Council on the Disposition of the Tithes

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The Council on the Disposition of the Tithes is a leadership body in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), composed of the First Presidency, the Presiding Bishopric, and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The council determines how tithing funds of the church will be spent. The council oversees revenue, investments and expenditures valued at billions of dollars per year. While the LDS Church produces an annual report and employs an independent auditing department which reviews the financial activities of the church, [1] it has not published full financial reports since 1959.

Contents

History

On July 8, 1838, church founder Joseph Smith was directed by revelation to establish this council. [2] At the time, the council members included the First Presidency, along with both the bishopric and high council in Far West, Missouri. The council met one time under Smith, on July 26, 1838. There is no record of the council meeting again under Smith. [3]

The council did not meet again until 1943. In the early 1940s, J. Reuben Clark (then a member of the First Presidency) conducted a two-year review of early church history to determine how the current church could more closely align with original financial administration. He proposed, and the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve accepted, that the council be reestablished and meet annually. It has met annually since 1943. [4]

Membership of the council

As of December 2023:

Russell M. Nelson.png Name: Russell M. Nelson
Born: (1924-09-09) September 9, 1924 (age 99)
Positions:17th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14) – present
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, July 3, 2015 (2015-07-03) [5] [6]  – January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14)
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 7, 1984 (1984-04-07) – January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, April 12, 1984 (1984-04-12)
Notes:A former world-renowned heart surgeon. Chairman, Church Board of Education and Boards of Trustees
Dallin H. Oaks2.JPG Name: Dallin H. Oaks
Born: (1932-08-12) August 12, 1932 (age 91)
Positions:First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Russell M. Nelson, January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14) – present
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
(with M. Russell Ballard as Acting President), January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14)} – present
LDS Church Apostle, called by Spencer W. Kimball, May 3, 1984 (1984-05-03) – present
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Spencer W. Kimball, May 3, 1984 (1984-05-03) – January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14)
Notes:A former professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School, a former president of Brigham Young University, and a former justice of the Utah Supreme Court. First Vice Chairman, Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System
Henry B. Eyring.jpg Name: Henry B. Eyring
Born: (1933-05-31) May 31, 1933 (age 90)
Positions:Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Russell M. Nelson, January 14, 2018 (2018-01-14)
First Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Thomas S. Monson, February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03) – January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02)
Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06) – January 27, 2008 (2008-01-27)
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 1, 1995 (1995-04-01) – October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 6, 1995 (1995-04-06)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, October 3, 1992 (1992-10-03) – April 1, 1995 (1995-04-01)
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by Robert D. Hales, April 1, 1985 (1985-04-01) – October 3, 1992 (1992-10-03)
Notes:Was President of Ricks College from 1971 to 1977. Second Vice Chairman, Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System.
Name: Gérald Caussé
Born: (1963-05-20) 20 May 1963 (age 60)
Positions: Presiding Bishop, called by Thomas S. Monson, 9 October 2015 (2015-10-09)
First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by Gary E. Stevenson, 31 March 2012 (2012-03-31) – 9 October 2015 (2015-10-09)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, 5 April 2008 (2008-04-05) – 31 March 2012 (2012-03-31)
Name: W. Christopher Waddell
Born: (1959-06-28) 28 June 1959 (age 64)
Positions:First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by Gérald Caussé, October 3, 2020 (2020-10-03)
Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by Gérald Caussé, October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09) – October 3, 2020 (2020-10-03)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson], April 2, 2011 (2011-04-02) – October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09)
Name: L. Todd Budge
Born: (1959-12-29) 29 December 1959 (age 63)
Positions:Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, called by Gérald Caussé, October 3, 2020 (2020-10-03)
General Authority Seventy, called by Russell M. Nelson, April 6, 2019 (2019-04-06) – October 3, 2020 (2020-10-03)
Jeffrey R. Holland2.jpg Name: Jeffrey R. Holland
Born: (1940-12-03) December 3, 1940 (age 83)
Positions: Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles [7] , called by Russell M. Nelson, November 15, 2023 (2023-11-15) [8]
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Howard W. Hunter, June 23, 1994 (1994-06-23)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Howard W. Hunter, June 23, 1994 (1994-06-23)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 1, 1989 (1989-04-01) – June 23, 1994 (1994-06-23)
Dieter F. Uchtdorf3.jpg Name: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Born: (1940-11-06) 6 November 1940 (age 83)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02) – present
Second Counselor in the First Presidency, called by Thomas S. Monson, February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03) – January 2, 2018 (2018-01-02)
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2, 2004 (2004-10-02) – February 3, 2008 (2008-02-03)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 7, 2004 (2004-10-07)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, 15 August 2002 (2002-08-15) – 2 October 2004 (2004-10-02)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 7, 1996 (1996-04-07) – October 2, 2004 (2004-10-02)
Second Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 2, 1994 (1994-04-02) – April 7, 1996 (1996-04-07)
Notes:Only the eleventh apostle to be born outside the United States.
Elder Bednar.jpeg Name: David A. Bednar
Born: (1952-06-15) June 15, 1952 (age 71)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 2, 2004 (2004-10-02)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 7, 2004 (2004-10-07)
Notes:A former president of Brigham Young University-Idaho.
Quentin L. Cook 01.jpg Name: Quentin L. Cook
Born: (1940-09-08) September 8, 1940 (age 83)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, October 11, 2007 (2007-10-11)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, August 1, 2007 (2007-08-01) – October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 5, 1998 (1998-04-05) – October 6, 2007 (2007-10-06)
Second Quorum of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 6, 1996 (1996-04-06) – April 5, 1998 (1998-04-05)
D. Todd Christofferson (26735635918).jpg Name: D. Todd Christofferson
Born: (1945-01-24) January 24, 1945 (age 78)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 5, 2008 (2008-04-05)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 10, 2008 (2008-04-10)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, August 15, 1998 (1998-08-15) – April 5, 2008 (2008-04-05)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 3, 1993 (1993-04-03) – April 5, 2008 (2008-04-05)
Notes:Member, Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System; Chairman, CES Executive Committee of the Board.
Elder Neil L. Andersen (41220662734).jpg Name: Neil L. Andersen
Born: (1951-08-09) August 9, 1951 (age 72)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 9, 2009 (2009-04-09)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, August 15, 2005 (2005-08-15) – April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Ezra Taft Benson, April 3, 1993 (1993-04-03) – April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04)
Name: Ronald A. Rasband
Born: (1951-02-06) February 6, 1951 (age 72)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Thomas S. Monson, October 3, 2015 (2015-10-03)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Thomas S. Monson, October 8, 2015 (2015-10-08)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, August 15, 2005 (2005-08-15) – October 3, 2015 (2015-10-03)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 1, 2000 (2000-04-01) – October 3, 2015 (2015-10-03)
Notes:Member, Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System; Member CES Executive Committee of the Board.
Name: Gary E. Stevenson
Born: (1955-08-06) August 6, 1955 (age 68)

Married: April 20, 1979

Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Thomas S. Monson, October 3, 2015 (2015-10-03)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Thomas S. Monson, October 8, 2015 (2015-10-08)
Presiding Bishop, called by Thomas S. Monson, March 31, 2012 (2012-03-31) – October 9, 2015 (2015-10-09)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 5, 2008 (2008-04-05) – March 31, 2012 (2012-03-31)
Name: Dale G. Renlund
Born: (1952-11-13) November 13, 1952 (age 71)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Thomas S. Monson, October 3, 2015 (2015-10-03)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Thomas S. Monson, October 8, 2015 (2015-10-08)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 4, 2009 (2009-04-04) – October 3, 2015 (2015-10-03)
Notes:Member, Boards of Trustees/Education of the Church Educational System.
Name: Gerrit W. Gong
Born: (1953-12-23) December 23, 1953 (age 69)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Russell M. Nelson, March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Russell M. Nelson, April 5, 2018 (2018-04-05)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, October 6, 2015 (2015-10-06) – March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 3, 2010 (2010-04-03) [9] [10]  – March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
Name: Ulisses Soares
Born: (1958-10-02) October 2, 1958 (age 65)
Positions: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Russell M. Nelson, March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Russell M. Nelson, April 5, 2018 (2018-04-05)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, January 6, 2013 (2013-01-06) – March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 2, 2005 (2005-04-02) – March 31, 2018 (2018-03-31)
Name: Patrick Kearon
Born: (1961-07-18) July 18, 1961 (age 62)
Positions:Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, called by Russell M. Nelson, December 7, 2023 (2023-12-07)
LDS Church Apostle, called by Russell M. Nelson, December 7, 2023 (2023-12-07)
Presidency of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, August 2017 (2017-08) – December 7, 2023 (2023-12-07)
First Quorum of the Seventy, called by Thomas S. Monson, April 3, 2010 (2010-04-03) – December 7, 2023 (2023-12-07)
Notes:The thirteenth apostle born outside the United States (U.K.).

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Church Auditing Department Report, 2014".
  2. ↑ Doctrine and Covenants, section 120:1
  3. ↑ David W. Smith, "The Development of the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes," BYU Studies Quarterly, 57:2 (2018), 137–139.
  4. ↑ Smith, "Development of the Council," 144–151.
  5. ↑ With the death of Boyd K. Packer on July 3, 2015, Nelson became the second most senior apostle among the ranks of the church, resulting in him being the de facto President of the Quorum. He was officially set apart in that capacity July 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (July 15, 2015). "Russell M. Nelson: New President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles". MormonNewsroom.org.
  7. ↑ Due to quorum president Dallin H. Oaks serving as First Counselor in the First Presidency.
  8. ↑ "Jeffrey R. Holland: New Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  9. ↑ Scott Taylor, "Mormon church names new seventies, Primary presidency" Archived 2018-07-07 at the Wayback Machine , Deseret News , 2010-04-04
  10. ↑ Hill, Greg (May 1, 2010), "Elder Gerrit W. Gong: 'A nice guy' — A man of faith and learning", Church News , p. 11
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