Mormon church-owned company buys huge swath of Florida land

Orlando Sentinel ^ | November 7, 2013 | Kevin Spear

[greyfoxx39]

The Mormon church stands to own nearly 2 percent of Florida by completing a deal to buy most of the real estate of the St. Joe Co. for more than a half-billion dollars.

The megapurchase was announced jointly Thursday by a corporate representative of church, which owns the nearly 295,000-acre Deseret Ranches in Central Florida, and by the real-estate and timber business, which has built several communities along the Panhandle coast.

[ansel12]

Let him start with his neighbor, let him start where is is called to start.

You seem to have a calling to preach on Mormonism as well.

[svcw]

What’s the difference between those groups?

[IMR 4350]

“What would Jesus say?”

Being a carpenter he’d probably say “let’s get to cutting some of those trees and making things”.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Did you get my #31 removed, or was that him?

[2ndDivisionVet]

Did you get my #31 removed, or was that him?

[svcw]

Really? mormonISM can do what it wants, stop calling themselves Christians and we are good
mormonISM is NOT Christianity

[tbw2]

The Mormon model may be what provides an alternative to government dependance - and the federal plantation.
Other denominations need to model it.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Now why would anyone invest money in land we all have been led to believe will be underwater in just a few years!

[svcw]

Pick up a Bible and find out what Christians are supported to do with regards to false teachings and prophets

[Colofornian]

That would presume obviously that Mormons are not Christians of which you have already passed judgement. So if the only true Judge deems them to be Christians then you are basically screwed becuase you have already judged them in your heart.

#1...That goes both ways...If you deem/judge them as "Christians" -- and then don't treat them as a "mission field" -- and you thereby convince other Christians to likewise ignore them as a mission field, you are screwed before the Jesus Christ who commissions His church to go and make disciples of all ethnic groups...which includes Mormons.

#2...

The 80,000 Mormon missionaries deem Christians as a mission field. Why do they get a free pass from you? Their theology says that the unmarried, the non-Mormons, and the non-temple Mormons all won't live forever with the Mormon heavenly father. Even if they are necro-baptized by proxy. Are you riled up 'bout that? Or inconsistently no?

#3...

The end of 1 Corinthians 2 says those in Christ are able, thru the Holy Spirit, to both judge/speak at times with the mind of Christ. Do you disagree with Paul on that?

Paul in fact even says there that Christians are to judge all things. When you get to heaven, are you going to tell Paul to his face that he was off-base on that assessment?

Are we to toss all discernment out the window, because you deem it being "judgmental?" (And isn't one man's labeling of "judging" another man's wise discernment exercised by the leading of the Holy Spirit?)

#4...next post...

[ansel12]

That would presume obviously that Mormons are not Christians of which you have already passed judgement. So if the only true Judge deems them to be Christians then you are basically screwed becuase you have already judged them in your heart.

The Catholic church, the Southern Baptists, the Greek Orthodox, the Presbyterians, all the other major denominations of Christianity agree that Mormonism is not Christian.

It isn't as though it is unknowable, or unknown.

[Elsie]

And apparently, so are you.

Read them minds!

[RFEngineer]

“Are you going to lamely endorse their actions as well? “

Yes, I wholeheartedly endorse Mormon tithing and them spending it on whatever they want. They seem to do a better job of spending the money productively that would otherwise go towards government cheese than our government!

I hope they buy all property around you - surround you completely and kill you with kindness and productivity.

You’d have to invent a larger font to complain about it.

[Elsie]

Joesph Smith’s religion raises a heck of a lot of money.

Makes me wonder why ONLY about 15% of all MORMONs actually DO this.

Don't they wanna be with their families FOREVER???

[Colofornian]

That would presume obviously that Mormons are not Christians of which you have already passed judgement. So if the only true Judge deems them to be Christians then you are basically screwed becuase you have already judged them in your heart.

#4 ... [for first three, see my last post]

Please note that when (now deceased) Lds "prophet" Gordon B. Hinckley went on the Larry King show in the late 1990s, he actually attempted to to "police" the definition of "Mormon" -- saying there wasn't such a thing as a "fundamentalist Mormon..."

For some reason, we ne'er see the advocates of your position lecture the Mormons for attempting to establish an exclusive definition of the word "Mormon..." Pray tell...Why not?

And if you think that anyone qualifies as "Christian," then "nice" -- as in a /sarc "nice" -- to know that you think polygamist fundamentalist Mormons are "Christian," too, eh? (Even the child-raping Mormons at that Texas compound, eh?)

Of course, if we totally cater to your seeming open-ended anything-goes indicator of what is a "Christian," no wonder people slide down a religious Bahai-like pathway where they run everything together about God and begin to conclude things like:

...a fundamentalist Mormon-is-a-Mormon-is-a-Christian-is-a-Jonestownite-is-a-Branch-Davidian-is-a-Heavens-Gate-ian-is-a-Urantia believer-is a Church Universal & Triumphant-is-a-Wicca-Witch-is-Voodoo practitioner-is-a-New-Ager-is-a-whirling dervish-is-a-Hindu-is-a-Sikh-is-a-Muslim!

[fso301]

I suspect if you look into it, the corporations are established as “for profit” entities and pay taxes.

[RFEngineer]

Coloform-ian, methinks you are stinking up the place.

[Elsie]

There’s an awful lot of Muzzies down there in Florida, which I find worrisome.

Oh?

Why??

Are you some kind of religious bigot?

[Elsie]

16 Tons

[Elsie]

If the Lutherans, Baptists, Catholics or whoever had their teenagers spend two years a piece as missionaries, they’d be growing, too.

I doubt that Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic or whoever teenagers would take too well to the rigid regimentation and stifling rules that obedient Mormon kids are 'encouraged' to follow.

---

The Rules

1. Learn and obey all missionary rules.
2. Keep your thoughts, words, and actions in harmony with the gospel message.
3. Read only books, magazines, and other material authorized by the Church.
4. Don't debate or argue.
5. Center your mind on your mission.
6. Dress conservatively. Elders: white shirts, conservative ties, and business suits. Sisters: conservative colors and skirts that cover your knees. No floor-length skirts or dresses.
7. Cut your hair regularly.
8. Keep your hair clean and neatly combed at all times in the approved style.
9. Be neat and clean.
10. Bathe frequently.
11. Use deodorant.
12. Polish your shoes.
13. Iron your shirt and business suit.
14. Arise at 6:30 A.M.
15. Study for 2 hours every morning.
16. Proselytize for 10 hours between 9:30 A.M. and 9:30 P.M.
17. Turn off your lights at 10:30 P.M.
18. Exercise regularly.
19. Write in your journal regularly.
20. Follow the "Missionary Gospel Study Program" (31157) for your personal study.
21. Regularly study the Missionary Guide and the Discussions.
22. Attend Sunday priesthood or Relief Society meetings, Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
23. Attend the general session of Stake Conference.
24. Attend general conference broadcasts if available.
25. Avoid all other church meetings unless you have a special assignment or are brining an investigator.
26. Proselytize as much as possible on weekends and holidays because this is when you'll find people home.
27. End your preparation day at 6:00 P.M. and proselytize from 6:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
28. Wear your missionary uniform in public on preparation day while not engaged in recreational activities.
29. Arise at 6:30 on preparation day and study for 2 hours from the approved books.
30. Take care of your physical preparation for the week on preparation day: wash your clothes, clean your apartment, wash your car, get your haircut, and shop for groceries.
31. Write to your parents every week on preparation day.
32. Write less frequently to your siblings, friends, and acquaintances.
33. Don't communicate with any friends or acquaintances that are within or close to your mission boundaries, except as a part of official mission business.
34. Plan safe, wholesome, and uplifting activities for preparation day.
35. Stay with your companion during all activities.
36. Do not go on road trips.
37. Do not leave your assigned area without permission
38. Do not watch television.
39. Do not view unauthorized videocassettes.
40. Do not listen to the radio.
41. Do not listen to unauthorized audiocassettes or CD’s.
42. Do not participate in musical groups.
43. Do not participate in athletic teams.
44. Do not sponsor athletic teams.
45. Do not engage in contact sports.
46. Do not engage in water sports.
47. Do not engage in winter sports.
48. Do not engage in motorcycling.
49. Do not engage in horseback riding.
50. Do not engage in mountain climbing.
51. Do not embark on a private boat.
52. Do not embark in a private airplane.
53. Do not handle firearms.
54. Do not handle explosives.
55. Do not swim.
56. Do not play full court basketball.
57. Do not play basketball in leagues.
58. Do not play basketball in tournaments.
59. You may play half-court basketball.
60. Never be alone.
61. Seek advice from your mission president if your companion is "having difficulties".
62. Be loyal to your companion.
63. Ask your mission president for help if your companion doesn’t obey the rules.
64. Pray with your companion every day.
65. Study with your companion every day.
66. Plan your work with your companion every day.
67. Take time at least once a week for companionship inventory.
68. Seek to be one in spirit and purpose and help each other succeed.
69. Always address your companion as Elder or Sister.
70. Sleep in the same bedroom as your companion.
71. Do not sleep in the same bed as your companion.
72. Do not arise before your companion.
73. Do not retire after your companion. (apparently, being together is more important than getting the correct amount of sleep that your unique body requires.)
74. Frequently study with your companion the Missionary Guide section on companions.
75. Never be alone with anyone of the opposite sex.
76. Never associate inappropriately with anyone of the opposite sex (conversely, they don't mention whether or not it is against the rules to associate inappropriately with anyone of the same sex).
77. Do not flirt.
78. Do not date.
79. Do not communicate via phone or letter with anyone of the opposite sex living within or near mission boundaries.
80. Do not visit a single or divorced person of the opposite sex unless accompanied by a couple or another adult member of your sex.
81. Try to teach single investigators in a member’s home or have missionaries of the same sex teach them.
82. Always follow the above rules, even if the situation seems harmless.
83. Use the commitment pattern to get referrals from members.
84. Keep your dinner visits with member briefs and during the customary dinner hour in the area.
85. Remember to say thank you to those who feed you.
86. Visit members and nonmembers only at appropriate times.
87. Do not counsel or give medical treatment.
88. Do not stay in the homes of people when they are on vacation.
89. Only write letters to family members and friends at home.
90. Do not telephone parents
91. Do not telephone relatives.
92. Do not telephone friends.
93. Do not telephone girlfriends.
94. Contact your mission president in case of an emergency.
95. Take problems and questions to your mission president.
96. Do not write to the President of the Church or to other General Authorities. Letters from missionaries to General Authorities are referred back to the mission president
97. Respect the customs, traditions, and property of the people who you are trying to convert.
98. Obey all mission rules.
99. Obey the laws of the land.
100. Do not get involved in politics.
101. Do not get involved in commercial activities.
102. Do not give any information about the area.
103. Respect the customs and cultures of those who you are trying to convert to your own customs and culture.
104. Respect the beliefs, practices, and sites of other religions.
105. Do not say or write anything bad about the political and cultural circumstances where you serve.
106. Do not become involved in adoption proceedings.
107. Do not suggest or encourage emigration. (This rule is a bit ironic, given the now-defunct doctrine of gathering the believers to Zion)
108. Be courteous.
109. Provide community service.
110. Do not provide community service that isn’t approved by your mission president.
111. Do not provide more than 4 hours a week of community service.
112. Do not provide community service during the evening, weekend or holidays—those are peek proselytizing times.
113. Your mission president must approve your housing.
114. Keep your housing unit clean.
115. Do not live with single or divorced people of the opposite sex.
116. Do not live where the spouse is frequently absent.
117. Your living unit must have a private bath and entrance.
118. You may occasionally fast for a special reason, but generally the monthly fast is sufficient.
119. Do not fast longer than 24 hours at a time.
120. Do not ask friends, relatives, and members to join in special fasts for investigators.
121. Maintain your health.
122. Eat a healthy diet.
123. Sleep from 10:30 to 6:30.
124. Follow the approved exercise program.
125. Keep your body, clothes, dishes, linens, towels and housing unit clean.
126. Dispose of your garbage properly and promptly.
127. Follow the safety rules for all of your stuff.
128. Seek medical care if you are in an accident or become sick.
129. Be immunized.
130. Spend your money only on things relating to your mission.
131. Budget your money carefully.
132. Keep a record of what you spend.
133. Do not spend more than your companion.
134. Do not loan money.
135. Do not borrow money.
136. Keep a reserve fund of $50 to $100 at all times for transfers.
137. Pay your bills before leaving an area.
138. Pay cash for all resale literature and supplies ordered from the mission office.
139. Do not waste money on souvenirs.
140. Do not waste money on unnecessary items.
141. Be a frugal photographer.
142. Do not accumulate excess baggage.
143. Obey custom laws and regulations.
144. Pay fast offerings each fast Sunday to the bishop or branch president where you serve.
145. Pay tithing on outside sources of income (i.e. interest) to your home bishop or branch president.
146. Evaluate your funds a few months before the end of your mission. If you have more than you need, ask that less be sent so that you can return home without excess money.
147. Do not drive without a license.
148. Drive only Church-owned vehicles.
149. Do not drive members’ cars.
150. Do not drive nonmembers’ cars.
151. Do not give rides to members or investigators in Church-owned cars.
152. Use cars only on approved mission business.
153. Use cars only within the assigned geographical area.
154. Be conscious of safety at all times.
155. Drive defensively.
156. Wear your seat belt.
157. Pray for the Lord’s protection while driving.
158. If your companion is driving, assist him or her.
159. Do not tamper with the vehicle’s odometer.
160. Know bicycle safety rules.
161. Use extreme caution on your bicycle.
162. Do not ride your bicycle after dark.
163. Do not ride your bicycle in heavy traffic.
164. Do not ride your bicycle in adverse weather conditions.
165. Go directly to your new area when transferred.
166. Find your new companion without delay when transferred.
167. Have a maximum of two suitcases and a briefcase.