The LDS church and Nepotism

[miss taken]

One of the aspects of the church that has its foundations in culture rather than doctrine, is the nepotistic nature of the community.

As the daughter of inactive parents it is something that I never 'benefitted'!!! from. It wouldn't have lead me to inactivity, but it certainly didn't make my time in the church an enjoyable experience on many occassions.

I could never square up nepotism with God's supposed community, and as such I see no difference between the communities insided the church and outside, in fact many of the communities outside show more love to the outsiders than less.

To explain my position with some examples. The SP's son was well aware that his position as bishop was due pretty much entirely to his fathers position, and he knew that as soon as his father was released, he would be too. (He was absolutely right!!). I could add a dozen other examples to this list.

In a way, I understood it. Parents are out to 'feather the caps' of their own children. A kind of 'familial selfishness' occurs where they protect and encourage their own.

I wonder if anyone else has experience of nepotism in this way?

And whether they feel the church is any more or less nepotistic than outside communities?

[peter_mary]

Nowhere is nepotism MORE evident than in the highest echelons of Church leadership. From the very beginning, family members tended to be elevated to high positions. Look, for instance, at the great number of Smiths in Church ranks. Joseph, obviously, and then his brother Hyrum, Joseph Fielding Smith, Jedediah Smith, Joseph F. Smith, and no doubt others. Brigham Young called at LEAST one of his own sons to be an Apostle, (Brigham Young, Jr.). Heber C. Kimball, J. Golden Kimball and Spencer W. Kimball. There were two Ezra T. Bensons, and I assume they were related. Bruce McConkie was Joseph F. Smith's son-in-law. My recollection is that Hinckley is related somehow, either by blood or by marriage, to others in the Quorum, but my memory is failing me at the moment.

Michael Quinn explores this at length in one chapter of his Extensions of Power book. This is a church of "who you know, not what you know."

Paul

[Born Free]

One of the aspects of the church that has its foundations in culture rather than doctrine, is the nepotistic nature of the community.

As the daughter of inactive parents it is something that I never 'benefitted'!!! from. It wouldn't have lead me to inactivity, but it certainly didn't make my time in the church an enjoyable experience on many occassions.

I could never square up nepotism with God's supposed community, and as such I see no difference between the communities insided the church and outside, in fact many of the communities outside show more love to the outsiders than less.

To explain my position with some examples. The SP's son was well aware that his position as bishop was due pretty much entirely to his fathers position, and he knew that as soon as his father was released, he would be too. (He was absolutely right!!). I could add a dozen other examples to this list.

In a way, I understood it. Parents are out to 'feather the caps' of their own children. A kind of 'familial selfishness' occurs where they protect and encourage their own.

I wonder if anyone else has experience of nepotism in this way?

And whether they feel the church is any more or less nepotistic than outside communities?

I know I might sound like I ramble on about Values/World View, but Family is a strong value for Mormons, and with that comes having a different rule set for family than non-family.

There are several World Views beyond where Mormonism is, where greater objectivity is activily striven for and more effort is made to work from a consistent base in dealings with all people.

Mormonism is not special in its nepotistic outlook; merely ordinary in that particular stage of growth, but there are stages of greater maturity beyond (but, shhhhhhhhh, don't tell the Mormons. They think they are the pinnacle of human evolution!)

You will note for instance that strong preferential treatment for family and tribe is common in the Arab world, which also shares the view that women are for breeding and fun, and little else. You have to wonder if they (Mos in power) routinely exclude themselves from any decision-making that involves family, due to their lack of objectivity. I suspect not.

Daryl

[free thinker]

Remember too, that these men were together in the pre-existance, and made covenants with each other etc. They are part of the RMB! The ROYAL MORMON BLOODLINE!!! :Puking :Puking :Puking :Puking

Free Thinker

[Born Free]

Remember too, that these men were together in the pre-existance, and made covenants with each other etc. They are part of the RMB! The ROYAL MORMON BLOODLINE!!! :Puking :Puking :Puking :Puking

Free Thinker

That's a first! I have never seen the quad barf before!

And brought on by such an issue - the Divine Right of Superiority! Nearly as repulsive as being an Ayrian Supremist IMHO!

Daryl

[free thinker]

Yes there are times when only the quadruple barf will do! :D It is to be used SPARINGLY and only in times of extreme disgust!!

A word to those watching at home! Do not try this, as it can get out of control!! :cool:


Free Thinker :D