The Blessings of Tithing (Mormon)

First Presidency Message ^ | June, eo11 | Henry B Eyring

[greyfoxx39]

The Blessings of Tithing

By President Henry B. Eyring

First Counselor in the First Presidency

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God’s purpose in giving us commandments is to bless us. He wants to give us eternal life, the greatest of all His gifts (see D&C 14:7). To receive the gift of living with Him forever in families in the celestial kingdom, we must be able to live the laws of that kingdom (see D&C 88:22).

He has given us commandments in this life to help us develop that capacity. The law of tithing is one of those preparatory commandments. The law is that we give to the Lord one-tenth of all our income. It is simple enough that even a child can understand it. I have seen children hand a bishop a tithing envelope that contains one-tenth of the coins they earned.

There we must be able to feel that aOne of the blessings that comes from paying a full tithing is developing faith to live an even higher law. To live in the celestial kingdom, we must live the law of consecration. We are and all we have belong to God.

There are at least three ways that paying a full tithe in this life prepares us to feel what we need to feel to receive the gift of eternal life.

First, when we pay our tithes to the Church, our Heavenly Father pours out blessings upon us. Anyone who has consistently paid a full tithe knows that is true. The blessings are sometimes spiritual and sometimes temporal. They are given in the Lord’s time and according to what He knows is best for us.

As those blessings come, our faith is increased that God is the source of everything that is good in our lives. It becomes easier to see that consecration simply recognizes the truth that all of God’s creations are His. It makes us feel gratitude that He asks only 10 percent of what He has already given us. So we are better prepared to live the law of consecration when it will be asked of us.

Second, all of us who have paid a consistent full tithe feel greater confidence in asking God for what we and our families need. He has promised blessings even greater than we can receive when we have been faithful to our covenant to pay our tithes (see Malachi 3:10). So one of the great blessings of tithing is confidence in what the future holds. Whatever our circumstances may be, things will work out for the best. As we keep our promises, He will keep His. A feeling of peace is one of the great blessings of paying a full tithe. Those who have kept the commandment of tithing can testify that the blessing of peace is real and precious.

Third, those who pay tithing feel an increase in their love of God and of all God’s children. That increase of love comes from understanding how the Father uses the tithes we offer to bless people in this world and for eternity.

Through His authorized servants, He expends the tithes with great care. The tithe payer helps the Lord build temples, where families can be sealed forever. The tithe payer helps Him send the gospel to people everywhere. The tithe payer helps Him relieve hunger and suffering in His own way through His servants. Any of those servants can tell you how love increased because tithing was used to bless people. And so can the faithful tithe payer.

Tithing settlement is months in the future. I pray that you and your family will begin now to plan and prepare to qualify for the blessings that God pours out on all those who can declare to Him that they are full-tithe payers.

Teaching from This Message

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  Sometimes the best way to teach a certain principle is to demonstrate it (see Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 164). Consider asking a family member to demonstrate what one-tenth represents. He or she could demonstrate it by separating one item from a group of 10 items. To conclude, consider inviting a family member to show how to fill out a tithing slip.

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  “Those you teach will benefit from each other’s participation” (Teaching, No Greater Call, 63). Invite family members to share what they believe President Eyring means by the statement “feel what we need to feel to receive the gift of eternal life.” Consider discussing the three ways in which paying tithing prepares us to feel what we need to feel to receive God’s blessings.

Youth

Enough Money

By Fabiano dos Santos da Silva

met the missionaries when I was 17. At that time my older brother and I lived together. Our mother had passed away the year before, and life was difficult. When the missionaries taught me, I could see that this Church was the church I had always sought. But the influence of my friends prevented me from going to church on Sundays.

One time I went to a Church activity during the week. Seeing all the young people laughing and playing brought me great joy. The missionaries, with the youth, took that opportunity to teach me a gospel lesson, and I felt so good I resolved to be baptized.

But even after I joined the Church, I faced challenges. I was the only member of the Church in that part of town and lived far away from the meetinghouse. My nonmember friends no longer wanted anything to do with me. When I felt alone, I prayed and felt the love of the Lord.

Each month, I received a small allotment of money from a fund my mother left. It was difficult to sustain myself with so little money. But I determined to be obedient. I paid tithing and also had to pay for transportation to seminary and Sunday meetings. I didn’t understand how, but at the end of the month, I found that there had been enough money to do it all.

I know that I have been blessed by paying tithing. Obeying this commandment helped me gain a stronger testimony, serve a mission, and recognize blessings so I can strengthen new members who are facing challenges.

Children

I Can Pay Tithing

Paying tithing means giving 10 percent of what we earn to the Lord. Look at these three children doing jobs. On the first blank space by each drawing, write how much you think each child might earn for the job. On the second line, write how much the tithing would be.

(click to view larger)

Bonus question: Which of these tithe payers would receive the most blessings? (Hint: See the last paragraph of President Eyring’s message.)

[SouthernClaire]

A “Condition of Worthiness.”

Oh, boy. They’ve managed to give their congregants a real mental and emotional work-over with words like that. Sounds like they’ve gotten in overtime at some of the best manipulating skills courses to be had anywhere.

Suppose that my weekly income is $1000. Now, I give to charities that I believe serve Jesus’ command to love one another. Particularly children’s shelters so that they may have clothes, school supplies, etc. These kids lack for just the basics. Sometimes it’s a matter of buying things like toothpaste and soap, if that expresses the need better. Now, if I don’t give, some child is definitely going to go without.

I will give to a person on the street in a heartbeat - regardless of where they are about to spend it because that’s not my call. But, I know that I did what was in my heart to do: give to those without.

Suppose that I give $200 that week to help the helpless, then give $50 at “church” for my tithe. Am I going to have to listen to some bishop tell me that I owe God fifty bucks? (I know already that I owe everything to Him.) Then, I reply to that bishop that I gave $200 to help the needy and so I feel that I am doing what Jesus tells me to do, and the lights have managed to stay on without the extra $50 that particular week. Is he going to tell me that the $50 is going to put a little extra distance between me and his god?

As always,

Warm Regards,

SC

[reaganaut]

SZ (who is also an ex-mormon who is now a Christian), they do not outright demand a tithe, but they do practice spiritual blackmail and there are often rumors that go around if you don’t tithe so ‘peer pressure’ is a factor.

SZ is correct, if you don’t tithe you aren’t ‘worthy’ to hold a temple recommend and that hurts your social standing in the church and in Utah the community because eventually it will get out.

SZ gave u the long form bus basically if you don’t pay a full 10% plus additional offerings you don’t get to go to what the Christians call heaven (the Celestial Kingdom -which is also conditional on several other ‘dos and don’ts).

I will talk to a couple of my friends who specialize in court cases against the LDS and freepmail you anything I find.

[reaganaut]

The use of peer pressure is strong in the LDS church and ‘tithing settlement’ is just one more use of pressure (although from an authority).

[reaganaut]

If you can’t get a temple recommend, you can’t go to the temple and take out your endowments.

- - - - - -
Not just your own SZ, but also take out the endowments for the dead (save your dead relatives) so they can get to the Celestial kingdom as well since they know the handshakes, words vows and the ‘new name’ of the wives.

Hey something just occured to me, if the endowments for the dead are taken out on a different day/temple than the sealing (Marriage), how would the ‘husband’ know the ‘wifes’ new name since him pulling her through the veil is part of the endowment.

We know there is a record of it since the same name is used for everyone in temples all over the world on a particular date, and a record is kept of what name (and the alternate) is used for every date, but the members wouldn’t know what the name was.

[reaganaut]

Oh and one last thing, if a person is behind on tithing, even a few years, they can have their ‘temple recommend’ taken away (which is a big deal in the LDS church) and must pay back all back tithing in order to be considered ‘worthy’ again for a recommend.

The LDS church is guilty of spiritual extortion and spiritual rape.

[reaganaut]

Suppose that I give $200 that week to help the helpless, then give $50 at “church” for my tithe. Am I going to have to listen to some bishop tell me that I owe God fifty bucks?

- - - - - - -

If you were mormon, yes, especially if he knew what you did for a living and what your wages should be (most common in Utah although in many states LDS hire other LDS so general income isn’t that hard to find out).

[SouthernClaire]

“The LDS church is guilty of spiritual extortion and spiritual rape.”

Concise and well-said, Reaganaut.

[SouthernClaire]

That bit is scary. Not to mention the other cult-like behaviour of the LDS, but if someone were keeping tabs on what I earned I would run, presuming I weren’t too far into the sham.

The more I read, the easier it becomes to see why people are trapped in the LDS. Because they really are just that: victims trapped into buying God’s favors. Sheesh. What a dilemma for the LDS followers. If they stop giving out of some need for necessity, then they are put further behind in their Planet Installment Plan.

It reads like the LDS are nothing short of a den of thieves who are repeatedly, as you termed it, “raping” their victims every payday.

[reaganaut]

You have no idea at the manipulation that goes on inside the LDS church.

check out ex-mormon.org for other horror stories of tithing and other forms of manipulation.

A lot of us get flack for doing what we do, but the truth needs to be told and our experiences need to be out there. Some people who speak out against the LDS church have even gotten death threats from LDS members (I have gotten more than one and as a result now conceal carry).

I am heartsick for those who are still trapped or left for athiesm, I rejoice for those who left and came to Christ, and I pray constantly for all of them. I am also very angry at the institution and what they do.

BTW, no one really knows what the LDS do with the tithing money. Their local clergy isn’t paid (the leaders in SLC are) and their books are not open to the public in any way.

There are a couple of books that go through the financial empire of the LDS church but numbers are hard to come by.

My church (and every other Christian church I know of) does make their books available to members at least if not the general public. There is no such transparency in the LDS.

[MayflowerMadam]

Using thuggery to receive funds kind-of negates the concept of “blessing”. (IMHO)

[reaganaut]

do either of you guys have the quote handy from the LDS GA that told about paying tithing rather than feeding their kids?

[reaganaut]

Because they really are just that: victims trapped into buying God’s favors.

And that is exactly what they are, victims with Stockholm syndrome.

[Elsie]

Perhaps I am a stickler on the ‘tithing’ issue because of my Mormon background, but I don’t believe 10% is biblical.P>Well; since the COVENANT (contract) was with a SPECIFIC group of people...

...and since the BIBLE says that NOTHING can be added to or taken away from a duly agreed upon contract...

Unless you are JEWISH; then you are probably right.

[reaganaut]

Agreed

[Elsie]

But there are so darn few moles LEFT!

[reaganaut]

I thank God (and Paul) often that I’m not Jewish. I couldn’t live well without bacon cheeseburgers.

[SouthernClaire]

Darn it, Reag. I needed to get some stuff done this afternoon, but now I am going to the site you posted. (When my husband comes in, I’m going to blame you. :) )

I think you are so VERY right when you say that the truth needs to be told. And told often and over and over again. I believe that all of you who are ex-Mormons do a great service for Our Lord by posting the truth about the LDS. I’m sure there are those who are simply stuck and feel that there is no way out; that others would not understand. Sadly, that’s an effect of being victimized. Also, I have to think that some soul contemplating joining the LDS may happen across posts like yours and be alerted to the dangers by reading the truth about the LDS. Personally, I was shocked when I first started reading about them here. I had no idea of what was behind the curtain. NONE.

Let me say again, Reaganaut, that I am glad that you are out. I hope that you have all the support you need to have the life God intended for you. I’m sure that you have many, but you have a friend in me, your sister in Him.

Many Blessings,

SC

[Elsie]

...and been taught differently...

There is the problem!

Folks who switch from OTHER churches to MORMONism have had very poor teaching from their old pulpit!

Those with no background at all in church can be excused a bit for falling for the two DEMON's LIES!

[Elsie]

If you can’t take out your endowments, you don’t qualify for the celestial kingdom (highest degree of glory) and thus, don’t get to dwell in the presence of Heavenly Father.

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JESUS: Hey Smith!       Remember that boast you made about doing more than even I had done to hold the 'church' together?

JOSEPH SMITH: Where am I?

JESUS: Don't you remember? A few seconds ago you were in that jail.

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh; yeah; but where am I NOW?

JESUS: Don't you remember? Does bang - bang ring a bell?

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh; yeah - that crummy gun I had was about USELESS!

JESUS: I hope you left instructions on how to hold your church together.

JOSEPH SMITH: Dang! I knew there was SOMETHING I was forgetting!

JESUS: Looks like there's a power struggle going on down there.

JOSEPH SMITH: Yeah; there was always SOMEone who wanted the power that I held - especially over the LADIES - wink wink.

JESUS: No need to worry about that now; remember what my friend Matthew wrote down?

JOSEPH SMITH: This? “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30)

JESUS: That's it.

JOSEPH SMITH: I thought that was mistranslated.

JESUS: Nah - it was right.

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh well; it was fun while it lasted. My buds will still get it on with the girls.

JESUS: Uh; I'm sorry; in just a few more years; your followers will cavein to the United States government and abandon the 'Eternal Covenant' that you came up with.

JOSEPH SMITH: ME!? YOU are the one that told me to do that!

JESUS: Sorry; but you must have mistranslated what I told you. What part of Do NOT commit ADULTERY did you not understand?

JOSEPH SMITH: mumble....

JESUS: What did you say?

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh, nothing.

JESUS: Well; it was interesting talking to you; but now I must get back to perparing a place for those who believe in Me.

JOSEPH SMITH: Oh, yeah; the Celestial Kingdom.

JESUS: No...

JOSEPH SMITH: The Telestial one?

JESUS: Nope.

JOSEPH SMITH: SUREly not the TERRESTRIAL one!!

JESUS: Nope. Didn't you read that the mind of man had NOT conceived of it? Paul wrote it down in 1 Corinthians 2:9.

JOSEPH SMITH: I thought that was mistranslated.

JESUS: No; it wasn't.

JOSEPH SMITH: You SURE?

JESUS: Yes. Now I must be going: what did you say your name was again?

JOSEPH SMITH: Joseph Smith.

JESUS: Hmmmm. According to my Heavenly FAITHbook, you didn't sign in as one of my friends - sorry, I never knew you.

JOSEPH SMITH: But.... 

[Elsie]

SZ gave u the long form bus basically if you don’t pay a full 10% plus additional offerings you don’t get to go to what the Christians call heaven (the Celestial Kingdom - which is also conditional on several other ‘dos and don’ts).

ARRRGH!!!

MORMONS!!!