The History of Tithing - LDS Discussions Pt. 81 | Ep. 2183

From Mormon Stories Podcast by Dr. John Dehlin

August 19, 2026 · 1h 60m

About this episode

This episode explores the history and evolution of tithing within the LDS Church, examining its biblical origins and early practices.

In Episode 81 of the LDS Discussions series, we take a deep dive into the history of Mormon tithing –where the concept comes from, how it appears in the Bible and Book of Mormon, how Joseph Smith and the early Latter-day Saints understood it, and how the practice evolved into the modern LDS Church’s system of financial requirements. We begin with the biblical origins of tithing, examining passages from the Old and New Testament and asking whether the biblical practice of tithing actually resembles the transactional model taught by the modern Church. We then turn to the Book of Mormon and explore what it says about priestcraft, wealth, and religious leaders receiving financial support. From there, we trace the history of tithing in early Mormonism, including Joseph Smith’s financial requests, the 1838 tithing revelation, how early Saints actually contributed to the Church, and the significant differences between the original language surrounding consecration and the modern requirement to pay ten percent of one’s income. We also examine the controversial history surrounding Green Flake and the claim that an enslaved man was donated as tithing, the financial relationship between…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. John Dehlin

Topics covered

history of tithing
Mormon financial practices
biblical origins of tithing
Joseph Smith
early Mormonism
modern LDS Church

Keywords

tithing
Mormonism
financial requirements
Joseph Smith
Brigham Young
Green Flake
Book of Mormon
Old Testament
New Testament

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: LDS Church, Mormon

Books & works: Book of Mormon, Old Testament, New Testament