Where Much is Given, Much is Required

(Inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer)

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn't easy.  Converting to the Church is much harder.   You are asked to give up a lot of things, including habits and lifestyles.   Many converts that I know of had to give up a lot of habits, including smoking, drinking, gambling, drugs, watching inappropriate movies/television, listening to inappropriate music, etc.  To make a habit of something for a long time, then you have to forsake that habit(s) to join the Church is very very difficult.   Here is one person who had doubts of joining the Church because of commitment:
Two missionaries were teaching a fine family, and they had expressed a desire to be baptized, and then they suddenly cooled off. The father had learned about tithing and canceled all further meetings with the missionaries.  The branch president, hearing this persuaded the missionaries to join him in another visit to the home.  The branch president talked with the father and the following conversation occurred: 
"I understand that you have decided not to join the church," the branch president told the father.

"That is correct."

"The elders tell me that you are disturbed about tithing."

"Yes," said the father.  "They had not told us about it, and when I learned of it, I said, 'now that's too much to ask.  Our church  has never asked anything like that.' We think that it is too much for us, and we will not join."

"Did they tell you about fast offerings?"

"No, whats that?"

"In the Church we fast for two meals at the beginning of each month, and we give the value of the meals for the help of the poor."

"They did not tell us that."

"Did they mention the building fund?"

"No, what's that."

"In the Church we all contribute towards building chapels.  If you joined the Church, you would want to participate in labor and money.  In fact, we are building a new chapel here."

"They didn't mention that."

"Did they also tell you that we have no professional clergy?  All of us contribute our time, money, and energy to help the work, and we are not paid for it in money.

"They didn't tell us any of that," said the father.

"Well," said the branch president, "If you are turned away by a little thing like tithing, it is obvious you're not ready to join this church.  "Maybe you've made the right decision and you should not join."

As the branch president and elders departed, the branch president turned and said, ""have you ever wondered why people will do all of these things willingly?  I have never received a bill for tithing.  No one has ever called to collect it, but we pay it, and all of the rest, and count it a great privilege.  If you could discover why, you would be within reach of the pearl of great price, which the Lord said the merchant man was willing to sell everything he had to obtain the Pearl."  "But, it is your decision.  I only hope you will pray about it."

A few days later the father appeared at the branch president’s home. No, he did not want to reschedule the missionaries. That would not be necessary. He wanted to schedule the baptism of his family. They had been praying, fervently praying, and received an answer to their prayers.  


It is difficult to be in the Church, but the blessings are overwhelmingly greater than the sacrifices.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

(This article was inspired by a talk given by Boyd K. Packer )  

Many investigators and curious non-members wonder about what the Church believes and teaches.  This article will explain to the best of it's ability about the Church.

First off, is how the Church got its name.  When Jesus Christ visited the America's, the people there asked Him what they should call their church, because of arguments and contentions deciding the name.  Jesus told them that they should name the church after Him.  If it was Moses' church, it would be the church of Moses, same thing with others.  Jesus told them to name the church after Himself.  That is how the Church got its name, 'the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'  The "Latter-Day Saints," was added when the Church was re-established through Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830.  It fulfilled a prophecy in the Bible that the Church would be restored in the latter-days, hence the last part of the name.

The Church has four books of doctrine: The Bible, The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.  

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  It depicts of Prophets and civilizations in the America's and includes information of events like the destruction of the Nephites and Jaredites, the signs of the Birth of Christ and the signs of the Death of Christ, the journeys and works of many Prophets, etc.  Because of the Book of Mormon, the Church and its members are usually called the 'Mormon Church' and the 'Mormons.'  It is a title they don't resent, but it is not accurate.
The Doctrine and Covenants is a historical account of the Prophet Joseph Smith, his works, and revelations he received during the restoration the the Church.
The Pearl of Great Price is a selection of choice materials touching many significant aspects of the faith and doctrine of the Church. These items were produced by Joseph Smith and were published in the Church periodicals of his day. 

Latter-day Saints (members of the Church) follow the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and the Ten Commandments.   They are taught by Church leaders to love one another, to love and serve God, to fast, pay tithing, and to follow the Prophet's and Apostles teachings.

Many people say the the Church isn't Christian.  Quite the contrary, no other Church follows the teachings and doctrine more closely, completely, and thoroughly than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The Church does believe in the crucifixion of Jesus, but unlike other churches, the LDS Church believes more and finds more important, the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus. 

Learn more about the Church at its website.  Click here to go to the site. 

History of Mormonism: Lorenzo Snow

Born on April 3, 1814, Lorenzo Snow was the fifth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the last one of the 19th century. He was a great contributor to the History of Mormonism.
Lorenzo had six siblings, one of them was well known Eliza R. Snow, who was nick-named the "prophetess." Lorenzo was educated, receiving his final year at Oberlin College, which was founded by two Presbyterian Ministers. He made a living as a teacher before he knew about the Church.
In 1831, Joseph Smith moved to Hiram, Ohio; about four miles from the Snow farm. Lorenzo hear about Joseph soon after, and wanted to know more about the Book of Mormon and the Church. By 1835, his mother and one of his sisters was baptized into the church. By 1836, he was baptized as well.
In 1837, Joseph asked Lorenzo and some other elders to serve a mission. He served a short mission in Ohio without "purse or script" and had to rely on the generosity of others.
When he returned in 1838, he found the saints in turmoil and rebelliousness over the failure of the Kirkland Safety Society. The Snow family moved to Far West Missouri to avoid trouble. he suffered a severe illness there and for the next few weeks, his sister Eliza Snow nursed him back to health.
After getting better, he served a second mission to Illinois and Kentucky. In 1839, he heard of the saints being driven from Missouri, and he traveled back home to his family, where he again fell ill, where he was treated by church members. He soon was back on his feet, preaching in Ohio, then teaching during the school year. He sent money to his family who settled in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Lorenzo served a third mission, this time in Britain. He met with some of the Apostles that started the mission before him in 1839. After serving for a couple of years, Parley Pratt released him. Lorenzo returned home with 250 converted British converts.
Lorenzo left with the saints to the Salt Lake Valley after Joseph's death in Carthage Jail. After Brigham Young was sustained president, he ordained Lorenzo to be an Apostle.
Lorenzo Snow worked hard, serving with Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff. When Lorenzo was sustained as president, it was 1890. The Church was in financial turmoil. They were 2 million dollars in debt, and the saints crops were dying because it has not rained in a long time. Lorenzo received guidance from the Lord, and addressed to the saints about tithing. Tithing was introduced during Joseph's time, but was not upheld well. Lorenzo promised the saints that if they paid an honest tithe, (10% of their income) the Lord will bless them with rain. The saints had faith and paid an honest tithe, and a month later, the Lord blessed them with rain. In turn, the Church's debt was lowered to a manageable level.
Lorenzo Snow was loved by the saints, and he worked very hard his entire life. He died of pneumonia on October 10, 1901.

Mormonism and Tithing

In Mormonism, tithing is something that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in, is when someone earns, lets say $100. He or she gives $10 to the church and keeps the rest to him or herself. Generally, you pay 10% of your income to the church.
Tithing was first introduced after Joseph Smith first established the church. It wasn't heavily enforced, recommended, nor up kept until when the Prophet Lorenzo Snow came around. The Latter-day Saints were forced out of Illinois in 1846 and they migrated to a territory which is now known as Utah. They were able to live there for a while, after afflictions from the government about polygamy, the church became in debt. In the 1890's, the church was $2 million in debt, and the saints crops were dying because of a drought. Lorenzo Snow received a revelation about tithing, and he began to preach to the church concerning tithing, and promised them that if everybody pays a full tithe, the Lord will bless them with rain. A month after the saints began paying an honest tithe, they were blessed with heavy rains.
Tithing money is used in building new temples, church office buildings, family history centers, and church stake buildings and chapels.
Today, Utah is a florishing state, and many members in the state, the country, and in the whole world, are paying a full tithe so they can receive blessings and help in their troubles. I myself pay a full tithe and I have a testimony that you will be blessed if you pay an honest tithe.