The fund's goal is to raise $250 million, according to the church's Web site, (www.lds.org), then use only the interest to make loans.

Carmack would not reveal how much has been raised but said the amount is large and has been enough so far.

"We've earned more from the fund than we've spent, and it's growing," he said. "If you give us a few more years, we're going to be self-sufficient with that fund. We won't need more."

The recipients pay back the loans at 3 percent interest, and then the money is loaned again to others.

Carmack told the Deseret Morning News that the cumulative payback rate over six years is 66 percent and rising.

"Every year it's getting better," he said. "Last year, it was 90 percent. The year before, 80 percent. The year before that, 70 percent. They're doing a good job of repaying their loans."

Several speakers, including BYU President Cecil Samuelson, who introduced speaker University of Utah President Michael Young, noted that the five men called during the weekend general conference as full-time general authorities of the church are all from other countries — Germany, the Philippines, Argentina, Guatemala and Mexico.

The church is at a stage, Carmack said, where it is time to trim the parts that are peculiar to the United States and not relevant to the international church.

"We simplify and find what is essential for salvation and church government and what is unessential," he said.

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com