their desire for more material possessions

In 1998 I accompanied then-Elder Henry B. Eyring to a large Church meeting in the Utah area now known as Silicon Slopes, a community of great innovation in technology. It was a time of growing prosperity, and Elder Eyring cautioned the Saints about comparing what they had with others and wanting more. I will always remember his promise that as they paid an honest tithe, their desire for more material possessions would diminish. Within two years, the technology bubble burst. Many lost their jobs, and companies struggled during this time of financial adjustment. Those who followed the counsel of Elder Eyring were blessed.

Neil L. Andersen

"Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven," General Conference October 2023

the expenditure of Church funds

I recall that when I was a boy I raised a question with my father, who was my stake president, concerning the expenditure of Church funds. He reminded me that mine is the God-given obligation to pay my tithes and offerings. When I do so, that which I give is no longer mine. It belongs to the Lord to whom I consecrate it. What the authorities of the Church do with it need not concern me. They are answerable to the Lord, who will require an accounting at their hands.

Gordon B. Hinckley

"Rise to a Larger Vision of the Work," General Conference April 1990

tithing - a matter of our faith

The Apostle Paul warned that the wisdom of men understands the things of men but has difficulty understanding the things of God. The world speaks of tithing in terms of our money, but the sacred law of tithing is principally a matter of our faith. Being honest in our tithes is one way we show our willingness to put the Lord first in our lives, above our own cares and interest. I promise you that as you trust in the Lord, the blessings of heaven will follow.

Neil L. Andersen

"Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven," General Conference October 2023

i will rebuke the devourer

While I was in South America recently, Brother Roger Parra from Venezuela shared the following experience with me:

In 2019 Venezuela was shaken by problems that caused a power blackout for five days.

Chaos and anarchy reigned in the streets, and many desperate people did not have sufficient food.

Some began looting food businesses, destroying everything in their path.

As the owner of a small bakery, I was very worried about our business. As a family, we decided to give away all the food in our bakery to people in need.

Through one very dark night riots were everywhere. My only concern was for the safety of my beloved wife and children.

At dawn I went to our bakery. Sadly, every nearby food business had been destroyed by looters, but to my great astonishment, our bakery was intact. Nothing had been destroyed. I humbly thanked my Heavenly Father.

Arriving home, I told my family of God’s blessing and protection.

They were all so grateful.

My oldest son, Rogelio, only 12 years old, said, ‘Papa! I know why our store was protected. You and Mama always pay your tithes.’”

Brother Parra concluded: “The words of Malachi came into my mind. ‘I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground’ [Malachi 3:11]. We knelt down and gratefully thanked our Heavenly Father for His miracle.”

Neil L. Andersen

"Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven," General Conference October 2023

they left us the legacy of a good name

The importance of having a good name is spoken of in Proverbs, where we read: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” and “The [name] of the just is blessed.”

As I pondered these scriptures and the importance of having a good name, a flood of memories came into my mind about the good name and legacy my parents left my four brothers, my two sisters, and me. My parents did not have the riches of the world, nor did they have silver or gold. Nine of us lived in a two-bedroom, one-bath home with an enclosed back porch, where my sisters slept. When my parents passed away, my brothers and sisters and I gathered to divide their earthly possessions, which were few in number. My mother left a few dresses, some used furniture, and a few other personal items. My father left some carpenter tools, some old hunting rifles, and little else. The only things of any monetary value were a modest home and a small savings account.

Together we wept openly, giving thanks, knowing they had left us something much more precious than silver or gold. They had given us their love and their time. They had often borne testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, which we can now read in their precious journals. Not so much by words but more by their example, they had taught us to work hard, to be honest, and to pay a full tithing. They also engendered a desire to further our education, to serve a mission, and most important, to find an eternal companion, be married in the temple, and endure to the end. Truly they left us the legacy of a good name, for which we shall ever be grateful.



Mervyn B. Arnold, "What Have You Done with My Name?" General Conference October 2010

law of tithing... order of enoch

The law of tithing… bears about the same relation to the order of Enoch as the Mosaic law to the gospel of Christ (Whitney’s History of Utah, Vol. I., p. 141).


Doctrine and Covenants Commentary by Hyrum M. Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl. Deseret Book. 1965. p.394

a tithe purloin'd

Restore to God His due in tithe and time; A tithe purloin'd cankers the whole estate.


George Herbert. The Temple--The Church Porch (st. 65)

sense not to buy the things we don't need

Maybe if we pay our tithing and fast offerings, the Lord will give us enough sense not to buy the things we don't need.


George Q. Morris, Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. P.376. Remarks originally given in a West Boise Stake conference, 20 Fev. 1960; from author's notes.

the portion of the abundance

What is the portion of the abundance that the Lord has given us that we are required to give to the poor and the needy? First it is tithing, and honest tenth; and beyond that, it is liberal contributions in time and labor on welfare services projects and a liberal fast offering.


Marion G. Romney, Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since 1930 by Glen L. Rudd. 1995. P.245. Originally found in 'Learning for the Eternities, comp. George J. Romney [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1977], p. 206. D&C 104:18

we would float in wealth right down to Hades

I don't wonder why the Lord chose tithing as the means to finance his Church. It was to save us. He wouldn't need to do it to get the money. He made the earth. He could give. . . a revelation as to where the oil and the ore and the wealth of the earth is, we could hire gentiles to dig it out and we could float in wealth, and we would float in wealth right down to Hades. The payment of tithes is to save you and me, to make us liberal, to make us interested in the building of the kingdom, and to develop our characters, and that's what the welfare program does for us.


Marion G. Romney, Marion G. Romney: His Life and Faith by F. Burton Howard. Bookcraft. Salt Lake City. 1988. P.126. Originally in remarks, Welfare Agricultural Meeting, April 5, 1969.

who don't pay their tithing

In July 1938, the Church commemorated the tithing centennial. At the end of 1938 only thirty-five of the fifty-five Bonneville Stake officers had paid tithing. The Presiding Bishopric suggested that President Romney personally call on these nonpaying stake officers. One of the bishops came to President Romney about this time and explained that he had had some disappointments in his business dealings. When he asked if he should borrow the money to pay his tithing, President Romney answered, "I don't know, bishop, whether you should or should not, but this much I do know: there won't be any bishops in Bonneville Stake next year who don't pay their tithing this year." The tithing was paid.

Marion G. Romney

Marion G. Romney: His Life and Faith by F. Burton Howard. Bookcraft. Salt Lake City. 1988. P.113. Originally in an interview with President Marion G. Romney, September 1976 - reported in Bonneville Stake History, manuscript

Some people say, "I can't afford to pay tithing." Those who place their faith in the Lord's promises say, "I can't afford not to pay tithing."


Dallin H. Oaks "Tithing" Ensign May 1994 p.34 D&C 64:23

We know of many places around the world where there are housing shortages. How do you find even a place to live as a new married couple, let alone bear children, when you can't find a place to live? I think that this is a matter of faith. We don't have children because we have money, because we have means. We have children with faith.

That feeling and attitude of seeking for the Lord's blessings under the plan, I believe, will create miracles in the lives of people. If you're in a place where there's a housing shortage, the way will be opened up. Just as paying tithing is a matter of faith, so is having children a matter of faith. You don't pay tithing with money; you don't have children with money.


Sister Beck. Roundtable Discussion (Dallin H. Oaks, Jeffrey R. Holland, Julie B. Beck, Susan W. Tanner, Cheryl C. Lant) - Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: Building Up a Righteous Posterity, February 9, 2008

some great thing

My beloved brethren of the priesthood of God all over the world, I am pleased to be counted as one of you. This evening I would like to challenge the priesthood of the Church to be more committed in doing those things which build faith, character, and spirituality. These are the routine priesthood obligations we should be doing daily, weekly, monthly-year in and year out. The work of the Church depends upon basics such as paying tithes; taking care of family and priesthood duties; caring for the poor and the needy; having daily prayer, scripture study, and family home evening; home teaching; participation in quorum activity; and attending the temple. If called upon by the President of the Church, we would be ready, able, and willing to do "some great thing," such as working on the Nauvoo temple, but many are not quite so anxious to do some of these basics.

James E. Faust, “Some Great Thing,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 46

Too often we as parents do not teach and encourage our children to live this law because their contribution only amounts to a few cents. But without a testimony of tithing, they are vulnerable. In their teenage years, they become attracted to clothes, entertainment, and expensive possessions and risk losing the special protection that tithing provides.

Robert D. Hales "Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Blessings," Ensign, Nov. 2002, 28-29

The Apostle John wrote of "a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet." Similarly, you young women can be bearers of light. In the Savior's parable of the ten virgins, each young woman had a lamp. Clearly, this parable has both a temporal and a spiritual application. Oil can be purchased at the market. But another kind of oil, spiritual oil that is not for sale, can be accumulated only by
our daily good works.

The parable tells what happened as all ten young women waited for the bridegroom. The bridegroom came at the darkest hour, when least expected. It was midnight, and the foolish five had run out of oil. You might wonder why the five wise virgins could not share their oil with the other five. It was not selfishness on their part. Spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant because we each fill our
lamps drop by drop in our daily living.

The late President Spencer W. Kimball defined those drops of oil for us a few years ago when he said:

"There are oils that keep the gospel burning brightly. One type of oil is the oil of family prayer. It illuminates us and makes us bright and cheery but is difficult to obtain at midnight. One drop or two will not keep the lamp burning long. . . .

"Another type of oil is the oil of fasting. The last midnight is late to start disciplining our lives in preparation for the great day of the Lord. . . .

"Another oil that is not available at midnight is the indispensable oil of home service. This rare oil of service is accumulated through visits to the sick, through lending a helping hand. . . .

"There is another oil that all will need—rich or poor, sick or well. Its light is brilliant and increases with use. The more that is used, the more that is left. It is easy to purchase in the day but not available at night. This is the tithing oil.

"There is one . . . oil that is so precious that without adding it to the other oils no wick will burn. Without it, the light from all the others will dim and go out. This is the oil of chastity." (In "Gospel's Rare Oils Difficult to Obtain 'at Midnight,' " Church News, May 13, 1995, 14.)


President James E. Faust, "Your Light—a Standard to All Nations". General Young Women's Meeting- April 2006