My son is serving a mission, about 17 months out, and all the missionaries in his mission were issued iPads to use over a year ago. Recently, the missionary department debited our ward missionary accounts for cost of the iPad for $400. The bishops were told to collect it from the family. If I don't pay, the ward eats it.
The bishop spoke with me about it, and frankly, I am very disinclined to pay. What comes next, mission cars, mission phone plans, mobile phones, etc.? We were given no warning of this for him leaving on a mission and $400 is an impact, like items for school when he returns. I served a mission with no iPads, computer, whatever, and this is not essential mission equipment. This is not like funding a temple.
I pay my tithing and that was my response to the bishop, and then some. I don't feel this was handled right and I certainly don't appreciate being billed for $400. There are cheaper alternatives as well besides Apple products.
My view is that I do not plan to pay it. This is not like a request for temple funds or the like. I know the church spent a billion on a mall, bought a very camp for youth in southern CA, those things could have paid for iPads. I want the $400 to pay for a laptop for my son for school.
Thoughts, advice? I am rather irritated at this point right now. Thanks.
Billed by the church for missionary equipment, is this a new thing?
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Posted
My son is serving a mission, about 17 months out, and all the missionaries in his mission were issued iPads to use over a year ago. Recently, the missionary department debited our ward missionary accounts for cost of the iPad for $400. The bishops were told to collect it from the family. If I don't pay, the ward eats it.
The bishop spoke with me about it, and frankly, I am very disinclined to pay. What comes next, mission cars, mission phone plans, mobile phones, etc.? We were given no warning of this for him leaving on a mission and $400 is an impact, like items for school when he returns. I served a mission with no iPads, computer, whatever, and this is not essential mission equipment. This is not like funding a temple.
I pay my tithing and that was my response to the bishop, and then some. I don't feel this was handled right and I certainly don't appreciate being billed for $400. There are cheaper alternatives as well besides Apple products.
My view is that I do not plan to pay it. This is not like a request for temple funds or the like. I know the church spent a billion on a mall, bought a very camp for youth in southern CA, those things could have paid for iPads. I want the $400 to pay for a laptop for my son for school.
Thoughts, advice? I am rather irritated at this point right now. Thanks.