The following is an address entitled The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints To The World by John R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund, "In behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, March 26, 1907" which was "adopted by vote of the Church, in General Conference, April 5, 1907."
The tithing system of the Church,
so often denounced as oppressive, and as imposing an arbitrary ecclesiastical
tax, is in reality a system of free-will offerings. True, the members, by the
law of the Church, are under moral obligation to pay one-tenth of their
interest annually. But from the very nature of the principles on which churches
exist, they being voluntary associations for the fostering of spiritual life,
and the achievement of moral and charitable ends--in which associations
membership cannot he compelled--there is no compulsory means of collecting this
or any other church revenue. Tithing is a voluntary offering for religious and
charitable purposes, and not a scheme of extortion for the enrichment of the
higher officials. Service in the interest of the Church is given, for the most
part, without monetary compensation; where compensation is allowed it is
moderate; the high Church officials are not rich, but in the majority of cases
are men of limited means, and where it is otherwise their wealth did not come
from the tithes of the people;--these facts are a complete refutation of the
slander that our tithing is a system of extortion practiced upon the people for
the enrichment of the priesthood. Like the Church government throughout, the
tithing system operates upon the principle of free will and the consent of
those who hold the faith to be divine. (pp. 9-10)
