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If someone already has all the answers, why are they asking questions?

I admit I have not searched very hard for the information, but you may be surprised to learn that I have not searched because, according to those who have searched (like Sam Brunson mentioned earlier in the thread or D Michael Quinn who wrote a history of Church finances a couple of years ago) assert that such a financial report is not required in the US. The most common financial report that I see referenced is the one for the UK where the Church is required to file, and I see mentions that Canada and maybe Australia also require such disclosures. As near as I can tell, everything the public thinks it knows about Church finances is extrapolated from those countries where such financial disclosures are required by law.

My accountant father used to joke that one of the signs to watch out for for the second coming is if the church ever got out of the insurance business.

Have you sufficiently considered the alternative? Would the universe be a better or a worse place if people were somehow prevented by some kind of external power, from doing that which they chose to do and if their ability to act was somehow limited by this external power?

Exactly... I mean honest misunderstandings happen. But when it happens consistently, even after having it repeatedly pointed out, then it stops being an honest misunderstanding and an axe grinding bias. Once you realize that there is no point in further interaction with the ones doing it, all you can really do is warn other about it so they don't waste their time

If everyone was being transparent let's get to the real issue at hand: 1) If the Church supported and funded everything pertaining to SSM and homosexual behavior this would not have been gone as public. It would have simply been an investigation. 2) If the Church removed the WoW allowing all members now to openly choose their beverage while still attending the temple, this would have simply been an investigation. 3) If the natural man wasn't an enemy to God, this would have simply been an investigation. 4) If the Church leaders would simply change God's laws (which are unchangeable) the Church wouldn't be facing such scrutiny. 5) We can expect this type of scrutiny and enmity to increase until they can find something to stick. Oh my heavens, if they think $100B is a lot of money, just wait for the Law of Consecration and the United Order to be once again commanded. I would think the Church is probably doing what Christ has already said, "Give unto Ceaser what is Ceasars." (paraphrazed) I would also bet, wait for it.... there are probably mistakes made -- its called human fallacy/error. I have never met a perfect person, and I wasn't alive when the only perfect person died that all might be saved. I mean look at how the Church seeks to be organized at the ward level and how many members don't read, don't care, or simply disregard the Handbook because they are smarter and wiser -- they know what's best. The same in business. The Church teaches and expects us to follow the laws. As any other organization they will follow them and some of their hired employees might even get pretty close or even cross a borderline. People who have issues with the Church leaders, the Church, will continue to seek to hurt the Church. Nothing new. They have been doing this since the restoration of the Church in 1830. They will continue to do. And I bet, if the Church looses its tax exempt status we will once again hear from the natural man, "Thus ends Mormonism," and 50 years later the Church will still be thriving. I do feel sorry for Brother Nielsen, yet I do hope he was sincere at the same time. The chances are he will hopefully in this life recognize his error, if not, well...thanks goodness we have a just God.

I get it but do not agree. Yes, we justify our actions, and rationalize/moralize our selfish decisions. Mao saw 50 million starve and believed the sacrifice was worth it to create a new socialist man. Yet, if we are truly made in the image of God, then something in him knew it was wrong. So, while we can all make our case, before God, come judgment day, there will be no objections to righteous judgments rendered.

They had their choice. God does not force anyone.

And Skywalker?

Have you ever been nominated for a Welcoming Committee? 🙂

Based on The Family - Proclamation to the World , is the word "idea" a weak word to use? Cheers.

I will add another post to this thread. Traditional Christianity created "creeds" to define the doctrine of Jesus and The Father that created the "Trinity" doctrine. Joseph Smith Jr. gave witness that the creeds that so defined "Traditional Christianity" were an abomination to G-d. It is this Trinity creed that became more important to Traditional Christians than the sacred words of Apostles and Prophets - and as Paul said - that Christ spoke in his days. For over a thousand years (almost 2000 years) Traditional Christians defined Christ and Christianity by the man made Trinity creeds putting to death anyone claiming to be Christian that believed any other interpretation of scripture contrary to Trinity doctrine. The Traveler

And if you tell us about your vacation inside the expanded compound then we will have stories within storeys.

Speaking of which, have you seen the contractor's estimate on the cost of expanding the compound? I'm thinking maybe we just add another story to the main building and call it good.

I knew you were a closet commie. Time to refurbish the compound's re-education chamber - it's woefully out of date.