We Believe in Being Honest

Dear Gramps,

Is it considered steeling if a debt of over $4000.00 is owed to a non-church member by a member for nonpayment of rent and taking a refrigerator. The owner’s only income was the rent money. The owner got a judgment for this amount and has been unable to collect any portion of it. Is there any recourse through the church?? What if any would the position of the church be concerning this type of behavior by a member of the church???

John

Dear John,

Stealing is defined as taking the property of another without permission.  The scriptures are very clear on this subject:  “Thou shalt not steal”  being one of the ten commandments given to Moses by the Lord.  In the 13th Article of Faith, Joseph Smith stated:  “We believe in being honest, true….”  Stealing is definitely breaking one of God’s commandments.

The Church is not in a position to force or require the individual to repay the debt.  His Priesthood leaders may encourage him to do so and to obey the laws of the land, but his recourse for repayment of the debt would have to be through the legal system of the land.

Since he has broken a commandment of the Lord and is in violation of Church policy his Bishop would be the one to determine any course of action the Church would take with him.  The duties and responsibilities of a Bishop are given in D&C 107.  Verse 74 states:  “Thus shall he (a Bishop) be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion…”

Gramps