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DJ, I wonder if they would say the same thing to members who work for the gaming industry? Las Vegas. Where I live, there are a number of breweries. There was a time when they encouraged new converts who worked for a brewery to look for different employment.
There weren’t a lot.
I have a couple of theories as to why this is the case: 1. The Church leaders are deemed as prophets and speak for God.
2. The Church leaders place a strong emphasis on education, hard work, the avoidance of debt, and self-reliance. They also discourage against certain activities which can be a drain on time and finances, especially ones that cause psyiological dependence and addiction (smoking, drinking, gambling, pornography).
3. Tithing and fast offerings. I have read several studies that those who give away a portion of their income to a charitable cause, become more financially conscious, and better managers of their money. Despite the expense, they often wind up saving more and spending less.
4. The Church leaders also promise, in essence, that if you keep the commandments, God will watch over you, take care of you, and cause you to prosper. Believing in this, many members are more likely to take risks, and stay optimistic even when things go wrong. Optimistic risk taking is a HUGE factor in wealth creation, and has been the huge reason why so many members I know have been able to make it rich as entrepreneurs.
Also, the rich members are more obvious than the poor members. Because of the focus in the Book of Mormon on the pride cycle (where the poor become rich because they keep the commandments, and the rich become poor because they forget their God), most of the rich LDS will attribute their wealth to the fact that they “kept the commandments”. They are more vocal about the blessings of the gospel, firstly because they don’t want to lose it (because of the pride cycle), and second because they are proud. Because of their capacity, testimony, etc, they are more likely to be given prestigous callings, which further vocalizes their “success”.
Poorer members oftentimes are forced to work multiple low-wage jobs, which hinders their ability to serve in high capacity callings, perform their home teaching assignments, etc. Because of the “Pride Cycle” so often taught, this makes the poor ashamed of being poor. “I am poor because I don’t have enough faith. I am poor because I am a sinner. I am poor because I am unable to serve in these callings”. And when you are ashamed, when you have the idea reinforced that you are poor because of sin and lack of faith, you are much less likely to vocalize your faith.
No question the prosperity gospel is alive and well in Mormonism as well as some other parts of Christianity. I am heartened by the idea that our General Authorities refer to it more rarely than in the past, although I recognize that some of their references are sideways. dande48 wrote:…
Also, the rich members are more obvious than the poor members. Because of the focus in the Book of Mormon on the pride cycle (where the poor become rich because they keep the commandments, and the rich become poor because they forget their God), most of the rich LDS will attribute their wealth to the fact that they “kept the commandments”. They are more vocal about the blessings of the gospel, firstly because they don’t want to lose it (because of the pride cycle), and second because they are proud. Because of their capacity, testimony, etc, they are more likely to be given prestigous callings, which further vocalizes their “success”.
Poorer members oftentimes are forced to work multiple low-wage jobs, which hinders their ability to serve in high capacity callings, perform their home teaching assignments, etc. Because of the “Pride Cycle” so often taught, this makes the poor ashamed of being poor. “I am poor because I don’t have enough faith. I am poor because I am a sinner. I am poor because I am unable to serve in these callings”. And when you are ashamed, when you have the idea reinforced that you are poor because of sin and lack of faith, you are much less likely to vocalize your faith.
I agree.
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