Business ventures

During the early days of church history the church itself owned and operated many businesses to help the church grow. When the church first went out to Utah they started many of the day to day businesses as well. From Banks, to Schools to A newspaper and many supply business such as wagon wheel repair.

As the church grew many no longer became necessary because businesses themselves came to being particularly when Utah became a state and some outgrew there usufulness.

However the church has kept some businesses. The deseret News and tv and radio stations through bonneville since they feel communication is important. They divested most schools but kept byu and other campuses in Rexburg, lds business college and started one in Hawaii. Have elementary and prepatory schools in less developed areas as well.

As an outgrowth still invests in some real estate and commercial ranches as well. These are not welfare ranches but profit making ranches. President HInckley several times has said they are not tax exempt and pay taxes they are required to under the laws of the land.

Some such as Deseret Industries are for the welfare program. While others are not. There money goes to the church and pays General Authority living allowences. However President Hinckley has repeatedly said that income from the businesses would only last a few months why we have tithing.

Though the church itself has outgrown most businesses still keeps a few that they feel essential or are outgrowths to what they had before. IT also encourages members to be entrepeuners. Frank Vandersloot head of Mealeluca, Don Aslett head of cleaining company, J Willard Marriott and John Huntsman are among many succesful lds businessman. They are a credit to the church as well.

While not as many businesses now the church will continue to invest in ones they feel further it's mission.