"Did a little searching and found this. Seems to be an ex Mormon site, but, it does quote some D&C thing and gives sources. I’m not sure what is mean by losing Celestial blessings, maybe you can explain. Please tell me the ‘secret handshake and secret password are some type of joke’."
Some of what you listed from the site is true, some is not.
I was really surprised, though, that Joseph Smith has apparently taken over for Saint Peter.
The bit about the "secret handshake and secret password," like all good fabrications, is based on a grain of truth. It would be inappropriate to go into detail on a public forum like this, but that phrase is a reference to certain ordinances performed in the Temple. The accusation, though, is a joke.
It is true that a person who is not a full tithe payer cannot receive a temple recommend.
The letter thing could have happened on an isolated case; some bishop may have gotten a wild hare and decided it was a good idea to send out such letters. I've never heard of it happening, and such a "billing" practice is not sanctioned by the Church.
As for the development in Salt Lake, if I understand correctly, that's essentially an urban renewal program in the Temple Square area that the LDS Church is taking part in. That part of the city is getting pretty old; the LDS Church feels it a duty to help the community renew it. I don't understand why our detractors find this so disturbing. Here's another news story about it:
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650196045,00.html
As for: "Mormons are commanded that tithing must come first before anything else." That is essentially accurate. We teach that paying your tithing is a commandment whereby we exercise faith. An exercise of that faith will result in both spiritual and temporal blessings. Stories abound of people who pay tithing first, despite the expectation that they won't be able to make ends meet, then some unexpected development occurs whereby they have enough. It's a counterintuitive effect, but those who live by the law (including myself) swear by it.
To accept it, though, you have to accept that God actually keeps His promises, such as in Malachi 3:8-10.
In any case, the Church will not let a faithful member go hungry; we have a welfare program that is efficient, effective, and envied by many. It is what the federal welfare program should have been.
Between the church buildings, temples, and other benefits I receive from the way the LDS Church spends tithing funds, I'm satisfied that I'm getting my money's worth. Churches aren't free. You might drop the money into a basket; we choose to write a check instead.
Besides, it's tax-deductible. :-)
As for: "Mormons who claim that tithing is purely “a personal choice” are deceiving themselves and outright lying." Of course it's a personal choice. Every act of obedience is a personal choice. You don't want to do it, then don't do it. I find a great deal of personal spiritual benefit from choosing to obey.
This has been kind of a discombobulated response. Let me know if I failed to respond to your satisfaction.