[Frank Evans] I promised President Smith that I would try, in connection with Bishop Wirthlin, to recommend an adjustment which would relieve this situation without maladjustment of the payroll in other respects. He also mentioned the difficulties now experienced by Patriarch Eldred Smith who is receiving but $400 per month, the amount received generally by all general authorities except Presidents of Seventy and the members of the Presiding Bishopric, this $400 allowance having prevailed during normal times. I did mention the fact that some precedents had intervened, there being about six instances where members of the Council of the Twelve have received special allowances of $100 each, and some instances where Presidents of Seventy have received $50 each as special allowances. President Smith said he would discuss Eldred's situation with the other brethren and arrive at a decision and give us a written directive for our payroll.
[Source: Frank Evans Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
According to DMQ, MH:EP, p.209, uniform allowances for all general authorities, regardless of quorum or seniority, were adopted during DOM's presidency (1960s). Today, reliable sources have put that allowance or priestcraft salary for general authorities at about $65,000 per year.
ReplyDelete2 Nephi 26:
ReplyDelete[29] He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold priestcrafts 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.
[30] Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; ...
[31] But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.