Comments on: What Do the Scriptures Teach Us About War? http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/ LDS Prophets, America, Freedom, Liberty, Constitution, Mormon Politics Mon, 07 May 2012 00:55:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Marc http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-12158 Marc Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:55:01 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-12158 Really Enjoyed this write up as well as many of the comments that followed. Especially those outlining the truth of the fact that WE MUST EDUCATE ourselves! The Prophets are finished warning us. They have proceeded with strengthening the faithful and are concerned not with nation building but Kingdom Building! And as Marvin has said we must awaken to a sense of our awful situation. Kudos gents Kudos. Marc Really Enjoyed this write up as well as many of the comments that followed. Especially those outlining the truth of the fact that WE MUST EDUCATE ourselves! The Prophets are finished warning us. They have proceeded with strengthening the faithful and are concerned not with nation building but Kingdom Building! And as Marvin has said we must awaken to a sense of our awful situation. Kudos gents Kudos.

Marc

]]> By: Marvin Hall http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-105 Marvin Hall Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:29:23 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-105 If one really tries then he can gain a knowledge of “the hidden things of darkness”. ‘Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you, seek and ye shall find.’ Anyone who does these thing will understand that the “king men” have been in control of our government for a very long time. Joseph Fielding Smith made the following comment: "Satan has control now. No matter where you look, he is in control, even in our own land. He is guiding the governments as far as the Lord will permit him. That is why there is so much strife, turmoil, and confusion all over the earth. One master mind is governing the nations. It is not the president of the United States; it is not Hitler; it is not Mussolini; it is not the king or government of England or any other land; it is Satan himself." — Joseph Fielding Smith (Doctrines of Salvation) That was so in Joseph Fielding Smith’s day and it is even more so today. That is why our nation is a warmongering nation. Satan through his secret combinations is running the show. It is urgent that we gain a knowledge of the hidden things of darkness in order that we be not deceived. “Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth . . . (D&C 82:5) My people are destroyed for lack of aknowledge:… Hosea 4: 6 We must gain a knowledge of good and evil. `Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith' (D&C 88:118). “ And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart— For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are ablinded by the subtle bcraftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to cdeceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they dknow not where to find it— Therefore, that we should waste and awear out our lives in bringing to light all the bhidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven— These should then be attended to with great aearnestness. Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.” D&C, Sec 123:11-14 Elder Holland’s talk, “Safety for the Soul” in the last general conference was a talk about not being deceived. He made it so crystal clear that if we do not gain a knowledge of the things that are in the book of Mormon ( and other scriptures) and hold fast to the iron rod then we will be lost in the mists of darkness - we will be deceived. He bore powerful testimony that the Book of Mormon is true! Many of we active saints are deceived concerning the wars, the priest crafts, the secret combinations, the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil, socialism, false educational ideas, government dole etc, etc. The Lord has commanded us “…that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation…” thus inferring that we are asleep. “ And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should …obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, ….” D&C 93: 53 When we do that we will no longer be in the dark as to when warfare is justified. Thanks Brian for your wonderful website that helps us gain light and truth and to become undeceived. If one really tries then he can gain a knowledge of “the hidden things of darkness”. ‘Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you, seek and ye shall find.’ Anyone who does these thing will understand that the “king men” have been in control of our government for a very long time.
Joseph Fielding Smith made the following comment: “Satan has control now. No matter where you look, he is in control, even in our own land. He is guiding the governments as far as the Lord will permit him. That is why there is so much strife, turmoil, and confusion all over the earth. One master mind is governing the nations. It is not the president of the United States; it is not Hitler; it is not Mussolini; it is not the king or government of England or any other land; it is Satan himself.” — Joseph Fielding Smith (Doctrines of Salvation) That was so in Joseph Fielding Smith’s day and it is even more so today. That is why our nation is a warmongering nation. Satan through his secret combinations is running the show.
It is urgent that we gain a knowledge of the hidden things of darkness in order that we be not deceived. “Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth . . . (D&C 82:5) My people are destroyed for lack of aknowledge:… Hosea 4: 6 We must gain a knowledge of good and evil. `Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith’ (D&C 88:118). “ And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart— For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are ablinded by the subtle bcraftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to cdeceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they dknow not where to find it— Therefore, that we should waste and awear out our lives in bringing to light all the bhidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven— These should then be attended to with great aearnestness. Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.” D&C, Sec 123:11-14
Elder Holland’s talk, “Safety for the Soul” in the last general conference was a talk about not being deceived. He made it so crystal clear that if we do not gain a knowledge of the things that are in the book of Mormon ( and other scriptures) and hold fast to the iron rod then we will be lost in the mists of darkness – we will be deceived. He bore powerful testimony that the Book of Mormon is true!
Many of we active saints are deceived concerning the wars, the priest crafts, the secret combinations, the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil, socialism, false educational ideas, government dole etc, etc. The Lord has commanded us “…that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation…” thus inferring that we are asleep.
“ And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should …obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, ….” D&C 93: 53 When we do that we will no longer be in the dark as to when warfare is justified.
Thanks Brian for your wonderful website that helps us gain light and truth and to become undeceived.

]]> By: Moroni2009 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-104 Moroni2009 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:04:09 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-104 Al qaeda as some great organization is an exaggeration. There is no unity, and honestly what protects America is much more the power of God for the sake of those within who try to actually help those around the world as opposed to actual military force. I know that most of us have commented about Iraq. But Afghanistan's premises were false as well. The special bunkers in Tora Bora have not been proven to exist. But what about the leadership of this al qaeda? Much of the evil and secret societies that goes on actually is from here in the U.S., and this type of evil is worse than al qaeda can ever be. It's worse because America is protected and strengthened by divine power, and the only way to seriously merit a loss of such protection is an extreme wickedness within. The Book of Mormon account makes it very clear that the Nephites lost to the Lamanites due to their own internal issues more than anything else. This evil is also worse because it is a direct affront to the spiritual messages that go on for us who KNOW the gospel here in the U.S. as opposed to those in the Middle East and Afghanistan, who really are kept from the gospel primarily by the false traditions of their fathers. Whereas we are told regularly by our politicians of matters that the Lord has revealed to us not to fear, because they will not hinder his own eternal work from progressing. Yes, that includes global warming, terrorism, the economy, nuclear holocausts, and current political controversy, or even our wars in Afghanistan & Iraq. I'm not saying be careless, by all means, but don't let your enthusiasm for serving the Lord sink because they mention these so much. Build upon the rock and stand in holy places. Al qaeda as some great organization is an exaggeration. There is no unity, and honestly what protects America is much more the power of God for the sake of those within who try to actually help those around the world as opposed to actual military force. I know that most of us have commented about Iraq. But Afghanistan’s premises were false as well. The special bunkers in Tora Bora have not been proven to exist. But what about the leadership of this al qaeda?

Much of the evil and secret societies that goes on actually is from here in the U.S., and this type of evil is worse than al qaeda can ever be. It’s worse because America is protected and strengthened by divine power, and the only way to seriously merit a loss of such protection is an extreme wickedness within. The Book of Mormon account makes it very clear that the Nephites lost to the Lamanites due to their own internal issues more than anything else.

This evil is also worse because it is a direct affront to the spiritual messages that go on for us who KNOW the gospel here in the U.S. as opposed to those in the Middle East and Afghanistan, who really are kept from the gospel primarily by the false traditions of their fathers. Whereas we are told regularly by our politicians of matters that the Lord has revealed to us not to fear, because they will not hinder his own eternal work from progressing. Yes, that includes global warming, terrorism, the economy, nuclear holocausts, and current political controversy, or even our wars in Afghanistan & Iraq. I’m not saying be careless, by all means, but don’t let your enthusiasm for serving the Lord sink because they mention these so much. Build upon the rock and stand in holy places.

]]> By: erickson http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-103 erickson Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:09:49 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-103 I believe that in the case of Iraq, this country has blood on its hands. in DC134, 12 we learn that we are not to meddle with or in fluence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life thereby jeopardizing the lives of men. Such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude. The U.S. created a power vacume that led to wide spread looting, ethnic cleansing that took the lives of thousands,and displaced millions. THE WAR WAS BASED ON LIES BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT THAT LINKED IRAQ WITH ALQAEDA AND WEPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. I believe that 911 was an inside job that like pearl harbor got us into war. The results are A U.S. led blood bath in Iraq, afganistan and do to the patriot act a future blood bath here. The irony is that these acts might get us missionaries into these countries. But this end does not justify the means. The end goal of the great and abominable church is world domination. I believe that in the case of Iraq, this country has blood on its hands. in DC134, 12 we learn that we are not to meddle with or in fluence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life thereby jeopardizing the lives of men. Such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude. The U.S. created a power vacume that led to wide spread looting, ethnic cleansing that took the lives of thousands,and displaced millions. THE WAR WAS BASED ON LIES BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT THAT LINKED IRAQ WITH ALQAEDA AND WEPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. I believe that 911 was an inside job that like pearl harbor got us into war. The results are A U.S. led blood bath in Iraq, afganistan and do to the patriot act a future blood bath here. The irony is that these acts might get us missionaries into these countries. But this end does not justify the means. The end goal of the great and abominable church is world domination.

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-102 Benjamin Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:28:06 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-102 Rocky, without sources, your arguments about Prescott Bush and Barack Obama are totally refuted. However, the concerns about 9/11 are valid enough that we do need to worry about them though. Right now, the majority of both political parties feel that Afghanistan is justifiable, yet they want to sit and argue about policies that affect us - the people who are so much wealthier than those who live in Iraq or Afghanistan, who don't have the bombs dropped on our people for being suspected terrorists, and who honestly, even with our so-called ineffective healthcare system, have more sanitary living than most people on Earth. Failing to focus on this war already is a terrible joke when you think about what people in the Islamic world suffer. Maybe some reports could be up there about Pakistan. Al Jazeera claims, without any effective refutation, that our own bombs have killed tens of thousands of Afghans and a number approaching a thousand Pakistanis. It's so sick I can't even look at most of those in our Congress, or our own president, and believe the words they say at face value anymore. I even used to be party affiliated but eventually couldn't defend either one because they both are part of this trying to dodge the problems from our own military action. You mention Iraq, Rocky, but I doubt even Afghanistan or Pakistan is justified. Our own politicians show more care about trivial matters for us who are so rich than for those who suffer in Afghanistan who are rediculously impoverished in comparison. People in Afghanistan's cities have high rates of mortality from water-borne disease, yet 90-95 percent of our U.S. plumbing water is safe, by EPA standards for us to drink. Also, take a look at our own backyard, in both Central and South America, why don't we help those within our own borders and trust the Pakistanis/Chinese to act in their own part of the world. We neglect our own neighborhood for the sake of Afghanistan. My final question here is for any of you here on the board to answer. What is a respectable way to disagree with a war, from LDS standards. Rocky, without sources, your arguments about Prescott Bush and Barack Obama are totally refuted. However, the concerns about 9/11 are valid enough that we do need to worry about them though. Right now, the majority of both political parties feel that Afghanistan is justifiable, yet they want to sit and argue about policies that affect us – the people who are so much wealthier than those who live in Iraq or Afghanistan, who don’t have the bombs dropped on our people for being suspected terrorists, and who honestly, even with our so-called ineffective healthcare system, have more sanitary living than most people on Earth. Failing to focus on this war already is a terrible joke when you think about what people in the Islamic world suffer. Maybe some reports could be up there about Pakistan. Al Jazeera claims, without any effective refutation, that our own bombs have killed tens of thousands of Afghans and a number approaching a thousand Pakistanis. It’s so sick I can’t even look at most of those in our Congress, or our own president, and believe the words they say at face value anymore. I even used to be party affiliated but eventually couldn’t defend either one because they both are part of this trying to dodge the problems from our own military action.
You mention Iraq, Rocky, but I doubt even Afghanistan or Pakistan is justified. Our own politicians show more care about trivial matters for us who are so rich than for those who suffer in Afghanistan who are rediculously impoverished in comparison. People in Afghanistan’s cities have high rates of mortality from water-borne disease, yet 90-95 percent of our U.S. plumbing water is safe, by EPA standards for us to drink.
Also, take a look at our own backyard, in both Central and South America, why don’t we help those within our own borders and trust the Pakistanis/Chinese to act in their own part of the world. We neglect our own neighborhood for the sake of Afghanistan.
My final question here is for any of you here on the board to answer. What is a respectable way to disagree with a war, from LDS standards.

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-101 Benjamin Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:42:06 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-101 Well, Rocky, thanks for mentioning the WTC 7 part. I just figured that one part out, and yes come to think of it, it does sound spooky. After all, even the towers struck by aircraft imploded, as I realized from watching it a second time. They didn't tip over, as you would expect a building to do when a corner is blown out, such as by an aircraft. In addition to what you have said, Dr. Jones of BYU pointed out the traces of thermite - which, if you haven't taken basic introductory chemistry, can look up online as I have spelled it, a process which produces yellow-hot liquid iron from aluminum-oxide and iron sulfate combining together. Al Qaeda is real, but America is not clean either. There's plenty of finger-pointing within our own politics as to who singularly is evil in this nation. That's the problem, most of us really can't look and think without a rediculous bias as to who the secret combinations truly are. If there's any inside influence to 9/11, it's a rediculously tangled web. Put in mind that secret combinations will ditch their own guys for dead, look at what Gadianton did to Kishkumen, to cover up their own tracks. We can, and will be shown, rest assured, who's guilty by the Lord himself. I am not going to dismiss everything you say as completely false, but I do offer some serious caution about meddling too much in seeking out what's evil. It can be a dangerous thing. We know that there is wicked, but we should be listening more to King Benjamin's very own words of inspired counsel in Mosiah 4: 19-20, that we should watch ourselves, and not get caught in the many snares. It's most certain that JFK and RFK's deaths were related to some conspiracy, but the danger is there in getting too wrapped up in what's bad and losing ourselves in the process. The full details will come by the Lord's hands, let's just watch out for ourselves in the process. Well, Rocky, thanks for mentioning the WTC 7 part. I just figured that one part out, and yes come to think of it, it does sound spooky. After all, even the towers struck by aircraft imploded, as I realized from watching it a second time. They didn’t tip over, as you would expect a building to do when a corner is blown out, such as by an aircraft. In addition to what you have said, Dr. Jones of BYU pointed out the traces of thermite – which, if you haven’t taken basic introductory chemistry, can look up online as I have spelled it, a process which produces yellow-hot liquid iron from aluminum-oxide and iron sulfate combining together. Al Qaeda is real, but America is not clean either. There’s plenty of finger-pointing within our own politics as to who singularly is evil in this nation. That’s the problem, most of us really can’t look and think without a rediculous bias as to who the secret combinations truly are. If there’s any inside influence to 9/11, it’s a rediculously tangled web. Put in mind that secret combinations will ditch their own guys for dead, look at what Gadianton did to Kishkumen, to cover up their own tracks. We can, and will be shown, rest assured, who’s guilty by the Lord himself. I am not going to dismiss everything you say as completely false, but I do offer some serious caution about meddling too much in seeking out what’s evil. It can be a dangerous thing. We know that there is wicked, but we should be listening more to King Benjamin’s very own words of inspired counsel in Mosiah 4: 19–20, that we should watch ourselves, and not get caught in the many snares. It’s most certain that JFK and RFK’s deaths were related to some conspiracy, but the danger is there in getting too wrapped up in what’s bad and losing ourselves in the process. The full details will come by the Lord’s hands, let’s just watch out for ourselves in the process.

]]> By: Rocky http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-100 Rocky Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:09:50 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-100 Help! Some of these comments made my eyes roll so far back I can't see. We have killed over 1.3 Million Iraqis since Bush Jr started his new war. 4 million have been displaced from their homes. Those who have homes are lucky to have 20 minutes of electricty per day. We fired on these poor people 100's of tons of depleted uranium munitions which is far more, 100 times more radioactive material than we did on Japan. This is genicide of a people who are innocent men women and children. Over time this will totally eliminate these people. For what? Weapons of mass destruction? Give me a break! It is all about controllling the middle east and its oil. Bush was building up for the war in the middle east far before 911. Anyone with an ounce of deductive reasoning power can figure out 911 was an inside job. How did WTC7 come down at faster than free-fall speed? It wasn't hit by a plane. Over 700 prominent architects and engineers believe it was a controlled demolition and are demanding that a new investgation be held. It is a fact and a matter of congression record that Prescot Bush, George Junior's grandpa financed Hitler and was a traitor to our country. How does this traitor have a son and grandson become Presidents of this country? George Sr. and Junior are admitted members of Skull & Bones a secret society financed by drug money which we call Gadianton Robbers. We have a President today who has burried all his recorded history, school records, birth certificate and has spent millions fighting the lawsuits concerning his eligibility to be President because he has not proven that he is a US citizen. He refuses to show his original birth certificate which has the hospital he was born in and the Dr. who delivered him. His grandma says he was born in Kenya and was at his birth. How does someone with no recorded history and is probably not even a US citizen become president? The power elete banksters, the Rothchilds, Rockefellers call the shots. They own the Federal Reserve, the major news medias, big oil, big Pharma, insurance companies, stock markets, etc. JFK tried to expose the Banksters and their secret societies that control our government and they had him, his brother, RFK and MLK killed. Wake up and smell the coffee of the New World Order. Help! Some of these comments made my eyes roll so far back I can’t see. We have killed over 1.3 Million Iraqis since Bush Jr started his new war. 4 million have been displaced from their homes. Those who have homes are lucky to have 20 minutes of electricty per day. We fired on these poor people 100′s of tons of depleted uranium munitions which is far more, 100 times more radioactive material than we did on Japan. This is genicide of a people who are innocent men women and children. Over time this will totally eliminate these people. For what? Weapons of mass destruction? Give me a break! It is all about controllling the middle east and its oil. Bush was building up for the war in the middle east far before 911.

Anyone with an ounce of deductive reasoning power can figure out 911 was an inside job. How did WTC7 come down at faster than free-fall speed? It wasn’t hit by a plane. Over 700 prominent architects and engineers believe it was a controlled demolition and are demanding that a new investgation be held.

It is a fact and a matter of congression record that Prescot Bush, George Junior’s grandpa financed Hitler and was a traitor to our country. How does this traitor have a son and grandson become Presidents of this country? George Sr. and Junior are admitted members of Skull & Bones a secret society financed by drug money which we call Gadianton Robbers.

We have a President today who has burried all his recorded history, school records, birth certificate and has spent millions fighting the lawsuits concerning his eligibility to be President because he has not proven that he is a US citizen. He refuses to show his original birth certificate which has the hospital he was born in and the Dr. who delivered him. His grandma says he was born in Kenya and was at his birth. How does someone with no recorded history and is probably not even a US citizen become president?

The power elete banksters, the Rothchilds, Rockefellers call the shots. They own the Federal Reserve, the major news medias, big oil, big Pharma, insurance companies, stock markets, etc.

JFK tried to expose the Banksters and their secret societies that control our government and they had him, his brother, RFK and MLK killed. Wake up and smell the coffee of the New World Order.

]]> By: Kevin Kappen http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-99 Kevin Kappen Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:28:07 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-99 I am very grateful to have found this site. It is a great blessing to see that there are others who share the understanding of the scriptures and the importance of defending liberty. The issue of many latter day saints supporting pre-emptive wars due to political party affiliation is something that I am very concerned about, and something that I am fearful we will be under condemnation for. I am new to the site, having just discovered it today but I expect to spend many hours here, hopefully eventually able to contribute. Brandon, my thoughts on this issue have been very similar to yours, I feel the only wars we are ever justified in are defending our lives and country, OR if the Lord specifically commands an aggressive war through His servant the prophet. I am very grateful to have found this site. It is a great blessing to see that there are others who share the understanding of the scriptures and the importance of defending liberty. The issue of many latter day saints supporting pre-emptive wars due to political party affiliation is something that I am very concerned about, and something that I am fearful we will be under condemnation for.

I am new to the site, having just discovered it today but I expect to spend many hours here, hopefully eventually able to contribute. Brandon, my thoughts on this issue have been very similar to yours, I feel the only wars we are ever justified in are defending our lives and country, OR if the Lord specifically commands an aggressive war through His servant the prophet.

]]> By: Benjamin http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-98 Benjamin Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:57:37 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-98 Brandon, what's far worse is the fact that even though some innocents are killed, our own leadership is unwilling to make a change in process from the very tactic that killed so many people, which is airstrikes primarily. Through the use of missiles, aerial bombs, and even predator drones, we kill far more civilians, whom our leaders claim to protect, than the actual members of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The Lord is not happy because although we kill innocents, our leaders stubbornly refuse to learn from the methods that kill so many, and figure that it is only bad to lose American lives, whereas the ineffective aerial power alone suffices - it does not. It kills too many, and truly winning will involve far more ground-based forces, letting the tribal Afghanistan handle itself, and also cooperating far more than the Pakistani government than we are now. Again, airstrikes alone are pathetic against an enemy who runs in Secret Combinations. Furthermore, one can look at Captain Moroni, who despite his brutality, constantly kept developing new strategies, even though risky to his own soldiers, that spared many innocents, or even the Lamanites. Look at the airstrikes, they haven't really decreased the overestimation of this as a power mechanism since the 90s, even though the deaths of those we supposedly protect far outweigh those of al qaeda. Sending in soldiers may be risky, but soldiers can work as a team with the Pakistanis while the drones cannot. Also, Pakistan even did not want us getting involved in the first place with their own fight, while our own government did not listen and considered them also part of this evil. Good reference is found in the Book of Mormon, in the end of Helaman and the start of 3 Nephi, about the power of Gadianton's robbers, the brute force attempts to seek out the robbers failed, because they did not have the aid of God, much less understood the area they were attacking as did the robbers hidden in caves, and did not give sufficient effort. Al Qaeda's aims are evil, but until we really reconcile ourselves as a people, as did the combined force of both the Lamanites and the Nephites, we have a long and bloody war that will result in great losses from this wicked group of people, as well as be devastating to many people around the world from the cruelty of this and many other secret combinations like them. Wars aren't all solely defending ourselves, it is also mentioned as important to possibly engage in war when weaker people are being bullied heavily by other, more powerful people. The Taliban and Al Qaeda were terrible oppressors in their own region. However, as I mention earlier with the predator drones and acting in arrogance against the Pakistani government, our politicians show very little rememberance of this motive. Also important to note about war is the fact that so long as we do our part, and suffer to respect unrighteous leaders, the Lord will leave the accountability on the heads of state. I agree with you overall, though, that these wars which could have been fought far better, have been handled very poorly by our politicians and their heavy party allegiances over our best interest, and pray that perhaps God's mercy, and eventually his gospel may reach to those battered people in Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and that the awful doctrines of al qaeda may ultimately lose out to the Lord's message about salvation, happiness, for those people, they deserve our own love and prayers, as well as our leaders, so that hopefully they may be able to do what's right, and know how to lead us in righteousness. Brandon, what’s far worse is the fact that even though some innocents are killed, our own leadership is unwilling to make a change in process from the very tactic that killed so many people, which is airstrikes primarily. Through the use of missiles, aerial bombs, and even predator drones, we kill far more civilians, whom our leaders claim to protect, than the actual members of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The Lord is not happy because although we kill innocents, our leaders stubbornly refuse to learn from the methods that kill so many, and figure that it is only bad to lose American lives, whereas the ineffective aerial power alone suffices – it does not. It kills too many, and truly winning will involve far more ground-based forces, letting the tribal Afghanistan handle itself, and also cooperating far more than the Pakistani government than we are now. Again, airstrikes alone are pathetic against an enemy who runs in Secret Combinations.

Furthermore, one can look at Captain Moroni, who despite his brutality, constantly kept developing new strategies, even though risky to his own soldiers, that spared many innocents, or even the Lamanites. Look at the airstrikes, they haven’t really decreased the overestimation of this as a power mechanism since the 90s, even though the deaths of those we supposedly protect far outweigh those of al qaeda. Sending in soldiers may be risky, but soldiers can work as a team with the Pakistanis while the drones cannot. Also, Pakistan even did not want us getting involved in the first place with their own fight, while our own government did not listen and considered them also part of this evil.

Good reference is found in the Book of Mormon, in the end of Helaman and the start of 3 Nephi, about the power of Gadianton’s robbers, the brute force attempts to seek out the robbers failed, because they did not have the aid of God, much less understood the area they were attacking as did the robbers hidden in caves, and did not give sufficient effort. Al Qaeda’s aims are evil, but until we really reconcile ourselves as a people, as did the combined force of both the Lamanites and the Nephites, we have a long and bloody war that will result in great losses from this wicked group of people, as well as be devastating to many people around the world from the cruelty of this and many other secret combinations like them.

Wars aren’t all solely defending ourselves, it is also mentioned as important to possibly engage in war when weaker people are being bullied heavily by other, more powerful people. The Taliban and Al Qaeda were terrible oppressors in their own region. However, as I mention earlier with the predator drones and acting in arrogance against the Pakistani government, our politicians show very little rememberance of this motive.

Also important to note about war is the fact that so long as we do our part, and suffer to respect unrighteous leaders, the Lord will leave the accountability on the heads of state.

I agree with you overall, though, that these wars which could have been fought far better, have been handled very poorly by our politicians and their heavy party allegiances over our best interest, and pray that perhaps God’s mercy, and eventually his gospel may reach to those battered people in Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and that the awful doctrines of al qaeda may ultimately lose out to the Lord’s message about salvation, happiness, for those people, they deserve our own love and prayers, as well as our leaders, so that hopefully they may be able to do what’s right, and know how to lead us in righteousness.

]]> By: Brandon http://www.latterdayconservative.com/blog/what-do-the-scriptures-teach-us-about-war/#comment-97 Brandon Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:46:37 +0000 http://www.latterdayconservative.com/?p=1245#comment-97 War is justified to DEFEND against a direct and immediate threat to our lives and freedoms. In the Book or Mormon we see many times that the Lamanites were preparing for war, but the Lord NEVER allowed the Nephites to strike a preventative blow against them. Not once. The wars we are currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are not justified and here is why: First of all, niether country poses an immediate or direct threat to the USA. Our military might is so overwhelming by comparison, that it is laughable to consider these countries a threat. Small acts of terrorism are horrific, but do not constitute a threat to American sovereignty or Independence. Secondly, even if these countries could be considered a threat, the only war the scriptures justify us fighting is a defensive war after we have first been attacked. We were never attacked by Iraq, and our war in Afghanistan is not a defensive war. Thirdly, I can't believe the Lord is happy with the deaths we have caused. Yes, it is tragic and awful that over 3,000 innocent people lost their lives on 9/11, but what about the thousands upon thousands of innocents that we have killed prosecuting our wars? What ever happened to turning the other cheek? I have a sinking feeling that America will be held accountable for her actions by the Lord. War is justified to DEFEND against a direct and immediate threat to our lives and freedoms. In the Book or Mormon we see many times that the Lamanites were preparing for war, but the Lord NEVER allowed the Nephites to strike a preventative blow against them. Not once. The wars we are currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are not justified and here is why:

First of all, niether country poses an immediate or direct threat to the USA. Our military might is so overwhelming by comparison, that it is laughable to consider these countries a threat. Small acts of terrorism are horrific, but do not constitute a threat to American sovereignty or Independence.

Secondly, even if these countries could be considered a threat, the only war the scriptures justify us fighting is a defensive war after we have first been attacked. We were never attacked by Iraq, and our war in Afghanistan is not a defensive war.

Thirdly, I can’t believe the Lord is happy with the deaths we have caused. Yes, it is tragic and awful that over 3,000 innocent people lost their lives on 9/11, but what about the thousands upon thousands of innocents that we have killed prosecuting our wars? What ever happened to turning the other cheek? I have a sinking feeling that America will be held accountable for her actions by the Lord.

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