SALT LAKE CITY – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is rolling out a new digital system that will allow members in the United States to pay tithing and make other charitable donations online.
According to information from mormonnewsroom.org, members have historically made contributions by giving them to priesthood leaders at the ward or branch (local) level, but the new system will offer an online option in addition.
The Online Donations system was developed by the LDS Church and will roll out to congregations in the United States throughout 2015. The press release states local leaders will be notified when the system is available in their area.
The LDS Church’s Finance and Records Department said the system offers a simplified donation process and they believe the new approach will reduce the load on local leaders and clerks charged with processing donations.
The new system will also allow anyone with a LDS Account, church member or not, to donate to help financially support missionaries serving with the LDS Church.
The press release provides details about the LDS Church’s practice of tithing:
“For Latter-day Saints, tithing is a natural and integrated aspect of their religious belief and practice. By the biblical definition, tithing is one-tenth, and Church members interpret this as a tenth of their “increase,” or income, annually. It is paid on the honor system. No one asks to see income statements or pay slips.
Tithes and other charitable donations help the Church carry out its mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for the poor and strengthening members’ faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.”
For more information, visit mormonnewsroom.org.
