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LDS Church Leader D. Todd Christofferson Condemns Gambling, Mobile Sports Betting: A Comprehensive Analysis

By jili tutorial · October 6, 2026

LDS Church Leader D. Todd Christofferson Condemns Gambling, Mobile Sports Betting: A Comprehensive Analysis

Overview: A Landmark Address at the 2026 Fall General Conference

On Saturday, October 3, 2026, during the fall General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), D. Todd Christofferson—Second Counselor in the First Presidency and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles—delivered a nearly 13-minute sermon denouncing gambling in all its forms. Speaking from Salt Lake City, Utah, Christofferson framed gambling as a moral failing that undermines spiritual stewardship, family stability, and societal productivity. His remarks were broadcast to millions of Latter-day Saints worldwide and have since sparked broader discussion about the rapid expansion of online gambling, mobile sports betting, and prediction markets.

This article provides a deeper dive into Christofferson’s address, the historical and doctrinal context of the LDS Church’s opposition to gambling, the modern forces driving its growth, and the implications for believers and the wider public.

Who Is D. Todd Christofferson? Understanding the Speaker’s Authority

Christofferson’s remarks carry significant weight within the LDS Church. He was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in April 2008, after serving 15 years in the Presidency of the Seventy and the First Quorum of the Seventy. In October 2025, he was sustained as Second Counselor in the First Presidency under LDS President Dallin H. Oaks. The First Presidency is the church’s highest governing body, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is one of its key leadership groups. Therefore, his condemnation of gambling is not a personal opinion but an official doctrinal stance.

A Brief History of Christofferson’s Leadership Roles

The Core Message: Gambling Is “Morally Wrong”

Christofferson began by acknowledging that the LDS Church has long opposed gambling, but he stressed that the practice has become “incredibly pervasive” in recent years. He pointed to three primary drivers behind this explosive growth:

  1. Mobile sports betting — Enabled by smartphones and legalization in many U.S. states.
  2. iGaming — Online casinos, poker rooms, and slot machines.
  3. Online prediction markets — Platforms where participants bet on future events, such as interest rates, elections, sports outcomes, wildfires, or even the timing of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

A Moment of Levity: The “Second Coming” Bet

Christofferson lightened the mood by noting prediction markets’ absurd possibilities: “Where do you go to collect on that bet?” he asked, drawing laughter from the congregation. This highlighted the moral absurdity of betting on sacred or uncontrollable events.

The Smartphone Revolution: How Technology Fueled the Gambling Explosion

From Casino Visits to Pocket-Sized Casinos

Christofferson argued that the smartphone has transformed gambling from an occasional, location-dependent activity—requiring a trip to a casino, racetrack, or lottery kiosk—into a continuous, private, and nearly ubiquitous temptation. “This has led to an explosion in gambling,” he said.

This shift mirrors broader societal trends. According to the American Gaming Association, legal sports betting in the U.S. reached $121 billion in handle in 2024, with mobile betting accounting for over 80% of wagers. iGaming revenues exceeded $10 billion. Meanwhile, prediction markets like PredictIt and Kalshi have gained millions of users.

Why This Matters for Latter-day Saints

The church’s moral teachings emphasize that members should avoid even the appearance of evil. With gambling now accessible via a tap on a screen, the boundary between harmless entertainment and sinful behavior has become harder to maintain. Christofferson’s warning was timely.

LDS Doctrine on Gambling: A Longstanding Opposition

Historical Foundations

The LDS Church has consistently prohibited gambling since its founding by Joseph Smith in 1830. While no single revelation explicitly bans betting, church leaders have repeatedly taught that gambling violates principles of:

Beyond gambling, Latter-day Saints are expected to follow the “Word of Wisdom,” a health code received as a revelation by Joseph Smith in February 1833. It commands abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, coffee, and tea. Gambling is not explicitly in that code, but it falls under broader moral commandments to avoid addiction and worldly entanglements.

Comparison: Gambling vs. Other Prohibitions

Prohibited ItemBasisReason
Alcohol, tobacco, coffee, teaWord of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants 89)Physical health, spiritual clarity
GamblingGeneral Conference teachings, scriptural principlesStewardship, work ethic, avoidance of addiction

Christofferson’s Threefold Plea: A Higher Plane of Living

During his address, Christofferson made three key points:

1. Resources Are Stewardships, Not Toys

“Our resources are stewardships, and the question is not merely whether a purchase is legal, but whether it builds anything—in us, in our families, or in those around us.” He contrasted gambling with productive uses of money: education, charity, savings, and family support.

2. Gambling Produces Nothing of Value

“In the end, gambling produces nothing of value and enriches only its purveyors.” This is a direct critique of the gambling industry’s business model, which relies on players losing money over time. Unlike a farmer growing food or a teacher educating children, a gambling operator creates no tangible social good.

3. Work Leads to Prosperity; Gambling Leads Away

“Work leads to prosperous, just, and equitable societies. Gambling, even for fun, leads in the opposite direction.” Christofferson invoked the LDS emphasis on self-reliance and industriousness. Even casual betting, he argued, normalizes a mindset of risk and reward detached from effort.

Real-World Examples: How Gambling Harms Individuals and Families

Christofferson did not provide case studies, but research supports his claims:

The LDS Response: Practical Guidance for Members

What Should Latter-day Saints Do?

The Church’s Official Position

The LDS Church’s General Handbook states: “Gambling is a form of fraud that harms individuals and families. Members should not participate in any form of gambling, including lotteries, raffles, or betting on sports or other events.”

Broader Implications: Will This Shift Public Policy?

Christofferson’s address may influence LDS-majority states like Utah, Idaho, and parts of Arizona and Nevada. Utah currently has the strictest anti-gambling laws in the U.S., banning all forms. Other states with large LDS populations may face pressure to resist further legalization of mobile sports betting or iGaming.

A Note on Prediction Markets

Prediction markets are legal in the U.S. only when regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Kalshi and ForecastEx are currently the main operators. LDS members are now explicitly warned against using them, even for “fun” or “educational” purposes.

Conclusion: A Call to Live on a Higher Plane

Christofferson closed with a powerful plea: “I am pleading with all of us to live life on a higher plane. God has granted life and agency to each of us, and each of us is accountable to Him for how we live that life.”

For Latter-day Saints, this means rejecting gambling not only because it is sinful, but because it distracts from their ultimate purpose: to grow in righteousness, serve others, and build the kingdom of God. For the broader public, Christofferson’s words serve as a reminder that the rapid expansion of online gambling demands careful ethical reflection—before another smartphone notification turns a casual bet into a life-altering addiction.