by Seattle Jon:
Raffling and Games of Chance
The attitude of the Church with respect to raffling and games of chance is clearly expressed by those who have and do now preside over the church.
President Smith said, "Raffling is a game of chance, and hence leads to gambling. For that reason, if for no other, it should not be encouraged among the young people of the Church."
President Young declared raffling to be a modified form of gambling and said that "As Latter-day Saints we cannot afford to sacrifice moral principles to financial gain."
President Lorenzo Snow endorsed and approved of these statements when he said, "I have often expressed my unqualified disapproval of raffling."
President Grant says, "I have always understood that our people were advised to raise their money for charitable and ward purposes without indulging in raffling, where chances are sold. There is no objection to creating competition in various ways in ward entertainments in order to raise money, but the selling of chances on any article has been discouraged."
It is urged that the spirit of these instructions be followed and the element of chance eliminated in efforts to raise money.
Seattle Jon is a family man, little league coach, urban farmer and businessman living in Seattle. He currently gets up early with the markets to trade bonds for a living. In his spare time he enjoys movies, thrifting and is an avid reader. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the Japan Fukuoka mission field. He has one wife, four kids and three chickens.
