Washington Post: Mormon Church has misled members on finance

[_Holy Ghost]

$100b? Chump change. Jesus ain't gonna rag down any toilets. There be members for that. Hell, bro, there might be enough money for the second coming of the janitors.

[_consiglieri]

I just got back from cleaning ward building toilets.

Did I miss anything?

[_Dr Exiled]

I wonder how the $32 billion in investments mormonleaks (now the Truth and Transparency Foundation) disclosed fits into this? https://mormonleaks.io/newsroom/2018/05/30/mormonleaks-compiles-information-connecting-mormon-church-to-32-billion-of-investments/

Since none of these 13 LLC's are ensign peak, one would have to assume that the $32 Billion should be added to the $100 Billion that Ensign Peak Advisors gloriously controls. Also, my guess is that there is yet more to be discovered.

Maybe it is wealthier than Walmart?

Audit, Audit, Audit, Audit IRS and let's see. Please don't cave without a complete accounting.

[Guest]

Too bad this had to come out now. It completely stole the thunder from the church's pending announcement of the new "We Always Planned to Give Back and Don't You Deny It Evil Apostate Charitable Fund." This fund was to be run by Ensign Peak in fulfillment of its charitable mission to help aspiring do gooders learn the ways of hiding supposed charitable contributions from the IRS. It was just about to be rolled out. So sad these evil twins had to mislead the public by filing this bogus complaint with the IRS. And they are only doing so for the money and to support their sinful habits, no doubt.

[_Dr Moore]

I wonder how the $32 billion in investments mormonleaks (now the Truth and Transparency Foundation) disclosed fits into this? https://mormonleaks.io/newsroom/2018/05/30/mormonleaks-compiles-information-connecting-mormon-church-to-32-billion-of-investments/

Since none of these 13 LLC's are ensign peak, one would have to assume that the $32 Billion should be added to the $100 Billion that Ensign Peak Advisors gloriously controls. Also, my guess is that there is yet more to be discovered.

Maybe it is wealthier than Walmart?

Audit, Audit, Audit, Audit IRS and let's see. Please don't cave without a complete accounting.

The $32b was the public equity holdings. They were held in shell companies set up to conceal the true single-fund holder, Ensign Peak. In this new complaint, approx 30-35% of the $100b are allocated to public equities. So actually both data points fit nicely together.

[_Stem]

Stem: all of those companies are externally audited and provide regulated public disclosures. Aramco maybe the most recent to do so, as it went public just this year.

Yes. It's nice to have a good feel for a large corporation's worth, so we can make our decisions while, at least, somewhat informed.

[_reflexzero]

“We want to help in every way we can,” said Elder Andersen. “We are not a wealthy people but we are good people, and we share what we have,” he added.

I wonder what he means by this. We (the members) are not a wealthy people, but we (the members) are a good people, and we (the members) share what we have?

I don’t really buy that he is honestly talking about the corporation. It seems he is using carefully worded language to shift responsibility without showing his cards.

[Guest]

I just got back from cleaning ward building toilets.

Did I miss anything?

No, its been pretty quiet. There is nothing new going on so I have no idea what might be an interesting subject for your next podcast (or even a series of podcasts).

[_Dr Moore]

Very strange that the article was taken down by the newsroom. I wonder who disliked what Elder Anderson had to say?

Here is the archived article. It does appear Anderson speaks on behalf of the church in 2018 when he said "we are not a wealthy people" and "we share what we have."

https://web.archive.org/web/20190429193 ... es-support

Elder Andersen meets with Zimbabwe's Vice President Mohadi, pledges support
A Historic Visit

Elder Neil L. Andersen, a member of The Quorum of The Twelve Apostles from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has concluded a historic visit to the office of Zimbabwe’s Vice President, His Excellency K. Mohadi.

Elder Andersen discussed with Vice President Mohadi plans to assist with development, education, improvement of health services and strengthening of families. He pledged support and love for the people of Zimbabwe, noting that the Southern African country was now home to more than 30,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Andersen was accompanied by his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, and by Elder Joseph W. Sitati, 1st Counselor in the Africa Southeast Area Presidency, and his wife Sister Gladys Sitati, and by President Phillip Mathemera, president of the Zimbabwe Harare South Stake.

“One thing we have learnt as being disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ is that we put more on what we feel than what we see, and when we are with the people of Zimbabwe, we feel the love of God for them, and we feel their goodness,” Elder Andersen said in an interview following the meeting of November 14, 2018.

Elder Andersen said the significance of the meeting with Vice President Mohadi was to “express to him our desire to help improve Zimbabwe.” He noted that Vice President Mohadi had made a specific request for support with the development of clean-water wells in more remote areas of Zimbabwe.

“We want to help in every way we can,” said Elder Andersen. “We are not a wealthy people but we are good people, and we share what we have,” he added.

Before meeting Vice President Mohadi, Elder Andersen briefly met with Hon. Minister Davis Marapira, who expressed gratitude for Elder Andersen’s visit and reiterated the government’s desire to revive the economy, attract investment and drive rural development.

Marapira is the former Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement.

Elder Andersen said he expected to meet with Zimbabwean President, His Excellency Emmerson Mnangagwa during his visit to Harare, however, the planned visit coincided with a trip by the President to Kenya.

“We wish him well. We are thankful for his attitude and his desire to help this country. We pray very deeply that he can be successful. We know he’s a believing man, and we pray that he will pray, and that the blessings of Heaven could be upon him, upon his leaders and the people and that there can be progress economically in this country,” said Elder Andersen.

Elder Andersen also shared with Vice President Mohadi news that the Church planned to begin construction of the Harare Temple in late 2019, an edifice that will bring special blessings to the people of Zimbabwe.

The current number of Temples either operating, announced, or under construction in Africa is nine.

[Guest]

Lest members think that $100 billion fame from the for-profit businesses...

The Church holds business interests that are primarily an outgrowth of enterprises which were begun when the Church was isolated in the West. The commercial businesses owned by the Church help serve the needs of the Church in accomplishing its mission. The money made from these commercial enterprises is relatively small; the majority of financial resources in the Church comes from the tithes and offerings of Church members.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... s?lang=eng

Church members give their tithing donations to local leaders. These local leaders transmit tithing funds directly to the headquarters of the Church, where a council determines specific ways to use the sacred funds. This council is comprised of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric. Acting according to revelation, they make decisions as they are directed by the Lord. (See Doctrine and Covenants 120:1.)

Tithing funds are always used for the Lord’s purposes—to build and maintain temples and meetinghouses, to sustain missionary work, to educate Church members, and to carry on the work of the Lord throughout the world.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... g?lang=eng
Hmmm...no mention of Tithing being stashed for the second coming. Why don’t the Apostles want members to know that, instead of spending tithing on what they publicly claim to be spending it on, they are stashing most of it in secret (as far as the IRS and members are concerned) funds and financial vehicles?