Before Converting

[Ratchet]

I have some issues about myself and questions that are bugging me. First of all I understand that tithing 10% is a law of the church. Problem is I have a debt problem and 10% may be too much. Also with debt comes the problem of getting married which I see is somehow extremely important in the LDS church since its part of God's glory or something. Now for some silly questions. I understand coffee must be eliminated but does that also mean decaf? Soda too is prohibited (if I recall correctly) but does that go for diet soda? I don't drink so that won't be a problem. I hope to visit my first service next week so pray for me

[Saintmichaeldefendthem1]

I have some issues about myself and questions that are bugging me. First of all I understand that tithing 10% is a law of the church. Problem is I have a debt problem and 10% may be too much. Also with debt comes the problem of getting married which I see is somehow extremely important in the LDS church since its part of God's glory or something.

I'm not a Mormon myself so I can't help you with this. 10% as a hard rule is something I strongly disagree with because of people in your situation. Some people can spare 10% better than others. For instance, I think it's cruel to expect a single mother who can barely afford clothes, shoes, and food for her children on top of paying rent and utilities to give up 10% of her gross salary. You need to approach this decision with eyes wide open. See how the LDS handles situations like yours. Do they offer you opportunities to give in other ways such as volunteering more for the Relief Society? The one thing I agree with the LDS on is not giving a temple recommend for marriage until private debts are resolved because money issues are the biggest source of tension in any marriage.

Now for some silly questions. I understand coffee must be eliminated but does that also mean decaf? Soda too is prohibited (if I recall correctly) but does that go for diet soda? I don't drink so that won't be a problem. I hope to visit my first service next week so pray for me

The caffeine prohibition is one of many things that would keep me from ever considering the LDS church. No caffeine may be beneficial to these bright-eyed, bushy-tailed young Mormon missionaries that show up at my doorstep, but as people age, it gets harder and harder to wake up in the morning. This is why throughout the history of man, we middle aged folk have always sought out teas and herbs to help us get our eyes open.

[bytebear]

Tithing is up to you to decide what your "increase" is. But you are encouraged to be generous, both with Tithing and other offering and with your time.

Coffee, Tea, Alcohol, Tobacco. Your interpretation on what those are is up to you (although I think it's pretty clear). I think decaf is still coffee, but I am not living your standards and you are not living mine. Soda is not coffee or tea. Caffeine is not specified by church leaders and has become "pseudo-doctrine". But some members get all upset about drinking a Coke.

So, the best advice I can give is study and understand the principles of tithing and the Word of Wisdom, and then pray for guidance on how you should live it.

Edited April 10, 2011 by bytebear

[pam]

I have some issues about myself and questions that are bugging me. First of all I understand that tithing 10% is a law of the church. Problem is I have a debt problem and 10% may be too much. Also with debt comes the problem of getting married which I see is somehow extremely important in the LDS church since its part of God's glory or something. Now for some silly questions. I understand coffee must be eliminated but does that also mean decaf? Soda too is prohibited (if I recall correctly) but does that go for diet soda? I don't drink so that won't be a problem. I hope to visit my first service next week so pray for me

Coffee is coffee. It's been clarified to mean all coffee not all coffee but decaf. Decaf isn't without caffeine anyway. Soda isn't prohibited nor is caffeine. We aren't commanded in all things nor do they provide every little detail of what we should avoid. Some of it is common sense.

[Mute]

The caffeine prohibition is one of many things that would keep me from ever considering the LDS church. No caffeine may be beneficial to these bright-eyed, bushy-tailed young Mormon missionaries that show up at my doorstep, but as people age, it gets harder and harder to wake up in the morning. This is why throughout the history of man, we middle aged folk have always sought out teas and herbs to help us get our eyes open.

Caffeine isn't forbidden in the lds faith. You can drink all the Red Bull, soda and Mega Jolt you want. It's just coffee that they are against drinking. The word of wisdom is all about being healthy and I'm sure the lds faith would prefer you not over do it on caffeine as that would not be healthy in any way. I don't know why the lds faith is against coffee. I just know it can't be simply because of caffeine.

[beefche]

I'm not a Mormon myself so I can't help you with this. 10% as a hard rule is something I strongly disagree with because of people in your situation. Some people can spare 10% better than others. For instance, I think it's cruel to expect a single mother who can barely afford clothes, shoes, and food for her children on top of paying rent and utilities to give up 10% of her gross salary. You need to approach this decision with eyes wide open. See how the LDS handles situations like yours. Do they offer you opportunities to give in other ways such as volunteering more for the Relief Society? The one thing I agree with the LDS on is not giving a temple recommend for marriage until private debts are resolved because money issues are the biggest source of tension in any marriage.

I'm curious how you interpret the story of the widow's mite.

LDS believe that tithing is NOT from the church, but rather from the Lord. We believe that since all we have comes from Him, we can budget, learn, and show true faith by giving Him a mere 10% of what He has blessed us with.

And tithing is NOT about money--it is about faith. Do we really believe God when He says He will take care of us? We promised to follow Him and this is one way to show the Lord we will follow Him. Paying tithing is not a guarantee of wealth or of even financial blessings. But we have been promised that when we pay tithing, the windows of heaven are opened.

Recent talk on tithing in General Conference was excellent and taught me many things.

[Mute]

I have some issues about myself and questions that are bugging me. First of all I understand that tithing 10% is a law of the church. Problem is I have a debt problem and 10% may be too much. Also with debt comes the problem of getting married which I see is somehow extremely important in the LDS church since its part of God's glory or something. Now for some silly questions. I understand coffee must be eliminated but does that also mean decaf? Soda too is prohibited (if I recall correctly) but does that go for diet soda? I don't drink so that won't be a problem. I hope to visit my first service next week so pray for me

This is only my personal opinion regarding tithing. If you want to pay tithing and are having severe difficulty paying your tithing, you can do one of two things. You can pay it anyways and see if it works out for you. If it does, maybe God is helping you to get through this. I've heard a lot of stories of people saying they paid their tithing when they were having a difficult time financially and it worked out for them. In the stories I heard, people talked as though they were getting more than enough money to pay their bills. You could try that out and see if it works for you.

If it doesn't work out for you after trying to pay, then I would say as long as you say in your heart that you would pay if you could then it will be well with you. You still have the intent to do what you believe is right. You would do it if you could. That is what is important right?

I don't think many people will agree with me that these following verses from the Book of Mormon apply to your situation but take it as you will. I hope it helps you in your situation.

THE BOOK OF MOSIAH

CHAPTER 4

24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.

25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.

[Lost_one]

The word of wisdom is about healthy living. I would still avoid tea, coffee, Alcohol and tabacco though.

If there is one thing about the church that I have a testimony about, it's tithing. I never agreed with the whole 10% thing until I actually did it. I had debt too at the time and can honestly say that tithing was a blessing to my life and once I am rebaptized, its the first thing I am going to get back to. When I payed my tithing, I never had money problems. I had them before I started tithing and after I stopped, But never during. Not saying it is the same for everyone, just telling you how it was for me.

[john doe]

The one thing I agree with the LDS on is not giving a temple recommend for marriage until private debts are resolved because money issues are the biggest source of tension in any marriage.

This is completely false. The LDS Church does not ask members about their finances or debts before issuing temple recommends, whether it be for marriage or participating in other ordinances. The only question they ask is if you are behind on child support or alimony.

[Blackmarch]

I have some issues about myself and questions that are bugging me. First of all I understand that tithing 10% is a law of the church. Problem is I have a debt problem and 10% may be too much. Also with debt comes the problem of getting married which I see is somehow extremely important in the LDS church since its part of God's glory or something. Now for some silly questions. I understand coffee must be eliminated but does that also mean decaf? Soda too is prohibited (if I recall correctly) but does that go for diet soda? I don't drink so that won't be a problem. I hope to visit my first service next week so pray for me

theres nothing specific on decaf. for some its ok, for others its skirting too close too the fire.

Nothing specific on soda either. Moderation is a very big thing.. If you have to have soda, or have an addiction to it, then ya you probably ought to drop if not no biggy.

For a lot of these sort of things you will have to pray to get inspiration from God to know where to stand in these matters for yourself. there aren't many "definitely do this or definitly don't do this" sort of things

Its up to you to pay tithing, no one will force you or give you the guilt trip (other than yourself). It depends where we put God and Christ...however if you put Christ first and obey his commandments first you will not be left for want. I've seen this happen over and over in my family and with friends where there is a situation or another where it was either the bills or tithing, and the times that tithing was paid first something would always happen to take of the bills later.

It really isn't about money its about being obedient to the Lord.

[Blackmarch]

This is completely false. The LDS Church does not ask members about their finances or debts before issuing temple recommends, whether it be for marriage or participating in other ordinances. The only question they ask is if you are behind on child support or alimony.

the only thing i can recall form the temple recommend interview that involved the issue money was if I was a full tithe payer.