Introduction: In recent years, there has been significant public interest in the financial compensation received by the General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the living allowances provided to these individuals and explore the implications of these financial arrangements.
The Living Allowance: General Authorities are prominent leaders within the LDS Church who serve full-time and are devoted exclusively to church service. As part of their commitment to this spiritual calling, they receive a living allowance to support their day-to-day needs. It's important to clarify that these living allowances are uniform for all General Authorities. Contrary to some misconceptions, the funds for these allowances do not come from the tithing of Church members. Instead, they are derived from the proceeds of the Church's financial investments.
Historical Context: Before 1960, the LDS Church provided its members with an annual financial report that detailed the income and expenses of the Church. However, this level of financial transparency is not maintained today. This has led to various individuals and organizations seeking to shed light on the financial aspects of the Church, culminating in platforms like Mormon Leaks.
The Figures: Mormon Leaks, a website dedicated to providing a platform for the exposure of confidential LDS Church documents, has published information about the living allowances of LDS General Authorities. While the Church has not confirmed the authenticity of these documents, the data provides an interesting insight into the compensation of these leaders.
For instance, a memo from 2014 suggests that the General Authority base living allowance increased from $116,400 to $120,000 annually. It's important to note that the living allowances have been a topic of interest, as they appear to have risen by about three percent per year, reflecting the cost of living adjustments.
Comparative Analysis: To contextualize these figures, it's worth comparing the living allowances of LDS General Authorities with those of other organizations. A Charity Navigator report on the compensation of charity CEOs reveals a broad range of incomes. While some charity CEOs work for less than half the LDS $120,000 annual allowance, these leaders often head smaller organizations. In contrast, CEOs of larger charities, although still smaller in scale than the LDS Church, often receive between $500,000 and $1 million in compensation.
Elder Henry B. Eyring's Pay Stubs: Mormon Leaks also published what it claims to be Elder Henry B. Eyring's pay stubs from the year 2000, showing a living allowance just above $80,000. These eight-page documents, with personal information redacted, provide insights into the tax deductions, living allowance, and parsonage (housing) allowances received by General Authorities.
The Church's Response: The LDS Church has not confirmed the authenticity of the leaks but issued a general statement clarifying that General Authorities leave their careers when they are called into full-time Church service. During this service, they receive a living allowance, and these funds do not come from the tithing of Church members but instead from the Church's financial investments.
Transparency and Public Perception: The publication of such information raises questions about transparency within the Church. Many charitable organizations and religious institutions operate in a fully transparent manner, providing their members with detailed financial reports. Mormon Leaks positions itself as a platform to promote transparency within the LDS Church, allowing individuals to submit documents or information anonymously.
In the absence of complete financial disclosure, individuals and organizations are left to draw their conclusions and make determinations about how this financial information reflects on the Church.
Conclusion: The financial compensation of LDS General Authorities has become a topic of public interest and discussion. While the living allowances appear to have increased over the years, it is crucial to remember that these funds come from the Church's investments, not from the tithing of its members. The lack of detailed financial reports from the Church itself has given rise to platforms like Mormon Leaks, which aim to promote transparency and allow the public to make their own judgments about this aspect of Church leadership.
