase in giving? Helping? sharing? Humility? Kindness?

Nope, it is all about power and money and possessions.

Think of the blessings in the temple? STUFF! Worlds and Power!

So, yeah, in the LDS church, by and large, money, power, and stuff equals blessings from God which is based on righteousness!

Just the way I see it!

~td~

[_Analytics]

Perhaps you are not well-read. This is a common argument that pervades much of Protestant writings, preachings and musings.

Just as the New Testament can be read to justify slavery, so it can be read to justify the argument that wealth = righteousness.

Do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? (Alma 9:13)

A common argument that prevades much of Protestant writings was picked up by the author of the Book of Mormon and made into its central theme. Mormons are promised:

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper.

~1 Nephi 2:20

[_moksha]

Perhaps you are not well-read. This is a common argument that pervades much of Protestant writings, preachings and musings.

Just as the New Testament can be read to justify slavery, so it can be read to justify the argument that wealth = righteousness.

For enough cash, this sentiment can now be embossed on solid gold bathroom fixtures.

[_Hoops]

Perhaps you are not well-read. This is a common argument that pervades much of Protestant writings, preachings and musings.

Just as the New Testament can be read to justify slavery, so it can be read to justify the argument that wealth = righteousness.

You are equally, or even less so, well read. This statement is simply ignorant. The protestant strain that preaches this is a small sliver.

[_daheshism]

Kevin,

You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Mormons who adhere to the Gospel of Gain, believe that poverty is a "sign" of unworthiness and wealth is an ourward "sign" that one is "worthy" (living the Gospel). I was a "victim" of this many times. Most upper-class Mormons believe this, and "despise the poor" because of it.

The Gospel of Gain=the purpose of the Gospel is to make you a success in life, to gain material things such as a beautiful wife/successul husband, healthy children, protection in travel, success in real estate ("to prosper in the land"), and then to become a God or Goddess in the eternities.

Mormons who adhere to the Gospel of Gain are almost always prideful, haughty, arrogant, self-righteous, gossippy, holier-than-thou, judgmental....just about all "affluent" Mormons and the children of affluent Mormons.

Mormons who think I am lying or delusional, simply have never had "experiences" with affluent Mormons as I have. i.e. they respected you so didn't treat you like sh.....t as they did me, over and over again, many times. Because...I was poor.

The Gospel of Gain leads to bad fruit, hypocrisy, sexual immorality, duplicity, and...ultimately...to Hell. The Gospel of Gain has replaced the Gospel of Jesus Christ in many affluent Wards in this Church.

The Mormon Wealth Attribution
Wheat and Tares.org ^ | Oct. 27, 2010 | Troth Everyman
Posted on Mon Dec 06 2010 20:12:02 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time) by Colofornian

Do we really believe that just because one is rich one is blessed by God? According to a study published in 2004 which researched the Mormon Wealth Attribution (MWA), we do. The MWA can be defined as the tendency of LDS individuals to perceive those who are wealthy as more righteous or pious than their less wealthy neighbors. The randomized empirical study reported that “Church members are more likely to attribute righteousness to a wealthy church member than to a poor one” and that (in general) wealthy members of the church are seen as being better people, both secularly and spiritually than poor people.

I have seen many LDS individuals (including priesthood leaders) apply negative attributions and stereotypes toward those who are poor or lacking resources. They implied that these poor individuals need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” and either work harder or be more righteous. To me, making these kinds of attributions based on wealth alone (or at all) seems to be dangerous and hurtful.

What about environmental influences? Take the example of someone who has worked diligently to obtain training in a tech position. Then abruptly all of those tech jobs are shifted out of country. Did that person sin? Is s/he somehow less righteous than the wealthy person whose job was not shipped overseas? What about the person who invested all their savings in the housing market?

Wealth does not equal righteousness. There are many wealthy people within the LDS church (more per capita than most religions). However, just because one is LDS and rich does not mean one is righteous. I have known many wealthy LDS members who ran pyramid schemes, sold faulty merchandise, and were certainly not kind to their fellow-man. And yet at Church they were given a level of respect and positive regard simply because they made more than six figures. It has always struck me as odd that individuals who ruin other peoples financial stability can be perceived as somehow more righteous simply because they figured out how to make money and keep it. Does the value of the almighty dollar outweigh other values?

Poverty does not equal unrighteousness. I have known many people who had difficulty making ends meet. To me, these people seemed to be righteous and pious people who had deep and abiding faith in God. And yet these people were slighted, marginalized, and given menial callings at church. I also once had a close relative (who had experienced several financial setbacks in a row) ask me “why is it that this keeps happening to us? We pray, we go to church, we pay our tithing, we budget, we work hard, we do everything we are supposed to, why can’t we seem to get ahead?” Should I tell her she simply isn’t righteous enough?

While I disagree with people within the church that apply the MWA, I can understand why they apply it. Many LDS members buy into the concept of individualism as an explanation of poverty, if someone is lazy (an ungodly trait) then they are simply earning their just rewards. If they would pray more, be more obedient and work hard they would earn money. Individualism as an explanation of poverty asserts that poverty is always within ones control (based on secular conduct or spiritual conduct).

Mormons are also encouraged to believe in the MWA because of scriptures in the Book of Mormon which state that blessings (including worldly ones) are predicated upon righteousness; the more righteous the more blessings. At least until an individual becomes prideful (an unrighteous state) which is followed by a fall (which could mean they lose their money). It’s not a big leap to see why many members view those who are wealthy as somehow more righteous (They have earned their blessings by piety!). Those who are poor may have been prideful, or were guilty of some other sin which caused their fall.

The full reference for the study is: Rector, J. M. (2004). The Symbolic Universe of Latter-day Saints: Do We Believe The Wealthy Are More Righteous? AMCAP Journal, 29, 102-112. And can be read here:

https://ojs.lib.BYU.edu/spc/index.php/I ... le/494/469

Do you believe wealth and righteousness are relate? What do you think about the MWA? What are the implications of such beliefs?

[_daheshism]

In the days of Joseph Smith the word "prosperity" meant the opposite of "adversity". Joseph Smith wrote that when he and Olivery Cowdery travelled from Harmony back to Palmyra, because they had no money to stay in Pennsylvania, he wrote that "we had a prosperous journey". Did they make a lot of money on the journey? No. Not a dime. In Joseph Smith's day "prosperous" means "untroubled, without adversity". It had no connotation of "wealth" as it does today.

Whoever wrote The Book of Mormon, or translated it, did not equate "prosper in the land" with wealth or, as many Mormons thought in the 1980s, to "get rich in real estate". A "prosperous journey" meant "a journey in which nothing went wrong...no adverse events". We would say today: "I had a smooth trip" or "I had an uneventful trip". No connotation of gaining wealth.

So, when the Book of Mormon says that if you keep the commandments you will "prosper in the land" I don't think it means "get rich off the land" but rather "you will have no adversity". Indeed, countries in which "keep" moral laws the best, such as Japan, have the least crime and problems. The least "adversity".

Perhaps you are not well-read. This is a common argument that pervades much of Protestant writings, preachings and musings.

Just as the New Testament can be read to justify slavery, so it can be read to justify the argument that wealth = righteousness.

Do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? (Alma 9:13)

A common argument that prevades much of Protestant writings was picked up by the author of the Book of Mormon and made into its central theme. Mormons are promised:

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper.

~1 Nephi 2:20

[_jon]

According to Satan in the Mormon temple film "you can buy anything in this world with money", even righteousness it seems...