Faith’s investment arm saw its stock portfolio fall as trade war turbulence rocked the markets.
After hovering around five-year high over the last half of 2024, the immense portfolio of U.S. stocks, bonds and mutual funds managed for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took nearly a $4 billion plunge in value.
New reports from the global faith’s investment arm, Salt Lake City-based Ensign Peak Advisors, to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — for January, February and March — show the investment account holds $52.3 billion, which is $3.98 billion lower than it was at the end of the year.
That‘s down from a $56 billion peak range the once-secret portfolio reached over the two prior quarters, the most it had contained since at least late 2019, when funds managers with Ensign Peak first revealed its size at $37.8 billion in public filings to federal regulators.
I’m left wondering how the First Presidency and Presiding Bishopric allowed this to happen. Their special divine insight into the future as it pertains to the Church surely contained some hint as to who was going to be elected President and what the implications would be on the hoard of the Lord?
The Church is still ahead though…
The investment account now holds about 75% more in dollar terms than it did when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the U.S. in early 2020. The fund fell to $29.8 billion before rising steadily quarter by quarter, with only a few slight market-driven reversals, to reach its peak range as 2024 closed.
The account had fluctuated in the $54 billion to $56 billion range for almost two years after first surpassing the $50 billion threshold at the end of 2023.
It is now slightly below where it was at the end of 2022.
Investments managed at Ensign Peak are only a portion of the Utah-based faith’s overall wealth in investments, operating businesses and landholdings. They represent only U.S. equities it holds directly and is required to report to regulators.
In-depth analysis based on public documents indicates Ensign Peak and a host of third-party funds manage total investments on behalf of the worldwide church of 17.5 million members worth somewhere in the range of $206 billion as of the end of last year.
You should keep paying your tithing as the Church is “not a wealthy people” according to at least one Apostle.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
The market already recovered those losses. It’s a dumb clickbait article. A 5-10% market drawdown isn’t newsworthy, ever, in context of how many billions the church saw in paper losses. Bad Tribune.
Faith’s investment arm saw its stock portfolio fall as trade war turbulence rocked the markets.
After hovering around five-year high over the last half of 2024, the immense portfolio of U.S. stocks, bonds and mutual funds managed for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took nearly a $4 billion plunge in value.
New reports from the global faith’s investment arm, Salt Lake City-based Ensign Peak Advisors, to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — for January, February and March — show the investment account holds $52.3 billion, which is $3.98 billion lower than it was at the end of the year.
That‘s down from a $56 billion peak range the once-secret portfolio reached over the two prior quarters, the most it had contained since at least late 2019, when funds managers with Ensign Peak first revealed its size at $37.8 billion in public filings to federal regulators.
I’m left wondering how the First Presidency and Presiding Bishopric allowed this to happen. Their special divine insight into the future as it pertains to the Church surely contained some hint as to who was going to be elected President and what the implications would be on the hoard of the Lord?
The Church is still ahead though…
The investment account now holds about 75% more in dollar terms than it did when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the U.S. in early 2020. The fund fell to $29.8 billion before rising steadily quarter by quarter, with only a few slight market-driven reversals, to reach its peak range as 2024 closed.
The account had fluctuated in the $54 billion to $56 billion range for almost two years after first surpassing the $50 billion threshold at the end of 2023.
It is now slightly below where it was at the end of 2022.
Investments managed at Ensign Peak are only a portion of the Utah-based faith’s overall wealth in investments, operating businesses and landholdings. They represent only U.S. equities it holds directly and is required to report to regulators.
In-depth analysis based on public documents indicates Ensign Peak and a host of third-party funds manage total investments on behalf of the worldwide church of 17.5 million members worth somewhere in the range of $206 billion as of the end of last year.
You should keep paying your tithing as the Church is “not a wealthy people” according to at least one Apostle.
Why doesn't Elohim just tell the big 15 which team to bet on for each of the World Series games each year? Much bigger and more assured investment returns.
"Only the atheist realizes how morally objectionable it is for survivors of catastrophe to believe themselves spared by a loving god, while this same God drowned infants in their cribs." Sam Harris
I’m left wondering how the First Presidency and Presiding Bishopric allowed this to happen. Their special divine insight into the future as it pertains to the Church surely contained some hint as to who was going to be elected President and what the implications would be on the hoard of the Lord?
The Church is still ahead though…
You should keep paying your tithing as the Church is “not a wealthy people” according to at least one Apostle.
Why doesn't Elohim just tell the big 15 which team to bet on for each of the World Series games each year? Much bigger and more assured investment returns.
I think that's the point I'm getting at. The First Presidency and Presiding Bishopric have access to the equivalent of Mart McFly's sports almanac. They claim the power of seers, and therefore should be able to know things ahead of time. Why didn't they see the pandemic and the Trump tariffs ahead of time and take evasive financial action? Surely God is interested in protecting the Widows Mite?
Do they pray about investment strategy? Do they get answers? Do they listen? These are serious questions which I'd like answering.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
They intentionally violated basic securities laws for 20+ years.
Pretty sure God doesn’t assist law breakers.
Mormon God? Not so sure.
By item #1 of the Wentworth letter, a.k.a. the LDS "Articles of Faith", Joseph Smith protested that "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Coming from the scofflaw that Smith was, what should be laudable is in fact laughable. The Article of Faith seems to be one that the LDS Church and its leaders have, down to this day, a particularly difficult time living up to.
"Only the atheist realizes how morally objectionable it is for survivors of catastrophe to believe themselves spared by a loving god, while this same God drowned infants in their cribs." Sam Harris
They intentionally violated basic securities laws for 20+ years.
Yes. Because they thought that telling the truth would cost them money. In doing so they’ve informed the membership and the world that they cannot be trusted to do the right thing if they think no one is watching, and if they think they can get away with it. Which leads to the question, what else are they up to?
Pretty sure God doesn’t assist law breakers.
Given the evidence, I’m unsure how you can make that assertion. God (assuming He exists) assists law breakers by failing to intervene even though He could.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
RFM pointed out that if the Church had followed the advice of the S&P 500, it would not have been short by $4 billion. It had nothing to do with tariffs and more to do with not being as adept at predicting the stock market as the S&P 500. Leave the stock prophecies to the pros.
It should be noted that the S&P 500 steers clear of holy garment design. They know the stock marketplace and not the clothing fashions of God!!!
Faith’s investment arm saw its stock portfolio fall as trade war turbulence rocked the markets.
After hovering around five-year high over the last half of 2024, the immense portfolio of U.S. stocks, bonds and mutual funds managed for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took nearly a $4 billion plunge in value.
New reports from the global faith’s investment arm, Salt Lake City-based Ensign Peak Advisors, to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — for January, February and March — show the investment account holds $52.3 billion, which is $3.98 billion lower than it was at the end of the year.
That‘s down from a $56 billion peak range the once-secret portfolio reached over the two prior quarters, the most it had contained since at least late 2019, when funds managers with Ensign Peak first revealed its size at $37.8 billion in public filings to federal regulators.
I’m left wondering how the First Presidency and Presiding Bishopric allowed this to happen. Their special divine insight into the future as it pertains to the Church surely contained some hint as to who was going to be elected President and what the implications would be on the hoard of the Lord?
The Church is still ahead though…
The investment account now holds about 75% more in dollar terms than it did when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the U.S. in early 2020. The fund fell to $29.8 billion before rising steadily quarter by quarter, with only a few slight market-driven reversals, to reach its peak range as 2024 closed.
The account had fluctuated in the $54 billion to $56 billion range for almost two years after first surpassing the $50 billion threshold at the end of 2023.
It is now slightly below where it was at the end of 2022.
Investments managed at Ensign Peak are only a portion of the Utah-based faith’s overall wealth in investments, operating businesses and landholdings. They represent only U.S. equities it holds directly and is required to report to regulators.
In-depth analysis based on public documents indicates Ensign Peak and a host of third-party funds manage total investments on behalf of the worldwide church of 17.5 million members worth somewhere in the range of $206 billion as of the end of last year.
You should keep paying your tithing as the Churchis “not a wealthy people” according to at least one Apostle.
Do you have the full context of the quote you are referring to? The way you're quoting it makes it sound like tithing ought to be paid BECAUSE the church is not wealthy. Is that what you're saying? And is that what the church actually said?
I’m left wondering how the First Presidency and Presiding Bishopric allowed this to happen. Their special divine insight into the future as it pertains to the Church surely contained some hint as to who was going to be elected President and what the implications would be on the hoard of the Lord?
The Church is still ahead though…
You should keep paying your tithing as the Churchis “not a wealthy people” according to at least one Apostle.
Do you have the full context of the quote you are referring to?
Yes
The way you're quoting it makes it sound like tithing ought to be paid BECAUSE the church is not wealthy. Is that what you're saying?
No
And is that what the church actually said?
I’m quoting one Apostle, the clue was when I said “according to at least one Apostle”.
For context, Elder Anderson was explaining to the President of Zimbabwe why the Church wouldn’t be responding favourably to his request for help with clean water projects. Without missing a beat Anderson said no to the request, stated the Church wasn’t wealthy, and told the President the Church was going to be building a fancy new temple, all while the Church was sat on hundreds of billions of dollars. The lack of self awareness is breathtaking.
Premise 1. Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable.
Premise 2. The best evidence for the Book of Mormon is eyewitness testimony.
Conclusion. Therefore, the best evidence for the Book of Mormon is notoriously unreliable.
