Conference Talk: For more information on this topic read “The Lord’s Richest Blessings,” by Carl B. Pratt, Ensign, May 2011, 101.
Thought:
Tithing is not a matter of money, really; it is a matter of faith—faith in the Lord. He promises blessings if we obey His commandments.
(Carl B. Pratt, “The Lord’s Richest Blessings,” Ensign, May 2011, 101.)
Scripture:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10)
Song:
“I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth” Children’s Songbook, p. 150.
Object Lesson:
For this object lesson, you will need ten pieces of candy. Before family scripture study, confide with a family member and explain that at some point during scripture study you will give him or her ten candies as a gift but then ask for one back. Tell the person to resist and refuse to give one back.
As your family gathers together, find some reason to give the candy to the particular family member as explained above. When the person refuses to give one candy back, ask your family to silently read 3 Nephi 24:8–12. Have them look for how these verses relate to the experience they just witnessed. Read these verses again, aloud as a family, and ask:
• Why do some people not pay tithing?
• What blessings will the Lord pour out upon a person who pays tithing?
• What are some blessings that are specifically mentioned in verses 11–12 and how can they be applied to our modern situations?
This is also a good time to explain how tithing is calculated (see D&C 119:4) and to testify of the law of tithing.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 309.)
Story:
“That First Tithing Receipt”
Spencer W. Kimball
When I was a little boy in Thatcher, Arizona, my father, desiring to teach his children industry, thrift, and tithing, turned over to my sister Alice and me a patch of potatoes that he had planted.
I hoed the weeds and helped to irrigate the potatoes until they were ready to dig. Then Alice and I dug and cleaned and sorted them. We took the larger ones of uniform size and put them in a box and loaded them in my little red wagon. Then, after putting on clean clothing, we pulled the little red wagon with its contents to town. We sold our merchandise to some of the neighbors, but a kindly sister who operated the hotel was our best customer. She looked them over and bought from us regularly through the season.
After selling our first load we were so happy we could hardly wait to get home to tell our parents of our success. Father listened to us count our money—a very great amount, it seemed to us. Then he said, “That’s capital! Now what will you do with your money?”
We thought of ice cream cones and candy and Christmas presents we could buy. Then in his characteristic and impressive way, our father said, “Now you haven’t forgotten the bishop, have you?
The Lord has been kind to us. The earth is his. He sent the moisture and the sunshine and all we did was plow and plant and cultivate and harvest. One-tenth we always give back to the Lord for his work. When you have paid your tithing to the bishop, then you may use the balance as you wish.” I think I still have in my keepsakes that first tithing receipt.
(Leon R. Hartshorn, Classic Stories from the Lives of Our Prophets, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971].)
Activity:
Give each player ten pennies. Mark a line on the floor with tape, and put a metal pie tin about eight feet in front of the line. Have each player take a turn tossing their pennies into the pie tin. The winner is the one who gets the most in the tin.
Refreshment
Soda Cracker Cookies
- 35 saltine crackers
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan with foil or parchment paper; grease the foil. Line the pan with saltines, placed as close together as possible. Combine sugar and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring often. Boil for 21/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour butter sauce over crackers. Place coated saltines in preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. When the chips are melted, spread chocolate over cookies and sprinkle with nuts. Cool and cut or break into small squares. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
(Lion House Christmas, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2006], p. 117.)
For a printable PDF, click here.