Mormon Church Reports Spending $180,000 on Proposition 8

[_Dwight Frye]

Mormon Church Reports Spending $180,000 on Proposition 8
Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 5:51 PM, January 30, 2009

Top officials with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filed reports today indicating that they donated more than $180,000 in in-kind contributions to Proposition 8, the November ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California.

The contributions included tens of thousands of dollars for expenses such as airline tickets, hotel and restaurant bills and car-rental bills for top church officials such as L. Whitney Clayton, along with $96,849.31 worth of “compensated staff time” for church employees.

The church said the expenditures took place between July 1 and the end of the year. The church’s involvement has been a major issue in the campaign and its aftermath. Individual Mormon families donated millions -- by some estimates more than $20 million -- of their own money to the campaign.

On top of that, some Prop. 8 opponents say church officials violated election law by failing to file campaign disclosure reports outlining church funds being spent on the campaign. Fred Karger, who filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission after the election alleging that church officials had not properly disclosed their involvement, said he thought today’s filing proves that his complaint has merit.

“They said they reported all their travel ... now, when there is a [complaint filed] they disclose 25 Southwest tickets just in October,” he said. “They were required to report this” in an earlier filing, he said. Church officials could not be reached for comment this evening.









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[_harmony]

Now is a good time to live anywhere but California. I don't think I would deal well with this kind of stress.

[_The Dude]

So the Church only spent about 1% as much as individual members. This looks pretty good for them.

[_Phouchg]

In the past 5 years, I have paid $0 in tithing...but according to the rules they should have gotten a combined total of about $40,000 from me. I'm glad one penny of my money hasn't paid for institutionalized hatred.

Tax exempt? What's that?


fook

[_JoetheClerk]

Does this mean there will be fewer Christus statues at the entrances to Jesus new Mall in Salt Lake City when it opens?

If the Church wants to be a lobbying group, register and pay taxes. Otherwise, preach to the members and let them do what they are inspired to do.

[_why me]

I like the idea that the LDS church was involved in politics over this issue. People may not agree with the issue but it was good to be involved. I have to take my hat off to the LDS church for taking a stand.

[_truth dancer]

I like the idea that the LDS church was involved in politics over this issue. People may not agree with the issue but it was good to be involved. I have to take my hat off to the LDS church for taking a stand.

It is one thing for a church to take a stand. Another thing for a church to break the law.

Or is it now completely above board for a church to keep its tax exempt status while contributing financially to a political cause?

~td~

[_rcrocket]

It is one thing for a church to take a stand. Another thing for a church to break the law.

Which law?

[_Rollo Tomasi]

I like the idea that the LDS church was involved in politics over this issue. People may not agree with the issue but it was good to be involved.

I have no problem with any church getting involved with politics -- but I don't think such a church should retain its tax-exempt status. If churches want to get involved and help pass laws or constitutional amendments (in order to overturn court decisions), they should pay the price the rest of us do: TAXES!

[_Jason Bourne]

It is one thing for a church to take a stand. Another thing for a church to break the law.

I am not sure they broke the law.

Or is it now completely above board for a church to keep its tax exempt status while contributing financially to a political cause?

IRC 501(c)(3) says a tax exempt cannot have activities that support a political candidate or attempt to influence legislation that are a "substantial" part of their overall activity. I doubt that $180,000 of out of pocket costs for various meals, lodging and meals is a substantial part of the LDS Church's activity.