Analyzing Henry B. Eyring’s Paystub

This paystub provides a detailed breakdown of Henry B. Eyring’s compensation and deductions, contradicting the LDS Church’s claim that it has “no paid clergy.”

Let’s analyze each section:

Earnings Breakdown:

Reimb ST ($5,442.00): This could represent a reimbursed stipend for expenses incurred while performing duties. Some organizations use this to cover travel, housing, or other work-related costs. It could also be specific reimbursements for this pay period.
Child Allowance ($76.92): A direct financial benefit, possibly for dependents.
Living Allowance ($2,211.53): Likely a general stipend for personal expenses. Note this line item nearly matched the “Modest Living Allowance” leaders sometimes speak of. Is it a white lie they tell so they can technically be honest that their living allowance is modest?
Parsonage ($730.77): A housing allowance, common among religious leaders to cover residence-related costs.

Total earnings for the period: $8,461.22. The majority of which are reimbursements of some form.

Deductions:

Federal Withholding ($270.00): Standard tax withholdings for federal income tax.
UT (Utah) Withholding ($90.00): Standard tax withholdings for state income tax.
DMBA Insurance ($71.46 & $0.06): Premiums for church-provided health insurance through Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators (DMBA).
SGTL ($70.00): Possibly “Supplemental Group Term Life” insurance.
24Hr AD&D ($7.20): Likely 24-hour Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance.
Retirement Savings ($88.46): A contribution to a retirement fund, implying long-term financial planning benefits. However, if these leaders serve (and are paid) for the duration of their lives, why would they need an extra retirement plan? Perhaps to take care of their family.

Year-to-Date & Monthly Salary:

Gross earnings YTD: $32,614.98 (over just four months).
Taxable earnings YTD: $25,394.91 (suggesting some income is exempt).
Current monthly salary: $8,461.22 (translating to over $100K annually).

See How Much Are Mormon Church Leaders Compensated? for adjustments for inflation over time.

“No Paid Clergy”

The LDS Church often insists that general authorities are not salaried clergy, and sometimes, when pressed, admit that they do receive a “modest stipend.” However, this paystub suggests:

A structured payroll system: This is not just reimbursement—it’s a salary with taxes, insurance, and retirement benefits.
A six-figure income: Eyring’s monthly salary alone exceeds many full-time jobs, making it hard to argue that LDS leaders are unpaid volunteers.
Church-provided benefits: Health insurance, retirement, and housing support are common corporate employment perks, reinforcing that church leadership operates more like executives of a corporate nature than ministerial volunteers.

The leaked 1999 paystub, which according to other leaked church documents, is the same amount given to all the top General Authorities. There are multiple line items in the earnings column, like reimbursements, child allowances, living allowances, and parsonage. This starkly contrasts the church’s public narrative, raising questions about transparency regarding finances and clergy compensation.

Leaked payroll paystub for Henry B Eyring showing living allowance of over a thousand per week and even more in the form of reimbursements. — Leaked payroll paystub for Henry B Eyring from 1999 showing living allowance of over a thousand per week and even more in the form of reimbursements.

These wages are taxes, so the government wouldn’t agree that these leaders are part of the touted “No Paid Clergy.”

Again, the pay slip lists retirement savings. But are these church leaders not considered retired from their professional career? What do they need more retirement savings for?

There are likely reimbursements for expenses related to their church service. Things like travel, food while traveling, meals where church topics are discussed, and purchases which could be deemed required for his calling like cell phone, computers, vehicles, and any bills too, like internet at home or while traveling. When you add it all up, it’s no surprise that the reimbursements are more than the wages.

The Widows Mite report also analyzes these amounts.

Some (~25%) of the living allowance is classified as parsonage, or housing for clergy members. See Sources 6 and 7 for further detail.
Parsonage is not counted as taxable income, but the remainder of the General Authority living allowance is taxed at the federal and state level.
Standard healthcare & retirement benefits are generally not counted as taxable income.
Per-child (up to age 24) allowance, estimated to be ~$3,700 per year in 2024, is also taxable income.
Payroll stubs in Sources 2 and 3 show several deductions for supplemental insurance, suggesting General Authority benefits, such as healthcare and disability, mirror typical corporate plans.
23-27% of allowance (excluding Children) classified as parsonage (tax exempt). Remainder of living allowance is taxed as income. Deductions are for employee-paid additional insurance coverage
https://widowsmitereport.wordpress.com/comp/

Why does God, God of Miracles, require all this money? With its preponderantly corporate structure, what else is it going to do? It's going to bring money in like a vacuum cleaner, to benefit the shareholders. That's what it does. When you join the dots, this seems to be a pattern of behavior that doesn't really favor the church very well in how it looks as a church. - Neville Rocco, Australian Barrister, Former Mormon, Bishop, Free-thinker - The Fifth Estate, October 27, 2022 | wasmormon.org — Why does God, God of Miracles, require all this money? With its preponderantly corporate structure, what else is it going to do? It’s going to bring money in like a vacuum cleaner, to benefit the shareholders. That’s what it does. When you join the dots, this seems to be a pattern of behavior that doesn’t really favor the church very well in how it looks as a church. – Neville Rocco, Australian Barrister, Former Mormon, Bishop, Free-thinker – The Fifth Estate, October 27, 2022

Disillusionment often sets in when one realizes that the LDS Church operates more like a wealthy corporation than a divinely guided religious institution. While top leaders receive generous salaries, housing allowances, and retirement benefits, ordinary members are expected to labor for free in their callings, sometimes dedicating countless hours each week to church service. Even more jarring is the fact that young missionaries—many from humble backgrounds—must personally fund their missions, paying $10,000 or more for the privilege of spreading the church’s message. Meanwhile, apostles and church executives live comfortably, benefiting from a financial system that demands sacrifice from the bottom while rewarding those at the top. If this were truly God’s church, why would its leaders be financially enriched while its most devoted members struggle?

Jesus himself warned against such greed and hypocrisy, teaching that true discipleship is incompatible with the pursuit of wealth. He declared, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24) Yet, the LDS leadership seems to do just that—hoarding billions in investments, real estate, and undisclosed assets while claiming to be humble servants. Christ also rebuked the religious elites of his day, saying, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer” (Matthew 23:14). This sounds eerily familiar in a church that asks struggling members to pay tithing—even before rent or food—while sitting on a $200+ billion investment funds. A church led by God would not function like a corporation, where profits and financial security are prioritized for those at the top while the rank-and-file members are left to sacrifice without compensation.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of these contradictions—the expectation to give selflessly while leaders receive financial rewards—you’re not alone. Many former members have wrestled with the realization that the church operates more like a business than a spiritual refuge. If you’ve experienced disillusionment, frustration, or even betrayal upon discovering these financial disparities, your story matters. By sharing your journey, you can help others see that they, too, are not alone in their doubts. Visit wasmormon.org to share your faith transition and connect with others who have walked a similar path. Your voice can shed light on the realities behind the church’s polished image and offer support to those beginning to question.

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