I probably would argue that the Church should stay out of commerce, but I’d like to see the statement before I adopt it.

I guess I can’t leave this topic alone, though, by saying that church members shouldn’t do business with each other — because fundamentally, I think we should. In fact, church members ought to be ideal business partners: honest, pleasant, etc. We SHOULD enjoy working with each other, and ideally, it sounds like a great way to sustain each other and build up the church. So where did we go wrong?

Also, are the things I’ve outlined really why mormons can’t escape doing business with each other? Or are there more insidious cultural reasons? Perhaps others more steeped in UT/LDS culture can testify…

Matthew Parke: Thanks! My first BCC brownie point :)

But as to your comment — I agree that mixing business and friends is dumb/bad. But don’t you think that it’s a shame? I mean, I’d like to work with mormons and talk our secret talk all day long, but I know that’s a bad idea — and that makes me feel like there’s something wrong with our community.

You’re just chalking it up to general human frailties, but I’m thinking there’s some other cultural defect out there.

Religion shouldn’t enter into the decision. If the person is a friend, I would be less likely to hire him/her. If the person is a casual acquaintance, then religion is a non-issue. Probably illegal to make it so.

I remember growing up that my mother would hire Church members for a variety of projects (painting the house, real estate agent, etc.). Years later, she came to the conclusion that business relationships with ward members are problematic, often because they would expect special treatment, favors, etc., by virtue of their common religious affiliation. That’s just one person’s experience, of course.

Steve — I appreciate all the free publicity I can get, but why does your first comment refer everyone to the “link for Aaron Brown”?

Aaron B