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FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
(/* Response to claim: "The previous chapters reveal that Malachi wasn't talking to the general membership of the Church when he asked, 'Will a man rob God?' but was rebuking the priests who had been collecting money and food to give to the poor, but we...) |
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The previous chapters reveal that Malachi wasn't talking to the general membership of the Church when he asked, “Will a man rob God?“ but was rebuking the priests who had been collecting money and food to give to the poor, but were keeping it for themselves. | The previous chapters reveal that Malachi wasn't talking to the general membership of the Church when he asked, “Will a man rob God?“ but was rebuking the priests who had been collecting money and food to give to the poor, but were keeping it for themselves. | ||
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− | {{misinformation|We are taught to "liken the scriptures unto ourselves." In fact, ''most'' scriptural teachings are not | + | {{misinformation|We are taught to "liken the scriptures unto ourselves." In fact, ''most'' scriptural teachings in their original context are not addressed to "the general membership of the Church." For example, when Oliver Cowdery attempted to translate and failed, he was taught that he needed to "study it out in his mind." We apply this teaching to the "general membership of the Church. What difference does it make that Malachi was talking to the priests who had stolen tithing? In this case, the principle is exactly the same: Give the Lord what He asks for and he will open the "windows of heaven" in return. This applies not only to the priests, but to the "general membership of the Church." |
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Chapter 22 - Expert Views (Book of Abraham) | A FAIR Analysis of: For my Wife and Children (Letter to my Wife), a work by author: Anonymous
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Chapter 24 - Church Spending |
Jump to details:
The definition and requirements of tithing have varied at different periods in the Church
The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay 'one-tenth of all their interest annually,' which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this. [1]
The scriptural basis for this teaching comes from the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. Malachi 3:8,10
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. …prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
The previous chapters reveal that Malachi wasn't talking to the general membership of the Church when he asked, “Will a man rob God?“ but was rebuking the priests who had been collecting money and food to give to the poor, but were keeping it for themselves. }}
At the October 1899 General Conference, President Lorenzo Snow delivered a talk on tithing.“I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and I pray that every man, woman and child who has means shall pay one tenth of their income as a tithing...” (Conference Report, October 1899, p .28. http://archive.org/stream/conferencereport1899sa/con ferencereport692chur#page/ 28/mode/2up)
Again, the early brethren knew some were so burdened they had no means to pay. However, in a piece of disturbing information, an edited version of this statement was reprinted in the lesson manual Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, ch.12: Tithing, a Law For Our Protection and Advancement.
“I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and I pray that every man, woman and child ... shall pay one tenth of their income as a tithing” (Teachings of Lorenzo Snow manual, p.160. www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-lorenzosnow/chapter-12-tithing-a-law-for-our-protection-and-advancement?lang=eng)
The removal of the phrase “who has means” demonstrates that the modern Church is not above misrepresenting the truth to ensure being paid above the individual needs of members.
The Church taught that tithing was only payable on the surplus income after all other living expenses were covered. Also, if a person did not have the ability to pay they did not have to. This doctrine has been deliberately hidden from the members.
There is no man or woman who can not pay one tenth of what he or she receives. [2]
President Snow is not exempting anyone in the Church from paying tithing. He did not qualify his statement to exclude the poor or destitute.
The Webster's 1828 dictionary definition of "means" is as follows:
Means, in the plural, income, revenue, resources, substance or estate, considered as the instrument of effecting any purpose. He would have built a house, but he wanted means.
If we use this definition in President Snow's statement, here is what we have:
I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and I pray that every man, woman and child who has income, revenue, resources, substance or estate shall pay one tenth of their income as a tithing...
In 1899, there were still immigrants arriving in Utah who had spent months traveling, not working, and therefore had no "means" or "financial resources" to pay tithing. Even today, a Church member who has no income does not "have the means" to pay tithing, and such will not prevent them from obtaining a temple recommend.
Notes
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