Economic Development As Church Policy

[Stone holm]

Back in the days of BY , the Church Leadership often talked about ways to improve the economics of the so called Great Basin Kingdom, whether it be introducing cotton down in Dixie, or Mulberry trees for silk worms. With much of Middle Class America hurting economically, and even more dire situations in the third world, should we be promoting economic development strategies? Is that within the mission of the Church?

[revelstoked]

Mark Andreessen, of Netscape fame, said a few years ago that "Software is eating the world."  It is an interesting read.  So I think that in a way that the church is pursuing an economic development strategy by fully embracing the internet and computer devices as deeply and as integrated as makes rational sense.

 

It's not like we are all going to wake up tomorrow and start writing software (Java coding at mutual night would be the closest the church ever would come to providing free coffee).  But the church is getting eveyone who is willing the means to use computers and other devices in all aspects of church life.  Whether it is scripture reading, prepareing lessons, figuring out where your home teachers live.  There is even a push to get you to use social media for the benefit of the gospel.

 

So while it may not be as direct as telling people to plant cotton or importing mulberry bushes I think that Salt Lake is putting the needed tools into the hands of those who can use it.  It's not the same as four walls a roof and running water to a third world saint, but it is similarly the key tool needed to get to the next level.

[Teancum]

Back in the days of BY , the Church Leadership often talked about ways to improve the economics of the so called Great Basin Kingdom, whether it be introducing cotton down in Dixie, or Mulberry trees for silk worms. With much of Middle Class America hurting economically, and even more dire situations in the third world, should we be promoting economic development strategies? Is that within the mission of the Church?

The church leadership generally seems to ignore topics like this.

[3DOP]

Mark Andreessen, of Netscape fame, said a few years ago that "Software is eating the world."  It is an interesting read.  So I think that in a way that the church is pursuing an economic development strategy by fully embracing the internet and computer devices as deeply and as integrated as makes rational sense.

 

It's not like we are all going to wake up tomorrow and start writing software (Java coding at mutual night would be the closest the church ever would come to providing free coffee).  But the church is getting eveyone who is willing the means to use computers and other devices in all aspects of church life.  Whether it is scripture reading, prepareing lessons, figuring out where your home teachers live.  There is even a push to get you to use social media for the benefit of the gospel.

 

So while it may not be as direct as telling people to plant cotton or importing mulberry bushes I think that Salt Lake is putting the needed tools into the hands of those who can use it.  It's not the same as four walls a roof and running water to a third world saint, but it is similarly the key tool needed to get to the next level.

 

 

Hmmm...I think I live in the town that honors the man of Netscape fame (Vancouver WA. 72 Avenue and Adreeeeeesen are the same thing). Although, now that I think of it, Andreeeeeeeeesen Road predates the Netscaper.

[Tacenda]

I know that the church does pretty good with internet Search Engine Optimization, according to a NOM post. I'm always seeing advertising everywhere on the net for the church.

[hagoth7]

Back in the days of BY , the Church Leadership often talked about ways to improve the economics of the so called Great Basin Kingdom, whether it be introducing cotton down in Dixie, or Mulberry trees for silk worms. With much of Middle Class America hurting economically, and even more dire situations in the third world, should we be promoting economic development strategies? Is that within the mission of the Church?

I have no idea what the church is doing in that area, but am interested as well. My favorite class in college was a political science course that documented, as I recall, a very strong historical correlation between economic development and peace.

 

If the church isn't doing such things, individuals within the church can certainly contribute towards such efforts of their own accord.

[Avatar4321]

The church leadership generally seems to ignore topics like this.

Really? Cause it seems to me that when we get involved in projects like this, say like fixing up a downtown mall, critics tell us we shouldn't be doing these things.

[Ahab]

Back in the days of BY , the Church Leadership often talked about ways to improve the economics of the so called Great Basin Kingdom, whether it be introducing cotton down in Dixie, or Mulberry trees for silk worms. With much of Middle Class America hurting economically, and even more dire situations in the third world, should we be promoting economic development strategies? Is that within the mission of the Church?

Yes and yes. Can you see how the Church does it?

[jkwilliams]

The church leadership generally seems to ignore topics like this.

 

I have to disagree with you. It seems pretty clear to me that the Perpetual Education Fund is at least partly motivated by a desire to help members in developing areas to gain economic stability and prosperity. 

[Ahab]

I have to disagree with you. It seems pretty clear to me that the Perpetual Education Fund is at least partly motivated by a desire to help members in developing areas to gain economic stability and prosperity.

And so is the Fasting fund, and the Humanitarian Aid fund, and the Missionary Aid funds (local ward and general) and the Tithing fund, too. All are a means to promote economic stability and prosperity, all over the world.

It's not the Church's fault if nonmembers chose to opt out or not avail themselves of the knowledge and other resources the Church offers to promote economic stability and prosperity.

[jkwilliams]

And so is the Fasting fund, and the Humanitarian Aid fund, and the Missionary Aid funds (local ward and general) and the Tithing fund, too. All are a means to promote economic stability and prosperity, all over the world.

Sure, in some ways that's true.

It's not the Church's fault if nonmembers chose to opt out or not avail themselves of the knowledge and other resources the Church offers to promote economic stability and prosperity.

Not sure whom this is directed at, as I don't see anyone saying anything is the church's fault.

[Ahab]

Sure, in some ways that's true.

I like that we both agree on that point.

Not sure whom this is directed at, as I don't see anyone saying anything is the church's fault.

I just wanted to throw that in there. The bottom line is that the Church does promote and endorse economic stability and prosperity.

[Guest]

Back in the days of BY , the Church Leadership often talked about ways to improve the economics of the so called Great Basin Kingdom, whether it be introducing cotton down in Dixie, or Mulberry trees for silk worms. With much of Middle Class America hurting economically, and even more dire situations in the third world, should we be promoting economic development strategies? Is that within the mission of the Church?

The mission of Christ's Church is to grow it, in members, in chapels, in Temples and in humanitarian aid. This is to be done through tithing and any legal and wholesome means necessary. Or do we need to demonstrate our righteousness by meeting in un-air conditioned log cabins and mut huts, or Tent Temples?

[Stone holm]

The church leadership generally seems to ignore topics like this.

I think for the most part I agree with you, but there are some limited exceptions -- one could consider thehumanitarian aid projects improve health and living conditions as economic development, and one could definitely consider the Mall project as economic development. On the other hand, I don't see things like we sawduring the Great Basin Kingdom days going on. Oddly, city building used to be an important part of the Gospel because the Saints took building the Kingdom in a very concrete physical way in addition to referring nearly totally to the spiritual. I suspect that got left behind when the "Gathering" became a spiritual "Gathering to the Stakes of Zion" rather than a specific geographical space. I also suspect that there is a deep untapped yearning amongst Latter-Day Saints to still "Gather" in the old fashioned sense because we still see a lot of converts who have no other ties their moving to Utah.

[Stone holm]

The mission of Christ's Church is to grow it, in members, in chapels, in Temples and in humanitarian aid. This is to be done through tithing and any legal and wholesome means necessary. Or do we need to demonstrate our righteousness by meeting in un-air conditioned log cabins and mut huts, or Tent Temples?

Not sure I understand the reference to Un-air conditioned cabins and mut huts, or Tent Temples. What are you saying?

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Not sure I understand the reference to Un-air conditioned cabins and mut huts, or Tent Temples. What are you saying?

I think he got you confused with TSS. Ha.

[Ahab]

I think for the most part I agree with you, but there are some limited exceptions -- one could consider thehumanitarian aid projects improve health and living conditions as economic development, and one could definitely consider the Mall project as economic development. On the other hand, I don't see things like we sawduring the Great Basin Kingdom days going on. Oddly, city building used to be an important part of the Gospel because the Saints took building the Kingdom in a very concrete physical way in addition to referring nearly totally to the spiritual. I suspect that got left behind when the "Gathering" became a spiritual "Gathering to the Stakes of Zion" rather than a specific geographical space. I also suspect that there is a deep untapped yearning amongst Latter-Day Saints to still "Gather" in the old fashioned sense because we still see a lot of converts who have no other ties their moving to Utah.

The Church never intended to promote economic sustainability and prosperity in ONLY the Great Basin. It was once one of the only places where the Church could grow without too much persecution, but the main hub was always intended to spread outward, with people from the Great Basin going out and spreading the growth to all parts of the planet. So you shouldn't ever expect all members to think they should move to Utah, or Missouri either. The stakes of Zion are also expected to promote and encourage economic stability and prosperity within their own stakes, building buildings including places to do business and build up Zion in each one of its stakes.

[KevinG]

The church leadership generally seems to ignore topics like this.

 

More things being hidden on the intnerwebz by Mormon leaders.

 

https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/?lang=eng

 

https://www.lds.org/topics/pef-self-reliance?lang=eng

 

http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services.html

 

http://marriottschool.byu.edu/ballard/

 

And probably the most direct route to economic sustainability...  LDS Employment Resource (ERS) and Self-Reliance Services (SRS) connects with resources that can help people be successful in starting a business or improving an existing small business.

We work with organizations, like yours, that provide training, coaching, consulting, funding and other services to small business owners. ERS and SRS can help you increase your reach in the community by connecting you to a pool of individuals who want to be successful business owners.

ERS and SRS connects with small business service organizations all over the world to help people successfully manage and grow their business. We work with community organizations that serve small business owners, lending institutions, and microfinance organizations to help people get the skills they need to strengthen their business. 

 

(All that was after a 2 minute search on Bing.  Now I see why people thought polygamy was "hidden" from the church members all those years.)

Edited August 17, 2015 by KevinG

[hagoth7]

Just got back from Education Week at BYU. One of the sessions was given by Scott Porter of Singular Humanitarian Experience, who leads groups to Nepal, Central America, and other areas of the world.

From the little that he described of what they do, their foundation teaches villagers in remote areas how to setup and manage cottage industries of their own. Micro-enterprise training is what I think he called it.

 

He mentioned LDS Charities in passing, (which I had never heard about), and said they were the group that referred him to Choice Humanitarian, which helped his fledgling non-profit get into third-world countries.

 

Scott's organization is intended for singles (those who aren't married) who want to travel to small villages and help make a difference.

 

He mentioned a parallel organization named Family Humanitarian, which is apparently for spouses and families who want to help make a difference.

 

If any feel so impressed, any of those organizations would certainly appreciate time and/or support.

Edited August 18, 2015 by hagoth7

[Calm]

You should post this in the pinned thread.

[Stone holm]

You should post this in the pinned thread.

What does that mean?

[Calm]

What he did.

[Stone holm]

Interesting, Pope Francis takes some economic development positions and immediately draws fire.

[thesometimesaint]

I think he got you confused with TSS. Ha.

 

Very funny. I like my very nice 21st Century home with air-conditioning, ice anytime I want it, and modern electronics. All powered by my solar electric system on my roof.