The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-20
USE OF TITHING FUNDS.
20 the Editor of The Herara.


To the Editor of The Herald
The recent campaign of the authorities
OF the Mormon church in Behalf of the
institution of tithing. in which 1t has been
copiousiy expounded and infinitely VEN
tilated and diSsected in a most pains
taking manner. has been fruitful of much
anxious earnest and varied speculation
as to the history of the application of the
principal, the uses to which the revenues
received through this ample avenue have
been applied and the ultimate fate of the
funds and property thus collected.
IL has been matter OF much earnest
inquiry and patient solicitude on the part
of many conscientious devotees of the
faith. as TO just where, how and in what
manner the vast revenue that has been
received during the past, through this
potent and worthy fundamentally of the
church, has been applied.
1t will be conceded that the members
of the Mormon church throughout the
various wards and stakes of Zion have
been henevolently yielding out of the in
crease OF their worldly Accommodations,
upon an average OF not less than S6oO.0O
per annum. for many years past There
fore. 70 know precisely 10 what purpose
these enormous yearly contributions Is
devoted. naturally and logically becomes
a matter of much sincere concern and
of all who thus contribute TO the tenn
poral upbuilding of the Kingdom OF
heaven upon earth.
The writer. however is not oblivious
eventful career of the church since the
revelation OF tithing was first COM
municated to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
that there has been imperiously enjoyed
upon the congregation Of the faithful. the
primary and paramount obligation of
paying one-tenth of their increase 20 the
may be made of the property, insisting
that the duty of the giver was wholly dis
charged and the end of the revelation at
tanned in respect thereto by such contri-
ms thpV
givers. could in no wise be held response
BILE for unlawful diversions of the funds.
derelictlon OF duty. or untaithful steward
ship. The truth of this statement viii
be confirmed by the universal experience
and observation of all good churchmen;
therefore for the most part during the
past history of the church. the people
having had the other Statutory and in
diSpenSible principal of obedience deeply
instilled into their hearts. and perhaps
in some instances through fear OF i'm
pairing their possibilities of salvation.
have refrained from inquiry as to the uses
their voluntary donations have been put,
seeming content to rely implicitly on the
good faith. honesty and integrity of the
custOdians of their property.
But il must be born in mind that con-
ditions have changed. that a new genera
tiOn has emerged on the theatre of af-
fairs and that many of the ancient scenes
and actors have passed away. This trans
formation. an all ecclesiastical organiza-
tons in their growth from infancy TO
latter periods has been followed by a
laudabie spirit of inquiry and liberalism,
that will continue to grow and expand
commensurate with the development of
the genius Of ecclesiastical democracy
among them. until absolute and untram-
meled liberty Of thought and expression
will be generously conceded upon all mat
tiers. religious as well as of political con-
sequence. therefore "A natural disposition
is now being manifested for Information
as TO the uses church funds, derived
through this source. have been put and
a general accounting in respect thereto.
To be entitled to this information it
would seem to be a natural and indie
feasible right resident in the Sow
ereign people. nay further it appears in
view of the democratic structure of the
church. il is not only their duty TO know.
but it is incumbent upon them to require
a yearly statement of the financial status
of the church. copies of which should be
furnished the bishops throughout Zion to
be presented in the presence. of their
respective congregations. This. | say.
is incumbent upon them. for otherwise
they may incur the displeasure of the AL
mighty in being unfaithful to the
charge in the use and manipulation OF
their talents. and meriting condemnation
By this means the people who gem
erously contribute from their hard
earned denominations. would become
enlightened as TO the distribution
OF their gifts, and the assurance of
knowing that the funds Were not mis-
appropriated by derelict officials. that
flourish more or less in all organizations
of men but that they were continuously
applied to the lofty and noble ends TO
which they were originally consecrated.
would be true source of genuine con-
ISOLATION and spiritual satisfaction.
The people are required to give of their
earnings freely and with open hearts. and
in Il spirit of gracious condescension,
otherwise their offerings are not wholly
acceptable unto the Lord. To attain this
cOnsumma ton and perfectability of heart,
il is indispensable that the judgment be
likewise instructed as to the avenues into
which their offerings are diverted. Com
mon prudence and human nature demand
this much.
The writer. who compliments himself
upon his identification with the dominant
church. was prompted to pen this con-
tribution because the authorities have
been criticised with more or less
vehemence by divers members of the
church for making certain uses of the
church property and funds, to which he
refused 10 give credence.
The impression obtains in some quar-
tiers, enjoying considerable currency. that
the Saltair resort was an enterprise built
and prosecuted by the moneys received
from tithing. likewise that Il large amount
of funds were invested in the electrical
power dam project in Ogden canyon. and
that the insOlvent condition of the
church. which has been lately revealed.
cf the church. If this be the case the
people ought to see to it that in the fu
ture their donations and offerings that
are so bounteously given. are devoted to
the purposes for which the institution of
tithing was established which is for the
upbuilding of Christs kingdom on
earth ana not for secular. mercenary and
speculative projects.
ELIJAH FARR.