I found these nifty Instructions for Filing a Complaint with IRS regarding LDS's 501(c)(3) status

[adamuu]

"How to File an IRS 501(c)(3) Complaint"
http://lds501c3.wordpress.com/

(Not my website)

-snip-

The LDS church, through inciting its members to donate time and means to support Proposition 8 (resulting in millions of dollars of cash contributions from its members and countless volunteer hours), and in-kind campaign contributions to a group that supports Proposition 8, has now made a substantial part of its activities attempting to influence legislation.

You can help! Send the IRS an official complaint about the LDS Church’s activities, either by email, fax or US Mail.

1. Prepare a copy of the Official LDS Prop. 8 Letter read in all LDS churches in California on 29 June 2008.
2. Prepare one or more other articles of your choice (you can use these links, or do your own research) showing the LDS Church’s substantial activities attempting to influence this legislation.
3. Prepare this Pre-Filled IRS Form 13909 and add your personal information, or fill out a Blank IRS Form 13909 from scratch with the information in the pre-filled form (these links and an alternative filled form are copied below in RESOURCES.)
4. Don’t forget to date your referral at the top and include your submitter information. If you are a member of the Church, you may wish to check the box marked “I am concerned that I might face retaliation or retribution if my identity is disclosed.”
5. Send it to the IRS, either by:
* Email: Prepare your documents as PDF’s or web links, and send your complaint form with supporting documentation to [e-mail].
* Fax: fax your documents to [phone]
* Mail: mail your documents to
IRS EO Classification
Mail Code 4910DAL
1100 Commerce Street
Dallas TX 75242-1198

More at link.

[Radical Activist]

1. What would Joseph Smith think about this?

The Doctrine and Covenants is a LDS scripture considered to have the same level of authority as the Bible. It has a chapter about religion and government.

Section 134 states:


4 We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish bguilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.

9 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.


Joseph Smith didn't preach hate, prejudice and exclusion. The LDS church strayed far from its founding principles when it got involved in prop 8.

[adamuu]

8. wow. very interesting. thanks for posting that.

Here is the complete section
http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/134

[Pab Sungenis]

2. Done.

Hopefully, the IRS won't close the book until Obama is in office, and his people can tackle it.

[adamuu]

4. you are a good American. LDS is begging to be challenged.

it seems that the LDS Church is just ITCHIN' for a challenge on this. I don't see the downside in accepting the challenge.
As my partner just said, "Sunshine is a Disinfectant". Let's shine some light on what they really believe, what they intend to do, and how far they will go to do it.

[nichomachus]

3. Except, that Bush has packed all government offices with fundies

All they'll do is buy bigger waste baskets.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Good point, which is why our work is not done with the election of Obama as POTUS. n/t

[Starry Messenger]

6. kick.

That website has forms that are pre-filled in with a lot of the information needed. All you have to do is print it out, personalize it and mail it. I'm doing one tomorrow.

[PBS Poll-435]

7. If you are an Iowan, contact REPUBLICAN Chuck Grassley

He is leading the charge against abuse of the 501(c)(3) provision.

[Holly_Hobby]

9. I'm in Ohio.....can I still participate?

I want to see these people go down hard. Thanks.

[adamuu]

10. IANAL, but it is a US law that defines 503(a)(c), and IRS is a

federal institution. And their actions have crossed state lines (UT into CA) already... I see no regional boundary to this.

[Holly_Hobby]

14. Thanks, it burns my a** to no end and I intend to do what I can n/t

[Luminous Animal]

11. There is some confusion here...

A 501( 3 ) c is allowed to engage in issue oriented advocacy. What they are barred from doing is partisan political advocacy and direct lobbying of legislators. If anyone can find evidence of either in regards to the Morman church and California legislators, then there may be grounds for a complaint. Otherwise, it will be a waste of our time and a waste of government resources.

[newtothegame]

12. Can they be in trouble for taking a stance on issues?...

or just for endorsing a candidate?

[ourbluenation]

13. this is a loser. they didn't officially do anything, their members did and...

the battle should be with the government for NOT issuing marriage licenses for all citizens.