Mormon Matters » Wealth http://mormonmatters.org A weekly podcast exploring Mormon culture and current events. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:17:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 2006-2007 dan.wotherspoon@me.com (Mormon Matters) dan.wotherspoon@me.com (Mormon Matters) 1440 http://mormonmatters.org/podcast/MormonMatters144.jpg Mormon Matters http://mormonmatters.org 144 144 http://www.mormonmatters.org/rssmm.xml A weekly podcast exploring Mormon current events, pop culture, politics and spirituality A weekly podcast exploring Mormon current events, pop culture, politics and spirituality mormon, lds Mormon Matters Mormon Matters dan.wotherspoon@me.com no no 56: Mormonism and Wealth http://mormonmatters.org/2011/10/18/56-mormonism-and-wealth/ http://mormonmatters.org/2011/10/18/56-mormonism-and-wealth/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:01:24 +0000 Dan Wotherspoon http://mormonmatters.org/?p=13408 The recent Occupy Wall Street movement and its ongoing spread, along with the cover essay in the October 2011 issue of Harper’s that draws what the author of that piece sees as a direct link between Mormonism’s economic ideals and its rise in influence in society at large, and certain factions of the Republican Party in particular, provide excellent springboards for a great discussion about LDS views about wealth, prosperity, business principles, economic systems, cultural attitudes that sometimes suggest a connection between righteousness and personal prosperity, and much more. And that’s what this podcast episode contains.

In dialogue with each other and Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, panelists Joanna Brooks, Todd Decker, and Jason Brown provide a far-ranging discussion that draws important distinctions between an LDS culture that seems to writers, pundits, and many outsiders to be quite like the picture painted by the Harper’s article (which is,  of course, accurate in certain ways) and the long history of Mormon theological teachings about the dangers that are inherent in wealth and prosperity and divorcing oneself from the labor of one’s own hands, the sacredness of community, and economic systems that forefront care for one another. These are difficult issues, and this podcast is full of terrific observations, both light and serious, and wonderful invitations for deep self-examination. Can and will those who find themselves recognizing that they a sympathy with the Occupy movement or have other hesitations about capitalism as it operates today do more than just talk?

Please listen. We welcome your comments below!

______

Links to sites recommended by podcast panelist Jason Brown:

The Mormon Worker

LDS Left

LDS Dems

Occupywallst.org

www.movetoamend.org

The Corporation–a documentary in several parts  available through YouTube

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Gadianton, by Eric Samuelsen. An incredible and powerful story and critique of the idea that something can be “just business,” that corporate decisions don’t have high personal costs. It wrestles with a Mormon-led computer firm that chooses to downsize in order to increase company profits. It is set in St. George, Utah, and the action of the play is interspersed with characters reminiscing on the atomic explosions in the Nevada desert and the radiation fallout that affects families in the area still today–government decisions that didn’t adequately count personal costs. And you simply have to experience for yourself all that comes from the inclusion of Gadianton!, a play within the play (that leads to its title character coming to life and whispering in the ear of one of the main play’s protagonists). Highly recommend! Potentially one of the best hours of reading you’ll ever spend.

Note: This file contains the play, as well as a short follow-up essay by the author about the controversies that surrounded Gadianton when it was produced at BYU. Sunstone also somehow saved the file in the same grouping as a commentary on Mormon culture that is also excellent but not related to the play. So if you want to go directly to the play, it begins on page 6 of this file.

]]> http://mormonmatters.org/2011/10/18/56-mormonism-and-wealth/feed/ 55 1:33:58 The recent Occupy Wall Street movement and its ongoing spread, along with the cover essay in the October 2011 issue of Harper’s that draws what the author of that piece sees as a direct link between Mormonism’s economic ideals and its rise in influe[...] The recent Occupy Wall Street movement and its ongoing spread, along with the cover essay in the October 2011 issue of Harper’s that draws what the author of that piece sees as a direct link between Mormonism’s economic ideals and its rise in influence in society at large, and certain factions of the Republican Party in particular, provide excellent springboards for a great discussion about LDS views about wealth, prosperity, business principles, economic systems, cultural attitudes that sometimes suggest a connection between righteousness and personal prosperity, and much more. And that’s what this podcast episode contains. In dialogue with each other and Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon, panelists Joanna Brooks, Todd Decker, and Jason Brown provide a far-ranging discussion that draws important distinctions between an LDS culture that seems to writers, pundits, and many outsiders to be quite like the picture painted by the Harper’s article (which is,  of course, accurate in certain ways) and the long history of Mormon theological teachings about the dangers that are inherent in wealth and prosperity and divorcing oneself from the labor of one’s own hands, the sacredness of community, and economic systems that forefront care for one another. These are difficult issues, and this podcast is full of terrific observations, both light and serious, and wonderful invitations for deep self-examination. Can and will those who find themselves recognizing that they a sympathy with the Occupy movement or have other hesitations about capitalism as it operates today do more than just talk? Please listen. We welcome your comments below! ______ Links to sites recommended by podcast panelist Jason Brown: The Mormon Worker LDS Left LDS Dems Occupywallst.org www.movetoamend.org The Corporation–a documentary in several parts  available through YouTube _____ Gadianton, by Eric Samuelsen. An incredible and powerful story and critique of the idea that something can be “just business,” that corporate decisions don’t have high personal costs. It wrestles with a Mormon-led computer firm that chooses to downsize in order to increase company profits. It is set in St. George, Utah, and the action of the play is interspersed with characters reminiscing on the atomic explosions in the Nevada desert and the radiation fallout that affects families in the area still today–government decisions that didn’t adequately count personal costs. And you simply have to experience for yourself all that comes from the inclusion of Gadianton!, a play within the play (that leads to its title character coming to life and whispering in the ear of one of the main play’s protagonists). Highly recommend! Potentially one of the best hours of reading you’ll ever spend. Note: This file contains the play, as well as a short follow-up essay by the author about the controversies that surrounded Gadianton when it was produced at BYU. Sunstone also somehow saved the file in the same grouping as a commentary on Mormon culture that is also excellent but not related to the play. So if you want to go directly to the play, it begins on page 6 of this file. podcast Mormon Matters no no What Would Jesus Buy – Come Confess Your Shopping Sins! http://mormonmatters.org/2008/05/16/what-would-jesus-buy-come-confess-your-shopping-sins/ http://mormonmatters.org/2008/05/16/what-would-jesus-buy-come-confess-your-shopping-sins/#comments Fri, 16 May 2008 22:00:09 +0000 Stephen Wellington http://mormonmatters.org/?p=500 Mickey Mouse is the Anti-Christ!!! :-)

NOW….hold up your credit card to the screen

and lets exercise those demons out of your credit card amen brother….hold it up…come on dont be shy.

Let’s make it a “changelujah”!!!!

Now….it is time for us to confess our shopping sins….I will start…..

I am ashamed….please forgive me Lord….

I bought two Diet Cokes today because I was so tired even though I know In Colombia, workers at Coca-Cola bottling plants have had their safety threatened and even been murdered by Colombian paramilitaries for trying to unionize. I am a sinner…I am going to have a MacDonalds tonight and I am justifying it again because I am tired. And while I write this my car is in the University Car Park clocking up $2 an hour when I could have parked it 15 minutes walk away for free…..Please forgive me my shopping sins. Let me have the courage to change and break my addiction to chocolate, WalMart, computer and my cell-phone. Give me courage to come to you and let go Lord. :-)

NOW YOUR TURN EVERYONE!

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