US election 2012: Mitt Romney's tax returns would shed light on tithes to Mormon church "The Bible indicates that God's people followed the law of tithing anciently," its website states. These funds are used to build up the Church and further the work of the Lord throughout the world. The 13 million Mormons worldwide are supposed only to be admitted to LDS temples if they have paid their tithe, although checks are infrequent. While running for Massachusetts governor in 2002, Mr Romney, the Republican front-runner, claimed that he gave away 13 per cent of his income charitably, citing the tradition of tithing as one such type of donation. However, full details of what he gives the church - which could alienate evangelical Christians in South Carolina - would only be disclosed in a full personal tax return, which he has so far not published. A charitable foundation set up by Mr Romney and his wife, Ann, gave $4,325,000 (£2,816,855) to the Mormon Church in three instalments in 2003, 2008 and 2009. Mr Romney has also made one-off payments such as $300,000 (£195,000) to Brigham Young University, the LDS-run university in Utah where he studied for his undergraduate degree.