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Mormons & Guns - Page 2

I didnt even know there needed to be a policy for this. I thought it was just common sense that you wouldn't bring a gun to church!

Guns and Mormons

Please No guns at church. I think we have enough problems to worry about then to have to worry about this. That Gun incident was a very isolated incident and I think by allowing guns in church would cause more problems then what it would solve. I think you would have more problems of a unexpected discharge, an accidental shooting then someone coming in and gunning everyone down. I think I would feel more unsafe in church knowing that the elder's quorum is caring concealed weapons. Think of the legal ramifications for the church and the spiritual consequences and devastation in the ward if a gun accidentally discharged and killed a member or a child.
If there is a problem with security, then perhaps the church needs to hire security at the building. We had a situation once in church were a mentally ill man made a big scene in fast and testimony meeting and was taken to the bishop's office where he was talked to by the Bishop and for some reason it was rumored that he had a gun. That rumor excited a brother in our ward who is very paranoid and carries a gun all the time with him, except at church. This brother took it on his own, to evacuate the church building which induced panic among the members. Had that brother had a gun he would have caused a bigger scene and escalated the situation into a larger problem that could have been potentially disastrous.

Mormons & Guns Studies Doctrine Mormon

Name: Moroni

Comments:

The modern sword is a gun.

Page 2 Guns and Mormons

If someone has a license to carry a concealed weapon, the Church shouldn't even ask if someone has that weapon.

I know its a stretch but I would quote the Savior in Luke

I just saw that Joe Public just beat me to that quote. Great point.

There are times to defend oneself and others, and I would suspect that there is no more appropriate time to do this then in a worship service.

And why does it have to be the responsibility of a "Security Guard" to defend members.? That's the first person a bad guy will always kill when he wants to do some damage. Its much safer if the Crazy Psyco killer doesn't know where he may be taken out.

Rather off topic, but... If I was a killer, the first place I would go is to the so called "Gun Free Zones". All these college shootings in the United States happened at Gun Free Zones. In Arizona there is actually a law that has come up before the Arizona house that will allow licensed gun carriers to have these guns on School Campuses. Personally I feel safer in place where the citizenry are armed to the teeth, rather then in a place where only Criminals are carrying guns. I would only say: Guns aren't evil, the people who misuse them are.

Guns and Mormons

I personally do not think that Luke is saying that Jesus is advocating that we should carry guns and weapons to church. Clearly that verse is an exaggeration to tell them that times are getting hard. If you read further down in Luke 22: 38-39, the disciples pull out 2 swords and the Lord tells them that is enough, sensing that the apostles took him to seriously. Also remember that Jesus rebukes Peter for using a sword in verse 50.
I do not think that Jesus anywhere advocates violence of any kind not would he advocate bringing guns to church.

Mormons & Guns

I agree, that Jesus does not advocate carrying a gun or defensive weapon to Church.

Conversely the Savior never said anything that would restrict a person from carrying a defensive weapon either.

Blessed are the peacemaker. Blessed are the Meek. So yes I agree with you, Christ in the New Testament does not advocate violence.
But there has to be a distinction between violence used to protect the innocent and violence used to hurt the innocent. Christ through his prophets have stated that it is justifiable to take another man's life to protect your own or the lives of others.

In the Book of Mormon Alma 43:47 Christ does in fact advocate violence.

We see that Lord has said we must defend our families, even unto Bloodshed.

So it it is my opinion that any man worth his salt will defend his family even if it means taking the life of another.

The life of my Family is infinitely more valuable to me then any person who would intentionally try to take theirs. I would kill them in an instance and feel slightly sad that the person chose to make a stupid, if not evil decision.

Edited: dbackers on 28th Feb, 2008 - 1:09am

Mormons & Guns - Page 2

Your right, but he never said anything that would encourage carrying weapons either. Because he said nothing does not mean that he was an advocate for carrying weapons. So fortunately for me the burden of proof lies on your position. If Jesus is anti-violent then it is easier to assume that he would be anti- weapon concealment as well then to assume the contrary.

Rather off topic, but... As for the BOM advocacy to resort to violence, I am always suspicious of. Any time Nephite resort to violence is because of there sin in the first place. If they followed the commandments of Christ they would not have to resort to violence or bloodshed. (That is the whole message of the BOM) We must look at the BOM in its culture and context. instead of pulling proof texts to make our points.

Message Edited... LDS_forever: I fixed your quote and offtopic tags.

Mormons & Guns Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 2

Very good points made by all. Obviously it is going to be difficult to speculate on what Christ would have us do.

I have to agree with dbackers though, and here is why. This is the justification and the warrant in my opinion. Isiah53 is correct in saying that if they had but lived the word of Christ that they would not need to result to violence. But it is now as it was then, and we should protect our families from men that would do them harm.

I have never carried a weapon into church, other than my boy scout pocket knife. I have never felt the need, or the prompting. If I lived in an area that was more dangerous, I might.