Lifting The Veil

Tithes, Investments, and Ethical Questions: How Religious Wealth Aligns—or Conflicts—with Biblical Stewardship The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as the Mormon Church, claims over 17 million members worldwide. Alongside spiritual instruction, the church manages an enormous financial empire—collecting billions in tithes, holding extensive real estate, and maintaining a portfolio of businesses and investments. While some of this wealth supports humanitarian and missionary work, the majority is retained, raising the question: how much of this wealth is truly advancing God’s mission? Estimates suggest that the LDS Church collects $7–8 billion annually from member tithing. These funds are claimed to support local congregations, temples, missionary efforts, and church operations. In addition, Ensign Peak Advisors, the church’s investment arm, reportedly manages a portfolio exceeding $100 billion, including stocks, bonds, and other securities. Critics...

The LDS Church claims it is “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:30) and teaches that “all men must come unto this church or be damned” (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 136). That’s not a casual statement—it’s a bold, dangerous claim. By saying this, the Church places itself above Christ, above the Bible, and above every faithful Christian who has followed God for centuries. But the Bible is clear: God alone has ultimate authority. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Salvation is through Christ alone—not any human institution. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16–17 that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Bible alone is sufficient for faith, doctrine, and living a righteous life (Grudem, 1994; E...

Within Mormonism, a striking double standard is evident: while the movement criticizes Christianity for having tens of thousands of denominations, it overlooks the fact that Mormonism itself has splintered into numerous factions, each claiming exclusive authority from Joseph Smith. From the mainstream LDS Church to the Community of Christ, Fundamentalist LDS groups, and other smaller sects, the pattern is clear—authority is claimed, fractured, and disputed. This raises a simple question: if Mormonism’s critique of Christianity’s diversity is valid, shouldn’t it apply equally to the movement itself? For a faith that claims to restore the “true church of Jesus Christ,” how can internal divisions be reconciled with the idea of divine guidance and unity? The inconsistency is glaring. While Mormon leaders emphasize obedience to the chain of authority, they ignore the historical fact that these very claims have led to dozens of competing organizations, each asserting their version of Smith’s...

The claims made by some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) regarding their persecution, both historically and in modern times, warrant careful analysis. While it is historically accurate that early Latter-day Saints faced real hardship and hostility, particularly in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, some contemporary claims of persecution are often exaggerated or misrepresented. Historically, the 1838 Missouri Extermination Order did indeed declare that Mormons must be “exterminated or driven from the state,” and it was not formally rescinded until 1976 (Church History Topics: Extermination Order). This decree arose in the context of violent conflicts between settlers and Mormon communities in Missouri. Hostilities escalated due to economic, political, and religious tensions, including the fear of Mormon political consolidation and armed militias. The forced exodus of Mormons from Missouri and Illinois, culminating in the migration to Utah, was tragic but must...