Doctrine and Covenants 120 established the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes. This council is referenced once a year in April general conference during the report of the Church Auditing Department. Following the direction given in the revelation, the council consists of the First Presidency, the Presiding Bishopric (“the bishop and his council”), and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (“my high council”). 

Elder David A. Bednar shared his experience with serving as a member of this council: The basic financial program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—for both income and disbursement—is defined in sections 119 and 120 of the Doctrine and Covenants . . . I marvel at the clarity and brevity of these two revelations in comparison to the complicated financial guidelines and administrative procedures used in so many organizations and governments around the world. How can the temporal affairs of an organization as large as the restored Church of Jesus Christ possibly operate throughout the entire world using such succinct instructions? To me the answer is quite straightforward: this is the Lord’s work, He is able to do His own work and the Savior inspires and directs His servants as they apply His directions and labor in His cause.¹

In addition to the principles found in Doctrine and Covenants 119 and 120, Elder Bednar pointed out two more “basic and fixed principles” observed by the council: “First, the Church lives within its means and does not spend more than it receives. Second, a portion of the annual income is set aside as a reserve for contingencies and unanticipated needs. For decades the Church has taught its membership the principle of setting aside additional food, fuel, and money to take care of emergencies that might arise. The Church as an institution simply follows the same principles that are taught repeatedly to the members.”² In 2013 Elder Bednar observed, “I have now participated in the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes for many years. My gratitude and reverence for the Lord’s pattern has grown each year, and the lessons learned have become even more profound.”³

1. David A. Bednar, “The Windows of Heaven,” October 2013 General Conference.

2. David A. Bednar, “The Windows of Heaven,” October 2013 General Conference.

3. David A. Bednar, “The Windows of Heaven,” October 2013 General Conference.