‘Tithing declaration’ to replace tithing settlement, First Presidency announces

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced changes to improve the tithing settlement process.

The term “tithing settlement” has now been changed to “tithing declaration.”

“This change emphasizes that the primary purpose of this interview is to provide members with an opportunity to declare their tithing faithfulness, not to ‘settle’ an account,” the First Presidency wrote in a letter to general and local priesthood leaders, dated Thursday, Aug. 11.

“The focus should be on the member’s covenant relationship with Heavenly Father and on teaching the spiritual nature of tithing, especially to children and youth.”

The Aug. 11 First Presidency letter added that tithing declaration interviews can now begin on Sept. 1 of each year “in order to offer bishops additional time to meet with families and individuals.”

The letter was signed by the First Presidency: President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring.

In the announcement published Thursday, Aug. 11, on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé said: “What a great blessing to have a time dedicated to discussing the divine law of the tithe.

“Tithing is an essential practice of Latter-day Saints, regardless of where they live, their social standing, or their material circumstances. By keeping this law, Church members receive spiritual and temporal blessings in their lives and help further the Church’s divine mission on earth.”

Latter-day Saint prophets and apostles have often promised the blessings that await all who exercise faith and pay tithing.

“To develop enduring faith, an enduring commitment to be a full-tithe payer is essential,” declared then-Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during his April 2011 general conference address.

“Initially it takes faith to tithe. Then the tithe payer develops more faith to the point that tithing becomes a precious privilege. Tithing is an ancient law from God. He made a promise to His children that He would open ‘the windows of heaven, and pour … out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it’ (Malachi 3:10).

“Not only that, tithing will keep your name enrolled among the people of God and protect you in ‘the day of vengeance and burning’” (Doctrine and Covenants 85:3).

In his April 1994 general conference talk, then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught that the payment of tithing brings the individual tithe payer unique spiritual blessings.

“Tithe paying is evidence that we accept the law of sacrifice,” he said. “It also prepares us for the law of consecration and the other higher laws of the celestial kingdom.”