Hinckley's temple building spree.. How useful has it been?

[_Dr. Shades]

What with the two billion dollar shopping mall, and the comment that it'll become profitable within a couple of decades. . .

. . . can I infer that the leadership knows that the church won't be relocating to Jackson County, Missouri anytime soon?

[_Maxrep]

What with the two billion dollar shopping mall, and the comment that it'll become profitable within a couple of decades. . .

. . . can I infer that the leadership knows that the church won't be relocating to Jackson County, Missouri anytime soon?

Interesting...two decades to become profitable? Well, I'm sure church members would say Jackson County could be doable anytime, cuz the Lord doesn't need money.

As far as temple activity, I have stated before that I have a relative that works in our local temple. The crickets have set up shop there - and usually stay busy chirping.

At one point, there were quite a few couples in the stake called as "temple patrons". These were young couples. There purpose was to help fill the almost empty sessions. Give the appearance of young vibrant members anxiously engaged in redeeming the dead.

[_SatanWasSetUp]

At one point, there were quite a few couples in the stake called as "temple patrons". These were young couples. There purpose was to help fill the almost empty sessions. Give the appearance of young vibrant members anxiously engaged in redeeming the dead.

Now that's just pathetic. It reminds me of an electronics store I worked at when I was younger that had a big blowout sale one weekend. Hardly any customers showed up, so they called up some of the employees to come and and pretend to be customers. I guess their theory was the few customers they had might be more excited about buying stuff if they knew other people were buying stuff too. Of course, this store eventually went out of business. You can't stay in business with fake customers.

When you need to call on members to be temple patrons, that should be a red flag to stop building temples.

[_Maxrep]

At one point, there were quite a few couples in the stake called as "temple patrons". These were young couples. There purpose was to help fill the almost empty sessions. Give the appearance of young vibrant members anxiously engaged in redeeming the dead.

Now that's just pathetic. It reminds me of an electronics store I worked at when I was younger that had a big blowout sale one weekend. Hardly any customers showed up, so they called up some of the employees to come and and pretend to be customers. I guess their theory was the few customers they had might be more excited about buying stuff if they knew other people were buying stuff too. Of course, this store eventually went out of business. You can't stay in business with fake customers.

When you need to call on members to be temple patrons, that should be a red flag to stop building temples.

I'm inclined to believe you, since your reply makes so very much sense.....but on the other hand, the brethren are inspired. What to do?

[_Wintersfootsteps]

What with the two billion dollar shopping mall, and the comment that it'll become profitable within a couple of decades. . .

. . . can I infer that the leadership knows that the church won't be relocating to Jackson County, Missouri anytime soon?

Interesting...two decades to become profitable? Well, I'm sure church members would say Jackson County could be doable anytime, cuz the Lord doesn't need money.

As far as temple activity, I have stated before that I have a relative that works in our local temple. The crickets have set up shop there - and usually stay busy chirping.

At one point, there were quite a few couples in the stake called as "temple patrons". These were young couples. There purpose was to help fill the almost empty sessions. Give the appearance of young vibrant members anxiously engaged in redeeming the dead.

I never knew they did that... just when I get to the point where I think nothing would surprise me anymore I learn something like this. It's so misleading and messed up. I am so glad to be out of there.

[_charity]

What with the two billion dollar shopping mall, and the comment that it'll become profitable within a couple of decades. . .

. . . can I infer that the leadership knows that the church won't be relocating to Jackson County, Missouri anytime soon?

One of the most successful concepts in the Mormon culture and religion is building for others. This from an experience someone had with Brigham Young.

Early in the pioneer experience in Utah, a man came to Brigham Young. The man had heard that there were rumors that Saints might be going to chased out of the valley. So he asked Brother Brigham if he should plant fruit trees, if maybe they weren't going to be around to enjoy them. The prophet said, "I would plant fruit trees today even if I knew I were having to leave them tomorrow."

[_charity]

At one point, there were quite a few couples in the stake called as "temple patrons". These were young couples. There purpose was to help fill the almost empty sessions. Give the appearance of young vibrant members anxiously engaged in redeeming the dead.

max, your cynical assessment is a figment of your imagination. I can think of no one demographic group that needs the peace and solace of the temple than young people. And they often think they are too busy to attend. I am quite sure that they were grateful for the calls, because then they could with good conscience take the time to attend. You evidently don't see people in the temple on a regular basis, as I do. They receive peace to their souls, that cannot come from any other source. I'm in the temple 6 hours a week, plus a session twice a month usually, and an occasional sealing session. You simply do not understand what happens in a dedicated temple. And I am not talking about ordinances.

[_harmony]

Pretty much. He just threw around money that wasn't his.

And throw in another two billion for a shopping mall.

From a business perspective, I think Hinckley was one of the worst prophets of them all.

Growth stagnated under his watch, and he got on TV and made a complete ass of himself and the Church.

Actually, the money was under his stewardship, so it was his responsibility to throw it around. I rarely agree with the way tithes are used, but to infer that Pres Hinckley was throwing money around that was not under his stewardship isn't correct.

My problem is the lack of transparency, so we can't see exactly how much tithing was used and how it was used, and who benefited from its use. Who were the contractors? Subcontractors? And who were they related to? Were the jobs put out for competitive public bid, or were only a few selected companies allowed to bid? Who made money on these buildings?

[_Jason Bourne]

Since the Mormon media seems to be pushing Gordon's Temple building spree as his greatest accomplishment, I thought it would make a good thread to discuss.

Of all the temples he spent money on, how many are operating on a full time basis?

I have heard reports that many end up being closed most of the week and only open when there are enough people who show up to do works for the dead.

Is that a great legacy? A bunch of empty extravagant buildings with a huge utility bill?

The temples are not as busy as they hoped. On the other hand many members have increased their attendance due to them being closer. So convenience for members has been increased as well as overall endowments, at least where I live, are up.

[_Jason Bourne]

It would be interesting to sum up all of the money he blew on the Mc"Temple franchise and the $300M Mega'nacle.

I truly would have wept when he died had he spent that money helping the LIVING needy people rather than the DEAD.

But like you said, he was a business man and perhaps felt that scattering a hundred expensive buildings around the US and globe would help increase tithes..


It is a real shame. All of that money wasted on dead people.

If the temple work was that important, and he wanted to get it as close to the people as possible, why not have a facade that they drag out into the gymnasiums once a week on temple night?

The problem is those who do the work and believe in what they do are not squandering money. THey believe what they are doing has great value. Their point on this really is what matters. not yours