-- Jul 8, 1838
[Finances] Joseph Smith records the revelation (in Section 119 of the Doctrine and Covenants) that formally institutes the law of tithing among Latter-day Saints. Church members are instructed to pay "one-tenth of all their interest annually," with the stipulation that "this shall be a standing law unto them forever." The revelation also instructs that all tithing shall be put "into the hands of the bishop of my church in Zion." ... A second revelation (in Section 120 of the Doctrine and Covenants) recorded the same day creates the Council on the Disposition of the Tithes to oversee the management of funds and property accrued from tithing. (1)
-- Oct 3, 1840
[Lucy Mack Smith] A conference at Nauvoo decides to build a temple, each Saint tithing his tenth-day's labor to the project. (2)
-- Apr 6, 1841
[Nauvoo] Cornerstones were laid in a grand ceremony. Construction continued steadily with limestone rocks blasted from quarry and hauled to temple site by wagon. Workers were obtained as members tithed their time, giving one day in 10 for temple construction. Women provided food and clothing for the workers and also donated precious heirlooms and coins to fund the construction. Eventual total cost of the building was $750,000. (3)
-- Feb 10, 1842. Thursday.
[William Clayton] Brother Kimball came in the morning to say that I must go to Joseph Smiths office and assist Brother Richards. I accordingly got ready and went to the ofice and commenced entering tithing for the Temple. I was still shaking with the Ague every day but it did not much disable me for work. (4)
-- Feb 21, 1842
Brigham Young writes "a letter calling upon the churches to forward their Tithings and donations to the Trustee-in-Trust [Joseph Smith], that the Temple may go on, and the new translation of the Bible." (5)
-- During 1842. August
(Emma Smith) An efficient business woman, Emma often helped Joseph with tithing appraisals and the operation of his boardinghouses. She was also an accomplished hostess. On their fifteenth wedding anniversary she and Joseph served seventy-four guests at four tables. An immaculate housekeeper, she redressed her hair every day after completing her afternoon work. (6)
Footnotes:
1 - http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282148/
2 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
3 - LDS Church News: Nauvoo -- The City of Joseph, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58063/Church-history--Nauvoo.html
4 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995
5 - This Day in Mormon History, http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html
6 - Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons
Mormon Tithing Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
