I will defer commenting on mormonic compensation to those FRiends here who used to be trapped in the mormon cult. They can tell exactly what form of compensation - monetary or "celestial" occurs.
I will comment that GOD instructed CHRISTIANS that those who make their living by the Gospel are entitled to compensation, so it seems a silly point to brag that mormonic preachers are unpaid. It is just one more confirmation that mormonism ignores the truth of the Bible and substitutes human works for God's principles. As an example of His instruction...
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." - 1 Timothy 5:17, 18
OK, my fellow Christians who used to be mormons, do you have any insight? cc:
SZonian
greyfoxx39
colorcountry
Well, the comment "it seems a silly point to brag that mormonic preachers are unpaid" is correct...first of all, the big wigs in SLC are handsomely compensated for their educational degrees in business administration, law, etc..(1 mention of a degree in Theology) and these leaders have NO training whatsoever in Christian Theology or in particular, counseling.
None of the "unpaid" leaders are REQUIRED to have any education or training of ANY KIND. The local bishops in my memory were farmers and cattlemen with possibly a high school diploma. These were the men who wielded the power of allowing members to be considered "worthy" to reach exaltation through the mormon system of attaining glory.
There is a tendency to dispense the mantle of leadership to those who are financially successful, so the boast that leaders are not paid being a mark of superiority does not recognize the years of study required of Christian Pastors who are free to spend all their time actually ministering to their flock instead of spending a minimum of 40 hours a week earning their daily bread.
Frankly, the "unpaid leaders" and missionaries who are required to live in penury for two years are just a sign of the cultic mormon practice of putting money before Christ. Money that is used to build temples that are exclusive of any but the most obedient members and money that is used to build up the mormon church huge investment portfolio and money to build multi-billion dollar malls. These are hardly "Christian" endeavors and nothing to boast about.
No compensation that I’m aware of, but I seem to recall that they would be judges during the resurrection. So there is the “promise” of authority to reign and rule so to speak.
However, I have larger issues with the “lay” leaders...
Besides living in the world on a daily basis;
No ecclesiastical/theological training.
No marriage counseling training.
No psychology training.
They are “lay” in every sense of the word.
I would say you get “what you pay for”.
Bogged down with ward administrative issues, family issues, work issues, etc. There is only so much time in a day to devote to the bishop’s duties. How then, can he be expected to do the job he’s been called to efficiently? How can he ensure the member’s spiritual needs are taken care of?
I can recall how difficult it was to get time with a bishop to discuss spiritual matters. I didn’t trust any others in the wards because they were just like me, trying to sort it all out and coming with as many interpretations as there were people.
I’ve sat and listened to speakers put forth erroneous interpretations of scripture and doctrine during their assigned talks and not once did I ever see one of these “lay” bishopric members stand and correct it.
When confronted afterwards, I would be told that since I wasn’t in the bishopric, I had no standing in attempting to correct the speaker.