Today we’re taking a look at another administrative handbook used by the Church that sets rules and regulations for those in the LDS leadership. This time around the handbook in question is for their Missions Presidents and we have a few questions about the Church’s ethics.
We’re wondering why this organization continues to claim the only paid positions in the Church are those who belong to the upper General Authorities. Missions Presidents are not part of the General Authority group and as you’ll see in the example below, they are clearly remunerated for their time and expenses.
FYI: There are 120 LDS Missions Presidents worldwide.
Mission Presidents Handbook, pp. 80-83;
“While you are serving as mission president, the Church reimburses the necessary living expenses for you, your wife, and your dependent children. Dependent children are defined as those who are under age 26, have not been married, and are not employed full-time. Living expenses include food, clothing, household supplies, family activities, dry cleaning, personal long-distance calls to family, and modest gifts (for example, Christmas, birthdays, or anniversary)…”
We’re not questioning that these men and their families should receive a salary, rather, we’re wondering why they deny it! Clearly, they’re well taken care of.
“In addition, the following are provided or reimbursed:
Medical expenses…Support for children serving full-time missions, when requested. One round trip for each unmarried child under age 26 to visit you in the mission…Elementary and secondary school expenses for tuition, fees, books, and materials…Reasonable expenses for extracurricular activities and for music or dance lessons may be reimbursed. Undergraduate tuition at an accredited college or university…”
If you’re LDS did you know your tithe is going towards paying the tuition, and maybe dance lessons for the kids of the Missions President?
“You should not open a local bank account for personal funds received from the Church unless absolutely necessary, especially if the account would produce interest (and thus raise income tax questions).”
Why are the instructed to do this? Is there something to hide?
“The mission office pays such mission home expenses as: Rent…Maintenance…One part-time housekeeper-cook… “
As noted above, it’s okay if you’re financially covered by your church when you serve on missions, but clearly, they’ve lied about what they do.
“Because you are engaged in volunteer religious service, no employer-employee relationship exists between you and the Church. As a result, any funds reimbursed to you from the Church are not considered income for tax purposes; they are not reported to the government, and taxes are not withheld with regard to these funds.”
Oh dear. I’m not an attorney, so I’m guessing that using this vocabulary probably covers them legally speaking.
“…To avoid raising unnecessary tax questions, please follow these guidelines closely:
Do not share information on funds you receive from the Church with those who help you with financial or tax matters. Any exceptions should be discussed with the Church Tax Division. Never represent in any way that you are paid for your service.
If you are required to file an income-tax report for other purposes, do not list any funds you receive from the Church, regardless of where you serve or where you hold citizenship.”
Why does this sound sketchy?
“If you have any questions about tax matters, contact the Church Tax Division, which has tax rulings and research that support the validity of not reporting as income the funds you receive as mission president. Because most tax advisers are not aware of this information, their advice may be incorrect. You do not pay tithing on money reimbursed to you by the Church.”
Again, all of this sounds odd. We’re wondering…how do they justify paying someone’s tuition as a reimbursement?
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