A tithing/temple hypothetical

[_krose]

Let's say I were to decide that I wanted to get a temple recommend so that I could attend wedding ceremonies for my siblings' children. All the lifestyle questions would be pretty easy, because I still live much the same way I did as a TBM.

But I wonder about the tithing requirement. Let's assume that my situation is that I do not work for money; I take care of the children and the home. We live pretty well because my spouse makes pretty good money, but (at the moment) I don't make any myself. I wonder if anyone would insist on tithing being paid on the family income, or if they would accept my full membership, with temple privileges, without receiving a penny of tithing money?

[_harmony]

Let's say I were to decide that I wanted to get a temple recommend so that I could attend wedding ceremonies for my siblings' children. All the lifestyle questions would be pretty easy, because I still live much the same way I did as a TBM.

But I wonder about the tithing requirement. Let's assume that my situation is that I do not work for money; I take care of the children and the home. We live pretty well because my spouse makes pretty good money, but (at the moment) I don't make any myself. I wonder if anyone would insist on tithing being paid on the family income, or if they would accept my full membership, with temple privileges, without receiving a penny of tithing money?

Is your spouse a member?

From what you say, my understanding is, if your spouse is not a member, and you do not work outside the home, you don't owe any tithing.

[_Sethbag]

Even if the tithing issue is figured out, I don't know how you could honestly pass the "do you believe" and "do you support [X] as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators" questions.

[_krose]

Is your spouse a member?

No.

[_Who Knows]

Let's say I were to decide that I wanted to get a temple recommend so that I could attend wedding ceremonies for my siblings' children. All the lifestyle questions would be pretty easy, because I still live much the same way I did as a TBM.

But I wonder about the tithing requirement. Let's assume that my situation is that I do not work for money; I take care of the children and the home. We live pretty well because my spouse makes pretty good money, but (at the moment) I don't make any myself. I wonder if anyone would insist on tithing being paid on the family income, or if they would accept my full membership, with temple privileges, without receiving a penny of tithing money?

I went a couple years without paying tithing on my income, while my wife had a TR just paying tithing on her small income. They (the bish & SP) were fine with that.

[_krose]

Even if the tithing issue is figured out, I don't know how you could honestly pass the "do you believe" and "do you support [X] as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators" questions.

Obviously a measure of honesty would have to be sacrificed in this case. But I'm not sure I would have a problem lying about beliefs to people who I don't believe have any actual authority, and if I don't believe in any deity that would punish such dishonesty.

I am opposed to lies that hurt people, but certainly such a lie would harm no one, and I might consider the end (getting to witness events that are significant to loved ones rather than being shut out for no good reason) to justify the means.

[_skippy the dead]

Is your spouse a member?

From what you say, my understanding is, if your spouse is not a member, and you do not work outside the home, you don't owe any tithing.

Why would the membership of a spouse make a difference? If the individual member has no income, the individual member shouldn't owe tithing, should they? Are they responsible for making sure their member spouse pays tithing as well? This wouldn't make sense to me (but then again, nothing much these days does).

[_harmony]

Is your spouse a member?

From what you say, my understanding is, if your spouse is not a member, and you do not work outside the home, you don't owe any tithing.

Why would the membership of a spouse make a difference? If the individual member has no income, the individual member shouldn't owe tithing, should they? Are they responsible for making sure their member spouse pays tithing as well? This wouldn't make sense to me (but then again, nothing much these days does).

Good question. I don't know, but it seems like when I was a SAHM with no income, the expectation was the household was a full tithe payer, as opposed to just the one who was the wage earner. It might have just been my ward, or even just my own expectation.

[_harmony]

Obviously a measure of honesty would have to be sacrificed in this case. But I'm not sure I would have a problem lying about beliefs to people who I don't believe have any actual authority, and if I don't believe in any deity that would punish such dishonesty.

I am opposed to lies that hurt people, but certainly such a lie would harm no one, and I might consider the end (getting to witness events that are significant to loved ones rather than being shut out for no good reason) to justify the means.

Wouldn't your siblings or parents know you were lying?

[_ajax18]

It'd be interesting if you went through with it. I'd be interested to see what the bishop had to say. I can't see how he could ask more than 10% of your personal spending money, which like most of us, probably isn't much at all once bills are paid.

Theoretically the judgment on what is a full tithe is yours, not the bishops. Most bishops I've been to don't try to define it.

It would be interesting though since the Church is so unwilling to make a statement on anything to see if the bishop actually took a stand one way or the other. More than likely a simple yes or no from you will be all the more detail that he'll pry for.

My mission president went ahead and had people baptized who openly refused to pay tithing, against the wishes of the interviewing district leader. So obviously it depends on who it is.