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Letter: LDS tithing lawsuit brings up a question: Given the church’s wealth, is tithing still necessary?

As thoroughly detailed in two recent issues of The Tribune (Jan. 16 and Jan. 18), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is currently facing a lawsuit initiated by former member James Huntsman based on failing to disclose how his tithing contributions would be used; for example, investing in risky commercial projects, including the failing Beneficial Life Insurance company, and financing the development of the downtown Salt Lake City shopping complex known as City Creek Center.

Huntsman’s lawsuit was buoyed in part on an LDS whistleblower revealing the church’s investment arm, Ensign Peak Advisors, had amassed over $100 billion in undisclosed secular business ventures.

LDS members contribute 10% of their annual income. It’s a religious principle that’s been around since early biblical times. For example, the Israelites were required to pay the value of a tenth of their crops and livestock (Leviticus 27:30-32). Since, it’s been either a voluntary or required element of universal religious worship. A full 10% is required of LDS members who face a dire consequence for failing to conform. That being incapable of achieving the highest level of heaven without paying it.

Whether or not the lawsuit succeeds, an additional concern by members might revolve around why the church continues to insist on paying a full 10%.

A current massive cache of billions of readily available assets appears more than adequate to run the affairs of the LDS faith without requiring the same high level of member donations. If I was a member, I might respectively suggest reducing the current tithing requirement to 5%, or nothing at all, until and if the reserve is no longer sufficient, which now appears unlikely far into the future.

Raymond A. Hult, Bountiful, Utah

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