Man, I have tons I could say on this as I continue on my journey of "awakening."
But just on tithes. Going back about 7 generations my family (both sides; mom and dad) have belonged to the LDS church (was called "Mormon Church" for 150+ years until current president said not to call it that any more—no idea why but whatever), so lots of history there.
Tithing under Joseph Smith started out as 2% of net worth when you came on board, then 10% of your "increase" which meant anything left over at the end of the year after taking care of your business, if you had one, and your family. The 2% got dropped and it was just the 10% of increase. Joseph sent Brigham Young (more on this scoundrel later) out to collect. BY asked who gets to decide what to base the 10% on (like, do we run an audit?). Joseph said let the member decide. In other words, trust.
Fast forward to the murder of Joseph and his brother Hyrum, no doubt planned by Brigham and others of the 12 disciples (I refuse to call them Apostles as there are only 12 of them, the ones who Christ chose) who were about to be exposed for living "spiritual wifery" as it was called them (polygamy now). Who runs the church now? Supposed to be someone from Joseph's family (who would have shot down the multiple wives thing so important to BY), but Brigham engineered a coup.
One of the 1st things BY did (after getting rid of potential rivals like having Joseph's other brother, Samual, poisoned) was make tithing a flat 10% of income, not increase. Big difference. 1 weeks later he makes himself and the others of the 12 immune from having to pay tithes. Mansions were built for the leaders of the 12, using tithing funds.
When BY died his estate was valued at about $43 million (in 1998 dollars). It owed $22–23 million to the church as BY used it as his personal bank account.
In the church this is called "priestcraft" or preaching/building up churches for "gain," which means for sex (those polygamists), money, power, and the kudos of the world. Now look at the LDS church (which really hasn't been a church at all since 1923 when it was incorporated the same way the Catholic Church was incorporated eons ago, as a "Corporation Sole," which means the president owns everything lock, stock and barrel): $100+ billion in an investment account and who knows how many billions in property the world over. About .75–1% of tithing receipts go to taking care of the poor.
The President of the Corporation, Russell Nelson, recently traveled to one of the poorest nations in Africa (can't recall which one right now), where many can't even afford to feed their families enough, and told them they should pay their 10% to the LDS corporation (I think he said the church, but the church only exists as a trademark now). He promised them it would help them break out of the poverty cycle. Maybe one or two would, but the whole thing is shameful. Image what could've been done for the people with just a tiny sliver of their investment portfolio?
Anyway, better uses for donations could be as David mentioned: women's shelters, rescue missions, food banks, and many other things and organization where the overhead isn't 99+%. Enough rant, for now.
Great article. At times, we might find some refuge and comfort in a church or monastery to reflect and contemplate the direction of our lives. But the house of God (the Church) is rooted in living our faith. Indeed, Jesus Christ focused on teaching the inspired Word of God through local meetings by showing compassion and empathy.
Thank you David.
Love this David!
Amen.
My sermon for the day. Thank you 🙃
Man, I have tons I could say on this as I continue on my journey of "awakening."
But just on tithes. Going back about 7 generations my family (both sides; mom and dad) have belonged to the LDS church (was called "Mormon Church" for 150+ years until current president said not to call it that any more—no idea why but whatever), so lots of history there.
Tithing under Joseph Smith started out as 2% of net worth when you came on board, then 10% of your "increase" which meant anything left over at the end of the year after taking care of your business, if you had one, and your family. The 2% got dropped and it was just the 10% of increase. Joseph sent Brigham Young (more on this scoundrel later) out to collect. BY asked who gets to decide what to base the 10% on (like, do we run an audit?). Joseph said let the member decide. In other words, trust.
Fast forward to the murder of Joseph and his brother Hyrum, no doubt planned by Brigham and others of the 12 disciples (I refuse to call them Apostles as there are only 12 of them, the ones who Christ chose) who were about to be exposed for living "spiritual wifery" as it was called them (polygamy now). Who runs the church now? Supposed to be someone from Joseph's family (who would have shot down the multiple wives thing so important to BY), but Brigham engineered a coup.
One of the 1st things BY did (after getting rid of potential rivals like having Joseph's other brother, Samual, poisoned) was make tithing a flat 10% of income, not increase. Big difference. 1 weeks later he makes himself and the others of the 12 immune from having to pay tithes. Mansions were built for the leaders of the 12, using tithing funds.
When BY died his estate was valued at about $43 million (in 1998 dollars). It owed $22–23 million to the church as BY used it as his personal bank account.
In the church this is called "priestcraft" or preaching/building up churches for "gain," which means for sex (those polygamists), money, power, and the kudos of the world. Now look at the LDS church (which really hasn't been a church at all since 1923 when it was incorporated the same way the Catholic Church was incorporated eons ago, as a "Corporation Sole," which means the president owns everything lock, stock and barrel): $100+ billion in an investment account and who knows how many billions in property the world over. About .75–1% of tithing receipts go to taking care of the poor.
The President of the Corporation, Russell Nelson, recently traveled to one of the poorest nations in Africa (can't recall which one right now), where many can't even afford to feed their families enough, and told them they should pay their 10% to the LDS corporation (I think he said the church, but the church only exists as a trademark now). He promised them it would help them break out of the poverty cycle. Maybe one or two would, but the whole thing is shameful. Image what could've been done for the people with just a tiny sliver of their investment portfolio?
Anyway, better uses for donations could be as David mentioned: women's shelters, rescue missions, food banks, and many other things and organization where the overhead isn't 99+%. Enough rant, for now.
Great article. At times, we might find some refuge and comfort in a church or monastery to reflect and contemplate the direction of our lives. But the house of God (the Church) is rooted in living our faith. Indeed, Jesus Christ focused on teaching the inspired Word of God through local meetings by showing compassion and empathy.