Doctrine and Covenants 59:16
Malachi 3:10
Doctrine and Covenants 64:23
In April Conference, 1920, Elder Orson F. Whitney said,
" When white-winged peace would spread her wings abroad, and grim-visaged
war would sit at her feet and learn wisdom for a thousand years. We think that
time is drawing nigh; that the Almighty has set His hand to accomplish just
such a work; that we are living in the Saturday night of the world's history,
near the end of that week of Time each day of which is a thousand years, and
that the seventh day, or Sabbath, will be the day of rest, the Millennium , the
reign of peace and righteousness which the Prophets and the poets have
predicted."
Reading 1 – Doctrine and Covenants 119:3-4
Reading 2 - The First Presidency has given the following
definition of tithing: “The simplest statement we know of is the statement of
the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay ‘one-tenth
of all their interest annually,’ which is understood to mean income. No one is
justified in making any other statement than this” (First Presidency letter, 19
Mar. 1970).
Reading 3 - President Joseph Fielding Smith of the Quorum of
the Twelve explained: “It is remarkable how many excuses can be made and
interpretations given as to what constitutes the tenth. … It is written,
however, that as we measure it shall be measured to us again. If we are stingy
with the Lord, he may be stingy with us, or in other words, withhold his
blessings” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. [1953], 2:92).
Reading 4 – Malachi 3:8-9
Reading 5 – Malachi 3:10-12
Reading 6 - Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Quorum of the
Twelve spoke of spiritual blessings that come when we pay tithing: “The tithe-payer establishes communion with
the Lord. This is the happiest reward. Obedience to the law of tithing, as to
any other law, brings a deep, inward joy, a satisfaction and understanding that
can be won in no other way. Man becomes in a real sense a partner, albeit a
humble one, with the Lord in the tremendous, eternal program laid out for human
salvation. The principles of truth become clearer of comprehension; the living
of them easier of accomplishment. A new nearness is established between man and
his Maker. Prayer becomes easier. Doubt retreats; faith advances; certainty and
courage buoy up the soul. The spiritual sense is sharpened; the eternal voice
is heard more clearly. Man becomes more like his Father in Heaven” (in Deseret
News, 16 May 1936, Church Section, 5).
Reading 7 - Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “During World War II,
my widowed mother supported her three young children on a schoolteacher’s
salary that was meager. When I became conscious that we went without some
desirable things because we didn’t have enough money, I asked my mother why she
paid so much of her salary as tithing. I have never forgotten her explanation:
‘Dallin, there might be some people who can get along without paying tithing,
but we can’t. The Lord has chosen to take your father and leave me to raise you
children. I cannot do that without the blessings of the Lord, and I obtain
those blessings by paying an honest tithing. When I pay my tithing, I have the
Lord’s promise that he will bless us, and we must have those blessings if we
are to get along’ ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 43–44; or Ensign, May
1994, 33).
Reading 8 - On May 30, 1899, President Lorenzo Snow spoke to
the officer's meeting of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. He
delivered a discourse on the principle of tithing and the following resolution
was adopted by the conference:
"Resolved: That we accept the doctrine of tithing, as now presented
by President Snow, as the present word and will of the Lord unto us, and we do
accept it with all our hearts; we will ourselves observe it, and we will do all
in our power to get the Latter-day Saints to do likewise"
After the adoption of the resolution,
President Snow arose and said: "Brethren, the God of our fathers, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob bless you. Every man who is here, who has made this promise,
will be saved in the celestial kingdom. God bless you. Amen"
(Comprehensive History of the Church, 6:359).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “[Tithing] funds are spent to
build and maintain temples and houses of worship, to conduct our worldwide
missionary work, to translate and publish scriptures, to provide resources to
redeem the dead, to fund religious education, and to support other Church
purposes selected by the designated servants of the Lord” (in Conference
Report, Apr. 1994, 46; or Ensign, May 1994, 35).
Reading 9 – Isaiah 58:6-12
Reading 10 – Doctrine and Covenants 59:13-14
Reading 11 - President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Sometimes
we have been a bit penurious [unwilling to share] and figured that we had for
breakfast one egg and that cost so many cents and then we give that to the
Lord. I think that when we are affluent, as many of us are, that we ought to be
very, very generous … and give, instead of the amount we saved by our two meals
of fasting, perhaps much, much more—ten times more where we are in a position
to do it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, 184).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Think … of what would
happen if the principles of fast day and the fast offering were observed
throughout the world. The hungry would be fed, the naked clothed, the homeless
sheltered. Our burden of taxes would be lightened. The giver would not suffer
but would be blessed by his small abstinence. A new measure of concern and
unselfishness would grow in the hearts of people everywhere” (in Conference
Report, Apr. 1991, 73; or Ensign, May 1991, 52–53).
Doctrine and Covenants 59:21
No comments:
Post a Comment