Episode Details

Recently Bill did a solo episode away from Mormonism LIVE walking members into the historical analysis of the initial Doctrine of tithing as 10% of one’s Surplus or Interest to help believers sense they had an option backed by historical documentation that allowed them to save themselves Thousands of Dollars a year while remaining faithful. After that episode a listener sent Bill and RFM an image of a vintage Church Handbook of Instruction that got their wheels turning and this week’s episode seeks to to delve into a historical analysis of how Surplus or Interest became Gross. And YES, You will be disgusted.

Here is the pdf presentation of the outline – https://mormonismlive.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Tithing-Whats-In-A-Word.pdf

1. The Introduction of Tithing to the Saints and “What is in a word”
   1. D&C 119 VS 1-4 (Given in 1838) – This law was imposed by God as a “Standing Law Forever” and came after the Law of Consecration had failed. Strange that Heavenly Father seems unable to see that this “Standing Law Forever” was about to be anything but consistent and eternal.

1. Tithing has always meant a tenth.
   1. History of tithing in the world generally
   2. But a tenth of what? is the crux
2. Verse 1 – Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands
   1. It seems the original commandment required ALL Surplus property be given to the Church upon entry into the faith.
3. Verse 4 – Intimates that once one has entered the faith giving all their surplus property, they there after “shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually”

1. INTEREST =
   1. #3 “Regard to private profit”
   2. #4 “Any surplus advantage”
   3. What does Surplus mean =
   4. “What is above and beyond after the necessities are taken care of”
   5. “that which remains when use is satisfied”
2. What does all this mean
3. The law of tithing when taken on face value without any manipulation of the words seems to mean “When one enter