Summary
PRIVATE PROPERTY is the exclusive and absolute legal ownership and control of property and is the cornerstone of economic freedom. Property owners have sole discretion in how to use, rent, sell, develop, and distribute their property.
When people have stewardship over their land, home, or other belongings, they have an incentive to maintain and improve them. In contrast, people who have little or no stewardship over what they earn or purchase have little incentive to work or innovate. Thus, the right to obtain, keep, and control property is essential for maintaining a free and prosperous society.
Private property is a right and, therefore, government should not redistribute it from one party to another without the owner’s consent. Government should protect property rights, encourage home ownership, minimize regulations that control the use of property, and minimize government ownership and control of property.
Quotes from the Brethren
Ezra Taft Benson–
The Doctrine and Covenants states, “We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life” (D&C 134:2). Life, liberty, property—mankind’s three great rights. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Our Divine Constitution,” Nov. 1987)
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.–
In the first place I repeat again, the United Order recognized and was built upon the principle of private ownership of property; all that a man had and lived upon under the United Order, was his own. Quite obviously; the fundamental principal of our system today is the ownership of private property. (Quoted in Marion G. Romney, “Living the Principles of the Law of Consecration,” Feb. 1979)
Ezra Taft Benson–
Communism introduced into the world a substitute for true religion. It is a counterfeit of the gospel plan. The false prophets of Communism predict a utopian society. This, they proclaim, will only be brought about as capitalism and free enterprise are overthrown, private property abolished, the family as a social unit eliminated, all classes abolished, all governments overthrown, and a communal ownership of property in a classless, stateless society established. (Ezra Taft Benson, “A Witness and a Warning,” Nov. 1979)
Quotes from the Founders
James Otis–
One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one’s house. A man’s house is his castle. (James Otis, “On the Writs of Assistance,” 1761)
John Adams–
Each individual of the society has a right to be protected by it in the enjoyment of his life, liberty, and property, according to standing laws. He is obliged, consequently, to contribute his share to the expense of this protection; and to give his personal service, or an equivalent, when necessary. But no part of the property of any individual can, with justice, be taken from him, or applied to public uses, without his own consent, or that of the representative body of the people. In fine, the people of this commonwealth are not controllable by any other laws than those to which their constitutional representative body have given their consent. (John Adams, “Thoughts on Government,” 1776)
Benjamin Franklin–
All the property that is necessary to a Man, for the Conservation of the Individual and the Propagation of the Species, is his natural Right, which none can justly deprive him of: But all Property superfluous to such purposes is the Property of the Publick, who, by their Laws, have created it, and who may therefore by other laws dispose of it, whenever the Welfare of the Publick shall demand such Disposition. He that does not like civil Society on these Terms, let him retire and live among Savages. He can have no right to the benefits of Society, who will not pay his Club towards the Support of it. (Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Robert Morris, Dec. 25, 1783)
John Adams–
The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If `Thou shalt not covet’ and `Thou shalt not steal’ were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free. (John Adams, “A Defense of the American Constitutions,” 1787)
Thomas Jefferson–
He who is permitted by law to have no property of his own, can with difficulty conceive that property is founded in anything but force. (Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson to Bankcroft, Jan. 26, 1788)
Alexander Hamilton–
Wherever indeed a right of property is infringed for the general good, if the nature of the case admits of compensation, it ought to be made; but if compensation be impracticable, that impracticability ought to be an obstacle to a clearly essential reform. (Alexander Hamilton, “Vindication of the Funding System,” 1792)
James Madison–
Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own. (James Madison, “Essay on Property,” March 29, 1792)
Joseph Story–
And it is no less true, that personal security and private property rest entirely upon the wisdom, the stability, and the integrity of the courts of justice. (Joseph Story, “Commentaries on the Constitution,” 1833)
Speeches and Other Resources
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