FIRST: I completely and totally support our troops. I do NOT blame them for doing their jobs. But I have been asked by others why I don't agree with the war, and when I say it's because Jesus taught peace, and my religion dictates that I live by peace, I usually get a look that tells me they think I'm crazy. And I don't know my scriptures well enough to support it. Well, I finally found some (all bold emphasis is mine):
(Oh yeah, if you don't agree with me, that's fine. This is my personal interpretation of these scriptures; I am not a prophet, I am not claiming to know without a doubt God's will concerning any matter that involves more than me, or my family, but it is what I believe. I also know that there are plenty of scriptures that support going to war, but again, I believe that we have to follow what is laid out in D&C 98 first, and I don't feel that we have done that; therefore, I don't support the war.)
Romans 12: 18-21: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalms 34: 14: Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
D&C 98: 16: Therefore, renounce war and proclaim peace, and seek diligently to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children;
D&C 98: 33-36: And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them. And if any nation, tongue, or people should proclaim war against them, they should first lift a standard of peace unto that people nation or tongue; and if that people did not accept the offering of peace, neither the second nor the third time, they should bring these testimonies before the Lord; then I the Lord, would give unto them a commandment, and justify them in going out to battle against that nation, tongue, or people.
D&C 105: 38-40 And again I say unto you, sue for peace, not only to the people that have smitten you, but also to all people; and lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation of peace unto the ends of the earth; and make proposals for peace unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCould you imagine if half of all the preachers stood up and just read those verses and that was all they did for one Sunday?
ReplyDeleteI wish it would happen. I think it would be very faith shaking for a lot of people to hear that. You'd see how many people actually change their minds, and how many ignore it because they would much rather be war mongers.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine what would happen if President Monson read AND expounded on those scriptures at General Conference?