~”The problem here is that you have not bothered to learn about your faith in places other than the standard safe places ordered by your leaders.”~
Try me.
Start here:
http://www.globusz.com/ebooks/Mormons/00000010.htm
Read Book I and get back to me. It’s a semi-contemporary account. I doubt you will take the time to bother as it’s not from JeffLindsay, or FAIR, or BYU, or LDS.org.
And the total monies collected...and the total monies given to charity. Then check out the percentages. Look into all the farms and ranches...and see how much is actually given to charity. There have been many here on FR that run to point out the mormon's are first to arrive to give in disaster scenarios....but look into the percentages.
That will tell you where your church has it's heart.
Many warned J. Smith and B. Young about their apparent "shine" towards earthly treasures....but it didn't "take".
Nothing has apparently changed....by my account.
I would challenge you to genuinely and truthfully take an indept look into the finances of the Mormon Church. See how helpful your Bishop is...or any "higher ups". Good luck with that...
Are we to build great temples to God...or to win souls to Jesus?
Are we to feed and clothe the poor and elderly...or are we to build multi-million $$ malls? And buy radio stations, and invest in the stock market, and insurance companies???
If you can remove the scales from your eyes...and truthfully..and genuinely seek out these questions...you will come to the Truth.
I will trust God....that He will point you to the Way.