Does the LDS Church Invest in Stocks, Real Estate, and Commercial Businesses?

LDS Perspective

Yes, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invests in stocks, real estate, and commercial businesses as part of its lawful stewardship over sacred tithes and donations. This practice is consistent with the Church’s need to prudently manage financial resources for religious, charitable, and operational purposes. The Church’s investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors (EPA), oversees a diversified portfolio that includes publicly traded stocks, real estate holdings, and various commercial enterprises. The Church has been incorporated as a religious society since 1851 in Utah Territory, allowing it to manage properties, finances, and business enterprises effectively while providing legal protections for its religious mission (see Church History: Church Incorporation). This corporate struc

Historical Perspective

Yes, the LDS Church maintains an extensive and diversified investment portfolio that includes stocks, real estate, and commercial businesses. These holdings are managed through a complex network of corporate entities and investment arms, most notably Ensign Peak Advisors, which oversees the church's massive stock and securities portfolio. The church's financial operations have come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with investigative reports and leaked documents revealing the scale of its wealth. According to documents released by Mormon Leaks in 2018, the LDS Church held more than $32 billion in stock investments alone. This figure represents only one portion of the church's total financial assets. The Widow's Mite Report, a research project analyzing LDS Church finances, has pro