Cook/Eyring indication that LDS Inc is a LILY WHITE church

[_Belial]

Coggins,
I guess you are jealous that I can drink?

Lay off it some....I'm not Coggins. Nice try though.

You wouldn't be possessing Paul O, would you?

;)

Did once, didn't work out well.

[_Blixa]

You are in the same class as Jason, Dr. Stuess, Wade, etc...

I suppose there is maybe some degree of similarily between Jason and harmony's positions, though not a great deal. But when you speak of people like Wade and especially Dr. Steuss you are talking about the completely sui generis.

In fact Steuss is extra-sui and multi-generis, a conundrumy enigma only truly understood by a pure-hearted and committed Steussite. (And even we don't fathom him, sometimes!)

[_Belial]

Sit down and read Wade, Daniel, Paul, Mental(ly ill)gymnast, harmony, et al..

I'm pretty sure the rest of that list would be appalled to have me included with them.

Well, you are a defender.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[_Runtu]

I don't think it's particularly a racial or cultural thing (look at Gonzales and Costas in the presidency of the 70, for example) but rather it's a question of utility. The church tends to select people it deems useful. A high-priced lawyer skilled at making money (and who is also committed to the church) is exactly the kind of apostle the church wants and needs.

I'm also struck by the nepotism in the church hierarchy. Look at the conference speakers, from Gordon Bitner Hinckley and his cousin Joseph Bitner Wirthlin (who is the son of Presiding Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin); Julie Bangerter Beck, daughter of William Grant Bangerter; M. Russell Ballard, grandson of Melvin J. Ballard; Richard Hinckley; and so on.

[_Yoda]

I don't think it's particularly a racial or cultural thing (look at Gonzales and Costas in the presidency of the 70, for example) but rather it's a question of utility. The church tends to select people it deems useful. A high-priced lawyer skilled at making money (and who is also committed to the church) is exactly the kind of apostle the church wants and needs.

Great point!

When my husband was on his mission in Central America, he and his companion converted one of the Customs officers. Did they want to teach him the gospel? Sure. But was there an ulterior motive?

Well...let's just say that since my husband worked as a Secretary to the AP in the Mission office, it made dealing with passports, etc. a whole lot easier.

;)

[_Jason Bourne]

While I think PP makes a valid point at least as far as seeing more diversity at the top goes, I dismiss his cynically conclusions as to what motivates these choices.

Personally I would love to see a black apostle or a Hispanic or Latin American apostle. Elder Cook, born in the covenant in Cash Valley Utah seems as far from that diversity as one can get. I am pleased that a number of Latin Americans are in the Presidency of the 70. That is a move in the right direction.

[_Runtu]

Great point!

When my husband was on his mission in Central America, he and his companion converted one of the Customs officers. Did they want to teach him the gospel? Sure. But was there an ulterior motive?

Well...let's just say that since my husband worked as a Secretary to the AP in the Mission office, it made dealing with passports, etc. a whole lot easier.

;)

Yep. I was the travel secretary in my mission, so I worked with the migracion people, and having a good relationship with them (and sometimes slipping them a few bucks) helped a lot. I always thought it was funny that the girls behind the counter in the customs office wore BYU and Utah State shirts.

[_Jason Bourne]

I don't think it's particularly a racial or cultural thing (look at Gonzales and Costas in the presidency of the 70, for example) but rather it's a question of utility. The church tends to select people it deems useful. A high-priced lawyer skilled at making money (and who is also committed to the church) is exactly the kind of apostle the church wants and needs.

Certianly your point is not without merit. On the other hand there is a variety of prior careers represented amongst the Qo12 and the GAs in genreral. Teachers, lawyers, printer (Monson), Car Dealer (Ballard), airline pilot and so on. But yes, I think that if someone has more experience and skills in their working career they are more apt to be called to high position. After all, they do spend a great deal of time managing the business side of a large organization.

I'm also struck by the nepotism in the church hierarchy. Look at the conference speakers, from Gordon Bitner Hinckley and his cousin Joseph Bitner Wirthlin (who is the son of Presiding Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin); Julie Bangerter Beck, daughter of William Grant Bangerter; M. Russell Ballard, grandson of Melvin J. Ballard; Richard Hinckley; and so on.

Yes this has always bothered me some. Thus I always like seeing an outsider like Elder Uchdorf.

Has anyone ever heard the apologetic that the top leadership should/would be related because God placed his leaders in these strong LDS families?

I know the line I am from, at least on my surname line is not too illustrious. My Great Great Grandfather joined the Church in England in the early 1860's then came to Utah. His son, my GGF was supposedly the town drunk in Spanish Fork. His wife's dad was a tailor in Spanish Fork. Once when BY was there he saw a suit that this tailor had made and was wearing and he liked it so much the tailor gave it to him. On my mothers side they came from Denmark in the 1850s and settled southern Utah in Bicknell. There is still a mill there standing that was built by my GGGF on my Mothers side. He was an industrious fellow. But just common folk really.

[_Doctor Steuss]

You are in the same class as Jason, Dr. Stuess, Wade, etc...

I suppose there is maybe some degree of similarily between Jason and harmony's positions, though not a great deal. But when you speak of people like Wade and especially Dr. Steuss you are talking about the completely sui generis.

In fact Steuss is extra-sui and multi-generis, a conundrumy enigma only truly understood by a pure-hearted and committed Steussite. (And even we don't fathom him, sometimes!)

Blessed be the Blixa, for she shall inherit a high-definition seer-stone. For unto us, a paradox is given, and his name shall be conundrumy enigma, the everlasting paradox, the Doctor Steuss.

And Steuss wept.

[_Belial]

Hell's most popular theory is that God is focussing on those with a ton of experience in the Church and were preferably raised in it so they understand all aspects of LDS life. Outside of the United States it is difficult to find many that fit this descriptor. There are a few Pacific Islanders and some Europeans but the counsel to gather to Utah was only rescinded after the Glorious German War of World Domination.

Look what happened when you made converts Apostles in the first generation. Wow did we have fun. I wish they would let us do that again. No Apostle since has left the Church over cream.