For those then who are struggling in these difficult times, please consider Lorenzo Snow’s comments in 1899. The church uses this and the teachings of President Lorenzo Snow to preach tithing to members.
Every Man, Woman and Child Who Has Means Shall Pay Tithing
I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and I pray that every man, woman, and child who has means shall pay one-tenth of their income as a tithing.
Lorenzo Snow, 1899, LDS Church President
In Conference Report, Oct. 1899, 28
https://archive.org/details/conferencereport1899sa/page/28/mode/2up
Every Man, Woman and Child Shall Pay Tithing
This quote is mangled in most church manuals with an ellipsis in order to remove a qualifying clause ‘who has means,’ thus changing the meaning from ‘those who can afford it, should pay tithing,’ to ‘everyone must pay tithing.’
I plead with you in the name of the Lord, and I pray that every man, woman and child … shall pay one-tenth of their income as a tithing.
2013 Sunday School Manual, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 12: Tithing, a Law for Our Protection and Advancement
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-lorenzo-snow/chapter-12-tithing-a-law-for-our-protection-and-advancement
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/language-materials/36787_eng.pdf
The original quote from Lorenzo Snow includes the crucial phrase “who has means,” making it clear that his plea for tithing applied specifically to those who could afford to pay. This acknowledges that some members might be financially struggling and implicitly allows for exemptions based on personal circumstances.
However, the modern version deliberately removes “who has means” using an ellipsis, creating the impression that everyone, regardless of financial situation, is obligated to pay tithing. This subtle yet powerful alteration changes the meaning of Snow’s statement, making it far more coercive and absolute. Instead of a plea for those with financial stability to contribute, it becomes an unqualified demand for all members, including the poor, to give—even if doing so puts them in financial hardship.
This kind of deliberate misrepresentation is deeply misleading and taints the integrity of an organization that twists its own history to better serve its financial goals. If the Church were truly led by divine truth, why would it need to manipulate past leaders’ words to impose a stricter financial obligation? Such behavior is characteristic of organizations that prioritize control and obedience over honesty and transparency. It also exemplifies an “ends justify the means” mentality often found in high-demand religious groups and cults, where maintaining institutional authority takes precedence over ethical concerns.
With this update, the quote is brought more in alignment with the current church leaders who urge all members, even those in poverty, to pay their required church tithes. The leaders say specifically that they should pay the church before buying groceries to feed their family or before paying rent. The leaders paradoxically that these poor members can’t afford not to pay tithing.
Hundred Billion Is More Than Sufficient
The Church, of course, does not mention that it has amassed hundreds of billions of dollars in financial reserves—an amount so vast that it could fund its operations, humanitarian efforts, and infrastructure for generations without requiring additional tithing from its members. This staggering wealth raises serious questions, especially when considering how the Church continues to demand tithing from even its poorest members, often citing it as a requirement for spiritual blessings and temple access. While families struggle to make ends meet, sacrificing necessities to remain in good standing, the Church quietly accumulates immense financial resources, far beyond what is necessary to sustain its religious and charitable functions.
Adding to the hypocrisy, past Church leaders have explicitly stated that there would come a day when tithing would no longer be required because the Church’s reserves would be sufficient to meet its needs. Yet, rather than fulfilling that vision, the institution has moved in the opposite direction—continuing to collect tithing from members while simultaneously growing its wealth through investments, real estate, and stock holdings. Instead of offering relief to struggling members, the Church hoards its riches, all while reinforcing the narrative that financial sacrifice is a divine mandate. This contradiction exposes a troubling reality: the institution prioritizes its own financial growth over the well-being of its members, perpetuating an unnecessary financial burden under the guise of religious devotion.
Church representatives have even stated that the church hid their reserve funds (even though it was illegal) to keep members from realizing that the tithing was not needed.
When we take all of this into account, it becomes clear that the Church is more invested in growing its wealth than in truly caring for its members—or even allowing members to prioritize their own needs. While the institution continues to amass staggering financial reserves, everyday members are told that paying tithing, even when it causes financial hardship, is an essential test of faith. The Church rationalizes that tithing is about obedience rather than money, but if obedience were truly the goal, why place such a heavy burden on the poor? There is no shortage of commandments meant to teach faithfulness and sacrifice, so why insist on one that disproportionately harms the most vulnerable?
Meanwhile, the same leaders who preach this doctrine of financial sacrifice receive what they call a “modest” living allowance—but in reality, it is a very healthy salary compared to the average member. While faithful tithe-payers struggle to make rent, put food on the table, or save for medical emergencies, Church leaders live comfortably, shielded from the very hardships they impose on others. If tithing were truly about sacrifice, why do those at the top remain untouched by the financial strain that so many members endure? This glaring inconsistency exposes the reality that tithing has become less about supporting the faith and more about ensuring the Church’s financial empire continues to expand unchecked.
Your Story Matters
For those who have begun questioning their faith, these tithing misquotes and financial misdeeds can be a major wake-up call. Many members were led to believe that the Church operates with pure intentions, only to discover that it selectively edits past teachings and manipulates scripture to serve its own financial interests. If learning these truths has affected your testimony, you are not alone. Many former members have had to confront the unsettling realization that the Church is not what it claimed to be.
If the Church is willing to twist its own history to justify financial exploitation, then it will also rewrite the stories of those who leave. You have the power to share your truth before they tell it for you. If tithing, financial deception, or other manipulative teachings played a role in your faith transition, consider sharing your Mormon deconstruction story. A great place to do so is wasmormon.org, a platform dedicated to collecting and amplifying the voices of those who have left. By speaking out, we ensure that the truth is heard—not just by those who, like us, are searching for something more, but also by those still struggling or even oblivious in the Church.
More reading:
- The Tithing … Ellipsis
- Tithing vs Feeding Children
- The Prosperity Gospel and Tithing
- Elder Anderson claims “We Are Not a Wealthy People”
- Will the Church Ever Have Sufficient To Stop Requiring Tithing?
- Does Tithing Break the Poverty Cycle?
- The Church Wants Your Unfaithful Children’s Inheritance
- The Mormon-Canadian-BYU Billion Dollar Tithing Funnel
- Whistleblowing On the Mormon 100 Billion “Rainy-Day Fund”
- Mormon Church Ripping off Millions of Dollars from Australia
- Development of Mormon Tithing – From Meager Origins to Ensign Peak Billions
- Why the Mormon Church Hid Billions of Dollars of Investments?
- Bednar’s Evasive $300 Billion Answer Only Raises More Questions
- Analyzing Henry B. Eyring’s Paystub
- Are Mormon Church Leaders Paid?
- How Much Are Mormon Church Leaders Compensated?
- How Much is a Modest Living Allowance for Mormon Apostles? How Much Do LDS Church Leaders Get Paid?