-- Thursday, Mar 29, 1900
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] A letter from the Presiding Bishopric was read. They complained of the manner in which the tithes of the Eagar Ward, St. Johns Stake, had been handled by Bp. [George H.] Crosby. Brother Crosby had moved away from that ward, and he had been talked of for bishop in another stake. The matter was referred to Apostle F. M. Lyman. ... Apostle J. H. Smith reported his visit to the Fremont Stake. Said the high council of the Fremont Stake was released and reorganized. The change was made necessary owing to the status of some of its members. A number of the council was in the habit of getting drunk; others neglected the law of tithing. Two of the old council were brought in again. ... I called attention to the fact that the free-will offerings at the Salt Lake Temple for the year 1898 amounted to $5807.25, and for the year 1899, $6856.83; that the total membership of the church in the stakes of the temple district was 78,915. The amount contributed per capi
ta was, therefore, between 8c and 9c per year. I thought this a poor showing and suggested that there were a great many who would contribute if the matter was properly brought to their attention. It seemed to be the mind of the brethren that it would be better to preach up tithing rather than to make an effort in the direction of the free-will offerings to the temple. Pres. Snow stated that there were 10,000 non-tithe-payers in 1899. The apostles should take up this matter in the stakes. It was reported that there were 30,000 non-tithe-payers in 1898. The number of tithe-payers in 1899 were 62,000. (1)
-- Tuesday, Apr 3, 1900
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] Apostle A. H. Lund said he had been among the saints a great deal of late and had noticed an improvement. Spoke upon the subject of tithing and deprecated the fact that there were so many non-tithe-payers. Thought the authorities of the church should be stricter in relation to this law. Believed the dividing up of large stakes productive of good. Remarked that there was too much laxity on the part of the authorities of the church, he thought, with respect to the question of morality. (1)
-- Thursday, Apr 5, 1900
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] Tithing on hand Feb. 1st, 1899 ... Tithing rec[eive]d for year 1899 ... Tithing on hand Feb. 1st, 1900 ... Tithing received for 1899 ... Pres. Snow made some remarks upon the subject of tithing, showing the necessity of keeping the people stirred up. Was gratified with the improved financial condition of the church. Felt that the brethren of the apostles should take an increased active interest in the administration of the affairs of in [sic] the stakes of Zion. Men should be sought after who are fully devoted to the work of God, and steps should be taken that the saints may not suffer for lack of proper attention. A general discussion of how best to bring the principle of tithing before the people in the stakes was indulged in. ... Pres. Cannon referred to the Cache Stake and said that its record for tithing paid in 1899 was very poor. Apostle Merrill said in reply that it was due, he thought, to the fact that the crops in 1899 were much smaller
than in 1898. (1)
Footnotes:
1 - Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993
Mormon Tithing Timeline /Chronology
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
