----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 6:44
PM
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Kingdom
Come
BLAINE Your report made it seem as if Mormons are under a great
deal of pressure to pay their annual 10% tithe. I don't think there is much
pressure, other than that of individual conscience, to pay tithes or other
contributions.
Again I find info that is directly contrary to what you say. I am
not sure I can trust you anymore.
Blaine: To
Kevin-- The questions you listed below are part of the routine when
asking for a temple recommend--note I said ASKING? People want something
like a temple recommend, they ask for it. They expect to meet the
requirements, or they wouldn't ask. It is a matter
of prioroties and choice, not pressure or
compulsion.
Tithing is one
of the questions, but not the only one. There are also questions
relating to health, conviction, honesty, virtue, morality, loyalty--would one
feel pressured by these questions? If you want a blessing, you have to
pay the price. It is like if you want some money, you gat a job--no
pressure, no compulsion, you can always live on the street and the charity of
others--provided you enjoy doing that, but if you want the money, you have to
go beyond that level of living. Likewise, if you want to go through the
Lord's house and partake of his blessings, you have to pay the
price. You have to give up licentious behavior, smoking, drinking,
stealing, lying, cheating on your wife/husband, abusing your kids,
etc. and start making a real commitment
to the Lord's Kingdom on earth and your own spiritual well-being, which among
all those other things, includes shelling out from the ol'
pocketbook. Nothing like a little sacrifice to prove you are in
earnest, huh? God has said through his living prophet that if you are
tithed at his coming, you will not be burned. Besides whatever else
tithing may be, it is good fire insurance.
Here are the questions from the Temple reommend:
Five of the questions are about the CHURCH! Do you
believe and obey the CHURCH. Maybe one is arguably about God. Why so much
Church?
Why not call it a CHURCH recommend?
Why do you have to PAY a FULL TITHE to be a GOOD CHURCH
member?
Blaine: Because
we live in the real world, Kevin, not your tradition-bound world where all you
have to do is give a little lip service to God and you are forever
saved. You show your faith by your works in our world,
Kevin.
1. Do you believe in God, the Eternal Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ,
and in the Holy Ghost; and do you have a firm testimony of the
restored gospel?
2. Do you sustain the President
of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator; and do you recognize
him as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood
keys?
3. Do you sustain the other General Authorities and
the local authorities of the Church?
4. Do you live the law of
chastity?
5. Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your
family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
6. Do you
affiliate with any group or individual whose teachings or practices
are contrary to or oppose those accepted ! by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or
individual?
7. Do you earnestly strive to do your
duty in the Church; to attend
your sacrament, priesthood, and other meetings; and to obey
the rules, laws, and commandments of the gospel?
8. Are you honest in your
dealings with your fellowmen?
9. Are you a
full-tithe payer?
10. Do you keep the Word of
Wisdom?
11. Have you ever been divorced or are you now separated from your
spouse under order of a civil court? If yes, (a) - Are you current in your
support payments and other financial obligations for family members, as
specified by court order or in other written, binding commitments? (b) Were
there any circumstances of transgression in connection
with your divorce or
separation tha! t have not been previously resolved with your
bishop?
12. If you have received your temple endowment -- (a)
Do you keep all the covenants that you made in the temple? (b) Do you
wear the authorized garments both day and night?
13. Has there
been any sin or misdeed in your life that should have been resolved
with priesthood authorities but has not?
14. Do you
consider yourself worthy in every way to enter the temple and
participate in temple ordinances?
out of 14 questions;
1 has to do with God
7 have to do with CHURCH and CHURCH AUTHORITY
6 have to do with Good works
My calculations work out thus
the LDS faith is
7% God
43% good works
50% CHURCH
Blaine Borrowman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
wrote:
This is my response to the article, Kingdom Come, as printed in the November 8,
1997 issue of TIME Magazine.
Your article on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was
very well done. I have been a Mormon all my life, attending meetings, paying
tithes and offerings, teaching children and adults in church classes, etc.
We Mormons believe that the sacrifice of worldly goods is an important
principle, requiring faith in God as it does, but we also believe in freedom
to exercise moral agency--which means, as far as monetary contributions are
concerned, each member is free to pay or not. Your report made it seem as if
Mormons are under a great deal of pressure to pay their annual 10% tithe. I
don't think there is much pressure, other than that of individual
conscience, to pay tithes or other contributions.
BLAINE BORROWMAN
Midvale, Utah
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