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I recall a powerful experience I had many years ago that taught me how to put God first in my life. As a young married father, I was called to serve in a branch presidency. Elder Clinton L. Cutler of the Seventy came to speak to our branch. After the meeting, I had an opportunity to talk with him.

Sensing that I had something on my mind, he asked, “Is there something bothering you?”

“Yes,” I replied, “I am having financial difficulties in my business. I have fallen behind in my payment of tithes and offerings.”

He then asked, “Do you have anything of value?”

I don’t recall what else he said. I pondered his question for many days. The only thing I had of value was a car that I needed in my efforts to grow my business. However, I concluded that I should at least make an effort to sell my car, so I cleaned and polished it and placed an ad to sell it.

I want to be clear that Elder Cutler did not ask me to sell my car. This came to me after pondering and desiring to put God first.

A few days later, a man came to the house to see the car. He seemed interested; he drove it and came back to discuss the details. He gave me his business card, and I realized he represented a car dealership. I was nervous about what would surely happen next—the haggling back and forth over the price.

He asked me, “How much do you want for the car?”

I told him I needed a precise amount. I had calculated what I needed to pay off the loan on the car and pay my tithing.

He then said very calmly, “OK, I will come back in a few days with a check.”

He thanked me and left. I could not believe it. No arguing, no haggling, no negotiating.

A few days later, he came back with a check for the amount I had requested. I was surprised and amazed as he drove off with the car. I deposited the check and paid my tithing.

As I contemplated what had occurred, I realized that I did not have a car to continue with my business. While I was thinking about what to do, a friend called me and said, “Jorge, you like my car, don’t you?” At that point I would have liked any car! He reminded me that his wife was having twins and that he needed to buy a larger vehicle and wondered if I would be willing to take over his car payments. It was a miracle!

Gadianton wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2026 11:37 pm

What a dirt bag. It's a terrible financial climate for doing this to people. Not that it was ever good but even worse now. The fact that as rich as the church is and it still guilts people into tithing is even worse.

I guess GAs have a special license to lie and bilk. In this case, I think this story is a fabrication, I don't know who is lying about it but somebody is. Either way, as missionaries we were told not to ever promise financial rewards for paying tithing. We were simply to teach to pay tithing and that's all. Implying financial benefits could be considered fraud so maybe Quantum out to get with his bros and look into it.

Elder Becerra pursued a degree in general studies at the University of Utah. He later received an associate of arts degree in accounting from Salt Lake Community College in 1987. He also studied business at the University of Phoenix. In 1998 he became a partner at Allegis Advisor Group, a financial advisory company. At the time of his call as a General Authority, he had been working as an investment adviser for Intermountain Financial Partners.

I Have Questions wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 09, 2026 6:14 am

Gadianton wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2026 11:37 pm

What a dirt bag. It's a terrible financial climate for doing this to people. Not that it was ever good but even worse now. The fact that as rich as the church is and it still guilts people into tithing is even worse.

I guess GAs have a special license to lie and bilk. In this case, I think this story is a fabrication, I don't know who is lying about it but somebody is. Either way, as missionaries we were told not to ever promise financial rewards for paying tithing. We were simply to teach to pay tithing and that's all. Implying financial benefits could be considered fraud so maybe Quantum out to get with his bros and look into it.

It is worth noting that the outcome of him paying his tithing, was debt. That’s the actual moral of the story. Is going into debt now something the Church advocates for, so long as they are the cash beneficiaries of members converting assets into liabilities?

It’s a very dangerous message to give members - pay tithing by going into debt. It should be disavowed by the Church, promptly. I’m surprised Jana Riess hasn’t jumped all over it.

And here is what makes the story worse… the guy’s bio

Elder Becerra pursued a degree in general studies at the University of Utah. He later received an associate of arts degree in accounting from Salt Lake Community College in 1987. He also studied business at the University of Phoenix. In 1998 he became a partner at Allegis Advisor Group, a financial advisory company. At the time of his call as a General Authority, he had been working as an investment adviser for Intermountain Financial Partners.

He gives investment advice for a living!!!!

Gadianton wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2026 11:37 pm

What a dirt bag. It's a terrible financial climate for doing this to people. Not that it was ever good but even worse now. The fact that as rich as the church is and it still guilts people into tithing is even worse.

I guess GAs have a special license to lie and bilk. In this case, I think this story is a fabrication, I don't know who is lying about it but somebody is. Either way, as missionaries we were told not to ever promise financial rewards for paying tithing. We were simply to teach to pay tithing and that's all. Implying financial benefits could be considered fraud so maybe Quantum out to get with his bros and look into it.

MG 2.0 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2026 1:16 am

Gadianton wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2026 11:37 pm

What a dirt bag. It's a terrible financial climate for doing this to people. Not that it was ever good but even worse now. The fact that as rich as the church is and it still guilts people into tithing is even worse.

I guess GAs have a special license to lie and bilk. In this case, I think this story is a fabrication, I don't know who is lying about it but somebody is. Either way, as missionaries we were told not to ever promise financial rewards for paying tithing. We were simply to teach to pay tithing and that's all. Implying financial benefits could be considered fraud so maybe Quantum out to get with his bros and look into it.

Another thread misundertanding the purpose of tithing and the wealth of the LDS church. May I suggest, for you enlightenment, listening to the following portion of a podcast starting just before the five-minute mark and on up through the twenty-seven minute mark.

In this video podcast we learn from Elder Bednar...via Tucker and the podcaster (how's that for a circuitous route?) that the church is not a giant monolith simply eating up and stashing money. There's purpose and meaning behind it. There is purpose and meaning behind tithing. The podcaster makes it pretty clear that it's the critics that just don't seem to 'get it'.

How true.

These financial/tithing/wealth threads get a bit repetitive and even tiresome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=334Dt9j3MD8

Bednar's interview comes a bit into the podcast segment.

Regards,
MG

MG 2.0 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2026 5:11 am

I was accurate in my depiction of the podcast.

Others my think differently. They are wrong....

MG 2.0 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 10, 2026 1:16 am

Gadianton wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 08, 2026 11:37 pm

What a dirt bag. It's a terrible financial climate for doing this to people. Not that it was ever good but even worse now. The fact that as rich as the church is and it still guilts people into tithing is even worse.

I guess GAs have a special license to lie and bilk. In this case, I think this story is a fabrication, I don't know who is lying about it but somebody is. Either way, as missionaries we were told not to ever promise financial rewards for paying tithing. We were simply to teach to pay tithing and that's all. Implying financial benefits could be considered fraud so maybe Quantum out to get with his bros and look into it.

Another thread misundertanding the purpose of tithing and the wealth of the LDS church. May I suggest, for you enlightenment, listening to the following portion of a podcast starting just before the five-minute mark and on up through the twenty-seven minute mark.

In this video podcast we learn from Elder Bednar...via Tucker and the podcaster (how's that for a circuitous route?) that the church is not a giant monolith simply eating up and stashing money. There's purpose and meaning behind it. There is purpose and meaning behind tithing. The podcaster makes it pretty clear that it's the critics that just don't seem to 'get it'.

How true.

These financial/tithing/wealth threads get a bit repetitive and even tiresome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=334Dt9j3MD8

Bednar's interview comes a bit into the podcast segment.

Regards,
MG