mormonstories.org

[pellegrino]

Hmmm, looks like the financial support is not rolling in. I feel a bit for John in that I love his product but he should have known that trying to live on donations from Mos and ExMos isn't going to get him very far....even if it was just to help him get through grad school.

But the most interesting part of this whole thing is found in the comments section:





Although I'm sure the unwillingness of mormonstories to disclose it's financial dealings is not the root of the current financial issues, but it sure seems a bit ironic that they are unwilling to be forthcoming about their cash flow. Maybe they are worried someone will find out about the new Toyota Avalon John is driving around the mean streets of Logan .

I'll be honest, it's been a factor for me not donating.

[TripletDaddy]

I'll be honest, it's been a factor for me not donating.

I don't understand this rationale at all, at least coming from a Mormon. You don't want to donate because he doesn't issue detailed financials and disclose salaries?

[Moliere]

You make it sound like someone has asked for disclosure and that John has been "unwilling" to open up the books. I don't think anyone has ever asked. It is more a question of whether they will do it voluntarily, and I do think they should, not least of all because if the people who value the show knew what a paltry sum he is trying to live on they would give more. I'm not sure how he survives. Don't forget he left a job at MIT to do what he is doing.

I just remember him stating upfront when he first made a push for financail support that he would be transparent (maybe I'll try to find the podcast). It hasn't happened yet and it looks like when it came up for a vote the mormonstories board (seriously this thing is getting more corporate by the day) voted it down.

I like John and his work and I'm sure he's struggling financially but I'm also sure he's getting rewarded in other ways for what he's doing. He's got more knowledge and friends than many I know. I just found that response interesting.

Also interesting is that the conferences don't break even financially. I do wonder if the speakers get compensation or if the podcast guests are compensated but I guess we won't know until they open the books.

[YOhio]

He should stop flying to New York to see expensive Broadway plays on opening weekend.

[UtahDan]

I just remember him stating upfront when he first made a push for financail support that he would be transparent (maybe I'll try to find the podcast). It hasn't happened yet and it looks like when it came up for a vote the mormonstories board (seriously this thing is getting more corporate by the day) voted it down.

I like John and his work and I'm sure he's struggling financially but I'm also sure he's getting rewarded in other ways for what he's doing. He's got more knowledge and friends than many I know. I just found that response interesting.

Also interesting is that the conferences don't break even financially. I do wonder if the speakers get compensation or if the podcast guests are compensated but I guess we won't know until they open the books.

I agree they should do it. I think they are at a natural point in the progression of what they are doing that it is appropriate. When you get to a certain size, you are foolish not to avail yourself of the protections of a corporation. I think it is also wise to have a board, which they do. But as I say, I am in agreement. It is time.

[UtahDan]

I should also mention that I think they are fortunate to have Adam working with them. Whatever people here my think of him, he is a sharp lawyer.

[Moliere]

I agree they should do it. I think they are at a natural point in the progression of what they are doing that it is appropriate. When you get to a certain size, you are foolish not to avail yourself of the protections of a corporation. I think it is also wise to have a board, which they do. But as I say, I am in agreement. It is time.

You're probably right (as usual). I don't follow mormonstories as much as I used to partly because of the more corporate feel. I don't do well with community forming stuff so I keep my distance to a degree.

[Moliere]

I should also mention that I think they are fortunate to have Adam working with them. Whatever people here my think of him, he is a sharp lawyer.

I'll admit I don't know who Adam is and I only put his name there as it was already publicly disclosed. My apologies if it was anyone in this forum as I really didn't know.

[myboynoah]

You make it sound like someone has asked for disclosure and that John has been "unwilling" to open up the books. I don't think anyone has ever asked. It is more a question of whether they will do it voluntarily, and I do think they should, not least of all because if the people who value the show knew what a paltry sum he is trying to live on they would give more. I'm not sure how he survives. Don't forget he left a job at MIT to do what he is doing.

I don't think that is his best appeal.

Neither is this:

For the record — the donations you send to Mormon Stories go for the very basics: web hosting fees, domain names, audio equipment, conference costs, food and health insurance for my family, etc. The total amount of revenue is very small (especially compared to what I/we could make doing other things)….so when it starts dwindling, it literally threatens our ability to continue.

As a parent it makes me wonder, "Well, why aren't you doing those other things?"

I don't doubt he doesn't bring in all that much. Is Mormonstories Dehlin's sole source of income? Does he plan for it to be so? I thought he was studying to be a psychologist. Or is Mormonstories more of a hobby/service for others and he has other career plans?

If he wants to make this a career, then I would suggest he/they get serious about running it more like a business/successful non-profit than a small-time religion.

[pellegrino]

I don't understand this rationale at all, at least coming from a Mormon. You don't want to donate because he doesn't issue detailed financials and disclose salaries?

I believe I've discussed my issues with donating to the church here. If not, they are one in the same.

[UtahDan]

You're probably right (as usual). I don't follow mormonstories as much as I used to partly because of the more corporate feel. I don't do well with community forming stuff so I keep my distance to a degree.

No you are putting your finger on a genuine issue, IMO. One of the challenges of a group like that is the tension between not being able to organize and accomplish things without some internal governance on the one hand and the incredible resistance you have in a group like that (particularly among women) to hierarchical (and maybe even patriarchal) control on the other.

[UtahDan]

As a parent it makes me wonder, "Well, why aren't you doing those other things?"

I don't doubt he doesn't bring in all that much. Is Mormonstories Dehlin's sole source of income? Does he plan for it to be so? I thought he was studying to be a psychologist. Or is Mormonstories more of a hobby/service for others and he has other career plans?

If he wants to make this a career, then I would suggest he/they get serious about running it more like a business/successful non-profit than a small-time religion.

He says things like that precisely because if he doesn't then people will accuse him of selling his soul for a mess of pottage. For being in it for the money (I have heard this MANY times from people who think he is getting rich on this). He has made plain that he wants to work in counseling and has ways he can work his way through but that he cannot do both that AND continue to run Mormon Stories because there aren't enough hours in the day. Obviously it is important to him to do all of this, but if it came right down to it he would get a job related to his studies and pair his efforts there way back to keep afloat.

I don't have a problem at all with him saying "I can only not have a job right now if you people pay me to do this." Plus it seems like those study related jobs are applied for in the summer so if he doesn't take one he has pretty well committed to the course of counting on donations.

[myboynoah]

He says things like that precisely because if he doesn't then people will accuse him of selling his soul for a mess of pottage. For being in it for the money (I have heard this MANY times from people who think he is getting rich on this). He has made plain that he wants to work in counseling and has ways he can work his way through but that he cannot do both that AND continue to run Mormon Stories because there aren't enough hours in the day. Obviously it is important to him to do all of this, but if it came right down to it he would get a job related to his studies and pair his efforts there way back to keep afloat.

I don't have a problem at all with him saying "I can only not have a job right now if you people pay me to do this." Plus it seems like those study related jobs are applied for in the summer so if he doesn't take one he has pretty well committed to the course of counting on donations.

Just providing my thoughts. It sounds a little like a threat to me (if you don't help out, I have other options you know), but probably less so for those familiar with Dehlin.

You seem to be describing someone caught between two worlds and staying with the one that he really enjoys and which fulfills him. I wouldn't begrudge him making a living off of Mormonstories, even a good one if he can. If I was Dehlin I would take Adam up on his offer and try to make a serious go of this. I'd be open with the financials and then find more reliable revenue streams. I would also make the conferences pay for themselves, including his participation in them. Judging from the responses he received to his post, it looks like people are willing to pay.

Sadly, I suspect most Dehlinites would not be happy with this type of move.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Every great cause begins as a movement, then becomes a business, and finally degenerates into a racket.

Looks like MS is transitioning to stage 2.

[SuperGabers]

I just remember him stating upfront when he first made a push for financail support that he would be transparent (maybe I'll try to find the podcast). It hasn't happened yet and it looks like when it came up for a vote the mormonstories board (seriously this thing is getting more corporate by the day) voted it down.

I like John and his work and I'm sure he's struggling financially but I'm also sure he's getting rewarded in other ways for what he's doing. He's got more knowledge and friends than many I know. I just found that response interesting.

Also interesting is that the conferences don't break even financially. I do wonder if the speakers get compensation or if the podcast guests are compensated but I guess we won't know until they open the books.

Those who participated in the DC Conference did not get compensated. John's airfare was taken care of, however, which seems reasonable as any organization would probably do that.