Posted by:
elderolddog
(
)
Date: November 17, 2017 09:30PM
Back in 1588 England passed the Simony Act, prohibiting the 'buying' of appointed offices in the church other assorted Royal societies.
Here's the introduction to the law; in other words, the reasoning behind the need for the law (It's ine the orginale Olde Englishe!! Whate ae treate!!e):
"Whereas by the intent of the Founders of Colledges, Churches Collegiat, Churches Cathedrall, Scoles Hospitalls Halles and other like Societies within this Realme, and by the Statutes and good Orders of the same, the Eleccions presentacions and Nominacions of Fellowes Schollers Officers and other persons to have roome or place in the same, are to be had and made of the fittest & moste meete persons beinge capable of the same Eleccions presentacions and Nominacions, freelye without anye Rewarde Guyfte or Thinge given or taken for the same; And for true performaunce whereof, some Ellectors Presentors and Nomynators in the same have or shoulde take a Corporall Oathe to make their Eleccions presenacions and Nominacions accordinglye; YET NOTWITHSTANDINGE IT IS SENE AND FOUNDE BY EXPERIENCE THAT THE SAIDE ELECCIONS PRESENTATION AND NOMINATION BE MANYE TYMES WROUGHT AND BROUGHT TO PASSE WITH MONYE GUYFTS & REWARDS, Whereby the fyttest persons to be presented elected or nominated wantinge Money or Friends are sildome or not at all preferred, contrarie to the good meaninge of the saide Founders, and the saide good Statutes and Ordynaunces of the saide Colledges Churches Scholes Halles Hospitalls & Socyeties, and to the great prejudice of Learning and the Common Wealthe and Estate of the Realme"
So, does this happen en la iglesia mormona, at any level? This is not to say that when two candidates are seen as equal in their faith and character, that the richer of the two shouldn't get the office, because using mormon logic, ghawd has blessed him more. I'm asking, have appointees been called because cash was passed or promised, or favor exchanged or promised? Have more worth men been kept from office because of simony? (Simony is, among other things, the selling of appointed offices)