mormonstories.org

[Jeff Lebowski]

That is beside the point. The question is whether or not the word 'hypocrisy' applies to some, all, or none of the group.

My point is simply this -- no one has made a case for hypocrisy.

That's a mighty weak point.

For the record, I have always argued that the church should publicly disclose its finances (like it used to do). I just think that is good long-term policy for non-profit organizations, especially for large ones. I have hung around with and followed the MS group long enough to know that they overwhelmingly agree with this line of thinking. So maybe "hypocritical" is too strong a word to use here, but it would at a minimum be inconsistent for them to follow a different pattern with their donations and finances. It sounds like they are already having an internal debate on the matter. I side with the open books crowd.

[Jeff Lebowski]

You're trying to help me let go? Thanks, that's actually really nice.

I'm pretty sure I'm okay; I don't spend much time thinking about CUF. When I do think of you, I come over to make little comments. It's not really a big deal from my side of the screen.

I thought my lack of activity (or at least the quality of my activity) was the complaint, though. Now I'm confused.

I get it.... you ARE trying to chase me away by telling me that I say condescending things .

Rosebud, don't let him chase you away. You can drop by and be condescending any time you want.

[jay santos]

I mean, you have to admit that any comparison between the non-transparency of a multinational corporation and a little non-profit working with a few volunteers to figure out how to jump through the right hoops in order to make itself transparent is a stretch. The only reason the comparison even comes to mind is that people are sensitive to the issue because they're hurt by the actions of the bigger entity.

It's funny, no?

I think it's completely fair. The Mormon Stories crowd is very aggressive with the church concerning finances, disclosure, how much goes to good causes, etc. And here Dehlin makes a plea for money to save Mormon Stories with the assumption being they need money for systems and production equipment, etc, but then in the fine print you read the money goes to his living expenses. It's very ironic and completely fair game.

edit: I think it's fine Dehlin wants to make a career out of this. I hope he does. But I think it's kind of funny that he and the rest of the gang that complain so hard about LDS finances get to look like hypocrites on this.

[Viking]

I don't know who Adam Ford is here but my dad is an alum of one of his former firms

[DrumNFeather]

I think it's completely fair. The Mormon Stories crowd is very aggressive with the church concerning finances, disclosure, how much goes to good causes, etc. And here Dehlin makes a plea for money to save Mormon Stories with the assumption being they need money for systems and production equipment, etc, but then in the fine print you read the money goes to his living expenses. It's very ironic and completely fair game.

I've always kind of thought that dehlin is to mostos as jefe is to cougarboard...doesn't jefe run that site full time?

[UtahDan]

I think it's completely fair. The Mormon Stories crowd is very aggressive with the church concerning finances, disclosure, how much goes to good causes, etc. And here Dehlin makes a plea for money to save Mormon Stories with the assumption being they need money for systems and production equipment, etc, but then in the fine print you read the money goes to his living expenses. It's very ironic and completely fair game.

edit: I think it's fine Dehlin wants to make a career out of this. I hope he does. But I think it's kind of funny that he and the rest of the gang that complain so hard about LDS finances get to look like hypocrites on this.

I think it is fair game too. But it is not in the fine print. John has said many, many, many times that this money keeps his family afloat.

[jay santos]

I think it is fair game too. But it is not in the fine print. John has said many, many, many times that this money keeps his family afloat.

He needs to start preaching prosperity doctrine.

[Viking]

I'm not sure what the controversy is. The guy has content that if you find insightful, you should pay. Who gives a shit if he makes some $$??

[UtahDan]

He needs to start preaching prosperity doctrine.

Lol. Nice.

[RobinFinderson]

That's a mighty weak point.

For the record, I have always argued that the church should publicly disclose its finances (like it used to do). I just think that is good long-term policy for non-profit organizations, especially for large ones. I have hung around with and followed the MS group long enough to know that they overwhelmingly agree with this line of thinking. So maybe "hypocritical" is too strong a word to use here, but it would at a minimum be inconsistent for them to follow a different pattern with their donations and finances. It sounds like they are already having an internal debate on the matter. I side with the open books crowd.

It seems like you agree with my 'mighty weak point.'

[Rosebud]

For the sake of curiosity, what do you guys think a fair annual salary should be for someone who spends 40 hours a week running a nonprofit like Mormon Stories?

[jay santos]

For the sake of curiosity, what do you guys think a fair annual salary should be for someone who spends 40 hours a week running a nonprofit like Mormon Stories?

A better question would be what % should go to the poor.

[Jeff Lebowski]

It seems like you agree with my 'mighty weak point.'

Not really. Certainly not in the way you described it.

[Moliere]

I mean, you have to admit that any comparison between the non-transparency of a multinational corporation and a little non-profit working with a few volunteers to figure out how to jump through the right hoops in order to make itself transparent is a stretch. The only reason the comparison even comes to mind is that people are sensitive to the issue because they're hurt by the actions of the bigger entity.

It's funny, no?

There's definitely a difference, but didn't Dehlin say back in 2010 that he'd be transparent? I remember hearing that on the podcast where he started asking for donations as a way to get him to continue with MS instead of taking a research position or something like that.

Also, aren't there any CPAs that would donate time to compile some simple financial statements? A simple compilation of a statement of position and statement of activity would likely suffice. It could be done in Excel and posted on the website or emailed out to donors. I'm sure most would excuse it for not being audited.

The biggest issue I have is that the subject came up and was voted down. That makes it look like there is something to hide. It at least gets me wondering why it was voted down as disclosure would be very simple for anyone with any sort of financial background.

[myboynoah]

For the sake of curiosity, what do you guys think a fair annual salary should be for someone who spends 40 hours a week running a nonprofit like Mormon Stories?

Why ask us? MS has a board of directors, correct? What they think is really all that matters IMO. How much do they value Dehlin's contributions and are they willing to provide a livable salary?