Everything you need to know about all those tithing lawsuits against the LDS Church

[@andrewreed4216]

I think its good that our laundry gets aired (no matter who's right). It will bring clarity for many. Its good to review ones self from time to time. Though i dont believe the current court cases should have any clear ground to stand on based on their claims. In saying that, when does the church have enough? Didn't other prophets say once we became self sufficient that tithing wouldn't be necessary? What of the law of consecration?

[@Bill-f5u]

Buyer beware

[@boysrus61]

I don't like the title of this article, "Everything YOU need to know..." I want to know things that are not in this article. I want to know things that the church will never disclose. I want to know how much the church pays the Q15, 70's and if the women leaders are in fact not paid because they are considered part time. I want to know what percentage of the collected tithing goes to actual, verifiable charity (clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, succoring the poor) because I am afraid God is going to tell me I robbed him in my tithes because I gave blindly to the Church and they squandered it and bought millions of acres of land, hunting preserves, and stocks for the Ensign Peak Advisors instead of what I thought charity was.

[@daniel-a-Lamenite]

Ain't gonna lie, I'm curious too! But really - I'm good, I don’t need to know. And I think I speak for millions of faithful tithe payers out there. We are of the attitude that our tithing is really not our money in the first place, it is the Lord’s (see Malachi 3:8(8-10)). That being said, when I served my mission many years ago we were instructed to teach that tithing funds were used for the temporal needs of the church, that is - purchase, construction and maintenance of chapels, temples and other church properties. Tithing also funded church educational programs such as universities and seminaries. Tithing funds can be used for humanitarian purposes but the bulk of that was to be funded by fast offerings which are donations separate of tithing.

[@andrewreed4216]

Seems like a fair ask. We are all watchmen on the tower.

[@SterlingPowell]

I am not saying at all that what you say doesn’t have its place. But my fellow member , if your wondering about these things instead of looking at all the good that is done and at way larger scales than you yourself (and myself of course) are capable in so many more areas by way of tithing when we are asked to simply give. If someone else misused those funds somehow which is entirely possible as people , then the sin is on them. That’s very clear just by way of the articles of faith . YOU did your part in paying the full tithe. There are so many more important things to focus on. I’ve found I’ve let almost all these little things go and have focused on my knowledge and testimony and me as a person and my relationship with Jesus and funny enough all aspects of what i focus on and discern in every day life improves in every way. Are more positive , and Christ focused. Again , not saying your concerns aren’t valid or not important. But this should blow over fairly quickly as the church is more thorough with things than we think I believe.

[@boysrus61]

@@SterlingPowell but if the church was transparent about where the tithing money is going, I wouldn't be concerned. I am more worried that God will call me a robber. The military has a campaign each year where they give you the opportunity to donate directly to any given cause. The middle of hubs career they started listing how much the boards of a given company were paid and how much actual dollars went to the charity. If it is true that only 1/2 of 1 penny of each tithing dollar goes toward charity, that is a horrible horrible organization to give money to. Right now the only place to look up these church facts are the Widow's Mite Report. I want the church to put out the numbers.

[@SterlingPowell]

@@boysrus61 but that’s just it. The mark is being missed entirely. The church could load up rockets with money and send it to space and say it’s going kolob , who cares. that’s not the point of tithing. If we believe in a living and true prophet of God and sustain him as a prophet and seer , then your focus should be on an entirely different area of church and gospel. Let the people we sustain as leaders and authorities to build ALL aspects of the kingdom. To think the church is shady or wrong for not using or doing something YOU feel needs to happen is a slippery slope. I also am not naïve to think I am a little sensitive on this topic as several friends and family have left the church over this exact topic over the past several years and I just shake my head and say if your testimony was at all based on tithes and how they are used then quite frankly you weren’t bought in to the whole thing anyway. NOT at ALL saying you. You’ve said nothing of the sort. Just shedding light on my thoughts. Which again could def be wrong. This is merely opinion and I understand this. Another thought that probably isn’t important, but I feel may be applicable is how I feel about certain individuals in the form of the 12 apostles and how they donate very very large sums of money to terrible democratic parties and organizations which even support abortion and this bothers me so so much but at the end of the day, I still support them as profits and apostles.What they do with those monies and where those monies come from is not my concern. I do hope you get closure or find what you’re looking for man.

[@carolynwatkins4058]

IF a member gets his tithing back...do they then have to pay taxes on it since I would assume they took a deduction on their taxes?

[@michaelhutchings6602]

The good news is you just inherited a bunch of money from your grandfather. The bad news is you will waste it on legal fees and it’s your own fault.

[@brandonerickson3935]

Salt lake tribune is so trash these days

[@paulamoore8427]

If you don’t like it get out. Please.

[@bruceanavitate6864]

Too easy. 🎉

[@KarmaKoming]

#TartariaLives

[@adiospobreza]

The church fell when the Smith brothers were murdered. Today the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by the god of this world.

[@Suggon.D.Snutzz]

I agree. Brigham Young was the start of the end

[@bobicusrex]

I grew up in the church when my family moved to Utah I began to suspect that the church was true outside of Utah but not in Utah. The members in Utah are so backstabbing and back bitting I am amazed the church hasn't completely collapsed.