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Show in many different ways, as people didn't always have money. Sometimes it was paid by giving commodities, such as grain, livestock, chickens, eggs, property, or labor. To receive, store, and handle the tithing and to convert it into a form suitable for the Church was an involved job. Morgan Stake's tithing storehouse and barn was located directly south and in back of the original tabernacle, with the office located on the comer of State and Main Street. Later, the storehouse and barn were moved to the south side of Main Street across from the present high school (1984). The tithing offices were in deplorable condition. President Heiner raised $4,000 locally and with it he commenced the job of making the tithing office functional and beautiful. The ground was cleared, and lawn and trees were planted. Inside the building, the walls were papered to make the surroundings more pleasant. Corrals to house the animals were repaired to provide better care. Elder George Teasdale spoke on tithing and its importance at the time he called Daniel Heiner to preside over the Morgan Stake. Three months later, 15 December 1900, Elder John Henry Smith attended the Morgan Stake Quarterly Conference. Most of his message centered on the law of tithing. He encouraged the people to attend tithing settlement with the bishop so the records would accurately reflect what they had done concerning the payment of their tithes and offerings. He then closed by saying: "Pay your tithes and offerings, deal just one with another and when the books are opened in the other world you may have a claim upon eternal life."31 The record keeping was greatly improved. Better and more accurate records were kept, and the paying of tithes became a constant message to the people. In 1904, a letter was sent from the First Presidency to all wards stating that the paying of tithing had greatly improved during the past few years. The tithing records were in much better condition. We want every member of the Church who pays tithing to be correctly recorded and those records preserved. We desire to impress upon all those to whom this communication is addressed, the importance of laboring continuously, until every person, who should pay tithing, is on the tithing record, and a list of non tithe payers eliminated. Not only should the 'Law of Tithing' be taught during the annual tithing settlement, but it should be a constant feature of the teachings of the Presiding Officers of Wards and Stakes, Quorums of the Priesthood and all Auxiliary Organizations. Your Brethren in the Gospel, Joseph F. Smith John R. Winder, Anthon H. Lund.32 Tithing, a law unto the Saints forever (see Doctrine and Covenants 119:4) has brought great blessings to those who have faith to keep this commandment. |