The Beginning Of Tithing

[why me]

From Ebenezer Robinson's journal:

On May 12, 1838, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon went before the high council to appeal for financial assistance in remuneration for their service to the Church "being reduced, as it were, to beggary" as a result. The council, upon considering their request, instructed the bishop to provide for each of them an eighty-acre lot of Church property, and appointed a committee of three to work out with Presidents Smith and Rigdon proper remuneration, "not for preaching, or for receiving the word of God by revelation, neither for instructing the Saints in righteousness, but for services rendered in the printing establishment, in translating the ancient records, etc." HC 3:25, 26-27, 31-32.]

The above-named committee reported to the high council, at a subsequent meeting, but the sum agreed upon is left blank in the history, as printed. The amount they asked for was ELEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS each per annum.

The question was warmly discussed by the members of the council until near sundown. George M. Hinkle bitterly opposed it, as the Church had always been opposed to a salaried ministry. A majority of the council, however, favored the measure, so that when the vote was called, eleven voted for it, and one against it. But when it was noised abroad that the council had taken such a step, the members of the Church, almost to a man, lifted their voices against it. The expression of disapprobation was so strong and emphatic that at the next meeting of the high council the resolution voting them a salary, was rescinded.

We were present, and acted as clerk of the council at both meetings, therefore know whereof we affirm.

A few days after the high council refused to give a salary to Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon, the TITHING revelation of July 8, 1838, was given, in which the poor are not mentioned.

I took the beginning that I darkened to be the journal. And then the rest to be a different person who gave a commentary. Does anyone know about this journal entry by Ebenezer Robinson? The critics are claiming that this is how tithing started since the revelation occurred just a couple of months later.

[Duncan]

I would refer the critics to DC 64:23 given seven years earlier, at least mentioning tithing. Now, when it was applied to the Temple Rec. I can't speak to that.

[mfbukowski]

I would refer the critics to DC 64:23 given seven years earlier, at least mentioning tithing. Now, when it was applied to the Temple Rec. I can't speak to that.

And I would refer them to Malachi 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.

I think it's a tad older than Joseph.

[canard78]

And I would refer them to Malachi 3: 10

I think it's a tad older than Joseph.

Which is also requoted by the Saviour in 3 Nep 24:8-10. So if the critics are going to have their way they'll have to say Joseph 'planned it' from way back in the 1820s. They must consider him the world's best forward planner... I mean, it's almost prophetic...

[why me]

The critics use this journal to disparage Joseph Smith by claiming that since he and sidney were denied financial compensation, Joseph instituted the policy of tithing to enrich himself. Such is the critics' logic. And that is why I posted it. I don't see Joseph getting rich from tithes.

[Duncan]

The critics use this journal to disparage Joseph Smith by claiming that since he and sidney were denied financial compensation, Joseph instituted the policy of tithing to enrich himself. Such is the critics' logic. And that is why I posted it. I don't see Joseph getting rich from tithes.

I agree-if Joseph was living high off the hog as it were there would be probably be more then one journal entry

[Tacenda]

The critics use this journal to disparage Joseph Smith by claiming that since he and sidney were denied financial compensation, Joseph instituted the policy of tithing to enrich himself. Such is the critics' logic. And that is why I posted it. I don't see Joseph getting rich from tithes.

Brigham Young died a wealthy man. And Joseph Smith would pray about something he felt needed to be restored and get a revelation, for instance polygamy. Edited November 17, 2012 by Tacenda

[webbles]

Brigham Young died a wealthy man. And Joseph Smith would pray about something he felt needed to be restored and get a revelation, for instance polygamy.

How much of Brigham Young's wealth comes from the fact that he was one of the first people into the Salt Lake valley which had yet to be divided up by Americans? Maybe a simpler question would be to look at all the families that entered the valley in the first group (maybe include the second group) and see what their family wealth was over time. If this group is above the other settlers of the valley, then it would seem that Brigham Young is wealthy because he was one of the first people into the valley and not because of tithing.

Though with Brigham Young, you might also have to handle the fact that when he died, a lot of the church assets had been put in his name to prevent it from being turned over to the feds during the polygamy period. I could be mistaken with this last part, though.

[telnetd]

D&C 119 explains it well.

"The Lord had previously given to the Church the law of consecration and stewardship

of property, which members (chiefly the leading elders) entered into by a covenant that

was to be everlasting. Because of failure on the part of many to abide by this covenant,

the Lord withdrew it for a time, and gave instead the law of tithing to the whole Church.

The Prophet asked the Lord how much of their property he required for sacred

purposes. The answer was this revelation".

Tithing was born out of disobedience.

Gail