Perry
From: "Blaine Borrowman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Kingdom Come Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 17:16:22 -0700
----- Original Message ----- From: Kevin Deegan To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2004 6:44 PM Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Kingdom Come
BLAINE Your report made it seem as if Mormons are under a great deal of pressure to pay their annual 10% tithe. I don't think there is much pressure, other than that of individual conscience, to pay tithes or other contributions.
Again I find info that is directly contrary to what you say. I am not sure I can trust you anymore.
Blaine: To Kevin-- The questions you listed below are part of the routine when asking for a temple recommend--note I said ASKING? People want something like a temple recommend, they ask for it. They expect to meet the requirements, or they wouldn't ask. It is a matter of prioroties and choice, not pressure or compulsion.
Tithing is one of the questions, but not the only one. There are also questions relating to health, conviction, honesty, virtue, morality, loyalty--would one feel pressured by these questions? If you want a blessing, you have to pay the price. It is like if you want some money, you gat a job--no pressure, no compulsion, you can always live on the street and the charity of others--provided you enjoy doing that, but if you want the money, you have to go beyond that level of living. Likewise, if you want to go through the Lord's house and partake of his blessings, you have to pay the price. You have to give up licentious behavior, smoking, drinking, stealing, lying, cheating on your wife/husband, abusing your kids, etc. and start making a real commitment to the Lord's Kingdom on earth and your own spiritual well-being, which among all those other things, includes shelling out from the ol' pocketbook. Nothing like a little sacrifice to prove you are in earnest, huh? God has said through his living prophet that if you are tithed at his coming, you will not be burned. Besides whatever else tithing may be, it is good fire insurance.
Here are the questions from the Temple reommend:
Five of the questions are about the CHURCH! Do you believe and obey the CHURCH. Maybe one is arguably about God. Why so much Church?
Why not call it a CHURCH recommend?
Why do you have to PAY a FULL TITHE to be a GOOD CHURCH member?
Blaine: Because we live in the real world, Kevin, not your tradition-bound world where all you have to do is give a little lip service to God and you are forever saved. You show your faith by your works in our world, Kevin.
http://www.lds-mormon.com/veilworker/recommend.shtml
1. Do you believe in God, the Eternal Father, in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost; and do you have a firm testimony of the restored gospel?
2. Do you sustain the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the prophet, seer, and revelator; and do you recognize him as the only person on the earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys?
3. Do you sustain the other General Authorities and the local authorities of the Church?
4. Do you live the law of chastity?
5. Is there anything in your conduct relating to members of your family that is not in harmony with the teachings of the Church?
6. Do you affiliate with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted ! by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or do you sympathize with the precepts of any such group or individual?
7. Do you earnestly strive to do your duty in the Church; to attend your sacrament, priesthood, and other meetings; and to obey the rules, laws, and commandments of the gospel?
8. Are you honest in your dealings with your fellowmen?
9. Are you a full-tithe payer?
10. Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?
11. Have you ever been divorced or are you now separated from your spouse under order of a civil court? If yes, (a) - Are you current in your support payments and other financial obligations for family members, as specified by court order or in other written, binding commitments? (b) Were there any circumstances of transgression in connection
with your divorce or separation tha! t have not been previously resolved with your bishop?
12. If you have received your temple endowment -- (a) Do you keep all the covenants that you made in the temple? (b) Do you wear the authorized garments both day and night?
13. Has there been any sin or misdeed in your life that should have been resolved with priesthood authorities but has not?
14. Do you consider yourself worthy in every way to enter the temple and participate in temple ordinances?
out of 14 questions; 1 has to do with God 7 have to do with CHURCH and CHURCH AUTHORITY 6 have to do with Good works
My calculations work out thus the LDS faith is 7% God 43% good works 50% CHURCH
Blaine Borrowman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
This is my response to the article, Kingdom Come, as printed in the November 8, 1997 issue of TIME Magazine.
Your article on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was very well done. I have been a Mormon all my life, attending meetings, paying tithes and offerings, teaching children and adults in church classes, etc. We Mormons believe that the sacrifice of worldly goods is an important principle, requiring faith in God as it does, but we also believe in freedom to exercise moral agency--which means, as far as monetary contributions are concerned, each member is free to pay or not. Your report made it seem as if Mormons are under a great deal of pressure to pay their annual 10% tithe. I don't think there is much pressure, other than that of individual conscience, to pay tithes or other contributions.
BLAINE BORROWMAN Midvale, Utah
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