Talk Preparation Guide for "Church Auditing Department Report, 2023"

In this talk, Jared B. Larson, the Managing Director of the Church Auditing Department, provides an overview of the financial practices of the Church. He explains the process of how Church funds are authorized and spent, the role of the Church Auditing Department, and affirms that the Church's financial practices align with its teachings.

Topics

Understanding the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes

The Council on the Disposition of the Tithes, as directed by revelation in section 120 of the Doctrine and Covenants, is composed of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric. They are responsible for authorizing the expenditure of Church funds.

Directed by revelation, as recorded in section 120 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes—composed of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric—authorizes the expenditure of Church funds.

Key Points:

The Council on the Disposition of the Tithes is responsible for authorizing the expenditure of Church funds.

Experiences:

How does understanding the role of the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes strengthen your faith in Church leadership?
How does the revelation-based guidance of Church expenditure impact your view on tithing?

Exploring the Role of Church Auditing

The Church Auditing Department is an independent entity, composed of credentialed professionals. They are responsible for performing audits to provide reasonable assurance on contributions received, expenditures made, and the safeguarding of Church assets.

Church Auditing, which consists of credentialed professionals and is independent of all other Church departments and entities, has responsibility to perform audits for the purpose of providing reasonable assurance regarding contributions received, expenditures made, and safeguarding of Church assets.

Key Points:

The Church Auditing Department is an independent entity within the Church.
The department is responsible for auditing contributions, expenditures, and the safeguarding of assets.

Experiences:

How does the existence of an independent auditing department within the Church influence your trust in the Church's financial practices?
Can you think of a time when understanding the role of the Church Auditing Department helped you explain Church practices to others?

Assessing the Church's Financial Practices

The Church follows its teachings of living within a budget, avoiding debt, and saving against a time of need in its financial practices. Church Auditing has confirmed that all contributions, expenditures, and assets have been recorded and administered in accordance with approved budgets, accounting practices, and policies.

Based upon audits performed, Church Auditing is of the opinion that, in all material respects, contributions received, expenditures made, and assets of the Church for the year 2023 have been recorded and administered in accordance with Church-approved budgets, accounting practices, and policies.

The Church follows the practices taught to its members of living within a budget, avoiding debt, and saving against a time of need.

Key Points:

The Church's financial practices align with its teachings of living within a budget, avoiding debt, and saving for future needs.
Church Auditing confirms that all contributions, expenditures, and assets are properly recorded and administered.

Experiences:

How does knowing that the Church follows the same financial principles it teaches its members affect your perspective on tithing and other financial contributions?
Can you share a time when the Church's financial teachings have influenced your personal or family budgeting?