In regard to the reporting in GC, my understanding is that prior to 1960 or so, the Church publically disclosed its financial statements and only then decided to just report on donations. (Correct me if I am wrong, I read that years ago.) I personally don't like that the Church stopped disclosing its financial statements, but that was long before i was born and really not my decision. I am sure it would open us up to more nit-picking, but at the same time, I like the idea of transparency.

So really, we know very little about non-donations.

I would agree that it would be disingenuous to argue that tithes today pay for football, malls, or whatever, but really, I don't care where the money came from, once it hits the Church, to me, those funds are sacred and should be used for building up the Kingdom and the fulfillment of the Missions of the Church--not the building up of Banana Republic.

Again, not my call and I will leave it to others, I'm just saying 5B would go a long way in Bangladesh or Sub-Saharan Africa. And as far as buildings go, all the ordinances in the ugliest of temples (I'm speaking to you pre-facelift Ogden Temple and Provo Temple) are just as valid as those in the San Diego and DC Temples. And if you think those are great missionary tools, this is usually my back-and-forth,
"Oh, I saw your Temple in SD. GORGEOUS."
"Yeah, it really is a beautiful building."
"That must have cost a fortune! It's like a palace!"
"Um, yeah...."