1. I don't think we have any economists in our upper leadership, so they were as unpleasantly surprised as the rest of us at how bad it is. I mean, what good does it do to have a direct line to God, if you don't understand what he's trying to tell you?
Most economists were surprised by this down turn as well. A few, like the fellow Peter Schiff I mentioned on another thread were not
2. This may be the Big One that our leaders have been predicting for years, telling us to get our food supply, have 3 months of savings, update your resume and (for the women) dust off your degree. Of course, they said the same thing back in the early 80's when inflation went over 20%, at 9/11, and every time the market has hiccuped since. The old "cry wolf" lesson comes to mind. At some point, people stop listening.
And those in the early 80s who did what the LDS prophets encouraged probably were better off. How can this by crying wolf? The late 70s and early 80s were tough. And really the advice to get out of debt, store some food, have some money is good advice any time.
3. Predicting the downfall hasn't been hard. Getting some revelation on how to survive the downfall isn't forthcoming.
What is the advice on home storage?
And I think the reason why is that, personally, I don't think our comfort and material possessions matter much to God. People in Haiti get along just fine without the vast majority of our material possessions, so why should God care about our big screen tv's with the same intensity as their unplumbed huts?
If you think the people in Haiti get along just fine you should look again. How many people die in Haiti when a bad storm comes through vs. how many die in the US in a similar storm. Material possessions like a decent house, infrastructure to deal with the storms, a system for evacuation all make a difference. However, other than gaining information about the coming calmity TVs don's help.
4. I think the church is going to hunker down. They might have to dip into their reserves in order to make it through. With the higher numbers of unemployed, there will be less tithing, and there will more and more impact on the bishop's storehouse. Those of us who are still working will be asked to up our contributions, and that will likely be the extent of the revelations.
As a good Christian should do for there fellow beings.
I can't see the church opening the doors of the money vault and start using to help the poor. This isn't going to hurt the leadership, and except for a lipservice talk or two in conference, they aren't going to pay much attention. How much do you want to bet we get at least one talk on tithing, one talk on the importance of fast offerings, and one talk about the members helping their neighbors in need?
The Church's primary means of helping the poor is FO assistance and that is significant and will increase. And sure we should here some encouragement to help out.
They seem completely, utterly oblivious as to what is coming. I have yet to hear any of the leaders of the church address the serious issues we are and will be facing in the near future. Going to the temple is not going to impact humankind in any serious or even minimal way. Not drinking tea is about as far down a concern as dusting a chandelier on the Titanic.