[pchristensen]

1. Large families definitely are common, although getting smaller. Decreasing family size is trailing the general populace by a couple generations. In my experience 3-4 kids is probably the modal family size now.

2. The church was in a very bad financial position until the early 1900s because of persecution by several states and the federal government. There's a strong, strong cultural sense of preparedness and self determination to make sure that we're never in that position again. Apple in the modern era is a good comparison - better to save and have the resources on hand rather than need them and not have them.

3. Thank you, we work hard at it :)

4. There's also a strong entrepreneurial culture, both out of necessity from starting new settlements several times in the early church history, and intentionally cultivated starting after the relocation to Utah, so that the community would be more independent (see also #2).