The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates under a lay ministry, meaning that its leaders, including bishops, stake presidents, and even general authorities, are not paid for their ecclesiastical service. This practice aligns with scriptural teachings that emphasize voluntary service in the work of the Lord. The Book of Mormon records Alma the Younger establishing the Church in the land of Zarahemla and ensuring that “the priests and the teachers should labor with their own hands for their support” rather than relying on the contributions of others for their livelihood (Mosiah 18:24; 27:5).  

Church leaders, including bishops and stake presidents, typically work regular jobs and serve in their callings without financial compensation. Even the highest governing bodies of the Church, such as the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency, do not receive salaries in the traditional sense. While general authorities receive a living allowance, this provision is not remuneration for labor but rather a means to enable their full-time service, given that they forgo other professional employment. This practice follows the example set by the Apostle Paul, who labored as a tentmaker to sustain himself while ministering (Acts 18:3). Paul specifically rejected the notion of profiting from the gospel, stating, “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:18). Receiving some kind of financial help to perform religious duties is not unheard of in the scriptural heritage of the Church. The Levites received some form of compensation for their services in the tabernacle (Numbers 18:21). Doctrine & Covenants 42:71–73 allows for ministers of the Gospel to receive support from “the property which is consecrated to the bishop.” Doctrine & Covenants 51:13–14 directs that leaders’ compensation should be sufficient for their families’ needs.

The absence of a paid clergy preserves the purity of service and prevents the financial incentives that sometimes accompany ecclesiastical positions in other traditions. The lay ministry ensures that Church leaders remain closely connected to the daily struggles and realities of their congregations. A bishop, for instance, is not a distant figure elevated above his congregation but rather a fellow laborer who experiences the same economic, social, and familial challenges as those he serves.

Some critics point to the living stipend that church leaders at the general level receive as an example of Church leaders being paid but, again, this is not remuneration for labor. As of 2014, general church leaders receive a stipend of $120,000.²⁰³ That may seem like a lot, but that is actually pretty good considering that, on average, a family of four in the United States needs an income of $113,120 to pay for all living expenses.²⁰⁴ Many general authorities have families larger than four. In Utah alone, the cost for a family of four is $128,000. The living stipends also allow those that are not on the same financial level as other leaders to be able to be called to Church service without worrying about how their change in daily activities will affect their families.

Still other critics charge general Church leaders of engaging in priestcraft with their reception of  a stipend. Priestcraft is defined in the Book of Mormon: “[P]riestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Nephi 26:29). Church leaders seek the welfare of Zion and thus do not fall into the maw of this charge.

All things considered, the stipend is within the moral parameters established by scripture.

The concept of a lay ministry differs significantly from many Christian traditions, in which clergy members receive salaries and often rely on the Church for their livelihood. In Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions, ministers, priests, and pastors typically undergo formal theological training and are employed full-time in their religious capacities. While these traditions argue that a full-time, paid clergy allows for greater theological expertise and dedicated pastoral care, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains that spiritual authority comes through divine calling rather than academic credentials or professional status. The Church teaches that “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27), emphasizing humility, faith, and revelation over human scholarship.

There are distinct benefits in adopting this model of unpaid ministry. First, it fosters a culture of service and sacrifice, ensuring that leaders serve out of love rather than financial interest. Second, it strengthens the sense of community and mutual responsibility, as members recognize that their leaders are fellow laborers rather than professional clergy. Third, it allows Church funds to be directed toward humanitarian efforts, temple construction, and missionary work rather than salaries and administrative overhead. This model reflects the earliest Christian Church, in which Christ’s apostles and disciples served without expectation of financial compensation, relying instead on the Lord to provide for their needs.

The principle of a lay ministry stands as a defining characteristic of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It reflects a scriptural pattern, safeguards the integrity of service, and fosters unity among Church members. Those who serve in leadership capacities do so with the understanding that their reward is not material but spiritual, fulfilling the Lord’s injunction: “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).