A deadbeat's diezmo

One of my sisters has long-since left the Church. It's a story that I have no ability to tell, as the causes and effects all appear to have take a few turns in a Cuisinart.

She's also divorced, and her ex hasn't paid child support in ages, yet remains "active" in the Church. During a recent visit, she said, "If I find out that he's paid one dime of tithing, the gavel's gonna come down on him like the wrath of God!"

Sympathetic to her case, I suggested that before she pursue anything legally, she get a court-stamped statement of his arrearage and attach it to a dispassionate and factual letter to his bishop or stake president. She says that would be pointless, since he's both a chum and a High Priest, and gets kid-glove treatment. I brought her up to speed on the T-Rec interview:

11. Have you ever been divorced or are you now separated from your spouse under order of a civil court? If yes, (a) Are you current in your support payments and other financial obligations for family members, as specified by court order or in other written, binding commitments?

That caught her attention. Then I suggested that if the local approach didn't work, she should write the Presiding Bishopric and cc Elder Scott. "But I don't care what Salt Lake thinks, and they certainly don't care what I think." "Write Salt Lake for two reasons: First, it signs the checks, especially in unusual circumstances. Second, I think you could be pleasantly surprised at the reception you'd get..."

I told her about Elder Scott's question in last fall's Priesthood session: "If you are divorced, do you provide for the real financial need of the children you have fathered, not just the minimum legal requirement?"

She seemed encouraged.