Unlike most other churches and non-profits, the LDS Church does not disclose its finances, including to its own members. Have you ever asked a TBM what they think of the fact that the church demands its members to donate 10% of their hard earned money to the church but the church refuses to show how they spend it? The church keeps a secret how much they make in donations and consequently we really don't know how they spend their money. It seems those who give their money have a right to see how the organization spends it. Seems like a good question that most members would have a difficult time to answer, and maybe might make them think a little. There's absolutely NO REASON why they should be keeping secret financial statements unless they are hiding something. If they aren't hiding something then release financial statements!

Yes. TBM mother said she doesn't care. She said she's done her part and is thus entitled to blessings. Cult thinking 101.

I haven't asked directly, but it seems that many TBMs would say that they trust the leaders to do what's best.

I've heard members say it's god's money and it doesn't matter what the church does with it. I too think it's cult thinking. It's the same thinking that scams people out of their life savings.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2012 03:08PM by liminal state.

I tried asking my mother, got a lecture on faith and how the prophet will do what is right with the money.

I've heard a version of that line, too: "the prophet knows how best to use our 10%." Stupid cult.

The funny thing is, nobody (regardless of political beliefs) would approve of say, a government being sneaky about what it does with tax money. It's so disturbing how TBMs don't find it disturbing that their own 'religion' is so sneaky about what it does with all that tithing money. What a cult...

Don't forget to mention that the church used to be much more open about its finances, until around the same time it nearly bankrupted itself buying that big Ranch near Orlando, Florida. It was never completely honest, but it was once a bit more open.

I usually try to be nice to TBM family members and not overtly attack their beliefs. (If they start preaching to me, then that's a different story.) However, I do challenge their wisdom when it comes to giving money to an organization that doesn't account for it... and that I have no sympathy for the church or its members when any criticism or accusations regarding finances are thrown their way.

It's usually followed by silence, followed by a change of subject. Maybe they just know better than to try to defend it, and it's just one of the accepted bad parts of the show they call mormonism.

It usually devolves into an attack on taxes or the defense that they are being good stewards with their money because they are giving it to God.

(I've pointed out that without actually knowing what the Mormon Church does with that money they could actually be funding drug running or arms deals or a sex slave ring -- not that I think the Mormons do those things, it's just... if you don't know, you don't know.)

All I got for my effort was a glassy-eyed "God knows what to do with his tithing."

I'd rather stick red-hot forks in my eyeballs that try to have a conversation with that sort of person ever again.

Thanks all for your replies. It seems the TBM response, is "well I trust what the GA's do with the money." But that still doesn't answer the question. Why can't the GA's release the financials? I understand they "trust" the "Lord's stewards" but why can't the stewards show the membership how they are spending the money?

Well, my question is, "if the members don't ask, why volunteer the info?" They've got a good gig going here.

Best scenario is that TSCC are good stewards with the money. However, there will be some members who will say, "hey, wait a minute, I don't agree with that." It would create controversy whereas now they have tacit agreement and approval. Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

Worst scenario is they're all a bunch of crooks, and have shady dealings going on that would be revealed.

Most likely, it's somewhere in the middle. Members would realize that the church is a business with Jesus's name on the building facade, rather than the charitable Jesus being its leader.

I have heard "it's God's money", and "I trust the Church to do/know what's best".

I don't think it's so much about showing the membership, other than they don't want members to think the Church doesn't really need the money, but I also think it's everyone else that they don't want to see the accounting. The Church doesn't have to be accountable for their money because they are a religious non-profit organization, but if they put their finances and accounting out there, then others can figure out if they are being honest in their dealings or not, and they more than likely are not.

Yes, all the time.

The rote answer I always get is that the bretheren are led by God and are doing the "right" thing with the money.

My rote response: Yes. And the followers of Jim Baker and most other televangelists, say the same thing. Does just saying it make it so? Can you think of a better "cover" for a financial scam than religion--with it's "separation clause" and the existing "politically correct" thinking that goes against any challenges directed at religion?

Religion is the perfect seedbed for any wannabe scamster.

The Bakers had good reason to cover up their finances since they were swindling donators' money for their own gain. What's LDS Inc's excuse? Once again, if they aren't hiding anything why the cover up? Oh, I thought they don't hide anything...