Rights/Property

• Acts 4:32

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

• D&C 49:20

But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.

• D&C 51:3

Wherefore, let my servant Edward Partridge, and those whom he has chosen, in whom I am well pleased, appoint unto this people their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.

• D&C 70:14

Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.

• D&C 78:5-6

That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things.

For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;

• D&C 78:19

And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.

• D&C 134:2

"We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual ... the right and control of property."

• J. Reuben Clark Jr., "Private Ownership under the United Order and the Guarantees of the Constitution", Improvement Era, Nov. 1942

• Terry L. Anderson, "Property Rights Among Native Americans", Foundation for Economic Education, 1 Feb 1997

Treats on the existence of property rights among Native Americans.

Notes

The message here seems to be a bit conflicted. On the one hand, property rights are held sacred, and working to support one's self is held to be necessary. In addition, we know that the heavens have many mansions. On the other hand, we are told that the lack of equality, in possessions, indicates that the world lieth in sin.

One way I can think of to resolve this dichotomy, is to think that, if all men were perfect, we would have equality in possessions, but each greedy man who steals and refuses to contribute and serve, and each lazy man who refuses to work, creates inequality both spiritually and temporally.

Cross-References

• Capitalism
• Communism
• Equality
• Gratitude
• Rights
• Work