Couple arrested for stealing fast offerings

[pam]

Pair arrested for stealing LDS fast offerings | ksl.com


I always thought there was an adult when gathering fast offerings. At least that's always been my experience.

[jerome1232]

How low can you get, stealing money meant to assist the needy from kids.

[anatess]

There's usually an adult in my ward because the boys gathering fast offerings are not old enough to drive... and we're far enough apart that they'll need to drive... but, there are those who have 16-year-old brothers who drive them around and they don't usually come with an adult.

[john doe]

Originally Posted by pam

I always thought there was an adult when gathering fast offerings. At least that's always been my experience.

No. The Deacons are primarily in charge of Fast Offering collections. Older priesthood boys, fathers, and even Elders may be asked to assist, but generally it is a responsibility of Deacons. I didn't read the article, but heard this morning that when the pair found only checks and no cash, they dumped the lot of it in the Provo River.

[Daybreak79]

Originally Posted by pam

Pair arrested for stealing LDS fast offerings | ksl.com


I always thought there was an adult when gathering fast offerings. At least that's always been my experience.

In our ward its mostly just the young men out by themselves, unless some adults are asked to help that day. But our houses are so close together and our ward boundary is so small it makes since for them to walk.

[Timpman]

It's a tiny walk in a safe neighborhood for our deacons. No adults needed.

[RMGuy]

I don't see why we still send the deacons around to collect fast offerings.
It is considerably easier from an accounting and cost standpoint to write one check instead of two and include it with the tithing slip when handed to a bishop. It is less burdon on the bishopric, the financial clerks, and the bank...not to mention the individuals themselves.

The only reason I can see to continue it is because it provides an opportunity for the deacons to serve. That being the case most wards have areas where real service that meets needs could be performed by these deacons without creating additional busy work.

-RM

[beefche]

I'm with you RM. The only reason why I think the Deacons need to go around is that (at least in our ward) we have inactive members who contribute a fast offering. It makes sense to visit them, but I'm going to put my fast offering in with my tithing check.

[john doe]

There are a few reasons why they still send the boys out monthly. The one that comes off the top of my head is, the more the you think about giving, the more you think about it, and of it. Sometimes we lose sight of the reasons why fast offerings are collected and what their real purpose is if we don't have a separate donation for them.

There are also the reasons of allowing the young men the opportunity of fruitful service for a good cause, and allowing people who may not have any other contact with the church the opportunity to give. We have been asked in our ward to wait for the young men to come by to donate, and not tell them we pay with our tithing when they come by.

[volgadon]

Originally Posted by beefche

I'm with you RM. The only reason why I think the Deacons need to go around is that (at least in our ward) we have inactive members who contribute a fast offering. It makes sense to visit them, but I'm going to put my fast offering in with my tithing check.

I still can't get used to deacons going round collecting fast offerings, wasn't done that way in my home branch or anywhere I served in during my mission. It seems to me a throwback to the days when tithes were primarily paid in produce and such, so it made sense to go round houses and farms during the week.