SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) is notoriously secretive about the inner workings of its ruling hierarchy, the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles. With an estimated annual income in the billions and assets in the tens of billions, the church does not release financial statements to its members or the general public. The meetings and decision-making processes of the Mormon leaders are similarly undisclosed.
That changed Sunday when a group called Mormon Leaks posted more than a dozen videos to YouTube, containing briefing sessions with the hierarchy. The briefings were apparently recorded "live" and include candid comments and discussion from the apostles in attendance. The leak appeared to be timed to coincide with the church's semi-annual conference that took place over the weekend.
Ironically, one of the briefings discusses WikiLeaks and the possibility of a similar leak targeting the church, but the apostles shown in the video appear to more concerned about Chelsea (nee Bradley) Manning's sexuality than they are about threats to their own secrets.
One briefing that is particularly troubling was given by a former U.S. senator from Oregon, Gordon H. Smith. Smith, a member of the church, admits that he values obedience to the hierarchy and loyalty to the church more than he does his office. He also describes using his office and staff to gain political favors for the church, and justifies the Iraq War by claiming that it will allow Mormon missionaries access to Middle Eastern nations. At one point (around the 26 minute mark), Smith possibly reveals classified information to the group, or at least his willingness to do so.
The videos appear to come from the same whistle blower who leaked a trove of church documents on-line about a week ago. Those documents are here and the leaker has announced that many more are coming.
(Score: 1) by lcall on Tuesday October 04 2016, @06:07PM
Nah, everything I'm saying is that you have to look closer to know.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by TrumpetPower! on Tuesday October 04 2016, @08:21PM
And what on Earth should make you think we haven't looked closely?
Statistically, atheists are far more likely to be knowledgeable about scripture and theology than believers.
Besides, I guarantee you you're far more ignorant of Islam and Judaism than you (incorrectly) think I'm ignorant of Mormonism. So on what grounds are you blaming my ignorance for rejection of your superstition, when your own much greater ignorance serves as your own basis for rejection of innumerable other superstitions?
No, don't bother replying; you'll only regurgitate a talking point.
The real answer, again, is that you only believe in belief, and you only hold your belief in belief out of fear of being ostracized. You wouldn't even pretend to yourself to seriously consider the merits of another religion, for you have nothing to gain and everything to lose. At best, you could hope to be persuaded by that folly and transfer your membership from one cult to another. At worst, you'd realize that all follies are equally fallacious, including your own -- and then where would you go for community?
Alas, you likely are quite trapped in this web you and your family have woven together and continue to weave. Most rational people, given a choice between pretending to go along with the talk about the finery of the Emperor's wardrobe and being shunned by their loved ones, will keep their loved ones happy.
But there are those who manage to find the way to be honest with themselves...and what family can truly be trusted if you can't be honest with them, either? And the good news is that, in today's increasingly secular world, your chances of succeeding at apostasy are better than ever.
Best of luck...you'll need it, whether you want to admit it to yourself or not, whether you choose the path of honesty or continue to pretend otherwise.
Cheers,
b&
All but God can prove this sentence true.