Talks:
Quotes:
Gordon B. Hinckley:
We can pay our tithing. This is not so much a matter of money as it is a matter of faith. I have yet to find a faithful tithe payer who cannot testify that in a very literal and wonderful way the windows of heaven have been opened and blessings have been poured out upon him or her.
Gordon B. Hinckley, “‘Let Us Move This Work Forward’,” Ensign, Nov 1985, 83
Dallin H. Oaks:
Teachers who are commanded to teach “the principles of [the] gospel” and “the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77) should generally forgo teaching specific rules or applications. For example, they would not teach any rules for determining what is a full tithing, and they would not provide a list of dos and don’ts for keeping the Sabbath day holy. Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families.
Dallin H. Oaks, “Gospel Teaching,” Ensign, Nov 1999, 78
Marion G. Romney:
This prophecy was quoted by Jesus to the Nephites (see 3 Ne. 25:1–2) and, with slight variation, by Moroni to Joseph Smith. In September 1831 the Lord in a revelation made this further reference to the burning which will accompany his second coming:
“Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
“For after today cometh the burning … for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.
“Wherefore, if ye believe me, ye will labor while it is called today.” (D&C 64:23–25.)
That is, if you believe this, you will pay your tithing.
Names Not on the Records
About 14 1/2 months after this revelation was given from which I have just read, the Lord gave this additional warning:
“It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God” (D&C 85:3).
How would you like to have your name stricken off the records? Well, the Lord is talking about that.
“Neither is their genealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the church.
“Their names shall not be found, neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the book of the law of God, saith the Lord of Hosts.” (D&C 85:4–5.)
Consequences of Failure to Obey
Now I am, of course, aware that these quotations from sections 64 and 85 of the Doctrine and Covenants refer to the tithe prescribed in the law of consecration. However, failure to obey the law of the tithe by which we are now bound is fraught with like consequences. This is evident from the fact that the Lord said, with respect to the law which is binding upon us today:
“Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you.
“And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, … behold, … it shall not be a land of Zion unto you.
“And this shall be an ensample unto all the stakes of Zion.” (D&C 119:5–7.)
It is because the Saints in Jackson County were not able to live the law by which they were to be tithed that the Lord permitted them to be expelled. When the Prophet inquired as to why Zion’s Camp could not restore the Saints to their possessions, he was answered by the Lord in this language:
“Were it not for the transgressions of my people, … they might have been redeemed even now.
“But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil [and then he specifies some evils], and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;
“And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;
“And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.” (D&C 105:2–5.)
And then he added, “And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer” (D&C 104:6).
Obedience to Celestial Law
Tithing is a part of the celestial law referred to in this revelation. Obedience to it is a prerequisite to being quickened in the resurrection by the fulness of the celestial glory. Without such fulness, one coming into the presence of the Lord would be consumed, for God dwells in “eternal burnings.”
So you see, my young brethren and sisters, tithing is, in a very real sense, a form of fire insurance—insurance against burning, both in this life and in the life to come.
Marion G. Romney, “The Blessings of an Honest Tithe,” New Era, Jan 1982, 45
Scriptures:
3 Nephi 24:7-12
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But ye say: Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts.
