No Paid Ministry

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Col. Flagg
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Posts: 16961
Location: Utah County

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Col. Flagg »

Was doing some research tonight on tithing... check this out...

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-gen/14?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:37-39:

37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God;

38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.

39 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.

Here's what is in the church manuals:

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/14.20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And Abram gave him tithes of all.

https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-princ ... s?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Tithing

Tithing is used by the Church for many purposes. Some of these are to:

1. Build, maintain, and operate temples, meetinghouses, and other buildings.
2. Provide operating funds for stakes, wards, and other units of the Church. (These units use the funds to carry out the ecclesiastical programs of the Church, which include teaching the gospel and conducting social activities.)
3. Help the missionary program.
4. Educate young people in Church schools, seminaries, and institutes.
5. Print and distribute lesson materials.
6. Help in family history and temple work.
Nothing mentioned at all about helping the poor and only #2 is mentioned in scripture. :-\

:-B

butterfly
captain of 1,000
Posts: 1004

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by butterfly »

Col. Flagg wrote:Was doing some research tonight on tithing... check this out...

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-gen/14?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:37-39:

37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God;

38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.

39 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.

Here's what is in the church manuals:

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/14.20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And Abram gave him tithes of all.

:-B
Interesting...
Rock Waterman's article includes similar finds- manuals not matching up with the scriptures, etc.
http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2014/ ... -what.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2012/ ... thing.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Col. Flagg
Level 34 Illuminated
Posts: 16961
Location: Utah County

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Col. Flagg »

butterfly wrote:
Col. Flagg wrote:Was doing some research tonight on tithing... check this out...

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/jst/jst-gen/14?lang=eng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:37-39:

37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God;

38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.

39 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.

Here's what is in the church manuals:

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/gen/14.20" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And Abram gave him tithes of all.

:-B
Interesting...
Rock Waterman's article includes similar finds- manuals not matching up with the scriptures, etc.
http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2014/ ... -what.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2012/ ... thing.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
:-?

thisisspartaaa
captain of 100
Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

Thomas wrote:
D&C 84: 54 And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—

55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.

56 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.

57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—
I guess I have a problem with it. In the book of Alma, there is a story of the man named Nehor. Nehor preaches that leaders of the church should be popular and should not labor for their own support. They should be supported by the labors of those they minister to. Alma declares this to be priestcrafts and says, if it is allowed to continue, it would lead to the total destruction of the people.

Alma teaches the correct way is for those who minister and teach should labor for their own support and no man should esteem himself greater than those who are taught. After they gathered to worship, they who are taught and the teachers both should return to their labors.

So it pains me to see that our church operates under the principles taught by Nehor and not by what Alma taught. Obviously, the leaders of the church have made them selves popular. They esteem themselves to be greater then everyone else and take money for teaching.
Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”
Notice the quote says, abiding by it's precepts. Too bad we don't abide by them. We just give lip service to a scripture here and a scripture there.
I take issue with your summary. First and foremost, perhaps you should quote the actual scriptures before giving an inaccurate synopsis. This would be Alma Chapter 1.

Please tell me how the leaders of the Church have made themselves popular? You state it is "obvious." Everyone knew Alma. Shouldn't Alma be under condemnation because he was popular as well?

Please tell me how they esteem themselves to be greater than everyone else?

Please also tell me how they take money for teaching?

You give no evidence for this and just lay it out there as if it were fact. Please back up your comments with evidence.

Please tell me how GA's are not laboring with their own hands?

Also please tell me how GA's are being supported by the people? Tithes do not go toward the stipend but rather is supported through the LABORS of tax paying business entities.

You grossly misrepresent the precepts the book teaches. Rather than spewing unsubstantiated claims perhaps you should gather your facts before posting slander?

thisisspartaaa
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Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

Obrien wrote:
Dlight wrote:
investigator wrote:Serious question: In light of the recent GA salary disclosures, how does the church justify the following statements?
Inasmuch as there is no paid ministry in the Church, service opportunities are available to men, women, and children of all ages."- Elder Franklin D. Richards

"In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there is no paid ministry, no professional clergy, as is common in other churches." -Elder Boyd K. Packer

"Over the years of my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have greatly appreciated the opportunities for service, for there is no paid ministry." -Elder Derek A. Cuthbert

"I explained also that our Church has no paid ministry and indicated that these were two reasons why we were able to build the buildings then under way, including the beautiful temple at Freiberg." -Elder Thomas S. Monson

"Because there is no paid ministry, almost every churchgoer has a responsibility." Mormon Newsroom

We recognize how busy you are. Without a paid professional ministry, the responsibility for administering the Church depends on you consecrated members. Quinton Cook April 2012

We have no professionally trained and salaried clergy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dallin Oaks April 2012
I have two ideas for this.

They aren't being paid for their ministry as the Lords servants. They are only being paid for their secondary roles as CEOS of the for profit corporate side of the church which has numerous businesses and is separate from the ministry side of things. They make their money when they make financial decisions, not spiritual ones. So technically this is true if you think of it this way.

Or maybe they do not consider themselves as clergy or ministry, and they believe ministers or clergy only refer to local leaders like bishops, teachers and stake leaders?
Why not call it a "salary" then, instead of a stipend?
Why would anyone want to follow them on religious matters, if they are not clergy / ministry? And why would they insist that we must all agree they are all PSRs in order to get a temple recommend if they are not ministers of the gospel?

Use Occams razor - the simplest explanation is likely the closest to the truth - GAs receive stipends because it is priest craft to sell your tokens for money. :( :-\
GAs receive stipends because they give 100% of their time to the Church. The Church supports the stipends through tax paying business entities.

They are stipends because they aren't employees of the business entities. If they were employees then it would be a wage. Hence, they are not a paid clergy receiving a wage like you may think of a Pastor at a local congregation. Why is this so hard for people to understand?? Take an accounting course!

Imagine that, the Lord provides a way for the Church to take care of its GA's who devote all their time to the Church. I guess for many of you out there they should be in rags down on the corner of the street.

For such a "conservative" forum, many members on here seem to have issues with success and business. I swear many on here are liberals :D

Why is it that so many of you on this forum think it is so wrong for the Church to create business enterprises?

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jbalm
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Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by jbalm »

Missionaries give all their time to the church. And they pay for the privilege. What's up with that?

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ajax
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Location: Pf, Texas

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by ajax »

jbalm wrote:Missionaries give all their time to the church. And they pay for the privilege. What's up with that?
Sacrifice brings for the blessings of heaven...

All [ministers] are equal, but some [ministers] are more equal than others...

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FTC
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Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by FTC »

Lizzy60 wrote:"Some things that are true are not very useful." BKP

"Some truths are best left unsaid." RMN

"When truth is constrained by other virtues, the outcome is not falsehood, but silence for a season." DHO
ALL truth circumscribed into one great whole? Hmm?

Truthfully, they don't receive a salary. Honestly, they receive $7,000+ a month of church monies. According to the IRS, aka, the laws of the land.

The whole thing is doublespeak word play. Which has been going on with the church since polygamy. Multi-level marketing companies are also rampant with doublespeak word play.

thisisspartaaa
captain of 100
Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

jbalm wrote:Missionaries give all their time to the church. And they pay for the privilege. What's up with that?
Are you saying missionaries shouldn't have to pay? Who is going to fund 80000 missionaries' homes, food, etc.?

They aren't paying for the "privilege". Unless I'm mistaken and you don't have to pay for your home, utilities, food, clothing, etc.? You must have a privileged life then.

thisisspartaaa
captain of 100
Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

FTC wrote:
Lizzy60 wrote:"Some things that are true are not very useful." BKP

"Some truths are best left unsaid." RMN

"When truth is constrained by other virtues, the outcome is not falsehood, but silence for a season." DHO
ALL truth circumscribed into one great whole? Hmm?

Truthfully, they don't receive a salary. Honestly, they receive $7,000+ a month of church monies. According to the IRS, aka, the laws of the land.

The whole thing is doublespeak word play. Which has been going on with the church since polygamy. Multi-level marketing companies are also rampant with doublespeak word play.
It's not doublespeak. Are you suggesting the Church shouldn't do this and only select GAs who can totally and wholly support themselves with their own money for the remainder of their life or until age 70?

So only rich persons can be leaders of the Church? That would have excluded President Monson considering he was called at such an early age.

Finrock
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Posts: 4426

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Finrock »

thisisspartaaa wrote:
FTC wrote:
Lizzy60 wrote:"Some things that are true are not very useful." BKP

"Some truths are best left unsaid." RMN

"When truth is constrained by other virtues, the outcome is not falsehood, but silence for a season." DHO
ALL truth circumscribed into one great whole? Hmm?

Truthfully, they don't receive a salary. Honestly, they receive $7,000+ a month of church monies. According to the IRS, aka, the laws of the land.

The whole thing is doublespeak word play. Which has been going on with the church since polygamy. Multi-level marketing companies are also rampant with doublespeak word play.
It's not doublespeak. Are you suggesting the Church shouldn't do this and only select GAs who can totally and wholly support themselves with their own money for the remainder of their life or until age 70?

So only rich persons can be leaders of the Church? That would have excluded President Monson considering he was called at such an early age.
Saying its a stipend and not a salary does not take away from the fact that they are getting paid money and receiving a financial gain. It is double-speak to say that we don't have a paid ministry. Until my thirties I didn't have a clue that any person in the Church was paid at any level. As a missionary I completely and totally thought and believed that we had no paid ministers or clergy. I didn't think or imagine at that time that I had to have a more nuanced understanding of the phrase "no paid clergy". I was proud (in a good way proud) of the fact that we were different from most all other Churches where the clergy or leaders of the churches had a financial incentive to be doing what they were doing. I was surprised to learn that some leaders did actually receive money and that my simple and naïve definition of "no paid clergy" had to be more sophisticated and nuanced. I tried to live with the stipend versus salary distinction, but its a false distinction and its just a matter of semantics. The end result is the same.

The dichotomy in your post is false. It's not either the Church pays or only rich people get to be leaders. Plus, many are contending that all the leaders were rich before anyways and that the stipend is a loss for them. You can't have it both ways. But, the reality is that what you say isn't the only option. Is God not real? Does He not support other's in the ministry? There are thousands upon thousands of lay ministers and lay clergy, full-time missionaries, and others who rely completely/wholly on God to support them and to allow them serve in the world and in the Kingdom.

The Ancient Apostles went around without purse or script, relying on the mercies of God and the mercies of members and others. Of course they didn't have cars, vehicles, nice clothes, etc. They abandoned those things so that they could serve God.

So, there are other options that are more inline with scriptures than what is currently being done, namely, having faith in Jesus Christ.

-Finrock

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rewcox
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Posts: 5873

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by rewcox »

You folks looking to kick something are just incorrect.

It's in the Doctrine and Covenants:
71 And the elders or high priests who are appointed to assist the bishop as counselors in all things, are to have their families supported out of the property which is consecrated to the bishop, for the good of the poor, and for other purposes, as before mentioned;

72 Or they are to receive a just remuneration for all their services, either a stewardship or otherwise, as may be thought best or decided by the counselors and bishop.

73 And the bishop, also, shall receive his support, or a just remuneration for all his services in the church.
Just remuneration.

Go ahead and kick something if you like. Or try some Goat Yoga.

thisisspartaaa
captain of 100
Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

Finrock wrote:
thisisspartaaa wrote:
FTC wrote:
Lizzy60 wrote:"Some things that are true are not very useful." BKP

"Some truths are best left unsaid." RMN

"When truth is constrained by other virtues, the outcome is not falsehood, but silence for a season." DHO
ALL truth circumscribed into one great whole? Hmm?

Truthfully, they don't receive a salary. Honestly, they receive $7,000+ a month of church monies. According to the IRS, aka, the laws of the land.

The whole thing is doublespeak word play. Which has been going on with the church since polygamy. Multi-level marketing companies are also rampant with doublespeak word play.
It's not doublespeak. Are you suggesting the Church shouldn't do this and only select GAs who can totally and wholly support themselves with their own money for the remainder of their life or until age 70?

So only rich persons can be leaders of the Church? That would have excluded President Monson considering he was called at such an early age.
Saying its a stipend and not a salary does not take away from the fact that they are getting paid money and receiving a financial gain. It is double-speak to say that we don't have a paid ministry. Until my thirties I didn't have a clue that any person in the Church was paid at any level. As a missionary I completely and totally thought and believed that we had no paid ministers or clergy. I didn't think or imagine at that time that I had to have a more nuanced understanding of the phrase "no paid clergy". I was proud (in a good way proud) of the fact that we were different from most all other Churches where the clergy or leaders of the churches had a financial incentive to be doing what they were doing. I was surprised to learn that some leaders did actually receive money and that my simple and naïve definition of "no paid clergy" had to be more sophisticated and nuanced. I tried to live with the stipend versus salary distinction, but its a false distinction and its just a matter of semantics. The end result is the same.

The dichotomy in your post is false. It's not either the Church pays or only rich people get to be leaders. Plus, many are contending that all the leaders were rich before anyways and that the stipend is a loss for them. You can't have it both ways. But, the reality is that what you say isn't the only option. Is God not real? Does He not support other's in the ministry? There are thousands upon thousands of lay ministers and lay clergy, full-time missionaries, and others who rely completely/wholly on God to support them and to allow them serve in the world and in the Kingdom.

The Ancient Apostles went around without purse or script, relying on the mercies of God and the mercies of members and others. Of course they didn't have cars, vehicles, nice clothes, etc. They abandoned those things so that they could serve God.

So, there are other options that are more inline with scriptures than what is currently being done, namely, having faith in Jesus Christ.

-Finrock
Have you considered that God is supporting the ministry through these business enterprises. Why is this a bad thing?

GAs do not receive a salary. They are not paid clergy. Receiving a stipend is not the same thing. The Church is taking the profits from its business entities and is giving that to the GAs in the form of a living allowance.

Why is this such a stumbling block for people?

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Col. Flagg
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Posts: 16961
Location: Utah County

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Col. Flagg »

rewcox wrote:You folks looking to kick something are just incorrect.

It's in the Doctrine and Covenants:
71 And the elders or high priests who are appointed to assist the bishop as counselors in all things, are to have their families supported out of the property which is consecrated to the bishop, for the good of the poor, and for other purposes, as before mentioned;

72 Or they are to receive a just remuneration for all their services, either a stewardship or otherwise, as may be thought best or decided by the counselors and bishop.

73 And the bishop, also, shall receive his support, or a just remuneration for all his services in the church.
Just remuneration.

Go ahead and kick something if you like. Or try some Goat Yoga.
I’m in the HPGL and was just assigned to be a steward over 35 people and I don’t get a dime for my work. Neither does our HPGL or 1st Asst or Secretary. Neither does our Bishop or his Counselors. Neither does the Stake President or his Counselors. Some Bishops essentially have a part-time job on their hands and deal with a LOT and never receive a penny for their time and effort and some SP's literally have a FT job on their hands. It would seem we aren’t following the scripture you just posted based on these facts.
Last edited by Col. Flagg on January 17th, 2017, 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

thisisspartaaa
captain of 100
Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

rewcox wrote:You folks looking to kick something are just incorrect.

It's in the Doctrine and Covenants:
71 And the elders or high priests who are appointed to assist the bishop as counselors in all things, are to have their families supported out of the property which is consecrated to the bishop, for the good of the poor, and for other purposes, as before mentioned;

72 Or they are to receive a just remuneration for all their services, either a stewardship or otherwise, as may be thought best or decided by the counselors and bishop.

73 And the bishop, also, shall receive his support, or a just remuneration for all his services in the church.
Just remuneration.

Go ahead and kick something if you like. Or try some Goat Yoga.
Scriptures are only to be used when they support your view :D

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rewcox
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Posts: 5873

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by rewcox »

I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart;
16 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
19 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house.
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
D&C 75 should silence your murmurings. :)

Stop murmuring, start blessing!

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Mark
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Posts: 6929

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Mark »

thisisspartaaa wrote:
Finrock wrote:
thisisspartaaa wrote:
FTC wrote:
ALL truth circumscribed into one great whole? Hmm?

Truthfully, they don't receive a salary. Honestly, they receive $7,000+ a month of church monies. According to the IRS, aka, the laws of the land.

The whole thing is doublespeak word play. Which has been going on with the church since polygamy. Multi-level marketing companies are also rampant with doublespeak word play.
It's not doublespeak. Are you suggesting the Church shouldn't do this and only select GAs who can totally and wholly support themselves with their own money for the remainder of their life or until age 70?

So only rich persons can be leaders of the Church? That would have excluded President Monson considering he was called at such an early age.
Saying its a stipend and not a salary does not take away from the fact that they are getting paid money and receiving a financial gain. It is double-speak to say that we don't have a paid ministry. Until my thirties I didn't have a clue that any person in the Church was paid at any level. As a missionary I completely and totally thought and believed that we had no paid ministers or clergy. I didn't think or imagine at that time that I had to have a more nuanced understanding of the phrase "no paid clergy". I was proud (in a good way proud) of the fact that we were different from most all other Churches where the clergy or leaders of the churches had a financial incentive to be doing what they were doing. I was surprised to learn that some leaders did actually receive money and that my simple and naïve definition of "no paid clergy" had to be more sophisticated and nuanced. I tried to live with the stipend versus salary distinction, but its a false distinction and its just a matter of semantics. The end result is the same.

The dichotomy in your post is false. It's not either the Church pays or only rich people get to be leaders. Plus, many are contending that all the leaders were rich before anyways and that the stipend is a loss for them. You can't have it both ways. But, the reality is that what you say isn't the only option. Is God not real? Does He not support other's in the ministry? There are thousands upon thousands of lay ministers and lay clergy, full-time missionaries, and others who rely completely/wholly on God to support them and to allow them serve in the world and in the Kingdom.

The Ancient Apostles went around without purse or script, relying on the mercies of God and the mercies of members and others. Of course they didn't have cars, vehicles, nice clothes, etc. They abandoned those things so that they could serve God.

So, there are other options that are more inline with scriptures than what is currently being done, namely, having faith in Jesus Christ.

-Finrock
Have you considered that God is supporting the ministry through these business enterprises. Why is this a bad thing?

GAs do not receive a salary. They are not paid clergy. Receiving a stipend is not the same thing. The Church is taking the profits from its business entities and is giving that to the GAs in the form of a living allowance.

Why is this such a stumbling block for people?
I think you already know the answer to that question. Joseph made a few profound statements when it came to critical words being dished out at or by the Brethren in the quorum.

"Let us be faithful and silent brethren, and if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourself.. Do not watch for iniquity in each other, if you do you will not get an endowment, for God will not bestow it on such."

"I will not listen to nor credit any derogatory report against any of you nor condemn you upon any testimony beneath the heavens, short of that testimony which is infallible, until I can see you face to face and know of assurity.. I ask the same of you!"

"No man is capable of judging a matter, in council, unless his own heart is pure.. we frequently are so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions."

"They frequently accused the Brethren, thus placing themselves in the seat of Satan, who is emphatically called "the accuser of the Brethren".

"Avoid contentions and vain disputes with men of corrupt minds, who do not desire to know the truth."

Joseph was a wise and inspired Prophet of the Lord who had his share of criticism leveled against him.

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jbalm
The Third Comforter
Posts: 5348

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by jbalm »

thisisspartaaa wrote:
jbalm wrote:Missionaries give all their time to the church. And they pay for the privilege. What's up with that?
Are you saying missionaries shouldn't have to pay? Who is going to fund 80000 missionaries' homes, food, etc.?

They aren't paying for the "privilege". Unless I'm mistaken and you don't have to pay for your home, utilities, food, clothing, etc.? You must have a privileged life then.
Nope. That isn't what I was saying at all.

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rewcox
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Posts: 5873

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by rewcox »

Mark wrote:
thisisspartaaa wrote:
Finrock wrote:
thisisspartaaa wrote:
It's not doublespeak. Are you suggesting the Church shouldn't do this and only select GAs who can totally and wholly support themselves with their own money for the remainder of their life or until age 70?

So only rich persons can be leaders of the Church? That would have excluded President Monson considering he was called at such an early age.
Saying its a stipend and not a salary does not take away from the fact that they are getting paid money and receiving a financial gain. It is double-speak to say that we don't have a paid ministry. Until my thirties I didn't have a clue that any person in the Church was paid at any level. As a missionary I completely and totally thought and believed that we had no paid ministers or clergy. I didn't think or imagine at that time that I had to have a more nuanced understanding of the phrase "no paid clergy". I was proud (in a good way proud) of the fact that we were different from most all other Churches where the clergy or leaders of the churches had a financial incentive to be doing what they were doing. I was surprised to learn that some leaders did actually receive money and that my simple and naïve definition of "no paid clergy" had to be more sophisticated and nuanced. I tried to live with the stipend versus salary distinction, but its a false distinction and its just a matter of semantics. The end result is the same.

The dichotomy in your post is false. It's not either the Church pays or only rich people get to be leaders. Plus, many are contending that all the leaders were rich before anyways and that the stipend is a loss for them. You can't have it both ways. But, the reality is that what you say isn't the only option. Is God not real? Does He not support other's in the ministry? There are thousands upon thousands of lay ministers and lay clergy, full-time missionaries, and others who rely completely/wholly on God to support them and to allow them serve in the world and in the Kingdom.

The Ancient Apostles went around without purse or script, relying on the mercies of God and the mercies of members and others. Of course they didn't have cars, vehicles, nice clothes, etc. They abandoned those things so that they could serve God.

So, there are other options that are more inline with scriptures than what is currently being done, namely, having faith in Jesus Christ.

-Finrock
Have you considered that God is supporting the ministry through these business enterprises. Why is this a bad thing?

GAs do not receive a salary. They are not paid clergy. Receiving a stipend is not the same thing. The Church is taking the profits from its business entities and is giving that to the GAs in the form of a living allowance.

Why is this such a stumbling block for people?
I think you already know the answer to that question. Joseph made a few profound statements when it came to critical words being dished out at or by the Brethren in the quorum.

"Let us be faithful and silent brethren, and if God gives you a manifestation, keep it to yourself.. Do not watch for iniquity in each other, if you do you will not get an endowment, for God will not bestow it on such."

"I will not listen to nor credit any derogatory report against any of you nor condemn you upon any testimony beneath the heavens, short of that testimony which is infallible, until I can see you face to face and know of assurity.. I ask the same of you!"

"No man is capable of judging a matter, in council, unless his own heart is pure.. we frequently are so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye, that we are not capable of passing right decisions."

"They frequently accused the Brethren, thus placing themselves in the seat of Satan, who is emphatically called "the accuser of the Brethren".

"Avoid contentions and vain disputes with men of corrupt minds, who do not desire to know the truth."

Joseph was a wise and inspired Prophet of the Lord who had his share of criticism leveled against him.
Good points Mark!

Here is D&C 43 for those who can't understand.
12 And if ye desire the glories of the kingdom, appoint ye my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and uphold him before me by the prayer of faith.

13 And again, I say unto you, that if ye desire the mysteries of the kingdom, provide for him food and raiment, and whatsoever thing he needeth to accomplish the work wherewith I have commanded him;

14 And if ye do it not he shall remain unto them that have received him, that I may reserve unto myself a pure people before me.
Be a pure people.

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Rensai
captain of 1,000
Posts: 1340

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Rensai »

rewcox wrote:
I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart;
16 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
19 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house.
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
D&C 75 should silence your murmurings. :)

Stop murmuring, start blessing!
This is actually talking about missionaries, who work more than full time for the church and not only don't get paid, but have to pay their own way, often causing great hardship for their families. So why is it ok for the GA's to get big bucks but the missionaries have to pay for the privilege of working full time for the church?

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rewcox
Level 34 Illuminated
Posts: 5873

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by rewcox »

Rensai wrote:
rewcox wrote:
I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart;
16 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
19 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house.
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
D&C 75 should silence your murmurings. :)

Stop murmuring, start blessing!
This is actually talking about missionaries, who work more than full time for the church and not only don't get paid, but have to pay their own way, often causing great hardship for their families. So why is it ok for the GA's to get big bucks but the missionaries have to pay for the privilege of working full time for the church?
Understand the scriptures.

The GAs are missionaries, full time. The Apostles until they die. The Seventies until they reach age 70 (that's interesting!)

Bless, don't murmur.

User avatar
Rensai
captain of 1,000
Posts: 1340

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Rensai »

rewcox wrote:
Rensai wrote:
rewcox wrote:
I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart;
16 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
19 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house.
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
D&C 75 should silence your murmurings. :)

Stop murmuring, start blessing!
This is actually talking about missionaries, who work more than full time for the church and not only don't get paid, but have to pay their own way, often causing great hardship for their families. So why is it ok for the GA's to get big bucks but the missionaries have to pay for the privilege of working full time for the church?
Understand the scriptures.

The GAs are missionaries, full time. The Apostles until they die. The Seventies until they reach age 70 (that's interesting!)

Bless, don't murmur.
I never said they weren't missionaries, but what about the other missionaries? You didn't answer the question at all.

thisisspartaaa
captain of 100
Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

Rensai wrote:
rewcox wrote:
I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart;
16 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
19 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house.
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
D&C 75 should silence your murmurings. :)

Stop murmuring, start blessing!
This is actually talking about missionaries, who work more than full time for the church and not only don't get paid, but have to pay their own way, often causing great hardship for their families. So why is it ok for the GA's to get big bucks but the missionaries have to pay for the privilege of working full time for the church?
Not even a close comparison. Missionaries are two years. GAs are until 70 or for life if an apostle.

So a GA is suppose to just give 100% to the church for years and not support themselves?

Come on people, you cannot expect these people to do that. The Lord has provided a way for the Church to help out.

thisisspartaaa
captain of 100
Posts: 770

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by thisisspartaaa »

Rensai wrote:
rewcox wrote:
Rensai wrote:
rewcox wrote:






D&C 75 should silence your murmurings. :)

Stop murmuring, start blessing!
This is actually talking about missionaries, who work more than full time for the church and not only don't get paid, but have to pay their own way, often causing great hardship for their families. So why is it ok for the GA's to get big bucks but the missionaries have to pay for the privilege of working full time for the church?
Understand the scriptures.

The GAs are missionaries, full time. The Apostles until they die. The Seventies until they reach age 70 (that's interesting!)

Bless, don't murmur.
I never said they weren't missionaries, but what about the other missionaries? You didn't answer the question at all.
How about you answer the question. How is the church able to provide this for 80,000 of them?

Apparently the Church cannot set up business entities according to some people. So from a logistical perspective, what do you propose?

User avatar
Rensai
captain of 1,000
Posts: 1340

Re: No Paid Ministry

Post by Rensai »

thisisspartaaa wrote:
Rensai wrote:
rewcox wrote:
I, the Lord, chasten him for the murmurings of his heart;
16 And he who is faithful shall overcome all things, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
19 And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house.
24 Behold, I say unto you, that it is the duty of the church to assist in supporting the families of those, and also to support the families of those who are called and must needs be sent unto the world to proclaim the gospel unto the world.
D&C 75 should silence your murmurings. :)

Stop murmuring, start blessing!
This is actually talking about missionaries, who work more than full time for the church and not only don't get paid, but have to pay their own way, often causing great hardship for their families. So why is it ok for the GA's to get big bucks but the missionaries have to pay for the privilege of working full time for the church?
Not even a close comparison. Missionaries are two years. GAs are until 70 or for life if an apostle.

So a GA is suppose to just give 100% to the church for years and not support themselves?

Come on people, you cannot expect these people to do that. The Lord has provided a way for the Church to help out.
So a full time worker for 2 years or less should not be paid, but if they are going to be full time for possibly more than 2 years then its ok? Is that what you're really going to go with? Do the GA's get paid within the first 2 years? I bet they do....

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