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hawkgrrrl wrote:
…often via what appears to be nepotism behind it.
Nepotism?…can you elaborate on this?…(other than the general “smith” linage)…
hawkgrrrl wrote:I’m torn on the issue of stipends. While it sounds like priestcraft thanks to our Book of Mormon literacy, it also isn’t great if you have people in leadership roles who are so impoverished that they are unable to handle money responsibly either through temptation or through lack of know-how. JS wasn’t exactly a financial genius, let’s be honest.
On that note, I would be fine with local bishops paid for their positions. Same with SP’s — so often, they dont’ have enough time to do their jobs properly, and the members suffer. Good point about people who handle funds NOT having dire financial motive to steal, and having people who don’t alienate the membership through bad leadership.
Quote:The stipends are not, IMO, extravagant. Kids in private schools are consistent with how expat assignments are handled in companies, too. It would be unfair if it were a financial hardship or setback to take on a three-year assignment. Expat stipends (I was an expat) are designed to offset the cost of living differential, to outright cover the cost of education for your kids at a comparable school, and to pay moving expenses to and from your home country, as well as giving you the ability to travel to your home country once a year to see to your house and other obligations. Expats bear responsibility for the mortgage on their home (which we covered by renting it out).
Even if the logic you provide is reasonable, then BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT IT. Don’t let the membership believe MP’s and high ranking men in the church are volunteers when they aren’t “because it’s good for the Church”, or because it’s convenient…are we not in the truth “business”?
Most new apostles are known to most of the current apostles, in some way or another – and, especially prior to the last 15 years or so, most of them came from pioneer heritage and, therefore, were related not too distantly. That is true, especially, in the auxiliary presidencies, since they meet regularly and, therefore, must live in the general SLC area. (The expansion of the auxiliary boards is helping to diffuse that, I believe, but it still is an issue in the presidencies themselves.) It is quite straight-forward, and it is beginning to change as more and more of the leadership is rising from non-Utah, non-LDS-dominated areas.
I have run this around in my head a bit. I am of both opinions. #1 – Yuck when a talk becomes a stand alone book. We can get it online, don’t monetize it. I was given the Sheri Dew – Grace book, then found out my family member could have just sent me the link.
On the other end..
#2 – When Chieko Okazaki was alive I wasn’t focused on her – those were my Primary and YW years, as church focus went. I remembered her but not intently. It was her death that brought her back to my view. Now I use her books, her gospel message to help me get through life and church. Her books are a life source that only DB would have published. I buy mine through Amazon, but I would be sad to not have her words.
With everything balance is our quest. And often our failing.
Rob4Hope wrote:hawkgrrrl wrote:…often via what appears to be nepotism behind it.
Nepotism?…can you elaborate on this?…(other than the general “smith” linage)…
I think it can seem that way because of the small pool, former SPs, mission presidents, area authority seventies, etc. that all seem to associate with each other and upper level GAs come from but I think it’s more a meritocracy of sorts. You a do a good job in someone’s eyes and you stay on the radar, it not you drop off. On the other hand J. Golden Kimball once said that he owed his position more to relation than revelation.
GBSmith wrote:Rob4Hope wrote:hawkgrrrl wrote:…often via what appears to be nepotism behind it.
Nepotism?…can you elaborate on this?…(other than the general “smith” linage)…
I think it can seem that way because of the small pool, former SPs, mission presidents, area authority seventies, etc. that all seem to associate with each other and upper level GAs come from but I think it’s more a meritocracy of sorts. You a do a good job in someone’s eyes and you stay on the radar, it not you drop off. On the other hand J. Golden Kimball once said that he owed his position more to relation than revelation.
My TBM dad said that callings were made by, “Inspiration, Desperation, and Relation”
When I was at BYU, Paul H Dunn had a SIL who had opened up a local Jiffy-Lube franchise. Provo and Orem were flooded with advertisements stating that you could go meet Paul H Dunn at the Jiffy Lube, buy one of his books, and get him to sign it. The church shut that down fast.
amateurparent wrote:When I was at BYU, Paul H Dunn had a SIL who had opened up a local Jiffy-Lube franchise. Provo and Orem were flooded with advertisements stating that you could go meet Paul H Dunn at the Jiffy Lube, buy one of his books, and get him to sign it.
The church shut that down fast.
OK…so what are some of the the specific differences here between that and some of the advertisements that happen after GC from DB?
–> You don’t get to meet them personally, but you did just see them preach from the pulpit.
–> They are not going to sign their book.
–> A commercial business is making a profit about it.
Was the problem with the Dunn thing you mentioned BECAUSE it was a non-sponsored church business? (DB is kindof a pseudo business is it not?)
Now,…when you read this,..don’t any of you blast me because of how far I am reaching. I know I AM REACHING. But, I like the dialog and want this thread to keep going a little longer….
What are the difference that make what DB does advertising after conference acceptable, and what makes this Dunn example unacceptable?
Rob asked Quote:
What are the difference that make what DB does advertising after conference acceptable, and what makes this Dunn example unacceptable?One difference I see is that DB doesn’t usually have GA’s doing book signings. Other authors and artists, yes, but GA’s not that I know of. I don’t know if they sign a book if you bring it to an event or send it to them, but the book store doesn’t have that. Yes the materials are purchase-able, but not the celebrity stuff. For me, I choose not to purchase the books, if I need a reference from a GA – I will find it online. I also find a small irony in the fact that we can’t use GA’s books as our materials for lessons, etc. (I know wards vary on this), but since it’s not part of the standard material’s base it’s kind of funny that homes are stacked to the gills with stuff they can’t teach from.
So little of what is out there is canonized. Too often, anything written by a GA, or published by DB is treated as if it is canonized. It is not. I find it crazy just how much *stuff* people are willing to spend money on to get a GA’s opinion, but they don’t trust their own.
hawkgrrrl, there is an issue with your statement, “Jesus taught that those who teach the gospel should do so without purse or scrip (money).” Shortly before Jesus went to Gethsemane, he told his disciples, “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one” (Luke 22:36).
I don’t mean to be argumentative at all and I don’t know why Jesus told them to take a purse at that time, but it’s something to consider.
Quote:I don’t mean to be argumentative at all and I don’t know why Jesus told them to take a purse at that time, but it’s something to consider.
Interesting point. It could have been advice on accessorizing. Sometimes your shoes demand a specific purse.
Great point, Shawn. Different approaches for different times and situations.
I think it really is that easy.
Also, there are NO church-sanctioned events to get a GA to sign a book or anything else. Also, as has been said in an earlier comment, we all buy books we like.
How many here would buy a book written by Pres. Uchtdorf? Just saying.
Ray aske – Quote:How many here would buy a book written by Pres. Uchtdorf? Just saying.
I’d buy one for Dark Jedi.
Quote:Ray asked –
How many here would buy a book written by Pres. Uchtdorf? Just saying.
Mom3 : I’d buy one for Dark Jedi.
Mom3: I would put in some money on that purchase for Dark Jedi .. But I think he would need a poster too.
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