The following current article is taken directly from the Mormon church’s official magazine, the Ensign. This shocking article, published by the church I can only assume in an effort to manipulate members through guilt by use of a supposed “faith-promoting story”, is about a single mother of six who is determined to donate money to the church (aka pay her tithing) even in the face of her children going without the very basics of food, shelter, electricity and running water. It is articles like this that make it so hard to understand how anyone with basic intellect could voluntarily participate in and follow the rules of the Mormon church. I recall growing up hearing these types of stories and being told how important it is to follow the Mormon rules even if it is to the detriment of your own health and family life. Obviously, any parent who allows their children do without these things risks having their children taken from them. What kind of church would allow this to happen?
Could Tithing Ease My Worries?
By Nancy Kay Smith Ensign, July 2009, 73 (Emphasis added.)
While my older children were at school and the little ones napped, I spread the household bills across the kitchen table. I began this dreaded monthly task by praying for wisdom and ability to stretch our meager income. The tithing check, as always, would be the first one written.
When I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a young wife and mother, I had committed to pay tithing. I had never wavered from that promise. I was deeply distressed, however, by inadequate funds to cover yet another month of utility, mortgage, and insurance bills.
Now I was a single mother of six young children. I frequently felt overwhelmed by the constant workload, financial worries, and endless decisions involved in my efforts to be both mother and father with no extended family to give me relief or support.
As I sat at the table pleading with the Lord for His help and mercy, the Holy Ghost opened to my view a beautiful and comforting manifestation of the Savior’s love. I was able to see the money owed for household expenses with a new perspective as the sacred priorities of life were brought to my remembrance. I knew that our Heavenly Father wanted me to have the blessings promised to those who faithfully paid tithes and offerings. I also knew that tithe paying should be a joyful act of love, devoid of fear and worry.
As the Spirit of the Lord filled me, I found myself bearing testimony of convictions I had long held firm and sacred. My voice broke the silence of the kitchen as I declared that I would rather lose the water source to my house than lose the living water offered by the Savior. I would rather have no food on our table than be without the Bread of Life. I would prefer to endure the darkness and discomfort of no electricity than to forfeit the Light of Christ in my life. I would rather abide with my children in a tent than relinquish my privilege of entering the house of the Lord.
The burden of worry immediately lifted. My love for the Lord overcame the weakness generated by my fears. Our Heavenly Father is our deliverer, our benefactor, and our protector. He truly does supply all our needs. His promises are sure and unfailing. He commands us to pay tithing on our increase so that He may shower down blessings from heaven—including peace of mind, freedom from worldly and material worry, and confidence in His holy name.
From that day forward I have counted it a joy to pay my tithing, without reservation or fear, to Him and for Him who first loved me.
Yeah that is extreme and is just the kind of thing that makes religion look so nutty. I know the church helps people like this but I really think someone in a situation that desperate should be focused on becoming self-reliant and economically stable. Then they can pay tithing when they are able to do so.
ReplyDeleteThe Mormon Church is a money grabbing corporation with its history steeped in blood atonement, mass murder, polygamy and racism. The leaders live in luxury and the ordinary members foot the bill (tithing). If they don't pay they are verbally abused and treated like second class citizens. They control every part of your life even what undergarments you wear and your facial hair, etc. They demand that you accept and be obedient to a calling, no matter what. Duty to Church comes first before your family every time. If you don't pay your tithing you are not allowed to enter the Temples. In other words if you don't pay 10% of your income to the Church you are not allowed into heaven. The early leaders practiced polygamy and forced already married wives to also marry the leaders. They enforced this law by fear and the threat of blood atonement - their throats being cut. Yes it is a really nice family Church!
ReplyDelete"and endless decisions involved in my efforts to be both mother and father... "
ReplyDeleteWait a minute. I remember hearing LDS leaders specifically saying a 'real' family must have a female mother and male father, and the roles could not possibly be filled by the other gender, when they threw the church/state seperation to the wind here in California a few months ago in the name of promoting their marriage morality.
K.D.
Son of a fourth generation Mormon who escaped to sanity, sparing me.
What's the point of tearing down the faith of another? Mormons believe in the free exercise of religion. It's right in the Articles of Faith. If you leave the Mormon church, why can't you leave it alone?
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, I was disfellowshipped. The form letter I received basically stated that I was forbidden from participating in any public church meeting / ceremony / temple.
ReplyDeleteTithing on the other hand... well that's still expected. Don't pray in public, don't take sacrament, don't give a talk, don't volunteer your own opinions in class. But please pay your money.
As a Jew married to a descendant of the Mormon pioneers (but not a member) and converting to Christianity, I've looked at the LDS Church as one of the more open to Jews (just read Martin Luther's writings on Jews for contrast). The history between Christians & Jews ain't good, an irony, given that they gave the world the Old Testament and Jesus. But this conformity and tithing thing scares me. I'm not checking my brain or going poor (been there, not all Jews have lots of money!) to be Mormon.
ReplyDelete