Question: I wanted to know is it true that when a person gets paid that they automatically have to pay a tithe to the church? I heard that the church automatically takes a percentage out of a check.
I have had some negative experiences when I deal with people who are mormon. But I do respect your beliefs and love that you hold family life in such a high standard.
Response: The principle of tithing is something we choose to do individually. We are not forced to do anything in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The law of tithing is mentioned directly many times in the Bible, as a commandment to the children of Israel and here are a few references:
Deut. 12: 6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your free-will offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:
Mal. 3: 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal. 3: 10 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.
We pay tithing to show obedience to our Father in Heaven, to show Him that we are willing to make a small sacrifice for all the blessings He gives us. It is not taken from us, we give of our own free will and are very blessed because of this. I hope this helps you understand a bit more about tithing and why we choose to pay it.
As for your bad experiences with Mormons, I am sorry those things happened. I imagine there have been MANY many more good experiences with Mormons though. I remember your letter from the last time you wrote and these are the same negatives you mentioned then also. Please remember the good times and good LDS people you have known, as life is so short and it really is a time to rejoice and be positive. :-)
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, that will be filled with great joy and reflection upon our loving Savior who gave His all and made the ultimate sacrifice for each one of us.
