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Do You Attend Tithing Settlement? - Page 2

That wasn't my focus, so much as the general attitude of obedience it represents. More than school or work, I want to make sure I don't make decisions in my spiritual life that would lead me to become complacent. Missing tithing settlement once is not a big thing in itself, but I know from past experience that if I allow myself to slip, or if I rationalize any degree of sin or laziness that I have not previously allowed in my life, I have a tendency to go downhill quite quickly. Attending tithing settlement is not a difficult part of the gospel to fulfill. Fifteen minutes, once a year. Now, that's my situation. Some people have circumstances that make it more difficult to attend. It's their choice. I want to stress that I'm not here to judge or interfere. But as for me, I fall in enough other ways that I want at least to maintain my obedience in the simple things I know I can do.

Settlement Tithing Attend Do

This I can understand and agree with wholeheartedly. If I do go to tithing settlement this year it will truly be only out of obedience.

Do You Attend Tithing Settlement? Studies Doctrine Mormon

As one who is currently serving as a Branch President (4 years) and having served continuously in both branch presidencies and bishoprics now for a total of 12 years, perhaps I could give the reader a viewpoint from the other side of the desk.

First of all, I strive to have members attend as families - with all members of the family present. It is a great "teaching moment" when a father and mother make their declaration in the privacy of my office and in the prescence of each other. Then each of the children is invited to do the same, right down to the youngest.

As a Branch President/Bishop I strive to make the experience a spiritual one. I stress that the tithing settlement appointment is not about accounting. It makes no difference to me at all how much the donations have been (the widow's mite always comes to mind). I also explain that even if they are planning on making additional contributions later in December, it makes no difference as to their declaration of tithing status. Their declaration is totally separate from the amount of money reported by the computer printout.

Certainly the member is encouraged to have already checked the printout with their own records and if there is a discrepancy, to please bring it to my attention (clerks can and do make mistakes) but what the meeting is really about is to give the member an opportunity once a year to bring the subject into sharp focus in their own mind and to acknowledge before the Lord's servant that they declare themselves to be in one of four categories, (1) Full tithe payer, (2) Part tithe payer, (3) Non tithe payer, or (4) Exempt.

One sobering fact for me (and all Bishops) is that if the member does not come in for settlement, then I am required to make my own judgement as to their appropriate status. I would much rather the member meet that responsibility!

My counsel? Don't ever fail to make and keep an appointment each December with your Bishop to discuss your current position on this most important subject. Sure, in your case he probably already knows what you're going to declare, but that's not the point. It is one of the ways that you show that you really meant it when you raised your hand to the square to sustain him as your priesthood leader.

Remember the concept, "return and report". That's what we're doing when we are obediant to this principal.

Page 2 Settlement Tithing Attend Do

We do attend every year, but I don't see why it is so important. It is only 15 minutes out of each of our schedules but what about the Bishop? Most Bishops are already worked to the bone as it is, why make them take all this additional time away from their families near the Holidays? The church is constantly evaluating all it's programs and procedures to try and improve family time. I can see a change in policy some day to eliminate tithing settlement, at least the way it is handled now. Here would be a possible letter from the First Presidency to be read in Sac meeting:

Bros and Sis:

In light of the challenges facing families in the world today, it is more important than ever that each of us ensures we are putting our own families above all other priorities. The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve are concerned with the great time responsibilities being placed on Bishops and Branch Presidents. After much prayer and fasting, we have concluded we need to give them more time to be with their families. Effective this year, several procedures will go into effect, one of which is the elimination of tithing settlement as we have done in the past. Each ward clerk will have available in the clerk's office the donations made by the members for their review. One will also be mailed to each member.


OK, so I'm not the best at writing but I think something similar to this may happen in the future. The only part missing is to declare whether you are full, part, or non tithe payer. I'm not sure how important that info is, besides, it is covered in your temple recomend interview.

Settlement Tithing Attend Do

Well, I think it is probably important for a part tithe payer to have a face to face declaration. It they pay something, but not fully, then they have shown a willingness to make an effort. Perhaps the Bishop or Branch President would be able to offer them the encouragement they need to begin paying a full tithe.

I think it is possibly a waste of time for full tithe payers, but I can see the benefit for those who struggle with it.

Do You Attend Tithing Settlement?

I believe everyone is forgetting some key points, we live in an imperfect world:

1. Tithing is not the only thing checked, what about encouragement for paying fast offering and other donations? The BP or Bishop can encourage members to donate to these other columns too.

2. What about honesty? I am talking on both sides. Sad to say not everyone is honest and having been in a District Presidency it happens at all levels... yes we DO NEED to verify the figures are correct, and if they are not then we must question why. Remember that tithes can be collected and handled by more than the Bishop, there is also the Counselors and in certain cases the Clerk.

3. What about confession? You may belive you are a full tithe payer, but through teaching come to understand you are not - this too allows the BP or Bishop some time for discernment.

Do Attend Tithing Settlement - Page 2

I would be very dissapointed if the Church ever stop Tithing Settlement. I do not see it as wasting my time or the time of the Bishop but all the opposite, I see it as an 'honor' and a great opportunity to remind me the importance of paying my tithing. I know I do not need tithing settlement to know I have to pay my tithes, but heck it feels good to say you're a full tithe payer and have that feeling of accomplishment in your heart!.

Do Attend Tithing Settlement Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 2

Regarding the amount of work Tithing Settlement makes for bishops, I would say a 15-minute interview with a family or individual is more convenient and less taxing than the responsibility of making a declaration for a family or individual that just decides not to show up. For a bishop who has genuine love and concern for his congregation, pleading with the Lord for these individuals to see what action he should take can be a heavy, yet instructive, burden. I am not only talking about determining the box he should check on the tithing settlement report - I am talking about determining what he needs to do as a bishop for the temporal and spiritual salvation of that family. At least in tithing settlement he can look into their eyes, understand their current situations, and more immediately understand what he needs to do for them as their ecclesiastical leader.