Elder Bednar New IG Post SHUTS DOWN James Huntsman’s Claims in Epic Takedown! | (TITHING LAWSUIT)

🚨 Elder Bednar & The Church Respond to Tithing Controversy 🚨

Just a few days ago, Elder David A. Bednar and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a video explaining exactly how tithing is used—a timely response to the controversy stirred by James Huntsman’s lawsuit against the Church.

For those unfamiliar with the situation, James Huntsman (brother of John Huntsman Jr., former Utah governor) sued the Church, alleging that tithing funds were misused for commercial ventures like the City Creek Mall. He sought a refund of approximately $5 million in tithing payments, claiming the Church misrepresented how the funds were used.

📌 Background on James Huntsman’s Faith Crisis
James was a lifelong Latter-day Saint who served a mission and once bore his testimony sincerely. However, he later claimed to have discovered “cracks” in Church history, citing multiple First Vision accounts and the seer stone translation of the Book of Mormon—topics familiar to those with a nuanced understanding of Church history. Instead of turning to faithful sources, Huntsman was influenced by anti-Mormon content, particularly John Dehlin’s "Mormon Stories" podcast, which ultimately led him away from the faith.

💥 Elder Bednar’s Response to the Tithing Accusations
Given the misinformation and media frenzy surrounding this lawsuit, Elder Bednar delivered a powerful and transparent explanation of the Church’s financial principles at the 2023 Silicon Slopes Summit:

🔹 The Church’s Four Financial Priorities:
1️⃣ Teach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ
2️⃣ Share the gospel worldwide
3️⃣ Strengthen and unite families
4️⃣ Care for the poor and needy

🔹 The Truth About Church Assets & Spending:
✅ The majority of the Church’s assets are income-consuming (e.g., temples, meetinghouses, schools, and humanitarian projects).
✅ The Church does NOT pass collection plates—all funding comes from the voluntary tithing donations of faithful members.
✅ Tithing funds are NOT used for commercial investments—those projects are funded separately from investment reserves.
✅ The Church follows the biblical model of Joseph of Egypt, preparing financially for future hardships.

📌 Why Does the Church Save Money?
Elder Bednar emphasized that the Church saves money wisely to:
🔹 Ensure long-term financial stability
🔹 Fund future temples, humanitarian aid, and education
🔹 Prepare for emergencies (e.g., economic crises, natural disasters)
🔹 Ultimately build Zion in Jackson County, Missouri

💡 Debunking James Huntsman’s Claims
James Huntsman argued that the Church misled him regarding tithing use. However:
❌ His lawsuit was dismissed, as courts found NO evidence of fraud.
❌ The Salt Lake Tribune & other critics were proven wrong.
❌ The Church’s finances remain transparent & legally sound.

📢 Final Thoughts
Huntsman’s lawsuit was never really about money—it was about bitterness and revenge. As Elder Bednar powerfully explained, the Church is not a business but a spiritual institution dedicated to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing on controversy, we should seek truth and strengthen our testimonies.

🙏 Let’s continue to trust in the Lord and His prophets!

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