Gramps,

In Mormon doctrine by Bruce R McConkie he says that cards shouldn’t even be allowed in the home. Now I understand the situation of the time but is this still what the brethren want? Are we not worthy to participate in ordinances if we play cards? Now when I ask my question I am not asking about gambling. I know gambling is wrong but I am curious to the other card games we can play with playing cards like rummie, bridge, crazy 8 and so on..

Joshua

Answer

Dear Joshua,

You are absolutely right about the gambling question. Gambling of any type is gravely wrong and our modern day prophets and apostles have told us such. One does not need to be a sociology expert to see that gambling causes many, many evils in our society like bankruptcy, family break up, and even crime. So you are correct Joshua, gambling is wrong and yes, a Latter-day Saint should not partake in any form of it.

Card playing is a bit different. I’d like to remind you and the readers that Ask Gramps is a team and we all have different interests in our personal lives. Some of us might like knitting, some of us might like hunting, and some might like playing card games with our families. While it’s true, the prophets and apostles have in the past cautioned us against playing cards, the main reason was because card playing back then usually revolved around gambling.

As far as what Elder McConkie had to say about this, I am sure he got the thoughts and information from his father-in-law Joseph Fielding Smith who got it from his father Joseph F. Smith.  On lds.org it has this to say:

CARD PLAYING.

 

See APOSTASY, GAMBLING, RECREATION. President Joseph F. Smith has stated the position of the Church with reference to card playing in these words: “Card playing is an excessive pleasure; it is intoxicating and, therefore, in the nature of a vice. It is generally the companion of the cigaret and the wine glass, and the latter lead to the poolroom and the gambling hall…. Few indulge frequently in card playing in whose lives it does not become a ruling passion…. A deck of cards in the hands of a faithful servant of God is a satire upon religion…. Those who thus indulge are not fit to administer in sacred ordinances.…. The bishops are charged with the responsibility for the evil, and it is their duty to see that it is abolished…. No man who is addicted to card playing should be called to act as a ward teacher; such men cannot be consistent advocates of that which they do not themselves practice.

 

“The card table has been the scene of too many quarrels, the birthplace of too many hatreds, the occasion of too many murders to admit one word of justification for the lying, cheating spirit which it too often engenders in the hearts of its devotees….

 

“Card playing is a game of chance, and because it is a game of chance it has its tricks. It encourages tricks; its devotees measure their success at the table by their ability through devious and dark ways to win. It creates a spirit of cunning and devises hidden and secret means, and cheating at cards is almost synonymous with playing at cards.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., pp. 328-332.)

 

Members of the Church should not belong to bridge or other type of card clubs, and they should neither play cards nor have them in their homes. By cards is meant, of course, the spotted face cards used by gamblers. To the extent that church members play cards they are out of harmony with their inspired leaders. Innocent non-gambling games played with other types of cards, except for the waste of time in many instances, are not objectionable.

Elder John A Widstoe said,

“It must be added that relaxation from the regular duties of the day is desirable and necessary for human well-being. Wholesome games of recreation are advocated by all right minded people. Moreover, the objections to card playing are not directed against the many and varied card games on the market not employing the usual ‘playing cards’. Most of these furnish innocent and wholesome recreation, and many are really instructive.” (Evidences and Reconciliations, 1943)

Brother Boyd Thomas (a former stake president) also said something interesting.

“My personal experiences indicate that our family has enjoyed many benefits from playing games with cards. At at time when amusements are generally enjoyed alone, for example TV watching and video game playing, we in our family like to play card games together.”  How should I feel about playing cards?

It’s important to ask yourself how you are playing cards. Are you using it bring your family closer together and to have a good time enjoying the company of one another? It’s an inexpensive and family friendly hobby, and by using it that way you should feel no guilt whatsoever in playing the occasional card game.

Gramps

Hey Gramps,

My main question is in regards to clean fun. You see, my friends and I love to get together to play poker (we don’t play for money, just for fun) and while we play we enjoy drinking O’Douls and smoking Swisher Sweet Cigars. Now obviously O’Douls is non-alcoholic and the swisher sweet cigars are not meant to be inhaled so we’re not actually breathing any tobacco. Lately, my wife has been giving me a hard time saying that I’m evil and going to hell. What is your opinion on my behavior?

Blake

Answer

Dear Blake,

Listen to your wife! She seems to have a lot more sense than you do. It surprises me how many people try to walk just as close as they can to the line of evil without crossing over. The minute they move in that direction they have crossed the line. As we read in Thessalonicans 5 :22—

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And President James E. Faust has written the following—

“Some of you young men may be letting others set your standards. You defend yourselves by saying, Who said we shouldn’t do this or we shouldn’t do that? There are so many shades of right and wrong that each of you has to decide where the line will be. I strongly urge you that if there is any question in your minds or hearts about whether your personal conduct is right or wrong, dont do it. Each of us has moral agency, and the gift of the Holy Ghost will sharpen our impressions of what is right and wrong, true and false. It is the responsibility of the prophets of God to teach the word of God, not to spell out every jot and tittle of human conduct. If we are conscientiously trying to avoid not only evil but the very appearance of evil, we will act for ourselves and not be acted upon.” (President James E. Faust, The Devils Throat, Ensign (CR), May 2003, p.51)

Some people like to walk as close to the edge of the cliff of evil as they can. They think that it is a thrill to look over they edge and perceive the evil without partaking of it. But the danger is real! One little slip of the foot (or the conscience) and over they go, beaten and bruised on the rocks below, with a tremendous struggle to get back on top. While other more sensible people walk as close to the brow of the hill of righteousness as they can, enjoying the peace and the direction of the Holy Spirit. If they stumble or get caught on a snag there is no real danger, they merely pick themselves up (repent) and continue on their joyful path.

Your little game is more than flirting with danger; it is involved with evil. You say that the cigars are not meant to be inhaled. It’s actually impossible to breath in without inhaling something. And the argument that the cigars “are not meant to be inhaled” is about the weakest excuse for indulgence that one can come up with. My advice to you is to avoid the very appearance of evil.

Gramps

Dear Joan,
There have been instructions from the brethren not to play with face cards. The reason, of course, is that it may lead to gambling, and that excessive card playing is a waste of time. Elder Bruce R. McConkie had this to say on the subject—

“Members of the Church should not belong to bridge or other type of card clubs, and they should neither play cards nor have them in their homes. By cards is meant, of course, the spotted face cards used by gamblers. To the extent that church members play cards they are out of harmony with their inspired leaders. Innocent non-gambling games played with other types of cards, except for the waste of time in many instances, are not objectionable.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., p.113)

Gramps

Dear Gramps,

First of all, I would like to say, I like the website. It has a great layout.

OK, now to my question. I am a NHB style fighter. That is like the UFC fights on TV. It is a bit of a brutal sport, but it is done with respect and honor. I was wondering If this sport is contrary to the doctrine of the church, because of the brutality of it. When we fight, we do not, usually, do it because we hate each other. We do it because we enjoy the sport. And if it is contrary to church doctrine, then what about boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and the traditional arts? Thank you for your time,

Josh

Answer

Dear Josh,

As I am sure that you are aware, Gramps cannot speak in any official way for the Mormon Church. However, he can express his own opinions and feelings. So, in that context let me convey my impressions as an answer to your question. NHB (no holds barred) style fighting and UFC (ultimate fighting championship) are extensions of the martial arts, originating, I would imagine, in Japan. If they are practiced as a sport I can see no reason why there would be any proscription against them in Mormon Church doctrine.

However, if they, or any other form of violence, were to be used with mal-intent, I’m sure that their use would be against the spirit fo the gospel. We know that the Savior was openly opposed to violence, as he taught the doctrine of turning the other cheek. However, for a righteous cause, and when deemed right in his perfect mind, he commanded the righteous on several occasions to destroy the wicked.

I am of the opinion that we should never use force in anger, and we should only display force against another with intent to harm when commanded to do so by the Savior.

Gramps