Mikedavis

Thank you Dravin. I think, as you say the key word here is "ability" rather than "unwillingness" to do A,B,C etc. With respect to tithing things are a little less black and white since it could be said that the financial hardship placed on the widow of little means who tithes is far more than that of the rich man. One reason perhaps why tithing should be based on ones ability to tithe "after" the bills have been paid? But this is aside from the original question my Daughter asked and which I feel Dravin has already answered. PAM - In answer to your question. Our daughter is 14 years old. Thanks to all who took the time to answer.

My daughter recently asked a question in Sunday school that nobody could answer. The question was this "Can a poor man, (for example she gave someone living in the third world) who cannot afford to pay tithing or who never had the opportunity to addend the temple enter the celestial kingdom and be with her family and God?"

Leah. I thought I had answered both your questions when I said: 1) "I I'm not an expert on church policy". 2) When I showed you that it was Thomas S. Monson who made the remarks "let's go shopping" as he cut the ribbon to the church's latest shopping mall. But for your benefit I will go further by answering some questions you didn't ask. Do I feel it is wrong to tithe? No. In fact, I believe that everything belongs to God. Do I feel our church could do more to help it's own people? Yes. I could elaborate on this but that's another topic altogether. Do I feel that people who accept the lord into their lives but for whatever reason, can't afford to pay a full tithing, marry in the temple or even get a temple recommend will one day be denied the chance to sit with Heavenly Farther? No. It's my understanding that Jesus never taught such a thing. If he did, please tell me so. I'm I an expert on any religion? No. Quite the oppersit I'm just a guy looking for answers and to be honest, with so much conflicting information comming at me from all around a very confused one.

Good question. Even the Church of Scientology are transparent about the money they recive from members and how they spend it. LOL Mind you that's about all they are transparent about.

Definitely not! All I can say is it was was not deliberate on my part. I have no idea how the first part of my reply got mixed up in the last part of the previous message.

Oh boy this is getting out of hand. All the same I will try and answer your questions. First I never said or implied I was an expert on church policy or anything else for that matter. I simply asked some questions. 2nd. Yes I think I can grasp the difference between "tithing and a church bussiness ventures". The question I would ask in return (as did Bussiness Week) is where did the money to set up such company's come from in the first place? Pam - like you I think this video is "not cool" The only reason I posted the link because I was asked to provide the origins of the "let's go shopping" quote that is circulating all over the Internet. Anyway, all this is off topic. My original question was "is there a better way to tithe?" Although, on reflection perhaps a better question would have been, how can we help the less fortunate members of our church/wards who are slipping through the cracks? PS Do you and Leah ever sleep? I thought I was an insomniac, but you girls leave me standing!

Video below or you can read full artical on Bloomberg Bussiness Week.

Sorry. I should have posted this in the general forum.

I was reading through some of the posts on LDS.net and couldn't help but notice that some of the members are going through hard times. For example, one lady said "The last ten years, for me, has been especially difficult. I had a daughter die in a car accident, leaving behind her two month old son that I've had to help raise. My marriage of over 30 years is one of my most heart breaking trials. Poor health is taking a toll on me. Worry over finances keeps me sleepless at nights". Why is our church not doing more to help people like this? I personally know of several people in our ward who are going through hard times, yet our church offers little or no support. For example, my wife and I, together with two other church members recently paid a utility bill for a lady in our ward who had her power cut because she could not afford to pay the bill and could not get help from the church. Is this right? My question is this. Rather than pay tithing to the church, would it not be better to tithe to charity's who help the needy? I know fast offering is "supposed" to help such people but from what I have seen this is not always the case. Ask yourself this simple question. How many people do you personally know (perhaps even faithful members of your own ward) who could benefit from a helping hand? There was a time when our church needed our tithes but that time has long since passed. Today our church is more than self reliant. Is it not time we considered helping those who are less so? Perhaps our church leaders need to start saying "how can we help?" Rather than "let's go shopping!"

Insert NOT between "are" and " as important" Sorry, stubby fingers and iPhones don't mix.

Wow what an insitufull post Dimbulbz. I totally agree. I guess like other aspects of worship sacrament is just a ritual. The meaning and true power of the sacrament stems from God, from the fact that Jesus ordained them and from the fact that the Holy Ghost works through them to mold and shape our lives to the glory of God. I think that every time we receive the sacrament, God seeks to give His Grace to each participant. Unlike most people in my ward I'm at the very start of my personal journey back home to Heavonly Farther and at this point I do not know how God makes that transfer of Grace (perhaps I newer will), but I also do not think that the mechanics of this process are as important as the fact that it happens; for this reason I think receiving the sacrament will always will be the most important part of my week and not who I sit next too :)

Thanks! This site is amazing. I wish I had come across twelve months ago. Thanks again :)

Leah - To what high standards are you referring to? You know Leah, I was just looking at the way in which you have replied to other members questions and can't help but notice a certain similarity, which is sad really because I'm sure deep down your really a very nice person. Anyway, have a good week :)

Bad wording on my part. The priesthood is good. It's the pomp and hierarchical structure I was referring to. For example, I'm in my late 30's and run a company employing over 700 people yet I'm expected to reffer to someone young enough to be my child as "elder". If and when, I am ever ordained into the priesthood it will be as a decon. I am also (as are all new members in our ward) constantly reminded by other members how they were "born into the church and have served missions". It stuff like that I consider to be "pomp and claptrap" One thing I will say. For the past few weeks I have been working north of the border and as such attended a different Chappell. Wow what a difference. Almost half the members here are new converts and those that were born into the church are so incredibly friendly. The kicker is I return home next week

That's interesting. I did ask why I would have to become a deacon and was told "everyone starts off that way" As for it taking over a year before receiving the Aaronic priesthood I was told "it verys from ward to ward but a year was about average for new members". That said I do know one guy who recived it only ten months after being confirmed so I know exceptions can be made. That said, even he has had to become a deacon and now tells me he's had enough and plans to leave. With that in mind I'm happy to just attend church and leave all this pomp and hierarchical claptrap to others :)