In Doctrine & Covenants 98, the Lord lays out the law of war:
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.
Doctrine & Covenants 98:33-36
He also states, however, that his saints are to "renounce war and proclaim peace" (Doctrine & Covenants 98:16).
My brother, Cameron, just treated his first US casualty at a combat outpost somewhere in Afghanistan. He left to war about two months ago after joining the Army as a medic earlier this year.
I always knew—logically, at least—that war is bad. I've even been vaguely frightened before that it would come more directly to this country. Now, though, one of my best and oldest friends is in some amount of continual mortal danger, and war is genuinely and personally scary.
War is serious business. Even God's permission to fight doesn't make it a good idea to do so. Wars last and escalate, and thousands on thousands of other people's brothers are going to end up in it, too.
You are so right. I am not sure if there is a righteous war, ever. Isn't Satan the one who wants war, after all? My son-in-law served in Iraq as a medic on the front and after hearing his stories and seeing what the war did to my nephew (PTS), I think it is very understandable to hear Moroni's lament at the end of the Book of Mormon(Chapter 9).It makes you weep to read it.
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