2016’s Most Charitable States

WalletHub ^ | Nov 28, 2016 | Richie Bernardo

[StormPrepper]

’Tis the season to be giving. And the latest World Giving Index shows that Americans are some of the most generous people in the world, ranking second out of 140 countries in 2015. That year, U.S. donors gave more than $373 billion to charity, and 71 percent of that figure came directly from individuals, according to the National Philanthropic Trust.

[StormPrepper]

So where does your state rank?

[Billthedrill]

Idaho, 40 of 50. What? Are there no workhouses? Are there no prisons?

[NohSpinZone]

California is almost dead last, like everything else in this miserable state.

[P-Marlowe]

California is almost dead last, like everything else in this miserable state.

After we pay all our confiscatory taxes, we have nothing left to give.

[Degaston]

Utah being #1 is a good reminder of how the LDS Church is so secretive in managing their finances. It’s the only State in the Union where the majority of the people are self-described active adherents of a single church. My guess is that if you were to exclude “money to the LDS church” that Utah would be in the bottom half for charity rankings.

Their biggest claim to fame is that they are led by a living prophet of God. This means that they have foresight to know the future. For example, they recently gave the world a piece of their mind to lead/guide us the way of the Lord [at least in their minds]

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865664336/In-our-opinion-Donald-Trump-should-resign-his-candidacy.html?pg=all

“For 80 years, the Deseret News has not entered into the troubled waters of presidential endorsement. We are neutral on matters of partisan politics. We do, however, feel a duty to speak clearly on issues that affect the well-being and morals of the nation. Accordingly, today we call on Donald Trump to step down from his pursuit of the American presidency.”

http://www.deseretnews.com/aboutus#about

“Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Deseret News offers news, information, commentary, and analysis from an award-winning and experienced team of reporters, editors, columnists, and bloggers.”

http://www.wweek.com/news/2016/10/03/mormon-leaks-video-features-former-u-s-sen-gordon-smith-r-ore/

Gordon Smith, a former US senator who is LDS, self-describes himself ... “as one who regards his temple recommend as more important than an election certificate.”

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/28/donald-trump-gives-mitt-romney-follow-interview-se/

“Mr. Trump has been praised for giving Mr. Romney an audience, sending the signal that he wants to unify the Republican Party as well as the national after a brutal and divisive election.”

Keep in mind that Mitt Romney is a devout Mormon.

[dware]

After we pay all our confiscatory taxes, we have nothing left to give.

There's a simple solution to that: Move - to be honest, I have family in Cali and, for the life of me, can't understand why they, or any other self respecting patriot hasn't either left or stood up to take the state back.

[telstar12.5]

1/3 of population in Utah is not Mormon.

One half of the Mormons are not religious - just “in the book”, or “Jack Mormons”, if you will.

That leaves 1/3 as practicing, tithing, or whatever.

fyi

[aMorePerfectUnion]

In settling up with your mormon bishop each year, you answer questions...

Like, "Did you give the full tithe?"

If you want to get into the highest level of Mormonic heaven and have a shot at godhood, you first need a Temple Recommend. If you do not tithe, no Temple Recommend.

Yeah, it's a cult.

[justlurking]

There's a problem with their methodology:

Note: “Donors” refers to the percentage of taxpayers who donated money to charity and the percentage of the population who claim to have donated money.

It appears they used IRS data to determine who actually donated money to charity.

The problem: only households that itemize deductions will have charitable contributions on their return.

If a household doesn't have enough itemized deductions to exceed the standard deduction, there will be no record of the charitable contribution.

http://taxfoundation.org/blog/who-itemizes-deductions

• 30.1 percent of households chose to itemize their deductions (44 million returns).
• 68.5 percent of households chose to take the standard deduction (101 million returns).
• 1.6 percent of households had zero or negative adjusted gross income, and were unable to take any deductions. (2 million returns)

And, that doesn't account for people that make charitable contributions and don't keep a record, or don't wish to make their return a more inviting target for audit.

[Degaston]

I confess that I don’t know everything about Mormons so take what I write with a grain of salt. However I did grow up Mormon, served a 2 year mission, taught at the Missionary Training Center, married in the Mormon temple, graduated from BYU, spent over 4 years in a Bishopric or Branch Presidency, and my family is full of Mormons as all 10 of my 9 siblings are BYU grads as well as all 7 of my sisters’ husbands & like both of my brothers they all served missions. Both of my parents have PhD’s from BYU, they both served missions, and they have 45 granchildren and most of them are being raised devout Mormons. When I was in middle school, high school, and college I used to devour Mormon history (at least the faith-promoting stuff) constantly. I had read biographies on all of the LDS church presidents (there had been 13 so far then), most of the nearly 100 Apostles, and numerous other important Mormon historical persons. I have read the Book of Mormon well over 20 times in my life so far along with several readings of the Bible, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and many many many church history book. I’ve probably read most of the Improvement Eras and Ensigns from the 20th century, most of the Journal of Discourses, I’ve read most of the Church News articles multiple times from the 50’s to the 90’s, and read articles from the Salt Lake & Provo papers almost every week.

I think Mormons pay a lot of tithing/offerings to the church so the ones who really believe make up a lot for the rest. For example, during my last 3 years (1997-1999) as a True Believing Mormon I paid over 40K in tithing as 10% of my gross income to the LDS church. I also paid more for the Missionary Fund, Fast Offerings, and other ways.

To this day I’d probably still be a true believer and paying 10% of my gross income (plus more) if it wasn’t for what my mom calls “that DNA crap”. In early April 2000 I was concerned that some anti-Mormons were spreading lies about the “true church” so I did a little bit of investigating online to try to expose the deceit of these anti-Mormons. I came across http://www.exmormon.org/whylft125.htm and then contacted its author requesting his references so I could dig deeper and expose him as being wrong. Well I was quickly surprised to discover that I could no longer in good faith believe that the Book of Mormon was “non-fiction”.

Well that was over 16.5 years ago. Since then I have believed that the Book of Mormon is fiction. Sure it would be nice to think its non-fiction as that would make my parents and so many others in the family peachily happy. But it is what it is.

[FreeInWV]

It looks like WV is the most charitable poor state.

[telstar12.5]

Interesting, thanks for the reply deg.

I live in this state (not mormon) and find it an interesting mix of everything.

Appreciate the faith based folks, and ignore the over the tops.

Stay well.

[Elsie]

So where does your state rank?

While Utah does have the highest rate of antidepressant use in the United States, there is no evidence that this is because of stress from the LDS lifestyle and culture.

 

http://en.fairmormon.org/Utah/Statistical_claims/LDS_use_of_antidepressants

 

 

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 As of 2007, 60.7% of Utahns are counted as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although only 41.6% of them are active members.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Utah#Religion

 

 

 

 

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I'd be 'charitable'; too; if it was REQUIRED to enter the Highest Level of Heavan after death!

 

 

Temple Recommend Questions

---

1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?

3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

5 Do you live the law of chastity?

6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?

Temple Recommend Questions

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1 Do you have faith in and a testimony of God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost?

2 Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?

3 Do you have a testimony of the restoration of the gospel in these the latter days?

4 Do you sustain the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator and as the only person on the earth who possesses and is authorized to exercise all priesthood keys? Do you sustain members of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators? Do you sustain the other General Authorities and local authorities of the Church?

5 Do you live the law of chastity?

6 Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?

7 Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

8 Do you strive to keep the covenants you have made, to attend your sacrament and other meetings, and to keep your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?

9 Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?

10 Are you a full-tithe payer?

11 Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?

12 Do you have financial or other obligations to a former spouse or children? If yes, are you current in meeting those obligations?

13 If you have previously received your temple endowment:

Do you keep the covenants that you made in the temple?
Do you wear the garment both night and day as instructed in the endowment and in accordance with the covenant you made in the temple?

14 Have there been any sins or misdeeds in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but have not been?

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?

[Elsie]

“Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Deseret News offers news, information, commentary, and analysis from an award-winning and experienced team of reporters, editors, columnists, and bloggers.”

Deseret Management Corporation - http://www.deseretmanagement.com/
Beneficial Financial Group - http://www.beneficialfinancialgroup.com/
Bonneville International - http://www.bonnint.com/
Bonneville Communications - http://www.bonneville.com/
Bonneville Interactive Services
Bonneville Satellite - http://www.bonnevillesatellite.com/
35 Radio Stations
1 Television Station (KSL)
Deseret Book - http://deseretbook.com/
Excel Entertainment - http://www.xelent.com/
Deseret Morning News - http://deseretnews.com/dn
Hawaii Reserves - http://www.hawaiireserves.com/
Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) - http://www.polynesia.com/ and http://www.polynesia.co.jp/
La'ie Shopping Center
La'ie Park
La'ie Cemetary
Hukilau Beach Park
La'ie Water Company
La'ie Treatment Works (sewer)
Mstar.net - http://www.mstar.net/preportal/index.asp
Temple Square Hospitality - http://www.htsc.net/ and http://www.hoteltsc.com/
Weddings (JSMB and Lion House)
The Inn at Temple Square - http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/
Lion House Pantry - http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/
The Roof Restaurant - http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/
The Garden Restaurant - http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/
Passages Restaurant - http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/
Zions Securities Corporation - http://www.zsc.com/

Farm Management Corporation (commericial farms and agricultural properties)
Deseret Land and Livestock
200,000 acres of land in Rich, Morgan and Weber counties (Utah)
Sun Ranch (Martin's Cove)
Deseret Ranches of Florida (Orlando) (largest ranch in Florida)
Deseret Farms of California
Rolling Hills (Idaho)
West Hills Orchards (Elberta, Utah)
Cactus Lane Ranch (Arizona)
 

Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CPB)
Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Deseret Trust Company
LDS Family Services
Property Reserves Inc. (PRI)
Ensign Peak Advisors - http://www.imno.org/articles.asp?qid=123

Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators (DMBA) - http://www.dmba.com/

Brigham Young University (BYU) - http://home.byu.edu/webapp/home/index.jsp
BYU - Idaho - http://www.byui.edu/
BYU - Hawaii - http://www.byuh.edu/index.jsp
LDS Business College - http://www.ldsbc.edu/

 

Culled from --->  http://www.exmormon.org/mormon/mormon410.htm

 

 

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Church's explanation --->  https://www.lds.org/topics/church-finances-commercial-businesses?lang=eng

 

 

[Elsie]

Keep in mind that Mitt Romney is a devout Mormon.

Uh...

Just WHAT does 'devout' mean??

[Elsie]

That leaves 1/3 as practicing, tithing, or whatever.

Only about 15% of all Mormons have a Temple Recommend.

That means they will NOT get to the Celestial Kingdom and will be DOOMED to spend eternity with the likes of Catholics, Protestants, others and ME!!.

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HEAVEN-The Mormon church teaches there are three levels of heaven (three "degrees of glory"):

Celestial - for Mormons who have kept ALL of the laws and ordinances of their church.                                                        (Where the Father lives.  Only about 15% of Mormons have a VALID TR card.)

Terrestrial - for religious people who aren't Mormons and for Mormons who have not met the requirements of the Church.     (Where approximately 85% 0f Mormons will end up)

Telestial - where unbelievers go

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The Doctrine and Covenants

Section 76

 

 92 And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever;
 93 Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever.
 94 They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace;
 95 And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion.

 

 

Those who inherit terrestrial glory will “receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father.   https://www.lds.org/topics/kingdoms-of-glory?lang=eng  (click view more) 

 

 

 

[Elsie]

I confess that I don’t know everything about Mormons so take what I write with a grain of salt.

Don't feel bad.

Even MORMONs don't know much about their chosen religion!

[madconservative]

I am impressed by your candor in your post, and empathize with you. I know it is difficult to follow your conscience in a case like that, and brave. I hope you haven’t given up on faith entirely, merely because an organization twisted it. Jesus loves you!

[Elsie]

Since then I have believed that the Book of Mormon is fiction.

Just parts of it.

An awful lot was lifted directly from the KJV of the bible; albeit scrabbled when placed into the hands of JS to be discovered near the sweatband of his hat.