Talk Show Program Blog

Two weeks ago a regular caller who is critical of Mormonism, its practices, beliefs and leaders, in fact I would say rabidly critical, complained again (he has brought this up several times before) that Pres. Hinckley receives a large salary from the Church. When pressed for the amount and the source of his information, he claimed that the amount is $500,000 per year, but no matter how hard I pressed him for a valid source for this information, he could give none, suggesting that I go the the Church Office Building and ask, and they would confirm his claim.

During a commercial break, I did some very basic math ($500,000 divided by 12 million members) and computed that if Pres. Hinckley received $500,000/year that would be about .04 per member per year for his services. That is less than the price of one stick of gum. I find it bizarre that anyone would complain about this given the service Pres Hinckley provides as the head this large, rapidly growing complex organization. I know of no valid information regarding Pres. Hinckley's finances, nor do I care that this is not divulged.

Another caller complained that this information is not published, concerned that a person may seek the Presidency of the Church for financial reasons. This is equally bizarre. Pres. Hinckley spent many years in service in the Church without any remuneration. Think of the incredible longshot of becoming president of the Church. Pres. Hinckley served in the Church for 62 years before becoming President. That is some 20 to 40 years longer than most work before retirement. The course that traditionally must be followed to beome President is long arduous, highly unlikely and monetarily disadvantagerous along the way. This caller seemed to think that the salaries of those who are paid for services by the Church should be published. I do not. My lifetime experience as a member leaves me confident from personal acquaintance with many who are employed by the Church, that the Church is conservative in its salary structure and careful with the tithing funds collected.