[ThinkingForMyself]

This is my first post, so here goes. I think my biggest obstacle in staying LDS post-disaffection may be tithing. The New Testament teaches, and some other churches follow, the higher law of donating to the church in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver.” The LDS church does not follow the New Testament, nor does it follow the Old Testament according to Joseph Smith. JST Genesis 14:39: “Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had…which God had given him more than that which he had need.” (meaning, tithing only on surplus beyond needs.) These scriptures are never preached nor mentioned in General Conference, and especially not at tithing settlement.

Also, the LDS church is not a cheerful receiver of a gift less than 10%. Cheerfully give what you purpose in your heart and you will be told it is not enough, that you are a disappointment, and you will be pronounced unworthy. Why give to a church that receives a gift like that?

The church restores an Old Testament principle that has been replaced by a higher law, which in addition to cheerful giving from the heart also includes the idea of sowing sparingly and reaping sparingly, and sowing bountifully and reaping bountifully. We are back to the lower law with simple compelled numbers. Follow it or be branded unworthy.

To me, this is a great obstacle to staying long term.

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