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Posted on 02/17/2012 5:11:13 PM PST by SJackson
Mitt Romney has raised the issue of the social safety net. Washington could learn from the lesson of his church.
Ever since Mitt Romney said he was "not concerned about the very poor" but would fix America's social safety net "if it needs repair," conservatives and liberals have been frantically making suggestions. Gov. Romney says he would consider options like restructuring Medicaid. But if he wants to see a welfare system that lets almost no one fall through the cracks while at the same time ensuring that its beneficiaries don't become lifelong dependents, he could look to his own church.
As I ride in a golf cart through a new 15-acre warehouse on the outskirts of Utah's capital, I can't help but wonder: How many Wal-Marts would fit in here? How many burgers can you make from 4,400 industrial pallets of frozen meat? And how do they keep this place cleaner than my kitchen floor?
Dedicated last month, the Bishops Central Storehouse contains a two-year supply of food to support the Mormon church's welfare system in the U.S. and Canada (primarily for church members in need) and its humanitarian program, which sends food, medical supplies and other necessities to the needy (of all faiths) world-wide.
In addition to goods from canned peaches to emergency generators, the facility also houses the church's own trucking company, complete with 43 tractors and 98 trailers, as well as a one-year supply of fuel, parts and tires for the vehicles. Just in case.
The storehouse is not only a kind of physical marvel—it has been built to withstand an earthquake with a magnitude as high as 7.5—but also a symbol of strength and self-sufficiency.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
When I was an active Mormon and held a temple recommend (many years ago),
in various wards and in various states, all of my bishops took my word about my tithing status.
Any talk about having to produce tax returns or other financial documents is pure horse crap.
Actually the church leaders can even address ones personal conduct even of that outside the church in the community and if it is not up too church and Biblical standards can say repent or leave. Again some do not realize it. But is is a strong weapon the church could use too turn this nation around. :>}
The problem is that you and I just aren’t part of the ueber-elite, super-duper, secret ring of mormons and so we don’t know anything.
So the people who have said it happened to them or have family members or friends who it has happened to or the bishops we know personally who say they do this are liars?
ok?
The thing that amazes me most is that I can point out parts of comments that are incorrect, but I am instantly labelled either ignorant of my own religion or a liar. I realize that there are doctrinal differences between the LDS church and other churches, but at the end of the day, we are in a death match with people who are trying to destroy our nation and our freedom, and I cannot comprehend why people aren’t willing to embrace others who have so much in common.
Did I say they were Communist? No I did not so don't even try those Troll ganes with me. I said they all lived in one common owned community and shared what they all had. The chosen 12 and ones appointed distributed among them equally. If you do not know that much then you have not read The Acts.
ACTS CH 2 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. 45They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.
Now too address the other part.
Acts ch 5 1There was also a man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. 2He brought part of the money to the apostles, but he claimed it was the full amount. His wife had agreed to this deception. 3Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. 4The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God.” 5As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. 6Then some young men wrapped him in a sheet and took him out and buried him. 7About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” 9And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of doing a thing like this—conspiring together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Just outside that door are the young men who buried your husband, and they will carry you out, too.” 10Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11Great fear gripped the entire church and all others who heard what had happened.
“...it happened to them or have family members or friends...”
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I can only relate my personal experience over a period of 15 years or more.
If anyone says that finacial documents and/or tax records are required to somehow proove one’s tithing status,
they may be lying,
they may be confused,
they may be reporting hearsay,
or they may have encountered a bishop who was out of line.
I have no way of knowing what is in their heart.
There are differences in all denominations. There were some big differences in the opinions of the Apostiles as well. Peter whom some consider their fisrt leader was corrected by Paul on issues concerning his behavior and accepttence of Gentiles. Paul as well on some issues could be petty. Like the John Mark arguement with Barnabas.
Most of the Mormon bashing in most threads is copy and paste from web sites which promote hate thereof. It is popular now though due too the dislike of Romney. BTW the LDS I know won't vote for him. LOL.
There are also a few in FR I simply don't waste my time repling too them anymore. They like too twist posting and are in general Trolls.
If things keep heading the way they are heading in this nation a LDS member as a next door neighbor may save their lives.
The question is ,are they required to only accept your word, other Mormons and Bishops tell us that if they have suspicions, then they can demand the proof.
Most who speak out about Mormons here, are Christians, showing resistance and shining light on an anti-Christian cult that invests millions in tricking Christians away from Christianity.
Seriously, you won’t even answer that simple inquiry of, are you a Temple Mormon, or a Bishop?
So you are claiming that a Bishop cannot, is forbidden to, require proof from a Temple candidate, or a Temple member during re qualification, if the Bishop has doubts?
Mark ch 9 38John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t one of our group.” 39“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs miracles in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I assure you, that person will be rewarded.
This was a jealousy even the chosen 12 seemed too have. They often debated who was the greatest and Christ addressed that issue as well with them. The same jealousy still exist today among the churches as well. One wants the other too stop doing this or that because they believe they are the true authority church and all churches must do as they say or else.
What does Christ say to do?
Matt ch 25 31“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34Then the King will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ 40And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,£ you were doing it to me!’
41“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! 42For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me anything to drink. 43I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ 45And he will answer, ‘I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.
I kid you not I knew a Baptist Deacon who actually refused a poor family water from his well. They did not have running water. But yet he invited them too church every Sunday. Perhaps some need to stop looking at the gnat in LDS eye and check on the plank in their own church eye and address it's short comings.
“...So you are claiming...(yada, yada, yada)...”
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Are you drunk?
Where have I made any such claim?
You seem to be obsessed about this.
Wards and branches are very close knit groups where everyone “knows” everyone.
They work together, they socialize together, they visit one another.
The bishop is no exception.
If a member had issues with honesty, the bishop would know already.
Tithing is the easy part of living a worthy life.
I have better things to do than to conversate with you about this.
Leave me alone and go play with yourself.
Oh, and by the way, I am the King of Siam.
BTW just read your tagline and remember as a kid where I first read it. Pogo was a great cartoon.
“So you are claiming that a Bishop cannot, is forbidden to, require proof from a Temple candidate, or a Temple member during re qualification, if the Bishop has doubts?
You have tried to claim repeatedly just that, if you aren’t, then quit posting to us that we are wrong when we say that a Bishop can require proof that you are coughing up the required 10%.
I have noticed also that the bashing has grown much more aggressive in light of Romney. It is unfortunate.
I think it is also interesting to watch different LDS people deal with Romney as a candidate. While I know some who support him, the vast majority I talk with had hoped for Bachmann to pan out. As I live in Kalifornia, I likely will not get to meaningfully vote for a candidate, but at the moment, I would go Santorum.
“...You have tried to claim repeatedly just that...”
I have done no such thing
and I am calling you a damn liar
right here in public in front of everybody.
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“...then quit posting to us ...”
Who’s “us”? Have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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Shut up and leave me alone.
If being in the senate doesn't corrupt him I hope too see Rand Paul run at some point for POTUS.
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