Headlines:
-Taking care of the poor/needy is a primary measure of how well we are living the Gospel
-The right level of giving is between the individual and the Lord
-When preceded with attention to a purpose, preparation and prayer, Fasting can bring us closer to the Lord
Scriptures: C&C 59:13-14, 21 D&C 119 and 120
Historical Overview-Summarized from Revelations in Context-The Tithing of my People
-The Law of Consecration was announced in 1831 in Kirtland. Members donated all of their resources and were deeded back "according to the needs and abilities". At the end of the year and surplus to their needs were to be donated back to the Church. Many members struggled to live the law for a number of reasons (local economic difficulties, persecution, greed, etc.)
-By 1838 there were two centers of the Church. Headquarters in Far West or Zion (Bishop Partridge) and the Stake in Kirtland (Bishop Whitney). At the time, any donation was considered Tithing (no guidelines). During 1837, Bishop Whitney pressed members to tithe citing Malachi 3. A month later Bishop Partridge suggested 2% of annual net worth after debts were paid.
-The Prophet Joseph arrived in Far West in early 1838. The Church was in a very precarious financial position based on the debts incurred to build the Kirtland Temple and the economic dislocation in the country at that time. Finding a solution to the Church's financial problems was at the top of his concerns. He gathered several Church leaders together on Sunday morning July 8th and rec'd Sec 119 and 120. In his journal he recorded his prayer requesting the Lord's direction in how to solve the Church's financial problems. After the prayer the word "Answer" is inserted in his journal followed by the text of Sections 119 and 120.
-The nut of Sec 119 and 120 is that members are to consecrate any excess property then pay 10% of their increase each year. This is to be a "standing law forever", not a short term fix. It is important to make clear that only the United Firm (or Order) was dismantled which was the committee that oversaw the execution of the Law of Consecration. The Law of Consecration is still in effect (as President Hinckley reminded us) and as such Tithing is a subset of the Law of Consecration.
-Note that tithing was a fundamental part of the law of Moses (the root of tithe means "tenth"), so the Saints were reinstating a law given earlier.
The law of consecration (and its subset of Tithing) is a reminder that all is the Lord's. We are reminded of this in Moses 4:25 where the cycle of man being created from dust, being dust and returning to dust is reviewed (see King Benjamin). To the extent that we fail to see that we invert the actual order of things, that is we see ourselves as the center of our world where things are ours.
Not only are we not the center of the world, we are connected to everyone else (literally in some ways as I have my Mothers eye's) and when we work together and support each other we all have more. This is the classic "network effect" where the net value of a network grows with its participants. This is an old idea as reflected in the words below from one of John Donnes meditations in 1624:
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
Notes from my Scriptures:
-D&C 59:12 Oblations=offerings ex. time, talents, etc.
-D&C 119:4 "and after that" refers to living the law of tithing after the end of the United Order (institution that administered the law of consecration)
-D&C 120 created the council that directs the financial affairs of the Church comprised of the First Presidency, 12 Apostles and Presiding Bishopric. Note that the Savior says "by mine own voice unto them" confirming that he is the direct voice in how Church funds are spent.
-D&C 59:12 Oblations=offerings ex. time, talents, etc.
-D&C 119:4 "and after that" refers to living the law of tithing after the end of the United Order (institution that administered the law of consecration)
-D&C 120 created the council that directs the financial affairs of the Church comprised of the First Presidency, 12 Apostles and Presiding Bishopric. Note that the Savior says "by mine own voice unto them" confirming that he is the direct voice in how Church funds are spent.
Key questions to deal with:
-What is the relationship between the Law of Tithing and the Law of Consecration?
-Why should we pay tithing? President Grant promised (during the depression) that payment of tithes would be protective shield from economic distress. So, should we consider the law of tithing to be like a spiritual ATM machine, punch in the right donations and higher returns should be expected? Recall that President Snow promised that if the Saints in St. George paid their tithing the "windows of heaven" would be opened (their drought was ended). What other reasons are there for paying tithing?
Follow the link below to my scribbles on the Lesson Manual:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B78D5btorZEebmp3MDJOUlZaNUU
Follow the link below to my scribbles on the Lesson Manual:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B78D5btorZEebmp3MDJOUlZaNUU
