Tithes and Offerings

The word tithing, or tithe, means a tenth part. The paying of tithing to the Lord and His church has been a commandment for thousands of years. The first record of tithing is found in Genesis 14:20, when Abraham pays tithing to Melchizedek. In the biblical days of the Lord’s church, tithing was not only a commandment but also a law of the land. 

Mormons believe that paying tithing is still a commandment from God. Mormon beliefs teach that everything ultimately belongs to the Lord and that when we pay tithing, we are merely paying him back for all that he has given us.  Offerings are additional donations, usually made for the purpose of helping the poor and the needy.

This concept is made clear in the Old Testament. Leviticus 27:30 records, “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.”

Mormons believe that tithing is a duty and a way to prove their faithfulness to the Lord. Church meetinghouses, where the congregations meet weekly, have slips and envelopes, which members fill out and enclose their money in. They then give their envelopes to the bishopric, meaning the bishop of the congregation or his two counselors. The money is then counted and sent to the Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Leaders of the Mormon Church use tithing in different ways to help the Church grow and to serve others. Tithing money goes to building meetinghouses, temples, and other Church buildings; family history and temple work; and funding for missionary work all over the world. When one Mormon's tithing is combined with the tithing of all members of the Mormon Church, it helps in innumerable ways and, since the Mormon Church has no professional clergy, the money is not spent on salaries for church leaders.

Mormons believe that it a blessing and a privilege to pay tithing, because it is a way to show gratitude to the Lord. It is important to members of the Mormon Church to know that they are helping the Church grow and serve men and women worldwide.

Mormons believe that obeying the commandment to pay tithing is necessary to each member’s happiness and peace in this life. Mormonism teaches that the spirit of willingness with which one gives tithing is just as important as the paying of tithing itself. Paying tithing teaches humility and shows obedience. Members should pay their tithing to the Lord cheerfully and with faith that the Lord will bless and protect his people when they pay tithing willingly.

In the Bible, the prophet Malachi said, “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” (Malachi 3:10). Mormons believe that when we pay tithing, the Lord opens many blessings to us.  Former President and Prophet of the Church Heber J. Grant said that when the Lord’s people pay tithing, He blesses them with a greater knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, a stronger testimony, and an increased ability to obey the commandments (Conference Report, April 1925, p 10).

Mormons also believe the Lord will prosper those who pay an honest tithe, meaning they will be blessed and protected with the material needs they require. That does not mean they will become wealthy or successful, but that they will have the things they need.  God doesn’t bless everyone in the same way, but blesses them in the ways that are the best for them. Those who pay tithing can have the peace and assurance that comes from knowing they are obeying a commandment of the Lord.