Caring for the Earth

“As beneficiaries of the divine Creation, what shall we do? We should care for the earth, be wise stewards over it, and preserve it for future generations.”

<centerPresident Russell M. Nelson</center>

In a revelation to Joseph Smith in 1834, the Lord said, "For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves. One of the important things our Heavenly Father wants us to recognize and act upon is caring for the resources, or the fulness, that the earth provides.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seeks to follow President Nelson's prophetic counsel through responsible management of its global operations, which includes meetinghouses, temples, fleets, farms, and welfare and educational facilities. Many programs have been in progress for decades. Others were developed more recently, as new technologies and opportunities have become available.

To guide sustainability efforts across its wide range of operations, the Church has identified several major priorities, including the following:

Solar panels on a Church meetinghouse in Mexico

Adopt renewable energy. The Church has had on-site solar systems since 1986; as of November 2024, over 750 Church-owned buildings produce on-site solar power, including meetinghouses, temples, schools and warehouses. Hundreds more buildings participate in utility-led programs to pay for electricity from renewable sources. In addition, a handful of meetinghouses and temples use geothermal energy to regulate heating and cooling.

Improve energy efficiency. Operating highly efficient and well-insulated buildings has been a long-standing goal of the Church for many years. Recent improvements include the installation of LEDs for lighting, smart controls for heating, cooling and irrigation, and battery storage where local electricity grids are not reliable.

Conserve water, based on ecological needs and resources. In regions with limited water resources, the Church is reducing usage through smart irrigation controls, reduction of underused lawns and retrofitting properties with other water-wise landscaping (also known as xeric landscaping or dry gardens). In coordination with public stakeholders, the Church has also donated tens of thousands of water shares to help protect Utah’s Great Salt Lake in the United States.

Aerial view of waterwise landscape at the Red Cliffs Utah Temple

Reduce, reuse and recycle to avoid material waste. The Church strives to source materials through sustainable supply chains, as well as divert as much waste as possible from landfills. (For a list of notable initiatives, see [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/environmental-sustainability-church-operations this article.)

Reduce transportation emissions. The Church has adopted high fuel-efficiency standards for its global vehicle fleet, used by facility managers, missionaries and other workers. Bicycle shelters are provided in select locations where member ridership warrants it. EV chargers are installed at a handful of temples and meetinghouses where they are locally mandated or where the chargers are considered a strategic opportunity.

Practice the sustainable design, development and construction of our buildings. As the Church builds beautiful temples and other facilities, it is mindful of the materials, site selection and methods needed to support their long-term operations and maintenance in an environmentally sound manner. In more rural areas, maintaining sustainability often involves using smaller and more localized designs, which require less energy.

Practice sustainable agriculture and ranching in the Church’s welfare and investment farms around the globe. This includes the use of cover crops; crop rotation; no-till and reduced-till farming; grazing management; precision technologies to reduce water, waste and chemical use; and other practices that support long-term land productivity and help reduce negative environmental impacts.

Adapt to climate risks and improve resiliency, especially in implementing relevant humanitarian projects and facility maintenance standards. The accelerating frequency of extreme climate events disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable populations who do not have the resources to adapt to more volatile conditions or recover from long-term damages. For decades, the Church has frequently participated in projects to beautify and fortify local communities. Those projects range from sponsoring urban gardens to reducing erosion with tree planting. Furthermore, in partnership with accredited nongovernmental organizations, the Church contributes significantly to global initiatives on food security, energy independence and clean-water access—all of which have important environmental considerations.

Source: Church Newsroom, "Environmental Sustainability in Church Operations"

External Links

• Russell M. Nelson, “The Creation,” April 2000 General Conference
• [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/environmental-sustainability-church-operations Church Newsroom, "Topic

Environmental Sustainability in Church Operations"]

• Church Newsroom, "The Divine Gift of Creation: Our Sacred Duty to Care for the Earth," by L. Todd Budge
• Church Newsroom, "Church to Complete Water Conservation Project in 2025"
• Church News, "Church reducing water usage by billions of gallons; Bishop Waddell outlines Latter-day Saint water conservation efforts"
• Church Newsroom, "Church-Affiliated Ranch Balances Agriculture and Conservation in Central Florida"
• Church Newsroom, "Latter-day Saints and Environment," by Elder Patrick Kearon
• Church Newsroom, "Honoring the Creator," by Elder D. Todd Christofferson