The Importance of Claiming an "Unpaid Clergy"

[_Daniel Peterson]

We wouldn't use the term minister -- we don't even use it for our "clergy" -- but I can see how and why one might.

OK.

Why? (Just curious.)

I don't think there's any real weighty reason. It's just a community linguistic habit. We simply tend not to use the noun minister to refer to our leaders, etc. The word, to Mormon ears -- I haven't done a scholarly study, but I think I have some ear for LDS usage and dialect -- probably connotes a paid or professional person to most Latter-day Saints. So we would tend to say, if asked, that we don't have "ministers."

I have two acquaintances, one a stake president in Utah and the other a former area seventy in Canada, who both use the term ministry to refer to their work in the Church. They refer to "my ministry." This usage -- although it's scriptural, and although it's occasionally used with reference to presidents of the Church and to apostles -- has always struck me, because it's unusual among contemporary Latter-day Saints.

[_madeleine]

I don't think there's any real weighty reason. It's just a community linguistic habit. We simply tend not to use the noun minister to refer to our leaders, etc. The word, to Mormon ears -- I haven't done a scholarly study, but I think I have some ear for LDS usage and dialect -- probably connotes a paid or professional person to most Latter-day Saints. So we would tend to say, if asked, that we don't have "ministers."

I have two acquaintances, one a stake president in Utah and the other a former area seventy in Canada, who both use the term ministry to refer to their work in the Church. They refer to "my ministry." This usage -- although it's scriptural, and although it's occasionally used with reference to presidents of the Church and to apostles -- has always struck me, because it's unusual among contemporary Latter-day Saints.

OK, thanks.

[_Themis]

The church has a mostly unpaid clergy. This is at the local level, while at the top level they are paid for services given. In the broader sense CES would also be included. They have to be called by the church, and are under the church's priesthood authority, and provide certain religious services. The church should be a little more clear on the issue, but other then that it is not a big deal.

[_moksha]

Priestcraft is sin and results in all manner of evil; money coming before or in place of ministry etc.

You mean like payment up front for a Temple Recommend?

[_bcspace]

Priestcraft is sin and results in all manner of evil; money coming before or in place of ministry etc.

You mean like payment up front for a Temple Recommend?

Any evidence of priestcraft here?

[_Themis]

Any evidence of priestcraft here?

You do like to play dumb. We both know he is refering to tithing which every member is required to pay before being able to obtain a temple reccomend. Now I would not say that is defined as priestcraft, or at least it would be border line, but the defintion you provided would definitely make it priestcraft. You might want to reconsider. :)

[_bcspace]

Any evidence of priestcraft here?

You do like to play dumb. We both know he is refering to tithing which every member is required to pay before being able to obtain a temple reccomend.

Just looking for evidence of the accusation. I've never had to pay to get a recommend.

but the defintion you provided would definitely make it priestcraft.

Doesn't even come close.

[_Yoda]

Why is the fiction of an unpaid clergy so important to so many LDS?

--Erik

It's difficult to look down on another religion, if we acknowledge the similiarities.

And many MP's are also paid. About the only people who aren't paid are the local leaders: stake, ward, and branch. And that's because we're the ones who buy into the "no paid clergy" thing. Relatively few members know the GAs are paid.

For the record, Mission Presidents are not paid a stipend. They are provided a home to live in while they are on their mission, since they house various elders and sister missionaries in that home during a variety of zone conferences, etc. They also have access to the Church health insurance. And, when they are hosting a gathering in their home, they are provided with a food budget. Temple presidents receive similar benefits. I find this fair.

[_Themis]

Just looking for evidence of the accusation. I've never had to pay to get a recommend.

Well, technically you did. Sure you could have lied about paying tithing, but it is a requirment in order to get a recommend. Try telling them you don't pay thithing next time and see what happens.

Doesn't even come close.

This is your definition

Priestcraft is sin and results in all manner of evil; money coming before or in place of ministry etc.

Emphasis mine

As I said you have to state that you are a full tithe payer in order to get a recommend and recieve the ministry of the temple. Now this is your definition, not mine. :) to funny.

[_Pahoran]

In your situation, as employee of CES, I can understand that.

However, can you compare:
AVERAGE TEACHER BASE SALARY:

Public School: $49,630
Private School: $39,690
(Digest 2009, Chapter 2, Table 75)
http://www.edreform.com/Fast_Facts/K12_Facts/

I'm sorry MCB, whom are you addressing in this post, and how do you think it relates to the topic under discussion?

Regards,
Pahoran