NOM

The temple in my area recently closed for renovations. My never-mo BFF lives in the neighborhood where the temple is located and has several TBM neighbors. One of them wrote a letter to the HOA explaining the reasons for the renovation. Apparently the letter extols the virtues of keeping the building in pristine condition as the Lord's house and rambles on about how expensive but necessary it is to renovate to provide an even nicer place of worship.

Well, the letter backfired among the never-mo neighbors. The word my BFF used was that the neighbors are "appalled" at what seems to be unnecessary renovations on a building that is not even 20 years old and already appears to be in pristine condition. They are all disgusted at the cost of the renovation when this area has a massive poverty rate. Comparisons were made to churches in the area who are holding food and coat drives and serving the less fortunate while the LDS church is renovating an already extravagant building.

Needless to say, the letter did not win over anyone's respect and it doesn't even take a mall for never-mo's see the LDS worship the almighty dollar.

Ours is closed too but fortunately there is another one less than 15 miles away.

I think it's a ploy to cut operating costs and an excuse to not have to accept that combined attendance is lower. I also think they've realized a dirty temple is like a dirty McDonalds. After awhile people will stop going when there's one on every corner and the product is bad. Fortunately for McDonalds, they can change up the menu.

Red Ryder wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:43 am Ours is closed too but fortunately there is another one less than 15 miles away.

I think it's a ploy to cut operating costs and an excuse to not have to accept that combined attendance is lower. I also think they've realized a dirty temple is like a dirty McDonalds. After awhile people will stop going when there's one on every corner and the product is bad. Fortunately for McDonalds, they can change up the menu.

Are you suggesting there is more intrinsic value in a McDonald's than in a temple?!

That might be the best thing you've ever said, come to think of it.

Red Ryder wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:43 am Ours is closed too but fortunately there is another one less than 15 miles away.

I think it's a ploy to cut operating costs and an excuse to not have to accept that combined attendance is lower. I also think they've realized a dirty temple is like a dirty McDonalds. After awhile people will stop going when there's one on every corner and the product is bad. Fortunately for McDonalds, they can change up the menu.

I might consider going back to the temple if I can score a big mac with fries after a session. Or even better, during the session.

crossmyheart wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2017 9:54 am Well, the letter backfired among the never-mo neighbors. The word my BFF used was that the neighbors are "appalled" at what seems to be unnecessary renovations on a building that is not even 20 years old and already appears to be in pristine condition. They are all disgusted at the cost of the renovation when this area has a massive poverty rate. Comparisons were made to churches in the area who are holding food and coat drives and serving the less fortunate while the LDS church is renovating an already extravagant building.

FWIW: Feel free to tell your never-mo neighbors that some random, fluffy non-believing mormon dude on the internet agrees with them 100%.

The temple is a completely useless hamster-wheel for believers. Imagine what could be done for real, living people in need with the resources that the Corporation™ literally throws away on temples.

Red Ryder wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:43 am I also think they've realized a dirty temple is like a dirty McDonalds. After awhile people will stop going when there's one on every corner and the product is bad. Fortunately for McDonalds, they can change up the menu.

As others have mentioned: This is brilliant. McDonald's might not be the best restaurant on the block, but a McDonald's is definitely more of a net-positive for society than a McTemple. In fact, a McTemple is most definitely a net-negative.

FiveFingerMnemonic wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2017 11:34 am

Red Ryder wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2017 10:43 am Ours is closed too but fortunately there is another one less than 15 miles away.

I think it's a ploy to cut operating costs and an excuse to not have to accept that combined attendance is lower. I also think they've realized a dirty temple is like a dirty McDonalds. After awhile people will stop going when there's one on every corner and the product is bad. Fortunately for McDonalds, they can change up the menu.

I might consider going back to the temple if I can score a big mac with fries after a session. Or even better, during the session.

Refreshments served during the movie might make up for the rest of it.

They are shutting down the Washington DC temple starting after the new year for a massive renovation. This renovation is expected to take 1.5 to 2 years. So I will go from being 2.5 hours from the temple to 4 hours away from Columbus or Philadelphia. Shucks.

That being said, what I gather, usage of Washington DC is very low. Hours are cut way back, even before they announced the closure. So it won't be a huge loss to the area.

Just This Guy wrote: ↑Wed Nov 29, 2017 9:05 pm They are shutting down the Washington DC temple starting after the new year for a massive renovation. This renovation is expected to take 1.5 to 2 years. So I will go from being 2.5 hours from the temple to 4 hours away from Columbus or Philadelphia. Shucks.

That being said, what I gather, usage of Washington DC is very low. Hours are cut way back, even before they announced the closure. So it won't be a huge loss to the area.

The nearest temple is now over 3 hours away for us.

I have to admit it is such a relief to have the local one closed. A break from the pressure to attend sessions or drive teenagers to participate in baptisms or having to deal with my condescending sister every time she comes to town to do a session.