More recently, however, a new principle introduced itself to my thoughts on this question. It occurred to me that some people by virtue of genetics and personality are disposed to addictive gambling. My father may have been one of those and I believe it had hellish affects on our family.
As a child, I remember playing the roulette wheel at our neighborhood carnival. I knew nothing of gambling, probably didn't even realize that I was gambling. But I do remember how strangely pleasurable it was to put down a quarter or fifty cents and then hope my number came up on the wheel.
So, I ask, what if one or more of my children were to have this disposition? What if my son, who in many ways is like me, and probably like his grandfather, were to follow my example and play cards with his friends. How much closer would he then be to the temptation to gamble?
The use of "playing cards" obviously courts that temptation. It begs for that temptation. Especially if you ever play cards with or near others who do not hold a non-gambling conviction of their own.
It's not like the world is becoming a cleaner and more moral place. I would rather my children stay far away from these sinful life destroying addictive activities.
Here's what Elder Oaks had to say about it. I agree with him.
One type of gambling that has been vigorously criticized by our leaders is card playing. Cards may, of course, be played without playing for money, but the relationship between card playing and gambling is so close and the practice of card playing itself partakes of so many of the disadvantages of gambling that card playing has come under condemnation regardless of whether or not gambling is involved.
Elder Widtsoe criticized card playing on the grounds that it was habit forming and a waste of time. He declared:It has been observed through centuries of experience that the habit of card playing becomes fixed upon a person and increases until he feels that a day without a game of cards is incomplete.
After an afternoon or evening at card-playing, nothing has been changed, no new knowledge, thoughts, or visions have come, no new hopes or aspirations have been generated, except for another opportunity to waste precious hours. It leads nowhere; it is a dead-end road. Dull and deadly is a life which does not seek to immerse itself in the rapidly moving stream of new and increasing knowledge and power. Time is required to keep up with the times. We dare not waste time on pastimes that starve the soul.
I guess that's all I have to say.
