“Renounce War and Proclaim Peace”
Doctrine and Covenants 98:16
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 . . .
President Gordon B. Hinckley said:
“In a democracy we can renounce war and proclaim peace. . . . However, we all must also be mindful of another overriding responsibility. . . .
“It is clear [from examples in the scriptures] that there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation, to fight for family, for liberty, and against tyranny, threat, and oppression.
“When all is said and done, we of this Church are people of peace. We are followers of our Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the Prince of Peace. But even He said, ‘Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword’ (Matthew 10:34).
“This places us in the position of those who long for peace, who teach peace, who work for peace, but who also are citizens of nations and are subject to the laws of our governments. Furthermore, we are a freedom-loving people, committed to the defense of liberty wherever it is in jeopardy. I believe that God will not hold men and women in uniform responsible as agents of their government in carrying forward that which they are legally obligated to do. It may even be that He will hold us responsible if we try to impede or hedge up the way of those who are involved in a contest with forces of evil and repression.”
(“War and Peace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 80.)
