Transparency

October 1905 Conference Report, Prophet Joseph F. Smith, Pg. 5: 1 “I want to say further to the Saints, that your brethren to whom you have entrusted the care and management of the finances of the Church stand ready and willing, any moment,’ to answer to YOU — to Latter-day Saints, to tithepayers, to those … Read more

Internet

Excerpt from “Start with Faith: A Conversation with Elder Steven E. Snow,” Religious Educator 14, no. 3 (2013): 1 “Part of my challenge is to make certain that I understand that if the Brethren have questions, we get to them and answer them quickly. We have an opportunity to defend positions with them and to … Read more

Proposition 8

Image: Elder Lance Wickman – LDS General Authority Elder Lance Wickman in a 2012 interview speaking about the LDS churches involvement in the California Proposition 8 amendment against marriage equality: [footnote]Elder Wickman – Thoughts on Proposition 8[/footnote] “The first thought that comes to my mind is the shear heroism of our members in California, and others who stood … Read more

2012 Tithing Slip Change

In 2012 there was an disclaimer added to the LDS tithing slip which reads “Though reasonable efforts will be made globally to use donations as designated, all donations become the Church’s property and will be used at the Church’s sole discretion to further the Church’s overall mission.” Since 1959 the LDS church has not publicly … Read more

Closed Books

When asked about the Church’s lack of financial reporting by a reporter in 2002, then LDS Prophet, Gordon Hinkley responded as follows: REPORTER: In my country the…we say the people’s churches, the Protestants, the Catholics, they publish all their budgets, to all the public.HINCKLEY: Yeah. Yeah.REPORTER: Why is it impossible for your church?HINCKLEY: Well, we … Read more