By keeping my ears open, I learn a lot of interesting things around here! Following are some fun financial facts I have collected that seem to surprise those not of our faith:
- No tithing funds are used for the new downtown SLC re-development. The cost has been saved for via church business interests and from special donations. (See what this 2-3 billion dollar project will look like: www.downtownrising.com
- The Church is one of the largest tax payers in the State of Utah.
- The Church never charges for:
* officiating at weddings and funerals.
* use of the cultural hall in the local meeting houses.
* manuals, handbooks and other teaching supplies.
* copies of the Book of Mormon.
- Local clergy serve without pay.
- The Church has given out nearly a billion $$$ in humanitarian aid. This doesn’t count all the volunteer labor that went with it.
- $$$ contributed by members and others to LDS humanitarian aid goes 100% to that aid. The Church pays all overhead costs.
- A collection plate is never passed during LDS services. Members pay their tithing (10%) by just handing it in an envelope to their Bishop.
- The young men and women of the Church who serve 1½ to 2- year missions all over the world, are not paid to do so, but instead, pay their own expenses. (Just like us Senior Missionaries!)
- Help for the poor in local congregations is made possible by “fast offerings,” that is, members not eating for two meals the first Sunday of each month and donating that amount (or more) to the fast offering fund.
- In addition to tithing, many Latter-day Saints made donations to such things as the Perpetual Education Fund to help young people in developing countries get an education, to support missionaries in the field, and for humanitarian aid.
1 comments:
Elder and Sister Skalla, Our stake is blessed by your service. I know mission calls are inspired. Elder (President) Skalla, the ad hoc welfare/fast offering/financial training you provided me as a new bishop has served me well over the years. A week does not go by that I don't think back on some of the things you said; and, even more impressionable, on your good example. Thank you for all you are doing and keep up the good work! Love, Bishop Nicolas Taylor
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