Comments on: Tithing and Unpaid Clergy http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/ "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men." -Joseph Smith Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:20:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Katelyn http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-1497 Katelyn Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:54:40 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-1497 Hello. I am 13 years old, and already I know more than poor Macdonald. We say that we believe these things, no matter what people like you say. You say that someone could have just made it up. Fine, that's a possiblility for every single church on earth. But if we do not have faith, we have nothing. If we cannot believe with every fiber of our being that we came here for a purpose, that our Heavenly Father loves us, what would there be to keep us from falling into the depths of despair? I say God bless you, that you may know that there is a true church. I won't hold it to you (I know you will make your own choice, no matter what a teenager says to you), but Heavenly Father does love us. And one of the greatest ways to feel His love is to feel the Holy Ghost, but the only way you can do that truely and fully is to pray about it. Do what Joseph Smith did, and pray to know which church is the right one. You probably won't recieve a Heavenly messenger, but you will feel a difference... a burning, a yearning, a love. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Hello. I am 13 years old, and already I know more than poor Macdonald. We say that we believe these things, no matter what people like you say. You say that someone could have just made it up. Fine, that’s a possiblility for every single church on earth. But if we do not have faith, we have nothing. If we cannot believe with every fiber of our being that we came here for a purpose, that our Heavenly Father loves us, what would there be to keep us from falling into the depths of despair? I say God bless you, that you may know that there is a true church. I won’t hold it to you (I know you will make your own choice, no matter what a teenager says to you), but Heavenly Father does love us. And one of the greatest ways to feel His love is to feel the Holy Ghost, but the only way you can do that truely and fully is to pray about it. Do what Joseph Smith did, and pray to know which church is the right one. You probably won’t recieve a Heavenly messenger, but you will feel a difference… a burning, a yearning, a love. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

]]> By: Rayzor http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-1359 Rayzor Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:44:12 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-1359 macdonald, I tend to agree with you concerning your first statement concerning money spent on temples; however the rest of your post really doesn't have anything to do with the topic being discussed.  macdonald,

I tend to agree with you concerning your first statement concerning money spent on temples; however the rest of your post really doesn’t have anything to do with the topic being discussed. 

]]> By: s. macdonald http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-1343 s. macdonald Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:14:25 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-1343 God doesn't need big expensive temples to know he's loved. That would make him selfish. I think that money could be spent on helping the poor or others in need. On another note, why should anyone believe that Smith interpretation of the bible or correct any more than anyone elses, and don't give me that stuff about God talking directly to him. How do we really know that's even true. All Churches claim this kind of thing, but really, give me a break. I don't believe in organized religion. I DO believe in God though. I have yet to be convinced by any church that any ONE persons interpretation is THE one. I see something one way and you see it another. I interpret something one way and you another. That's why there's so many religions/churches. If you're a good person who does the best with what you have and have a moral and ethical life, then I don't believe that a God who is suppose to be so loving would punish you because you weren't Mormon or Catholic or Muslim or whatever. God Bless You All God doesn’t need big expensive temples to know he’s loved. That would make him selfish.
I think that money could be spent on helping the poor or others in need.

On another note, why should anyone believe that Smith interpretation of the bible or correct any more than anyone elses, and don’t give me that stuff about God talking directly to him. How do we really know that’s even true. All Churches claim this kind of thing, but really, give me a break.

I don’t believe in organized religion. I DO believe in God though. I have yet to be convinced by any church that any ONE persons interpretation is THE one. I see something one way and you see it another. I interpret something one way and you another. That’s why there’s so many religions/churches.

If you’re a good person who does the best with what you have and have a moral and ethical life, then I don’t believe that a God who is suppose to be so loving would punish you because you weren’t Mormon or Catholic or Muslim or whatever.

God Bless You All

]]> By: Thaddeus http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-1190 Thaddeus Sat, 06 Nov 2010 03:10:51 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-1190 Everyone is entitled to give ten percent of their income to any charity they like and to receive the same tax credit. Government gives the credit because it wants to encourage charitable contributions among its citizens. Even without the benefit to our taxes, we would still pay tithing. Everyone is entitled to give ten percent of their income to any charity they like and to receive the same tax credit. Government gives the credit because it wants to encourage charitable contributions among its citizens.

Even without the benefit to our taxes, we would still pay tithing.

]]> By: Joe Scovel http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-1188 Joe Scovel Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:56:35 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-1188 If tithing is so great and if tithing is a required "sacrifice" to the Lord why do tithers deduct their tithing from their tax returns? This makes the tither beholden to the taxpayer because the tither is actually passing off the tax obligation to the taxpayer that must make up the taxes from others, like the poor. If tithing is so great and if tithing is a required “sacrifice” to the Lord why do tithers deduct their tithing from their tax returns? This makes the tither beholden to the taxpayer because the tither is actually passing off the tax obligation to the taxpayer that must make up the taxes from others, like the poor.

]]> By: Willie http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-985 Willie Wed, 26 May 2010 23:10:13 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-985 It is known that the church owns several commercial businesses. President Gordon B. Hinckley <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=57648949f2f6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1" rel="nofollow">noted in General Conference</a> that "the business assets which the Church has today are an outgrowth of enterprises which were begun in the pioneer era of our history." Rayzor pointed out that some of the general authorities receive a living stipend, which is true. For those who happen to worry about tithing being used for this, President Hinckley also stated in the same talk, "I should like to add, parenthetically for your information, that the living allowances given the General Authorities, which are very modest in comparison with executive compensation in industry and the professions, <i>come from this business income and <b>not from the tithing</b> of the people.</i>" (emphases mine) It is known that the church owns several commercial businesses. President Gordon B. Hinckley noted in General Conference that “the business assets which the Church has today are an outgrowth of enterprises which were begun in the pioneer era of our history.”

Rayzor pointed out that some of the general authorities receive a living stipend, which is true. For those who happen to worry about tithing being used for this, President Hinckley also stated in the same talk, “I should like to add, parenthetically for your information, that the living allowances given the General Authorities, which are very modest in comparison with executive compensation in industry and the professions, come from this business income and not from the tithing of the people.” (emphases mine)

]]> By: Thaddeus http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-984 Thaddeus Wed, 26 May 2010 21:41:29 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-984 Rayzor, thanks for pointing that out. I am aware that some general authorities including the 1st quorum of the seventy, the quorum of the twelve apostles, and the first presidency receive a minimal stipend for their full-time work. I brushed over this exception in the article to emphasize the important distinction between our faith and many others: our clergy are volunteer and not motivated to pastor by money. That is still true. All general authorities who receive a stipend worked in honorable professions aside from the ministry for most of their lives. As a rule, they enter this arena after they have retired. They did not seek a position among the presiding Church leaders and they were all called to serve in lower Church positions without pay for most of their lives. I would be very surprised to discover a seventy who had ambitions to climb the "ecclesiastical ladder" from elders quorum president, bishop, high counselor, stake president, area authority (all unpaid) in order finally (at age 60 or so) to get a minimal stipend. There are quicker ways to make a buck. President Monson isn't paid for being a prophet, either. It's for being a president; an administrator of the business arm of the Church. As a leader of this global organization, he has a full-time job to perform and can't be expected to run a side business, but the brethren do sometimes write books to help support themselves (suggesting their pay is not extravagant). Thanks for bringing this up, Rayzor! Rayzor, thanks for pointing that out. I am aware that some general authorities including the 1st quorum of the seventy, the quorum of the twelve apostles, and the first presidency receive a minimal stipend for their full-time work. I brushed over this exception in the article to emphasize the important distinction between our faith and many others: our clergy are volunteer and not motivated to pastor by money.

That is still true. All general authorities who receive a stipend worked in honorable professions aside from the ministry for most of their lives. As a rule, they enter this arena after they have retired. They did not seek a position among the presiding Church leaders and they were all called to serve in lower Church positions without pay for most of their lives. I would be very surprised to discover a seventy who had ambitions to climb the “ecclesiastical ladder” from elders quorum president, bishop, high counselor, stake president, area authority (all unpaid) in order finally (at age 60 or so) to get a minimal stipend. There are quicker ways to make a buck.

President Monson isn’t paid for being a prophet, either. It’s for being a president; an administrator of the business arm of the Church. As a leader of this global organization, he has a full-time job to perform and can’t be expected to run a side business, but the brethren do sometimes write books to help support themselves (suggesting their pay is not extravagant).

Thanks for bringing this up, Rayzor!

]]> By: Rayzor http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-983 Rayzor Wed, 26 May 2010 20:01:47 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-983 I have been a faithful active member of the church since 1992, and study quite a bit on church history and church government issues... You stated, "Tithing does not pay Church leaders. Nobody acquires wealth at the hands of a Mormon congregation. Bishops, stake presidents, and all other leaders in the Church serve willingly without wages, aside from rich, spiritual blessings." Leaders on the local level (i.e. bishops and stake presidents) may not receive income from the church, but you may want to search a little deeper to see if the upper level leadership does. I just want to make sure that you are getting your facts straight. I have been a faithful active member of the church since 1992, and study quite a bit on church history and church government issues… You stated, “Tithing does not pay Church leaders. Nobody acquires wealth at the hands of a Mormon congregation. Bishops, stake presidents, and all other leaders in the Church serve willingly without wages, aside from rich, spiritual blessings.” Leaders on the local level (i.e. bishops and stake presidents) may not receive income from the church, but you may want to search a little deeper to see if the upper level leadership does. I just want to make sure that you are getting your facts straight.

]]> By: Bus Gillespie http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-961 Bus Gillespie Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:41:32 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-961 The church does in fact have avenues to give to various causes and groups outside of the church. A humanitarian donation is available, in the past it has given to the hurricane and earthquake victims of Haiti, the tsunami victims and many many others. The nice thing about giving through the church is that you know 100% of your gift is going to those in need as the church uses volunteers to staff and oversee the projects. The church does in fact have avenues to give to various causes and groups outside of the church. A humanitarian donation is available, in the past it has given to the hurricane and earthquake victims of Haiti, the tsunami victims and many many others. The nice thing about giving through the church is that you know 100% of your gift is going to those in need as the church uses volunteers to staff and oversee the projects.

]]> By: dave http://www.whatdomormonsbelieve.com/2008/08/tithing-and-unpaid-clergy/comment-page-1/#comment-628 dave Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:07:12 +0000 http://whatdomormonsbelieve.com/?p=55#comment-628 What do his other 33 grandchildren think of him, I wonder? What do his other 33 grandchildren think of him, I wonder?

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