Posted by:
steve benson
(
)
Date: May 06, 2014 05:06PM
A regular RfM contributor (who has shared their personal identity with me off-board but who wishes that info to remain confidential here--and who has significant experience in keeping books for Mormon, Inc.--recently relayed to me the following via email correspondence (quoted below with the prior approval, per anonymity, of the source/poster, and titled by this source as "Temple Recommends or Lack Thereof":
"I couldn't help but laugh: Today I viewed an 11.5-page report listing LDS members from one stake (five wards) whom have expired temple recommends. The report has single-line spacing which means there are roughly 350 members sans recommends within the five wards whom are missing out on their temple 'blessings.'"
The informant added in an subsequent email:
"[An] [a]dditional ward sent their data: Increase the 350 to 380 (six wards reporting in). . . .
"I'll continue to watch for other questions. If I miss one, just send it via an email."
My reply:
"OK, Will let you know if other questions are put to you here from the board."
Rough Stone Crumbling.
(*ONGOING NOTE: This post is being updated as the source continues to provide additional information)
I thanked the source for the info (which they are aware is now up on RfM).
The source wrote back:
"You're welcome. The stake's quarterly report is available. The stats are less encouraging than the last one [an earlier report shared with me that I have not yet posted on RfM]. <Snicker.>"
I responded:
"What are the stats from the stake's quarterly report? Have they a name--and can you give them to me through the email veil? (with, of course, due note made of any sensitive info that requires protection)."
The source's answer:
"1/4 of endowed members do not hold TRs [temple recommends].
"Only 6 converts in the last 12 month period."
*****
**UPDATED RESPONSES from the source to specific inquires in this thread made by other posters:
--from "want2bx":
"Thanks for sharing. I've always known that the church keeps records on everything. But, just the thought of the church generating a list filled with hundreds of names of potential apostates has a high creep factor for me."
--Source's reply:
"TR [Temple Recommend] Apostate list: Name, date of endowment, date of last recommend, expiration date, address, and phone number."
_____
--from "Heartless":
"Is there an additional statistic of how many current recommend holders actually use them?"
--Source's reply:
"There is a new format for the quarterly reports beginning this past quarter. It contains additional categories, but TR usage is not one of them."
_____
--from "Saucie":
"Is that a stake in Utah or elsewhere?"
--Source's reply:
"A stake in Utah."
_____
--from "anon for this one":
". . . [A]s for their 6 converts, I think we can pretty much assume those were 6 kids that turned eight!"
--Source's reply:
"The six converts were 4 adults and two children over the age of 8."
*****
Through all of this, the source expresses appreciation for the respect shown for their personal choice of taking a low-profiled approach:
"Thank you for protecting my anonymity. . . . The thread should close shortly. Thanks for protecting my identity."
Hey, you're welcome. (P.S.: The thread will probably be continued in a Part 2)
:)
Edited 27 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2014 09:04PM by steve benson.