In ancient Israel and in modern times, tithing is both an act of devotion to God and an expression of belonging to His church. The blessings of tithing promised by Malachi are collective blessings, and as we all donate, we build a united covenant community.
Tithing and the Day of Burning
Malachi taught that God blesses us when we pay tithing. He also prophesied of a day which will "burn as an oven." Modern revelation combines these concepts: "He that is tithed shall not be burned at [the Savior's] coming." Tithing prepares us to stand in God's presence by opening our hearts to receive His grace.
Return Unto Me | Malachi 3:7
In my previous role as a bishop, as each year ended, I was blessed to meet with families to discuss tithing. In those meetings I would share a brief thought, which typically included a reference to Malachi 3:8-12. One year, I focused my remarks on Malachi 3:10 wherein the Lord invites His people to “prove... Continue Reading →
Tithed
After Abraham and his servants rescued his nephew Lot, they returned home, rejoicing in a successful mission. They were met by Melchizedek, King of Salem, who brought bread and wine and blessed Abraham. Grateful for his success, "Abraham paid [Melchizedek] tithes of all" (Genesis 14:20). A tithe is a tenth. (See Alma 13:15, Hebrews 11:1-10.)... Continue Reading →
“It Shall Be Disposed of by a Council”
If you want to increase the probability of making wise decisions, form a council. When Ammon and his fellow missionaries saw that their converts were being slaughtered by their enemies, he convened a council with government leaders to determine how to deal with the crisis. (See Alma 24:5.)When the Nephite army faced precarious circumstances, Captain... Continue Reading →
The Storehouse
When Hezekiah became king of Judah at the age of 25, he implemented a number of reforms to turn his people's hearts back to God. He repaired the temple. He organized the priests and Levites and reminded them of their duties. He reinstituted religious practices which had been neglected. And he gathered the people for... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Tithing?
The Book of Mormon only mentions tithing twice, both times in conjunction with Old Testament scriptures. Alma mentions tithing in passing in his sermon about the priesthood. He introduces Melchizedek as the priest to whom Abraham paid tithes. Although he didn't elaborate on this incident, Alma did clarify that these "tithes" meant "one tenth part... Continue Reading →
Why Does God Command Us to Pay Tithing?
The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is trust, and it is manifest in our decisions. We make choices based on trust, and the tangible evidence that we have done the right thing follows later. The prophet Moroni taught, "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of... Continue Reading →