Thinking Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I recently learned that Nu Skin founder Blake Roney has been called to serve as a mission president for the LDS Church in France.For those who have never heard of Nu Skin, it is a company which distributes products using the multi-level marketing (MLM) model. Personally, I believe that MLM companies are unethical and should be illegal. Many people agree with me, but there are many who defend the MLM model.Since it just called Roney to serve as a mission president, it would seem that the LDS Church does not object to the MLM model.What do you think about MLM companies, and should a member’s involvement affect how he/she is allowed to serve in the LDS Church?
ERayR Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I recently learned that Nu Skin founder Blake Roney has been called to serve as a mission president for the LDS Church in France.For those who have never heard of Nu Skin, it is a company which distributes products using the multi-level marketing (MLM) model. Personally, I believe that MLM companies are unethical and should be illegal. Many people agree with me, but there are many who defend the MLM model.Since it just called Roney to serve as a mission president, it would seem that the LDS Church does not object to the MLM model.What do you think about MLM companies, and should a member’s involvement affect how he/she is allowed to serve in the LDS Church?I too have disagreement with the MLM model. I am struggling financially because I would never participate and get rich. That being said MLM is not illegal so I do not see the problem. Your accusations that the church approves of MLM is ridiculous.
Anijen Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I agree with you that MLM should be illeagal or at the very least come with a warning label I disagree that the because Brother Roney has been called as a Mission President that the Church advocates MLM. Just my two cents. 1
Bob Crockett Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 Legislating MLM to be illegal is to tell people where they can or cannot invest their time and money. The more of that you have the less you have of a free society. Might as well make soda pop illegal.
Tacenda Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) My husband's Mission President use to call us all the time to come to an Amway meeting, I think it was Amway, anyway after several excuses, we finally caved. The meeting was just a big sells pitch and we didn't really think it would work for us and didn't join even after feeling extremely pressured. It was hard on my husband because he had to see that side of the Mission President. And sadly, it changed his opinion about him. Edited June 27, 2012 by Tacenda
Duncan Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 While I huck and yuck at the idea of MLM, I disagree with the idea that the Church endorses it by calling this good brother.
ERayR Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I agree with you that MLM should be illeagal or at the very least come with a warning label I disagree that the because Brother Roney has been called as a Mission President that the Church advocates MLM. Just my two cents.I have a low opinion of MLM also but the fact is after several attempts to make it so MLM is not illegal as long as it stays within the guidelines of the courts. Most state regulations stem from two supreme court decisions on MLM and pyramid marketing. That said Brother Roney was legal. Whatever your and my opinion of MLM marketing Brother Roney was operating in a strictly regulated business model and despite the innuendo's of the OP there is no indication that he is unworthy to be called to this calling. 1
Thinking Posted June 27, 2012 Author Posted June 27, 2012 Since it just called Roney to serve as a mission president, it would seem that the LDS Church does not object to the MLM model. Your accusations that the church approves of MLM is ridiculous.I disagree that the because Brother Roney has been called as a Mission President that the Church advocates MLM. Just my two cents.I disagree with the idea that the Church endorses it by calling this good brother.Not objecting is quite different from approving, advocating. or endorsing.
cursor Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 Legislating MLM to be illegal is to tell people where they can or cannot invest their time and money. The more of that you have the less you have of a free society. Might as well make soda pop illegal. What's in question here is not the product, but rather public view of the morality of the business model. If soda pop were sold using an MLM business model, then I might well boycott soda pop. (I never drink that poison, anyway.)
ERayR Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 Not objecting is quite different from approving, advocating. or endorsing.Your transparent attempt at denigrating Brother Roney and the Church is duly noted. 1
ERayR Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) What's in question here is not the product, but rather public view of the morality of the business model. If soda pop were sold using an MLM business model, then I might well boycott soda pop. (I never drink that poison, anyway.)As I pointed out MLM is a closely scrutinized business model that has gone to the US Supreme Court at least twice. The public has been manipulated to perceive any "business" model in a poor light. Haven't you heard about those terrible corporations? Public perception can and often is manipulated. That being said my opinion of MLM is that it is the least desirable business model legally available. Edited June 27, 2012 by ERayR
Judd Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I don't care for MLM and must confess that I know very little about Nu Skin, but it appears that they've received an A+ rating from the BBB. In addition Forbes listed them as one of the 100 most trustworthy companies.That being said, isn't the church usually taking heat for presumably making decisions on peoples' membership and status in the church based on secondary issues? Damned if you do, damned if you don't?
Buzzard Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 My Bishop is a high level manager at NuSkin and a very good man. Much better man than I will ever be. But I PERSONALLY am appalled at the MLM business model, which I consider fraudulent on it's face. I PERSONALLY don't know how the founders of an MLM scheme can answer the honesty question in the TR interview in the affirmative. But that's just my opinion. If this board shows us one thing, it's that good members of the church can disagree widely on many subjects and remain members in good standing.I do look forward to the day when, without "compulsory means", the members of the church will give up MLM's. But I also don't understand how anyone who considers himself a steward of God's creation can own, operate, or ride an ATV. Both opinions are in the minority in my neck of the woods.Congratulations to Brother Roney. Maybe three years away from serving mammon will broaden his understanding.
cursor Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns: "Not all multilevel marketing plans are legitimate. Some are pyramid schemes. It’s best not to get involved in plans where the money you make is based primarily on the number of distributors you recruit and your sales to them, rather than on your sales to people outside the plan who intend to use the products." Edited June 27, 2012 by cursor
Buzzard Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns: "Not all multilevel marketing plans are legitimate. Some are pyramid schemes. It’s best not to get involved in plans where the money you make is based primarily on the number of distributors you recruit and your sales to them, rather than on your sales to people outside the plan who intend to use the products."Which, frankly, describes NuSkin to a T. As well as the great majority of MLM schemes. The only major brand MLM's that do actually try to push products over distributorships would be Tupperware, Avon, and Mary Kay. And Mary Kay is borderline. Amway and the rest are just this side of scams. Again, IMHO, YMMV.
ERayR Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns: "Not all multilevel marketing plans are legitimate. Some are pyramid schemes. It’s best not to get involved in plans where the money you make is based primarily on the number of distributors you recruit and your sales to them, rather than on your sales to people outside the plan who intend to use the products."Very good advise but I do not see any evidence that Brother Roney's company was anything other than legal.
Buzzard Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 Very good advise but I do not see any evidence that Brother Roney's company was anything other than legal.Legal does not equal ethical. I am getting way too charged up about this.....
Judd Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 Also, take a look at this sketch of the Provo City Center Temple:Now, let's speculate!
Weston Krogstadt Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I have been contacted by people sucked into these things so many times. I believe the prophet should publicly annonce in October's general conference that anyone engaged Level-Marketing scams will be sent to outer darkness for all eternity.
Judd Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I have been contacted by people sucked into these things so many times. I believe the prophet should publicly annonce in October's general conference that anyone engaged Level-Marketing scams will be sent to outer darkness for all eternity.How nice that would be. Of course, it would sink the essential oils business, which strangely is spread by testimony (not just of the oils, but of how using the oils becomes some kind of religious experience). It's fascinating.
Thinking Posted June 27, 2012 Author Posted June 27, 2012 Legal does not equal ethical. I am getting way too charged up about this.....Exactly. There are many legal things to which the LDS Church objects.
cursor Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 The end question of the topic initiator was, "What do you think about MLM companies, and should a member’s involvement affect how he/she is allowed to serve in the LDS Church?"When much of the public feels the way they do about the morality of MLMs, how might the that fact negatively affect the mission that Nu Skin founder Blake Roney has been called to lead?
ERayR Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I too do not like MLM to the point that I won't even use their products. I won't use amway(**star), Mellalucah , and any other product marketed that way even though my friends tell me the products are good. However, I will not judge a persons worthiness or ethics because they are involved in MLM.
bluebell Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 While I don't think MLMs are very great, I don't think that every woman selling mary kay, avon, or Lia Sophia jewelry should be sanctioned by the church for participating in something evil. 2
bluebell Posted June 27, 2012 Posted June 27, 2012 I have been contacted by people sucked into these things so many times. I believe the prophet should publicly annonce in October's general conference that anyone engaged Level-Marketing scams will be sent to outer darkness for all eternity.I'm always fond of sending people who do things i disagree with to outer darkness. Justice for everyone else and mercy for me, right? 1
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