I'm so glad the church spares no expense...

[_truth dancer]

If the Church has enough money to buy a mall, or invest in it, it is quite fine to wonder if it could have better used the money elsewhere whether it came from tithing or not.

Hi Jason...

This statement captures what concerned me.

Everytime I read the New Testament, I felt such a peace and humility as Jesus went onto a hillside and taught those who wanted to listen. From what we "know" he was not concerned with image, power, appearances, worldly success, or wealth. My interpretation of the teachings of Jesus was one of gentleness, meekness, and love. (Did Jesus ever require money to learn from him? Are there any documents suggesting he owned lavish buildings, fancy clothing, or expensive property)?

Then I would notice the emphasis on wealth, power, image, positions, education, prestige, and possessions, so stark in the LDS church and wondered how it was akin to the church established by Christ.

Of course I look at it all quite differently today, but it was a challenge to try to reconcile the differences.

The idea of my tithing going to beach front condos in Hawaii, a billion dollar mall in SLC, or hunting lodges, just didn't set well with me.

~dancer~

[_asbestosman]

3. plastic is man-made; real flowers are God-made. The leaders choose, once again, the man-made, the cheap imitation.

Actually, flowers are partially man-made because we have domesticated many of them. Many of our crops are also partially man-made because we domesticated them. In the wild, these plants would be different.

[_harmony]

3. plastic is man-made; real flowers are God-made. The leaders choose, once again, the man-made, the cheap imitation.

Actually, flowers are partially man-made because we have domesticated many of them. Many of our crops are also partially man-made because we domesticated them. In the wild, these plants would be different.

They wouldn't ever have been plastic.

[_The Nehor]

I'm happy with where all my contributions are going.

[_Jason Bourne]

I'm happy with where all my contributions are going.

How can you be. You really don't know. Now if you are happy not knowing that is another thing.

[_The Nehor]

I'm happy with where all my contributions are going.

How can you be. You really don't know. Now if you are happy not knowing that is another thing.

If the Church released a complete report on tithes and exactly how they are spent I probably wouldn't read it.

I know they build Temples, build and maintain meetinghouses, apportion budgets, pay for the Elder's Quorum Steak and Halo parties, maintain administration at Church HQ, Mission Administration, maintain Universities, buy, invest in, and maintain outside interests that the Brethren believe are necessary. Looking at the numbers people act like they're shocked that more tithing isn't spent on aiding the poor. I was surprised that any was spent. This is what Fast Offerings are for.

[_Scottie]

I'm happy with where all my contributions are going.

How can you be. You really don't know. Now if you are happy not knowing that is another thing.

If the Church released a complete report on tithes and exactly how they are spent I probably wouldn't read it.

I know they build Temples, build and maintain meetinghouses, apportion budgets, pay for the Elder's Quorum Steak and Halo parties, maintain administration at Church HQ, Mission Administration, maintain Universities, buy, invest in, and maintain outside interests that the Brethren believe are necessary. Looking at the numbers people act like they're shocked that more tithing isn't spent on aiding the poor. I was surprised that any was spent. This is what Fast Offerings are for.

Oh come on Nehor. This is a ridiculous argument. Tithing is NOT an option for an upstanding LDS member. Many members struggle to pay tithing as it is. And now you want these struggling members to pay MORE funds if they want to help the poor because it's not included in the tithing portion??

Hell, I'd even go so far as to say these guys ARE the poor. Wouldn't it be nice if God would exempt some from paying tithing at all?

One thing I really don't understand is why it is manditory to pay 10% in TITHING. Why can't it be 10% in charitable dollars? That way, if you have a missionary or two, you don't have to pay tithing along with the missionary funds. Or, if you believe your dollars could do more good locally, pay 50% in fast offerings and 50% in tithing. Why wouldn't God be pleased with that? You are still fulfilling the spirit of the law, which is sacrifice. I would even like to see the church open up more avenues for where donations may be spent. Perhaps have a 3rd world improvement category, or a medical research category, etc.

[_The Nehor]

Oh come on Nehor. This is a ridiculous argument. Tithing is NOT an option for an upstanding LDS member. Many members struggle to pay tithing as it is. And now you want these struggling members to pay MORE funds if they want to help the poor because it's not included in the tithing portion??

Hell, I'd even go so far as to say these guys ARE the poor. Wouldn't it be nice if God would exempt some from paying tithing at all?

One thing I really don't understand is why it is manditory to pay 10% in TITHING. Why can't it be 10% in charitable dollars? That way, if you have a missionary or two, you don't have to pay tithing along with the missionary funds. Or, if you believe your dollars could do more good locally, pay 50% in fast offerings and 50% in tithing. Why wouldn't God be pleased with that? You are still fulfilling the spirit of the law, which is sacrifice. I would even like to see the church open up more avenues for where donations may be spent. Perhaps have a 3rd world improvement category, or a medical research category, etc.

In answer to your first question, yes. Well, at least God seems to. You give 10% to the Church to maintain it. We're asked to give up the price of two meals that we never bought or ate on top of that. Not a huge deal. If you want to give more, do so. The blessings of tithing come from obedience. The blessings of the rest come because it is a freewill offering. Anything more than the bare minimum pinches a bit. I give more than I rationally should because I know there are people in my ward who need help more than I need that money and I trust my Bishop to make good use of it and want to help him help others. For the world I give what I can to the humanitarian aid fund.

In answer to your second question: no, I don't think it would be nice. They need the gifts that come from obedience as much as anyone else.

In other words, why can't I do whatever the hell I want with this money and call it tithing?

[_sunstoned]

So the tithing of hard working members in places thousands of miles from SLC is used not to bring forth the three fold mission of the church, but to beautify downtown SLC. Uh huh. That is not God-breathed. That is man-made.

Did you miss the part abouit NO tithing funds used for the mall project? Or do you just not want to believe that? It is really hard to keep up the anti-Mormon line if you have to acknowledge the facts.

I call BS. Please provide evidence that no tithing dollars are being used. Oh wait, you can't because the books are closed. Why is that? What is there to hide?

[_LCD2YOU]

I pay my Tithing. I know it goes to things like this. I accept it primarily because there is no more worthy cause than my Creator, not even the poor. I love Temples and value them.

From reading your posts Nehor, I consider you a good person, someone who I'd listen to on matters of morality and consider what you say with great weight.

Now, I'm am not saying this statement will make me stop listening to you or stop considering you as a moral individual.

But it is this thing that I dispise not just in LDS circles but any religious group that gives more money to their "God" then they do to others, especially the poor.

Let me ask you this.

"God" is our parent, our father, right?

So we our his children.

Now, if you go by a house where the kids are starving, beating each other to death, etc., and you see the dad's room opulent, with whatever creature comfort you want to give to place in that area, what would you think about that "dad"? My answer, what a scumbag.

I think most of those who complain about Temples have a reasonable way to object. Stop going. In fact protest by not visiting Temples or wanting to (this should nip the complaints about people not being allowed in for Temple Weddings in the bud as well).

As people should do with strip clubs, bars and other places "they don't like".

Don't tell me how to spend my money and I won't tell you how to spend yours.

That's fair but in Utah, can I walk into a club and get a drink? No, I have to by a "membership".

See, it cuts both ways.