New Predictions 2019 April GC

[JK4Woods]

9. Tithing: still 10% of Gross

What do you mean... "still"?

10% of all- of everything. That's how it's always been dating back to OT times.

D&C 119: 4
And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.

Look up Tithing and Interest in the 1828 version of Merrium Websters dictionary.
That's the meaning of the language Joseph Smith used in the D&C.

Interest: "Any surplus advantage".

[shadow]

I wonder if there will be references to getting Patriarchal Blessings this GC. It seems like there's not much talk about them.

[Col. Flagg]

9. Tithing: still 10% of Gross

What do you mean... "still"?

10% of all- of everything. That's how it's always been dating back to OT times.

Nope.

[tdj]

9. Tithing: still 10% of Gross

What do you mean... "still"?

I know right? We have always paid in Net, so that when we got our income tax check every year, we'd pay tithes on that also. Otherwise, we wind up paying double tithes in taxes. Besides, since when are we expected to pay tithes on something that's been stolen from us before we even got our hands on it?

[Michelle]

10% of all- of everything. That's how it's always been dating back to OT times.

D&C 119: 4
And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.

Alma 13:15
And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.

Genesis 1:39 JST clarifies it. Abraham was required to pay 1/10th of all he had above that of which he had need.

Genesis 14:39

36 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace.

37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God;

38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.

39 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.

40 And it came to pass, that God blessed Abram, and gave unto him riches, and honor, and lands for an everlasting possession; according to the covenant which he had made, and according to the blessing wherewith Melchizedek had blessed him.

I agree with Robin Hood. I recently had the same understanding when I studies the Law of Consecration. They first offered from all they had, then they paid on what was above and beyond need each year.

This makes sense since staying in my house month after month is not increase, it is maintenance. If however, I had at the end of the year more than basic maintenance, I would pay tithing on that.

[Alaris]

I have been home off of my mission for just over 19 years and I have spent 16.5 of those years in the primary (the last 4 as Chorister) and the rest in Sunday school. 1 year of that in a Sunday school presidency. If you do not want to be in Primary and think it is beneath you, you are missing out on one of the most magnificent and rewarding callings in all of the church. If you want to see the power of the gospel and feel the spirit so strongly, go to primary.

I was in EQ and the new stake president asked how we can better fellowship and minister to the less active brethren and their families. It was silent for a couple of minutes when a brother said that we should just leave people alone that some people are lone wolves and don't want to be bothered. I was stunned. I raised my hand and told them if they want to learn how to fellowship and show love to the less active go to primary and ask the kids, they are the best at it. they accept and love on a level we forget or outgrow.

On my mission, I was afraid of being called to primary after I got home. ~ 20 years later I'm now convinced primary is the very best calling.

Ironically, I like primary because I am introverted. I don't feel I connect to anyone the Elders Quorum at all. They tend to focus their conversations on sports, which I don't watch at all. I'm sort of a lone wolf and like to be left alone for the most part. Is being introverted wrong or a weakness?

[Kaarno]

I am with you on several points.

I have rarely felt a connection or kinship in most EQ's. I don't think that is the EQ's problem but probably mine (me personally).
I loved teaching and learning from those kids. They are amazing and really solidified the core of my testimony. I have tried getting involved in EQ activities and finding ways to "connect" I am not an introvert but the brother I now teach SS with is. I sit with him. We go to activities together.
I don't play church ball but helped the EQ president set up restrictions on his XBOX to filter content for his kids and we have bonded that way. It is hard sometimes, but most worthwhile things are. Keep at it the EQ needs you!

[drtanner]

Some of my absolute favorite members are the introverts! I have found them to be uniquely fun, interesting to talk with, and a keen depth to life and the gospel.

[kirtland r.m.]

All men should immediately be put to death, for things real or imagined, including being lazy, useless and having a sex drive that many of their own wives could care less about. This would quickly solve the debate as to if men are even necessary, and of course immedently solve all of the world's problems .

[Davka]

I have been home off of my mission for just over 19 years and I have spent 16.5 of those years in the primary (the last 4 as Chorister) and the rest in Sunday school. 1 year of that in a Sunday school presidency. If you do not want to be in Primary and think it is beneath you, you are missing out on one of the most magnificent and rewarding callings in all of the church. If you want to see the power of the gospel and feel the spirit so strongly, go to primary.

I was in EQ and the new stake president asked how we can better fellowship and minister to the less active brethren and their families. It was silent for a couple of minutes when a brother said that we should just leave people alone that some people are lone wolves and don't want to be bothered. I was stunned. I raised my hand and told them if they want to learn how to fellowship and show love to the less active go to primary and ask the kids, they are the best at it. they accept and love on a level we forget or outgrow.

On my mission, I was afraid of being called to primary after I got home. ~ 20 years later I'm now convinced primary is the very best calling.

Ironically, I like primary because I am introverted. I don't feel I connect to anyone the Elders Quorum at all. They tend to focus their conversations on sports, which I don't watch at all. I'm sort of a lone wolf and like to be left alone for the most part. Is being introverted wrong or a weakness?

I could have bet my (introverted) husband wrote this. He's a primary teacher currently, and is perfectly happy being "forgotten," thank you very much.

I wish I were an introvert...

[Michelle]

I have been home off of my mission for just over 19 years and I have spent 16.5 of those years in the primary (the last 4 as Chorister) and the rest in Sunday school. 1 year of that in a Sunday school presidency. If you do not want to be in Primary and think it is beneath you, you are missing out on one of the most magnificent and rewarding callings in all of the church. If you want to see the power of the gospel and feel the spirit so strongly, go to primary.

I was in EQ and the new stake president asked how we can better fellowship and minister to the less active brethren and their families. It was silent for a couple of minutes when a brother said that we should just leave people alone that some people are lone wolves and don't want to be bothered. I was stunned. I raised my hand and told them if they want to learn how to fellowship and show love to the less active go to primary and ask the kids, they are the best at it. they accept and love on a level we forget or outgrow.

On my mission, I was afraid of being called to primary after I got home. ~ 20 years later I'm now convinced primary is the very best calling.

Ironically, I like primary because I am introverted. I don't feel I connect to anyone the Elders Quorum at all. They tend to focus their conversations on sports, which I don't watch at all. I'm sort of a lone wolf and like to be left alone for the most part. Is being introverted wrong or a weakness?

I could have bet my (introverted) husband wrote this. He's a primary teacher currently, and is perfectly happy being "forgotten," thank you very much.

I wish I were an introvert...

My husband preferred primary, after he was sure he would hate it. He said the kids knew his name, cared that he was there and listened to him. He didn't get any of that in EQ.

[GrandMasterB]

I went years between callings, and also was never called to be a HP until I was 53.....
Served 2 useless EQ Presidents, of course one was Bishops SIL and the other, the Patriarch’s SIL......I resigned from the Patriarchs SIL stent.......which I was promptly labeled as “proud”. This followed me for two wards I’m positive.
It’s terrible the STP and nepotism in the church. Those of us who serve, and are not listened to stop serving.

In my last ward, I had three out of three EQ Presidents leave the church, two during their tenure and one immediately after serving. In my current ward, my last EQP begged to be released. That finally happened when they combined EQ and HP.

I think the point is most guys want to feel like they're making a difference somewhere. The problem is they think that leadership will provide that. When/if they finally get it, they learn firsthand that A) most people in the ward will spend their time criticizing them for not doing what they would have done and B) you learn everyone's garbage, and it sort of ruins your idealized perceptions of other members. If I've learned one thing in ward council, it's that leadership is thankless, requires a ton of work, and is sometimes just brutal in the personal criticism leveled at you.

Never have seen an EQP that left the Church. All have become Bishops, High Councilmen and Stake Presidency members.....STP at the Ward Level, STF at the Stake level.....
Every Ward and Stake we’ve been in.

My brother left.

[Michelle]

I went years between callings, and also was never called to be a HP until I was 53.....
Served 2 useless EQ Presidents, of course one was Bishops SIL and the other, the Patriarch’s SIL......I resigned from the Patriarchs SIL stent.......which I was promptly labeled as “proud”. This followed me for two wards I’m positive.
It’s terrible the STP and nepotism in the church. Those of us who serve, and are not listened to stop serving.

In my last ward, I had three out of three EQ Presidents leave the church, two during their tenure and one immediately after serving. In my current ward, my last EQP begged to be released. That finally happened when they combined EQ and HP.

I think the point is most guys want to feel like they're making a difference somewhere. The problem is they think that leadership will provide that. When/if they finally get it, they learn firsthand that A) most people in the ward will spend their time criticizing them for not doing what they would have done and B) you learn everyone's garbage, and it sort of ruins your idealized perceptions of other members. If I've learned one thing in ward council, it's that leadership is thankless, requires a ton of work, and is sometimes just brutal in the personal criticism leveled at you.

Never have seen an EQP that left the Church. All have become Bishops, High Councilmen and Stake Presidency members.....STP at the Ward Level, STF at the Stake level.....
Every Ward and Stake we’ve been in.

My brother left.

My dad was a bishop. My friend's dad was a Stake President.

People are people. Anyone can leave.

[Danite]

From auditor at COB:

1 year
1 1/2 year
2 year
mish options for everyone

[Michelle]

From auditor at COB:

1 year
1 1/2 year
2 year
mish options for everyone

I approved your post, but I would recommend being more clear in the future. This is what I understood:

COB= Church Office Building
mish= mission

[imjustaman]

In my last ward, I had three out of three EQ Presidents leave the church, two during their tenure and one immediately after serving. In my current ward, my last EQP begged to be released. That finally happened when they combined EQ and HP.

I've been EQP twice. An EQ Counselor 6 times. Pretty much every single calling since I graduated college. I have never enjoyed it. I've served out of a sense of duty and obligation. I know this isn't the goal (it isn't mine either) but I'm honest enough to myself to admit it.

I don't know where this idea came from that there's some sort of cabal or nepotism granting leadership to a certain group of people. Anyone I've ever known in ward council would much rather be able to actually go to class, enjoy their weeknights and sunday afternoons, and coast through and actually be able to focus on themselves or their own families for once.

But the truth is, those callings are hard and very few people will actually do them. If there was a brother that was living right, even if they didn't fit the typical mold, and was awesome at whatever calling they had, served others with a smile, and lifted the ward up, guaranteed, they would eventually start to get called to EQP, YMP, whatever.

Many are called but few are chosen—why? Because when you're chosen, it is hard. Mostly thankless. And no health insurance or 401k either.

[EmmaLee]

From auditor at COB:

1 year
1 1/2 year
2 year
mish options for everyone

I can see something like this happening - with the above options. It already is for "non-traditional" missions. One of my friends just announced in our ward RS group that her 19 year old daughter was called to serve a 3-month mission in the mission that covers our area of the state. She is bi-polar (doctors diagnosis, anyway) and they (the Church) didn't think it prudent to call her on a full 18-month mission in the field somewhere right out of the chute - so, she'll be serving here locally for 3 months, and if that is successful (if she can handle it, in other words), she'll then be called for 15 months to finish serving in another mission. I think the Church is providing more variety/options due to most of the young people in the Church today having some type of mental illness and/or emotional issues. Bigger question is - why are most of the youth in the Church today mentally/emotionally ill?