Let me make something clear: not all Mormon businesses are bad, nor are Mormons involved in such businesses bad. It’s just when they use their religious affiliation as an endorsement of their character in order to solicit their product or service. Let me give a few examples:
1. MLM using membership directory for business solicitations.
Recently I get a knock on my front door. Open the door and there is a lady handing out a card invite for a “party” concerning the MLM product they are pushing. Location and date/time provided on card. Now I have never met this peson before. Astonished, I took the card and then watched as the lady got into her vehicle (as a passenger) and drove off.
Contemplating the situation, I realized that this was not a normal solicitor going door-to-door. They were intentionally targeting my house. Although there was no name or phone number listed on the card, it did provide the address. So cross referencing the address with county assessor records, I find the name of the owner. Then searching the over 700 members in the directory for my ward (which is a new ward just created in the past couple months), I find the person, with matching address.
This is an absolute no! Membership directory information is for CHURCH USE ONLY! Why are there Mormons who lack the integrity to follow Church policy. Kind of makes me wonder how they can get through the temple recommend question on honesty. So, there it was, a Church member who I do not know, who I have never before met, using the membership directory to get people involved in their MLM (Multi-Level Marketing).
Now if the situation were different, it might be permissible. Had the person been a well-known friend who had the ability to contact me without the aid of a membership directory, then it would be different.
2. Church members using leadership positions to market their products.
I fully sustain all local and general leaders in their respective callings, but I do not and will not support their efforts to use such callings to promote their goods or services. Leadership positions are for leading, not marketing. In my opinion, any Church leader who uses their position or authority to get worldly gain is not worthy of the priesthood they hold, as stated in D&C 121:34-37:
“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men.”
If a stake president felt so inclined to write a book on a Gospel subject, I should never be able to find out about it at a Church meeting of any sort. If I come across it at the book store and purchase it, then so be it.
However, a General Authority is paid an annual amount (living allowances) for cost of living, so they can go forth FULL TIME throughout the world and do the Lord’s work. They do not NEED the income from a published book. In fact, having published a book AFTER they become a General Authority is actually a conflict of interest (if they retain the royalties for their personal gain). They are then using their position in the Church for financial gain, which is contrary to the doctrines of the Gospel.
If a General Authority has some important Gospel insights they need to share, then they would do so at a stake or general conference, publish an article in a Church publication (Ensign, Priesthood/Relief Society manuals, et cetera) which are distributed at production cost only, or through an Official Proclamation or Declaration. After all, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is free to all people, and no one should have to pay to learn of it.
3. Mormons using religion for business credibility.
I seldom ever do business with someone simply because they are a member of the Church. There are many moral and honest people in all faiths and religions. I personally choose to do business with others that exhibit a similar moral code to mine, regardless of what religion to which they belong.
When I hear people talk about their church membership or position in the church in regards to a business venture or opportunity, it is an automatic red flag to be cautious. If in a business context someone tries to “use” the Church to establish their own credibility or trustworthiness, that person deserves neither credibility nor trust.
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Concerning General Authorities royalty income from books, they do have the option to donate all the royalties, such as the case when Joseph Fielding Smith published The Way To Perfection in 1931, all royalties went to the LDS Genealogical Society. As to the extent of how many of the General Authorities actually donate the royalties or keep them for their personal gain is yet to be determined.
It’s sad that Mormons purchase books written by general authorities primarily because of the church office the author holds, rather than for the book’s content. If they did not have the church position they hold, I doubt that the books would sell as well as they do.
At first I wanted to completely agree with you- I hate it when people use ward information to further their business agendas, and when people I’m considering doing business with bring up the church to gain my trust. Stuff like that just makes me feel awkward, and I don’t agree with it at all. On the other hand though, we live in a capitalist society and Mormons have to make a living too. A seller must consider his market if he wants to succeed. If you’re living in an LDS-dominated area, items such as clean movies and music, modest clothing, emergency preparedness supplies, and books with a spiritual message are in high demand. By your same argument, this could be an example of LDS people exploiting the beliefs of other LDS people in order to make a profit. But people in these areas actually want these products and are willing to pay for them, so is it really morally wrong when sellers (who have to offer some sort of product anyway) choose to provide what the population wants? (And remember, if the person is an honest, practicing Mormon, the more he makes, the more he has to give to the church in the form of tithing- just a thought.)
Jamie,
Actually, contrary to popular belief, many of the edited movie companies (that previously existed), modest clothing companies, and emergency preparedness companies that you are referring to are NOT run by Mormons, nor are they targeting Mormons.
Yes, you hit the nail on the head in regards to my second point. There are LDS people who exploit the beliefs of other LDS people in order to make a profit. Walk into any LDS bookstore and it becomes quite obvious. There are many things sold that would never have been produced to sell if they were not targeting the LDS population, and they are priced substantially higher than typical retail markup. Put the same items in any other Christian bookstore, and no one would purchase them. That is exploitation of the LDS populace.
On the flipside, if you live in the heart of Mormon country (as you do, in the SLC area) and refuse to do business with companies who are NOT run by Mormons, then this article is also directed towards you, and you would also be guilty!
FYI, nobody *has* to give the Church tithing! Yes it is a commandment, but people still have the agency to choose to obey. The Church does not force people to be charitable. Tithing is a donation. Tithing is a personal matter between you and the Lord (not the Church).
I agree with you. I personally don’t like it when businesses run by members of the Church give discounts or incentives selectively to other members of the Church. Prices and credit policies shouldn’t be determined based on a customer’s religious affiliation.
Just a few comments on the question by Jamie – “But people in these areas actually want these products and are willing to pay for them, so is it really morally wrong when sellers (who have to offer some sort of product anyway) choose to provide what the population wants?”
It’s wrong to use the ward directory for business purposes. Whether something is moral or not shouldn’t be determined by popular demand.
I seriously doubt the majority of the population wants to be solicited by a religious business.
I think this article does a great job at pointing out that trying to make a business out of your religion is ugh.