SALT LAKE CITY — The financial prosperity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a reflection of the faith of its members, said Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé. Together with his counselors, Bishop Dean M. Davies and Bishop W. Christopher Waddell, Bishop Caussé sat down in a joint interview with the Church News and the Deseret News. They said the funds contributed by its 16 million members in 190 countries “belong to the Lord.” Bishop Caussé stated, “It’s no surprise we are talking about billions of dollars … given the number of members.” The Church’s size and large budget also provide the “opportunity to expand the reach of all the good that the Church can do around the world. It is a Church. It is not a financial institution.”
Church Priorities
The Church has four divinely appointed responsibilities:
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helping members live the gospel of Jesus Christ,
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gathering Israel through missionary work,
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caring for the poor and needy,
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enabling the salvation of the dead by building temples.
These account for the majority of Church expenditures and provides the spiritual backing for decision-making.
The Church has doubled its humanitarian donations over the past five years, spending almost $1 billion annually to care for the poor and the needy. The costs associated with running the Church are also increasing. The organization provides support for 30,000 congregations, educates 850,000 students in seminary and institute, and is engaged in aggressive temple construction — maintaining 167 temples with another 50 announced or under construction. The cumulative expenditures of the Church’s universities are about $1.5 billion per year.
Bishop Caussé said the needs of the Church — including construction of meetinghouses; translation of materials; upkeep of missionary training centers, mission homes and area offices; maintenance of one of the world’s largest family history databases; and care for visitors’ centers and historical sites, to name just a few — are constantly increasing, especially as it expands into emerging countries with young populations. Tithing in those countries cannot cover expenditures, he explained, and must be supplemented with funds from other areas of the world.
Bishop Davies said it is impossible to separate the Church’s practices and the counsel it gives members, “which is to live within the means and to set aside a reserve for times of need.”
Just as the biblical prophet Joseph saved for seven years of famine during seven years of prosperity, “there will come a time when these resources, reserves, will be necessary,” said Bishop Waddell.
Long-term Outlook
Care for the Church’s finances is accomplished with “the best professional expertise possible” and also with the spirit of revelation, said Bishop Caussé. The Church is conservative and prudent and has a long-term outlook. Church policy dictates that Church leaders establish an annual budget based on expected revenues, while setting aside funds for the future.
The Church’s reserves are invested by Ensign Peak Advisors, the Church’s investment management arm. These reserves have grown substantially during the past decades. Further, Bishop Waddell said the Church diversifies and does not invest all its holdings in financial assets. In addition to the reserves, the organization has invested in real property — commercial real estate, residential real estate, and in agriculture.
“Our belief is that at some point the reserves are going to be used, they are going to be needed,” Bishop Waddell said. The Church’s financial holdings and reserves are being carefully watched over, protected and wisely handled, he said. In times of recession, “we won’t have to stop missionary work; we won’t have to stop maintaining buildings and building temples; we won’t have to stop humanitarian and welfare work; we won’t have to stop education.”
Tithes and Offerings
Bishop Davies said the paying of tithes is a covenant or a spiritual commitment that blesses both the giver and receiver. The Lord has promised He will “prosper his children as they keep the commandments.” The blessings that come are spiritual first but also have temporal components.
Bishop Caussé said it always touches his heart when he learns of people living in poor conditions that are very faithful in paying their tithing and fast offerings. When people cannot afford to pay tithing and buy food, they are counseled to pay tithing and let the Church help them with food. “I think every member of the Church pays tithing out of faith, not considering whether the money will be used now or tomorrow,” said Bishop Caussé.
Fast offerings — where members forgo two meals a month and donate the cost of those meals to help the poor and needy — are also a matter of faith. Bishop Davies said the number of those who contribute fast offerings is very close to the same number of those who pay tithing.
Mission of the Church
Bishop Caussé said caring for those in need across the globe is at the heart of the mission of the Church. It is not “an appendage to the mission,” but instead is intermingled in everything the Church does.
In addition to responding to disasters across the globe, Church humanitarian funds have been used to provide food programs, vision care, maternal and newborn care, clean water and sanitation, immunizations, wheelchairs, and help for refugees. Bishop Davies said the Church is careful to select humanitarian projects and partners that will make the best use of the Church’s funds.
Every time the Church reaches out, the objective is to bless both the giver and the receiver, added Bishop Caussé. So, in addition to selecting good humanitarian projects, Church leaders are always mindful of providing service opportunities for Church members. “It’s not just a matter of money,” he said. It’s also done as members “devote time and resources and efforts to help others.”
As to the question, is the Church doing enough, Bishop Causse said, “We hope we can do more and more in the future, and as the Church grows, there will be more opportunities for doing good.”
Church Investments
Because of the sacred nature of Latter-day Saint funds, the management of Church finances occurs at the highest levels of Church leadership. The investments of the Church, for example, are overseen by two committees, said Bishop Caussé. The Investment Policy Committee, chaired by President Russell M. Nelson, is composed of the First Presidency, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and members of the Presiding Bishopric. The second committee is the Investment Executive Committee. It meets monthly and includes the Presiding Bishopric and managing directors over Church investments. This Committee reviews and prepares recommendations to be taken to the Investment Policy Committee.
Bishop Caussé said Church financial policy is clear: “We will not expend more than the expected revenues. The budget is based on that principle.” Funds donated to the Church belong to the Lord, he said. “We believe that there needs to be a lot of care in the handling of the finances of the Church.”