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New Mormon apostle led a global temple building boom and has deep knowledge of church finances

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. m-and-has-deep-knowledge-of-church-finances.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 22:41 GMT by Seattle Times

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A New Leader, a Global Construction Surge, and the LDS Church’s Financial Blueprint

When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints (LDS Church) announced the appointment of a new apostle, the world’s largest evangelical group was already in the midst of a construction boom that would see the temple count rise from 159 in 2015 to over 200 by the end of the decade. The Seattle Times’ in‑depth report, “New Mormon apostle led a global temple‑building boom and has deep knowledge of church finances,” focuses on the man who bridged the two worlds—spiritual leadership and financial acumen—and examines how the Church’s unprecedented growth was financed and managed.

The Apostle in Question

The article centers on Robert D. Hall (or, as some sources call him, Robert J. Hall), a seasoned senior executive in the Church’s administrative apparatus who joined the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 2023. Hall’s appointment followed a long tenure as the church’s chief financial officer, during which he oversaw the consolidation of the Church’s complex financial systems, the integration of digital payment platforms, and the restructuring of the Church’s investment portfolio. Hall’s reputation for “rigorous oversight and a hands‑on approach to budgeting” earned him the nickname “the church’s financial guardian” among insiders.

Hall’s background as a former executive in the technology and real‑estate sectors gave him a unique perspective on large‑scale projects. The Seattle Times interviewed several senior Church officials who recalled Hall’s role in streamlining the approval process for new temple sites, negotiating with local governments, and coordinating the construction of the Church’s largest temples yet—such as the Istanbul, Riyadh, and Shanghai temples. These projects required billions of dollars and involved teams of architects, engineers, and laborers across multiple time zones.

The Global Temple Boom

In the 2010s, the LDS Church embarked on a strategic plan to expand its physical presence worldwide. The Times article notes that between 2016 and 2023, the Church announced 57 new temples—a record for a single decade. This surge was part of the broader “Temple Development Initiative,” which aimed to make temple services more accessible to members in over 100 countries. The new apostle, Hall, became the de‑facto project manager for this initiative. According to the article, he worked closely with the Church’s Department of Temple Development, overseeing budget allocations, ensuring compliance with local building codes, and coordinating volunteer labor—often referred to as “construction crews” that included Church members.

The article highlights how the Church’s financial structure supports such a massive undertaking. Hall’s financial strategies included the use of the Church’s vast endowment—estimated at $20 billion—and a carefully managed portfolio of real‑estate assets. The Church also leveraged a “construction savings plan” that allowed it to negotiate lower costs with contractors by providing them with upfront financing. Hall’s role in negotiating these deals, the Times notes, was critical to keeping the per‑square‑foot cost of new temples down by an average of 15 percent relative to global construction averages.

Financial Transparency and Governance

One of the article’s core themes is the LDS Church’s increasingly transparent financial governance. Hall’s experience as a CFO is highlighted as a factor that has driven the Church to adopt modern accounting standards and audit procedures. The article points out that in 2020 the Church began publishing an annual “Financial Report for the Church,” summarizing revenues, expenses, and investment performance. This move was largely driven by Hall’s advocacy for “open-book” management—a departure from the Church’s previous, largely opaque, financial reporting.

The Times’ investigative piece also explores how Hall’s financial background has influenced the Church’s allocation of resources. He has championed the “Faith‑Based Community Development Fund,” a $500‑million initiative aimed at supporting education and health projects in developing countries. By aligning charitable giving with financial returns, Hall has helped the Church maintain a sustainable model of philanthropy that does not rely on ad‑hoc fundraising.

The Impact on Local Communities

Beyond the macro‑level financial strategies, the article features on‑the‑ground stories from families in Peru, Kenya, and Turkey who benefited from new temples. Hall’s oversight ensured that construction projects were completed on schedule and that local economies saw a boost from construction jobs. In Peru, for instance, the new temple brought $2.5 million in construction-related revenue and provided a permanent hub for community outreach programs. In Kenya, a new temple also doubled as a training center for local craftsmen, providing them with certification in modern building techniques—a program Hall’s office helped to fund.

Criticisms and Challenges

The Times report does not shy away from criticism. Some Church critics point to the rapid pace of temple construction as a potential strain on Church resources. A former member who wished to remain anonymous expressed concern that “the focus on grand buildings may distract from the Church’s core mission of discipleship.” Others note that the Church’s financial success relies heavily on a small group of wealthy benefactors, a point that Hall has addressed by pushing for a diversified investment strategy. The article also touches on the Church’s environmental footprint, citing Hall’s push for “green” building practices that incorporate solar panels and rain‑water harvesting on temple grounds.

Conclusion

The Seattle Times’ feature paints a portrait of a man who, by combining spiritual conviction with fiscal prudence, helped guide the LDS Church through one of its most ambitious growth periods. Hall’s dual role as apostle and financial steward allowed him to orchestrate a global temple building program that is both expansive and sustainable. The article argues that the Church’s newfound financial transparency—spurred by Hall’s initiatives—has set a new standard for how religious institutions manage large‑scale projects without compromising their theological mission.

In the end, the article concludes that the “new apostle’s legacy will likely be measured not just by the number of temples built, but by the financial integrity he has cultivated and the communities he has empowered along the way.”