Hello fellow Zionites, I was reading from the book of Mormon, chapters 5-7, when I noticed the following verse in chapter 6: 4. Know ye that ye must lay down your weapons of war, and delight no more in the shedding of blood, and take them not again, save it be that God shall command you. Now, when I read this I see a couple of different perspectives, and I wanted to garner your input as well. 1. Mormon had just witnessed the destruction of his people. The Lamanites not only wiped out the Nephites, but they were at war with each other continually. Thus, Mormon knew that they needed to lay down their weapons of war in order to repent of all their sins and iniquities (see v.5). 2. However, I believe that Mormon was writing to the remnant of the seed of Jacob (primarily the Lamanites, since that was all that were left) in the latter days, and not necessarily to those living in his time. Was he talking specifically about the inter-tribal warfare that existed among the Native Americans, or is this commandment still in force now? 3. According the recorded history in the Book of Mormon, the Lamanites were primarily the aggressive party in their wars with the Nephites. Only in times of wickedness did the Nephites attack the Lamanites in wars of aggression. The idea that Captain Moroni instigated a war of aggression to clear out the east wilderness is false (IMNSHO) and falls under the provision "save it be that God shall command you." Given the righteousness of Captain Moroni, I doubt he would do anything that was contrary to the commandments of God. 4. While this verse is targeted to the Lamanites specifically, does it apply to us Gentiles of European descent? If so, then the real question is this: Has God commanded us to go to war against our neighbors? Specifically, have we been commanded to invade Iraq? Or are we delighting in the shedding of blood? What does that phrase mean to you? I know many of you have commented on these things already in other threads, but I am wondering how we reconcile the above-mentioned verse in the discussion. Geoff
-- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
