Question: on Mitts Tax Returns and Mormon Tithe

[IrishAle]

I was discussing the whole Hide & Seek thing with Rmoney's missing Tax Returns, when I was reminded of an old conversation I had with a past Co-worker who was a lapsed Mormon. He was talking about even after his moving well off the radar of his Utah roots, he still was expected to pay a 10% tithe of his gross earnings a year.

No matter where he moved (at this time was in the southeast) the paperwork always found him. He said the IRS did not have shit on the Temples ability to track him down for his tithe.

Makes me wonder if that has anything to do with both Rmoneys hatred of paying his fair share of taxes, and sheer terror of the Temple discovering he owes millions if he releases his returns?

Are they still as hardline about the 10% tithe as they once were? (This was like the mid-90's)

[handmade34]

1. don't think it's the issue

at all...

[Tx4obama]

2. I think Romney is hiding the tax returns because of the 'amnesty program', see below

Watch Lawrence O'Donnell's take down of Ann and Mitt here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101749044

[jberryhill]

3. What makes anyone think the Church hasn't seen them?

If the First President asks for them, I doubt Romney could refuse. In fact, the First President could receive a revelation that he request them, and Romney certainly could not refuse.

And, by the way, this is a tremendous difference between Mormonism and, say, Catholicism. It is an article of faith in Mormonism that their living Prophet can get direct memos from the desk of God. Much more literally and authoritately than all the caveats and conditions of Papal infallibility.

The Church may have very well seen them. Remember how he had to get permission to campaign as if he were pro-choice in order to win in MA? His time on the Marriott board? He is the potential fulfillment of a longstanding ambition, all the way back to Joseph Smith, of securing the White House.

This is why some found it interesting that Harry Reid has raised the "he didnt pay taxes" thing. Sen. Reid will not divulge his source. Of course, Sen. Reid and Mr. Romney do, coincidentally, share a common circle of very confidential relationships. That is why some believe it to be significant.

[Jayce Cox]

4. The Facts

The Church is never referred to as the "Temple", it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The Church expects it's members to pay a 10% tithe, however when I was no longer attending services and had moved they did seem to find me each time. I was never asked about my tithe, just told that I was welcome to return to active church membership. I did eventually return to a "faithful" mormon status. In all my years in and out of the church I have never been asked nor heard of anyone being asked to see tax returns. I adore Harry Reid and worked on his campaign when we lived in Nevada. Not much is made of his Mormonism, is there a double standard? The longer Mitt refuses to release his tax returns the better for us!
Just my experience
Jayce
Helena Montana

PS: Was talking politics with a fellow mormon yesterday, and she told me that she had never voted for a democrat in all her voting years. As we talked she said the whole Mitt being such a devious politician made her stomach turn and was hurting the Church's image. She and her Husband are going to vote for President Obama because of his health care plan. As this lines up with our "leave no one behind" church values.