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Just for kicks and giggles, I wonder how many of those that have signed on to stay LDS, those that know the issues, have been able to stay active let alone keep believing. Maybe it is not the information itself that makes a difference but the personality of each person. I’m always adding to the list of interesting reads. You can friend me on goodreads if you want – my account there is under hawkgrrrl. I also just started a new book today called The Tell which is pretty interesting so far. The church has built itself up over the past 100 and especially the last fifty years with a very controlled message. A message that is rather different than reality. So if every member were to truly be taught everything, not just some essays on the website, but over the pulpit and in class the church would collapse. The current model is only sustainable by there being enough true believers to make it work. Cut that number in half and there are not enough bodies to fill the burocracy the church has created. And that is why the church can not admitt it’s errors openly and honestly. It would be a death sentence if it did. It can be interesting and insightful to mull over hypotheticals like this. I see the proposed scenario as another way to consider questions like: -What would it take for me to be at peace as a member?
-At what point would I officially withdraw my membership?
-How would my family and friends react if they learned about this stuff?
Counting only
active adultmembers (seriously, quite a chunk of official members really don’t give a darn), I think: 1. 70%
2. 20%
3. 10%
Many of those 70% would have some concerns but not a full-blown faith crisis. I really do believe most would stay. I really believe the witness of the Holy Ghost would get many through the ordeal quite smoothly. I realize it doesn’t make sense that I have been in the midst of a miserable faith crisis while maintaining such a belief. It is was it is.
Nobody has mentioned this part of the OP Quote:they share with everyone how the money is spent in the Church
Ray, I don’t see how this could be anything but a “secret” in the current church. And I think this part alone could drive a few TBMs out of the church. I think the 15 know this also, else why would they keep it a secret? If everybody knew exactly how much the 15 made, what benefits they get, how contracts are let, and to whom, I think there would be quite a few upset people. And because they keep it secret, I and a lot of others cannot help but think something “nefarious” is going on.
I get that, Sheldon, but I don’t care one bit about full financial disclosure – for one reason: It absolutely is a no-win for the Church.
It’s great in theory, but the number of people who would come out of the woodwork and blast the Church no matter what the numbers are is staggering. Seriously. No matter what the numbers showed, there would be an avalanche of negativity that would dwarf all other issues, since every critic and many non-critics would see something they didn’t like. There is no way around that, even if the intent was 100% pure and well-intentioned.
Also, I would love an open discussion of the fact that the top leadership receives a stipend, but I don’t care how much it is and don’t want it published. Again, everyone would have an idea of what they think it should be, and I just don’t want that criticism to be a public one, since there is no way to satisfy critics and it only would reinforce those who are going to accept it no matter what it is. It would be just one more wedge, and I don’t like wedges.
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