QUOTE: “We are a Church of lay leadership. What a remarkable and wonderful thing that is. It must ever remain so. It must never move in the direction of an extensive paid ministry.” –Gordon B. Hinckley, in General Conference, October 2002. [source]
SCRIPTURE: “And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren? Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no gain?” –Alma 30:34-35. [source]
COMMENTARY: Oopsies! I guess the Book of Mormon isn’t a good model for modern day churches. An $80,000 a year salary, er, excuse me, living allowance, isn’t exactly “receiving no gain,” but I’m sure taxes were a lot lower in Alma’s day. Aren’t you glad so many church members scrimp on everyday essentials in order to pay their tithing so that Henry can be out preaching the word of God? I’m sure he sleeps well at night knowing that he’s helped alleviate spiritual suffering, even if it was only enabled because of the physical suffering of faithful church members. They will, after all, be duly recompensed in heaven. But what do I know? I’m just another apostate.
