LDS Church kept the lid on its $100B fund for fear tithing receipts would fall, account boss tells Wall Street Journal

[Dr Exiled]

These guys should be heavily audited so everyone can know how much has been hoarded...

Would you admit that “these guys” might know something you don’t about the future? If not, I can readily see your logic. But if they do, that makes all the difference. Most active and believing members sustain the brethren as prophets, seers, and revelators. That being the case, we trust that this rainy day fund has its purposes...and those purposes are not nefarious as you would suggest them to be.

Would that the good ol’ USofA had a significant surplus rather than debt. I’d feel much more comfortable about the future of the nation.

Regards,
MG

Show me some really good proof that these guys somehow know the future because their actions certainly don't show that. If you do, I will consider it.

Also, have you even considered that their course of action to deliberately and purposefully hide the so called "rainy day fund" from the members shows that it really wasn't a rainy day fund and the lack of using it now doubly goes to showing that there never was as a purpose saving the money for a rainy day? That money could do a lot of good building fresh water systems in Africa, finding a cure for cancer or perhaps the corona-virus that plagues us today. However, it sits in investments, gaining value for the "rainy day" that never will happen.

I prophesy in the name of rational thought that these guys will never use these hidden funds for any big projects that will benefit humanity. No, because if they do, they won't have as much money any more and gain for gain sake and the power it gives those who control it was always the goal. Else, why hide it in the first place? Further, any such project would be dismissed as the dreaded welfare that creates sloth, and so would be immediately killed prior to making it out of committee, if there even is such a committee on how to spend the billions hoarded, which I highly doubt. No, the mere suggestion of spending the money on the members and the world would probably mean being sent in exile to manage the church branch in Greenland or Antarctica.

[mentalgymnast]

Also, have you even considered that their course of action to deliberately and purposefully hide the so called "rainy day fund" from the members shows that it really wasn't a rainy day fund and the lack of using it now doubly goes to showing that there never was as a purpose saving the money for a rainy day?

No. Crazy, huh? It doesn’t make one stitch of difference whether or not I knew about the rainy day fund or not. The only folks that it does make a difference to are those who are looking for opportunities to criticize the brethren. I have faith that either part or all of those funds will be used when the time is appropriate. In the meantime I pay tithing because of the promises and blessings promised, knowing that the funds are going to the building up of the kingdom of God.

Obviously if you don’t believe that the work of the restoration is the work of God you’re going to look at church funds and the way they’re used or put aside with different eyes.

That is a no brainer.

Regards,
MG

[Lem]

Show me some really good proof that these guys somehow know the future because their actions certainly don't show that. If you do, I will consider it.

Also, have you even considered that their course of action to deliberately and purposefully hide the so called "rainy day fund" from the members shows that it really wasn't a rainy day fund and the lack of using it now doubly goes to showing that there never was as a purpose saving the money for a rainy day? That money could do a lot of good building fresh water systems in Africa, finding a cure for cancer or perhaps the corona-virus that plagues us today. However, it sits in investments, gaining value for the "rainy day" that never will happen.

I prophesy in the name of rational thought that these guys will never use these hidden funds for any big projects that will benefit humanity. No, because if they do, they won't have as much money any more and gain for gain sake and the power it gives those who control it was always the goal. Else, why hide it in the first place? Further, any such project would be dismissed as the dreaded welfare that creates sloth, and so would be immediately killed prior to making it out of committee, if there even is such a committee on how to spend the billions hoarded, which I highly doubt. No, the mere suggestion of spending the money on the members and the world would probably mean being sent in exile to manage the church branch in Greenland or Antarctica.

Speaking of such projects...

Why is Utah’s problem so much worse than any other state?

This is a complicated problem, and there is no clear answer. But after helping people recover losses from investment fraud for 25 years my view is that people in Utah are simply too trusting, particularly when the person soliciting an investment is in their ward or shares their religious affiliation.

If someone pitching you an investment casually mentions that they used to be the bishop or in some other church position, watch out! Church callings and temple worthiness are not relevant to investment decisions, so beware of those who bring these issues up in an investment pitch.

Also, it may seem like doing business with someone you know and trust would be safer, but that is simply not true. All investing involves risk, and just because you trust the individual soliciting the investment does not mean that the investment itself is good. Trust but verify; and if things go badly do not hesitate to aggressively protect your interests.

https://rqn.com/blog/utahsecuritiesfrau ... ity-fraud/

The Ensign fund is the largest Ponzi Scheme ever, except that the uppermost level of money is currently just hoarded. The next level down gets a salary, living expenses, paid vacations, cars, homes, college educations for descendants, book deals for extra income, travel money, gardeners and housekeepers, vacation homes, etc. This group is "exempt" from paying tithing. All the rest are the believers, apparently some who don't even need to know the details. They "just believe". And keep paying.

[Philo Sofee]

I am soooooooo grateful I no longer accept the church and its deception. Thank God I am free from this obvious selfish greedy wickedness masquerading as prophets who know God and the future. Jesus was astonishingly correct! Ye shall KNOW the truth and it SHALL set you free.......now THAT was prophetic insight.

[ajax18]

Obviously I’m coming from a different place, but I think the best approach is #1 because it is more honest. Of course you should keep in mind the obvious fact that there are true things that Jesus didn’t say and false things that he did.

Do you personally believe there was a man named Jesus who actually said these things?

Regarding my analogy, you completely missed the point. The son only needs a small fraction of the $5 million in order to pursue an incredibly selfless life’s mission,

The son isn't being a good steward of what his ancestors have built for him. He should be expanding on that $5 million not consuming it.

It is being saved by a hoarder that likes having money for the simple sake of having it, worthwhile cause be damned.

Money makes money far better than labor ever will. The key is to have $5 million and live like you don't. The world is full of people who are heavily in debt who ilve beyond their means and they're usually punished rather severely for it, spending much of their lives as servants to the lender.

Jesus said sell all your property, give all your money to the poor, and follow him. You can believe that is foolish advice, but don’t say Jesus opposed following the commandments he gave.

Did Jesus own the clothes he wore? Because if he did, he wasn't following the commandment he gave the young ruler, right?

[ajax18]

Would that the good ol’ USofA had a significant surplus rather than debt. I’d feel much more comfortable about the future of the nation.

Regards,
MG

That will never be possible in a democracy.

[ajax18]

Further, any such project would be dismissed as the dreaded welfare that creates sloth

I do dread welfare. Welfare creates more need for welfare and a downward spiral of generational welfare dependency. You can give it but you can never stopping giving it even when you're $20 trillion in the red. Just look at how much more poverty exists in the US since the advent of the great welfare society. And look at the kind of people this welfare has created and what they're like to live around.

It's a church of workers. It's a church of givers. Maybe I just like my ward now in particular but it's really wonderful to be around strong people who give more than they take, not because of what they give to the church but because of the character of a person that can do that. It's a very special group of people and there's usually only a handful of people like that to be found. And I count myself lucky that I get to fellowship with these people. That's what the church is about. None of the people you see each Sunday are on salary. Most are working a second job for free.

[Philo Sofee]

A

jax
None of the people you see each Sunday are on salary. Most are working a second job for free.

Their leaders in Salt Lake City sure are! Sounds to me like the locals are suckers to do it for free. I mean, lets be totally honest, it's not like the church can't afford it...

[Dr Exiled]

Show me some really good proof that these guys somehow know the future because their actions certainly don't show that. If you do, I will consider it.

Also, have you even considered that their course of action to deliberately and purposefully hide the so called "rainy day fund" from the members shows that it really wasn't a rainy day fund and the lack of using it now doubly goes to showing that there never was as a purpose saving the money for a rainy day? That money could do a lot of good building fresh water systems in Africa, finding a cure for cancer or perhaps the corona-virus that plagues us today. However, it sits in investments, gaining value for the "rainy day" that never will happen.

I prophesy in the name of rational thought that these guys will never use these hidden funds for any big projects that will benefit humanity. No, because if they do, they won't have as much money any more and gain for gain sake and the power it gives those who control it was always the goal. Else, why hide it in the first place? Further, any such project would be dismissed as the dreaded welfare that creates sloth, and so would be immediately killed prior to making it out of committee, if there even is such a committee on how to spend the billions hoarded, which I highly doubt. No, the mere suggestion of spending the money on the members and the world would probably mean being sent in exile to manage the church branch in Greenland or Antarctica.

Speaking of such projects...

Why is Utah’s problem so much worse than any other state?

This is a complicated problem, and there is no clear answer. But after helping people recover losses from investment fraud for 25 years my view is that people in Utah are simply too trusting, particularly when the person soliciting an investment is in their ward or shares their religious affiliation.

If someone pitching you an investment casually mentions that they used to be the bishop or in some other church position, watch out! Church callings and temple worthiness are not relevant to investment decisions, so beware of those who bring these issues up in an investment pitch.

Also, it may seem like doing business with someone you know and trust would be safer, but that is simply not true. All investing involves risk, and just because you trust the individual soliciting the investment does not mean that the investment itself is good. Trust but verify; and if things go badly do not hesitate to aggressively protect your interests.

https://rqn.com/blog/utahsecuritiesfrau ... ity-fraud/

The Ensign fund is the largest Ponzi Scheme ever, except that the uppermost level of money is currently just hoarded. The next level down gets a salary, living expenses, paid vacations, cars, homes, college educations for descendants, book deals for extra income, travel money, gardeners and housekeepers, vacation homes, etc. This group is "exempt" from paying tithing. All the rest are the believers, apparently some who don't even need to know the details. They "just believe". And keep paying.

It's so sad to see people I care about still believe in this, still dutifully pay year after year. And they get offended when I suggest that perhaps hidden money should raise red flags.

[IHAQ]

The biggest income growth by a charity in this month’s review of the Charity Finance 250 Index is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Great Britain), which more than tripled its annual income to £144.6m in the year to 31 December 2019.

This was due to a tenfold increase in grant income to £105.4m from the Mormon charity’s US parent company, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, which is based in Utah. Most of the funds were used in May 2019 to purchase Alder Castle, a City of London office building.

https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/ ... folio.html

More amassing of wealth. At a time of a global pandemic, when members are losing jobs, charities and humanitarian aid programmes are suffering drops in income, when home working is gaining momentum, the Church drops c$130 million on an office building in Central London. Anyone still in any doubt that this is a property company masquerading as a Church to avoid taxes? Interestingly, they made this acquisition in May 2019 before the pandemic hit and home working gained momentum, it's like they didn't see it coming...

The details of this transaction are interesting. The Church, in it's UK financial accounts for 2019 is calling the purchase (FOR CASH) of the Alder Castle building for £103,289 a "charitable donation". The Church set up a new "charity" called 'Covent Garden IP Limited' owned by, yes you guessed, Property Reserve Inc. The so-called Charity that just paid cash for an office building (the Church) neither owns nor operates homeless shelters or food banks in London.