Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the News

[creekster]

Value is subjective. Will be interesting to see how this purchase is perceived a decade or two down the road.

True. That's what I meant by other intrinsic value.

[Northwestcoug]

I haven't thought too much about the donation and purchase but I have to think there is more to this story than we have heard. There is either some additional intrinsic value to the manuscript or the money came with strings, or it was a lifeline to the RLDS )or whatever they are called now) or something. It just seems unlikely to me that this was a straight competitive bidding situation resulting in a price of 35 million. Possible, but unlikely, for many of the reasons stated in this thread. I am not sure if the other information, assuming it exists, would make a difference, but I think I would like to hear more about it before deciding. If it turns out that this was a straight purchase, and if the manuscript is nothing more than what it appears to be, then it does seem pretty hard to justify.

I read the Trib article again.

Steven E. Snow, LDS Church historian and recorder, confirmed the acquisition, calling the document both a spiritual and historic treasure. Church officials did not immediately confirm, but also did not challenge, the stated sales price when contacted Thursday...We hold the Book of Mormon to be a sacred text like the Bible,” Snow said. “The printer’s manuscript is the earliest surviving copy of about 72 percent of the Book of Mormon text, as only about 28 percent of the earlier dictation copy survived decades of storage in a cornerstone in Nauvoo, Ill.”

I doubt there's other significant details from the story that we're missing. The church obviously has placed a very high premium on the manuscript, despite already publishing it in the JS papers. Snow and the other quoted historian are basically saying it is priceless.

There might have been a bidding situation. The last paragraph said this:

The presiding bishopric of the Community of Christ had worked with several potential buyers in the past several months, according to the announcement, which stated that the $35 million price tag is the highest ever paid for a manuscript.

Still, I think it's clear this was a 'straight purchase'. The church values the manuscript very highly, and they had the means to buy it. The only details we are probably missing is how high the church would have been willing to pay.

[Jeff Lebowski]

By then the adjusted price will likely be something like 35 gabillion dollars.

When we first bought our house, the lot next to us was empty. We talked about buying it but decided we couldn't afford it. I kick myself every day for not buying it.

[SteelBlue]

I can't imagine they consider this an investment. Likely the only reason this manuscript had value to other investors was the hope of this kind of a payday from the church.

[creekster]

I read the Trib article again.



I doubt there's other significant details from the story that we're missing. The church obviously has placed a very high premium on the manuscript, despite already publishing it in the JS papers. Snow and the other quoted historian are basically saying it is priceless.

There might have been a bidding situation. The last paragraph said this:



Still, I think it's clear this was a 'straight purchase'. The church values the manuscript very highly, and they had the means to buy it. The only details we are probably missing is how high the church would have been willing to pay.

I am not sure it is that clear. It was not an auction. And the specter of buyers is all the CoC needed. They may or may not exist. You know how business is done.

Maybe you are right, of course, that this was just 35 million for a manuscript. I dont see that as a very good exchange, but the possibility of it falling into others' hands was probabyl more than leadership could bear. So they pay. Was it a good idea? Hard for me to say at this point.

[creekster]

Here is another question: does the church's purchase of this manuscript for the stated price give any insight into what they think is the likelihood of the second coming in the immediate future?

[Northwestcoug]

Here is another question: does the church's purchase of this manuscript for the stated price give any insight into what they think is the likelihood of the second coming in the immediate future?

I'm not sure I follow. Why would the church want to buy it based on how soon they think the second coming will be? Are you saying that they would be more likely to buy it now if they thought we had a longer time for it to happen? Or the opposite?

[creekster]

I'm not sure I follow. Why would the church want to buy it based on how soon they think the second coming will be? Are you saying that they would be more likely to buy it now if they thought we had a longer time for it to happen? Or the opposite?

I was asking if it had any relevance to that issue. If you think the 2d coming is around the corner, does it matter if we hold and venerate these objects of affection? OTOH, if it is around the corner, maybe dropping 35 mill just doesnt matter much. I was just wondering about it.

[Northwestcoug]

I was asking if it had any relevance to that issue. If you think the 2d coming is around the corner, does it matter if we hold and venerate these objects of affection? OTOH, if it is around the corner, maybe dropping 35 mill just doesnt matter much. I was just wondering about it.

Got it. I guess I could see both of those opinions.

[Moliere]

Here is another question: does the church's purchase of this manuscript for the stated price give any insight into what they think is the likelihood of the second coming in the immediate future?

This seems like the type of question that is asked in HPG.


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[creekster]

This seems like the type of question that is asked in HPG.


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Is that an insult or a compliment? I think it is an interesting exercise to see if the leadership acts in a way that is consistent with what they tell us. Now, of course, the might reply by saying you behave personally like it is happneing tomorrow but you plan like it may never happen. But, still....

[Moliere]

Is that an insult or a compliment? I think it is an interesting exercise to see if the leadership acts in a way that is consistent with what they tell us. Now, of course, the might reply by saying you behave personally like it is happneing tomorrow but you plan like it may never happen. But, still....

It's probably more dread on my part

As something who believes church leaders have as much insight into the timing of the second coming as that prepper lady, I find the question useless and dull. SJBH.


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[creekster]

It's probably more dread on my part

As something who believes church leaders have as much insight into the timing of the second coming as that prepper lady, I find the question useless and dull. SJBH.


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I dont think it might reveal if they are correct, I think it might reveal what they actually believe. You accountants can be so difficult if it isnt written down in front of you.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Is that an insult or a compliment? I think it is an interesting exercise to see if the leadership acts in a way that is consistent with what they tell us. Now, of course, the might reply by saying you behave personally like it is happneing tomorrow but you plan like it may never happen. But, still....

Our leadership tells us to not take precautions for the future because the second coming is imminent? I must have missed that.

Personally, I am happy they don't seem to be using that kind of logic.

[creekster]

Our leadership tells us to not take precautions for the future because the second coming is imminent? I must have missed that.

Personally, I am happy they don't seem to be using that kind of logic.

Look, it was just a throwaway random thought sort of post. but if you read my posts, you will see I already pointed out that this is not what they are telling us. Moreover, I dont think that dropping 35 million on a manuscript counts as 'taking precautions.' Either way, I regret posting it. I put MOiliere to sleep, made you pull out your "restate untill its wrong" technique and left NWcoug thinking I am unstable. So, obviously, it was not a good question. SHeesh.