Inspirational Quotes: Tithing

“Tithing has been established in these latter days as an essential law for members of the Lord’s restored Church. It is one of the basic ways we witness our faith in Him and our obedience to His laws and commandments. Tithing is one of the commandments that qualifies us, by our faith, to enter the temple—the house of the Lord.” Robert D. Hales, Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings, General Conference October 2002.

“During World War II, my widowed mother supported her three young children on a schoolteacher’s salary that was meager. When I became conscious that we went without some desirable things because we didn’t have enough money, I asked my mother why she paid so much of her salary as tithing. I have never forgotten her explanation: “Dallin, there might be some people who can get along without paying tithing, but we can’t. The Lord has chosen to take your father and leave me to raise you children. I cannot do that without the blessings of the Lord, and I obtain those blessings by paying an honest tithing. When I pay my tithing, I have the Lord’s promise that he will bless us, and we must have those blessings if we are to get along.”Dallin H. Oaks, Tithing, General Conference April 1994

“We should pay [tithes and offerings] as a personal expression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven.” Jeffery R Holland, Like a Watered Garden, General Conference October 2001.

“Consider the law of tithing. The honest payment of tithing provides a person the inner strength and commitment to comply with the other commandments.” Thomas S. Monson, Be Thou an Example, General Conference October 1996.

“We should not wait until the annual tithing settlement to decide to be a full-tithe payer. We can decide now. It takes time to learn to control our spending with faith that what we have comes from God. It takes faith to pay our tithing promptly and without procrastination.” Henry B. Eyring, Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady, October General Conference 2005.

“Brothers and sisters, how can every member enjoy the thrill and the blessing that comes from making a sacrifice to help the work? The answer is very simple, as are most answers in the Church. Every member of the Church can pay a full, honest tithing and can attend tithing settlement. The Lord said, “Verily [now] is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people” (D&C 64:23).” M. Russell Ballard, Sacrifice and Self-Sufficiency, October General Conference 1987.

“The blessing of tithing comes by paying tithing.” Russell M. Nelson, Roots and Branches, April General Conference 2004.

“We know that God keeps His promises. We need to fulfill our part to receive His blessings. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:21).” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, See the End from the Beginning, April General Conference 2006

“Your testimony will be made strong through willing obedience to the law of tithing and by giving fast offerings, and the Lord will bless you richly for it.” Richard G. Scott, The Transforming Power of Faith and Character, October General Conference 2010.

Doctrine usually answers the question “why?” Principles usually answer the question “what?” Whenever we emphasize how to do something without reference to why we do it or what we do, we risk looking beyond the mark. At the very least, we fall into the trap Paul described to the Corinthians: “For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” Quentin L. Cook, Looking beyond the Marl, Ensign Magazine March, 2003.