The Means that
are expended for charitable purposes by the Church comes principally from the
tithes, the fast-offerings, and from private gifts. Funds to the amount of
nearly $104,000.00 were disbursed in 1905 to the worthy poor alone. In addition
to this, thousands of dollars are distributed to those who have suffered
extremely from the floods, drouth, and other calamities. Besides the aid given
as above mentioned, worthy members are helped in finding employment and in
making suitable locations for homes, and are otherwise assisted in their
temporal affairs. (Joseph B. Keeler, First Steps in Church Government: What
Church Government is and What it Does; A Book for Young Members of the Lesser Priesthood
[Salt Lake City: The Deseret News, 1906], 93; note that The book was “heartily
recommended” in the report of the examining committee, November 268, 1906,
reproduced in beginning of the work. The committee was composed of Francis M.
Lyman, George Reynolds, and Joseph F. Smith, Jr.)
$104,000 in 1905
would be worth $3,828,807.27
in 2025.
Further
Reading:
Mormonr/B. H.
Roberts Foundation, The $100 Billion Fund
(Primary
Sources)
Idem, The City Creek Mall
(Primary
Sources)
