No. If you are referring to tithing, that is money that was given FOR God, not the pastor or preacher. That money is to go to the delevlopment of churches and chartity.

No it is not. No they were not. In the early Christian congregation there was no salaried clergy, in fact, no clergy-laity distinction; all preached as they had opportunity and to the extent of their abilities. Far from being served and paid, those who took the lead bore the greatest burdens, even as Jesus showed it should be: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister [diákonos, “servant”], and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.” When due to immaturity the Corinthian Christians did not appreciate their privilege of contributing voluntarily to defray Paul’s expenses, he did not take up a collection but provided for himself by making tents!— see Matthew 20:25-27; Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 4:11, 12; 9:11, 12.

The apostles of the early Christian church were not paid to preach as an occupation. But they were supplimented by each congregation and many supported themselves while traveling. (Paul himself was a tentmaker). The Bible does not prohibit supporting evangelists through monetary means, as evidenced by the Paul and other evangelists/apostles. Contrary, LDS leaders are paid to preach, and quite generously. Although local bishops are not compensated very much at all and even some higher members do not get a decent wage, the Quorum are paid as well as some CEOs. How very different the compensation paid to Paul was compared to Monson! Talk about preaching for "filthy lucre"!

Apparently NOT since Mormon Clergy has been compensated in various sundry ways throughout Mormon History: "According to D. Michael Quinn in The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power . . . Stake Patriarchs charged $1.00 per blessing. This increased to $2.00 by the end of the 19th century. Strangely, Patriarchs encouraged the faithful to receive numerous blessings over the course of their lives. During Brigham Young's reign, Bishop's took whatever they desired from all non-cash tithing donations. In 1844, John Taylor limited Bishops to eight percent of the tithing collected while Stake Presidents got two percent of all the tithing collected by the Bishops in their stakes! In 1888, Wilford Woodruff established SET SALARIES for stake presidents and set up committees to allocate ten percent of the tithes collected in the stake between the Bishops. At the April 1896 General Conference, the first presidency announced an end to salaries for local officers and to only pay the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. By 1904, Stake Presidents were receiving $300.00 per year for their work, and as late as 1920 some Bishops reported to still have been receiving 10% of the tithes collected in their wards. So, by 1896, only the apostles were to receive a set salary. Now we know this is no longer true, but what about the apostles and their salaries? These special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ who are no different in their divine call than the original twelve, how are they compensated? First, they do receive money from the coffers of the church. How much I do not know. Second, they can write a book - especially as an apostles - and have a built-in market of at least 10 million people. Last week, I said that I would be willing to bet that Thomas S. Monson was a multi-millionaire but questioned how he would acquire such wealth being a "non-paid" church employee for most of his life. Someone called the show and said that they had heard that these apostles were conveniently placed as directors on the boards for church owned or church friendly companies and this was how they continued to amass wealth. According to Quinn's research in Extensions of Power - page 220-222 - this caller was correct. Now to be a "director" in a company usually means six day long board meetings per year and a weeks worth of committee participation annually. According to CNN Money.com, the average annual director compensation in 2006 was as follows: A director in the manufacturing sector received $109,000. per year. A director in financial services received an average of $83,000.00 per year. And a director in the service Sector received an average of $106,250.00 per year. Quinn researched the first presidency and the twelve apostles in 1984. Here is what he found: (NOT IN NOTES - YOU MUST LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM TO GET THESE FACTS AND FIGURES - PLEASE USE PROVIDED LINK) A latter-day Saint must go to the temple to live with God in the celestial kingdom. Paying tithing (10%) is mandatory to enter the temple. Tithing dollars were and are used to buy businesses for the Church. "Apostles" are made directors of these businesses and receive directors compensation for their positions. No paid clergy? Right." http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=42&func=view&id=71359&catid=512 http://www.hotm.tv/shows/20080527.htm http://www.hotm.tv/shows/20080603.htm

NO. Read Luke chapter 10.