LDS Baptism Interview Questions, Pt V

[_sock puppet]

You have been taught that membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes living gospel standards. What do you understand of the following standards? Are you willing to obey them?

The law of tithing.

10% of what??

[_bcspace]

Your income. What that is is between you and the Lord.

[_Buffalo]

Your income. What that is is between you and the Lord.

That's not what D&C says. It says interest or increase. In other words, you personal profit (income minus all expenses).

[_Drifting]

Your income. What that is is between you and the Lord.

That's not what D&C says. It says interest or increase. In other words, you personal profit (income minus all expenses).

Buffalo is literally correct.

The Church leaders will not clear up the confusion on tithing because it would result catastrophic reductions in income.

[_sock puppet]

Your income. What that is is between you and the Lord.

That's not what D&C says. It says interest or increase. In other words, you personal profit (income minus all expenses).

Buffalo is literally correct.

The Church leaders will not clear up the confusion on tithing because it would result catastrophic reductions in income.

And without being clear, it causes those with more scalding consciences to pay 10% of a more expansive definition, than the less compunctious weasels who define it down to an unrecognizable nubbin. Of course, the whole notion of having prophesy is so that people will know exactly what god wants of them. But "the Church" would rather get 10% of a little, than risk offending the dissemblers and get 10% of nothing.

[_sock puppet]

Your income. What that is is between you and the Lord.

Here's the problem with that, bcspace. If that is between the individual and "the Lord", why isn't the percentage itself a matter between the individual and "the Lord"? If "the Lord" is giving directions directly to the individual on what ought to be included/excluded from one's increase, why is it not a matter between the individual and "the Lord" as to, say, 5% or 15%, rather than 10%? 10% is very specific, so why is the prophesy slippery and vague on what the 10% applies to?

And then, why is not everything "the Lord" might want an individual to do something between the individual and "the Lord"? It seems that refrain of yours about "increase" being a matter between the individual and the "the Lord" undercuts the whole premise for why "the Lord" would ever give a message for us to a 'prophet' instead of to each of us individually, directly.

[_Drifting]

When the Church was restored the law of tithing was not required of members. It only came to be a requirement when God inspired His Prophet to mismanage member donations and funds to the point of bankruptcy.

Now tithing is THE single most important ingredient in Mormonism. It's not having a Prophet, nor Apostles. It's not doctrines, policies and practices. It's not scripture or revelations. The Church survives despite severe incompetences and inconsistencies in all these areas. But if tithing ends, the game is over.

You can buy anything in this world for money, even a religion it seems...

[_sock puppet]

When the Church was restored the law of tithing was not required of members. It only came to be a requirement when God inspired His Prophet to mismanage member donations and funds to the point of bankruptcy.

Now tithing is THE single most important ingredient in Mormonism. It's not having a Prophet, nor Apostles. It's not doctrines, policies and practices. It's not scripture or revelations. The Church survives despite severe incompetences and inconsistencies in all these areas. But if tithing ends, the game is over.

You can buy anything in this world for money, even a religion it seems...

I am so confused, Drifting. I was taught that JSJr restored the FULLNESS of the Gospel. And yet, tithing was, as you say, added later, after JSJr's restoration was completed. So is tithing an unauthorized add on, and not necessary for one's salvation?

[_Drifting]

When the Church was restored the law of tithing was not required of members. It only came to be a requirement when God inspired His Prophet to mismanage member donations and funds to the point of bankruptcy.

Now tithing is THE single most important ingredient in Mormonism. It's not having a Prophet, nor Apostles. It's not doctrines, policies and practices. It's not scripture or revelations. The Church survives despite severe incompetences and inconsistencies in all these areas. But if tithing ends, the game is over.

You can buy anything in this world for money, even a religion it seems...

I am so confused, Drifting. I was taught that JSJr restored the FULLNESS of the Gospel. And yet, tithing was, as you say, added later, after JSJr's restoration was completed. So is tithing an unauthorized add on, and not necessary for one's salvation?

Well, membership in the Mormon Church is NOT a requirement for salvation.

If you mean exaltation (think penthouse suite) then the early members of the Church could not achieve this as it is only available to married couples who have been sealed in the Temple. The Temple was another add on to the fullness of the Gospel. To gain access to the Temple you are required to be up to date with your tithing payments, amongst other things.

[_sock puppet]

When the Church was restored the law of tithing was not required of members. It only came to be a requirement when God inspired His Prophet to mismanage member donations and funds to the point of bankruptcy.

Now tithing is THE single most important ingredient in Mormonism. It's not having a Prophet, nor Apostles. It's not doctrines, policies and practices. It's not scripture or revelations. The Church survives despite severe incompetences and inconsistencies in all these areas. But if tithing ends, the game is over.

You can buy anything in this world for money, even a religion it seems...

I am so confused, Drifting. I was taught that JSJr restored the FULLNESS of the Gospel. And yet, tithing was, as you say, added later, after JSJr's restoration was completed. So is tithing an unauthorized add on, and not necessary for one's salvation?

Well, membership in the Mormon Church is NOT a requirement for salvation.

If you mean exaltation (think penthouse suite) then the early members of the Church could not achieve this as it is only available to married couples who have been sealed in the Temple. The Temple was another add on to the fullness of the Gospel. To gain access to the Temple you are required to be up to date with your tithing payments, amongst other things.

So, you're saying that even once the restored gospel was full, more keeps getting added? That gospel cup certainly runneth over, doesn't it?