100 billion dollar rant

[teddyaware]

On 3/7/2021 at 5:29 PM, Tacenda said:

If this comment from Betthany Kay is true, I'm all for it. And I believe the church might be too. 

"Did you know if the Mormon Church could spare just 20 of their 100 Billion, they could provide access to clean water for the entire planet and still have 80 Billion leftover? www.charitywater.org

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son,which should betray him,

5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? (John 12)

In case you’ve never thought of it before, it’s going to take an awful lot of capital and a tremendous amount of resources to build the kingdom Zion and the New Jerusalem while the Lord’s judgements are laying waste to this wicked and corrupt world. 100 billion dollars is only a small portion of what will be required to fulfill the prophecies that Zion and her stakes will become strongholds of refuge for the followers of Christ while the earth descends into a state of constant violence and madness.

And I’m sure you also must be aware that the challenges of worldwide war, drought, famine and pestilence are also going to have to be faced and overcome if Zion is going to triumph. The leaders of the Church are wisely handling the finances of the Church in sure anticipation of the severe challenges that the Lord has warned us are lying just ahead. Many who are now questioning the wisdom of the Church leaders when it comes to how they’re handling the Church’s financial resources are going to look very foolish and shortsighted by the time of the Second Coming. 

Edited March 9, 2021 by teddyaware

[Teancum]

On 3/7/2021 at 5:12 PM, Bernard Gui said:

It’s a mystery beyond human understanding. There is no way to account accurately that amount of money. 

Of course you can account for that amount of money.

 

[Teancum]

On 3/7/2021 at 4:54 PM, Nofear said:

I decided this was better not on my facebook wall, but, gosh dang it I'm feeling saucy and I wanted to say it somewhere. But seriously, no politics. Here the post is mostly about the myopia of the critics of the Church.

Mostly random internet example criticizing the Church's 100 billion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf0jpruvEJE&t=390s

 

Anyway, I expect more logic from the critics of the Church. Well, no, I don't. But wouldn't it be nice!

 

Lots of other stuff in the bill.  The stimulus check is only part of it. Increased child tax credit, increased unemployment benefits, aid to states, $$ for vaccines, etc.

[Robert F. Smith]

On 3/7/2021 at 10:06 PM, Tacenda said:

I will never win the argument that the church can do more, because I always get comments that steer away from it. From the past I've heard plenty of things that shut me down.

And I understand how difficult it is to get the help to these countries. But is there any way to get through somehow, if there's a will there's a way? I don't want people killed over trying to help, never, such as Robert mentioned. But aren't there many missionaries of other faiths that go in and do things, as well as from our church? And corporations etc. So if it's helping then we can always do more, IMO.

The question is always, what more are you talking about?  The LDS Church is supposed to do more, but what does that actually mean?  What in particular do you want to see the LDS Church do?  According to a New York Times article Jan 29, 2012, average giving per LDS member was twice the closest denomination (Assemblies of God), https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2012/01/29/sunday-review/29giving-gfx.html .  Of course, you are demanding that the LDS Church do more as an organization, and the self-generated Seventh Day Adventist figures may focus more on SDA giving as an organization -- including their huge medical efforts worldwide.  Hard to assess just how accurate those SDA statistics are in comparison, and how they are arrived at.  The NYT article did not have a separate category for them.

Moreover, a Jewish-Israeli scholar (Univ of Pennsylvania) concluded that active LDS members “are the most pro-social members of American society.”  According to him, even LDS members who have relatively low household incomes both tithe fully and give more of their income to assist non-Mormons in need than other Americans do.  http://americamagazine.org/issue/5136/columns/mormons-and-charity  .  Almost as though the Gospel of Jesus Christ is actually taken seriously by LDS members. 

An up to date list of LDS Church charitable actions can be found online at http://www.mormonhaven.com/LDScharity.htm .  A map of LDS Church humanitarian aid operations worldwide can be found at  https://lds-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e1e8234a88604e4e8f60d0f686441ac7 .

It is arguable that the Jews do (and have done) more for people worldwide than any other people, but you won't find that on a statistical chart or list.  What I am referring to is the tremendous advances in science and technology generally, and medical science in particular, generated by Jewish scholars.  All out of proportion to their numbers on this planet.  They generally receive more Nobel prizes than anyone else (one reason why Hitler hated them so much).

I would include in that Jewish assessment, the worldwide aid operations of the State of Israel, which advises many countries on improved agricultural operations, how to stop desertification, and other technical solutions which the Israelis themselves have applied in arid zones.  Israel is a world leader in high tech solutions across the board.  Jews have long been world leaders in humanitarian solutions.  It may well be that, on balance, the Jews do more worldwide than anybody else.

However, they and the LDS would be no good for anyone if they simply gave everything away and closed down operations (due to lack of funds).  To be of any use, they must each remain strong and vibrant.  As Mike Quinn pointed out in his book, Mormon Hierarchy: Wealth and Corporate Power (SLC: Signature Books, 2017), the LDS Church made a deliberate effort to free itself from debt over the past half-century.  And the Brethren were successful in bringing the Church back from the brink.  Jana Riess gets upset that the Church invests in real estate, forgetting that such investments generate profits which can be used to help the poor.  https://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/10/14/historian-digs-into-the-hidden-world-of-mormon-finances-shows-how-church-went-from-losing-money-to-making-money-lots-of-it/ . 

Edited March 10, 2021 by Robert F. Smith

[Calm]

19 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

up to date list of LDS Church charitable actions can be found online at http://www.mormonhaven.com/LDScharity.htm . 

These are only the ones publicized, correct?

There are likely many that are not as those involved feel it more appropriate not to do so for some reason (perhaps making those they work with or help a target of extremists).

[Tacenda]

23 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

The question is always, what more are you talking about?  The LDS Church is supposed to do more, but what does that actually mean?  What in particular do you want to see the LDS Church do?  According to a New York Times article Jan 29, 2012, average giving per LDS member was twice the closest denomination (Assemblies of God), https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2012/01/29/sunday-review/29giving-gfx.html .  Of course, you are demanding that the LDS Church do more as an organization, and the self-generated Seventh Day Adventist figures may focus more on SDA giving as an organization -- including their huge medical efforts worldwide.  Hard to assess just how accurate those SDA statistics are in comparison, and how they are arrived at.  The NYT article did not have a separate category for them.

Moreover, a Jewish-Israeli scholar (Univ of Pennsylvania) concluded that active LDS members “are the most pro-social members of American society.”  According to him, even LDS members who have relatively low household incomes both tithe fully and give more of their income to assist non-Mormons in need than other Americans do.  http://americamagazine.org/issue/5136/columns/mormons-and-charity  .  Almost as though the Gospel of Jesus Christ is actually taken seriously by LDS members. 

An up to date list of LDS Church charitable actions can be found online at http://www.mormonhaven.com/LDScharity.htm .  A map of LDS Church humanitarian aid operations worldwide can be found at  https://lds-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e1e8234a88604e4e8f60d0f686441ac7 .

It is arguable that the Jews do (and have done) more for people worldwide than any other people, but you won't find that on a statistical chart or list.  What I am referring to is the tremendous advances in science and technology generally, and medical science in particular, generated by Jewish scholars.  All out of proportion to their numbers on this planet.  They generally receive more Nobel prizes than anyone else (one reason why Hitler hated them so much).

I would include in that Jewish assessment, the worldwide aid operations of the State of Israel, which advises many countries on improved agricultural operations, how to stop desertification, and other technical solutions which the Israelis themselves have applied in arid zones.  Israel is a world leader in high tech solutions across the board.  Jews have long been world leaders in humanitarian solutions.  It may well be that, on balance, the Jews do more worldwide than anybody else.

However, they and the LDS would be no good for anyone if they simply gave everything away and closed down operations (due to lack of funds).  To be of any use, they must each remain strong and vibrant.  As Mike Quinn pointed out in his book, Mormon Hierarchy: Wealth and Corporate Power (SLC: Signature Books, 2017), the LDS Church made a deliberate effort to free itself from debt over the past half-century.  And the Brethren were successful in bringing the Church back from the brink.  Jana Riess gets upset that the Church invests in real estate, forgetting that such investments generate profits which can be used to help the poor.  https://www.sltrib.com/religion/local/2017/10/14/historian-digs-into-the-hidden-world-of-mormon-finances-shows-how-church-went-from-losing-money-to-making-money-lots-of-it/ . 

The church's wealth came on the backs of it's members. Why in heaven's name would I want members to pay more in tithing I already know how awesome they do in that department. I just don't think the church's profitable businesses do enough. I know now that the church donates from it's business to some places, too bad we don't see it in numbers. I read once how much is earned a day on 120 billion. Now I can't find the link, but I want to say it was in the millions. So all of that money? I don't see where that money is spent in donations. I'm not asking that members donations need to increase. Just the opposite! 

[Rain]

49 minutes ago, Calm said:

These are only the ones publicized, correct?

There are likely many that are not as those involved feel it more appropriate not to do so for some reason (perhaps making those they work with or help a target of extremists).

I know of some not on that list.

[JustAnAustralian]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

I read once how much is earned a day on 120 billion. Now I can't find the link, but I want to say it was in the millions. So all of that money? I don't see where that money is spent in donations.

Increase in investment value does not equate to an increase in spendable money.

If your property increases in value, you can't spend anything unless you sell the property

If the price of shares you own increases, you can't spend that increase unless you first sell the shares.

If you have money in a long term investment account, it has to mature before you can spend the increase, and taking it out early can result in you losing all the interest.

 

[Robert F. Smith]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

The church's wealth came on the backs of it's members. Why in heaven's name would I want members to pay more in tithing I already know how awesome they do in that department. I just don't think the church's profitable businesses do enough. I know now that the church donates from it's business to some places, too bad we don't see it in numbers. I read once how much is earned a day on 120 billion. Now I can't find the link, but I want to say it was in the millions. So all of that money? I don't see where that money is spent in donations. I'm not asking that members donations need to increase. Just the opposite! 

I understood what you were saying.  I was merely making the point that LDS members already give more than other denominations, not just in tithing, but also in additional secular humanitarian donations to non-LDS causes.  It could very well be that Jews as a people give more, and perhaps that is also true of the SDA Church.  We just don't have the gross figures.  I do think that is wonderful.  However, you are saying that the LDS Church should give more to humanitarian causes.  My response was twofold: (1) which causes, and (2) in what amounts?  After all, if the LDS Church just gives everything away and goes bankrupt, that would be irresponsible and make it impossible to continue to help people.  By carefully nurturing financial resources, the LDS Church has made big bucks, which can then be used to help the little guy.

Unlike the U.S. Govt, which continually operates in the red, the LDS Church is financially responsible and always operates in the black.  Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not a responsible strategy, and especially not in the long term.

One could examine for comparison, Harvard and Yale universities:  Each has a huge financial endowment in the billions (gathered from contributions of former students, and then wisely invested).  They use their endowment funds to help deserving students (poor but very smart kids) and to build new facilities when necessary.  It would be exceedingly stupid of them to simply take all those funds and spend them immediately on worldwide needs (of which there are plenty), instead of continuing to provide excellent education to large numbers of students.  They rightly invest those funds in smart ways which give back dividends for the future, allowing them to be of continuing educational value far into the future.  Could they do more?  Perhaps.  But what are your proposals?  Yours is an argument about what needs to be done, and how much to spend on it.  Do you feel that the LDS Presiding Bishop is not doing a good job?  Should he spend more, and on what?

[Tacenda]

15 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

I understood what you were saying.  I was merely making the point that LDS members already give more than other denominations, not just in tithing, but also in additional secular humanitarian donations to non-LDS causes.  It could very well be that Jews as a people give more, and perhaps that is also true of the SDA Church.  We just don't have the gross figures.  I do think that is wonderful.  However, you are saying that the LDS Church should give more to humanitarian causes.  My response was twofold: (1) which causes, and (2) in what amounts?  After all, if the LDS Church just gives everything away and goes bankrupt, that would be irresponsible and make it impossible to continue to help people.  By carefully nurturing financial resources, the LDS Church has made big bucks, which can then be used to help the little guy.

Unlike the U.S. Govt, which continually operates in the red, the LDS Church is financially responsible and always operates in the black.  Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not a responsible strategy, and especially not in the long term.

One could examine for comparison, Harvard and Yale universities:  Each has a huge financial endowment in the billions (gathered from contributions of former students, and then wisely invested).  They use their endowment funds to help deserving students (poor but very smart kids) and to build new facilities when necessary.  It would be exceedingly stupid of them to simply take all those funds and spend them immediately on worldwide needs (of which there are plenty), instead of continuing to provide excellent education to large numbers of students.  They rightly invest those funds in smart ways which give back dividends for the future, allowing them to be of continuing educational value far into the future.  Could they do more?  Perhaps.  But what are your proposals?  Yours is an argument about what needs to be done, and how much to spend on it.  Do you feel that the LDS Presiding Bishop is not doing a good job?  Should he spend more, and on what?

Well, there are many I'm sure, but I haven't spent enough time to figure out the best and safest ways for the church to donate. The first thing to know is, if the businesses in the LDS church donate, or not if, but where/what from the profits made from the LDS church business side. We are told time and time again that donations are made by the church's members. Just never that their businesses donate. 

Also, how well does the church treat it's members? How much does the church allow for it's members to enjoy a tasty Christmas dinner, or how much is in the budget for Relief Society/Primary/YM and YW activities/EQ parties? I'm old enough to know, it's pennies on the dollar that the church has in it's banks. I've donated money for supplies for parties, or my callings and so has my husband. When is the church going to treat it's own members better? 

So I'm not only complaining about the money not being enough for charities, I'm a complainer, new today, on what it spends on it's members.

How about the church houses that are looking pretty shabby, the copy machines (personal experience back when I needed one that worked better for my calling in RS and spent my own money and wasn't given a number to take to the copy centers nor was it approved for getting reimbursement.) Or the long list actually of things the members sacrifice for, unlike the church's for-profit companies. 

 

Edited March 10, 2021 by Tacenda

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, Calm said:

These are only the ones publicized, correct?

There are likely many that are not as those involved feel it more appropriate not to do so for some reason (perhaps making those they work with or help a target of extremists).

Yes, perhaps.

[CA Steve]

12 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Do you feel that the LDS Presiding Bishop is not doing a good job?  Should he spend more, and on what?

To the first question, an enthusiastic yes, if you're asking about managing the funds. 

To the second question, I would like the Church to look into funding a medical clinic-small hospital for the needy everywhere they decide to build a temple. What a great look that would be! We would be looking after both the living and the dead. 

[Calm]

5 minutes ago, CA Steve said:

To the second question, I would like the Church to look into funding a medical clinic-small hospital for the needy everywhere they decide to build a temple. What a great look that would be! We would be looking after both the living and the dead. 

If there is already such a clinic, isn’t it better to put the same funding into that rather than worrying about the look?

Edited March 10, 2021 by Calm

[Robert F. Smith]

5 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Well, there are many I'm sure, but I haven't spent enough time to figure out the best and safest ways for the church to donate. The first thing to know is, if the businesses in the LDS church donate, or not if, but where/what from the profits made from the LDS church business side. We are told time and time again that donations are made by the church's members. Just never that their businesses donate. 

Also, how well does the church treat it's members? How much does the church allow for it's members to enjoy a tasty Christmas dinner, or how much is in the budget for Relief Society/Primary/YM and YW activities/EQ parties? I'm old enough to know, it's pennies on the dollar that the church has in it's banks. I've donated money for supplies for parties, or my callings and so has my husband. When is the church going to treat it's own members better? 

So I'm not only complaining about the money not being enough for charities, I'm a complainer, new today, on what it spends on it's members?

How about the church houses that are looking pretty shabby, the copy machines (personal experience back when I needed one that worked better for my calling in RS and spent my own money and wasn't given a number to take to the copy centers nor was it approved for getting reimbursement.) Or the long list actually of things the members sacrifice for, unlike the church's for-profit companies.

Depends on what you mean by "the business side."  Profits from business investment can be used to increase those profit-making investments, or they can be ploughed back into Church funds.  However, they remain under Church control.  This is separate from the typical bishop's food order, from which any poor member can have a very tasty Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, or just a regular daily set of free meals.  Surely you realize that this is available to any members, and even to many non-members.  You are speaking as though this is not the case.  Why?

As to reimbursements for callings, I have never had a problem getting reimbursed by the ward financial clerk.  And, when I was financial clerk, I had no problem getting checks signed by the bishop.  Also, my bishops did not hesitate to help non-LDS.

[Robert F. Smith]

11 minutes ago, Calm said:

If there is already such a clinic, isn’t it better to put the same funding into that rather than worrying about the look?

In Provo years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find an elderly, Spanish speaking LDS missionary couple always at the Free Clinic to help manage the crowd and get them to the correct doctor and nurse (all volunteers not assigned by the Church).

[Tacenda]

12 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Depends on what you mean by "the business side."  Profits from business investment can be used to increase those profit-making investments, or they can be ploughed back into Church funds.  However, they remain under Church control.  This is separate from the typical bishop's food order, from which any poor member can have a very tasty Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner, or just a regular daily set of free meals.  Surely you realize that this is available to any members, and even to many non-members.  You are speaking as though this is not the case.  Why?

As to reimbursements for callings, I have never had a problem getting reimbursed by the ward financial clerk.  And, when I was financial clerk, I had no problem getting checks signed by the bishop.  Also, my bishops did not hesitate to help non-LDS.

How much was in the budget for Christmas dinners for wards. I was on the committee recently, it wasn't much. Or how much does the ward keep for fast offerings before having to send it to headquarters?

ETA: Things like this object lesson doesn't help my attitude much. https://mormonbillions.com

Edited March 10, 2021 by Tacenda

[Calm]

37 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

In Provo years ago, I was pleasantly surprised to find an elderly, Spanish speaking LDS missionary couple always at the Free Clinic to help manage the crowd and get them to the correct doctor and nurse (all volunteers not assigned by the Church).

There was a senior couple assigned to work at my mother’s assisted living center.  The local stakes took turns providing the couple.  I assume that is probably what happens generally in Utah.  We were really lucky as it was my sister-in-law’s parents who were already good friends with Mom when she moved in as her dementia was making it harder for her to make new friends at that point.

In Canada, I know there were volunteers assigned to at least one resident home, I don’t know if that was standard or because there were a few members in it.  They put on musical and other programs for the community.

Edited March 10, 2021 by Calm

[Calm]

37 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

How much was in the budget for Christmas dinners for wards. I was on the committee recently, it wasn't much.

If a ward is in a low economic area, I think it would be great if the ward had a number of ward dinners throughout the year paid for from church funds, but in wards where people eat what they want, when they want, I think it a poor use of funds to provide what would have to be a high quality meal for them to stand out as really special when they can easily provide it for themselves.  Instead, the focus should be on activities that create better bonding IMO, something we can not do on our own.

Quote

the copy machines (personal experience back when I needed one that worked better for my calling in RS and spent my own money and wasn't given a number to take to the copy centers nor was it approved for getting reimbursement.)

This is likely dependent on your local leaders as I was a teacher and then ward librarian in two wards where we encouraged people to use copy centers and handed out reimbursements easily as we had an old, slow copier at the time.  The copy machines were used till they dropped and then replaced with very nice ones that if treated decently, would last a long time.  At times it was very easy to get things repaired when needed, other times hard to get a hold of the physical facilities manager (I think that was the name).  Just like anything volunteer, service varies.

I was told part of the reason they used models as long as they did was to lower incentives for theft.  When they first started using computers in the FH class, they had a break in.  They replaced with clunkers that were slow, but could do the job.  No break in.

Edited March 10, 2021 by Calm

[Robert F. Smith]

2 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

How much was in the budget for Christmas dinners for wards. I was on the committee recently, it wasn't much.

You are talking about mass Xmas dinners, not those eaten at home?  Before COVID, we used to have such celebrations/parties at Thanksgiving, Xmas, and at other times, and they went pretty well.  We had sign-up lists for salads, desserts, etc. (no-reimbursements), and the ward funds were spent mostly on meat and other main course dishes.  The bishop even sent me out to buy the meat.  In that sense, it was like any Protestant or Catholic Church social.  It was largely potluck.  I don't understand why you find fault with that.  Surely you understand what a potluck is.  No one was required to bring anything.  It was completely voluntary.

I can recall Church summer parties in the park in southern California at which I would simply bring a bucket of KFC or maybe a Marie Callendar pie.  We all had such great fun!!

[Tacenda]

2 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

You are talking about mass Xmas dinners, not those eaten at home?  Before COVID, we used to have such celebrations/parties at Thanksgiving, Xmas, and at other times, and they went pretty well.  We had sign-up lists for salads, desserts, etc. (no-reimbursements), and the ward funds were spent mostly on meat and other main course dishes.  The bishop even sent me out to buy the meat.  In that sense, it was like any Protestant or Catholic Church social.  It was largely potluck.  I don't understand why you find fault with that.  Surely you understand what a potluck is.  No one was required to bring anything.  It was completely voluntary.

I can recall Church summer parties in the park in southern California at which I would simply bring a bucket of KFC or maybe a Marie Callendar pie.  We all had such great fun!!

Yep, the church is simplifying these days. Don't see these things happening much. The programs such as road shows or ?

[Robert F. Smith]

5 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Yep, the church is simplifying these days. Don't see these things happening much. The programs such as road shows or ?

Yes, the old Road Shows.  I was fascinated that the same sort of activity was rife in the Jewish community.  I took a Jewish cruise ship to Israel from the port of New York in 1965, and it was a Jewish road show every nite on board -- stand up comedy, song & dance routines.  It was like LDS old home week.  😎

However, my Methodist minister granddad and my grandma held regular Church socials (she was in charge of the ladies auxiliary) and everyone came potluck.

Once COVID is over we will be getting back to the LDS version of all that, Tacenda.  At least in my neck of the woods.

Edited March 10, 2021 by Robert F. Smith

[Calm]

23 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Don't see these things happening much.

Part of the problem is parents have packed their kids’ lives with after school activities (often needed for entry in certain universities, especially for scholarships, but also a lot of kids like doing them and parents want their kids to have their dreams).  

It was easy to get everyone there when I was a kid judging by numbers.  When I was in Primary leadership and then observing as a mother of teens, scheduling so that parents were available (moms often had jobs) to help and kids were not doing sports or music lessons wasn’t fun.  In nonMormon Corridor locations, kids of the same age in the same ward went to three or more different schools with each scheduling activities around each other leaving no night free for church activities and no one outside the wards knew that Monday night was meant for families.  I can’t imagine what it is like these days when I am seeing my grandkids in dance and then gymnastics, band and karate (minimum three days a week booked, sometimes four) and then competitions every weekend sometimes for three months if they are good.  Plus homework.  Of course, not all families go this route, but enough do that trying to hold activities that require a huge time commitment for lots of people is very difficult, IMO.

I think it is a kindness the Church isn’t piling more expected activities.

Edited March 10, 2021 by Calm

[Rain]

50 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Well, there are many I'm sure, but I haven't spent enough time to figure out the best and safest ways for the church to donate. The first thing to know is, if the businesses in the LDS church donate, or not if, but where/what from the profits made from the LDS church business side. We are told time and time again that donations are made by the church's members. Just never that their businesses donate. 

Ask them.  

Possible Deseret Book email: "A friend told me that she heard in a research thing that one of the purposes of Deseret Book was to be able to help others with charitible resources somehow. That's really cool.  Would you mind sharing where some of that goes?"

The worst they will do is tell you they won't share that info.

50 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Also, how well does the church treat it's members? How much does the church allow for it's members to enjoy a tasty Christmas dinner, or how much is in the budget for Relief Society/Primary/YM and YW activities/EQ parties?

Ask your bishop.  Every bishop sets the budget for his own ward, hopefully with help from the ward council.  

50 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

I'm old enough to know, it's pennies on the dollar that the church has in it's banks. I've donated money for supplies for parties, or my callings and so has my husband.

I used to as well.  I no longer do because then people who can afford it less than we can think they need to spend their own money.  Spending your own money on your calling is not a required thing.

50 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

When is the church going to treat it's own members better? 

So I'm not only complaining about the money not being enough for charities, I'm a complainer, new today, on what it spends on it's members.

How about the church houses that are looking pretty shabby,

What churches are looking shabby?

And if we spend money to make them look better will some complain like they do with the temple?

50 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

the copy machines (personal experience back when I needed one that worked better for my calling in RS and spent my own money and wasn't given a number to take to the copy centers nor was it approved for getting reimbursement.)

If that happens you stop making copies.  Either those that control the budget will approve a repair or people will see they don't need copies.

50 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

Or the long list actually of things the members sacrifice for, unlike the church's for-profit companies. 

 

How do you know this?

24 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

How much was in the budget for Christmas dinners for wards. I was on the committee recently, it wasn't much. Or how much does the ward keep for fast offerings before having to send it to headquarters?

The ward keeps what it needs and passes on the rest.

24 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

ETA: Things like this object lesson doesn't help my attitude much. https://mormonbillions.com

Then stop watching them.

[JustAnAustralian]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

Or how much does the ward keep for fast offerings before having to send it to headquarters?

It doesn't really matter at what point it goes to HQ. As long as it's justified, a Bishop can use as much fast offering as he needs to regardless of how much has been donated to the ward or is sitting in the ward fast offering budget account. There is no "in the red" for fast offering.

[CA Steve]

3 hours ago, Calm said:

If there is already such a clinic, isn’t it better to put the same funding into that rather than worrying about the look?

Clearly there would be locations where accommodations should/could be made to better help the community and who is "worrying about the look"? It was a short suggestion with lots of details left out. I think besides being known for building temples we could also establish a reputation for providing or assisting existing low income medical needs similar to what we used to do with the Primary Children's Hospital. We could establish facilities throughout the world and call them "Latter-day Saints Clinics". When I was on my mission in Chile the church ran a private elementary school in Santiago in my area. It was a great help in proselytizing because we had a good reputation in the area because of that school.