Where does Gordon live?

[_Jason Bourne]

So what if it is the whole top floor? So what if there are elevators with tunnels to his offices? It makes sense he has guards. He has a very high profile position. He needs protection.

I thought God and angels would be protection enough . . .

I know, I know. Don't tempt God, and we always do our best first. That said, I'm not so sure what'd be particularly bad if the prophet died more than if my local bishop died. Both would be tragic, would they not? Revelation would coninue, etc. The biggest difference is that more people know president Hinckley than know my bishop. Still, I'm not sure why he seems to get better protection than the rest of us. Heck, other GA's don't get the protection he does, do they?

Simple. Prominence. GBH is more prominent, more public, etc. Similar to the Pres of USA only on a much smaller scale.

[_Moniker]

Since the Church filed for tax exempt status under 501(c)(3) I think they are considered a charitable organization by the Federal Government:

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable ... 99,00.html

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. If the organization engages in an excess benefit transaction with a person having substantial influence over the organization, an excise tax may be imposed on the person and any organization managers agreeing to the transaction.

Here's the letter from the IRS showing the tax exempt status under 501(c)(3)

http://www.salamandersociety.com/legal/ ... 0-1978.doc

by the way, in the earlier posts I made on this thread I posted links that showed that the UK and Canada also classify the Church as a charitable organization.

[_Tori]

Is it the Eagle Gate apartments that he lives in? My Ex did some work there several years ago, and if I remember right, that's where at least one Prophet lived.

[_Jason Bourne]

Sure, but you haven't answered mine yet.

Sure I did. I told you I read it a few years back. That is the best I can do. I tried to find a better source last night. THe only thing I found was a link to Infymus's web site and that is as undocumented as my figure.

I also would like to hear Infymus's sources, I never said I believed his estimate over someone else's, though it is curious that I read that it was 2.5 million, and he does provide a picture, but I'm sure he'll post or send me a message with his source to back up his claims.

He may or may not.

Why do you care?

When did I give the impression that I care?

Well you did start a thread about it. Thus I presume you had an interest and cared about this topic.

Why should we answer you?

No one is saying you should answer me, in fact I feel like it's a waste of time for you to even post if you don't have an answer. I

I had an answer you just were not happy with it and wanted better documentation. I have provided the best I have.

f I were you (or an active member) I guess I would feel a little embarrased if I did not know the answer.

But I did have an answer, just not a ready reference. This was in the SLC Tribune a few years ago. I am sorry I cannot find the exaact source but I did try after your request.

What is your intent?

To find out if something I read was true. See, you've uncovered my true anti-mormon motives!

I did not and have not called you an anti-Mormon. It seems that you are hung up about people using that term. But you do not have to concern yourseld about it with me. I use the term LDS critic in almost all cases, not anti. In fact, while I am a Mormon I am more "liberal" in my views. I can be critical when crticism is needed and defend when I think defense is needed.

Why did you insinuate he lived in a mansion when you apparently had no idea where he lived?

Did I really "insinuate" something? Or did I do the intellectually honest thing, and say that I read something, and ask if anyone knew if it was true and could help me find out if it was true? And you are correct in your assumption, I have no idea where he lived, though I imagined it was in Utah. That's why I asked. Maybe you should read more carefully and not be so defensive.

I was not defensive at all nor am I know. You felt it appropriate to question me and my source so I am questioning you back. And yes you insinuated in your OP that he lived in some sort of "Mansion"

[_the road to hana]

Is it the Eagle Gate apartments that he lives in? My Ex did some work there several years ago, and if I remember right, that's where at least one Prophet lived.

Yes. Presidents of the LDS Church currently live in the top floor of the Eagle Gate Apartments at 109 East South Temple in Salt Lake City. For a time, they lived in an apartment in the top floor of the former Hotel Utah (before it became the Joseph Smith Memorial Building).

And for those inquiring, there are tunnels underneath downtown Salt Lake City. I've been in some of them. This is documented in an article in Sunstone magazine in July 1987:

When Zions Securities Corporation, the Church's property management company, finally won the battle to raze the old Eagle Gate Apartments [at the corner of South Temple and State Street, across from the Brigham Young home], no one expected that the new replacements they built in their place would become an enclave for aging Church leaders. However, the not totally occupied high-security complex, which contains a permanent suite for the Church president, already includes President Gordon B. Hinckley, apostles Marvin J. Ashton and James E. Faust, and seventy Bernard P. Brockbank. Several other General Authorities are also considering buying units, which range in price from $123,000 to $291,000. The space available in the complex will double when the neighboring new Eagle Gate Apartments are completed.

The Eagle Gate complex is undeniably a convenient home for Church workers. It gives residents a fine view of the Temple and Brigham Young's Lion House. Other amenities include underground tunnels that link the condominiums to the Church office buildings, the Hotel Utah and Temple Square. Once the hotel is converted into a wardhouse and additional Church office space, it will be possible for Church leaders to travel between home, work, and church without ever seeing the sun. The ZCMI shopping mall is not yet connected to the tunnel network.

[_Jason Bourne]

The Church is not a "charitable" organization. It is a CHURCH. The Church does not require its members otodonate. You don't have to pay admission fees into the chapel, and you can't buy your way into the temple.

Now this one takes the cake.

Yes Charity, it is a charitable organization as well as a Church. It also is defined as a charitable organization by US Tax Law. I assume you deduct your contributions as a CHARITABLE DEDUCTION on your Form 1040 Schedule A.

[_karl61]

http://www.apartmentcities.com/Utah/d/e ... nts_UT.asp

I wonder if the other residences get to use the tunnels and golf cart when it is free.

[_charity]

The Church is not a "charitable" organization. It is a CHURCH. The Church does not require its members otodonate. You don't have to pay admission fees into the chapel, and you can't buy your way into the temple.

Now this one takes the cake.

Yes Charity, it is a charitable organization as well as a Church. It also is defined as a charitable organization by US Tax Law. I assume you deduct your contributions as a CHARITABLE DEDUCTION on your Form 1040 Schedule A.

Okay, Jason. But the Church is not under the same laws as solely charitable institutions such as Red Cross, etc. I am sure the Church does have a 501(c)3 designation (or some other IRS status) so that our contributions will be tax deductible. That does not mean its primary purpose is a charity.,

[_krose]

Care to be specific about how easy it is to live the whole Gospel?

I don't agree that it's hard.

Of course I can only speak for my own experience as a BIC Mormon, but I never considered it difficult to 'live the gospel.' Looking back, it was a bit boring spending all that time in meetings and scripture reading, but not really hard. If you are an adult convert who has to constantly fight former habits (coffee, cigs, strip clubs, whatever), it may be a different case. But other than the believing part (the most difficult thing for me), I could still make the minor lifestyle modifications to pass a temple interview quite easily, as long as I handed over the cash.

[_wenglund]

Is it the Eagle Gate apartments that he lives in? My Ex did some work there several years ago, and if I remember right, that's where at least one Prophet lived.

Yes, he does reside in the Eagle Gate apartments.

However, some are mistaken in assuming that his apartment comprises the entire floor. It doesn't. I know this because not more than a month ago my brother just about rented the apartment across the hall (which had been occupied by a GA), but decided to live in an apartment down on one of the lower floors.

It may be of interest to note that the green glass in the picture supplied by Infamous is bullet proof. Would it surprise anyone here to learn that there are frequent and serious threats on the Prophet's life (which also explains the need for "tunnels")?

If anyone here has any questions about the legitimate need for security, I suspect that Brent Metcalfe would be happy to oblige. For a time he was a part of the Church's seurity service.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-