I am pretty sure that los mormones would not be adverse to asking congregants to donate to this specific cause, directly to SLC, and then SLC would make a fine, even a lofty production out of the presentation of a check (total contributions, less appropriate handling fees, along with a tithe for Jesus) in the appropriate videotaped event.
After all, mormon governing authorities are not monsters!! Right?
With hundreds of Mormon temples still needing to be built? That would be a foolish waste of the Lord's money. Mormon church authorities will send thoughts and prayers, instead.
I'm pretty sure when the Cathedral of the Madeleine in SLC had an expensive seismic overhaul 25 or so years ago, the LDS Church kicked in some money. So, it would not be unprecedented.
They don't need LDS money since hundreds of millions are rolling in. More about city and national pride in an ancient landmark than anything particularly faith based I suspect.
I agree. That said, the history and art are worth preserving. Also, I think there is some real value is the sense of community. On the balance, community is a good thing.
Emmanuel Macron says Notre Dame will be rebuilt within 5 years.
To do that (if even possible), he will need multiples of the currently pledged 700 million euros - leaving plenty of room for the LDS Benevolent Society to kick in a few bucks.
They could 3D print the spire and hoist it up with a helicopter unlike the poor masons who constructed the original with hand tools.
I said this elsewhere but the sheer size and extent of priceless art and architecture in those old European Cathedrals makeLDS, Inc McTemples that last less than 20 years before "remodeling" look like drive-thru restaurants.
I hope people who want to, donate directly to a rebuilding fund, not to LDS for them to be a middleman. Who knows how much they would keep for a handling fee?
"LDS Notre Dame Temple". There's nothing they like better than getting prime real estate at fire sale prices.
I guess it's up to the French government and people to decide whether they can live with a fiberglass spire topped with a golden horn-blowing angel named "Moron with an i" being erected where the old spire once stood.
each with a golden Moroni on top, put a big honkin' beehive dome on the roof and replace the rose windows with replicas of the hexagram window of the Salt Lake Assembly Hall. Could confuse everybody....which would be mission accomplished for a typical LSD Church project.
Hagia Sophia has a nice 1000 year plus patina. My guess is that the leaders of the LSD Church wouldn't want any signs of age or dinginess on their Notre Dame temple and would probably have the exterior covered with a shiny white coat of paint. The interior will get typical LSD Church "dura-wear" carpeting.
I think the French are ready for it. Paris Disneyland has been softening them up for years. The time is ripe. President Micron would probably go for it, if the price is right. Maybe Wendy could work on Micron's wife to get her on board, by hosting a special grape juice tasting party in her honor.
I think the Brethren may have a problem with the "Notre Dame" name, however.
More landmark building of the COJCOLDS go into other hands in the decades ahead.
This already happened to one of the Church's most precious buildings back in 1977, when the Unification Church (the "Moonies") acquired it from LDS, Inc.
It used to have a Moroni statue on top of the spire and looked more like a temple than a regular LDS chapel.
But I don't like the idea of donations from elderly or low income church donors being forced to have their donations used for a cause they might or might not support.
I realize that the mormon church doesn't care if donors are respected and the money already goes to questionable causes, but sending it to Rome won't help poor mormons eat better.
I say give the tithes back to those who earn it and let them decide if they want to donate it to others.
I heartedly agree! Poor people don't need to be paying charity for BYU either, it's varsity sports complexes, or it's administrative salaries, or it's Hinkley center for the allumni. Poor people don't need to fund a city creek mall, high rise apartments for the wealthy, or swanky accommodations for Goldman Sacs professionals.
The middle class shouldn't be obliged to pony up the money either.