Some Hinckley sermons were more effective than others.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by PaloAltoCougar

I had an interesting conversation recently with a fairly high placed Church leader who, in turn, had just had a conversation with a very high placed Church leader. My friend learned that the Church observed through hard data that when President Hinckley spoke on a particular topic, there was noticeable improvement in the membership’s faithfulness in that area. He specifically cited such areas as tithes and offerings (more), gambling (less), spousal/child abuse (less) and pornography (presumably less usage, but perhaps he meant an improvement in porn quality). Obviously, problems in those areas continue, and remain serious, but improvement was observed, with one clear exception….

It was a source of great disappointment to President Hinckley that the one area in which his counsel was ignored, and in which no improvement was ever noted (within Church culture as a whole), was in money management, including debt, savings and a shift away from materialism. Though I’m getting it third hand, President Hinckley expressed frustration on multiple occasions with how the membership would take to heart so much of his counsel, but pretty much ignored him on matters pertaining to money and the pursuit of worldly goods.

It’s interesting that in our culture, we’re able, at least temporarily, to cut back on certain vices, but when it comes to acquisitiveness, fuhgeddaboudit. Apparently some can give up Penthouse, but not the Polaris.

The mixed messages that come from the very top of the church can be confusing to the masses.

I truly believe there are messages for the masses that are given with a wink and a nod to the elect.

It would be interesting if we could do an experiment. Actually have all, note I said all, the membership of the church quit going after worldly things. Would the Lord in fact bless us with abundance or would we go bankrupt.

I know of people in the church who pay in excess of $100,000 a year in tithing. I just did a quick review of the people I know personally who do so and they do have a couple of things in common. They pay their tithing, contribute to other charities and have lots and lots of things.

I was told something one time that has proven to ring true. If you want to hire a top notch salesman, find someone who really likes to acquire things. The pursuit of wealth and enjoyment of such is what makes capitalism work. It is also what forms the financial strength of this church, In MY Humble Opinion.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by BYU71

I know of people in the church who pay in excess of $100,000 a year in tithing. I just did a quick review of the people I know personally who do so and they do have a couple of things in common. They pay their tithing, contribute to other charities and have lots and lots of things.

I bet they are also:
1- Clever
2- Persistent
3- Hard working (at least during the wealth bulding phase)

I think these have more to do with wealth aquisition than being charitable.

[BYU71]

Originally Posted by Brian

I bet they are also:
1- Clever
2- Persistent
3- Hard working (at least during the wealth bulding phase)

I think these have more to do with wealth aquisition than being charitable.

I am sure they have all those attributes as well as others.

I was talking about motivation and I hope I never indicated the desire to be charitable was a motivator, it is a by-product. As with anything these are generalizations. You can find specific incidences to disprove the generalization

[Mormon Red Death]

Originally Posted by Brian

I bet they are also:
1- Clever
2- Persistent
3- Hard working (at least during the wealth bulding phase)

I think these have more to do with wealth aquisition than being charitable.

Or they inherited it...