What recourse do you have?

Post by **_Scottie** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:30 am

Lets play pretend and say that I am a temple worth, fully active, priesthood toting Mormon boy.

Now, lets say that I read somewhere that the LDS church is using my tithing funds in a way that I don't agree with. They are importing materials for temples, not giving enough relief, paying the GA's way too much, etc. Lets say I am also VERY disturbed by the fact that they don't release any kind of financial reporting.

What recourse do I have if I want to maintain my good standing in the church, and not lose the eternal blessing afforded me via the temple?

I know that whenever I have brought up how I believe the church mis-spends it's money, I've been told that the members seem to be fine with it, and I don't pay, so butt out. But what if the members AREN'T fine with it? What if I, in particular, am a member that is not fine with it? I know these members exist.

Do I write a letter? If so, to whom?
Do I explain to my bishop that I will still donate 10% of my earnings, but to a charity of my choosing, thereby fulfilling the spirit of the commandment? Or, even 2% to the church and 8% to a charity of my choosing. After all, the church does need money to operate.
Would it help if I explained that I had prayed diligently about it and had received personal revelation that paying 10% to another organization is ok in God's eyes? Could I explain that to my bishop and SP? Would they ok my TR if I tried that?

Or, is my plight hopeless? I simply pay because I'm told to pay...end of story?

Post by **_The Nehor** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:34 am

You either choose to pay or don't pay. You can stay in the Church or leave. You can make a stink about it or not. You want more choices?

Post by **_Scottie** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:56 am

The Nehor wrote:You either choose to pay or don't pay. You can stay in the Church or leave. You can make a stink about it or not. You want more choices?

Ok, what recourses do I have if I want to maintain my good standing in the eyes of the church?

Post by **_CaliforniaKid** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:00 am

I think you can earmark it for the church humanitarian fund, can't you?

Post by **_MishMagnet** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:11 am

Totally my opinion - my take on the church is you play by the rules or you leave. Period.

_rcrocket · Post by **_rcrocket** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:14 am

You see, your question is the one posed by the sophisticated pseudo insider meant to criticize. By your question you infer that there is something wrong with the way the Church spends its funds, or that you think you know better.

I look at it this way. If you want a drivers' license you have to pay the fee and take the test. It is possible in some states to get a fee waiver due to poverty, but you have to jump through the hoops to do it. You can't earmark the fee to the Department of Forestry, nor can you withhold your fee because somebody hasn't fixed the pothole.

The Church is on an even higher plane than a government agency. It is a completely voluntary, First Amendment, organization. It has the protections of freedom of worship and association. Its scriptures say that when you donate your "inheritance" it is without strings. So, if you want to condition your tithing, or earmark it or make exceptions, you fall outside of the rules the Church has set. Either you believe or your don't.

Having said that, I have had friends who have been angry with the financial aspects of the Church. I've had a good friend, close to a best friend, take it to his bishop; being dissatisfied, he took it to his stake president. Still unhappy, he requested permission to speak to a general authority and, as is generally a member's right, he was granted the request and pitched his complaint to a general authority whereupon he left somewhat satisfied with his explanation. It didn't help that he was secretly committing adultery, however.

rcrocket

Post by **_Dr. Shades** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:30 am

rcrocket wrote:It didn't help that he was secretly committing adultery, however.

Funny how it always comes back to sin on the member's part, doesn't it?

And thus we come full circle yet again.

_rcrocket · Post by **_rcrocket** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:32 am

I think it was significant that he could go pretty high up the chain to state his grievance. Personal sin is almost always the reason, isn't it? It doesn't have to be a moral sin.

Post by **_charity** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:05 am

Tithing is tithing. You can't ear mark it for any other fund and still count it as tithing.

You keep your good standing by paying your tithing and sustaining the leaders of the Church. And repent of your pride in thinking that they are less inspired than you are and you would know how to do it better.

Post by **_Scottie** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:07 am

charity wrote:And repent of your pride in thinking that they are less inspired than you are and you would know how to do it better.

But, they are fallible men, correct?

It IS possible that they might not use it correctly, right?