----- 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 amon! ! g 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
