Why Mormons

Category: Money and Church Expectations

Covers financial practices such as tithing, offerings, welfare programs, and expectations related to money, responsibility, and service within the Church.

  • Why Do Mormons Pay Tithing?

    Why Do Mormons Pay Tithing?

    For many people encountering Latter-day Saints for the first time, the practice of tithing raises immediate curiosity. Why would someone willingly give ten percent of their income to a church? Is it a requirement, a cultural expectation, or a form of financial pressure? In a world where money is often associated with security, independence, and personal freedom, voluntarily parting with a portion of one’s income can seem counterintuitive.

    For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, tithing is not primarily about money. It is about priorities, trust, and relationship with God. Paying tithing is understood as a commandment that teaches faith, gratitude, and reliance on divine guidance rather than solely on personal resources.

    Rather than being viewed as a financial obligation imposed by an institution, tithing is seen as a spiritual practice that helps individuals place God at the center of their lives. It is a deliberate reminder that material blessings are temporary, while spiritual commitments have eternal significance.

    For Latter-day Saints, paying tithing represents trust in God’s promises and a willingness to participate in building His work on earth. Understanding this practice requires looking beyond numbers and finances to explore faith, discipline, generosity, and accountability.

    What Is Tithing?

    Tithing is defined in Latter-day Saint teaching as giving one-tenth of one’s income to God through His Church. This principle is not viewed as a modern invention but as a commandment with ancient roots that spans thousands of years of religious history.

    Latter-day Saints believe that tithing was practiced by faithful believers in biblical times and was reaffirmed through modern revelation. This continuity connects present-day practice with scriptural tradition, reinforcing the belief that tithing is a timeless principle rather than a temporary policy.

    Funds collected through tithing are used to support the operation of the Church worldwide. This includes maintaining meetinghouses and temples, funding missionary work, supporting educational institutions, and providing humanitarian aid. Importantly, the Church operates without a paid local clergy, making tithing central to its ability to function.

    A Biblical Principle

    Tithing appears throughout scripture as an act of devotion and acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. Biblical figures offered a portion of their increase as a symbol of gratitude and obedience.

    For Latter-day Saints, these scriptural examples establish tithing as an expression of faith rather than a transactional exchange. Giving a portion back to God is seen as recognizing Him as the source of all blessings.

    This scriptural foundation helps members see tithing as part of a long-standing covenantal relationship between God and His people.

    Modern Application

    While rooted in ancient scripture, tithing is believed to continue today through modern revelation and living prophets. Latter-day Saints believe God still guides His Church and reaffirms eternal principles for contemporary circumstances.

    This belief allows tithing to remain relevant in a modern economic world while maintaining its spiritual purpose. The practice adapts to different cultures and economies while preserving its core principle of sacrifice and faith.

    Tithing as an Act of Faith

    One of the most significant reasons Latter-day Saints pay tithing is that it is viewed as an act of faith. Giving ten percent of income often requires trust, especially during times of financial strain or uncertainty.

    Paying tithing can feel challenging when resources are limited. For this reason, it is often described as a test of faith and obedience rather than a convenient practice. Members are encouraged to trust that God understands their needs and will provide in ways that may not always be immediate or obvious.

    This practice helps believers develop spiritual discipline, humility, and reliance on God rather than solely on personal effort or financial security.

    Trust in God

    Tithing is a tangible expression of trust in God’s care and provision. By choosing to pay tithing, members symbolically place God before material concerns.

    This act reinforces the belief that God is aware of individual circumstances and capable of sustaining those who seek to follow Him. Trust developed through tithing often extends into other areas of life, strengthening overall faith.

    Faith Before Fear

    Latter-day Saints are encouraged to prioritize faith over financial anxiety. While careful budgeting and responsibility are valued, fear is not meant to guide decisions about tithing.

    This mindset helps individuals confront fear of scarcity and replace it with confidence in divine care. Over time, paying tithing becomes less about calculation and more about conviction.

    Blessings Associated With Tithing

    Latter-day Saints believe God promises blessings to those who faithfully pay tithing. However, these blessings are not understood as guaranteed financial returns or material wealth.

    Blessings associated with tithing are often spiritual, emotional, or relational in nature. Members frequently describe feelings of peace, clarity, and reassurance that come from faithful obedience.

    This understanding helps prevent tithing from becoming transactional or conditional.

    Spiritual Prosperity

    Spiritual prosperity is often cited as one of the most consistent blessings of tithing. Members report increased faith, gratitude, and trust in God.

    Other blessings may include improved decision-making, a sense of purpose, and emotional stability. These outcomes are seen as evidence of God’s involvement in daily life rather than financial gain.

    Supporting the Work of the Church

    Tithing enables the Church to function on a global scale. Without relying on a professional clergy, the Church depends on voluntary service supported by tithing funds.

    Members view their contributions as direct participation in God’s work. Paying tithing allows individuals to support missionary efforts, temple construction, educational initiatives, and humanitarian aid worldwide.

    This collective effort fosters unity and shared responsibility among members.

    Global Impact

    Tithing supports a worldwide church operating in diverse cultural and economic contexts. Funds help build and maintain places of worship, support disaster relief, and provide assistance to those in need.

    Members often feel a sense of connection to the global Church, knowing their contributions help others far beyond their local congregation.

    Accountability and Personal Choice

    Latter-day Saints are encouraged to evaluate their own honesty in paying tithing. The Church does not audit individual finances or enforce compliance through punishment.

    Instead, tithing is framed as a matter of personal integrity and conscience. Members periodically declare whether they consider themselves full tithe payers, emphasizing self-accountability rather than external enforcement.

    This approach reinforces agency and sincerity in religious practice.

    Personal Commitment

    Paying tithing reflects an individual’s relationship with God. It is a personal commitment that varies in meaning and experience from person to person.

    Some view tithing as a spiritual milestone, others as a steady habit of faith. In all cases, it is meant to be voluntary and heartfelt rather than coerced.

    Compassion and Financial Realities

    The Church recognizes that members face a wide range of financial circumstances. Leaders emphasize that God understands individual challenges and that compassion should guide teaching about tithing.

    Members experiencing financial hardship are not condemned. Instead, the Church provides assistance programs, counseling, and support to help individuals and families meet basic needs.

    This compassionate approach reinforces the belief that tithing is about faith, not financial strain.

    God Knows Individual Needs

    Latter-day Saints believe God is aware of each person’s situation. Tithing is taught with empathy, recognizing that obedience looks different across life stages and circumstances.

    This belief helps members approach tithing with sincerity rather than guilt or fear.

    Common Misunderstandings

    A common misunderstanding is that tithing is payment for blessings. Latter-day Saints reject this idea, believing blessings come through God’s grace, not financial transactions.

    Another misconception is that tithing exists to enrich the Church. Members view it as supporting sacred purposes rather than accumulating wealth.

    These misunderstandings often arise when tithing is viewed through a purely financial lens rather than a spiritual one.

    Why This Belief Matters

    Paying tithing shapes spiritual priorities and reinforces trust in God. It teaches generosity, gratitude, and reliance on divine guidance rather than material security.

    For believers, tithing is a tangible expression of discipleship. It reflects confidence in God’s promises and commitment to living a faith-centered life.

    Ultimately, tithing matters because it transforms how individuals view money, responsibility, and trust. It shifts focus from possession to purpose and from fear to faith.

    Sources

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gospel Topics: Tithing
    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org

    Doctrine and Covenants Central – Law of Tithing
    https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org

    Church News – Tithing and Faith
    https://www.thechurchnews.com

    Scripture Central
    https://scripturecentral.org

  • Why Do Mormons Encourage Early Marriage?

    Why Do Mormons Encourage Early Marriage?

    For many young adults in Western societies, marriage is often viewed as something to postpone until every personal, financial, and professional goal has been achieved. Against this backdrop, the idea that Latter-day Saints encourage early marriage can seem surprising or even countercultural. Some assume it reflects pressure, outdated expectations, or a disregard for personal development. In reality, the encouragement of early marriage within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is rooted in a very different set of priorities.

    Rather than seeing marriage as a reward at the end of adulthood, Latter-day Saints often view it as a foundational commitment that helps shape adulthood itself. Marriage is understood as a sacred covenant that provides spiritual stability, moral grounding, and structured opportunities for growth. When entered into thoughtfully and prayerfully, marriage is believed to strengthen faith, clarify purpose, and support a Christ-centered life.

    Encouraging early marriage does not mean rushing into marriage without preparation or discernment. Instead, it reflects a belief in commitment, responsibility, and intentional relationships. Early marriage is valued not as an obligation, but as a meaningful choice that can help individuals grow together rather than separately during formative years.

    Understanding why Latter-day Saints encourage early marriage requires exploring how marriage functions as a spiritual foundation, a source of stability, an eternal covenant, and a framework for purposeful living.

    Marriage as a Spiritual Foundation

    Latter-day Saints believe marriage provides one of the strongest foundations for spiritual growth. A committed partnership creates a daily environment where faith is practiced, tested, and strengthened in real and practical ways.

    Marriage encourages shared spiritual habits such as prayer, scripture study, worship, and service. When two people commit to building their lives together around shared beliefs, faith becomes woven into everyday routines rather than treated as a separate or occasional activity.

    Marriage is also viewed as a setting where individuals learn Christlike attributes through lived experience. Love, patience, forgiveness, humility, and sacrifice are not merely taught in theory but practiced consistently within the relationship.

    Growth Through Commitment

    Commitment plays a crucial role in emotional and spiritual maturity. Latter-day Saints believe that committing to another person encourages individuals to move beyond self-centered decision-making and develop greater responsibility and empathy.

    Through commitment, individuals learn to navigate differences, resolve conflict, and persevere through challenges. These experiences promote emotional resilience and spiritual depth.

    Early marriage allows this process of growth to begin earlier, helping individuals mature alongside their spouse rather than waiting until later stages of life.

    Shared Discipleship

    Marriage is seen as a form of shared discipleship. Spouses are believed to support one another in following Jesus Christ, encouraging faithfulness, integrity, and service.

    Rather than walking the path of discipleship alone, married couples are taught to strengthen one another spiritually. This shared journey can provide accountability, encouragement, and motivation during times of doubt or difficulty.

    Shared discipleship is a key reason marriage is viewed as spiritually beneficial, particularly when entered into with intention and preparation.

    Moral and Emotional Stability

    Young adulthood is often a time of significant transition, uncertainty, and vulnerability. Latter-day Saints frequently encourage early marriage as a way to establish moral and emotional stability during this formative period.

    A committed marital relationship can provide consistent emotional support, companionship, and structure. Marriage offers a context where individuals feel accountable to shared values and long-term goals.

    This stability is believed to help individuals avoid destructive behaviors, impulsive decisions, and aimlessness. Instead, marriage encourages focus, discipline, and purpose.

    Purposeful Living

    Marriage encourages purposeful living by shifting priorities from short-term gratification to long-term responsibility. Married couples are more likely to plan intentionally, consider future consequences, and align daily choices with shared goals.

    This sense of purpose influences decisions related to education, employment, finances, and service. Life becomes oriented around building something enduring rather than navigating life alone.

    For many Latter-day Saints, early marriage provides clarity and direction during years that might otherwise feel uncertain or fragmented.

    Mutual Accountability

    Marriage creates mutual accountability. Spouses help one another stay aligned with shared values, commitments, and moral standards.

    This accountability is not meant to be controlling or restrictive, but supportive. Having someone who cares deeply about one’s well-being and spiritual direction can be a powerful influence for good.

    Mutual accountability helps couples grow together, reinforcing positive habits and encouraging resilience.

    Eternal Perspective on Marriage

    One of the most distinctive reasons Latter-day Saints encourage early marriage is their belief that marriage can be eternal. Marriage is not viewed as ending at death, but as a covenant that can extend beyond mortal life.

    Because of this eternal perspective, marriage is seen as one of the most significant decisions a person can make. Entering into marriage earlier allows couples to build their lives around this covenant from the beginning of adulthood.

    Rather than fitting marriage into an already established life, early marriage allows life decisions to be shaped around the marriage covenant.

    Building Eternally

    Marriage is viewed as an eternal investment rather than a temporary arrangement. Decisions about education, work, finances, and family are made with eternal goals in mind.

    Early marriage allows couples to grow, learn, and progress together over a longer period of shared life. Experiences, sacrifices, and successes are shared rather than accumulated separately.

    This long-term perspective reinforces the value placed on early commitment when entered into thoughtfully and prayerfully.

    Education, Preparation, and Balance

    Although early marriage is encouraged, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints places strong emphasis on preparation, education, and personal readiness. Marriage is not promoted as something to enter casually or impulsively.

    Members are encouraged to develop spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually before marriage. Education, skill development, and personal growth are seen as important components of responsible adulthood.

    Early marriage is presented as an ideal balanced with wisdom rather than a rigid rule.

    Preparation Matters

    Marriage decisions are expected to be prayerful, informed, and intentional. Individuals are encouraged to seek personal revelation, counsel, and self-reflection before committing to marriage.

    Preparation includes understanding oneself, developing communication skills, learning emotional regulation, and building spiritual habits.

    This emphasis on preparation helps ensure that early marriage is approached with seriousness and maturity rather than haste.

    No Universal Timeline

    There is no required age or timeline for marriage within the Church. Early marriage is encouraged, but not mandated. Individuals are taught that God’s timing varies based on circumstances, readiness, and personal paths.

    Some may marry early, others later, and some may not marry during mortal life. All paths are respected when pursued faithfully.

    This flexibility reflects the Church’s emphasis on agency and individual revelation.

    Respect for Individual Circumstances

    Latter-day Saints recognize that life paths vary widely. Health, education, finances, personal development, and opportunities differ from person to person.

    Many faithful members marry later in life or never marry during mortality. Their faithfulness, worth, and spiritual success are not diminished by marital timing.

    The Church consistently teaches that marriage timing does not determine a person’s value or standing before God.

    Agency and Personal Revelation

    Agency is a central principle in Latter-day Saint belief. Individuals are encouraged to seek God’s guidance regarding when and whom to marry.

    Personal revelation allows individuals to make decisions that align with their circumstances and spiritual readiness. This approach respects individuality while maintaining shared values.

    Encouragement of early marriage does not replace personal inspiration but works alongside it.

    Common Misunderstandings

    A common misunderstanding is that early marriage is required or expected of all Latter-day Saints. In reality, it is encouraged but never mandated.

    Another misunderstanding is that early marriage discourages education or career development. Many Latter-day Saints pursue higher education, professional training, and career growth alongside marriage.

    Marriage is often viewed as complementary to personal development rather than an obstacle to it.

    These misunderstandings often arise from observing cultural patterns without understanding the underlying beliefs.

    Why This Belief Matters

    Encouraging early marriage reflects confidence in commitment, faith, and shared responsibility. It promotes intentional living, emotional maturity, and spiritual focus during formative years.

    For believers, marriage entered prayerfully and responsibly provides a foundation for faith, family life, and discipleship centered on Jesus Christ. It offers structure, purpose, and companionship in navigating adulthood.

    Ultimately, encouraging early marriage reflects a worldview in which commitment is valued, relationships are purposeful, and spiritual growth is best pursued together rather than alone.

    Sources

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Gospel Topics: Marriage
    https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org

    Doctrine and Covenants Central – Eternal Marriage
    https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org

    Church News – Marriage and Young Adults
    https://www.thechurchnews.com

    Scripture Central
    https://scripturecentral.org