President of The LDS Church expresses support for the war in Iraq (and denounces civil disobedience)

[Grig]

President Gordon B. Hickley just addressed the entire church in a General Conference. I heard his speech, he said we have an obligation to fight tyrants and cited examples in LDS scripture of wars to preserve freedom and liberty that were justifed in God's eyes.

He also told the members of the church to NOT engage in any civil disobedience and to respect the law of the nation they live in.

A transcript of his speech will be online later and I'll post it then (unless someone beats me to it)

[DoughtyOne]

Good for him. Thanks for the report.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Henchman]

Kudos! I don't hold much with their beliefs, thety entered a war with the US and I know 4 wives would drive me nutz! ...but perhaps, like the UK, there iis hope and they certainly get a bump on this one.

[alloysteel]

The LDS as a group have been among the greatest defenders of the American reliance on divine guidance, and also largely Republican when it comes to the voting booth. It is said that a Mormon who is also a Democrat is either not a very good Mormon, or not a very good Democrat. Harry Reid of Nevada notwithstanding.

[Winston_Wolf]

... Mesa, AZ has a huge Mormon influence. Actually for me, they make great neighbors. I have no problem with the LDS Church.

[Saturnalia]

Kirk: He did a little too much LDS in the Sixties....
Spock: *raises eyebrow*

[jdege]

Mormon theology makes no sense, Joseph Smith was a con-man, and the text of the Book of Mormon was stolen from a novel that was submitted to the publisher Joseph Smith worked for.

But despite all that, the LDS has become a force for good in the world, and Mormons, as you said, make good neighbors.

[T. P. Pole]

Trying to paraphrase what he said:
We understand that the Lord will not hold accountable those that serve in the military for their actions required of the military [and instead hold the leaders accountable], but sometimes I think that the Lord will hold accountable those that protest the actions of those trying to bring freedom (or something like that. I heard it to mean those protesting our attempt to free Iraq and stop terrorism).

[IncredibleHulk]

the text of the Book of Mormon was stolen from a novel that was submitted to the publisher Joseph Smith worked for.

That one is completely new to me and I've been collecting these outlandish ideas for 40 years. Since he never had any formal education, working for a publisher would be quite an accomplishment. Please send me some documentation.

[Grig]

"Joseph Smith was a con-man, and the text of the Book of Mormon was stolen from a novel that was submitted to the publisher Joseph Smith worked for."

In the interests of keeping this thread on topic I won't take the time here to point out how false those accusations are, but I will say that they are totally unnecessary in this thread.

If hearing something nice said about the Mormon church fills you with an uncontrollable urge to hurl insults then I feel sorry for you.

[Nephi]

I heard his speech, he said we have an obligation to fight tyrants and cited examples in LDS scripture of wars to preserve freedom and liberty that were justifed in God's eyes.

I'm sure President Hinckley would've preferred that the constitution was followed; that congress declared war on Iraq and President Bush put the interests of the US above the interests of the UN.

[TheDon]

Actually, I've heard that one too.

[Grig]

Ever read "An Enemy Hath Done This" (Ezra T. Benson)? There is a whole chapter on the UN in there. It was written in the 50's or 60 too.

[Gamecock]

I have no problems with them, but this is the first time I've ever agreed with them!

[TheDon]

"that congress declared war on Iraq and President Bush put the interests of the US above the interests of the UN"

Did you forget to turn on your sarcasm tag? Congress did not make a formal declaration, but has authorized the military action the President is taking. Also, I don't think the French, Germans, Russians and Chinese would agree with your characterization that President Bush did not put the interests of the US above those of the UN.

[Nephi]

Congress did not make a formal declaration...

We agree.

Also, I don't think the French, Germans, Russians and Chinese would agree with your characterization that President Bush did not put the interests of the US above those of the UN.

You point is???

[Nephi]

Ever read "An Enemy Hath Done This" (Ezra T. Benson)? There is a whole chapter on the UN in there. It was written in the 50's or 60 too.

No, but I have read, "None Dare Call It Conspiracy," which Ezra wrote a blurb for. I have also read W. Cleon Skousen's, "The Naked Communist" and "The Naked Capitalist."

[Kuksool]

Mormons are perhaps one of the few religious groups that the Left gleefully belittles. Last year, when Mitt Romney and Matt Salmon both ran for governorships, the liberal media make a big deal about the candidates' Mormon faith.

[TheDon]

My point is that you are wrong.