Why is MICHAEL a L.L.C. and not a
non-profit entity? (This is a question
voiced by a lot of people and I feel strongly that I need to
post the answer to clear up any misgivings about contributing to MICHAEL L.L.C.)
We found no other group or individual (including any of the
various Mormon churches) interested in preserving the log house, so my
wife and I agreed to purchase the site. The property was on the verge of being
sold to be used as pasture land and we couldn't bear the thought of the
destruction of such a valuable historical site.
Privatize is presently a dominant business model. Accordingly, we found that the 501(c)3 (non-profit
organizations) IRS tax codes are not well suited for land ownership.
We needed to establish a sound legal basis for managing the property and
the best way we could find was the creation of a limited liability company
(L.L.C.). If we had set up a 501(c)3, the board could
possibly, at a future date, vote us off of the board and we would still
be liable for the payment without any say concerning the use of the
land. Certainly no one would want to be placed in that situation.
Though we barely break even, we continue to charge no admission. It is, and always will be, our goal to provide good quality
service to those that visit to learn about their heritage. Please
support us in our efforts to preserve your past!
Does the LDS Church Know About the Log House?
Yes, at the conclusion of the 1998 excavation season, the LDS Church News featured an article on the archaeological efforts made here (see week ending May 30, 1998). Presently the LDS Church has not expressed an
interest in acquiring additional historical sites of this nature. On how much land does the Log House sit?
60 acres. [Michael Riggs] Of which Church are you a member?
Michael Riggs is a Unitarian Universalist (UU). He is a long time researcher of early American religion, including Mormonism. Unitarianism and Universalism are old New England religious organizations that merged together in 1961. For those unfamiliar with Universalism, it was the faith Joseph Smith Sr., professed before his son established the Church of Christ in 1830.
Affirming the significance of task before him as Director of the Missouri Institute for
Cultural-Historical-Archaeological Experiential Learning, L.L.C., and as such, a steward of a rediscovered "sacred place" for followers of Joseph Smith, Jr., Michael Riggs’ position is clearly defined in the following statement:
"Our mission is one of both scholarship and understanding. To research and discover what we can about this pivotal period of LDS history using the critical thinking skills found in the scientific method, yet never forgetting to be sensitive to the fact the topics we are dealing with are of a sacred nature to people of the Mormon faith."
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