Comments on: Why I Hate Mormon Businesses

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:14:13 +0000

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.

By: Stefanie Garrett

Stefanie Garrett — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:52:56 +0000

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.

By: LDSResources

LDSResources — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:59:06 +0000

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).

By: Jamie

Jamie — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:04:40 +0000

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.)

By: Alex Dalton

Alex Dalton — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:49:55 +0000

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.

By: Stacey Smith

Stacey Smith — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:27:21 +0000

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.