Trouble Brewing

[Solon]

with the LDS handbook brouhaha. Apparently wikileaks, via scribd, posted a pdf of the handbook online in mid-April of this year. The LDS church claimed copyright infringement and scribd removed the material:

http://www.scribd.com/word/removal/52827

According to this article, the handbook was still available two days ago (May 13) but it doesn't seem to be the case anymore. A search of the site only turns up the 1999 edition of the handbook.

http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormon..._over_handbook

The article compares the LDS complaints with complaints received from the Chinese government, a Swiss bank, and the Scientologists. Quite the ensemble of provocateurs.

I wonder how the church convinced wikileaks to take down the page, in light of this quote:

As of May 13 Wikileaks had not taken down the material on the Church Handbook of Instructions, and a second webpage at the site with a different version of the material was also still available. In a statement to Wikinews, a Wikileaks representative commented on the material hosted at the site: "WikiLeaks will not remove the handbooks, which are of substantial interest to current and former mormons [sic]. WikiLeaks will remain a place where people from around the world can safely reveal the truth."

Or did I just miss something?

[Indy Coug]

Don't underestimate the power of raising your arm to the square.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Solon

I wonder how the church convinced wikileaks to take down the page, in light of this quote:

http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormon...ons_%281999%29

You need to get back in the locker. You are a day late, and a dollar short.

It's available for download this very second.

[Solon]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

http://www.wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormon...ons_%281999%29

You need to get back in the locker. You are a day late, and a dollar short.

It's available for download this very second.

I thought it was an edition more recent than this 1999 one. Is this not the case?

http://cougarguard.com/forum/showpos...13&postcount=2

That's why I couldn't figure out what I was missing

[MikeWaters]

They have the 1999 handbook on their site.

[Archaea]

Several points. There is one more recent edition.

And the Church is concerned with trade secret information, which they must protect in order to maintain their rights thereunder, and they don't want the procedures which change from time to time, as fodder. However, any member can go in and review the sections with permission from the Bishop and/or State President. I have reviewed them on many occasions.

The Church will probably sue and there will probably be an agreement at some point.

[Solon]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Several points. There is one more recent edition.

And the Church is concerned with trade secret information, which they must protect in order to maintain their rights thereunder, and they don't want the procedures which change from time to time, as fodder. However, any member can go in and review the sections with permission from the Bishop and/or State President. I have reviewed them on many occasions.

The Church will probably sue and there will probably be an agreement at some point.

I can easily see the church's point of view, but generally I think the internet is pretty amazing the way it can instantly disseminate information to much of the world. Knowledge is power.

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Several points. There is one more recent edition.

And the Church is concerned with trade secret information, which they must protect in order to maintain their rights thereunder, and they don't want the procedures which change from time to time, as fodder. However, any member can go in and review the sections with permission from the Bishop and/or State President. I have reviewed them on many occasions.

The Church will probably sue and there will probably be an agreement at some point.

What trade secrets do we have?

[El Paso Coug]

cover to cover within the last few weeks. What is amazing to me is that the LDS Church is run on a very, very detailed scale. There are procedures for every aspect of Church leadership operations. Micromanagement is a very fair word.

For example, read the section on funerals. You wouldn't think that there would be that much guidance on this topic and funerals are not something that a Bishop deals with that often. Nevertheless, every aspect of a funeral service is regulated. Funeral shouldn't last more than an hour and a half. When the casket can be open and closed. Which songs are allowed. No video or slide shows. Don't focus on the decedent, but instead focus on the gospel in all talks.

Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies and High Counselors really don't have that much leeway as to what they are supposed to do. Sure, there are a lot of areas where leaders are to use their best judgment, but the level of regulation and structure is shocking. I kept asking myself: Would the Lord's only true church really need to be micromanaged to this degree?

Just my thoughts.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by El Paso Coug

cover to cover within the last few weeks. What is amazing to me is that the LDS Church is run on a very, very detailed scale. There are procedures for every aspect of Church leadership operations. Micromanagement is a very fair word.

For example, read the section on funerals. You wouldn't think that there would be that much guidance on this topic and funerals are not something that a Bishop deals with that often. Nevertheless, every aspect of a funeral service is regulated. Funeral shouldn't last more than an hour and a half. When the casket can be open and closed. Which songs are allowed. No video or slide shows. Don't focus on the decedent, but instead focus on the gospel in all talks.

Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies and High Counselors really don't have that much leeway as to what they are supposed to do. Sure, there are a lot of areas where leaders are to use their best judgment, but the level of regulation and structure is shocking. I kept asking myself: Would the Lord's only true church really need to be micromanaged to this degree?

Just my thoughts.

I don't think you are a honest questioner, but I will answer your question anyway.

It's because they are tired of answering questions.

It's because someone who has been bishop for one month doesn't really know what to do.

It's because we don't have a bishop training center in Provo where Bishops go for one month.

It's because the church wants all its wards regulated and run in similar manners.

etc, etc. I'm sorry that reading the handbook damaged what little testimony you have, but that was pretty predictable that would respond that way.