The Mormon Church’s Real Estate Empire
Summary
This episode investigates the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ emergence as a major US real estate developer, owning an estimated 2.4 million acres worth over $20 billion. Hosts Sarah Holder, Natalie Wong, and Ann Choi explore how the church’s investment arm, Property Reserve, is converting legacy farmland into massive master-planned communities like Tributary in Colorado. The discussion covers the church’s cash-heavy, long-term investment strategy, its lack of financial transparency, and the local controversies surrounding environmental impact and urban sprawl.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: IBM, Optum, and 4imprint
Introduction: Mormon Church's massive land holdings
History of LDS real estate and Ashley Powell's leadership
Data analysis of church assets and comparison to other churches
Sponsors: ChatGPT, LPL Financial, and Adio
Investment strategy: All-cash offers and sovereign wealth fund scale
Transparency issues, SEC settlements, and local pushback
Community impact, sprawl concerns, and church mission
Outro and final sponsor messages
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