The Church applies this same principle in its own savings and investments. Additionally, the Church Auditing Department, which is independent from all other Church departments, employs credentialed professionals to ensure that Church funds are administered and recorded in accordance with Church policies and standard accounting practices.Ĭhurch members are taught to “gradually build a financial reserve by regularly saving ” ( Providing in the Lord’s Way: Summary of a Leader’s Guide to Welfare, 2).

The budget for operating expenses will not increase at a more rapid rate than anticipated tithing contributions.īudgets for the Church’s efforts are specifically approved and funds are appropriated by the Church’s Budget and Appropriations Committee, a subcommittee of the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes.

Expenditures will not exceed forecasted revenue.

Those policies embody the following principles: Together, they establish and administer the specific policies and budgets guiding the use of Church resources (see D&C 120:1). The Church’s Council on the Disposition of the Tithes is composed of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the Presiding Bishopric.

A small portion of funds comes from businesses maintained by the Church. Resources used to carry out this work come principally from the tithing donations of Church members. Supporting general institutional administration.Building and operating temples and sustaining family history work to strengthen families.Promoting spiritual and secular learning through the Church Educational System (seminaries, institutes, universities and other higher education initiatives).Providing welfare, humanitarian assistance and emergency response to alleviate suffering and help people achieve self-reliance.Building and maintaining places of worship to strengthen individuals and communities (stakes, districts, wards and branches).Sharing the message of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

The Church uses its resources to pursue the Lord’s work by: Its current relative prosperity only reflects the faith of its members in keeping the law of tithing and the accomplishment in their lives of the Lord’s often-repeated promise that “inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land” (Alma 9:13). The Church is a steward of the tithes and generous donations provided by its members, and it practices the principles it teaches - avoiding debt, living within a budget and preparing for the future.įollowing sound financial principles over an extended period of time, the Church has grown from meager beginnings into a worldwide organization able to support its divine mission. The Church is not a financial or profit-making institution it uses resources to carry out its divinely appointed mission. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a singular purpose: to invite all people to come unto Christ. In May 2018 on, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé published a companion article to his recent remarks at the 2018 Church History Symposium, “Financing Faith: The Intersection of Business and Religion.” In conjunction with Bishop Caussé’s article and talk, the following materials provide additional context regarding Church finances.

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