Comments on: The Spirit of the 4th of July

By: Shiloh Logan

Shiloh Logan — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:08:56 +0000

Yeah, nothing says “I come in the name of the Prince of Peace” like hundreds of thousands dismembered, bloodied, and killed Arabian men, women, and children at the end of US standard issue M16A2! Who knew missionary work was so simple?!

I guess we’re adopting the “Kill ‘em all, let God sort ‘em out” principle?

By: Ezra Taylor

Ezra Taylor — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:47:34 +0000

Lynda
I am not aware of the specific article you are referring to. Could you please give a reference?

By: jc

jc — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:52:49 +0000

Just because good things may result AFTER evil actions only shows that the Lord’s purposes get fulfilled no matter what. That doesn’t mean that someone should support evil being done. Japan and West germany became economic powerhouses after WWII. With that logic, the US should benevolently choose a country to firebomb so that the grandchildren of the survivors can live a prosperous life and learn the gospel from US soldiers. And have a western economy. You make a poor case for using violence especially when the message you claim to believe in is one of love and peace andmeekness. Sorry I’m not convinced.

By: Doug W.

Doug W. — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:04:47 +0000

Lynda,

I couldn’t find the article you mentioned, but did find this one in the July 2010 Ensign:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=0bebad9ec2c49210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

To quote:

“In 1833 the Church was facing intense persecution, especially in Missouri. In defense of their lives, Church members took up arms. At that point, the Lord revealed section 98. In it, He taught them to forbear—within limits. They had a right to defend themselves, but if they refrained, He would reward them. If the offenders sought forgiveness, the Saints were to forgive “seventy times seven” (verse 40). As for going to battle, they were to first sue for peace and engage only if the Lord commanded it.”

True defense, forgiveness, striving for peace – nothing like what we are doing today in the Middle East and in over 150 countries around the world. I agree with Jeremy and JC’s conclusion that we are, in fact, exporting war. The Book of Mormon stands as a firm witness against preventive warfare.

By: Lynda

Lynda — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:33:08 +0000

I listened to the blog. Most of it I agreed with. Unfortunately, Jeremy and JC did not bother to read the aritcle that was recently in the ensign about how wars in other lands have helped to spread the gospel. With the influx of soldiers in a place we have LDS soldiers who reach out to the citizens in love. The Philippines owe much of their church growth to WWII. So stop saying that the we are exporting war. The Lord is using the war to help US spread the gospel. so now we are spreading the gospel albeit slowly, in the middle east.

By: suzie romans

suzie romans — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:48:39 +0000

Love this. Suz

By: Ezra Taylor

Ezra Taylor — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:45:24 +0000

In light of all revolutions post war for independence, I really hate that term. I know some of the founders called it that, but it was more of a war for independence because it did not over turn a government, but was a secessionist movement.

Here are some quotes that may help us keep the spirit of freedom and independence alive:

There has been a tendency among some Latter-day Saints, even when the Constitution is mentioned, to say, “There he goes talking politics.” I am not talking politics. I am quoting the words of the Lord.”
Joseph F. Smith CR April 1946

The Constitution is as much from God as the Ten Commandments -President George Albert Smith
Gen Conf April 1948

The Constitution of the United States is the basic law for all of the Americas, of Zion, as it has been defined by the Lord.
…(T)he Constitution of the United States, which God Himself inspired, is the law of Zion, the Americas.
So, Brethren, I wish you to understand that when we begin to tamper with the Constitution we begin to tamper with the law of Zion which God Himself set up, and no one may trifle with the word of God with impunity. J. Rueben Clark Jr General Conference October 1942