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Law Concerning War

In these times where war seems to be a common occurence have you ever wondered if it is justified or acceptable to go against another?

Look at D&C 98:23-32

During WWII many soldiers who were LDS were both part of the Allied and Axis forces. There are actual accounts of them being in eye to eye contact.

Here are some points to consider:

1. Although we may go to war to defend our country the attitude we go to war with is what determines our spirituality.
2. If our commanding officer asked us to attack a group of unarmed soldiers - would we do it knowing they would not have a chance to defend themselves?
3. Would we tourture an enemy spy to get information that could lead to the quick resolve of the war?
4. Would you fight for somebody like Hitler if you were a German? This may be a quick answer for you, but remember a lot of these people did not have a choice - they were drafted into the Army.

War Law

I always felt that war is wrong, no matter the circumstances. You can call me 'Amnesty' if you want (believe me or not my family used to call me that when I was younger because they said I defend everybody lol).
War is such a sad and evil thing. Not only thousands of people die but they suffer hunger, women are being raped and all kind of atrocities. In my opinion, Satan is in 'charge' or war and he wants all nations fighting each other to acommplish his purpose of division and death.
Regards of what the Church think about war and military, I am in disagreement 100% of any kind of forced used to change something.

Law Concerning War Studies Doctrine Mormon

Just as I placed this topic I saw this article from LDS News:

AN ANTI-NAZI IN WORLD WAR II GERMANY
See https://www.sltrib.com/2003/jan/01112003/sa...urday/19203.asp
Link

Ear pressed to a contraband French radio for hours during the summer of
1941, Helmuth Huebner discovered Nazi lies through British news reports on
BBC. It would later cost the 16-year-old Latter-day Saint boy his life. As
a youngster, Huebner had been involved in the Hitler Youth organization,
caught up in the National Socialist Party's promise of restoring order and
pride to Germany. But slowly, he began to see the racism and brutality of
that movement.

[img]https://www.bordeglobal.com/board/YaBBImages/misc/nazi.gif[/img]

Do you know that even today people still see Hitler as a demigod? Do you think a greater stance should be taken against people that have strong movements like these?

War Law

This is my first response in this forum:
My understanding is that the local LDS leaders excommunicated the anti-nazi members. Probably because they did not support the nazi government at the time.

However, this raises a more germain question:

If I disagree with the US war in Iraq, since I am a US citizen, am I in conflict with the Church?

I totally disagree with what is going on. If I believed the idea was to protect the US or even to remove a dictator (still somewhat dicy), I would support the war, at least nominally. But the issue really is about forcefully protecting oil company revenues and changing a system of government without the consent of the people of Iraq (or of the USA, for that matter).

Since I believe that the government of the USA has not just lead us into an unrighteous and unjust war, but has also destroyed many of the constitutional rights of the people, am I justified in standing against that governmental conspiracy?

Can I be called to account by my Church leaders for not blindly supporting the government? When a draft is instituted, will I be justified in hiding my sons and daughters from the government draft board a la Vietnam days?

Ricky

War Law

Interesting question. I don't know why the Church would get involved, but history shows they have in the past.

Of course, there is the article faith that says we believe in honoring, obeying and sustaining the law. So, it would seem to me that in the event of a draft, your sons if they are US citizens would need to submit to the law in order to be living in accordance with this article of faith. If they have dual citizenship with another country, I imagine they could give up their US citizenship. Even without dual citizenship they could choose to give up their US citizenship and become a citizen of another country.

Since, your sons would be adults before they could be drafted, IF the Church considered hiding from it a transgression or sin, it would be theirs not yours.

Law Concerning War

War, as awful as it is, is sometimes necessary. Just read the Book of Mormon. Where would the faithful Nephites had ended up if they refused to go to battle against the Lamanites? They would have been in bondage to them, forced to deny their God and religion. Is it worth going to war to protect freedom? I think we all agree the answer is yes.

The current war in Iraq and Afghanistan is not about oil. The U.S. has oil reserves we can tap in to if needed. The war is an ongoing battle against evil, against those who would put free people in bondage if they could. To stand by and do nothing would help this to happen.

I don't think it is coincidence that the U.S. is a strong world power. The Lord planned it this way so his Kingdom could grow even in these turbulent times. I'm not saying the U.S. is a righeous land; instead it is overflowing with iniquity but the Lord has blessed this land, and selected it as a free land to restore his church. It also needs to have a strong military presence to hold off those who would use power and force to take over the world. Of cource we are not doing this alone, we have allies, other nations with the same resolve that help us.

Law War

About war in general, I think that as horrible as it is, as long as people have agency, there will be war and contention. So basically, no matter what we do, there will be war somewhere. That's why the peace that is predicted to come after the second coming is something I look forward to very much.

Law War Mormon Doctrine Studies

I think war takes a terrible toll on humanity, but I do think it is sometimes necessary and I think this fact is supported in the scriptures. There were times in the Bible and the Book of Mormon where righteous people had to fight for what was right and I believe their efforts were rewarded by the Lord. So, in my opinion, it isn't always the wrong choice to make.