This is a really interesting accusation. Where do you get it?
The official pamphlet produced by the Church and given to every member says quite the opposite. I know you hate all things Mormon, but really, this is getting silly.
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abun-
dance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs
as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to
prepare every needful thing (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity
come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops
as they care for others.
We encourage Church members worldwide to prepare for adversity
in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in
savings.
We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your
savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into
debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you
can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.
We realize that some of you may not have financial resources or
space for such storage. Some of you may be prohibited by law from
storing large amounts of food. We encourage you to store as much as
circumstances allow.
May the Lord bless you in your home storage efforts.
The First Presidency
http://providentliving.org/fhs/pdf/WE_FamilyResourcesGuide_International_04008_000.pdf
The understanding of Food Storage is that we are prepared, and that we help out those who are in need. It's what they did in the New Testament, had all things in common. It's what they did in the Book of Mormon after Christ established his gospel. They did it in the early LDS Church too. I suspect one day we will need to do such a thing in order to survive.
Ever been to welfare square in Salt Lake? You know you don't need to be a member to receive food and services there. The Church turns no one away. We are all brothers and sisters, and have a duty to one another to live Christian principles.
Grey, if you are ever in a situation where you are destitute, let me know, and I'll give you my address so you can come sup with me and my family. I mean that.
Subject: | Tithing and Kids with Holey Shoes |
Date: | Dec 27 14:00 |
Author: | kc |
Mail Address: | kcgood@att.net |
And no, I don't mean HOLY shoes. When I was a single mom (divorced due to abuse), I had four young kids. I was working for $7 an hour and getting child support. I was NOT making ends meet. We were eating from the food bank. I had asked the bishop for help, and he never "got back to me." Well, eventually he did, and let me go to the LDS Food pantry a couple times. But I mean, I was so broke!! Had my power shut off in winter. So I had always been a full tithe payer AND made fast offerings. My bishop had also told me I had to tithe, not only on my $7/hour gross, but also I had to tithe on my scholarships and grants, and had to tithe on my child support (which was paid by my LDS ex who had already tithed on it). So I did. One year it was just too hard and I got behind on the tithing because my little kids needed some clothes. It was Christmastime, I didn't have any presents bought for them and they had holes in their shoes. I wanted to get them shoes for Christmas. I went to tithing settlement, ashamed. I hung my head and told him my dilemma. I HAD paid tithing, for about 7 months of the year. I said, "I'm sorry, you'll have to mark me as a partial tithe payer this year. I would have to pay $500 to be a full tithe payer, and I only have $510 in the bank right now and haven't paid the bills yet or bought my kids shoes or food." He just looked at me, all disappointed. Asked me something about faith and trusting the Lord. I said, "I can't afford to pay it." and he said, "You can't afford NOT to pay it." After a minute of silence, I pulled out the checkbook and wrote him a check for $500. He smiled and checked the Full Tithe Payer box, and said, Merry Christmas. My kids did get a couple things for Christmas, from Salvation Army, but they didn't get shoes. They did get a Christmas turkey from their elementary school who was giving them to the "needy" families, but honestly, we suffered. I have to wonder about a bishop who would ask such a thing of a single mom. |
Oh, Oh — your in for it now. The basher brigade’ gonna getcha.