The Prosperity Gospel and Tithing

What is the Mormon Prosperity Gospel?

The prosperity gospel of Mormonism reflects a mindset that righteous living leads to temporal prosperity or the idea that links material wealth and success directly with divine favor.

Though not an official doctrine of the church, elements of this mindset are found in Mormon culture and teachings. It is influenced by broader “prosperity gospel” ideas seen in evangelical Christianity, but with some distinct LDS theological undertones.

The scriptures contain many evidences of the Lord’s willingness to prosper his people with the riches of the earth when they demonstrate that they will use this abundance prudently, with humility and charity, always acknowledging the source of their blessings…

It is one thing to look back upon the events of history. It is another to regard our own time. We have the Lord’s assurance that he will bless and prosper his people if they will keep his commandments and remember to look to him as the source of their blessings.

On the other hand, we must not forget that these blessings are conditional. As King Limhi warned his people, “For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them” (Mosiah 7:29)…

As the world continues to ripen in iniquity, our lives of necessity must become increasingly different from the world and its standard. It will be a great challenge for us. We must be better than we have ever been before. As we succeed, we have the sure promise of the Lord that he will prosper us in every way necessary for our well-being.

Elder Dean L. Larsen, Presidency of the Seventy, The Lord Will Prosper the Righteous, General Conference October 1992
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1992/10/the-lord-will-prosper-the-righteous

Elements of the Mormon Prosperity Gospel

1. Obedience and Blessings
   In Mormonism, there is a strong emphasis on the concept of obedience to God’s commandments resulting in both spiritual and temporal blessings. Scriptural references, such as those found in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants, often reinforce the idea that righteousness leads to prosperity. For instance, Mosiah 2:41 speaks of those who keep the commandments being “blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual.” This can easily translate into the belief that material success is evidence of one’s faithfulness.
2. Tithing and Financial Success
   Tithing is a central principle in Mormon practice, where members are expected to give 10% of their income to the church. LDS teachings frequently emphasize that paying tithing faithfully opens the windows of heaven and leads to financial security, as per the promise in Malachi 3:10. Many members believe that paying tithing will result in personal financial stability and success, reinforcing the idea that obedience leads to material wealth.
3. Self-Reliance and Prosperity
   Mormonism has a long-standing tradition of encouraging self-reliance, industry, and hard work, which are seen as virtues that bring about both spiritual growth and material success. The LDS Church teaches that temporal self-reliance is part of God’s plan, with statements from leaders emphasizing that God blesses those who work hard and manage their finances wisely. This can foster the belief that prosperity is a natural outcome of righteousness, discipline, and personal effort.
4. Covenant Theology
   The LDS concept of making and keeping covenants (sacred promises between individuals and God) underpins much of the prosperity mindset. Mormon teachings suggest that those who make and keep covenants with God (through ordinances such as baptism, temple marriage, etc.) will be blessed not only with spiritual rewards in the afterlife but also with temporal success in this life. This ties into the idea that a covenant-keeping life brings God’s favor in tangible ways, like wealth or professional success.
5. Generational Wealth and Legacy
   Mormonism places strong emphasis on family and generational legacy. The idea that faithful, prosperous parents will raise successful, blessed children is an extension of the prosperity mindset. It reflects a belief that one’s righteousness can result in continued blessings for future generations, materially and spiritually.
6. American Influence and “Manifest Destiny”
   Mormonism, having originated in the 19th-century American frontier, has elements of the American dream and “Manifest Destiny” embedded within it. Early Mormon pioneers viewed their expansion and material success as part of God’s plan for them to build Zion—a prosperous, godly society. This cultural legacy continues to influence some Mormons today, as the prosperity of the Church and its members is seen as part of their divine purpose.

The wealth and success of prominent Mormon families and church leaders reinforces the belief that material success is evidence of divine favor, creating a cultural expectation that prosperity is tied to righteousness. This often leads to feelings of inadequacy or judgment for those who struggle financially, as well as an unhealthy focus on outward success as a measure of spiritual worth.

“It is the purpose of God in restoring the gospel and the holy Priesthood not only to benefit mankind spiritually, but also to benefit them temporally. The Lord has expressed this many times, in the word that he gave to his servant Joseph Smith, the prophet; he designed that his people should become the richest of all people. And this not only means the richest of all people in heavenly gifts in spiritual blessings and riches, but it also means that the people of God shall be the richest of all people with regard to temporal matters. If faithful, we have a right to claim the blessings of the Lord upon the labor of our hands, our temporal labors.”

Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, page 261.

Hypothetical Example

Emily, a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has always followed the teachings of the church and made covenants with God. She consistently pays her tithing, attends the temple regularly, and participates in church service. Over the years, Emily’s family experiences significant financial success. Her husband’s business flourishes, and they are able to purchase a large home, take vacations, and provide their children with excellent educational opportunities.

Due to a prosperity gospel mindset, Emily believes that her family’s financial success is a direct result of their obedience to church principles, particularly their dedication to tithing and covenant keeping. She feels that God has rewarded their righteousness with prosperity. When others in her ward struggle financially, she privately wonders if her own family is not keeping all of the commandments or exercising enough faith. This mindset leads her to view material success as an outward indicator of God’s favor, and she may unintentionally judge those who are less successful as less faithful.

This belief in the connection between faithfulness and material success strengthens her commitment to the church, but it also leads her to undervalue the spiritual and personal trials that others might face. She might struggle to empathize with those whose hardships, such as poverty or illness, are not resolved by obedience, inadvertently fostering a sense of superiority based on her family’s material wealth. She would inevitably believe that those suffering from poverty are simply reaping the rewards of their own unrighteousness.

Church Equates Tithing and Prosperity

The church regularly uses stories of those who pay their tithing despite their own poverty, and receive immediate temporal blessings and relief.

Pay Tithing On What You Want To Earn

When we’re desperate to be guided by heaven, we work harder than ever to tune in to heaven. When we’re desperate to be physically healthy, we eat and exercise accordingly. No excuses! When we’re desperate to have more money, we eagerly follow the Lord’s law of finances—which is, of course, tithing!

Consider President George Q. Cannon’s approach to tithing when he was an impoverished young man. When his bishop commented on the large amount of tithing poor young George was paying, George said something like: “Oh bishop, I’m not paying tithing on what I make. I’m paying tithing on what I want to make.” And the very next year George earned exactly the amount of money he had paid tithing on the year before! (See George Q. Cannon, “The Doctrine of Tithing,” Deseret Evening News, Aug. 19, 1899, 11)

Wendy Watson Nelson, Becoming the Person You Were Born to Be, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, January 10, 2016, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2016/01/becoming-the-person-you-were-born-to-be

Tithing or Tuition? Where Will You Trust?

Let me share an experience from a noble Latter-day Saint in São Paulo, Brazil. She tells of her struggle between paying her tithing or her tuition. Here are her words:

“The university … prohibited the students that were in debt [or who had not paid their tuition] from taking tests.

“I remember a time when I … faced serious financial difficulties. It was a Thursday when I received my salary. When I figured the monthly budget, I noticed that there wouldn’t be enough to pay [both] my tithing and my university. I would have to choose between them. The bimonthly tests would start the following week, and if I didn’t take them, I could lose the school year. I felt great agony. … My heart ached.”

Here was a direct conflict between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. Even though you are very good and righteous, you will find in your life, if you are truthful with yourself, that your heart will ache as you feel some of these conflicts coming up before you.

I return to her story. First, she paid her tithing on Sunday. The following Monday she recounted what happened:

“The working period was ending when my employer approached and gave the last orders of the day. … Suddenly, he halted, and asked, ‘How is your college?’ [She described him as a harsh man, and all she could say was:] ‘Everything is all right!’”

He then left. Suddenly the secretary entered the room. She said, “The employer has just said that from today on, the company is going to pay fully for your college and your books. Before you leave, stop at my desk and inform me of the costs so that tomorrow I can give you the check.”

If you are perceptive, you will find that you are confronted with these types of tests many times throughout your life. Where will you put your trust?

Elder Neil L. Andersen, LDS Apostle, Wisdom, with a Large W, Commencement address delivered on April 10, 2009, at Brigham Young University–Idaho.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2013/01/reverence-for-god-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom?lang=eng
https://ing.byui.edu/devotionals/elder-neil-l-andersen-winter-2009

Can’t Pay Debt Until Paying Tithing First

We hear some these days who say that because of economic pressures they cannot afford to pay their tithing. I recall an experience I had as a stake president some years ago. A man whom I knew came to get his temple recommend signed. I questioned him in the usual way and asked, among other things, whether he was paying an honest tithing. He candidly replied that he was not, that he could not afford to because of his many debts. I felt impressed to tell him that he would not pay his debts until he paid his tithing.

He went along for a year or two in his normal way, and then made a decision. He talked about it some time later and he said: “What you told me has proved to be true. I felt I could not pay my tithing because of my debts. I discovered that no matter how hard I tried, somehow I could not manage to reduce my debt. Finally my wife and I sat down together and talked about it and concluded we would try the promise of the Lord. We have done so. And somehow in a way we can’t quite understand, the Lord has blessed us. We have not missed that which we have given to him, and for the first time in many years we are reducing our debt. We have come to the wisdom of budgeting our expenditures and of determining where our funds have been going. Because we now have a higher objective, we are able to curtail some of our appetites and desires. And above all of this, we feel we can now go to the house of the Lord with clear consciences as those deserving of this wonderful blessing.”

With all my heart, my brethren, I plead with the Latter-day Saints to live honestly with the Lord in the payment of tithes and offerings. I plead with you young men who are with us tonight to establish this habit while you are still young and to resolve to continue with it all the days of your lives. I plead with you who are Church officers to plead with the people for their benefit and blessing to increase their faithfulness in the payment of tithes and offerings.

There has been laid upon the Church a tremendous responsibility. Tithing is the source of income for the Church to carry forward its mandated activities. The need is always greater than the availability. God help us to be faithful in observing this great principle which comes from him with his marvelous promise.

Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS Church President, Tithing: An Opportunity to Prove Our Faithfulness, General Conference April 1982
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/04/tithing-an-opportunity-to-prove-our-faithfulness?lang=eng

Hinckley here also has the bold claim that for church and tithing, “the need is always greater than the availability.” What about the hundreds of billions of dollars in the slush funds today? Maybe he didn’t forsee how good the Ensign Peak Advisors would be at growing money secretly.

The Poor Can’t Afford Not To Pay Tithing

One reason the Lord illustrates doctrines with the most extreme circumstances is to eliminate excuses. If the Lord expects even the poorest widow to pay her mite, where does that leave all others who find that it is not convenient or easy to sacrifice?

No bishop, no missionary should ever hesitate or lack the faith to teach the law of tithing to the poor. The sentiment of “They can’t afford to” needs to be replaced with “They can’t afford not to.”

One of the first things a bishop must do to help the needy is ask them to pay their tithing. Like the widow, if a destitute family is faced with the decision of paying their tithing or eating, they should pay their tithing. The bishop can help them with their food and other basic needs until they become self-reliant.

Elder Lynn G. Robbins, LDS Seventy, Tithing—a Commandment Even for the Destitute, General Conference April 2005
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/tithing-a-commandment-even-for-the-destitute?lang=eng

Feed the Church, Not Your Children

After some events related to a civil war in Central America, my father’s business went bankrupt. He went from about 200 full-time employees to fewer than five sewing operators who worked as needed in the garage of our home. One day during those difficult times, I heard my parents discussing whether they should pay tithing or buy food for the children.

On Sunday, I followed my father to see what he was going to do. After our Church meetings, I saw him take an envelope and put his tithing in it. That was only part of the lesson. The question that remained for me was what we were going to eat.

Early Monday morning, some people knocked on our door. When I opened it, they asked for my father. I called for him, and when he arrived, the visitors told him about an urgent sewing order they needed as quickly as possible. They told him that the order was so urgent that they would pay for it in advance. That day I learned the principles of paying tithing and the blessings that follow.

Elder Valeri V. Cordón, LDS Seventy, The Language of the Gospel, General Conference April 2017
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/the-language-of-the-gospel?lang=eng

Temple Marriage and “Eternal Success”

In Mormonism, a temple marriage (or sealing) is viewed as essential for achieving the highest degree of exaltation. It is also strongly associated with the idea that a temple marriage will lead to a successful and happy family in this life and eternity. This is often accompanied by promises from church leaders that those who marry in the temple and keep their covenants will be blessed with a happy, stable family life, financial security, and eternal joy.

Some members may approach marriage and family life with the expectation that their temple sealing will guarantee blessings like financial stability, successful children, or a problem-free marriage. While the church teaches that faithfulness to temple covenants brings blessings, members with a prosperity gospel mindset may interpret this more literally: if they do everything “right” (marry in the temple, hold family home evenings, fulfill callings), God will automatically bless them with material and relational prosperity

For example, a young couple might get married in the temple believing that this act alone will ensure they never face serious challenges in their marriage or finances. They may feel that by strictly following the commandments and being active in the church, they will naturally receive temporal success in the form of financial prosperity, children who also stay in the church, and a smooth, happy family life.

When challenges arise—such as financial struggles, marital conflict, or a child leaving the church—members with this mindset might feel blindsided, questioning either their own worthiness or wondering why God has not delivered the blessings they believed they were promised.

Consider a Mormon family that has faithfully followed church teachings: both parents married in the temple, they pay a full tithe, fulfill their callings, and hold family home evenings. They may expect that these actions will result in their children being righteous and obedient, and also choosing to marry in the temple and remain faithful to the church. They might also expect that these actions will protect them from financial hardship or health issues.

However, if one of their children chooses to leave the church or if the family experiences a severe financial setback (such as a job loss or medical debt), the parents might feel that God hasn’t fulfilled His part of the deal. They may question why their faithfulness didn’t result in the promised blessings and may even feel guilt or confusion, believing that their challenges indicate some failure in their own righteousness.

This is similar to the prosperity gospel mindset, where a strong emphasis is placed on the idea that righteousness equals guaranteed blessings. The focus shifts from seeing these practices as ways to grow spiritually or serve others, to seeing them as transactions meant to secure personal rewards—whether those rewards are in the form of financial prosperity, family unity, or even avoiding life’s challenges.

In this scenario, the prosperity gospel mindset leads to disappointment and confusion when life doesn’t align with the expected material or relational blessings, because the motivation for religious observance was not just faith but a perceived guarantee of reward.

The prosperity gospel fosters the belief that material wealth is directly tied to faithfulness and divine favor, which can lead to spiritual pride or judgment of others. It creates unrealistic expectations that financial success or blessings will always follow religious devotion, leaving those who don’t experience prosperity feeling abandoned or less worthy. The mindset also blurs the line between genuine faith and financial or personal gain, leading to spiritual harm when prosperity does not manifest as expected. The mindset manifests in the way ordinances, covenants, callings, temple work, and other religious practices in Mormonism are often pursued with a primary focus on personal reward, either immediate or eternal.

The core belief is that righteous acts will directly result in personal reward, whether in the form of material wealth, spiritual status, or eternal exaltation. This mindset diminishes the transformative, selfless aspect of faith, replacing it with a focus on “what’s in it for me?” When this occurs, the prosperity gospel creeps in, leading members to view church participation as a way to guarantee blessings rather than a path to spiritual fulfillment or serving others.

Dangers of Prosperity Gospel

While the prosperity gospel in Mormonism is not doctrinally explicit, it is shaped by a blend of teachings on obedience, self-reliance, covenant theology, and American ideals of success. It creates a mindset where prosperity and material success are often viewed as a sign of God’s favor and a reward for righteous living, though church leaders caution against letting wealth overshadow spiritual priorities. The idea of a prosperity gospel is indeed predatory, especially when it is used to manipulate or exploit people’s genuine desires for success, financial security, and spiritual well-being. It promotes unrealistic expectations, financial exploitation, and even victim-blaming. The prosperity gospel benefits those in power while leaving ordinary members disillusioned and even financially and emotionally worse off. The emphasis on personal reward diverts attention from the core values of love, compassion, humility, and true community support, making it harmful and contrary mindset to true faith.

Did or do you experience the prosperity gospel in the Mormon church? What did it teach you and did you see evidence of it making the church and its membership more selfish? Is the hundreds of billions of dollars the church illegally hid from members and the government another example of prosperity gospel gone wrong? Please share your thoughts, and if you’ve decided to step away from the church or struggled with your faith, please consider sharing your whole faith transition story at wasmormon.org today!

• https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/1c4m4pq/is_mormonism_a_prosperity_gospel/
• https://www.reddit.com/r/exmormon/comments/qiddst/my_first_shelf_item_mormonism_is_a_prosperity/
• https://bycommonconsent.com/2018/06/18/mormonism-and-the-prosperity-gospel/
• https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-24-no-3-2023/promise-prosperity
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1992/10/the-lord-will-prosper-the-righteous
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/04/the-language-of-the-gospel
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2005/04/tithing-a-commandment-even-for-the-destitute
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/04/tithing-an-opportunity-to-prove-our-faithfulness
• https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2013/01/reverence-for-god-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom