Policy and Principles
“A bishopric member and another Melchizedek Priesthood holder, usually the clerk who helped verify the donations, prepare the deposit.
“Those who deposit funds should use, where available, (1) deposit bags that are locked when funds are inserted and are opened only by the bank or (2) other tamper-resistant deposit bags. A clerk or member of the bishopric checks with Church headquarters, the assigned area office, or the local bank for availability of such deposit bags.
“Where a 24-hour bank depository is available, the bishopric member, accompanied by the other priesthood holder, deposits the funds in the bank on the same day the funds are opened and verified.
“Where a 24-hour bank depository is not available and the bank is closed on Sunday, the bishop designates a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, normally a member of the bishopric, to make the deposit at the bank the next business day. The person who makes the deposit is accountable for these funds. He should:
- Ensure the funds are kept secure until they are deposited at the bank.
- Obtain a bank-certified deposit receipt showing the date and the amount of the deposit.
“Furthermore, a bishopric member and a clerk should complete the following procedure on the next Sunday before processing any donations for that day:
- Compare the bank-certified deposit receipt to the previous week’s deposit records to verify that the correct amount was deposited.
- Sign the bank-certified deposit receipt and file it with the previous week’s donation information” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 34.5.4).
STEP 1
Each week after donations are opened, counted, verified, and recorded, a bishopric member and another Melchizedek Priesthood holder, usually the clerk who helped verify the donations, prepare the bank deposit.
STEP 2
Those who deposit funds should use, where available, (1) deposit bags that are locked when funds are inserted and are opened only by the bank or (2) other tamper-resistant deposit bags. A clerk or member of the bishopric checks with Church headquarters, the assigned administrative office, or the local bank for availability of such deposit bags.
STEP 3
Where a 24-hour bank depository is available, the bishopric member, accompanied by the other priesthood holder, deposits the funds in the bank on the same day the funds are opened and verified. If a 24-hour bank depository is not available and the bank is closed on Sunday, the bishopric member and clerk should follow deposit instructions from the area controller.
STEP 4
In MLS, after authorizing the donation batch:
- Print the Deposit Report and the Tithing and Offerings Batch Report, and transmit the donation information.
- File the unit copy of the Deposit Report in your ward files with the Tithing and Other Offerings slips and the Tithing and Offerings Batch Report.
- Place the bank copy of the Deposit Report in the envelope with the money for deposit in the bank.
LCR Procedures
After authorizing the donation information in LCR, the clerk and a member of the bishopric (or two members of the bishopric) prepare the bank deposit. In LCR:
- Click Approve to authorize the donation batch.
- The Batch Complete screen displays the Funds Summary and the Approvers. Click Print Report.
- File the Donation Batch Report in your ward or branch files. Place the Deposit Report in the envelope with the money for deposit in the bank.
MLS Procedures
After authorizing the donation information in MLS, the clerk and a member of the bishopric (or two members of the bishopric) prepare the bank deposit. In MLS:
- After clicking OK to authorize the donation batch, click Next.
- On the Deposit Report screen, click Print.
- On the Batch Report screen, click Print.
- On the Transmit screen, click Transmit.
- File the Unit Copy of the Deposit Report in your ward or branch files with the Tithing and Other Offerings slips and the Batch Report. Place the Bank Copy of the Deposit Report in the envelope with the money for deposit in the bank.