Lots of videos popping up, and it will take some time before all the implications can be absorbed.
Atm a "hot potatoe" is the video where a member of the US senate (Gordon Smith) reveals himself in front of the camera while briefing the apostles.
Talk about intertwinement between the LDS church and the republican party.
Some highlights (taken from:
https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/55iq5z/the_gordon_smith_leak_is_scandalous/?st=itsw1ore&sh=5588f53e):
(These points were posted and summarized by Oliver_DeNom over at exmormon reddit).
- Senate staff is reffered to as "church broke".
- The staffers would call church officials asking for direction.
- Smith states that he was raised to "follow the brethren" and holds the 12 in higher regard than presidents, governments, and other dignitaries.
- Paints a picture of his Senate career as having been started for the purpose of serving church interests in the government.
- Supported Iraq war to get missionaries there.. (11:30)
- Medicare, Medicaid, and social security are "pyramid schemes" that cause people to look forward to government instead of God.
- Advises the twelve to not reach out to the Gay community because they will never be satisfied, but instead focus on communicating with Americans who are against marriage equality (19:25).
- Smith discloses information about Iran's nuclear capabilities which he isn't sure whether is classified or not (26:58) He goes on to describe Armageddon and confirms that Israel has nuclear capabilities.
- Someone specifically asks about the future of the republican party, Obama had just been elected and won both houses, and Smith refers to democrats as assorted miscreants, to everyone's laughter (33:00).
- Smih states that Catholics and evangelicals are unreliable allies. Says that Catholics don't believe their own doctrines and that evangelicals are guilty of priestcraft. He advises to "use them as you can" but not to be so open offering their support. Says the best way to use these groups is as a front to "lower the profile" of the church's political involvement (37:00).
- The initial introduction speaker again emphasises how important it's been to have five recommend holders in the Senate and many more in the house to allow the church to conduct business and influence decisions (42:00).
- Smith describes how the church should "use" it's senators like Harry Reid to open diplomatic doors. He describes how he used his office to establish the first LDS mission in India (42:00).
The video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4FPVZH8fIg&feature=youtu.beThis is dynamite!