What do General Authorities get paid?

[CardiacCoug]

I got this question from a Southern Baptist guy at work today. I've explained to him before that all our tithing goes to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City and our congregation here in Houston receives what it needs to operate. Also, I told him that we definitely donate much more money in tithing than it takes to operate the ward, which I think is pretty safe to say for most wards in America.

He was saying that the "guys in Salt Lake City" must be living in $10 million dollar houses and flying in private jets, etc. I assured him that was not true and that they are paid modestly.

He asked me why our leaders' exact salary isn't disclosed, like it is for the pastor at his Church here in Houston.

Other than saying that our leaders are awesome, spiritual giants who had no aspiration to their positions and have no resemblance whatsoever to the shady televangelists he has in mind, I wasn't sure exactly what to say. He has a lot of relatives who are in the clergy, so I have to be kind of tactful around him when speaking about the potential evils of a paid clergy.

Any guesses on how much full-time general authorities, like the Quorum of the 12, get paid by the Church? I'm saying about $150K plus expenses like airfare and meals when the travel, but I really have no idea.

[Archaea]

That has been widely speculated but not confirmed.

They historically received a car, a Buick as it were, some modest middle class housing and sufficient clothing and entertainment allowances.

My own personal speculation for the President is about 300 to 400 with the Twelve receiving about 200 to 250, nice but not extravagant. Average schmucks in the professional world can earn that much. Associate lawyers at Seattle's law firm earn that much. So Joe Teacher feels it's a lot of money, but it's really not.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by Archaea

That has been widely speculated but not confirmed.

They historically received a car, a Buick as it were, some modest middle class housing and sufficient clothing and entertainment allowances.

My own personal speculation for the President is about 300 to 400 with the Twelve receiving about 200 to 250, nice but not extravagant. Average schmucks in the professional world can earn that much. Associate lawyers at Seattle's law firm earn that much. So Joe Teacher feels it's a lot of money, but it's really not.

I'll bet Hinckley's health insurance never denies a claim.

[CardiacCoug]

Originally Posted by Archaea

That has been widely speculated but not confirmed.

They historically received a car, a Buick as it were, some modest middle class housing and sufficient clothing and entertainment allowances.

My own personal speculation for the President is about 300 to 400 with the Twelve receiving about 200 to 250, nice but not extravagant. Average schmucks in the professional world can earn that much. Associate lawyers at Seattle's law firm earn that much. So Joe Teacher feels it's a lot of money, but it's really not.

If you're right, then I can see why it's not made public. I have no problem with them being compensated that much, but I think a lot of people would be bugged.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by CardiacCoug

If you're right, then I can see why it's not made public. I have no problem with them being compensated that much, but I think a lot of people would be bugged.

Well some, including my wife, thinks I'm an arrogant elitist. However, when most of my clients can earn that much in a month, I'm not too impressed. I was speaking to one guy who has deals everywhere, and I asked him casually, "well how much in income taxes will you pay, and he stated 1.2 with 1.5 coming this year." Trying not to gulp, I stated, "oh, so you won't be voting for Hillary?" [note I don't earn near that much and Seattle is ten times more well to do than I, with 71 carrying my entire net worth in his walle]. [And if Cardiac Coug means you're a cardiologist, I know what cardiologists earn, so you dwarf us as well].

He laughed, "over ten dead bodies."

[All-American]

If the information of one internet talking head who claims to know somebody in a downtown Salt Lake office but isn't willing to discuss who the occupant of that office is matters at all, rest assured that they don't make more than 5 digits.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by All-American

If the information of one internet talking head who claims to know somebody in a downtown Salt Lake office but isn't willing to discuss who the occupant of that office is matters at all, rest assured that they don't make more than 5 digits.

I think it could boil down to funky accounting as well.

Let's say you provide insurance, retirement, housing, clothing, fuel, transportation, travel subsidies and then a smallish stipend, the smallish stipend might only be 90K.

[SteelBlue]

Do they really get paid housing or is that just assumed? As wealthy as the majority of them are before their call, I'd think they're more than set in the housing arena and would probably just choose their own accommodations.

Cardiac, one thing I think you can safely tell your colleague is that most of these guys are taking a paycut compared to what they made prior to service.

[OrangeUte]

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

Do they really get paid housing or is that just assumed? As wealthy as the majority of them are before their call, I'd think they're more than set in the housing arena and would probably just choose their own accommodations.

Cardiac, one thing I think you can safely tell your colleague is that most of these guys are taking a paycut compared to what they made prior to service.

i think the housing allotment is for when they are called abroad to work. so, if they are living in their hometown, they live in their own house. if they are not, then the church provides accomodations for them.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

Do they really get paid housing or is that just assumed? As wealthy as the majority of them are before their call, I'd think they're more than set in the housing arena and would probably just choose their own accommodations.

Cardiac, one thing I think you can safely tell your colleague is that most of these guys are taking a paycut compared to what they made prior to service.

And things never stay the same. Brigham Young was worth 600K at the time of his death, probably more than the Church.

I remember the WSJ article identifying Paul Dunn in late eighties or early nineties as being paid 70K back then.