Introduction

Mormonism, church finances, Mormonism's estimated wealth, United Order, fundamentalist Mormonism, Kingston family, polygamy, "Bleeding the Beast," welfare abuse, Mormonism's relationship with capitalism, Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith's business ventures, Brigham Young, Brigham Young's wealth, teething, anti-polygamy laws, Federal overreach, Federal raids in Utah, American Civil War, the Church's financial state by the 1890s, the financial holdings of Joseph F. Smith, Smoot hearings, the LDS becomes a corporation, modern day holdings of the Mormon church, the LDS' investment strategy, role of wealthy Mormon families, lay leadership, the Mormon mafia, Howard Hughes, organized crime, drug trafficking