Tithe or burn!

We've been told that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agrees with God's past revelation in the Bible in places like: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph 2:8-9), or at the simple Greek word pisteuo (believe).

Yet, it is not so, as the April 2011 General Conference evidenced.  Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve delivered quite the riveting speech.  Consider this snippet:

Not only that, tithing will keep your name enrolled among the people of God and protect you in “the day of vengeance and burning.”

Here this review of these words:




In Joseph Smith's words (quoted in the video), Doctrine and Covenants, 85:1-5

1 It is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop; 

2 And also their manner of life, their faith, and works; and also of the apostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances. 

3 It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those who receive not their inheritance by consecration, agreeable to his law, which he has given, that he may tithe his people, to prepare them against the day of vengeance and burning, should have their names enrolled with the people of God. 

4 Neither is their genealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the church. 

5 Their names shall not be found, neither the names of the fathers, nor the names of the children written in the book of the law of God, saith the Lord of Hosts.