Gambling is an issue on which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is very clear: they oppose it. Members of the church, known as Mormons, are counseled to stay away from gambling of any kind. Mormons are also encouraged to join with others in opposing the legalization or government sponsorship of any form of gambling.
LDS Gambling Definition
The LDS (Mormon) church opposes both legal and illegal gambling, including lotteries, casinos, or betting on races and sports matches. They also oppose playing poker, other card games, or bingo for money.
The church broadly defines gambling as any game of chance where money is at stake, or, as President Gordon B. Hinckley said in 2005, "a process that takes money and does not offer a fair return in goods or services."
Mormon Gambling Perceptions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always spoken against gambling. Church leader Brigham Young in 1844 called gambling a "disorderly proceeding" and wished to ban it from the city of Nauvoo, which was then the headquarters of the LDS church.
Today, the LDS church's perception of gambling has remained largely unchanged. LDS leaders call gambling and betting addictive and morally destructive. President Hinckley also says that "in so many cases, it leads to other destructive habits and practices. And so very many of those who become involved cannot afford the money it takes."
It is believed that the central problem behind gambling is the desire to get something for nothing (often at the expense of others,) a desire which stands at odds with the LDS church's emphasis on hard work, thrift, and unselfishness.
Gray Areas - LDS Card Games and Raffles
The LDS church's strict "no gambling" stance does not address a few scenarios which are typically left up to each individual's judgment. For example, is card playing when no money is at stake okay? Most Mormons play cards for fun, but some may feel that it is not appropriate for them and refrain from the activity.
Raffles are never part of official LDS church activities or fundraisers because of the association with gambling, but whether individual Mormons buy raffle tickets at a charity or school fundraiser is up to the individual. Most Mormons don't feel any compunction against doing so, viewing their ticket price as a contribution to support the organization's mission instead of a form of gambling.
LDS Gambling Addiction Help
In spite of the strong LDS message against gambling, some Mormons become involved in gambling behavior or addicted to gambling. As with other serious infractions, Mormons who gamble are advised to discuss it with their ecclesiastical leader and begin working through the steps of repentance.
President Hinckley tells church members: "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." LDS Family Services, an arm of the church offering social services to Mormons, holds LDS addiction recovery support groups for members of the church dealing with various addictions from gambling to pornography to alcohol.
LDS leaders say that gambling is a pernicious social evil to be avoided by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Financially and morally, games of chance and betting are believed to be dangerous. Mormons with a gambling problem are encouraged to seek out appropriate help to quit the behavior.
Readers can also visit Mormon Rules Explained for more on the LDS stance on a variety of subjects.
Sources:
Gordon B. Hinckley, "Gambling." Ensign, May 2005.
"Gambling," Study Topics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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