What does the Book of Mormon say about Tithing?

The Book of Mormon mentions the principle of tithing only a few times. However, the way it addresses this principle aligns closely with the Bible.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in the commandment to pay tithing. We believe we should pay one-tenth of our increase to the Church to support the work of the Lord.

The actual commandment to Latter-day Saints is found in 64:23, 85:3, 97:12, 119:4

The Lord Commands It

When visiting the Nephites, Jesus quoted Malachi, emphasizing the command to pay tithing:

3 Nephi 24:8-10

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say: Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my 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.

Other supporting scriptures: Malachi 3:8-10, Deuteronomy 14:22, 2 Chronicles 31:5

Tithe 10 Percent

Father Abraham set the standard by paying one-tenth of his increase to Melchizedek:

Alma 13:15

15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

Other supporting scriptures: Hebrews 7:2

Sacrifice and Obedience

The principle of paying tithing is one of obedience and sacrifice. It is a measure of faithfulness and is required to be a temple-worthy member of the Church.

If you were to ask members of the Church what they think about paying tithing, they would likely tell you it is an honor and a blessing to pay.

Blessings for Paying a Full Tithe

The Lord promises blessings for those who pay a full tithe:

3 Nephi 24:10
“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.”

But some may ask, are these blessings temporal or spiritual? They can be either, depending on how the Lord chooses to bless the individual.

In the latter-day Church, these blessings are sometimes referred to as “fire insurance.” As stated in Doctrine and Covenants 64:23:

“For he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.”

In other words, paying a full tithe will protect you when Jesus Christ returns. How this will happen, no one knows.

In my personal experience, I have often felt the blessings of tithing to be more spiritual. However, they have also been temporal in the sense that God has always provided for our needs. We have been able to pay our bills, afford a home, and put food on the table. Tithing is one of the best ways to put your trust in God and gain a testimony of His power and awareness of your needs.

Trust in God

I love the song Consider the Lilies. It is based on the scripture in Luke 12:24-28:

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

God knows each of us and has the power to lift us, clothe us, and feed us.

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