Daniel Peterson wrote: The Church's primary functions are many, and they include helping the poor and the needy. But they also include building chapels, doing missionary work, and erecting and maintaining temples, etc.
I don't think anyone disagrees with this assessment of the church's mission. My problem is the hidden agenda the church refuses to expose... and we all know what that is.
(Nevo, Jan 23) And the Melchizedek Priesthood may not have been restored until the summer of 1830, several months after the organization of the Church.
harmony wrote:My suggestions, in order of importance:
1. open the books. Publish a complete, accurate, and public financial report every year. Send it out with the Ensign in the May conference issue.
2. Sell all the businesses; put the money to use fulfilling the 4-fold missions of the church, especially #4.
3. Close/sell all the BYU campuses and their assorted entities. Keep the Institutes open and expand that program.
4. Open the priesthood to all worthy members.
5. Rewrite the temple rules so that those who are married civilly are not required to wait a year.
6. Institute an emeritus process for all GA's once they reach 70 years old. No exceptions.
7. Pay all GA's, every single one of them. If they want to donate it back, they can, but let there be no ambiguity about who gets paid and how much they get paid. Remind them often to pay their tithes and offerings. Send Deacons to their homes every Fast Sunday to collect their fast offerings.
8. To find out what the members really think, send out a survey once a year, asking for input and suggestions. Send out evaluations to members for bishops and stake presidents.
9. Encourage questions and discussion about controversial issues, including church historical events and current social issues during Sunday School. Throw the manuals away. Trust in the Lord and the discernment of local leaders to call spiritually in-tune teachers.
10. Revise and revamp the church court system.
That's a harsh indictment. You're better off just handing this degenerate apostate list to your bishop.
As to the BYU issue, I do have one comment from an insider on this topic. The Church was prepared to divest itself of church schools at the the same time it divested itself of hospitals, the theory being that tithing was being used disproportionately to favor BYU students from North America. But the Church commissioned a study which revealed that the strength of Church leadership, male and female, worldwide, derives from having a BYU education and meeting a spouse there more than just about anything else (seminary, mission, temple marriage).
Yahoo Bot wrote:I spent two years as a transient bishop arranging, often with my own funds, for the housing and/or treatment of battered women, homeless families and drug addicts. I paid for housing for unemployed and homeless pregnant teenagers. Week after week. I got to know all the apartments and motels in town which would take my checks for long-term or intermediate housing for people would could not show a credit card for check-in.
And I forgot to mention: Paying for funerals (well, basically, burials) for non-members who heard that LDS bishops do that. And presiding over them. And getting calls from the local big cemetery in town to help out.
Again, was I thrilled? Perhaps you can tell my attitudes. But I give huge credit to the Church to motivate people like me -- a lawyer who works 80 hours a week with a large family -- to do this stuff.
But the Church commissioned a study which revealed that the strength of Church leadership, male and female, worldwide, derives from having a BYU education and meeting a spouse there more than just about anything else (seminary, mission, temple marriage).
If that's the case, then why not open more BYU campuses in other states so that more students have an opportunity to attend? SVU (Southern Virginia University) is privately owned. There are quite a few Church members on the Board of Directors. It would be great if the Church could purchase this school, and make it an actual BYU campus. If there was another school that was on the East Coast, it would be great as well!
Since there are a number of members of the Church in California, a California campus would also be a good idea.
You're better off just handing this degenerate apostate list to your bishop.
He already has it. He also knows my views about cremation, donations to non-profits counting as tithes, taking opportunities away from bishops to know what is best for running their wards, the church's reluctance to be seen as a local leader in charitable endeavors, etc.
As to the BYU issue, I do have one comment from an insider on this topic. The Church was prepared to divest itself of church schools at the the same time it divested itself of hospitals, the theory being that tithing was being used disproportionately to favor BYU students from North America. But the Church commissioned a study which revealed that the strength of Church leadership, male and female, worldwide, derives from having a BYU education and meeting a spouse there more than just about anything else (seminary, mission, temple marriage).
Bingo! The tithes of the widowed and the poor lose again.
They could get the same result in church leadership if they improved the Institute system. And increase the member missionary efforts at the same time.
(Nevo, Jan 23) And the Melchizedek Priesthood may not have been restored until the summer of 1830, several months after the organization of the Church.
liz3564 wrote:If that's the case, then why not open more BYU campuses in other states so that more students have an opportunity to attend? SVU (Southern Virginia University) is privately owned. There are quite a few Church members on the Board of Directors. It would be great if the Church could purchase this school, and make it an actual BYU campus. If there was another school that was on the East Coast, it would be great as well!
Since there are a number of members of the Church in California, a California campus would also be a good idea.
And a couple in Mexico, one in Brazil, one in Argentina, one in England, one in Australia, one in Italy, etc.
I am sick to death of my tithes being used to make life easier for Utah Mormons.
(Nevo, Jan 23) And the Melchizedek Priesthood may not have been restored until the summer of 1830, several months after the organization of the Church.
harmony wrote:Bingo! The tithes of the widowed and the poor lose again.
They could get the same result in church leadership if they improved the Institute system. And increase the member missionary efforts at the same time.
I disagree in part. The study led to the PEF which I've seen work with several missionaries from foreign countries laboring in my ward who come back to BYU. The study led to staggering increases for Latin American scholarships and admissions. The study led to the tacit support of SVU or whatever it is called.
harmony wrote:Bingo! The tithes of the widowed and the poor lose again.
They could get the same result in church leadership if they improved the Institute system. And increase the member missionary efforts at the same time.
I disagree in part. The study led to the PEF which I've seen work with several missionaries from foreign countries laboring in my ward who come back to BYU. The study led to staggering increases for Latin American scholarships and admissions. The study led to the tacit support of SVU or whatever it is called.
Within another worldview, the study could have led to the same increase in scholarships and admissions to fully accredited universities throughout the country which would have had wonderful Institutes from which to teach church leadership, while getting us out of the business of using tithes for non-4-fold mission support.
Is that really the only beef you have with my list?
(Nevo, Jan 23) And the Melchizedek Priesthood may not have been restored until the summer of 1830, several months after the organization of the Church.
harmony wrote: I disagree in part. The study led to the PEF which I've seen work with several missionaries from foreign countries laboring in my ward who come back to BYU. The study led to staggering increases for Latin American scholarships and admissions. The study led to the tacit support of SVU or whatever it is called.
Within another worldview, the study could have led to the same increase in scholarships and admissions to fully accredited universities throughout the country which would have had wonderful Institutes from which to teach church leadership, while getting us out of the business of using tithes for non-4-fold mission support.
Is that really the only beef you have with my list?[/quote]
Your worldview does not comport with a study the church commissioned from one of my clients.