by crimson208 on April 25th, 2004

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Does the LDS Church release information (exact figures/estimates) to its members about how tithing money is spent?

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by Charles Sampson on July 9th, 2004
Generally speaking, the members know how tithing money is spent. We see temples being built all over the world. Chapels (meeting places) are also dotting the earth. The maintenance of these buildings are funded through tithing. So the answer would be yes, with a clarification that the members do not need to know the specifics of the payment. We trust that it is used appropriately.
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- So, "NO" then?
  
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  by DeseretSpectacle on December 14th, 2006
- HOW, Charles, do "the members know how tithing money is spent?" How?
  
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  by TheicidalManiac on February 16th, 2008
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by Kim Siever on April 26th, 2004
No.
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by solistics on March 4th, 2008
Not voluntarily, no. But in the UK, charities are mandated by law to disclose their financial records, and as the LDS Church is registered as a charity, it complies with this law. You can download PDFs of the UK-only records here:
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/AccountListing.asp?charitynumber=242451
They are not particularly detailed, but there's more information there than any other source I've found.
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by TheicidalManiac on February 8th, 2008
No. They stopped publishing that information in the early 1960's. Consider for a moment that there are over 10 million Mormons. Let's play with some numbers here...If only one quarter of them were tithe payers (it's probably a LOT higher than that) and the average income was a mere $10,000 US (probably a pretty low-ball figure), then that would be about 2.5 million X 10,000 = $25 billion ANNUALLY. I'd say that's a pretty conservative figure. Definitely piques curiosity, doesn't it; where DOES all that money go?
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- Most of it goes to new construction. Aren't there like 5 new chapels constructed DAILY somewhere in the world?
  
  Second most goes to maintenance. They do pay janitors.
  
  None goes to taxes or to pay local leaders of the Church, who are called and who volunteer their time for the task.
  
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  by Jed Merrill on February 8th, 2008
- According to Gordon B. in the 1991 "State of the Church" local tithing pays for all construction, maintenance and activity costs of all church buildings, leaving 30% of the tithing money left unspent. Where does that 30% go?
  
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  by TheicidalManiac on February 16th, 2008
- Theicidal, you realize that your calculations assume that people tithe their ENTIRE yearly income, right?! You multiplied 2.5 million, by the entire income of these supposed Mormons (aka $10,000). Surely you didn't mean to say that the Mormon church collects every penny that each of those individual's make...
  
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  by Castrate on February 17th, 2008
- yeah...thanks castrate...don't know what I was thinking there...anyway, the LDS faith told TIME magazine they were pulling in around 5.2 Billion in tithes in 1997. Far less than my guess. There is another flaw in my figure that is hidden, which was recently pointed out to me by friends who are fellow ex-mormons. Mormons inflate their membership numbers. The LDS church still counts my friends and I as members. We're technically part of the 10 million figure because the mormon church will not remove your name from their records until you meet with your bishop and stake counselor, and when you don't buy into the authority of those people it seems silly to meet with them.
  
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  by TheicidalManiac on February 19th, 2008
- Well, I'm proud of you for actually admitting when you have made a mistake. I guess you can't easily argue against numbers and figures.
  
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  by Castrate on February 19th, 2008
- wow, how sincere of you.
  
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  by TheicidalManiac on February 19th, 2008
- LOL, what an idiotic comment -- "when you don't buy into the authorty of those people it seems silly to meet with them." What you're saying is, you joined an organization with a lifetime membership, and you don't want to be a member of that organization any more, but you don't recognize their authority to remove your name from their own membership roles? Huh? Who does have that authority then?
  
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  by Tight E. Whitey on June 9th, 2008
- I do recognize it. That's why I wrote to them and formally requested to be removed. Rather than honor my request, however, they'd rather have me speak with their regional sales manager...oops, I mean local bishop...in person. But a bishop is a spiritual adviser, and their particular spiritual beliefs are ridiculous to me. What guidance could he offer me in terms of that religion, and what other reason would there be for me to meet with him?
  
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  by TheicidalManiac on July 1st, 2008
- ....
  
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  by Arithon on October 27th, 2009
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by Tight E. Whitey on June 9th, 2008
No, the Church does not give detailed accounting figures. It does release some information, however. For example, in 2007, the Church ...

"...responded to major earthquakes in 5 countries, massive fires in 6 countries, hunger and famine in 18 countries, and flooding and severe storms in 34 countries. In total the Church and its members responded to 170 major events--nearly one every two days for the entire year....

"In addition to responding to natural disasters, we undertook thousands of public health initiatives during the year. Over 1 million people benefited from Church-sponsored clean water projects in 25 countries. More than 60,500 people received wheelchairs in 60 nations.... In 11 countries, over 54,000 individuals now enjoy improved vision. Over 16,500 health-care professionals in 23 countries were trained in infant neonatal resuscitation; they, in turn, will train many others. In a quest to eliminate measles, 2.8 million children and youth in 10 countries received immunizations. The combined effects of these outreach endeavors directly touched nearly 4 million people in 85 countries.

"In August a major 8.0 earthquake killed 520 people and destroyed more than 58,000 homes in southern Peru. In a marvelous display of love and concern, each of the 29 stakes in Lima, Peru, provided basic assistance to ward areas in the devastated region.... a plan is under way to help individuals rebuild their homes and lives and replace several schools. As many as 400 homes may ultimately be built..."

"Late in the year a combination of dry weather and high winds fueled wildfires in southern California. These wildfires forced over one million people from their homes. At least 1,500 homes were destroyed. In response the Church provided cleaning kits, blankets, hygiene kits, and food. Over 5,000 Mormon Helping Hands along with missionaries cleaned, cooked, comforted, and cared for those affected....

"Heavy rains triggered flooding across the midwestern United States, Oregon, and Washington. Volunteers came with supplies from the bishops' storehouse to provide help to those in need....

"Working with the World Health Organization to eliminate measles as a killer of almost a million children each year, over 54,000 Church members volunteered to help organize the effort...

"Our four-year effort to help those devastated by a tsunami in Indonesia and southern Asia also continued. Funding was provided to help build 902 homes, with 3 community centers, 24 village water systems, 15 schools, and 3 medical centers....

"In Ethiopia, communities helped to access clean drinking water. The Church drIlled wells and constructed storage tanks. Communities organized a water committee and dug the trenches needed to pipe the water from the storage tanks to each village. In some cases this was a distance of over 3 miles (5 km)."

http://tinyurl.com/4lp9yo
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- Oh MorMonster what a typical, passive-aggressive Mormon answer. I did not see a dollar amount anywhere in your post.
  
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  by anticode on October 20th, 2008
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by Mister IT is trying to Liahona outta here on October 9th, 2009
Simply put: No
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by Braedon on September 8th, 2009
The LDS Church does tell us how much of the money is used. For instance, the money is used to build chapels and temples.
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by whew4 on October 9th, 2009
I don't care what it is used for, the Lord commands that we give 10% of our increase to Him. And for doing so we are blessed, period.

I know our leaders are all called of God and they will do what is right with the Tithing and Fast Offering money.

And if they don't, they will answer to the Lord. I am blessed for doing what I'm commanded to do. Why would I want to know what the Lord is doing with His money?

I answer to Him, He does not answer to me, nor does His servants...Later
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by DiSTurBiA on March 4th, 2008
no, because like most religions the money goes to the higher ups in the church, and they dont want to account for it.
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- Actually, you obviously don’t know much about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The “higher-ups” you mention get a small living stipend based on need, just like any other person that needs a little help to make ends meet. You don’t even have to be a member of the Church to get that; just genuinely *need* it and be willing to fulfill whatever assignment God gives you in return (e.g. clean the chapel, drive someone to work, preside over the Church). ;-)
  
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  by the Otter on March 7th, 2008
- I know enough of the ones in our area that horde money, as well as other churches that do the same thing. Most thank goodness have been prosecuted.
  
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  by DiSTurBiA on March 7th, 2008
- We dont even pay our "pastors" so hording the money would be impossible. The money goes to charity like needs and buidling and maintaning places of worship.
  
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  by jessica21 on August 28th, 2010
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by Anonymous on October 10th, 2009
No. Not unless they are forced to by law, and even then, the figures released have been doctored to the point that they are misleading and useless.

HOWEVER, this is not only characteristic of the Mormons in particular. Many churches keep their finances secret. The Roman Catholic Church and cults like Scientology are by far the worst offenders.
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Does the LDS Church release information (exact figures/estimates) to its members about how tithing money is spent?

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Does the LDS Church release information (exact figures/estimates) to its members about how tithing money is spent?

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