As we consider whether to go to war in Syria, 'tis not amiss that those of us who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should consider what David O. McKay, then second counselor in the church's first presidency, had to say in a 1942 General Conference of the church.
"There are, however, two conditions which may justify a truly Christian man to enter — mind you, I say enter, not begin — a war: (1) An attempt to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency, and, (2) Loyalty to his country. Possibly there is a third, viz., Defense of a weak nation that is being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one."
The rebels in Syria do not represent a separate nation. What to say, then? Do we still say they are the same as a nation, a weak nation being unjustly crushed by a strong, ruthless one? I think we might.
But, the question remains to me, for I have not studied the rebel forces well. Are they seeking freedom for the people, or will they lead to just another regime?
http://scriptures.byu.edu/gettalk.php?ID=19&era=yes
I think they are just trying to deter the use of chemical weapons. This is a good thing and could save future lives, but it also can lead to the fighting to continue to include more nations and therefore more people. Hard question.
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