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Is the Church reducing its outgoings (the firing of paid janitors, closure of Mormon Times and associated reduction in 'reporters', the reduction in Ward budgets etc) as a result of reduced tithing income as members either leave or stop paying due to personal fiscal challenges?

Or have the commercial enterprises and investments (started with member donations) run aground amid the worldwide financial retrenchment, thus exposing the Church to rely more upon tithing?

In the absence of 'open accounting' for Church finances I guess this thread can only produce personal opinion, but hey, let's see what you think...

The Brethren exhibited little financial responsibility when they embarked on City Creek. They're been playing with the church's money like it was there own for decades. Even the tithes are not bottomless.

We will likely see much more financially restricting decisions in the near future, and several more talks and articles about the necessity of paying tithes. But will we see a reduction in lifestyle for those at the top? Highly unlikely.

Big business operates with just the same disregard for those at the bottom of the food chain.

Harmony,

Truer words were NEVER spoken! You've hit in on the "head"! If the Church is getting poorer, it is NEVER the fault of the leaders who spend 1.8 billion on a Mall...it is again the "fault" of the lowly "Members" who must reach even deeper into their already drained pockets to "pay" for the mistakes of The Brethren.

And, you are right again....The Brethren will never think about reducing their nice salaries, perks, and huge "fees" they receive from attending a few Board meetings on Church-owned businesses every month. I'm sure they are GETTING RICHER and allocating themselves even bigger pieces of the Tithing Pie, even while the Members are getting poorer and asked to pay more, and more, and MORE, and MORE....

harmony wrote:The Brethren exhibited little financial responsibility when they embarked on City Creek. They're been playing with the church's money like it was there own for decades. Even the tithes are not bottomless.

We will likely see much more financially restricting decisions in the near future, and several more talks and articles about the necessity of paying tithes. But will we see a reduction in lifestyle for those at the top? Highly unlikely.

Big business operates with just the same disregard for those at the bottom of the food chain.

The economy is still down and has been for more than three years. This means less tithes. City Creek Mall sounds like a debacle with cost over runs. So yes there will be more financial cuts. Keep in mind it has been in the past year that the church cut back more on custodial help to the point it is nonexistent in local wards. And you will see more tithe pep talks. And no you will not see any financial disclosure.

Don't be so cynical. Because of the wonderful job paid janitorial staff were doing, members were being denied all sort of blessings. By eliminating janitorial staff, families that depended on that income now have the opportunity to feel the love of God through trials brought on by unemployment. And further, all other members now have the beautiful privilege of spending time changing urinal cakes, emptying diaper pails, vacuuming sisal, and exposing themselves to harsh cleansers, all the while growing closer to the Lord and Master of the Universe.

It has nothing to do with money (or so I'm told from the pulpit)

H.

Cynical is my middle name.

What's the total for City Creek now? And how much is actually rented, how much is empty, and how much is rented at a reduced rate?

jon wrote:the firing of paid janitors

CFR that any janitors were "fired."

Simon Belmont wrote:

jon wrote:the firing of paid janitors

CFR that any janitors were "fired."

Seriously? All church custodians in Eastern Canada were let go last year. Has this not happened in other areas?

H.

harmoni wrote: "They're been playing with the church's money like it was there own for decades."
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If it was their own they would be much more careful with it. Knowing it comes from the bottomless pit of donors makes it like politicians with tax money.

Simon Belmont wrote:

jon wrote:the firing of paid janitors

CFR that any janitors were "fired."

What term would you prefer for paid janitors losing their job?
Economising
Rationalising
Consolidating

To be fair to Simon, the Church technically still has janitors - they're just not paid anymore. In fact, Simon, aren't you numbered among the Church's squad of unpaid toilet cleaners (also referred to as 'members')?