Thou Shalt Not Covet Thine Own Property
In the last of the ten commandments, Jehovah commanded the Israelites, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s” (Exodus 20:17). One definition online defines the word covet this way: “To desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others.” These words of the Lord to Martin Harris make sense given that definition: “And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife; nor seek thy neighbor’s life.” That is consistent with the original commandment and the meaning is clear: Martin was not to desire to take what was his neighbor’s. But then the Lord also said this: “And again, I command thee that thou shalt not covet thine own property, but impart it freely to the printing of the Book of Mormon, which contains the truth and the word of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:25-26). The example onli...