Are Mormon males called by God as Levitical priests just like Aaron was?

Please click on the title above to go the web site where I got this from. This ministry is a very good witness to Mormons who long to know the truth!

February 15, 2008

By Aaron Shafovaloff

Mormonism claims that most of its male members are Aaron/Levitical priests. How does this claim hold up?

Quoting Hal Hougey from “Latter-day Saints—Where Did You Get Your Authority?”:

1. Qualifications for the Aaronic Priesthood:
   1. Limited to Aaron and his sons only Ex 28:1; 29:9; 29:44; Num 18:1-7; Lev 6:19-23; Ex 28:43; Neh 7:61-65
      1. The Levites helped – Num 3:5-6, 9-10; Heb 7:5
      2. Punishment for non-Levites who tried to become priests:
         1. Dathan and Abiram Num 16: 1-35
         2. King Uzziah – 2 Chron 26:1-3, 16-21
         3. Jeroboam’s priests- I Kings 13:33-34
      3. But Joseph Smith, of English stock, was not a Jew, a Levite, or a son of Aaron
      4. The Aaronic priesthood was hereditary, but not so in the LDS church
   2. Physical qualifications – Lev 21:16-23
      1. LDS ignore these qualifications today
      2. Joseph Smith had a leg operation when he was young, in which part of the bone was removed. He was, therefore, physically disqualified to be a priest (Lucy Mack Smith: Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith and His Progenitors for Many Generations Liverpool: 1853, p. 65)
   3. Other qualifications which LDS ignore: Lev 21:1-15: Num 4:35
2. How Were the Aaronic Priests Ordained in the Bible? - Exodus 29; Lev. 8
   1. Were washed with water v. 4
   2. Were dressed in the priestly robes – v. 5-6 (These robes were for “glory and beauty”-Ex 28:2-but the holy garments of the LDS are neither glorious nor beautiful.)
   3. Were anointed with oilv. 7
   4. Laid hands on the head of a bullock – v. 10
   5. The bullock was killed, and its blood was poured out at the altar, while the fat and the kidneys were placed on the altar, and the rest was burned outside the camp, as a sin- offering v. 11-14
   6. Laid hands on the head of a ram V.I 5
   7. The ram was killed, its blood was sprinkled about the altar, and the body was offered as a burnt offering on the altar-v. 16-18
   8. Laid hands on the head of another ram v. 19
   9. This second ram was killed, and some of the blood was put on the tip of the right ear, right thumb, and right great toe of Aaron and his sons, while the rest of the blood was sprinkled upon the altar v. 20
   10. Some of the blood on the altar and some anointing oil was then sprinkled on the priests and their garments – v. 21
   11. Were given parts of the ram and three kinds of bread, and these were waved as a wave offering, then they were burnt on the altar – v. 22-25
   12. The breast of the ram was given to the one who ordained them v. 26
   13. The shoulder was given to them v. 27
   14. They were to eat of the ram and the bread, but no one else was allowed to do so-v. 30-33
   15. For the next seven days, one bullock and two lambs were offered daily v. 35-44
3. How Do LDS Ordain to the Aaronic Priesthood?
   1. They lay hands on the priests being ordained and speak the words that are specified by the LDS church to confer the priesthood
   2. Nowhere in the Bible account do we find hands laid on the priests hands were laid only on the bullock and the rams!
   3. The LDS ignore completely the Biblical method of ordaining Aaronic priests
   4. It will not do to say these ordinances do not apply today; if the Aaronic priesthood exists today, the method for ordaining priests into that priesthood apply today
   5. LDS often apply Hebrews 5:4, “. . .as was Aaron,” to refer to the ceremony by which one is ordained to the priesthood, but they do not follow that ceremony in any way

Under a subsequent section (”F. The Mormon Priesthood Is an Assumption – Not a Restoration”), Hougey goes on to say:

1. There Is No Biblical Authority for the Aaronic Priesthood Today
   1. The Aaronic priesthood was part of the religious system under the Law of Moses. This law and its ordinances came to an end when Christ died on the cross Gal. 3:19, 23-25; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 10:1-10.
   2. Christ’s will or testament came into effect after his death - Heb. 9:15-17
   3. There was a change in the priesthood; the Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood was taken away – Heb. 7: 1 1-12
   4. Even Christ could not be a priest of Aaron because he was of the wrong tribe Heb. 7:13-14. (How can non-Jewish LDS qualify if Christ could not qualify?
   5. If Christ were on earth he would not be a priest at all – Heb. 8:4
   6. There is no example of Aaronic priests in the church anywhere in the New Testament, amazing if such priesthood existed in the church. Rather, the New Testament teaches the universal priesthood of all believers I Peter 2:5, 9

Beehive

I can't seem to remember too much from the Beehive classes I had. The main thing I do remember was all the 'fun' I had. I was so glad to be out of Primary and the thought of progressing onto being a Young Woman was 'so real'. I did more than my share of responsibility in the Beehive class. I don't ever looking at the Bible much in class, but the Book of Mormon was the focal point of scripture reading. I remember that the main point of a Beehive girl was to obtain the Holy Ghost as a guide to help with goals and decision making. It was all about making the right choices in life that will lead me to being the best Mormon woman. The church had all kinds of activities and lessons to keep everyone in class very busy.
The page above is from my scrapbook I kept when I was going through Young Women's. I find it interesting that the [other] major religions included Christianity. (Click on the photo and see a more detailed view of the wording.) Christianity is in the same category as Hindus, Buddhists, Confucians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and Mohammedans. Mormons do not believe that they are [were] Christians. They rank Christianity with religions that do not believe in Christ as their personal Savior.

As A (Young Wo-)man Thinketh

"Arise, raise your right hand to the square. Each of you do covenant and promise that you will obey the law of your husband...Each of you bow your head and say yes."

Every young Latter-day Saint female longs to enter the temple of her choice and be sealed for all time and eternity. The expectations run deep, deep to the very makeup of her soul. Each drop of blood that runs in her veins shivers at the thought of, "One day, one day soon, I too will be part of the elect. A member of the anointed ones that will carry the badge of honor, along with the awards and protection of the garments. The secrets of God-written heavenly knowledge will be forever burnt into my spirit, so when that great day of celestial pomp and circumstance comes, I will be able to arise in pure light and glory. I will spend the forever eternities with the god of my eternal offspring, continuously bringing forth favor for him. Soon I will be exalted as a goddess, a queen, a noble upright entity spending eternity on perpetual holiday and honeymoon with my love, my light, my strength, my fortress, my one-and-only, my husband.
Oh, the wondrous and joyful day when all my sweat-full tears of hard work and sacrifice will pay off. I labor at my goals. I persevere to get them all lined up in order and check them off after each signature is obtained by proper authority. I gather all of them together as a hen gathers her chicks and keep them protected in my precious 'Treasures of Truth' binder, never to let them fall by the wayside, least they be devoured by the evil one. All tidy and ready to go, my goals will pave the way to the pearly gates of holy ground, the entrance to a temple. Those gates display the keyhole to my salvation in which my husband holds the key to.
I long for and dream of the day I can hold the hands of my 'savior', across the eternal alter, who will rescue me from the depths of the grave and escort me through the veil to a celestial heaven. The highest of the most high. So..., I plan, I prepare, I study, I endure, I do; I keep on hoping, I keep on yearning, I keep on longing, I keep on doing..., and doing..., and enduring to the end..., and all cost."

Mormon Cult

Here are a few quotes from a Utah education web site. Interesting.
The title of this post will take you to the original web site.

"My dear brothers and sisters and family, can't you see what we need to do? Be submissive-do not murmur-endure to the end. If we will do this, the Lord will show us the way, if we will but follow his prophets and Apostles. Do not question their direction! It is as simple as that." (Waldo P. Call, "Follow the Prophets," Ensign, Nov. 1990, 82)

Remember that there may be many questions for which we have no answers and that some things have to be accepted simply on faith. An angel of the Lord asked Adam, "Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord?" He answered, "I know not, save the Lord commanded me." (Moses 5:6.) There may be times when we are called upon to climb Mount Moriahs and to sacrifice our Isaacs without a full and prior explanation. Faith is the first principle of the gospel; it is a principle of progress. (Carlos E. Asay, "Opposition to the Work of God," Ensign, Nov. 1981, 67)

To Mormons, Faith in god is the key, to build that in people is their purpose, and everywhere you look, they express that obedience is a key to gain faith. Also, the opposite of faith is doubt, thus we must surpress our doubt and just believe, just follow and obey. You don't need to know, just fork over the money to them, let all the old men's opinions govern every thought you have, everything you wear, you watch and read, contradict what you've been taught and any logic you might have left after giving them all your "might, mind, and strength."

Book of Zelph

Here is web site for you all. Click on the heading and read all about it! So funny!!!

What Every Mormon Should Know-Walter Martin Part 6

What Every Mormon Should Know-Walter Martin Part 5

What Every Mormon Should Know-Walter Martin Part 4

What Every Mormon Should Know-Walter Martin Part 3

What Every Mormon Should Know-Walter Martin Part 2

What Every Mormon Should Know-Walter Martin Part 1

Rebuttal of LDS (Mormon) Tithing

REBUTTAL OF LDS (MORMON) TITHING ARTICLES

by Russell Earl Kelly, PHD

These LDS articles can be found on LDS.org.

WORST OF THE WORST LDS STATEMENTS:

The most damnable statement is: LDS: In this respect it is as essential as faith in God, as repentance of sin, as baptism for the remission of sin, or as the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 4 Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 225.

Latter-day revelation tells of another blessing for those who tithe: “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” (D&C 64:23).

Comment: The LDS (Mormon) prophets teach that tithing is essential for salvation.

………………………..

LDS: ARTICLE NAME: TITHING: The Bible indicates that God’s people followed the law of tithing anciently…

Comment: God’s OT people, national Israel, followed the law of tithing, but not God’s New Covenant people, the Church.

LDS: … through modern prophets, God restored this law once again to bless His children.

Comment: Since the law had to be “restored” is this an admission that it had ceased? No New Covenant inspired writer to the Church re-instituted tithing. The authority is not from the Bible, but from the LDS concept of modern prophets.

LDS: To fulfill this commandment, Church members give one-tenth of their income to the Lord through His Church.

Comment: The LDS church and many others have redefined the word “tithe” to include income. Although money was an essential OT worship item it was never included in any of the 16 texts which describe the contents of the tithe. The OT tithe was always only food from inside Israel. It could not come from pagan sources or from personal achievement.

LDS: These funds are used to build up the Church and further the work of the Lord throughout the world.

Comment: OT tithing was never used for buildings, building maintenance or to support missionaries. This amounts to changing God’s Word.

…………………….

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: LDS.org

LDS: One of the blessings of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the privilege of paying tithing.

Comment: The LDS have taken tithing far beyond being a “privilege. They have made it an essential part of LDS salvation. See LDS prophet statements by Joseph F. Smith Jr.

LDS: This privilege is a double blessing. By paying tithing, Church members show their gratitude to God for their blessings and their resolve to trust in the Lord rather than in material things.

Comment: The Mormon Church has gone far beyond calling tithing a “privilege.” It is a demanding expected highest level doctrine essential for salvation and equal to any other in its plan of salvation. Failure to pay tithes comes with severe consequences.

LDS: They also help further the work of the Lord in the earth, blessing others of God’s children with the opportunity to learn of Him and to grow in the gospel.

Comment: The curse of Deuteronomy 28:21-24 and Nehemiah 10:29 included pestilence and no rain for disobedience of any of the 600 plus commandments.

LDS: Through the prophet Malachi, the Lord declared: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine 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" (Malachi 3:10).

Comment: Like legalistic Protestants, this is crammed down LDS throats completely out of context. It is addressed to dishonest priests (1:6; 2:1) who had stolen the tithe (Neh 13:5-10).

LDS: Church members give their tithing donations to local leaders.

Comment: In the OT the first religious tithe was given to the Levites, the servants to the priests (Num 18:21-24; Neh 10:37). This principle is ignored. The Levites would correspond to the ushers, deacons, choir, musicians, builders, maintenance men and politicians.

LDS: These local leaders transmit tithing funds directly to the headquarters of the Church ….

Comment: The OT Levites gave one tenth of their tithe to the priests (Num 18:25-29; Neh 10:38). This principle is not followed. In the NT every believer is a priest.

LDS: … where a council determines specific ways to use the sacred funds. …. Acting according to revelation, they make decisions as they are directed by the Lord. (See D&C 120:1.)

Comment: The “revelation” comes from the LDS prophet and not from the Bible. The prophet has changed the Word of God and is, therefore, a false prophet.

LDS: Tithing funds are always used for the Lord's purposes—to build and maintain temples and meetinghouses, to sustain missionary work, to educate Church members, and to carry on the work of the Lord throughout the world.

Comment: The first biblical tithe was only used to support the Levites and priests who were not allowed to own or inherit property. This principle is not followed. The second biblical tithe was eaten in the streets during the three yearly feasts and the third biblical tithe was completely for the poor. NONE of the tithes were for buildings, maintenance or missionary work. These principles are not followed.

………………..

GUIDE TO THE SCRIPTURES
Tithes, Tithing

LDS: A tenth part of a person’s annual increase given to the Lord through the Church.

Comment: Wrong. Although money was an essential OT worship item, it was never included in 16 texts which describe the contents of the tithe. There are no biblical instructions for the Church to follow tithing principles.

LDS: Tithing funds are used to build churches and temples, to sustain missionary work, and to build the kingdom of God on earth.

Comment: Wrong. Biblical tithes were never used for buildings, maintenance or missionaries. The OT sanctuary and Temple were built and maintained by freewill offerings.

LDS: Abraham gave tithes of all he possessed to Melchizedek, Gen. 14: 18-20 (Heb. 7: 1-2, 9; Alma 13: 15).

Comment: Abraham followed pagan tradition and gave spoils of war tithes to his local priest-king. He did not tithe of his own personal property. His offerings were not holy tithes from a holy land and would have been rejected as tithes in the Temple/sanctuary system. He gave the 90% to the king of Sodom. This was not an example of faith for Christians.

LDS: All the tithe is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord, Lev. 27: 30-34.

Comment: Read the texts. The tithe was only food from farmers and herdsmen inside Israel. It could not come from pagan land and could not come from man’s increase through crafts such as carpentry, fishing or tent-making.

LDS: Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase, Deut. 14: 22, 28.

Comment: Read the texts. The increase was food from crops and herds miraculously produced by God. It was not money or income from crafts.

LDS: The tithe of all things brought they in abundantly, 2 Chr. 31: 5.

Comment: Read verses 1-19. The “all things” was only food from inside Israel.

LDS: Will a man rob God? Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings, Mal. 3: 8-11 (3 Ne. 24: 8-11).

Comment: Read the texts. Over 1000 years after Leviticus 27 and Numbers 18 the tithe was still only food from inside Israel in 3:10-11!!! Jesus removed the curse of the law. See Galatians 3:10-13.

LDS: He that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming, D&C 64: 23 (D&C 85: 3).

Comment: Heresy. This is a false prophecy. It makes tithing a mandatory part of salvation. Paul placed a curse on those who added to the full gospel he preached in Galatians, chapter one.

LDS: The Lord’s house will be built by the tithing of his people, D&C 97: 11-12.

Comment: False prophecy which is contrary to God’s Word. The Temple/sanctuary was built and maintained only by freewill offerings.

LDS: The Lord revealed the law of tithing, D&C 119. Tithing shall be disposed of by a council, D&C 120.

Comment: There are 25 OT tithing principles and the Church observes NONE of them, including the LDS church.

…………………..

BIBLE DICTIONARY
Tithe

[Repeated material]

LDS: See also Jacob’s vow (Gen. 28: 22).

Comment: Vows were freewill offerings. Jacob’s herds and increase came from the pagan land of Babylon and Syria and could not be defined as true biblical tithes.

LDS: The law enforced the payment, and provided rules with regard to the use to which the tithe should be put.

Comment: The law only required farmers and herdsmen inside Israel to tithe. Jesus, Peter and Paul did not qualify as tithe-payers because their increase came from their own skills.

LDS: In Num. 18: 21-28 it is directed that tithe be paid to the Levites, who in their turn give one-tenth of what they receive to the priests.

Comment: Why are these rules not obeyed? Read the texts. As previously discussed, this is not followed by any church today. The Levites are gone from the formula. The priests are no longer the priesthood of every believer. And those who receive tithes are allowed to own and inherit property.

LDS: A clear exposition of the tithe is given in Mal. 3: 8-18, in which it is shown that blessings from the payment of tithing are both temporal and spiritual, and failure to pay an honest tithe is a form of robbery.

Comment: Again, Malachi is 1000 years after Leviticus 27 and Numbers 18 and the tithe is still only food. The curse is that of all 600+ commandments of the law as in Nehemiah 10:29 and Deuteronomy 28-29.

LDS: The importance of Malachi’s words is demonstrated by the fact that the Lord repeated them to the Nephites (see 3 Ne. 24).

Comment: Uh huh. In perfect King James English long before 1611.

LDS: Latter-day revelation emphasizes the law of the tithe as a duty and test of faithfulness (D&C 64: 23-25; D&C 85: 3; D&C 97: 11; D&C 119). The honest payment of tithing sanctifies both the individual and the land on which he lives. See also Lev. 27: 30-34; Deut. 12: 5-18; Deut. 14: 22-27; 2 Chr. 31: 5-12; Neh. 10: 38; Neh. 12: 44; Neh. 13: 12.

Comment: LDS talk more about tithing than any other denomination. They practice legalism which ignores 1 Timothy 5:8 and 2 Cor 8:12-14.

………………………..

Tithes and Offerings

“Chapter 32: Tithes and Offerings,” Gospel Principles, 207

Our Heavenly Father knows all of the things we need. He has given us this commandment and promise: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Comment: Notice that Jesus did not add “and tithe” to Matthew 6:33.

LDS: We have been given commandments to help us prepare in every way to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. He has given us a way to thank him for our blessings. Willingly paying tithes and offerings is one way we thank him. As we pay these offerings, we show the Savior that we love him and will obey his counsel: “And verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people” (D&C 64:23).

Comment: What rule do you use to determine which of the 600 plus commandments you will obey and which ones your will ignore?

LDS:

Obeying the Law of Tithing

Anciently Abraham and Jacob obeyed the commandment to pay a tithe of one-tenth of their increase (see Hebrews 7:1–10; Genesis 28:20–22).

In modern times the Prophet Joseph Smith prayed, “O Lord, show unto thy servants how much thou requirest of the properties of thy people for a tithing” (D&C 119, section introduction). The Lord answered: “This shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people. And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever” (D&C 119:3–4).

Comment: This is why Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists and Christian Scientists are called cults. Thy have authorities which change God’s Word at will.

LDS: A tithe is one-tenth of our increase. This means that we give one-tenth of all we earn before we pay for our own needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. If our increase is in the form of flocks, herds, or crops rather than money, we give one-tenth of those things (see Leviticus 27:30–32).

Comment: This statement assumes the first-fruit error that tithes are the same as first-fruits. They are not. See Numbers 18 all, Deuteronomy 26:1-4 and Nehemiah 10-:35-38. This statement also contradicts First Timothy 5:8.

LDS: When we pay tithing we show our faithfulness to the Lord. We also teach our children the value of this law. They will want to follow our example and pay tithing on any money they earn.

Comment: You brainwash young trusting minds into believing a lie.

LDS:

We Should Give Willingly

It is important to give willingly. “When one pays his tithing without enjoyment he is robbed of a part of the blessing. He must learn to give cheerfully, willingly and joyfully, and his gift will be blessed” (Stephen L. Richards, The Law of Tithing [pamphlet, 1983], p. 8).

Comment: If you do not give willingly, then you are cursed and will be burned when the Lord comes per your prophet.

LDS: The Apostle Paul taught that how we give is as important as what we give. He said, “Let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Comment: The Apostle Paul never took a penny of tithe money. Synagogue rabbis considered it a sin to accept money for teaching God’s Word. And Paul’s travels in pagan lands would not have provided any tithe-able income.

LDS:

Tithing and Other Offerings

As members of the Church, we give tithing and other offerings to the Lord in money, goods, and time.

Tithing

Tithing is used by the Church for many purposes. Some of these are to—

· 1. Build, maintain, and operate temples, meetinghouses, and other buildings.

· 2. Provide operating funds for stakes, wards, and other units of the Church. (These units use the funds to carry out the ecclesiastical programs of the Church, which include teaching the gospel and recreation and social activities.)

· 3. Help the missionary program.

· 4. Educate young people in Church schools, seminaries, and institutes.

· 5. Print and distribute lesson materials.

· 6. Help in family history and temple work.

Other Offerings

Fast Offerings. Church members fast each month by going without food and drink for two consecutive meals. They contribute at least the amount of money they would have spent for the meals. They may give as generously as they are able. This offering is called the fast offering. Bishops use these fast offerings to provide food, shelter, clothing, and medical care for the needy.

As part of the fast, members attend a meeting called the fast and testimony meeting, where they share with each other their testimonies of Christ and his gospel.

Missionary Funds. Members contribute missionary funds to the Church to help spread the gospel around the world. These funds are used to support missions and missionaries in almost every country.

Service. Members also offer their time, skills, and goods to help others. This service allows the Church to help needy members and nonmembers around the world at community, national, and international levels, especially when disasters occur.

We Are Blessed When We Give Tithes and Offerings

LDS: The Lord promises to bless us as we faithfully pay our tithes and offerings. He said, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse … (Malachi 3:10).

Comment: If this were true then why does the LDS give charity to its own? Are those LDS who receive assistance not tithing? And if they are not tithing and need assistance, isn’t helping them rewarding them for not tithing?

LDS: Latter-day revelation tells of another blessing for those who tithe: “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” (D&C 64:23).

Comment: Heresy.

LDS: The blessings we have been promised are both material and spiritual. If we give willingly, Heavenly Father will provide our daily needs for food, clothes, and shelter. He will also help us grow “in a knowledge of God, in a testimony, in the power to live the gospel and to inspire our families to do the same” (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, p. 58).

Comment: This cannot be demonstrated. There are faithful in the ghettos who have been tithing for generations and remain in the ghettos. There are also many non-LDS and atheists who are blessed financially. The secret to success for the Christian does not reside in a lottery or tithing. It requires other skills also.

LDS: Those who pay their tithes and offerings are greatly blessed. They have a good feeling that they are helping to build the kingdom of God on earth.

Comment: Again, this cannot be proven. If it worked as promoted by the LDS and others everybody would tithe and there would be no poor or ghettos.

…………………

Obedience to the Law of Tithing

Chapter 31: Obedience to the Law of Tithing,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, 275

Those who obey the law of tithing help to accomplish the purposes of the Lord and are entitled to His blessings.

From the Life of Joseph F. Smith (D1918)

LDS: At the end of the 1800s, the Church faced a staggering financial debt, exceeding one million dollars. This financial obligation weighed heavily on Joseph F. Smith’s mind. At the October 1899 general conference he said: “We have had much valuable instruction in relation to our duties as Latter-day Saints, not only concerning the law of tithing, but also in reference to other things, which are as important in their place as the law of tithing. There is nothing, however, of greater importance to the welfare of the Church at present than the consideration of this law, by which means will be placed in the storehouse of the Lord, to meet the necessities of the people.” 1

Comment: Amazing. The LDS, along with most US Protestants, did not begin seriously discussing tithing until the late 1800s –the 1870s for most. One wonders why this was not that important for the original founders.

LDS: One afternoon seven years later [1906], President Smith came from his office … “It means the Church is at last out of debt.” He smiled. “So now you really know something!” 2

LDS: Teachings of Joseph F. Smith

Obedience to the law of tithing affirms our loyalty to the kingdom of God.

Comment: This is not found in God’s Word for the Church. Paul placed a curse on any who would add to the Gospel as he had presented it and Paul did not teach tithing or accept tithing.

LDS: God requires one-tenth of our increase to be put into His storehouse; and this is given as a standing law to all of the Stakes of Zion. 3

Comment: The OT tithe was originally placed in 48 (and later 13) Levitical cities per Nehemiah 10:37; Joshua 20-21 and Numbers 35. The Levites placed part of their tenth (1% max) in the Temple storehouse. The early church had no buildings for over 200 years and therefore there was no storehouse. The Temple was changed to the Temple of the body of the believer. Therefore the LDS is manipulating the Scripture here.

LDS: By this principle (tithing) the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it.

Comment: Tithing was never given to the Church and could not be a test for it.

LDS: By this principle it shall be seen whose hearts are set on doing the will of God and keeping his commandments, thereby sanctifying the land of Zion unto God, and who are opposed to this principle and have cut themselves off from the blessings of Zion.

Comment: Why does “keeping his commandments” include tithing and not the other 600 commandments of the Law?

LDS: There is a great deal of importance connected with this principle, for by it it shall be known whether we are faithful or unfaithful.

Comment: The LDS re-invented and re-defined their own principle. There are 25 principles in the Bible about tithing and NONE are followed by any Church today.

***LDS: In this respect it is as essential as faith in God, as repentance of sin, as baptism for the remission of sin, or as the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 4 Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 225.

Comment. HERESY. HERESY. The LDS has made tithing an essential part of salvation itself!!!

LDS: The law of tithing is a test by which the people as individuals shall be proved. Any man who fails to observe this principle shall be known as a man who is indifferent to the welfare of Zion, who neglects his duty as a member of the Church, and who does nothing toward the accomplishment of the temporal advancement of the kingdom of God.

Comments: Sounds like the Roman Catholic Church during the Dark Ages while becoming filthy rich.

LDS: He contributes nothing, either, toward spreading the gospel to the nations of the earth, and he neglects to do that which would entitle him to receive the blessings and ordinances of the gospel. 5

Comment: This is unkind at the least. There are poor Mormons who simply cannot afford to tithe. They must feed and shelter their family first in obedience to First Timothy 5:8.

LDS: The observance of the law of tithing is voluntary. I can pay my tithing or not, as I choose. It is a matter of choice with me, whether I will do it or not do it; but, feeling as I do, loyal to the Church, loyal to its interests, believing that it is right and just to observe the law of tithing I do observe it—on the same principle that I think it is right for me to observe the law of repentance, and of baptism, for the remission of sins. 6

Comment: The Law also commanded to kill children who curse their parents, those who pick up sticks on Saturday and those who commit adultery and fornicate. Why not enforce all of the 600 plus commandments?

LDS: We who have not paid our tithing in the past, and are therefore under obligations to the Lord, which we are not in position to discharge, the Lord requires that no longer at our hands, but will forgive us for the past if we will observe this law honestly in the future. That is generous and kind, and I feel grateful for it. 7

Comment: Where is this found in the OT? Did those who refused to tithe get a reprieve while others did not? That would encourage others to not tithe.

LDS: I have said, and I will repeat it here, that a man or woman who will always pay his or her tithing will never apostatize.

Comment: Not true. There are many books by former LDS who tithed and still left the church.

LDS: It does not make any difference how small or how large it may be; it is a law of the Lord; it is a source of revenue for the Church; it is God’s requirement, and He has said that those who will not observe it are not worthy of an inheritance in Zion.

Comment: This is garbage theology. Not even Jesus, Peter or Paul had tithe-able income from their own skills.

LDS: No man will ever apostatize so long as he will pay his tithing. It is reasonable. Why? Because as long as he has faith to pay his tithing he has faith in the Church and in the principles of the Gospel, and there is some good in him, and there is some light in him. As long as he will do this the tempter will not overcome him and will not lead him astray. 8

Comment: In other words, there is no good within a Mormon who leaves the faith. That is cultic conceit. As long as one thinks his works of tithing are earning points with God then they may stay in the church to reap the benefits. That is false works-salvation.

LDS: Tithing is the Lord’s law of revenue for His Church and for the blessing of the Saints.

Comment: Not in the NT for the Church.

LDS: The law of tithing is the law of revenue for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Without it, it would be impossible to carry on the purposes of the Lord. 9

Comment: It seems to have survived and thrive before tithing was pushed in the late 1800s.

LDS: The Lord … gave the law of tithing, in order that there might be means in the storehouse of the Lord for the carrying out of the purposes he had in view; for the gathering of the poor, for the spreading of the gospel to the nations of the earth, for the maintenance of those who were required to give their constant attention, day in and day out, to the work of the Lord, and for whom it was necessary to make some provision.

Comment: it is a sin to add to and change God’s Word. (1) The NT Church is never called a storehouse. (2) The OT tithe was never used for missionary work. (3) There is no biblical command that NT gospel workers must be full time. (4) The OT tithe went to the Levites who were only servants to the priests and priests only received one per cent. (5) Those who received the tithe were not allowed to own or inherit property.

LDS: Without this law these things could not be done, neither could temples be built and maintained, nor the poor fed and clothed.

Comment: The OT Law used freewill offerings to pay for buildings and maintenance. It is possible to take care of the poor without teaching tithing.

LDS: Therefore the law of tithing is necessary for the Church, so much so that the Lord has laid great stress upon it. 10

Comment: Jesus never taught Gentile converts to tithe. They could not have even if they had been told. ZERO mention is made of tithing for the Church.

LDS: [Tithing] is being used to keep up the ordinances of the house of God in … temples.

Comment: Not New Covenant.

LDS: Thousands and thousands of dollars of it are being used in educating the youth of Zion and in maintaining the Church schools. Thousands of dollars are being expended to feed and clothe the poor, and to take care of those who are dependent upon the Church. They look to their “mother” for succor and support, and it is right and proper that the Church should provide for its own poor and indigent, feeble and helpless, so far as possible. 11

Comment: Don’t forget the stock market and large secular corporations which the LDS owns from tithe money. Why does the Church even have “its own poor and indigent, feeble and helpless: if tithing must bring blessings? Feeding unfaithful tithe-payers rewards them for sin.

LDS: The Lord has revealed how this means [tithing] shall be cared for, and managed … as these eighteen men are. I say it devolves upon them to dispose of the tithes of the people and to use them for whatever purpose in their judgment and wisdom will accomplish the most good for the Church; … this fund of tithing is disposed of by these men whom the Lord has designated as having authority to do it, for the necessities and benefit of the Church. 12

Comment: Adding to the Word.

LDS: The Lord … especially demands of the men who stand at the head of this Church and who are responsible for the guidance and direction of the people of God that they shall see to it that the law of God [tithing] is kept. It is our duty to do this. … It becomes obligatory upon the leaders of the Church to say something upon this principle, that not only the people may do their duty in regard to this law, but that there may be something in the storehouse of the Lord with which to meet the necessities of the people; for the necessities of the Church are the necessities of the people. The members of the Church constitute the Church, and therefore whatever obligation the Church is under, it rests upon each individual member of the Church proportionate to his means. The Lord requires of us that we shall see that His law is kept among the people. 13

Comment: Strong-arm tactics.

LDS: … the law of tithing is being observed. … This is a good indication that the Latter-day Saints are doing their duty, that they have faith in the Gospel, that they are willing to keep the commandments of God, and that they are working up to the line more faithfully perhaps than ever before.

Comment: Your faith is in your money.

LDS: [all debts paid off]… It is the law of revenue to the Church.

Comment: You have sacrificed biblical honesty for money and are serving the god of this world. Many atheist companies have reached this same goal.

LDS: Furthermore, I want to say to you, we may not be able to reach it right away, but we expect to see the day when we will not have to ask you for one dollar of donation for any purpose, except that which you volunteer to give of your own accord, because we will have tithes sufficient in the storehouse of the Lord to pay everything that is needful for the advancement of the kingdom of God. … That is the true policy, the true purpose of the Lord in the management of the affairs of His Church. 14

***The principal thing about tithe paying is obedience to the law.

Comment: Definitely not the Gospel.

LDS: … and the promise is, that if we will obey the laws of God, if we will put our trust in him, if we will draw near unto him he will draw near unto us, and he will reward us with his favor and his blessing. He will rebuke the devourer, and he will cause that the earth shall be fruitful … [see Malachi 3:10]. Let every man who has received the gospel of Jesus Christ receive this saying, and hearken to these words, for all they are worth. Some men may esteem them lightly, and those who do, will, without doubt, fail to draw near, they will neglect to prove the Lord, they will not fulfil the commandments that he has given, and they will never know that God tells the truth, and that he is able to fulfil his word and promise unto his people when they are willing to obey and keep his law. …

(testimony) 15

So I come to the conclusion that the principal thing about tithe paying is obedience to the law, and that more good will come to us through that obedience than to anybody else. We may be worth our tens of thousands, and pay an honest tithing on our income, making our tithing a large amount; yet the good that will come to ourselves by being obedient to the law of God will be far greater in the end than the good which our substance may do to the poor. He is more blessed who giveth alms than is he who receiveth them.

Comment: Legalism: Romans 3:21-25; 7:4; 8:1; 10:4; Hebrews 7:18, 19; 8:10-13; Philippians 3:9; Eph 2:12-17; Col 2:12-17.

1. In Conference Report, Oct. 1899, 39.

2. Quoted in Amelia Smith McConkie, “Grandpapa Joseph F. Smith,” Ensign, Sept. 1993, 15.

3. Deseret News: Semi-Weekly, 3 May 1881, 1.

4. Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 225.

5. Gospel Doctrine, 226.

6. Gospel Doctrine, 232–33.

7. Gospel Doctrine, 99.

8. “Discourse by President Joseph F. Smith,” Millennial Star, 25 Oct. 1906, 674.

9. Gospel Doctrine, 226.

10. Gospel Doctrine, 225.

11. Gospel Doctrine, 232.

12. Gospel Doctrine, 233.

13. In Conference Report, Oct. 1899, 41.

14. In Conference Report, Apr. 1907, 7; paragraphing added.

15. Gospel Doctrine, 226–28.

16. In Conference Report, Apr. 1899, 69; paragraphing added

Go to the web site where I got this from. I linked to it using the title. It is a great web site and a great book. Serious minded believers of all faiths will learn from this book that Mr. Kelly wrote. Buy the book it is very informative.