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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: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday October 05 2016, @02:08AM
One last:
How did HE let it get to Hillary vs. Trump???
:)
As Depeche Mode say:
"I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours
But I think that God's got a sick sense of humor
And when I die I expect to find Him laughing"
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 1) by lcall on Wednesday October 05 2016, @01:42PM
I appreciate your sense of humor on that one. I'm probably going to vote for Evan McMullin (not because he's a Mormon but because he's makes the most sense of any I can find -- even the other 3rd-party candidates sound dangerous on some of their points, like Johnson's lack of knowledge on foreign policy). If you'll forgive my taking your question literally though, I think the reason it got to this point is 1) there are many prophecies that things will continue getting messier in the last days before His 2nd coming, so it's no surprise really -- expect more chaos and disasters, including some astounding ones; safety comes in repentance and following the prophet, just as in the days of Noah, and 2) He lets us choose, even badly until we get to the point of no return (see extended thread in another part of this discussion), I think so we have a chance to learn, consider our ways, and change by our freely given agency or our will, before it is really too late. I appreciate your questions.