List of Doctrines on "Wealth: Money and Carnal Riches"
848. Lust for money is the root of much evil.
849. The material things of the world are not true riches; only the riches of eternal life are lasting and permanent.
850. Wealth can be a blessing; riches are not inherently evil.
851. The devil tempts us to covet riches and the material things of the earth.
852. They who possess great riches tend to succumb to the sin of pride.
853. We are to avoid financial debt.
854. The Lord favors neither the rich over the poor nor the poor over the rich.
855. We are to impart of our substance for the benefit of those less fortunate.
856. We are not to engage in acts of priestcraft: performing Church service for material gain or rendering benevolent service to others for riches or honor.
857. We are not to gamble or take money without giving fair value in return.
848. Lust for money is the root of much evil.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Elder Wilford Woodruff
Paul
Anthon H. Lund
Jesus
George Q. Cannon
Moroni, son of Mormon
President Gordon B. Hinckley
Related Witnesses
Recorded in Proverbs
Mormon
Nephi, son of Helaman
Mormon
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
I am not against wealth, and I like to see people enjoy the blessings of this earth. Wealth ethically acquired and properly used is not evil—it is good. It is the love of it, the coveting of it, the lust for it, the compromises made for it which are evil. (Beneficial Life convention, San Diego, 1966) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 358) TLDP:714-15
Elder Wilford Woodruff
I do not find fault with riches. The gold and silver are the Lord's. We want houses building and we must cultivate the earth. This is all right. I do not find fault with a man getting rich, I find fault with our selling the kingdom of God, our birthright, selling the Gospel and depriving ourselves of eternal life, for the sake of gratifying the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life and the fashions of the world; and setting our hearts upon these things. (In new Tabernacle, Sept. 12, 1875, JD18:121) TLDP:714
Paul
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (Paul's letter to his assistant Timothy, about A.D. 64) 1 Timothy 6:10
Anthon H. Lund
The Lord, in one of His revelations given very early in the Church, says: "Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."
The riches of eternal life we ought to seek, not the riches of the world. There is a raging thirst for riches in this land. The love of money is growing even in our midst. We do not look upon wealth in itself as a curse. We believe that those who can handle means rightly can do much to bless their fellows. But he who is ruled by the love of money is tempted to commit sin. The love of money is the root of all evil. . . . There is hardly a commandment but is violated through this seeking for riches. CR1903Apr:24
Jesus,
recorded in Matthew
recorded in Matthew
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Jesus teaches his disciples) Matthew 6:24
George Q. Cannon
We must serve God with all our hearts, our love and affections reaching after Him, and the things of this world must be looked upon by us as secondary considerations. They are good enough in their place; right enough to be attended to; but subordinate always to the love of God. That should be the first love, greater than every other love. A man that loves a wife, a man that loves a child, a man that loves anything upon the earth more than God, is not a true Latter-day Saint. He may have a lovely wife, he may have a lovely child; he may have a rich farm, he may have stock, elegant residences, horses and carriages, together with an abundance of wealth to command all the comforts of the earth; but I tell you, as a servant of God, if he loves these things more than he loves God, he is not a true Latter-day Saint. (At Hooperville, Utah, June 27, 1881, JD22:288-89) TLDP:366
Moroni, son of Mormon
For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. 38. O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world? 39. Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not? 40. Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads? 41. Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer. (Moroni's writings, about A.D. 400) Mormon 8:37-41
President Gordon B. Hinckley
Continuing with the words of Paul, “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim. 6:10). It is the love of money and the love of those things which money can buy which destroys us. We all need money to supply our needs. But it is the love of it which hurts us, which warps our values, which leads us away from spiritual things and fosters selfishness and greed. (CR 1997Apr; Converts and Young Men, Ensign, May 1997, p.47)
Related Witnesses:
Recorded in Proverbs
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Proverbs 11:28
Mormon
For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain. . . .
31. And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver. (The Lamanites and the Nephites prosper and become exceedingly rich, 29 B.C.) Helaman 6:17,31
Nephi, son of Helaman,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
O repent ye, repent ye Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? . . .
21. But behold, it is to get gain, to be praised of men, yea, and that ye might get gold and silver. And ye have set your hearts upon the riches and the vain things of this world, for the which ye do murder, and plunder, and steal, and bear false witness against your neighbor, and do all manner of iniquity.
22. And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. . . . Helaman 7:17,21-22
Mormon
And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek came over to the land of Zarahemla, where Alma took Amulek to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred; . . . (Amulek, who had great riches and influential friends, rebels against the Lord until he is taught the gospel by the prophet Alma ; he thereafter forsakes his riches for the word of the Lord and is consequently blessed—albeit rejected by those so-called friends, about 81 B.C.) Alma 15:16
849. The material things of the world are not true riches; only the riches of eternal life are lasting and permanent.
Anthon H. Lund
Joseph Smith
Francis M. Lyman
President Joseph F. Smith
John
Related Witnesses
Recorded in Proverbs
Paul
Anthon H. Lund
The riches of eternal life we ought to seek, not the riches of the world. There is a raging thirst for riches in this land. The love of money is growing in our midst. We do not look upon wealth in itself as a curse. We believe that those who can handle means rightly can do much to bless their fellows. But he who is ruled by the love of money is tempted to commit sin. The love of money is the root of all evil. . . . There is hardly a commandment but is violated through this seeking for riches. CR1903Apr:24
Joseph Smith
Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. (Revelation to Joseph and to Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:7
Francis M. Lyman
We will seek the riches of eternity here. We can take the riches of eternal life with us when we leave this sphere, but we cannot take the riches of this world. Yet the riches of this world are convenient and necessary and we cannot very well get along without them. But the riches of eternal life are lasting and permanent. They come from the good we accomplish, the righteousness we bring to pass, the purity to which we attain, the cleansing and purifying of our own hearts, that we may come as near being perfect in this life as our Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, are perfect. CR1899Apr:38
President Joseph F. Smith
What are true riches? The love of your family, and the confidence of friends and neighbors; faith in God and obedience to his commandments,—not money, not wealth. (IE1902June:573) TLDP:716
John
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (The Apostle John writes the invitation of Jesus to overcome as he overcame) Revelation 3:17-18
Related Witnesses:
Recorded in Proverbs
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Proverbs 11:28
Paul
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (Paul's letter to his assistant Timothy, about A.D. 64) 1 Timothy 6:17-19
850. Wealth can be a blessing; riches are not inherently evil.
Anthon H. Lund
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
President Brigham Young
Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
George Q. Cannon
Elder Joseph F. Smith
Anthon H. Lund
We do not look upon wealth in itself as a curse. We believe that those who can handle means rightly can do much to bless their fellows. But he who is ruled by the love of money is tempted to commit sin. The love of money is the root of all evil. . . . There is hardly a commandment but is violated through this seeking for riches. CR1903Apr:24
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Wealth ethically acquired and properly used is not evil—it is good. It is the love of it, the coveting of it, the lust for it, the compromises made for it which are evil. (Beneficial Life convention, San Diego, 1966) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 358) TLDP:714-15
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
But must one be poor to inherit eternal life? There is no such ultimatum. The Lord delights to give us all. He created the earth for us and gave to us as stewards all that it affords. "The fulness of the earth is yours." he said, but this fabulous gift came upon condition that we unreservedly obey his commands. The Lord indicts those who seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but whose eyes are full of greediness. . . .
Perhaps the sin is not in "things" but in our attitude toward and worship of "things." Unless an acquisitive person can positively accumulate and hold wealth while still giving full allegiance to God and his program—unless the rich man can keep the Sabbath, keep his mind and body and spirit uncontaminated, and give unstinted service to his fellowmen through God's appointed way—unless the affluent man has total control and can hold all his possessions in trust, subject to the call of the Lord through his authorized servants, then that man, for the good of his soul, should certainly "go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor, . . . and come and follow me." (Matthew 19:21)
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 358) TLDP:714-15
President Brigham Young,
Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards
(First Presidency)
Gold is good in its place—it is good in the hands of a good man to do good with, but in the hands of a wicked man it often proves a curse instead of a blessing. Gold is a good servant, but a miserable, blind, and helpless god, and at last will have to be purified by fire, with all its followers. (Third General Epistle of the Presidency of the Church, April 12, 1850, MOFP2:40-49) MOFP2:46
George Q. Cannon
Wealth is a blessing when properly used. It adds to comfort; it contributes to happiness, and it enlarges usefulness. But when it is improperly used, it becomes an injury. When people set their affections upon it, are made vain and proud by it, think themselves a little better than their neighbor because of it, then it becomes a curse. (Gospel Truth, 2:319) TLDP:714
Elder Joseph F. Smith
Jesus said to his disciples, "A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven." (See Matthew 19:16-23.)
Is this because the rich man is rich? No. May not the rich man, who has the light of God in his heart, who possesses the principle and spirit of truth, and who understands the principle of God's government and law in the world, enter into the kingdom of heaven as easily, and be as acceptable there as the poor man may? Precisely. God is not a respecter of persons. The rich man may enter into the kingdom of heaven as freely as the poor, if he will bring his heart and affections into subjection to the law of God and to the principle of truth; if he will place his affections upon God, his heart upon the truth, and his soul upon the accomplishment of God's purposes, and not fix his affections and his hopes upon the things of the world. (General conference, Oct. 1875) (Gospel Doctrine, pp. 260-61) TLDP:714
851. The devil tempts us to covet riches and the material things of the earth.
Joseph Smith
President Wilford Woodruff
Joseph Smith
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Related Witnesses
President Heber J. Grant
J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
Mormon
Joseph Smith,
translating the Book of Moses
And Cain said unto the Lord: Satan tempted me because of my brother's flocks. And I was wroth also; for his offering thou didst accept and not mine; my punishment is greater than I can bear. (The record of Moses : revelation to Moses concerning Cain and Able) Moses 5:38
President Wilford Woodruff,
in behalf of the Council of the Twelve
Those, however, who remember constantly the teachings of the Lord concerning the earth and its inhabitants, and who contribute of the means which the Lord gives them to assist the poor and help carry forward the work of God, exercise a check upon themselves and give Satan less power to lead them astray. Under the present system of affairs, those who supply themselves and their families with luxuries and advantages that are denied their neighbors, are in danger of becoming separated from the bulk of the people and forming a distinct class. (General conference, Oct. 1887, epistle to Church; see MOFP3:133-55) MOFP3:142-43; TLDP:716-17
Joseph Smith
By this time, so deep were the impressions made on my mind, that sleep had fled from my eyes, and I lay overwhelmed in astonishment at what I had both seen and heard. But what was my surprise when again I beheld the same messenger at my bedside, and heard him rehearse or repeat over again to me the same things as before; and added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father's family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them. (Joseph relates the angel Moroni's visit to him, Sept. 21, 1823) JS-H 1:46
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
We should be on guard always to resist Satan's advances. He will appear to us in a person of a friend or a relative in whom we have confidence. He has power to place thoughts in our minds and to whisper to us in unspoken impressions to entice us to satisfy our appetites or desires and in various other ways he plays upon our weaknesses and desires. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 3:81) TLDP:137
Related Witnesses:
President Heber J. Grant,
J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay
(First Presidency)
Satan is making war against all the wisdom that has come to men through their ages of experience. He is seeking to overturn and destroy the very foundations upon which society, government and religion rest. He aims to have man adopt theories and practices which he induced their forefathers, over the ages, to adopt and try, only to be discarded by them when found unsound, impractical, and ruinous. He plans to destroy liberty and freedom—economic, political, and religious, and to set up in place thereof the greatest, most widespread, and the most complete tyranny that has ever oppressed men. He is working under such perfect disguise that many do not recognize either him or his methods. There is no crime he would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction. Satan never before had so firm a grip on this generation as he has now. ("The Message of the First Presidency to the Church," IE1942Nov:761) TLDP:138
Mormon
Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.
16. And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years. (Much iniquity abounds among the Nephites, A.D. 29-30) 3 Nephi 6:15-16
852. They who possess great riches tend to succumb to the sin of pride.
Elder Wilford Woodruff
President Wilford Woodruff
Mormon
Mormon
Mormon
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Moroni, son of Mormon
Elder Wilford Woodruff
I do not find fault with riches. The gold and silver are the Lord's. We want houses building and we must cultivate the earth. This is all right. I do not find fault with a man getting rich, I find fault with our selling the kingdom of God, our birthright, selling the Gospel and depriving ourselves of eternal life, for the sake of gratifying the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life and the fashions of the world; and setting our hearts upon these things. (In new Tabernacle, Sept. 12, 1875, JD18:121) TLDP:714
President Wilford Woodruff,
in behalf of the Council of the Twelve
This law of liberality appears to be one of the safeguards which the Lord has adopted to avert from his people the evil consequences which follow the possession of wealth. He has told us that the riches of the earth are His to give; but He has warned us to beware of pride, lest we become as the Nephites of old. We know the ruin it wrought for them, and we should spare no precaution to prevent wealth having a disastrous effect upon us. Many can endure poverty and be humble and live near the Lord who cannot bear riches. They become lifted up in pride and become covetous, and forget their God. . . . But the day will come when a more perfect order will be introduced. Then it will be said there are no poor and no rich in Zion—that is, we shall not be divided into classes, but shall all possess everything of this character necessary for our comfort and happiness. But until then, if we wish our families and ourselves to remain Latter-day Saints, we must be especially careful to guard against the deceitfulness of riches. (General conference, Oct. 1887, epistle to Church; see MOFP3:133-55) MOFP3:142-43; TLDP:716-17
Mormon
And it came to pass that the fifty and second year ended in peace also, save it were the exceedingly great pride which had gotten into the hearts of the people; and it was because of their exceedingly great riches and their prosperity in the land; and it did grow upon them from day to day. (The more humble part of the Nephite Church members suffer persecutions, 41 B.C.) Helaman 3:36
Mormon
Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination which was among them; yea, and it was among those also who professed to belong to the church of God.
12. And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away into the land of Nephi, among the Lamanites— (Nephite dissenters join forces with the Lamanites; there is great slaughter of the Nephites who had become wicked, including some who professed to belong to the Church, about 35-31 B.C.) Helaman 4:11-12
Mormon
But it came to pass in the twenty and ninth year there began to be some disputings among the people; and some were lifted up unto pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great riches, yea, even unto great persecutions;
11. For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers.
12. And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning, yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
13. Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God.
14. And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; . . .
15. Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. (Much iniquity abounds among the Nephites, A.D. 29-30) 3 Nephi 6:10-15
Jacob, brother of Nephi
And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they.
14. And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. But he condemneth you, and if ye persist in these things his judgments must speedily come unto you.
15. O that he would show you that he can pierce you, and with one glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust 16. O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls 17. Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
18. But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
19. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
20. And now, my brethren, I have spoken unto you concerning pride; and those of you which have afflicted your neighbor, and persecuted him because ye were proud in your hearts, of the things which God hath given you, what say ye of it?
21. Do ye not suppose that such things are abominable unto him who created all flesh? And the one being is as precious in his sight as the other. And all flesh is of the dust; and for the selfsame end hath he created them, that they should keep his commandments and glorify him forever.
22. And now I make an end of speaking unto you concerning this pride. And were it not that I must speak unto you concerning a grosser crime, my heart would rejoice exceedingly because of you. (Jacob denounces the love of riches to the Nephites, 544-421 B.C.) Jacob 2:13-22
Moroni, son of Mormon
And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.
37. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. (Moroni continues to write his last records on the plates that he hides up in the earth; he foresees the Nephite record shall come forth in a day of wickedness, degeneration and apostasy and says "I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not . . . Jesus Christ has shown you unto me, and I know your doing," A.D. 401) Mormon 8:36-37
Author's Note: Not only the wealthy tend to succumb to the sin of pride. There are those who seek for status, or position, or power, who in that manner also tend to succumb to the sin of pride.
853. We are to avoid financial debt.
Reed Smoot
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
George Teasdale
George Teasdale
Elder Heber J. Grant
Joseph Smith
Paul
President Joseph F. Smith
Related Witnesses
Francis M. Lyman
Reed Smoot
Francis M. Lyman
Recorded in Proverbs
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Marriner W. Merrill
Marriner W. Merrill
Anthon H. Lund
President Joseph F. Smith
Reed Smoot
It is my hope and desire that the warning . . . to keep out of debt, and those who are in debt to get out as fast as possible, will be heeded. . . . I tell you that to an honest man there is no bondage controlled by human laws upon the face of the earth greater than the bondage of debt. . . . And when you are relieved, do not go in debt any more. CR1900Oct:6
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
The First Presidency would like to urge every member of the Church to follow the example set by the Church and to live within his income.
Anyone who lives beyond his income is inviting disaster. Borrowed money is not income. Borrowing on capital account, within your reasonable capacity to pay, may be sound, depending upon circumstances. But borrowing to live on is unsound, whether it be an outright loan or installment buying. We urge the members to be frugal, thrifty, industrious, temperate, saving, and to live righteously. CR1940Apr:14-15
George Teasdale
I do not know how far we may be justified in going into debt; but we were admonished years ago by President John Taylor to keep out of debt. CR1898Apr:52
George Teasdale
The Lord has also commanded us to get out of debt, so that we may owe no man anything and be independent and keep the law of God. CR1900Apr:19
Elder Heber J. Grant
Now we desire that the Latter-day Saints shall be free from the bondage of debt. The Prophet of God has sounded the key-note to the people, "Pay your obligations, and do not grow in debt." CR1900Oct:35
Joseph Smith
Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. (Revelation, Dec. 16, 1833) D&C 101:79 (See verses 69-79)
Paul
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Paul's letter to the Church in Rome, about A.D. 55) Romans 13:7-8
President Joseph F. Smith
Credit often involves persons in bankruptcy, and is most frequently at the root of all financial failure. It involves men in bondage which often works destruction to their characters as well as to their whole course in life. Only the free are free, and no person in debt is free. Of all people on earth, the Saints should be the freest; and in order to fulfill the desires of their hearts as Latter-day Saints, they above all people should be free from debt.
The Lord has taught his people to keep themselves free from all extravagance; and it is as much a duty we owe to our families, to live within our means, and protect them from debt, as it is to devote our lives in other ways to their temporal and spiritual progress and protection. In fact, keeping out of debt and holding ourselves financially free, are conditions upon which both temporal and spiritual progress depends. . . .
The Saints should learn that it is not right, and leads to grave evil, to spend money on luxuries, for outings and other pleasure trips, that is not their own, or that has been obtained by going into debt for necessities. No luxuries for undue travel, dress, for eating or drinking, for amusement or entertainment, should be tolerated by the head of a family or demanded by its members, until the honest debts for necessities are cancelled. . . . To live within one's means, pay one's debts promptly, avoid credit as much as possible, both in giving and receiving, are old but worthy business maxims. Their observance should become a fixed habit with the man who desires to prosper in temporal affairs, and to lay the foundations of a character upon which a rich spiritual structure may be builded.
Finally, while times are prosperous, get out of debt, and then keep out; pay as you go, and do your business on a cash basis. ("Avoid Debt and Credit," IE1905Sept:866-67) TLDP:731
Related Witnesses:
Francis M. Lyman
A man cannot be comfortable spiritually who is in bondage financially. CR1904Oct:18
Reed Smoot
I tell you that to an honest man there is no bondage controlled by human laws upon the face of the earth greater than the bondage of debt. CR1900Oct:6
Francis M. Lyman,
also paraphrasing Marriner W. Merrill
Repentance is necessary to salvation. Elder M. W. Merrill suggested that the first step to get out of debt was to quit going into debt; so I say that the very first step to repentance is to stop sinning. . . . CR1899Apr:38
Recorded in Proverbs
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
It is a rule of our financial and economic life in all the world that interest is to be paid on borrowed money. May I say something about interest?
Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holidays; it never takes a vacation; it never visits nor travels; it takes no pleasure; it is never laid off work nor discharged from employment; it never works on reduced hours; it never has short crops nor droughts; it never pays taxes; it buys no food; it wears no clothes; it is unhoused and without home and so has no repairs, no replacements, no shingling, plumbing, painting, or white-washing; it has neither wife, children, father, mother, nor kinfolk to watch over and care for; it has no expense of living; it has neither weddings nor births nor deaths; it has no love, no sympathy; it is as hard and soulless as a granite cliff. Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, nor orders; and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you. ("The Specter of Debt," IE1938Jun:328) TLDP:732
Marriner W. Merrill
The easiest and shortest way to get out of debt is to first pay our tithing, promptly and honestly. CR1903Apr:66
Marriner W. Merrill
I want to make you a promise . . . that if you will . . . begin now to pay your tithes and your offerings in full, if you will cease to sign notes, if you will cease to give mortgages on your homes, and retrench from this time forth, and turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart I will promise you that the way will be opened up and every faithful man and woman will be able to extricate himself and herself, and the time will be in your life time, when you will be a free people. There are some few people that are free now, and they do not owe any man anything. . . . Wait until we have the means and then make the purchase, and do not make the purchase until we have the means. . . . It is not a good thing, in my view, for individuals to do [to borrow]. It may be justifiable in the case of some large enterprise that would benefit the country and people, but as a rule for individuals to pattern after large corporations, they will fall if they do it. . . . As a rule . . . it has not been counsel of the Priesthood, so far as I have learned, for the people to obligate themselves beyond that which they were able to meet at any time. CR1898Apr:38-39
Anthon H. Lund
I think . . . it is timely advice to our people to guard against the growing tendency to speculation and making investments when they have not the means wherewith to do it. It is not safe. We have prosperous times at present. We hope they may continue. But it would be very unwise to build upon the future, and not stand on a firm foundation in regard to financial matters. If any one wants to make investments, let him make them with his own means; not be too hopeful and borrow means beyond his ability to pay. CR1903Apr:24
President Joseph F. Smith
My injunction, and the injunction of my brethren of the Presidency and of the Twelve, is, get out of debt; pay your honest obligations, free yourselves so that you will be at liberty to perform any duty that you desire or that may be asked of you for the upbuilding of Zion and the spread of truth. CR1905Oct:3
854. The Lord favors neither the rich over the poor nor the poor over the rich.
Elder Joseph F. Smith
Recorded in Proverbs
Joseph Smith
Rudger Clawson
Elder Thomas S. Monson
James E. Faust
Related Witnesses
Bruce R. McConkie
Elder Joseph F. Smith
God is not a respecter of persons. The rich man may enter into the kingdom of heaven as freely as the poor, if he will bring his heart and affections into subjection to the law of God and to the principle of truth; if he will place his affections upon God, his heart upon the truth, and his soul upon the accomplishment of God's purposes, and not fix his affections and his hopes upon the things of the world. (General conference, Oct. 1875) TLDP:714
Recorded in Proverbs
The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2
Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord
receiving the Word of the Lord
And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons. (Revelation for Saints in conference, Jan. 2, 1831) D&C 38:16
Rudger Clawson
We are led to understand from the scriptures that God is no respecter of persons, and that these social conditions that are in the world, and in some degree perhaps in our midst, are not pleasing in His sight. . . .
So, my brethren and sisters, if there are to be distinctions among us, they must not be based on our financial condition, but rather upon the principle of righteousness. One man is better than another if he is more righteous than the other. One man is more acceptable to the Lord than another if he lives nearer to the Lord than the other. CR1899Apr:4
Elder Thomas S. Monson
My brothers and sisters, avoid the philosophy that yesterday's luxuries have become today's necessities. They aren't necessities unless we make them so. Many enter into long-term debt only to find that changes occur: people become ill or incapacitated, companies fail or downsize, jobs are lost, natural disasters befall us. For many reasons, payments on large amounts of debt can no longer be made. Our debt becomes as a Damocles sword hanging over our heads and threatening to destroy us. (True to the Faith, CR April 2006)
James E. Faust
The holy scriptures as well as the local and General Authorities of the Church provide a safety net of counsel and guidance for the people of the Church. For example, all my life the Brethren have from this and other pulpits urged our people to live within their incomes, stay out of debt, and save a little for a rainy day, for rainy days always come. (Called and Chosen, CR October 2005)
Related Witnesses:
Bruce R. McConkie
Either God treats all men the same or he is not God. If he respects persons and shows partiality, he does not possess those attributes of perfection which make him the exalted being that he is. (The Promised Messiah, p. 286) TLDP:221
855. We are to impart of our substance for the benefit of those less fortunate.
Dallin H. Oaks
King Benjamin
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Related Witnesses
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
Mormon
Dallin H. Oaks,
also quoting Jesus,
recorded in Matthew
We know . . . that even the most extreme acts of service—such as giving all of our goods to feed the poor—profit us nothing unless our service is motivated by the pure love of Christ.
If our service is to be most efficacious, it must be accomplished for the love of God and the love of his children. . . .
This principle—that our service should be for the love of God and the love of fellowmen rather than for personal advantage or any other lesser motive—is admittedly a high standard. The Savior must have seen it so, since he joined his commandment for selfless and complete love directly with the ideal of perfection. . . . "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48). . . .
Service with all of our heart and mind is a high challenge for all of us. Such service must be free of selfish ambition. It must be motivated only by the pure love of Christ. . . .
I know that God expects us to work to purify our hearts and our thoughts so that we may serve one another for the highest and best reason, the pure love of Christ. CR1984Oct:16-17
King Benjamin,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. (King Benjamin addresses his people, about 124 B.C.) Mosiah 4:26
Jacob, brother of Nephi
Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you.
18. But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
19. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. (Jacob denounces the love of riches among the Nephites, 544-421 B.C.) Jacob 2:17-19
Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord
receiving the Word of the Lord
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
18. Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment. (Revelation concerning the United Order, April 23, 1834) D&C 104:17-18
Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
[I]f there are any among you who aspire after their own aggrandizement, and seek their own opulence, while their brethren are groaning in poverty, and are under sore trials and temptations, they cannot be benefited by the intercession of the Holy Spirit, which maketh intercession for us day and night with groanings that cannot be uttered. (In epistle to the Church from Liberty Jail, Missouri, March 25, 1839; see HC3:289-305) TPJS:141
Related Witnesses:
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
But there was another element involved in it [the Welfare Program], and that was based upon the Savior's principle announced in the Sermon on the Mount, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And the history of the Welfare movement shows that there has come into the church an ever-increasing spirituality because of the giving which has been incident to the carrying on of the Welfare work. That giving has been not alone a giving of money or provisions or clothing or fuel, but a giving of manual labor, and of all the contributions the latter has perhaps brought the most of a feeling of common brotherhood as men of all training and occupation have worked side by side in a Welfare garden or other project. CR1943Oct:12-13
Mormon
And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need—an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
30. And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
31. And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.
32. For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible. (Those who were strong in the faith considered themselves equals, the priests supported themselves and the people cared for the poor, 91 B.C.) Alma 1:29-32
856. We are not to engage in acts of priestcraft: performing Church service for material gain or rendering benevolent service to others for riches or honor.
Dallin H. Oaks
Nephi, son of Helaman
Peter
Related Witnesses
Michah
Mormon
President Joseph F. Smith
Paul
Paul
Bruce R. McConkie
President David O. McKay
Mormon
Dallin H. Oaks
Some may serve for hope of earthly reward. Such a man or woman might serve in Church positions or in private acts of mercy in an effort to achieve prominence or cultivate contacts that would increase income or aid in acquiring wealth. Others might serve in order to obtain worldly honors, prominence, or power.
The scriptures have a word for gospel service "for the sake of riches and honor;" it is "priestcraft" (Alma 1:16). . . .
Service that is ostensibly unselfish but is really for the sake of riches or honor surely comes within the Savior's condemnation of those who "outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within . . . are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (Matthew 23:28). Such service earns no gospel reward. CR1984Oct:14
Nephi, son of Helaman,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
30. Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love, and except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
31. But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish. (Nephi gives commandments of God to Nephites, 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 26:29-31
Peter
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (Peter to the churches in modern Asia Minor, about A.D. 60) 1 Peter 5:1-2
Related Witnesses:
Michah
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. (The word of the Lord concerning Israel) Micah 3:11
Mormon,
also quoting Alma, the younger
And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a man brought before him to be judged, a man who was large, and was noted for his much strength.
3. And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people.
4. And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.
5. And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money.
6. And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching. . . .
11. And it came to pass that he stood before Alma and pleaded for himself with much boldness.
12. But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction. (Priestcrafts and persecution spread among the people, 91 B.C.) Alma 1:2-6,11-12
President Joseph F. Smith
Service in the interest of the Church is given, for the most part, without monetary compensation; where compensation is allowed it is moderate; the high Church officials are not rich, but in the majority of cases are men of limited means, and where it is otherwise their wealth did not come from the tithes of the people; . . . (Address from the First Presidency of the Church to the world, delivered to and accepted by vote of the Church in general conference, April 1907) CR1907Apr(Appendix)10
Paul
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11. Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (Paul's letter to his companion Titus, about A.D. 64) Titus 1:10-11
Paul
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3. Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; . . .
8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; (Letter to his assistant Timothy, about A.D. 64) 1 Timothy 3:1-3,8
Bruce R. McConkie
Persecution is one of the chief weapons in the hands of false priests; they use it to preserve their false religions. Truth stands on its own; error must be defended by the sword. False ministers fear the truth because by it their crafts are in danger. They practice priestcrafts to get gain and the praise of the world, neither of which will be theirs if true religion sweeps them into a deserved oblivion. (The Mortal Messiah, 2:393) TLDP:479
President David O. McKay
A careful analysis of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reveals the fact that it embodies all the strength of a strong central government and every virtue and necessary safeguard of a democracy.
First, it has the authority of priesthood without the vice of priestcraft, every worthy man being entitled to a place in the governing quorums. (IE1961Jul:486-87) TLDP:247
Mormon
And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength. (Those who were strong in the faith considered themselves equals, the priests supported themselves and the people cared for the poor, 91 B.C.) Alma 1:26
Author's Note: A dictionary definition of priestcraft: "Priestly policy or system of management based on temporal or material interest; policy of clergy to advance their own order." (The New Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, p. 659)
857. We are not to gamble or take money without giving fair value in return.
Stephen L. Richards
President Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, Charles W. Nibley
Henry D. Moyle
President Gordon B. Hinckley
President Spencer W. Kimball
Related Witnesses
President Joseph F. Smith
President Heber J. Grant
Delbert L. Stapley
Mark E. Petersen
Stephen L. Richards
Now, there are a good many who will try to defend gambling. I have heard people say that all business is a gamble, that even life is a gamble. The latter statement is absolutely false to anyone who knows anything about life. There is no gamble about life, as everyone of you know. You know that it is all planned from the very beginning, and while we cannot foresee all the circumstances that will transpire, we know what life is. We know the course that life should take. We know its rewards and we know its penalties for infractions of the law. Life is not a gamble, and it is a mistake to say that business is a gamble. Anybody who understands the fundamentals of good business knows that it is not a gamble. Every legitimate business contemplates an exchange of values. One thing of value, services, for another thing of value, money or some other thing. All sound business is based solely on that principle—an exchange of values.
That is not true of gambling—absolutely not. That is an effort to secure either something for nothing, or much more than what is invested in the gambling. . . . [I]t is the morality of it, my brethren, that I so much deplore because it puts men and women (and unfortunately there are many women who indulge) in a position where they are unable to appraise the sound values in life and in business, and it leads them on and on, like one who takes his first drink, until they may end up as alcoholics, or they may end up as gambling addicts, as this man calls them—compulsive gamblers. CR1958Oct:85
President Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, Charles W. Nibley
(First Presidency)
The Church has been and now is unalterably opposed to gambling in any form whatever. It is opposed to any game of chance, occupation, or so-called business, which takes money from the person who may be possessed of it without giving value received in return. It is opposed to all practices the tendency of which is to encourage the spirit of reckless speculation, and particularly to that which tends to degrade or weaken the high moral standard which the members of the Church, and our community at large, have always maintained. MOFP5:245
Henry D. Moyle
No man ought to be very proud of his accomplishments if those accomplishments consist of capitalizing upon the human weaknesses and frailties of others. Generally speaking, it is the young people, the boys and girls, who are naturally inclined to be a little reckless. They get in the groove, as it were, in the habit of gambling, by learning that most vicious habit of trying to get something for nothing. It is prevalent today in the individual lives of our people and in all of our government units to give the people as much as possible for nothing and to see how little the people shall ultimately be required to work for what they get. I hope and pray that the day will come when every Latter-day Saint will stand for the enthroning of labor and industry and thrift. God bless us to be wise. . . . CR1950Oct:96
President Gordon B. Hinckley
If you have never been involved in poker games or other forms of gambling, don't start. If you are involved, then quit now while you can do so. (CR 2005Apr; Gambling, Ensign, May 2005)
President Spencer W. Kimball
From the beginning we have been advised against gambling of every sort. The deterioration and damage comes to the person, whether he wins or loses, to get something for nothing, something without effort, something without paying the full price. (CR 1975Apr; “Why Call Me Lord, Lord, and Do Not the Things Which I Say?”, Ensign, May 1975, p.4)
Related Witnesses:
President Joseph F. Smith
The Church does not approve of gambling but strongly condemns it as morally wrong, and classes also with this gambling, games of chance and lottery, of all kinds, and earnestly disapproves of any of its members engaging therein. ("Is Speculation a Legitimate Means of Earning a Livelihood?" IE1908Aug:807) TLDP:89
President Heber J. Grant
I have read nothing except condemnation of card-playing and the wasting of your time in doing something that brings no good, bodily, intellectually or in any way, and sometimes leads your children to become gamblers, because they become expert card-players. The Church as a Church requests its members not to play cards. I hope you understand me, and I want you to know that I am speaking for the Church when I ask the people to let cards alone. MOFP:5:250
Delbert L. Stapley
The underworld of gambling and vice are constantly and unrelentingly exploiting the innocent and unsuspecting.
Liquor interests and gambling operators partially justify their existence through the heavy taxes paid by them which they claim relieves tax burdens from the people. They fail to mention that by the use of their products and gambling devices, the customer pays the tax and receives no personal good from the product or activity.
Some speculative business operators, also swindlers, with their schemes, stock promotions, and finance plans of an unsound and promotional nature.
Promotions are not always truthful, also short of dependable facts and fail in fulfillment of promised income and rewards. CR1961Oct:22
Mark E. Petersen
If you gamble . . . ask yourself if Christ is pleased. Ask yourself if such retrogression will bring you any nearer your purpose in life, that of becoming like our Savior. CR1968Oct:101
