I have heard, much too often as of late, the popular Latter-day Saint adage “keep church and business separate.” I have never heard such blatant falsehood in my entire life. Truly, if one is a Sunday Mormon only, then what is the value that individual holds for the Lord? Yes, this person is very loved of our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. But the deep disappointment which must reside in their hearts of the actions of a person such as this must be tremendous.
This decay in Zion is growing to alarming proportions. I’ve experienced and heard too many stories of people using church callings to gain the trust of others only to shaft them in the long run as they breeze on ahead with the pifered funds in their pockets. A stake president in Lehi, Utah, so alarmed over this situation, dedicated an entire Stake Conference to the topic. Another gentleman eloquently spoke of this matter: “Some members fail to see the connection between the commandment in loving one another and honest dealing with one another. In fact when I confronted a member as to a wrongful transaction on another, he stated “don’t mix church with business.” It had nothing to do with business; it was his dishonest actions that led to his personal gain. There seems to be a sweeping problem among our community of members who would advance their very personal cause to get gain, unrightfully, on the backs of others. Such actions are played under the radar screen and when detected over time they seek to play the letter of the law game. They play the game of justification and manipulation of their actions being learned, sophisticated, and well-cultured men.”
Is this truly a decaying within the heart of Zion? Sadly, I believe it is. Do others experience these same things? Is this as widespread as I sadly fear it must be? We must turn our hearts back to our Father in Heaven and conduct ourselves in such a way as to bring pleasure and rewards from heaven, rather than disappointment and pain.