This 6 page article was recently published.
How the Mormons Make Money
It's a blockbuster. Let's assume Businessweek is smart enough to cross their i's and dot their t's (lol). The Mormon business machine runs far and wide.
I BEG readers here not to dump on the either the religion or the people. Please approach this information as an educational experience.
There is a big question, in our cash strapped country, on whether or not religions should pay tax on their incomes.
If you want religious debate, you will find a plethora of them in the comment sections of the Businessweek article.
Will be interested in your thoughts about taxing religions.
I live in Utah, and I must admit that this project raised my eyebrow.
City Creek Mall
Late last March the Mormon Church completed an ambitious project: a megamall. Built for roughly $2 billion, the City Creek Center stands directly across the street from the church’s iconic neo-Gothic temple in Salt Lake City. The mall includes a retractable glass roof, 5,000 underground parking spots, and nearly 100 stores and restaurants, ranging from Tiffany’s (TIF) to Forever 21. Walkways link the open-air emporium with the church’s perfectly manicured headquarters on Temple Square. Macy’s (M) is a stone’s throw from the offices of the church’s president, Thomas S. Monson, whom Mormons believe to be a living prophet.
On the morning of its grand opening, thousands of shoppers thronged downtown Salt Lake, eager to elbow their way into the stores. The national anthem played, and Henry B. Eyring, one of Monson’s top counselors, told the crowds, “Everything that we see around us is evidence of the long-standing commitment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Salt Lake City.” When it came time to cut the mall’s flouncy pink ribbon, Monson, flanked by Utah dignitaries, cheered, “One, two, three—let’s go shopping!”
I would have been more impressed with an experimental community to integrate some homeless people (who line up for the shelter a couple of blocks to the west each night).
Tiffany's is one of the stores. This is definitely a mall for million and billionaires. Well, there's an H & M, too. Clothes made by children of color in other far away lands that sell for really cheap prices. I boycott H & M personally.
The mall is across the street from the famous Salt Lake City Temple Square and Tabernacle
So, we have the Temple dedicated to God on one side of the street, and the Temple of Materialism across the street.
Your thoughts?