DiscussMormonism.com

Utah native Jeff T. Green, believed to be the wealthiest person to hail from the Beehive State, pledged last month to give away at least 90% of his wealth to philanthropic causes during his life or at his death.

Green, who now lives in Southern California, is the CEO and chairman of The Trade Desk, an advertising technology firm he founded in 2009, and has a net worth pegged at $5 billion.

But the former Latter-day Saint missionary and Brigham Young University graduate won’t be giving any of his money to the state’s largest nonprofit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Indeed, Green is resigning his membership in the Utah-based faith — along with 11 family members and a friend.

“Although I have deep love for many Mormons and gratitude for many things that have come into my life through Mormonism, I have not considered myself a member for many years, and I’d like to make clear to you and others that I am not a member,” Green writes in a Dec. 20 letter to church President Russell M. Nelson. “While I left the Mormon church more than a decade ago — not believing, attending, or practicing — I have not officially requested the removal of my records, until now.”

While most members “are good people trying to do right, I believe the church is actively and currently doing harm in the world. The church leadership is not honest about its history, its finances, and its advocacy,” he writes. “I believe the Mormon church has hindered global progress in women’s rights, civil rights and racial equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.”

Dr Exiled wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 20, 2021 3:31 pm

Just read the article. The Q15 must truly be upset about this one. The guy is worth around $5 Billion. Just think of the tithing lost and the opportunities the Fund would have had? I'm sure the good folks at Deseret Trust https://www.deserettrust.com/?lang=eng were chomping at the bit, readying sales pitches, to try and get this coveted billionaire to turn over his estate to them instead of the charity he established. Too bad. Well, at least the Fund continues to grow at an incredible rate. So, the year end celebration can still go on.

Justin Green, Jeff’s younger brother, served a mission in Guatemala, married in a temple, and was fully engaged for most of his life.

About 10 years ago, he started to realize that he was going to church and not enjoying it — not feeling spiritually nourished.

“I didn’t feel edified. I didn’t feel connected to the people or a sense of community. Doctrinal discussions were never deep,” says Justin, an Amazon executive who now lives in Houston. “It was causing friction in my life. It wasn’t working for me.”

He didn’t dive into history or social issues surrounding Mormonism but rather just drifted away.

“I realized I could be a better father to my [four] kids, a better person,” he says. “I could spend time on other things.”

In the past few years, as Justin has found his own “moral compass,” he has examined more about the church and its teachings and realized that he couldn’t answer any of the temple recommend questions in the prescribed way to be deemed worthy to enter.

[What are the recommended questions Latter-day Saints must answer to their lay leaders to gain entry into the faith’s temples? Read here.]

Justin decided to join the others in resigning, he says, because when outsiders find out he’s from Utah, they assume he’s a Latter-day Saint.

“I don’t want to be associated with it,” he says. “I don’t think it’s as open and embracing as it should be.” But, he adds with a laugh, he still loves BYU football.

Dr Moore wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 20, 2021 3:28 pm

This is a massive public resignation.

Jeff Green is one of the most respected CEOs in the technology industry today.