Are Mormons Paying Too Much Tithing? - LDS Discussions Pt. 83 | Ep. 2196
Description: In Part Two of our history of tithing, we examine how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has defined tithing over time –and whether the modern expectation to pay 10% of income actually matches the historical revelation given to Joseph Smith.
The 1838 revelation on tithing instructed members to give a tenth of their “surplus” property and subsequently a tenth of their “interest” annually. But what did those words mean in the 19th century? Did “interest” mean all income, or did it refer to increase or profit after expenses were paid?
We also examine the question of who gets to determine what constitutes “surplus” or “interest,” how tithing affects low-income members differently from wealthy members, and how the modern interpretation developed –particularly through the First Presidency’s 1970 letter and subsequent Church teachings.
From there, we explore the four specific purposes for which tithing was originally given, including building temples, laying the foundation of Zion, supporting the priesthood, and other charitable or religious purposes. We compare those purposes with how the Church uses tithing today and ask whether the original reasons for the law have actually been fulfilled.
The discussion also looks at teachings from Brigham Young Junior, Lorenzo Snow, David A. Bendar, Russell M. Nelson, Elder Holland, Elder Packer, Elder Becerra, and others, including the increasingly strict expectation that members pay tithing even when doing so creates financial hardship or debt.
This episodes asks a broader question about the relationship between scripture, revelation, historical context, and modern institutional policy: If the original revelation from the Lord says “surplus” and “interest,” when –and why –did that become a requirement to pay 10% of one’s entire income to the Church?
LDS Discussions examines the historical and doctrinal claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints using primary sources, historical documents, and critical analysis.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/are-mormons-paying-too-much-tithing/
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:46 - Tithing revelation
00:05:45 - Surplus/Interest/Increase
00:10:58 - What should we be paying?
00:16:40 - Brigham Young Jr on tithing
00:21:34 - Lorenzo Snow on tithing
00:25:08 - (Clip) Bednar on tithing
00:33:23 - The poor in the Book of Mormon
00:39:24 - First Presidency letter in 1970
00:51:49 - The reasons tithing were given
00:52:05 - Temple building
00:57:37 - Laying the foundation of Zion
01:02:19 - For the priesthood
01:14:16 - Widow’s Mite Report
01:16:11 - (Clip) Holland on tithing being a debt
01:22:09 - Debts of the First Presidency
01:26:06 - (Clip) Mormon church and whorehouses
01:30:13 - Henry D. Moyle
01:36:44 - (Clip) Elder Packer on no longer paying tithing
01:39:50 - (Clip) Elder Becerra on tithing
01:43:39 - What is tithing used for?
01:48:08 - (Clip) Hartman Rector Junior
01:49:13 - Petition to allow tithes to be donated to charity
01:54:28 - Final remarks
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
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The 1838 revelation on tithing instructed members to give a tenth of their “surplus” property and subsequently a tenth of their “interest” annually. But what did those words mean in the 19th century? Did “interest” mean all income, or did it refer to increase or profit after expenses were paid?
We also examine the question of who gets to determine what constitutes “surplus” or “interest,” how tithing affects low-income members differently from wealthy members, and how the modern interpretation developed –particularly through the First Presidency’s 1970 letter and subsequent Church teachings.
From there, we explore the four specific purposes for which tithing was originally given, including building temples, laying the foundation of Zion, supporting the priesthood, and other charitable or religious purposes. We compare those purposes with how the Church uses tithing today and ask whether the original reasons for the law have actually been fulfilled.
The discussion also looks at teachings from Brigham Young Junior, Lorenzo Snow, David A. Bendar, Russell M. Nelson, Elder Holland, Elder Packer, Elder Becerra, and others, including the increasingly strict expectation that members pay tithing even when doing so creates financial hardship or debt.
This episodes asks a broader question about the relationship between scripture, revelation, historical context, and modern institutional policy: If the original revelation from the Lord says “surplus” and “interest,” when –and why –did that become a requirement to pay 10% of one’s entire income to the Church?
LDS Discussions examines the historical and doctrinal claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints using primary sources, historical documents, and critical analysis.
Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/are-mormons-paying-too-much-tithing/
Timecodes:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:46 - Tithing revelation
00:05:45 - Surplus/Interest/Increase
00:10:58 - What should we be paying?
00:16:40 - Brigham Young Jr on tithing
00:21:34 - Lorenzo Snow on tithing
00:25:08 - (Clip) Bednar on tithing
00:33:23 - The poor in the Book of Mormon
00:39:24 - First Presidency letter in 1970
00:51:49 - The reasons tithing were given
00:52:05 - Temple building
00:57:37 - Laying the foundation of Zion
01:02:19 - For the priesthood
01:14:16 - Widow’s Mite Report
01:16:11 - (Clip) Holland on tithing being a debt
01:22:09 - Debts of the First Presidency
01:26:06 - (Clip) Mormon church and whorehouses
01:30:13 - Henry D. Moyle
01:36:44 - (Clip) Elder Packer on no longer paying tithing
01:39:50 - (Clip) Elder Becerra on tithing
01:43:39 - What is tithing used for?
01:48:08 - (Clip) Hartman Rector Junior
01:49:13 - Petition to allow tithes to be donated to charity
01:54:28 - Final remarks
___________________
At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals.
Our overall mission is to:
1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology
2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis
3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions
🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today
One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories
Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories
Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join
Our Platforms:
🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes
🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories
✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1
🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772
🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories
📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast
🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF
Contact us:
📧 MormonStories@gmail.com
📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 Close description