T.P. PLEASE take note of ALL of the Lds "scriptures" & Lds leaders comments that follow re: tithing. (And whoever else reads, read, mark, learn, digest, etc. how a false obfuscation goes on here...I don't know if it's all intentional or not...I just have a tough time believing that somebody like T.P. would be as unaware of these Mormonosities as what follows):
When I go to my trusty 1977 Deseret Book Co. A Topical Guide to the Scriptures of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"...for its entry on "tithing" (p. 459), I find 16 Biblical references that Mormon leaders have made re: this word/subject...plus two from the Book of Mormon (Alma 13:15 and 3 Nephi 24:8 re: "robbing" God in "tithes and offerings") + four verses in the Lds "scriptures" of Doctrine & Covenants:
* for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his... (D&C 64:23) Lds.org cites D&C 64:23 thusly: “In the present dispensation, the law of tithing was revived, and the keeping of that law is one of the FIRST duties of the Latter-day Saints. September 11, 1831, about eighteen months after the organization of the church, the Lord, through Joseph, the Seer, made this important declaration. Speaking after the manner of the Lord, he called ‘today,’ from the giving of the revelation until the coming of the Son of Man, and said, ‘Verily, it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at His coming. For after today cometh the burning,’ that is, at the coming of the Son of Man, ‘for verily I say, tomorrow’ – that is, at the Lord’s coming – ‘all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts.” (D&C 64:23, 24.)
Are you seriously unaware of these two D&C passages, T.P.?
T.P....before I stated in post #5 -- what you somehow objected to above -- re: (2) You HAVE TO tithe -- what Lds reference as the "Law of consecration"...I made-sure I did almost a whole day's research several years ago before elaborating. How did I accomplish that?
I spent a goodly amount of time reviewing the word "laws" and dozens & dozens of contexts as how that word was contextualized in various articles at Lds.org. My conclusion? If you look at Lds.org like I did -- in fact, EVERY single entry -- they have for carrying out their various add-on "Laws" -- guess what two add-on "laws" get the most mentions by Lds, Inc?
It's near a tie:
(1) The Law of Tithing (yes, also known as the Law of Consecration)
(2) The Law of Chastity
T.P. Are you now claiming that Lds.org isn't very "authoritative" for you or other Mormons?
* Joseph Fielding Smith states: “In the stead of this higher law [the law of consecration], the Lord gave to the Saints a schoolmaster, as he did ancient Israel to teach them and bring them to the fulness of the gospel of Christ. This is the law of tithing.
* “The law of tithing, as embodied in the revelations referred to, [in Sec. 119], is an immutable decree of Jehovah to His people, and admits of no evasion by those who would enjoy the blessings of the faithful on the land of Zion, or be classed among the righteous, and avoid the burning at the coming of our Lord.” (Principles of the Gospel, pp. 174-177.)
(T.P. "immutable = unchanging)
* Other revealed doctrines at the root of our religion include the Creation, the Resurrection, the law of tithing, prayer, and the consummate blessings of the temple. (Russell Nelson, official Lds church publication Liahona May 2004)
This Mormon link is now inactive...but listed "The Law of Tithing" as a key Mormon commandment...among...
The Commandments
Obedience to God's Commandments
Pray Often
Study the Scriptures
Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
Baptism and Confirmation
Follow the Prophet
Live the Law of Chastity
Obey the Word of Wisdom
Live the Law of Tithing
Observe the Law of the Fast
Obey and Honor the Law
* Law of consecration or The Law of Tithing: Definition: “The law of tithing is the law of revenue for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (Teachings of the President of the Church: Joseph F. Smith) Joseph F. Smith on law of tithing
* Why Instituted
We know of no better statement as to why the Lord revealed the law of tithing than that made by President Joseph F. Smith at the general conference of the Church in April, 1900. “Why the Law of Tithing Was Instituted – The Lord revealed to his people in the incipiency of his work a law which was more perfect than the law of tithing. It comprehended larger things, greater power, and a more speedy accomplishment of the purposes of the Lord. But the people were unprepared to live by it, and the Lord, out of mercy to the people, suspended the more perfect law [the law of consecration and stewardship], and gave the law of tithing, in order that there might be means in the storehouse of the Lord for the carrying out of the purposes he had in view; for the gathering of the poor, for the spreading of the gospel to the nations of the earth, for the maintenance of those who were required to give their constant attention, day in and day out, to the work of the Lord, and for whom it was necessary to make some provision. Without this law these things could not be done, neither could temples be built and maintained, nor the poor fed and clothed. Therefore the law of tithing is necessary for the Church, so much so that the Lord has laid great stress upon it.” (Lds "prophet" Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 282.)
* “The law of tithing, is a test by which the people as individuals shall be proved. Any man who fails to observe this principle shall be known as a man who is indifferent to the welfare of Zion, who neglects his duty as a member of the church, and who does nothing toward the accomplishment of the temporal advancement of the kingdom of God. He contributes nothing, either, towards spreading the gospel to the nations of the earth, and he neglects to do that which would entitle him to receive the blessings and ordinances of the gospel.” (Lds "prophet" Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 283.) ….
* Prosperity Comes to Those Who Obey the Law
“The law of financial prosperity to the Latter-day Saints, under covenant with God, is to be an honest tithe payer, and not to rob the Lord in tithes and offerings. Prosperity comes to those who observe the law of tithing. When I say prosperity I am not thinking of it in terms of dollars and cents alone, although as a rule the Latter-day Saints who are the best tithe payers are the most prosperous men, financially. But what I call as real prosperity, as the one thing of all others that is of great value to every man and woman living, is the growth in a knowledge of God, and in a testimony, and in the power to live the gospel and to inspire our families to do the same.” (Lds "prophet" Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, p. 58.)
(There's MANY other references contained in Lds.org...the above should suffice)
Look at your number 4. The law of consecration is described as a higher law. And in stead of the higher law, the saints were given a [lower] law to teach them. Sort of to prepare them for the higher law.
I have to admit your Joseph F Smith quote puzzled me, especially since that is a dead link. So I went and found a direct link to the manual - here. The word "consecration" is not in that chapter. The quote you have is about halfway down the page (with the footnote marker #9). I am thinking you created the heading "Law of consecration or The Law of Tithing: Definition:" for your own notes. It is not in the original.
As I said, my true statement that "law of consecration" does not equal "law of tithing" did not change the point you were making in your posting - that there are a lot of rules in Mormonism. That indeed is true, and the law of tithing is one of them. Never said otherwise.