Whistleblower - Ensign Peak Advisors

[Mormon Red Death]

Well, you are on record that even a 6-year reserve is obscene. I totally disagree there.

$100B seems excessive, but I wouldn't characterize it as obscene or immoral. Spending it on private jets, mansions, etc would be immoral. Saving for the future? Come on.

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

[tooblue]

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

As long as you are going down this route:

8 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

9 That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High

[clackamascoug]

The cash reserve has had a positive impact on the blue collar latter-day Saint. When I was a kid - when you needed a new church building, your family was called into the bishop's office and you had a discussion about "how much" you were assigned to contribute to the "building fund" on top of tithing and fast offerings. Not only were there cash contributions expected, but members were expected to roll up their sleeves and pour concrete and pound nails. Skilled craftsmen had the brunt to bear. One day there was a tipping point and the church took over the money and the construction needs. Under President Hinckley - the balance tipped even more and "they" went on a temple building spree. In my personal experience in the clerks office - in an out of Utah ward - our financial charity outgo is larger than the fast offering income - and that extends to the stake level as well were it's all evened out before going to SLC to balance the ledger.

I used to wonder where it all stopped - but with reserves increasing - under the past twenty years, I feel better knowing that Jesus has the wheel, and it's to a Brinks truck.

[Mormon Red Death]

As long as you are going down this route:

8 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

9 That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High

10 That your stock portfolio be diversified and real estate holdings be vast

[tooblue]

10 That your stock portfolio be diversified and real estate holdings be vast

11. That ye may continually feed, clothe, educate and uplift the poor for generations upon generations;

[tooblue]

11. That ye may continually feed, clothe, educate and uplift the poor for generations upon generations;

12. And suffer with those who suffer in their afflictions; to bring them hope and comfort them, and bring them out the depths of their despair ...

Should I keep going. It's kinda fun. It's also amazing to fathom what is already happening and what is possible.

[Jeff Lebowski]

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Haha. That is some impressive proof-texting.

Do you save for your retirement? If so, I am going to go ahead and call you a hypocrite. Behold the fowls of the air! Consider the lilies!

[All-American]

The Deseret News says they have $32 billion. That's only 80 percent of Harvard's endowment.

And we have THREE universities. The church’s reserve should be at LEAST four times bigger.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I still don't see why all this is a big deal. Now this on the other hand . . .

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/...o-era?lang=eng

[Mormon Red Death]

Haha. That is some impressive proof-texting.

Do you save for your retirement? If so, I am going to go ahead and call you a hypocrite. Behold the fowls of the air! Consider the lilies!

Well first of all my retirement plan has nothing to do with what the LDS church does. I'm not a charitable organization (Mankind was my business!). But hey if it makes you feel better to call me a hypocrite then so be it.

Second I never said saving money is a bad thing.... In fact I said it I was in favor of it. My issue is that its gotten too big. Especially for an organization where was one of its major missions is caring for the poor and needy. To me it is extreme and yes obscene. So please dont misinterpret what i am saying. I am not saying they shouldn't have a reserve. I am saying that if it really is 100 billion we should be finding ways to alleviate pain and suffering at much higher rate than we currently do.

[creekster]

Ok multiply my estimate by 10. That's still a days cash of 20 years or if its 32 billion its 6 years. its still obscene.

Obscene? What does that even mean here? You are arguing about a reserve being "too" large, even though you agree that they should have a large one, and you admit you have no idea what the actual annual expenses are or what the predictions for future expenses or revenues are and you choose to ignore that the church has a function and a purpose which transcends, from a believer's POV, a regular charitable organization; you cannot support the work of the Kingdom of God on earth if you are bankrupt. Obscene would be the church leaders living like King Midas. We know they do not. Instead, they save for the future and to support their goals. What can possibly be wrong with that? Anf how much, in your view, would be enough? What crosses the line into the realm of obscenity.

If anything, I am amazed that the worst thing this whistleblower could come up with was a payment to Beneficlal and building a mall. If there was ever compelling proof that the church leaders believe in what they are doing, this has to be it.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Well first of all my retirement plan has nothing to do with what the LDS church does. I'm not a charitable organization (Mankind was my business!). But hey if it makes you feel better to call me a hypocrite then so be it.

Was the comment by Jesus in the scripture you quoted limited to "charitable organizations"? Why would it not apply equally to you and me? I.e., if you are going to hijack it for church finances, why stop there?

Second I never said saving money is a bad thing.... In fact I said it I was in favor of it. My issue is that its gotten too big. Especially for an organization where was one of its major missions is caring for the poor and needy. To me it is extreme and yes obscene. So please dont misinterpret what i am saying. I am not saying they shouldn't have a reserve. I am saying that if it really is 100 billion we should be finding ways to alleviate pain and suffering at much higher rate than we currently do.

But that is certainly not the only mission of the church.

[Moliere]

Do you save for your retirement? If so, I am going to go ahead and call you a hypocrite. Behold the fowls of the air! Consider the lilies!

[Jeff Lebowski]

I agree with this essay:

https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/comme...n-b-oman-cost/

Open the books.

[Katy Lied]

One man's obscene is another man's prudence.