gem2477

Thank you. I agree completely. Somedays the only thing that gets me through a long work day is knowing I will be in my overstuffed chair watching TV or curled up with a good book.

So you are saying breaks are not necessary for well-being? Or to help you perform better in your work?

The point is why are the telling an adult that they can't talk to their family? Can't an adult have enough faculty to know if what they are doing is inhibiting their missionary work themselves?

well, there is pressure. a ton of it. both on the mission and before. I've never been blessed for obeying non-sensical rules. if threre were a reason, senior couples would have those same rules.

because these things would help missionaries well being. and because they are adults.

senior missionaries can? wow. that's troubling if those rules won't change. they are adults.

With new mission rules coming out, maybe other changes will happen. I would think it'd be nice to be able to call family and be able to unwind with music / tv / books at the end of a long day. Having missionaries do more service would be positive, too. I think those types of changes would be welcome to our adult missionary volunteers paying their way to go.

probably just children of God. There are more relationships out there besides family relationships.

just because a few people may not be satisfied doesn't mean the info shouldn't be put out. no one would have major problems if everything is legal.

but would you continue to give if he kept doing that? would you be upset if you gave your money for new shoes for the kids and he bought an IPod or something instead? I would never give him mone again.most of tithe payers expect the money to go to upkeep of buildings, humanitarian projects and wouldn't like their hard earned money to go towards lining GA's pockets. You can work hard and clean your own house. giving them a maid is unecessay, imo.

You miss my point completely...the church is not forthcoming with financial info. Given that, my point is that no one knows except higher ups/ workers at the COB.Let me turn it around, what evidence do you have that it is managed properly?

well, why shouldn't us as members have more control of the money we pay into? What is the reasoning that Salt Lake be given complete control? It's okay to have a say and not leave it up to blind trust of leaders, sometimes.

I think I do have a right to know that it isn't being mismanaged, funneled into some other account to make it look like the church didn't use tithing funds for certain things, laundered, giving GAs and other church workers free access to as much as they want without checks/balances to buy things that would be considered opulent or to have free use of church services, or using it to fund one of their many, many business ventures and investments. That sort of thing. We can agree to disagree, though.

some other country -- of course a missionary in the US is probably going to to have AC / Hot water

Of course, needs can be furnished for a Mission President who wouldn't be able to live otherwise since he is called to serve. A wife who is a quad would be a rare situation - one that I would think the prospective Mission Presidents would decline the calling in order to care for her and make sure she has medical care. I don't think there are many situations where a maid would be a needful expense, especially when missionaries are having to do without hot water, air conditioning when it is 115 F outside....

No, refurbishment of chairs in a temple would be acceptable, of course.

Yes, senior missionary couple have a different standard, if they want a maid, so be it if it is from their own pockets. No, I actually have seen the list of stipends the church gives Mission Presidents. One of them is for a maid.

President then?

That's my point - nobody knows except those who work closest with the General Authorities.

oh, yeah - the prophet is a CEO. Forgot to mention that.

That is part of my point that you are proving. You are saying our top leaders are moral, just simply cause....they are. Without question. With that kind of mentality, they could get away with a ton of questionable things. Now I am not saying that they are corrupt, only that they are human. I don't know them, or much about their lives, except what is told in conference. So, I really can't say how morally they have lived their lives or have repeatedly acted in that manner. I am not saying I am a shareholder, I just would like to know my funds are being used properly, and not being used to fund a maid for a mission president, for example.

why can't we hold them accountable? If I am dirt poor and paying tithing instead of paying bills, I want to know my money is being used properly.

yes, but those people don't know any more than I do because the church has never released that info.

Just talk to him, and let him know you are interested by saying something like "I would love to spend time with you / for you to call me." If he does, than he is interested. If he doesn't he is not. That method puts it in his hands without making it awkward and puts the ball in his court. Don't be fantasizing about marrying him just yet -- it will put expectations and pressure that you do not need.

it is okay to ask for a calling if you want one. :)