The Blessings of Tithing

Let's examine an article from the June 2011 edition of the Liahona magazine, by Pesident Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency. It's called "The Blessings of Tithing" (online).

"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)."

Single (unmarried) Mormons will not live with Heavenly Father after they die. They will suffer great misery knowing that they fell short of this Mormon teaching.

"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 wish he would simply explain if this means net or gross income.

"To live in the celestial kingdom, we must live the law of consecration."

This law is revealed in Doctrine and Covenants, section 119.

"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."

Surprisingly, Mr. Eyring fails to mention that the law of tithing and the law of consecration are two different laws.

According to the notes preceding D&C 119, "Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Far West, Missouri, 8 July 1838, in answer to his supplication: "O Lord! Show unto thy servant how much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a tithing" (History of the Church, 3:44). The law of tithing, as understood today, had not been given to the Church previous to this revelation. The term tithing in the prayer just quoted and in previous revelations (64:23; 85:3; 97:11) had meant not just one-tenth, but all free-will offerings, or contributions, to the Church funds. The Lord had previously given to the Church the law of consecration and stewardship of property, which members (chiefly the leading elders) entered into by a covenant that was to be everlasting. Because of failure on the part of many to abide by this covenant, the Lord withdrew it for a time and gave instead the law of tithing to the whole Church. The Prophet asked the Lord how much of their property he required for sacred purposes. The answer was this revelation."

It's interesting that the Mormons claim that their church was founded in 1830, but they did not tithe 10% until 1838.

Section 119 is fairly short so let's example verses 1-7.

"Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion, For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the foundation of Zion and for the priesthood, and for the debts of the Presidency of my Church. And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people.

And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord. Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.

And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you. And this shall be an ensample unto all the stakes of Zion. Even so. Amen."

So, the Mormons must first give all their surplus property to the bishop and after that comes the tithe of 10%.

I wonder how many Mormons follow this "forever standing law?"

"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."

I do not see anything in the Bible (nor the LDS scriptures) where the tithe is due (apparently) at a certain time of year.

Also, and surprisingly, Mr. Eyring fails to mention one critical blessing to the full-tithe payer (i.e. an LDS curse to the person who does not pay the full-tithe - they will be burned by the wrath of God).

"Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming" (Doctrine and Covenants 64:23).

"It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God" (Doctrine and Covenants 85:3).