Welcome to Mormon Stories, where we dive deep into the legal and ethical issues surrounding the LDS Church. In this episode, John, Gerardo, and attorney Kolby Reddish break down the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ unanimous rejection of James Huntsman’s fraud lawsuit against the Mormon Church concerning LDS tithing.

Huntsman’s lawsuit accused the church of misleading members about its tithing usage—specifically, whether LDS tithing funds were used to build the City Creek Mall. This case is part of ongoing scrutiny over the church’s financial transparency, including Ensign Peak and Beneficial Life.

Key discussion points include:

• Understanding the legal standards for summary judgment and fraud cases
• The impact of this ruling on future cases, including the Chappell lawsuit
• President Hinckley’s statements about LDS tithing and the mall, and whether they were misleading
• The argument that “reserve funds” come from LDS tithing and how the court interpreted this
• Religious financial protections—how churches can legally operate with minimal accountability
• The broader implications of this ruling on financial transparency in religious institutions

The discussion also explores why this case was dismissed, whether it should have gone to a jury, and what this means for church members concerned about financial accountability. While Huntsman’s case was rejected, does it still serve as a victory by bringing attention to church finances?

We also examine the judges’ opinions, including Judge Bress’ concurrence and Bumatay’s perspective on religious legal protections in the U.S. Is there too much protection for religious organizations when it comes to financial matters?

Join us for an in-depth legal analysis and discussion on what this ruling means for the future of church accountability. Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes exploring faith, law, and transparency.