The Church's Stance On War
Crystal said she was "torn on war" because it is complex. Amen.
The Church has published a book called True to the Faith as "a companion to your study of the scriptures" (p.1). It is published with the church's name, and begins with an endorsement from the First Presidency. So it's about as official as you can get.
Under "War" the book reads:
"As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are a people of peace. We follow the Savior, who is the Prince of Peace. . . . However, we recognize that in this world, government leaders sometimes send military troops to war to defend their nations and ideals.
If Latter-day Saints are called upon to go into battle, they can look to the example of Captain Moroni, the great military leader in the Book of Mormon. Although he was a mighty warrior, he "did not delight in bloodshed" (Alma 48:11). He was "firm in the faith of Christ," and his only reason for fighting was to "defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion" (Alma 48:13). If Latter-day Saints must go to war, they should go in a spirit of truth and righteousness, with a desire to do good. They should go with love in their hearts for all God's children, including those on the opposing side. Then, if they are required to shed another's blood, their action will not be counted as sin."
It's even more interesting, because this is not addressed only to American Mormons, but to Mormons worldwide.
I think the war in Iraq has been successful in a lot of ways because many of the men and women we had on the ground over there exemplified these principles. They truly loved the Iraqi people, and fought for the U.S. and Iraq, and did what they could to give them a better situation.
I've heard Mormons use Captain Moroni to excuse all war. But we will only be excused if we have "a desire to do good," and have "love in [our] hearts."
The Church has published a book called True to the Faith as "a companion to your study of the scriptures" (p.1). It is published with the church's name, and begins with an endorsement from the First Presidency. So it's about as official as you can get.
Under "War" the book reads:"As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are a people of peace. We follow the Savior, who is the Prince of Peace. . . . However, we recognize that in this world, government leaders sometimes send military troops to war to defend their nations and ideals.
If Latter-day Saints are called upon to go into battle, they can look to the example of Captain Moroni, the great military leader in the Book of Mormon. Although he was a mighty warrior, he "did not delight in bloodshed" (Alma 48:11). He was "firm in the faith of Christ," and his only reason for fighting was to "defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion" (Alma 48:13). If Latter-day Saints must go to war, they should go in a spirit of truth and righteousness, with a desire to do good. They should go with love in their hearts for all God's children, including those on the opposing side. Then, if they are required to shed another's blood, their action will not be counted as sin."
It's even more interesting, because this is not addressed only to American Mormons, but to Mormons worldwide.
I think the war in Iraq has been successful in a lot of ways because many of the men and women we had on the ground over there exemplified these principles. They truly loved the Iraqi people, and fought for the U.S. and Iraq, and did what they could to give them a better situation.
I've heard Mormons use Captain Moroni to excuse all war. But we will only be excused if we have "a desire to do good," and have "love in [our] hearts."
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