Deseret Management CorporationEdit
Deseret Management Corporation (DMC) serves as the corporate umbrella for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' for-profit ventures. By concentrating governance, financial discipline, and professional management under one roof, DMC seeks to create durable revenue streams that support the church’s charitable, educational, and humanitarian mission. Through its subsidiaries, the organization operates a range of media, publishing, and consumer-facing businesses that serve both Utah’s large faith-based community and a broader national audience. The arrangement is designed to keep the church financially independent from voluntary tithes while funding programs that advance relief, education, and community welfare. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The corporate model rests on the idea that disciplined management of church-owned businesses can amplify the church’s capacity to fulfill its doctrines and charitable aims. In practice, this means professional boards, seasoned executives, and a framework intended to balance mission with competitive performance. DMC and its holdings are deeply integrated into the economic fabric of Utah and neighboring states, while also reaching audiences beyond the Intermountain West through traditional and digital media platforms. Bonneville International, Deseret News, Deseret Book, and Deseret Digital Media are among the most visible arms of the enterprise.
History
Deseret Management Corporation emerged as the church sought centralized stewardship for its for-profit activities, formalizing a structure that could deploy capital efficiently, invest in innovation, and sustain mission-driven programming over the long term. Over time, the organization expanded from core publishing and media assets into a more diversified portfolio, embracing digital platforms and multimedia ventures to reach modern audiences. The growth of these holdings reflects a strategy of leveraging private-sector governance practices to support a faith-based organizational purpose. Latter-day Saints and the Utah business ecosystem have grown in tandem as a result of this model.
Structure and governance
DMC operates with a board that includes senior church leaders alongside business professionals and outside advisers. The governance model emphasizes accountability, financial reporting, and strategic planning designed to ensure that profits are reinvested to sustain charitable programs and community initiatives. In keeping with its religious affiliation, the organization tends to foreground stability, long-range planning, and a conservative approach to risk management. This blend of spiritual orientation and professional stewardship is intended to align corporate performance with the church’s broader mission. LDS Church
Operations and subsidiaries
Bonneville International: A major broadcasting company that owns and operates several radio stations and related media outlets. This unit reaches audiences with news, entertainment, and community programming. For example, its outlets include stations and brands that are well-known within the region and beyond. Bonneville International
Deseret News Publishing Company: The press and publishing arm responsible for newspaper and other print media, as well as digital extensions of traditional journalism. Deseret News
Deseret Book: A publisher and retailer focusing on literary works that reflect and support church values, alongside broader mainstream publishing ventures. Deseret Book
Deseret Digital Media: The digital arm that manages online news, information services, and digital platforms to reach contemporary readers and users. Deseret Digital Media
Together, these holdings form an integrated ecosystem intended to generate resources for the church’s programs while maintaining a degree of professional autonomy in editorial and operational matters. KSL (Utah) and other media brands under the umbrella illustrate how traditional and new media disciplines are combined within a church-aligned corporate structure.
Economic and community impact
DMC’s activities have a pronounced impact on the Utah economy by providing jobs, supporting local vendors, and contributing to charitable and educational efforts aligned with the church’s mission. Proponents argue that the model strengthens community institutions, fosters financial stability for non-profit and humanitarian work, and encourages responsible capitalism rooted in communal values. Critics sometimes suggest that church leadership’s role in corporate governance could influence editorial or cultural outcomes in ways that reflect particular faith-based perspectives. Supporters contend that disciplined governance, transparency, and independent professional management mitigate undue influence while keeping the enterprise aligned with mission-driven objectives. Proponents also note that the organization’s success helps sustain a range of philanthropic and civic activities in the region. Utah, Deseret News
Controversies and debates
Editorial independence and perceived bias: As with any media group tied to a faith-based organization, critics have raised questions about whether the church’s ownership and governance shape content and editorial direction in ways that disproportionately reflect church positions. Defenders argue that professional newsrooms retain editorial autonomy and that the broader media landscape provides diverse viewpoints, with corporate governance focused on financial health and mission support rather than day-to-day content decisions. Deseret News
Influence and local policy: The concentration of media, publishing, and related ventures in a single organizational framework has led to debates about influence in local discourse and policy. Advocates for greater transparency emphasize standard corporate governance practices, audits, and independent oversight as safeguards. Supporters contend that the organization’s stability and civic involvement contribute positively to the community and to the region’s economy.
Religious identity in the workplace: Some employees and observers discuss how a faith-based enterprise balances hiring, culture, and workplace norms with broader norms of inclusion and diversity. From a conservative or market-driven perspective, the emphasis is often on voluntary association, shared values, and merit-based advancement while acknowledging the rights of individuals from diverse backgrounds. The ultimate aim, according to supporters, is to maintain a productive, principled workplace that can fund charitable activities.
Financial transparency and accountability: As with any large, faith-affiliated enterprise, questions arise about disclosure, governance practices, and the separation between religious aims and commercial operations. Proponents argue that DMC adheres to standard corporate governance, audits, and compliance frameworks, with profits returning to the church’s humanitarian and educational programs. Critics may press for more granular reporting and independent verification of how funds are allocated.