What is Tithing Used For?

Friend December 2014 “The House That Tithing Built”

Choosing to Pay Tithing

Friend November 2025 “Logan’s Tithing Choice” When Logan was five he wanted to keep all his money and not pay tithing. When he was six he learned that tithing was used to build temples. Logan loves temples, but he thought it was a good idea for others to pay tithing but not him. When he was seven he saw how happy it made people when they gave their tithing to the bishop. When he was baptized at eight his mom pointed out that tithing was a commandment. He wanted to keep the commandments and follow Jesus like he had covenanted to do, so he decided to pay tithing. He didn’t understand everything about tithing but he loved God and wanted to follow him.

Tithing Blessings

Friend November 2023 “Coconuts and Tithing” During the summer Avehei and her brother work in the coconut groves. She always pays my tithing with the money she receives because she knows she and her family are blessed when she obeys.

Heavenly Father Gives Us Everything

Friend December 2022 “Tithing Pie” A bishop explains tithing by drawing a pretend peach pie and then asking if any of the children would want some. He then says he will give the whole pie to them, but he just wants one piece back.

Friend June 2024 “Eggs and Pennies” Grandpa paid Izzy a penny for each egg she collected. In her primary lesson she learned and about tithing and that if you have 10 cents, you give one cent as tithing. Izzy’s face felt hot. Give one of her pennies? She couldn’t! Then she remembered her grandfather. He only kept one of the eggs she gathered for him and he gave the rest to her family. She always gave him the biggest egg because she loved him. “So,” Izzy said slowly, “we give Heavenly Father back a little of what He gives us. Because we want to show Him we love Him.” Feeling warm all over, Izzy took the shiniest penny and slipped it into her envelope to give to Heavenly Father. “Thanks for the pennies,” she whispered. “And thanks for the blessings from heaven.”

Friend September 2022 “Moisés and the Pesos” Moises works in his father’s shop and earns money. His parents are separated and his mom struggles to provide for the family. His mom and family join the church. One day there is not enough to live on and pay tithing, but his mom pays tithing first. As she pays tithing in life, they always have enough for their needs. His mom’s example makes him want to pay tithing too.

Friend April 2018 “An Amazing Lesson”When Elder Cordon was a child he learned that the Lord blesses us when we pay our tithing. His parents had to choose between paying for food or paying tithing. They paid their tithing and later his father received work and a prepayment for that work.

Friend May 2017 “Conference Notes” When Elder Cordón was a child, his father’s business went bankrupt and they had very little money. One day, Elder Cordón heard his parents talking about whether they should pay tithing or buy food. They decided to have faith and pay tithing. The next day, someone offered to pay his dad for work. They were always blessed with food on their table. Elder Cordón testified that we are blessed when we obey.

Pay Tithing First

Friend April 2018 “An Amazing Lesson”When Elder Cordon was a child he learned that the Lord blesses us when we pay our tithing. His parents had to choose between paying for food or paying tithing. They paid their tithing and later his father received work and a prepayment for that work.

Friend May 2017 “Conference Notes” When Elder Cordón was a child, his father’s business went bankrupt and they had very little money. One day, Elder Cordón heard his parents talking about whether they should pay tithing or buy food. They decided to have faith and pay tithing. The next day, someone offered to pay his dad for work. They were always blessed with food on their table. Elder Cordón testified that we are blessed when we obey.

Friend October 2021 “The Two Envelopes” Chung pays his tithing first

Friend November 2020 “Conference Notes” Elder Gong told about a boy in South America who raises chickens. He sells the eggs to help buy windows for his family’s house. And he always pays his tithing first! Elder Gong said this boy would see the windows of heaven open. That means he will be blessed for choosing the right.

Friend October 2020 “Tithing Pesos” Sofia sold lemonade during her family’s garage sale. Her father taught her about tithing and showed her how to pay it.

Friend May 2018 ”The Silver Dollar” Alvin is proud of the silver dollar he earned doing farm work and wants to keep it forever. His mother reminds him to pay his tithing, which upsets him because he doesn’t want to break up his coin. He figures out how to earn eleven more cents so he can do what is right and pay his tithing.

Friend November 2016 “First Things First” Kai noticed that his dad always put the tithing check on the fridge. Kai learned that his father had made a promise to always pay tithing first before anything else.

Friend February 1986 “Tomato and Carrot Dinner” Thomas isn’t happy about his father paying tithing when there is very little to eat. His father teaches him to have faith in the Lord.

Friend April 2016 “Pesos for Heavenly Father” Ana’s grandmother has faith to pay tithing even though there is no food, and she is blessed.

Additional Resources

Resources for Children: Tithing

• “An Amazing Lesson” (April 2018 Liahona and Friend)
  Elder Valeri V. Cordón of the Seventy shares a story from when he was a boy and his family was blessed after paying tithing. Includes an activity.
• “Blessings of Tithing” (September 2017 Friend)
  President Henry B. Eyring teaches about the blessings we receive when we pay a full tithe. Includes two activities.
• “The Butter Dish” (June 2006 Liahona and Friend)
  A pioneer family learns the importance of tithing.
• “A Crop of Blessings” (May 2013 Friend)
  Will listens to President Lorenzo Snow teach the Saints about tithing.
• “A Dime from a Dollar” (April 2010 Friend)
  A boy delays buying a toy he wants so he can pay his tithing.
• “Empty Can” (June 1999 Friend)
  A boy unconsciously spends his tithing and then works hard to make things right with the Lord.
• “First Things First” (November 2016 Friend)
  Kai learns about putting tithing first when he sees his dad put a check for tithing on the refrigerator every two weeks.
• “Five Little Fish” (November 2007 Friend)
  President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008), tells the story of a couple who were blessed with food to eat after paying their tithing.
• “Friend to Friend” (January 1971 Friend)
  President Spencer W. Kimball teaches how he learned about the importance of paying tithing.
• “Is My Tithing Too Small?” (January 2009 Friend)
  Ali worries that her tithing is too small when her sister pays more than she does.
• “It Pays to Listen” (October 2008 Friend)
  Alice follows her father’s example and pays her tithing.
• “Just One Coin” (August 2011 Liahona and Friend)

  A boy learns that an honest tithe is never too small. Includes an activity that shows how tithing is used.
• “Learning God’s Law” (April 2007 Liahona and Friend)
  President David O. McKay (1873–1970) didn’t want to pay tithing, but his father taught him an important lesson.
• “Matt and Mandy” (September 2010 Friend)
  Matt’s grandpa helps him understand why tithing is so important.
• “Pesos for Heavenly Father” (April 2016 Liahona and Friend)
  Ana learns the importance of paying tithing from her grandmother who pays her tithing even though she has no money for food.
• “Sharing the Boot Money” (January 2002 Friend)
  Elder Douglas L. Callister, of the Seventy, shares a story about how his six-year-old son learned to pay tithing.
• “The Silver Dollar” (May 2018 Friend)
  Alvin wants to pay his tithing but doesn’t want to exchange his silver dollar for smaller coins, so he finds another way.
• “A Sister’s Example” (February 2005 Liahona and Friend)
  Elder Matthew Cowley (1897–1953) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles knew a woman who saved her tithing for years until the priesthood visited her home.
• “Special Witness: Tithing” (September 2002 Friend)
  Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares what he was taught as a boy about the importance of paying tithing.
• “Tithing Around the World” (June 2006 Friend)
  An activity about different world currencies and tithing.
• “Tithing Shoes” (November 2007 Friend)
  A family is blessed when they decide to make tithing a priority.
• “Tithing, the Best Choice” (February 2010 Liahona and Friend)

  A story for young children about a boy who paid tithing when he sold his prize calf. Includes a maze, hidden picture, and instructions to make a tithing jar.
• “Trying to Be Like Jesus: The Tithing Choice” (July 2010 Friend)
  A girl describes a time when she decided to pay her tithing.
• “Where Does Tithing Go?” (September 2005 Liahona and Friend)
  A simple explanation of how tithing is used.
• “Why is tithing important?” (October 2009 Friend)
  Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares some thoughts on the subject.
• “The Windows of Heaven” (September 2005 Liahona and Friend)
  A faithful family is blessed after they pay their tithing.
• “Wooden Skis” (December 2000 Friend)
  A boy pays his tithing instead of spending the money to go skiing with his friends.