Someone asked: "What do they (members) get out of it (the Church)?"
What does any frat brother get out of a fraternity?
Community, a sense of belonging, acceptance, mutual defense, security, structure, meaning, support, business and social networking, status, access to potential mates, power, and an exclusive brand.
I left women out of this because Mormonism does the same. It's not a sorority, but a fraternity. And yes, that makes it all the more ridiculous.
Except that the church sucks at all those things you mention. The members are so busy putting up walls around their all important self images, that none of their brethren ever learn who they really are. Plus fraternities that don't drink are the lamest fraternities of all.
I agree. Another feature is that only people who have at least 10% disposible income would be attracted to this organization; a good way to keep out the rif-raff.