Mormons how do you really feel about the FCLDS and the concept of "Bleeding the Beast"?

Question

I am not a Mormon, I am not even sure if I should have asked the question to Mormons or members of the Church of Latter day Saints. So I hope do not offend.

Recently I got into a knock down drag out argument with a "God fearing Christen" over how terrible Mormons where especially that "Bleeding the Beast" idea they hold dear. I tried to correct them that this practice much like Polygamy is practiced primarily by the Fundamentalist Church of Latter day Saints and is not reflective on the Mormon community as a whole. Still this made me wonder who the general church feels of these practices and splinter groups.

Any answer would be appreciated.

Here is a site that talks of bleeding the beast.

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/9084/bleeding-the-beast

I would like to add that I've had 2 former Mormon friends tell me this term, and that this term is used internally. Also webs site searches say there is a tenant of the faith to "Bleed the Beast." Though it seems the above article says they often reefer to it as simply "The principle"

Still for those who can't be bothered to read what it is you risk my biased definition. Stealing from Satan in the from of social welfare fraud to pay for your virtuosos lifestyle of polygamy. It is also seen as a form of protest towards the government preventing them from legally getting married.

Answer 1

I have to plead ignorance of this "bleeding the beast" statement. I have been a member for over 30 years, and have never heard of this. I've read nothing about it, and I have an extensive LDS library in my home. I've heard nothing about it in Sacrament meeting talks, Sunday School, or any other classes I've taken. There is nothing about this on the Church website, as well.

After doing a little websearching, I see what this is about, and would like to tell you that the Church teaches its members to stay away from public welfare systems, and to work for what we need. We are taught, and it is preached from the pulpits, that each of us should gain an education, obtain job skills, and work for our living; that we should not seek to have welfare programs support us.

We are also taught to save up what we can so that if there comes a time of need we will have what we need to get by.

I hope that this helps to explain the Church's stand, as I understand it.

Answer 2

I joined the LDS church when I was 21, almost 30 years ago, and I have NEVER heard this term "bleed the beast".

We LDS try very hard to take care of our own. The church came up with it's own welfare program to help members get back on their feet, and take careof themselves, because that's NOT what the government was doing.

We don't have to "bleed the beast" like those who marry as many women as they can, and have as many babies as they can, while kicking out the young men who might prove competition for the old men who want the young chickies. I hope someone is there for these young men, to help them see that getting kickedout is probably the best thing that happened to them!

Answer 3

This must be a tem used by 'christians' who are rabidly anti-mormon. In 50 years of mormon indoctrination, this term was never used, or perhaps thats a part I continually slept thru.

Most 'splinter' groups occurred when Joseph Smith was assassinated. the largest group insisting that direct lineage of Smith lead the church; now known as the Community of Christ.

The FLDS can be viewed as the Original church because it's teachings remain unchanged since the late 1800s, and they consider the Salt Lake group as apostate.

My answer has always been: False, or none of the above.

Answer 4

Bleeding the beast? I'm a Mormon not a fundalmentalist..
Believe me...I think others have bled the beast a lot and it isn't LDS. As for FLDS? I don't care about them.

So no comment

Answer 5

If you want to know go to the source.
www.lds.org
Never heard of bleeding the beast. That is false

Answer 6

Wow. What is it?