In my First and Second Personal Statements Regarding Peace, Non-Violence, and Pacifism I included sections which point to scriptures that show that as a Mormon I am morally obligated to uphold and advocate for peace, non-violence, and pacifism. On October 6th, 2026 I decided that I need to consolidate all of these scriptures into one page, and also expand it to include quotes from various Mormons.
1. Scriptures / Revelations
1.1. Old Testament
All verses are from the New English Translation (NET) unless otherwise specified.
You shall not kill
Exodus 20:13 (King James Version)
When a resident foreigner lives with you in your land, you must not oppress him. The resident foreigner who lives with you must be to you as a native citizen among you; so you must love the foreigner as yourself, because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
The Lord approves of the godly, but he hates the wicked and those who love to do violence.
Turn away from evil and do what is right. Strive for peace and promote it.
Take note of the one who has integrity. Observe the upright. For the one who promotes peace has a future.
I will listen to what God the Lord says. For he will make peace with his people, his faithful followers. Yet they must not return to their foolish ways.
For too long I have had to reside with those who hate peace. I am committed to peace, but when I speak, they want to make war.
Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
From the fruit of his speech a person eats good things, but the treacherous desire the fruit of violence.
When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he even reconciles his enemies to himself.
The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
He will judge disputes between nations; he will settle cases for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will no longer train for war.
A wolf will reside with a lamb, and a leopard will lie down with a young goat; an ox and a young lion will graze together, as a small child leads them along.
A cow and a bear will graze together, their young will lie down together. A lion, like an ox, will eat straw.
A baby will play over the hole of a snake; over the nest of a serpent an infant will put his hand.
They will no longer injure or destroy on my entire royal mountain. For there will be universal submission to the Lord’s sovereignty, just as the waters completely cover the sea.
1.2. New Testament
All verses are from the New English Translation (NET) unless otherwise specified.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. … Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.
I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword.’
But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Now when the days drew near for him to be taken up, Jesus set out resolutely to go to Jerusalem. He sent messengers on ahead of him. As they went along, they entered a Samaritan village to make things ready in advance for him, but the villagers refused to welcome him, because he was determined to go to Jerusalem. Now when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village.
He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. Go! I am sending you out like lambs surrounded by wolves.”
Now an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you understand it?” The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
But the expert, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him up, and went off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, but when he saw the injured man he passed by on the other side. So too a Levite, when he came up to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling came to where the injured man was, and when he saw him, he felt compassion for him. He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring olive oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever else you spend, I will repay you when I come back this way.’ Which of these three do you think became a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” The expert in religious law said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” So Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground.
Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”
I have told you all these things so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue, yet a time is coming when the one who kills you will think he is offering service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father or me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. (Now the slave’s name was Malchus.) But Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath! …
Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,’ (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.
… God hath called us to peace.
1st Corinthians 7:15 (King James Version)
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit.
For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.
I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.
Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask;
When [Jesus] was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.
Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.
And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.
For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken. But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
1st John 4:7-21 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)
1.3. Book of Mormon
Note: RLDS chapter/versing unless otherwise specified
And whoso shall publish peace, even tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be.
1st Nephi 3:189
for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.
1st Nephi 7:27
Why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one has place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemy?
2nd Nephi 1:44-45
Many means were devised to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; but it all was vain; for they delighted in wars and bloodshed; and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren, and they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually.
Jacob 4:39-40
I bear record that the people of Nephi sought diligently to restore the Lamanites to the true faith in God. But our labors were in vain; their hatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature, so that they became wild and ferocious, and a bloodthirsty people…
Enos 1:30-31
And you will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due. And you will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will you suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which has been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness; but you will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; you will teach them to love one another and to serve one another.
Mosiah 2:24-27
Behold, how great reason have we to mourn! I say to you, great are the reasons which we have to mourn; for, behold, how many of our brethren have been slain, and their blood has been spilt in vain…
Mosiah 5:39-40
I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of the land of our fathers’ first inheritance, was sent as a spy among the Lamanites that I might spy out their forces, so our army might come upon them and destroy them. But when I saw that which was good among them, I was desirous that they should not be destroyed; therefore, I contended with my brethren in the wilderness; for I would that our ruler should make a treaty with them. But he being an austere and a bloodthirsty man, commanded that I should be slain; but I was rescued by the shedding of much blood; for father fought against father, and brother against brother, until the greater number of our army was destroyed in the wilderness. And we returned, those of us that were spared, to the land of Zarahemla to relate that tale to their wives and their children.
Mosiah 6:1-5
Thus they boasted, and delighted in blood and the shedding of the blood of their brethren, and this because of the wickedness of their king and priests.
Mosiah 7:27
Now Limhi told the [Lamanite] king all the things concerning his father and the priests that had fled into the wilderness, and attributed the carrying away of their daughters to them. And it came to pass that the king was pacified toward this people; and he said to them, “Let us go forth to meet my people without arms; and I swear to you with an oath that my people shall not slay your people.” They followed the king and went forth without arms to meet the Lamanites. And they met the Lamanites; and the king of the Lamanites bowed himself down before them and pleaded in behalf of the people of Limhi. When the Lamanites saw the people of Limhi, that they were without arms, they had compassion on them, and were pacified toward them, and returned with their king in peace to their own land. And Limhi and his people returned to the city of Nephi and began to dwell in the land again in peace.
Mosiah 9:134-140
And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men, that they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace, that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with his own hands for his support, and that all their priests and teachers should labor with their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness or in much want; and doing these things they abounded in the grace of God.
There began to be much peace again in the land; and the people began to be very numerous and began to scatter abroad upon the face of the earth, on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west, building large cities and villages in all quarters of the land. And the Lord visited them, and prospered them, and they became a large and a wealthy people.
Mosiah 11:153-158
Let us be wise … and do that which will make for the peace of this people.
Mosiah 13:13
Even I myself have labored with all the power and faculties which I have possessed to teach you the commandments of God and to establish peace throughout the land, that there should be no wars nor contentions, no stealing, nor plundering, nor murdering, nor any manner of iniquity.
Mosiah 13:18-19
He also unfolded to them all the disadvantages they labored under by having an unrighteous king to rule over them— all [of King Noah’s] iniquities and abominations, and all the wars, and contentions, and bloodshed, and the stealing, and the plundering, and the committing of whoredoms, and all manner of iniquities, which cannot be enumerated. He told them that these things ought not to be, that they were expressly repugnant to God.
Mosiah 13:50-52
and they waxed strong in love toward Mosiah; they esteemed him more than any other man; for they did not look upon him as a tyrant, who was seeking for gain, for that lucre which corrupts the soul. He had not exacted riches of them, neither had he delighted in the shedding of blood; but he had established peace in the land, and he had granted his people that they should be delivered from all manner of bondage. Therefore they esteemed him exceedingly, beyond measure.
Mosiah 13:58-61
And they all declared to the people the selfsame thing: that their hearts had been changed, that they had no more desire to do evil.
Alma 12:176
1 Behold, now the king of the Lamanites sent a proclamation among all his people, that they should not lay their hands on Ammon, or Aaron, or Omner, or Himni, nor any of their brethren who should go forth preaching the word of God, in whatever place they should be in any part of their land. 2 He sent a decree among them that they should not lay their hands on them to bind them or to cast them into prison; neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor cast them out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; 3 neither should they cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their temples and their sanctuaries. 4 Thus they might go forth and preach the word according to their desires, for the king had been converted to the Lord, and all his household. 5 Therefore he sent this proclamation throughout the land to his people, that the word of God might have no obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the land, that his people might be convinced concerning the wicked traditions of their fathers, 6 and that they might be convinced that they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder, nor to plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any manner of wickedness.
7 When the king had sent forth this proclamation, Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to city and from one house of worship to another, 8 establishing churches, and consecrating priests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success. 9 And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord; thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of the Nephites; and they were taught the records and the prophecies which were handed down, even to the present time.
10 And as surely as the Lord lives, so surely as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy and the power of God working miracles in them, 11 and were converted to the Lord never did fall away, for they became a righteous people. 12 They laid down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.
13 Now these are they who were converted to the Lord: The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Ishmael, and also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Middoni, and also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the city of Nephi, and also of the people of the Lamanites who were in the land of Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the city of Lemuel, and in the city of Shimnilom. 14 And these are the names of the cities of the Lamanites which were converted to the Lord; and these are they that laid down the weapons of their rebellion, even all their weapons of war; and they were all Lamanites. 15 And the Amalekites were not converted, save only one; neither were any of the Amulonites; but they hardened their hearts, and also the hearts of the Lamanites in that part of the land where they dwelt, and all their villages and all their cities. 16 Therefore we have named all the cities of the Lamanites in which they repented and came to the knowledge of the truth, and were converted.
17 Now it came to pass that the king and those who were converted were desirous that they might have a name, that thereby they might be distinguished from their brethren. 18 Therefore the king consulted with Aaron and many of their priests concerning the name that they should take upon them that they might be distinguished. 19 And they called their name Anti-Nephi-Lehies; and they were called by this name, and were no more called Lamanites. 20 They began to be a very industrious people, and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore they opened a correspondence with them, and the curse of God no more followed them.
21 And it came to pass that the Amalekites, and the Amulonites, and the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulon, and also in the land of Helam, and who were in the land of Jerusalem, and in fine, in all the land round about who had not been converted and had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their brethren. 22 And their hatred became exceedingly sore against them, even insomuch that they began to rebel against their king, insomuch that they would not that he should be their king; therefore they took up arms against the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. 23 Now the king conferred the kingdom upon his son and he called his name Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
24 And the king died in that selfsame year that the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of God. 25 Now when Ammon and his brethren, and all those who had come up with him, saw the preparations of the Lamanites to destroy their brethren, they came forth to the land of Midian, and there Ammon met all his brethren. 26 And from there they came to the land of Ishmael, that they might hold a council with Lamoni, and also with his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, on what they should do to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
27 Now there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted to the Lord that would take up arms against his brethren. 28 They would not even make any preparations for war; and also their king commanded them that they should not. 29 Now these are the words which he said to the people concerning the matter: “I thank my God, my beloved people, that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the Nephites, to us to preach to us and to convince us of the wickedness of the traditions of our fathers. 30 “And, behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites. 31 “And, behold, I also thank my God that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins and of the many murders which we have committed. 32 “I also thank my God, my great God, that he has granted us that we might repent of these things, and also that he has forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which we have committed, and has taken away the guilt from our hearts through the merits of his Son.
33 “And now, behold, my brethren, it has been all that we could do (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain. 34 “Now, my best beloved brethren, since God has taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren. 35 “Behold, I say to you, Let us retain our swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; 36 for perhaps if we should stain our swords again, they could no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which shall be shed for the atonement of our sins. 37 “And the great God has had mercy on us and has made these things known to us, that we might not perish. 38 “And he has made these things known to us beforehand because he loves our souls as well as he loves our children; therefore in his mercy he visits us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known to us as well as to future generations. Oh, how merciful is our God!
39 “And now, behold, since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, 40 let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day, or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word to us and has made us clean thereby. 41 “Now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, even we will bury them deep in the earth that they may be kept bright as a testimony at the last day that we have never used them; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved.”
42 When the king had made an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled together, they took their swords and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they buried them deep in the earth. 43 This they did, it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use weapons again for the shedding of man’s blood.
44 And this they did, vouching and covenanting with God that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; 45 and rather than take away from a brother, they would give to him; and rather than spend their days in idleness, they would labor abundantly with their hands. 46 Thus we see that when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm and would suffer even to death rather than commit sin. 47 And thus we see that they buried the weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war for peace.
48 And it came to pass that their brethren, the Lamanites, made preparations for war and came up to the land of Nephi, for the purpose of destroying the king, and to place another in his stead, and also of destroying the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi out of the land. 49 Now when the people saw that they were coming against them, they went out to meet them and prostrated themselves before them to the earth and began to call on the name of the Lord. 50 Thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them and began to slay them with the sword. And thus without meeting any resistance they slew a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God.
51 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right hand nor to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and praise God even in the very act of perishing under the sword, they forbore from slaying them. 52 And there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done. 53 And they threw down their weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down, even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose arms were lifted to slay them. 54 And the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt that they are saved. 55 There was not a wicked man slain among them; but there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the truth; thus we see that the Lord works in many ways to the salvation of his people.”
Alma 14:1-55
Now, my brethren, you remember that this was their language. nd moreover they said, ‘Let us take up arms against them, that we destroy them and their iniquity out of the land, lest they overrun us and destroy us.’ But, behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the wilderness not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but with the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their souls.
Alma 14:108-110
For, behold, [the Anti-Nephi-Lehis] had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy, and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth because of their love toward their brethren. Now, behold, I say to you, Has there been so great love in all the land? Behold, I say to you, There has not, even among the Nephites. For, behold, they would take up arms against their brethren; they would not suffer themselves to be slain. But, behold, how many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they have gone to their God because of their love, and of their hatred to sin. Now have we not reason to rejoice? I say to you, There never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began.
Alma 14:118-123
And they were also distinguished for their zeal toward God, and also toward men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even to the end. They looked upon shedding the blood of their brethren with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren.
Alma 15:31-32
Now Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of his people, for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were among them…
Alma 16:258
And whoever murders against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; I say to you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.
Alma 19:9
…we do not desire to be men of blood.
Alma 20:62
Now, behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable to the people than was Moroni; for they preached the word of God, and they baptized unto repentance all men who would hearken to their words. Thus they went forth, and the people humbled themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored of the Lord; and thus they were free from wars and contentions among themselves, even for the space of four years.
Alma 21:142-143
And now, behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammon, who in the beginning were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had been converted to the Lord. They had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the Nephites; and because of their oath, they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren. For they had taken an oath that they nevermore would shed blood; and according to their oath, they would have perished; they would have suffered themselves to fall into the hands of their brethren had it not been for the pity and the exceeding love which Ammon and his brethren had had for them. And for this cause, they were brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and they ever had been protected by the Nephites.
Alma 23:63-66
And in the thirty-first year, they were divided into tribes, every man according to his family, kindred, and friends. Nevertheless they had come to an agreement that they would not go to war one with another; but they were not united as to their laws and their manner of government, for they were established according to the minds of those who were their chiefs and their leaders. But they established very strict laws that one tribe should not trespass against another, insomuch that in some degree they had peace in the land.
3rd Nephi 3:52-54
For verily, verily I say to you, He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.
3rd Nephi 5:30-31
And in the thirty-sixth year, the people were all converted to the Lord upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man dealt justly one with another. And they had all things common among them, therefore they were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free and partakers of the heavenly gift. And the thirty-seventh year passed away also, and there still continued to be peace in the land.
4th Nephi 1:3-5
And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land because of the love of God which dwelt in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness. And surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of “ites”; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. And how blessed were they, for the Lord blessed them in all their doings; even they were blessed and prospered until a hundred and ten years had passed away; and the first generation from Christ had passed away, and there was no contention in all the land.
4th Nephi 1:17-21
It is impossible for the tongue to describe or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually. And there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people.
Mormon 2:13-14
Now, behold, I, Mormon, do not desire to harrow up the souls of men in casting before them such an awful scene of blood and carnage as was laid before my eyes.
Mormon 2:34
Know you that you must lay down your weapons of war and delight no more in the shedding of blood
Mormon 3:26
And there were no more wars in the days of Shule, and he remembered the great things that the Lord had done for his fathers in bringing them across the great deep into the promised land; wherefore he executed judgment in righteousness all his days.
Ether 3:66
For the Lord works not in secret combinations, neither does he will that man should shed blood, but in all things has forbidden it from the beginning of man.
Ether 3:93
And Ahah, his son, obtained the kingdom; and he reigned over the people all his days. And he did all manner of iniquity in his days, by which he caused the shedding of much blood; and few were his days.
Ether 4:100-101
3 Wherefore I would speak to you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which you can enter into the rest of the Lord from this time henceforth until you shall rest with him in heaven.
4 And now, my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men; for I remember the word of God, which says, ‘By their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.’ 5 For, behold, God has said that a man being evil, cannot do that which is good; for if he offers a gift or prays to God, except he shall do it with real intent, it profits him nothing; 6 for it is not counted to him for righteousness. 7 For, behold, if a man, being evil, gives a gift, he does it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted to him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. 8 And likewise also is it counted evil to a man if he shall pray without real intent of heart, and it profits him nothing; for God receives none such;
wherefore a man, being evil, cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. 9 For, behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore a man, being a servant of the devil, cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ, he cannot be a servant of the devil. 10 Wherefore, all things which are good come of God; and that which is evil comes of the devil; for the devil is an enemy to God and fights against him continually, and invites and entices to sin and to do that which is evil continually. 11 But, behold, that which is of God invites and entices to do good continually; wherefore, everything which invites and entices to do good, and to love God, and to serve him is inspired of God.
12 Wherefore take heed, my beloved brethren, that you do not judge that which is evil to be of God or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. 13 For, behold, my brethren, it is given to you to judge, that you may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that you may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. 14 For the Spirit of Christ is given to every man that he may know good from evil;
wherefore I show to you the way to judge: for everything which invites to do good, and persuades to believe in Christ is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ. 15 Wherefore, you may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God; but whatever persuades men to do evil and believe not in Christ, and to deny him, and serve not God, then you may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil. 16 For after this manner does the devil work, for he persuades no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves to him.17 And now, my brethren, seeing that you know the light by which you may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that you do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which you judge, you shall also be judged. 18 Wherefore I beseech of you, brethren, that you should search diligently in the light of Christ that you may know good from evil; and if you will lay hold upon every good thing and condemn it not, you certainly will be a child of Christ.
Moroni 7:3-18
And now, behold, my son, I fear lest the Lamanites shall destroy this people, for they do not repent, and Satan stirs them up continually to anger, one with another. Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of God with sharpness, they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness, they harden their hearts against it; wherefore I fear lest the Spirit of the Lord has ceased striving with them. For so exceedingly do they anger that it seems to me they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one toward another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually.
Now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform while in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.
Moroni 9:3-7
1.4. Doctrine and Covenants
Note: Community of Christ chapter/versing unless otherwise specified
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God …
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 16:3C
If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries, and peaceable things; that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 42:17A
A. And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.
B. And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound; and when the time of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel;
C. but they receive it not, for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men;
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 45:4A-4C
A. And it shall come to pass, among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor, must needs flee unto Zion for safety.
B. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.
C. And it shall be said among the wicked, Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible, wherefore we cannot stand.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 45:13
learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness, shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 59:5C
Glory, and honor, and power, and might,
Be ascribed to our God, for he is full of mercy,
Justice, grace and truth, and peace,
For ever and ever, Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 83:17C
And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bonds of charity, as with a mantle, which is a bond of perfectness and peace; pray always, that you may not faint until I come; behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 85:38C
Renounce war and proclaim peace
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 95:3D
Therefore, it is expedient in me that mine elders should wait for a little season, for the redemption of Zion; for, behold, I do not require at their hands to fight the battles of Zion; for, as I said in a former commandment, even so will I fulfill, I will fight your battles.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 102:3F
A. And again, I say unto you, Sue for peace, not only the people that have smitten you, but also to all people;
B. and lift up an ensign of peace, and make a proclamation for peace unto the ends of the earth;
C. and make proposals for peace, unto those who have smitten you, according to the voice of the Spirit which is in you, and all things shall work together for your good;
D. therefore, be faithful, and, behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end. Even so. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 102:11
Let contentions and quarrelings among you cease. Sustain each other in peace, and ye shall be blessed with my Spirit, in comforting and strengthening you for my work.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 117:13
[Let] the differences … be healed, confidence be restored and good will and peace come to the people as a cherishing fountain.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 122:8F
Let contention cease
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 134:7
Let the church be admonished that the times are portentous and demand faithful adherence to the faith and work of the church, that mankind may be blessed by and find peace in those religiously social reforms and relationships which have been divinely imposed as a great task of achievement.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 137:6A
A. Let the church again be admonished that the task of establishing Zion presses heavily upon us.
B. Barriers and hindrances to the achievement of this goal should be removed as speedily as possible and practicable.
C. To lay securely the foundations for Zion and her buildings the work should be accomplished in peace and harmony. Unity should prevail.
D. To this end all the Saints should work together in the rich fraternity which can and will prevail among them when they keep faithfully the commandments.
E. Great blessings are in store for the church if it will in faith and saintly devotion go forward in its tasks.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 138:3
Let any remaining contention over minutiae cease in order that my purpose, already revealed in my word to the church, may be fulfilled and my work continue to prosper in love. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 146:3
These are portentous times. The lives of many are being sacrificed unnecessarily to the gods of war, greed, and avarice. The land is being desecrated by the thoughtless waste of vital resources. You must obey my commandments and be in the forefront of those who would mediate this needless destruction while there is yet day.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 150:7
A. The temple shall be dedicated to the pursuit of peace. It shall be for reconciliation and for healing of the spirit.
B. It shall also be for a strengthening of faith and preparation for witness.
C. By its ministries an attitude of wholeness of body, mind, and spirit as a desirable end toward which to strive will be fostered.
D. It shall be the means for providing leadership education for priesthood and member.
E. And it shall be a place in which the essential meaning of the Restoration as healing and redeeming agent is given new life and understanding, inspired by the life and witness of the Redeemer of the world.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 156:5
2
A. Become a people of the Temple—those who see violence but proclaim peace, who feel conflict yet extend the hand of reconciliation, who encounter broken spirits and find pathways for healing.
B. Fulfill the purposes of the Temple by making its ministries manifest in your hearts. It was built from your sacrifices and searching over many generations. Let it stand as a towering symbol of a people who knew injustice and strife on the frontier and who now seek the peace of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
3
A. Open your hearts and feel the yearnings of your brothers and sisters who are lonely, despised, fearful, neglected, unloved. Reach out in understanding, clasp their hands, and invite all to share in the blessings of community created in the name of the One who suffered on behalf of all.
B. Do not be fearful of one another. Respect each life journey, even in its brokenness and uncertainty, for each person has walked alone at times. Be ready to listen and slow to criticize, lest judgments be unrighteous and unredemptive.
C. Be patient with one another, for creating sacred community is arduous and even painful. But it is to loving community such as this that each is called. Be courageous and visionary, believing in the power of just a few vibrant witnesses to transform the world. Be assured that love will overcome the voices of fear, division, and deceit.
D. Understand that the road to transformation travels both inward and outward. The road to transformation is the path of the disciple.
4
A. Do not neglect the smallest among you, for even the least of these are treasures in God’s sight. Receive the giftedness and energy of children and youth, listening to understand their questions and their wisdom. Respond to their need to be loved and nurtured as they grow.
B. Be mindful of the changing of life’s seasons, of the passage from the springtime of childhood and youth to the winter years of life. Embrace the blessing of your many differences. Be tender and caring. Be reminded once again that the gifts of all are necessary in order that divine purposes may be accomplished.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 161: 2-4
6
A. Stand firm in the name of the One you proclaim and create diverse communities of disciples and seekers, rejoicing in the continuing fulfillment of the call to this people to prophetically witness in the name of Jesus Christ.
B. Heed the urgent call to become a global family united in the name of the Christ, committed in love to one another, seeking the kingdom for which you yearn and to which you have always been summoned. That kingdom shall be a peaceable one and it shall be known as Zion.
7
The Spirit of the One you follow is the spirit of love and peace. That Spirit seeks to abide in the hearts of those who would embrace its call and live its message. The path will not always be easy, the choices will not always be clear, but the cause is sure and the Spirit will bear witness to the truth, and those who live the truth will know the hope and the joy of discipleship in the community of Christ. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 161: 6-7
… Be fervent in your witness, passionate in your discipleship, and vigorous in your labor on behalf of peace and justice. …
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 162: 8B
3
A. You are called to create pathways in the world for peace in Christ to be relationally and culturally incarnate. The hope of Zion is realized when the vision of Christ is embodied in communities of generosity, justice, and peacefulness.
B. Above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue peace.
C. There are subtle, yet powerful, influences in the world, some even claiming to represent Christ, that seek to divide people and nations to accomplish their destructive aims. That which seeks to harden one human heart against another by constructing walls of fear and prejudice is not of God. Be especially alert to these influences, lest they divide you or divert you from the mission to which you are called.
4
A. God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare.
B. The earth, lovingly created as an environment for life to flourish, shudders in distress because creation’s natural and living systems are becoming exhausted from carrying the burden of human greed and conflict. Humankind must awaken from its illusion of independence and unrestrained consumption without lasting consequences.
C. Let the educational and community development endeavors of the church equip people of all ages to carry the ethics of Christ’s peace into all arenas of life. Prepare new generations of disciples to bring fresh vision to bear on the perplexing problems of poverty, disease, war, and environmental deterioration. Their contributions will be multiplied if their hearts are focused on God’s will for creation.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 163:3-4
A. The Temple is an instrument of ongoing revelation in the life of the church. Its symbolism and ministries call people to reverence in the presence of the Divine Being. Transformative encounters with the Eternal Creator and Reconciler await those who follow its spiritual pathways of healing, reconciliation, peace, strengthening of faith, and knowledge.
B. There are additional sacred ministries that will spring forth from the Temple as rivers of living water to help people soothe and resolve the brokenness and pain in their lives. Let the Temple continue to come to life as a sacred center of worship, education, community building, and discipleship preparation for all ages.
C. As these ministries come to fuller expression, receptive congregations in the areas around the Temple and throughout the world will be revived and equipped for more effective ministry. Vital to this awakening is the understanding that the Temple calls the entire church to become a sanctuary of Christ’s peace, where people from all nations, ethnicities, and life circumstances can be gathered into a spiritual home without dividing walls, as a fulfillment of the vision for which Jesus Christ sacrificed his life.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 163:8
God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. …
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 163:11A
A. All church members are urged to examine the depth of your baptismal commitment. Having been baptized and confirmed, become fully immersed in the servant life of Christ.
B. Live the meaning of your baptism daily as you grow in the skills and qualities of discipleship. Actively and generously support the ministries of the church, which was divinely established to restore Christ’s covenant of peace, even the Zion of your hopes.
C. The Eternal Christ invites those who have yet to experience the blessings of baptism to “Follow me in the way of righteousness and peace.” Be baptized of water and the Spirit and discover your spiritual home as a fully functioning member of the body.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 164:3
A. Serve the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to all committed followers of Christ as a visible witness of loving Christian fellowship and shared remembrance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Individuals may choose whether or not to receive the emblems according to their faith and understanding in harmony with guidelines provided by the First Presidency.
B. This pastoral provision does not lessen additional meanings associated with this sacrament in the church’s life. When the church gathers for Communion, highlight the opportunity for members to reaffirm their baptismal covenant, to reconcile strained relationships, and to commit together to the church’s mission of promoting communities of generosity, justice, and peacefulness.
C. Explore all the ways the Lord’s Supper can spiritually form the church community into a true and living expression of the life, sacrifice, resurrection, and continuing presence of Christ. Inherent in this sacrament is the divine call for the church to be a sacramental offering for the blessing, healing, and peace of creation.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 164:4
A. Community of Christ, a divine vision is set before you. Presented over the years through various inspired phrases and symbols, it is expressed now through initiatives in harmony with Jesus Christ’s mission.
B. As a spiritual venture, boldly follow the initiatives into the heart of God’s vision for the church and creation. Then, in response to growing insight about God’s nature and will, continue to shape communities that live Christ’s love and mission.
C. Lovingly invite others to experience the good news of new life in community with Christ. Opportunities abound in your daily lives if you choose to see them.
D. Undertake compassionate and just actions to abolish poverty and end needless suffering. Pursue peace on and for the Earth.
E. Let nothing separate you from this mission. It reveals divine intent for personal, societal, and environmental salvation; a fullness of gospel witness for creation’s restoration.
F. Continue to align your priorities with local and worldwide church efforts to move the initiatives forward. Additional innovative approaches to coordinating congregational life and supporting groups of disciples and seekers are needed to address mission opportunities in a changing world.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 165: 1
A. Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.
B. As Christ’s body, lovingly and patiently bear the weight of criticism from those who hesitate to respond to the divine vision of human worth and equality in Christ. This burden and blessing is yours for divine purposes.
C. And, always remember, the way of suffering love that leads to the cross also leads to resurrection and everlasting life in Christ’s eternal community of oneness and peace. Trust in this promise.
Doctrine and Covenants, Section 165:6
1.5. Revelations of James Strang
A. And ye shall not provoke one another. But ye shall console and strengthen one another. Ye shall strengthen the weak;
B. For with kindness and much charity will I give you to prevail, and ye shall save them. And ye shall not contend against one another.
Revelations of James Strang, Section 19:11A-11B
Still more earnestly do I warn and admonish you against taking part in the wars and fighting’s of the nations of the earth. In the present war between the United States and Mexico, where our own country is pursuing successful conquest of an enemy, at whose hand she has suffered many injuries, long and unredressed, the occasion may seem to justify a belligerent position; but it should not be forgotten that God has not decreed the war, and its conquests are still but added to the stronger of the oppressive
Revelations of James Strang, Section 28
This we offer to the saints as the home of the poor and the asylum of the oppressed. Here we propose to share each other’s joys, and each other’s sorrows; each other’s toils, and each other’s possessions: and to teach mankind that LOVE and TRUTH WINS WITH peace and sweetness, what FORCE and FRAUD labors in vain to COMPEL. Here we intend to gather a COMMUNITY WHO SHALL BE EQUAL IN THEIR TEMPORAL THINGS: WHO SHALL DO TO OTHERS AS THEY WOULD BE DONE BY: AND WHO SHALL LOVE THEIR NEIGHBORS AS THEMSELVES. HERE SALVATION SHALL BE PRESENT, and the GOSPEL A PRACTICED REALITY. HERE PEACE SHALL REIGN.
Revelations of James Strang, Section 30
1.6. Book of the Law of the Lord
4. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: thou shalt not revile him, nor speak evil of him, nor curse him: thou shalt do no injustice unto him; and thou shalt maintain his right, against his enemy: thou shalt not exact rigorously of him, nor turn aside from relieving him: thou shalt deliver him from the snare and the pit, and shalt return his ox when he strayeth: thou shalt comfort him when he mourns, and nurture him when he sickens: thou shalt not abate the price of what thou buyest of him, for his necessity; nor shalt thou exact of him, because he leaneth upon thee: for in so doing thousands shall rise up and call thee blessed, and the Lord thy God shall strengthen thee in all the work of thy hand.
1.7. The Book of the Revelations of Jesus Christ to the Children of Zion (Sidney Rigdon’s revelations)
Let each one both man and woman strive for peace…
Banish from Zion all evil speaking, purge out hypocrisy, speak truth one to another, and as much as in you lays live peaceably with all men, walking in the fear of the Lord giving none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully
The Book of the Revelations of Jesus Christ to the Children of Zion, Section Twenty-Six
I the Lord desire to have peace and unity
1.8. The Book of Remembrance
60 Seek to raise unto me a people who desire to have all things common among them, there being neither rich nor poor, neither bond nor free that all may be truly free and partakers of the heavenly gift.
61 Do this that the tribulations might be avoided, and if they should come that Zion shall be free; not by force, but by thy peace:
62 For the World shall fear my people not because of their weapons of war, but because of the love in their hearts; for the wicked cannot understand this thing and thus they reject me. …
64 And all they who seek war shall flee from before Zion, and the desolation that the wicked shall bring shall cause all they who seek peace to flee from before the World unto Zion;
18 Thus sayeth the Lord unto my servant David: Know that all war and all prophecies of war are over economic control; the battles prophesied to come in the end times,
19 If they come, shall be over the flow of goods, power, and man seeking to rule over all other men;
20 And this because mankind hath not the love in their hearts to care for the poor and the needy but take only for themselves.
25 I understood this to mean that I should [take this dream] as a blessing and a warning, that we, the human race, will not be forced to face or bear the harsh trials prophesied at the end times.
26 If they come, they will be our own undoing: the natural consequences of us refusing to repent of our sins and love one another as God has commanded.
27 We shall be like the Nephites, who through their own pride destroyed themselves, and were only successful as a society when they worked as one, with no poor among them.
The Book of Remembrance, The Third Book of David: Other Dreams and Visions, chapter 1:18-20; 25-27
1.9. The Book of the Lavens
9 In the ensuing battle, my father, Timothy, the husband of Nephi, lost his life when a spear pierced his heart. 20 Our community mourned his loss on the battlefield before their hearts turned to rage, seeking revenge. 21 However, Nephi stayed the swords of the Lavens to prevent further violence, saying:
22 My dear ones, there is no doubt that God’s teachings provoke discord, for they demand of us radical love, deep empathy, unwavering discipleship, and boundless charity. 23 Remember that our God is not the prince of the sword, but the Prince of Peace. 24 The notion of a ‘fighting saint’ is a contradiction, akin to lambs with fangs or doves with talons. 25 War is a horrific and dreadful monster which is heir to the countless tragedies that humanity can inflict and endure. 26 Yet, when people go to war they often believe that God endorses their war, while their adversaries likely hold the same conviction. If both assert Divine sanction for warfare, does this not mean that God is the source of the horrors and a warmonger?
27 As the Anti-Nephi-Lehis knew, we Lavenites know our God, and we know that all violence is deplored by God. We know that those who invoke God’s name in their crusades are taking the Lord’s name in vain! 28 Therefore, you are commanded by Almighty God to lay down your arms, never to take them up again! 29 These instruments of death are to rust back into the earth so they may become soil, which is the instrument of life.
30 Nephi approached his fallen husband, cradled his hand, stroked his hair, and kissed his forehead. 31 My father Timothy’s eyes regained their light, and he arose to walk again amongst the living. 32 This act of resurrection left both Lavenites and Jacobites profoundly astonished. 33 After seeing this, a fatally wounded Jacobite was carried forth by his friends and laid before Nephi, who implored Nephi to save his life. 34 Some of the Lavens voiced concerns that aiding the Jacobite would impede our urgent escape, but again Nephi stayed them.
35 With spiritual power and authority, Nephi declared that all the wounded should be brought to him, promising to heal all those who would hear his words. 36 Nephi healed the Lavenites, affirmed their worth in God’s eyes, and sent them back to their families. To the Jacobites he healed, he said:
37 “You were called to repentance for your violence against the Lavens and instead you came to massacre us all. Now you come to us begging to heal you and save you from death? 38 I will heal you, for it is God’s desire that you shall bear witness to your people that a Laven held your life in his hands and chose mercy over vengeance.
39 Know this: the spirit of the adversary has hardened your hearts and set you against us to fulfill his destructive goals. 40 You have perceived our differences as sources of division rather than as opportunities to celebrate the vast diversity of God’s creation. 41 Your hatred has driven the Lavenites out from amongst you, and in doing so your spiritual power is diminished. 42 The heavens mourn over the unnecessary suffering of all people, for such pain is not God’s will.
43 I have spoken to you in hopes that your hearts would soften, but your hearts remain as hard as ever. 44 This is your final warning: if you do not repent and reconcile with the Lavens you have harmed, you will be destroyed.
45 Regardless of whether you forsake the darkness in your hearts, we Lavens shall remain as resilient as weeds and flourish as beautifully as orchids! 46 We now depart to solitude so we may cultivate our land, creating our own Eden.”
47 The wounded Jacobites were healed and they reluctantly permitted us to escape. 48 However, the Jacobites and the greater part of the Nephite tribes continued to harbor hatred for us in their hearts.
The Book of the Lavens, Jonas 2:9-48
34 “Many of your hearts have faltered, causing the Lamanites and Lavens to suffer at your hand. 35 You have permitted the dark whisperer, the father of contention, to kindle flames of anger within you, setting one against another. 36 This spirit of strife is not of me, and must be cast aside.
37 I declare to you this day, let there be no more strife among you as there has been in days past. 38 As the Mother and Father are united as one, so too must you find unity among yourselves. 39 I implore each of you to seek reconciliation, set aside differences in doctrine, and embrace one another in harmony. 40 Show your willingness to bear one another’s burdens thus making them lighter, offering comfort to those who are in need of comfort, and doing good at all times, in all things, and in all places.
The Book of the Lavens, Kumenonhi 1:34-40
1.10. The Chronicles of the Children of Araneck
96 Now this civil war between the people lasted for the space of many years and it led to the almost destruction of nearly all the people of the country even all so that no one would be spared not even thirty souls.
97 Behold many people were put in to slavery and dungeons were set up so that those that would not deny the Christ were made to rot and die and special places of detention were set up so that captives were made to work until they had starved.
98 At no time until this had the hatred of men and women one to another been so great upon the land and it was a dark and evil time.
99 In the midst of this darkness and this murder there stood a man of God, Ananan.
100 Ananan was a great man and he was a great leader of men, for he was the commander of the armies of Ridnon and the church and he was greatly favoured of the Lord.
101 Now upon the field of the last battle to be waged between these two nations Ananan decided that he would stand and speak.
102 And so he stood at the head of his forces and he rode forward into the centre of the field of battle, and the armies of the black circle were arrayed on the opposite side and stayed so that they did not move.
103 Ananan cried with a loud voice saying:-
104 “Oh what have we done?
105 We have destroyed the great principles of our land.
106 We have taken many lives and we have taken many great and wonderful places and we have destroyed them, and in doing this the Lord has withdrawn his spirit from the whole land and we are bathed forever in the blood of our brothers and our sisters.
107 Now I say this must come to an end or else we will be wiped forever from the face of the whole land.
108 We must forgive and seek repentance ourselves and ask Almighty God for his forgiveness, so that we may walk in his light once again.
109 For if we do not humble ourselves and ask for his forgiveness as the great priest Hadjaneck asked us to do so many years ago we will no longer be a people, forever to disappear and be as the wind.”
110 Now when Ananan had finished speaking his words, many of the people gathered for war fell down upon their knees and asked for forgiveness of their sins, for they knew that they had sinned against the Lord and they knew that they had done the things of the evil one.
111 Behold they also knew that this continued round of evil and bloodshed and delighting in their brothers pain could not endure and that soon all would be lost, and so soon all of the people began to seek forgiveness and seek God again.
112 Now I, Jeraneck, say unto you, that this was the first of many wars that have plagued our land and our people.
113 Behold this was called the first great war amongst my people for it was the first war that the people had ever waged one with another.
114 It was a great war and a terrible one and it brought much misery and many died, men, women and children.
115 Now they fell to the plague of evil it was while I was in my youth that I was told these things and it was the manner of the teachers of my people that they would teach the young these things, so that we might better understand that the evil one brings about hatred and that it is he that starts wars by stirring men up to prideful thoughts and anger.
116 We were taught so that we might be able to live in a time without war.
117 Now I, Jeraneck, say this that my people did not learn and many wars have been fought amongst us and the war that is raging outside, of this temple in which I sit and compile this record, is the mightiest and bloodiest of all the wars that my people have ever fought.
118 For this war is a war of annihilation, for this war is not fought over Gold or Silver or Zenrion or possession of men’s minds or their bodies but it is a war that is fought for nothing more than the love of bloodshed.
119 But even now, if my people would turn their hearts to their God, they would be saved.
120 But they rely upon their own strength for victory and not their God.
121 Now I say this in warning, that the many wars that plague your time have plagued my time and the outcome will be the same and the people of your time will cry with a loud voice:-
122 “Oh lord, why have you forsaken us?”
123 Just as my people now cry, but they will not see that it is they that have forsaken him.
124 Now I return to the record of the history of my people.
125 When the People of Araneck and the People of Ridnon had made an end of their violence and their wars and their slaving, they came together as one people looking for forgiveness.
126 They came together and gathered at the great temple on the plains of Shainonn and within its walls and they spoke with one voice and they said to one another that the fighting and the bloodshed must stop forever and there must be peace once again upon the land.
127 Now there arose in the land at this time, a Prophet, who was anointed in his calling by God while the war was ongoing, and he acted as the Prophet of the people for Zioneck had long gone the way of all men and returned to the ground from whence he came and his spirit now filled the heavens in the court of God.
128 Now the new Prophet was called of God and he was a descendent of Sharanack, even the same Sharanack that led the people to the land and was told that he would not taste death.
129 Behold his name was Semiasnas , and he was a great man, for he loved the people and he loved the Lord and he loved the welfare of his fellow men above all else, and because he had not picked up the sword or the bow or the spear, or any other weapon of war to fight in the great war, he had no blood upon his hands, for he had cried peace unto the people and it was his example that inspired Ananan to give his speech to the armies and because of this the people loved him for it.
130 Semiasnas stood in the midst of the great council chamber and he said with a loud voice so that all could hear him saying:-
131 “I am the Prophet ordained and anointed by God. Behold I say unto you that I have not suffered that any of you should be confined in dungeons, nor that any of you should have been slaves, nor have I taken life by way of murder, or plunder, neither have I stolen or committed adultery nor have I suffered that you should commit any wickedness.
132 But behold I have taught you that you should keep all the commandments of the Lord, and do all things that he has commanded of you.
133 Now I say that I with the aid of God will solve the problems of all our people.
134 I command you in the name of the Almighty to cry repentance unto him as has been asked of you many times by many great people.
135 Ask him now in this great temple for forgiveness for the evil that you have done and he will again bless our people.”
136 And the captains of the armies and the slavers and prison guards all fell and wept for they knew that they had blood on their hands, and thy cried unto Semiasnas and asked him to ask the Almighty if he might forgive them of the things they had done.
137 And Semiasnas cried unto the Almighty and asked the Lord to forgive the people, and at this time the spirit of the Lord fell upon him and it moved him and he knew that the Lord was satisfied and had forgiven the people of their sins.
138 But the Lord had a warning that he wished Semiasnas to give to the people, and he caused Semiasnas to speak and he warned the people that if they strayed from the paths of righteousness and picked up the sword in anger that the Lord would smite the people.
139 Behold he warned them that if they continued to hate one another that the day would come when the people would no longer exist upon this land.
140 After the people heard these words they were overcome with sorrow and their hearts became heavy and they all cried with one voice saying:-
141 “Oh Lord, forgive our transgression, forgive us for the sake of our children.”
Now I Jeraneck continue the record of the Second Great War that was waged upon the land, but I say this, that war has never served any purpose other than to harvest souls to send unto the Father and the Son and this is what the people did during the Second Great War.
Jeraneck 14:5
This day in the name of the Almighty Christ we covenant that we will never spill a drop of blood again upon this land, and we make this covenant not just for ourselves but for our children and our children’s
children.
Jeraneck 15:79–80
111 Never again must our people make war upon each other.
112 I swear unto heaven in front of these witnesses that if we ever depart from the ways of the almighty again that we must be wiped from off this land
Jeraneck 15:111-112
50 Now he stood before his people and he cried unto his people to stop warring one with another but his words fell upon deft ears as well and his people were no more.
51 Behold it seems that they to suffered from war and contentions one with another until they to suffered total extinction.
Jeraneck 17:50–51
38 I testify unto you that I have been upon the watch towers and I have seen the destruction and the death that covers the whole land.
39 I have heard the cries of the children and their mothers and their fathers.
40 I have heard them beg for their lives.
41 I have heard them cry for mercy.
42 And I have cried and I have wept, for this land is now desolate and all our great buildings are gone.
43 All our places of worship have been torn down and defiled.
44 To the south, to the north, to the east and to the west and to the islands of the sea in the north countries there is none but evil and there is nothing but bloodshed.
45 Gone are the days of singing and dancing.
46 Gone are the days when we would all gather to celebrate the birth of a child or the sealing of a man and women.
Jeraneck 18:38-46
1.11. Maxims of the Mother
1
A. Beloved community of Restoration, I wish to speak to you regarding the subjects of non-violence, pacifism, and activist peacemaking, which are all deeply interconnected.
B. My vision is of a world where all of creation lives in peaceful and profound harmony; A Zion that reveres the inherent value of every being and works tirelessly to uphold and safeguard it.
C. Throughout every generation humanity has fallen into a cycle that mistakenly believes that violence can bring about true and genuine peace. These misguided and futile attempts to establish peace contradict my vision of a Zionic world.
D. The foundation of Zion is not merely the absence of conflict, but the resolute determination of those who are driven by a profound sense of reverence for all people and a deep connection with the Divine. These prophetic people choose to live a life of discipline, persistence, and dedication to collective well-being.
2
A. During your time in Missouri and Nauvoo, you, unfortunately, disregarded my instructions to establish Zion through non-violent means and instead pursued a path of aggressive hostility which made the realization of Zion unachievable in those eras.
B. Although your past cannot be altered, it serves as the foundation upon which the present and future are built, so make the most of every moment and action, as they are the bricks that construct Zion.
C. Consider the tale of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis who were likewise entrenched in the vicious cycle of violence and bloodshed, but experienced a profound spiritual awakening. This awakening inspired them to renounce the harmful and fruitless cycle of violence and they instead embraced the principles of pacifism. These models maintained their unwavering commitment even in the face of martyrdom, which in turn also inspired their adversaries to embrace the way of peace.
D. I call upon you to emulate the noble example of the Anti-Nephi-Lehis and break free from the cycle of violence! Commit yourself to an unwavering dedication to the pursuit of peace, even if it means enduring adversity and persecution.
3
A. I have observed, with admiration, your efforts to renounce violence and pursue peace, as evidenced by naming your cities after repentant peacemaking kings and dedicating your holiest sites to the pursuit of peace.
B. However, I contend that your professed longing for Zion is undermined by your hesitancy to renounce all forms of violence, while also revealing a persistent attachment toward violence and a reluctance to embrace a more enlightened and peaceful path.
C. How can you claim cities and temples of peace as your own while tolerating, justifying, and even promoting violence in any form?
4
A. The realization of Zion in your own time requires more than empty words and lip service. It requires actively engaging in non-violent resistance to and the dismantling of oppressive systems and establishing new systems founded upon the principles of justice.
B. It is your sacred responsibility to courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious systems that hinder my Divine goal of justice and reconciliation.
C. To remain silent in the presence of oppression is to become complicit in its perpetuation. This is why the righteous must always rise up, speak out, and work against injustice.
D. In your pursuit of peace, you may find yourself in conflict with unjust and oppressive laws, regulations, and policies which are imposed by those in positions of power. Know that those who engage in acts of civil disobedience against such injustice are my sacred messengers who are doing my sacred work.
5
A. Genuine and lasting peace can only be achieved by creating a just society through the dismantling of oppressive systems and the establishment of authentic communal solidarity that affirms the inherent dignity, diversity, and value of every person.
B. Therefore, give up the burden of your inherited war-like nature! Cast off your indecision, complacency, and stagnation! Awake and build Zion the Beautiful!
Maxims of the Mother, Section 13: Non-Violence, Pacifism, and Activist Peacemaking
1.12. Evan’s Revelations
2
A. Alma the Elder warned that when anyone esteems themselves above another, they soon believe they are meant to rule.
B. Mosiah likewise declared that iniquitous kings pervert righteousness, make wicked laws, and spill blood to preserve their seat of power.
C. Amalickiah then demonstrated how such individuals flatter others to gain power, and how they will deceive and even murder to obtain it.
3
A. You have been taught that these things were spoken for your day and age.
B. You have been taught how these things are of great worth to you.
4
A. Despite this, your nation has elevated my son Donald, who believed himself superior and destined to rule.
B. Your nation saw how he disregards prophets and saints who sue for peace, heard him advocate for wicked laws, and brag how he is willing and eager to kill those who oppose him.
C. Yet, your nation did not learn from the Nephites and Lamanites, and made Donald its ruler. After much trial and heartache, Donald was dismissed as your ruler. Then, unlike the Nephites, the Amalickiah was brought back to be king.
5
A. Due to this foolishness, the pillars of your republic crumble, and confidence in its governance erodes from both within and without.
B. Donald has instructed his armies to invade his own lands, arrest and abduct his own neighbors, and many are harmed or killed. The most vulnerable of your people quiver in fear for their lives.
C. He orders parades to glorify his name to feed his pride, yet when resistance rises, he kindles the flames of war.
D. Having loosed violence upon the Earth, he dares invoke My name, imagining that I sanctify his evil works.
E. These things are abominable to Me, and it is by the foolishness of your nation that they have come to pass.
6
A. You have been taught that these are portentous times, and the lives of many are being sacrificed unnecessarily to the gods of war, greed, and avarice, and that you must be at the forefront of the opposition.
B. Those who opposed Donald and his armies before he rose to power the first time, the second time, and those who continue this fight now are commended.
C. Nevertheless, you must know that you are all image-bearers, and the loss of life is egregious. Therefore, seek to oppose wickedness in all that you do, but do not slay another.
Revelation of Chastisement, Condemnation and Comfort, verses 2-6
2. Quotes
2.1. Adam M. Shaffer
Love others radically, unconditionally, knowing full well that they mean you harm. Seek to help and bless those who have been fed lies about us, and pray desperately that what they do to us can be forgiven and they can be healed, so that when we are found broken by the evils of this world their hearts will soften towards us enough to help us on their way. This can be the means of healing this world when the current storms of life – with all their potential for despair – have passed us by.
Adam M. Shaffer
“The Deplorables”, First Reform Mormon General Conference, April 5th, 2025
Remember that… storms in the past have taken little more than a decade to subside, when our grandparents were left with a broken world in need of healing… our forebears rebuilt the cities and lands that the imperialists and the fascists had controlled and used for their awful work of destruction. We can and must survive our current conflicts, with our love of God and man intact, to build our world anew.
Adam M. Shaffer
“The Deplorables”, First Reform Mormon General Conference, April 5th, 2025
Don’t let our struggle against injustice, whether against a tyrannical church, political party, or an unjust state – with its kangaroo courts and illegitimate use of force – turn you against everyone who made this awful crisis possible.
Adam M. Shaffer
“The Deplorables”, First Reform Mormon General Conference, April 5th, 2025
All of us really, no matter how politically, socially and morally enlightened we are, only seem to see the deficiencies in others, rather than their too-often hidden nobility. We are ready to write people off, and reject them, when we see them as our enemies. And we may be right to fear them! They often endorse policies that dehumanize us, or our loved ones, and they may attack us with the awful apparatus of an unjust state. We don’t owe them an explanation of who we are, and we must stand against policies that destroy, but what did Jesus say we should do with our enemies themselves?
Adam M. Shaffer
“The Deplorables”, First Reform Mormon General Conference, April 5th, 2025
2.2. Andrew Kimball
Now let us take a peep into the future:… we are going to cease waring with each other… men’s lives will be pure… then they will love their neighbor as themselves. Men will seek the welfare of others, the vast wealth of the world will be so handled that there will be no poor, no vastly rich, all will seek the happiness of others for therein lies the secret of true happiness.
Andrew Kimball
Letter to the Future, 1908
2.3. Blaire Ostler
If I were a God I would NOT ask, did you masturbate or have sex before marriage? No. Instead I would ask, how did your sexual activity affect your partner(s)? Were you thinking about what’s best for them, or only what you wanted for yourself? Have you ever physically, emotionally, or socially manipulated a person into having sex against their will? Did you use sex as a weapon to hurt others? When you did have sex, did you have sex responsibly? Did you care for your partner and consider their needs? Have you ever sexually harassed, assaulted, or coerced another? Have you ever hurt a child sexually? If you did make such a grave error as hurting a child, how did you repent and seek to be worthy of godhood? Those who misuse the powers of sex are not worthy of my powers.
Blaire Ostler
“Qualifying for Exaltation”, Exponent II on January 8th, 2020
If I were a God I would NOT ask, were you queer, straight, bi, cisgender, monogamous, polygamous, divorced, single, or transgender? No. Instead I would ask, how did you love those around you? Were your family relationships built on love and inclusion? How did you care for your partner(s) and/or spouse(s)? Did you take responsibility for any children you may have had, and did you love them with care, kindness, and devotion? How did you treat your family? Did you ever hit, hurt, or belittle them? Did you apologize for your mistakes and seek to do better?
Blaire Ostler
“Qualifying for Exaltation”, Exponent II on January 8th, 2020
2.4. Brigham Young
When a man has power over his neighbor, over his fellow being, and puts him in torment, which is like the flames of everlasting fire, so that he never dares to speak his mind, or walk across the street, or attend to any branch of business without a continual fear of his oppressor, and of the rod hanging over him for punishment, it is worse than to kill and eat him. That is as the torment of hell
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses Vol. 8 Discourse 26
Of one thing I am sure: God never institutes war; God is not the author of confusion or of war; they are the results of the acts of the children of men. Confusion and war necessarily come as the results of the foolish acts and policy of men; but they do not come because God desires they should come.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses 13:149
I am not going to drive a man or a woman to heaven. A great many think that they will be able to flog people into heaven, but this can never be done, for the intelligence in us is as independent as the Gods. People are not to be driven and you can put into a gnat’s eye all the souls of the children of men that are driven into heaven by preaching hell-fire.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses 9:124
A large share of the ingenuity of the world is taxed to invent weapons of war. What a set of fools! I wonder if they think that they will never die, unless they kill one another. Is there any danger of their living here forever? Not a bit of it. Let the people alone, and they will die of themselves, without killing them.
Much of the skill, ingenuity, and ability of the Christian nations are now devoted to manufacturing instruments of death. May we be saved from the effects of them!
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses 8, pg 319-326
We are never going to destroy the enemies of God by the evil passions that are in us—never, no never. When those who profess to be Saints contend against the enemies of God through passion or selfwill, it is then man against man, evil against evil, the powers of darkness against the powers of darkness. But when men who are sanctified, purified, do anything, they will do it with a coolness as if conversing at their firesides with each other
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses 8, pg 319-326
Are we prepared to receive the blessings, and let the fighting alone? I do not believe much in fighting, and my faith is to escape such a calamity as to war and fight with either friends or enemies.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses 8, pg 319-326
Let us look at our neighbors as they are, and not as we want them to be; let us learn enough to know what we are ourselves and what our brethren and sisters are, and learn the true designs of their hearts, and then judge them as God judges them and not according to outward appearance; then every contention will cease, every heart will beat high to build up Zion, and the follies and weaknesses of our neighbors we shall not think of.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses 10:176
2.5. Clifford A. Cole
When we talk about authority in terms of its effect on our present life, or the power of the church to influence living conditions today rather than in the life after death, then the issue of our authority as against the authority of others seems less black and white. For example, when we are asked who has authority to heal the sick, assist the poverty-stricken, reduce violence, or eliminate war, we must admit that authority in these spheres resides in varying degrees in many places
Clifford A. Cole
The Cause of Zion
2.6. Dale Gunnar Renlund
Not throwing stones is the first step in treating others with compassion. The second step is to try to catch stones thrown by others.
Dale Gunnar Renlund
“Infuriating Unfairness”, General Conference, April 3rd, 2021
2.7. David O. McKay
War is basically selfish. Its roots feed in the soil of envy, hatred, desire for domination. Its fruit, therefore, is always bitter. They who cultivate and propagate it spread death and destruction, and are enemies of the human race.
War originates in the hearts of men who seek to despoil, to conquer, or to destroy other individuals or groups of individuals. Self exaltation is a motivating factor; force, the means of attainment. War is rebellious action against moral order.
[World War 2] had its beginning in militarism, a false philosophy which believes that “war is a biological necessity for the purification and progress of nations.” It proclaims that Might determines Right, and that only the strongest nations should survive and rule. It says, “the grandeur of history lies in the perpetual conflict of nations, and it is simply foolish to desire the suppression of their rivalry.”
War impels you to hate your enemies.
The Prince of Peace says, Love your enemies.
War says, Curse them that curse you.
The Prince of Peace says, Pray for them that curse you.
War says, Injure and kill them that hate you.
The Risen Lord says, do good to them that hate you.
Thus we see that war is incompatible with Christ’s teachings. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of peace. War is its antithesis, and produces hate. It is vain to attempt to reconcile war with true Christianity.
David O. McKay
“The Church and the Present War”, May 1942 Improvement Era, pg 276
2.8. Denver Snuffer
We cannot pursue abusive and controlling means to achieve freedom and equality. The path taken, matters as much as the destination. Struggling with the inefficient and cumbersome tools of persuasion, love, patience and pure knowledge will require a lot of changes to be made voluntarily. That is of course the goal: Voluntarily changing hearts.
Denver Snuffer
“Equality”, September 22nd, 2016
The instructions of the Lord are intended to change lives. Change is repentance. And repentance leads to redemption. He expects our behavior to mirror our beliefs, because if behavior does not model our professed beliefs then we are hypocrites – not converts.
This is why commandments are given to us. They tell us how we can continue to receive and renew a continuing conversion to Christ’s way of life. Commandments are not a burden to bear but a roadmap to follow. They are not a measuring stick to judge and then abuse others. It is a light for us to follow.
Denver Snuffer
“3 Nephi 12: 2”, October 2nd, 2010
2.9. Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Peace is, as we all know, not just absence of war. Peace means that people can live with dignity, that conflicts can be solved without violence, that we listen to one another and care for one another. This is true for all levels — this is for the family, for individual lives, for politicians, for communities, for all phases of life. … We can find a way of respecting and accepting each other as we are and help each other, even disregarding our differences.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Remembrance service at Fort Douglas Cemetery on November 16th, 2025
2.10. Edward W. Tullidge
None who has been inspired by malice against Mormonism is worthy the name of “Godbeite”… Malice is radically repugnant to [their] intellectual profession of faith. True, the “Godbeite” chose, of [their] own free-will, an everlasting intellectual and spiritual warfare with priestcraft, but [they remain], notwithstanding, in the closest and most affectionate relationship with the Mormon people. If, on the contrary, [they] abide not in this fellowship, then [have they] departed from [their] first love and faith
Edward W. Tullidge
“The Godbeite Movement”, Tullidge’s Quarterly Magazine, Vol 1 pg 14
[God] declares that this age shall not be retained in the dominion over serfdom of any kind, but the whole earth shall be redeemed from all its slaveries.
There shall be no more partitions erected between the branches of the human race; and if people, in their ambitious or sectional hatreds, lift them up, God will beat them down again. … There shall be no more social slaveries in institutional forms, no more partitions erected, either of Churches or States, in this “New World”, to separate humanity and perpetuate religious and national hates; this is the “thus saith the Lord” to the age, not through one person, but through the best intellects of all humanity and great transpiring events We may little longer retain these pernicious distinctions and these wicked hates, but God in the social redemption of this continent, will overrule us all.
Edward W. Tullidge
“Our Social Redemption”, The Utah Magazine, October 23rd, 1869
2.11. Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
We expect to move forward not only in the power of principle, but through the influence of love. No [person] or set of [people] could create themselves our enemies, for we would not recognize them as such. Let a [person] feel malicious and full of destruction to us, and even then [they] should not force us to regard [them] as an enemy for we would put ourselves in [their] place and view matters from [their] standpoint, and find an excuse for [their] vindictive feelings. And thus we would not have enemies any way that it can be arranged.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison
“Church of Zion Conference”, Mormon Tribune, April 8th, 1870
The policy of the [Godbeite] Movement will be to make Zion, that place, of all others on the face of the earth, where mere differences of creed has the least power to separate man from his fellow man. Zion’s policy will be to abolish all distinctions which build up hatred and division in the hearts of men, and to draw all men so near to her that she can reach their affections and do them good. … All wholesale measures for separation and non-association between classes and creeds are artificial, and require, as we well know, the watchman and the inquisitor to keep them going – and then they fail. There is no true safeguard from corruption but that of higher education and intelligence.
Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison and William Samuel Godbe
The Godbeite Manifesto, The Utah Magazine, November 27th, 1869
2.12 Frederick M. Smith
“From every man according to his capacity and to every man according to his needs,” has, I think, been accepted as expressing in sloganized form the objective of our social reform based on Christian fraternity. It might be necessary to add that surplus must be placed for the benefit and blessing of the group. …
“From every man according to his capacity and to every man according to his needs,” because it is right, because God wills it, because each is his brother’s keeper to the extent of his capacity, and because in a society so organized and functioning there will be greater happiness, more peace, and class friction will be reduced to a minimum if not eradicated.
And that is the Zionic idea and our goal. Onward to Zion!
Frederick M. Smith
Saints’ Herald Vol. 82 pg. 1091
When laborers and capitalists begin working with the goal being the common good rather than aggrandizement of selfish interests, their common interests, because of having a common goal, form a basis on which they freely cooperate, and adjustment of differences becomes easy.
Frederick M. Smith
“The Church and Economics”
Saints Herald 80-16:483, April 19th, 1933
2.13. George Albert Smith
I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.
I would visit the sick and the afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.
I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of all [humanity].
I would seek out the erring and try to win [them] back to a righteous and a happy life.
I would not seek a force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.
I would live with the masses and help solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.
I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.
I would not knowingly hurt the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do [them] good and make [them] my friend.
I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the success of all the children of my Heavenly [Parents].
I would not be an enemy to any living soul.
Knowing that the Redeemer of [humanity] has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter I feel it not only a duty but a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth.
George Albert Smith
Conference Report April 1951 pages 167-168
2.14. George Q. Cannon
The teachings of [Mormonism] in relation to the sacredness of human life are very plain and strong. We are taught that it is a dreadful wrong, a crime of fearful magnitude, for man to slay his fellowman, unless it be in self-defense. Children should be impressed with these ideas, that under no provocation should they resort to violence against their fellow creatures.
How shocking it is to read of young men going armed with pistols, and upon apparently slight provocation drawing their weapons and firing at each other! We read of a case of this kind recently in one of our settlements. It fills one with horror to think that human beings are so filled with deadly hatred as to be guilty of such acts. It is far better for one to be in the place of Abel – an innocent man murdered – than to be in the place of his murderer, the cruel Cain.
The spirit of murder seems to be on the increase in our day. This is partly due to the increase in our day. This is partly due to the increase of firearms and to their cheapness, also to the fashion which prevails in many quarters of carrying deadly weapons. The frequency with which shooting is done also has its effect to break down the feeling of sacredness which should surround human life.
George Q. Cannon
“Do Not Kill”, Juvenile Instructor Vol. 26 No. 24 (July 15th, 1891), pg 442-444
It is not only the shedding of human blood which children should be taught to avoid; they should be impressed with the value of animal life. No animal should be killed except to supply food for the sustenance of human beings.
Some boys and young men take great delight in going on hunting trips. They are not hungry, they do not stand in need of food of this character to sustain life; but they hunt for sport – merely for the pleasure of killing something. They foster a taste for destruction. If while they have a gun in hand a bird should come within range of their shot, however innocent or beautiful the bird might be, and without it being the least use to them for food or anything else, they instantly try to kill it. So with any innocent and harmless animal that they may see. No fowl or animal is safe if within range of their shot. It must be killed if they can succeed in hitting it.
Now, this is very wrong, and children should be taught to repress that inclination where they have it. The practice of killing everything that can be shot at, and hunting for the mere pleasure of killing, leads to a waste of life, and causes a feeling of indifference to the sufferings of animals to become implanted in the breasts of those who are guilty of this practice. Such persons are more likely to use their weapons against their fellow creatures if they had not become somewhat indifferent to the shedding of blood.
God has given man the birds of the air, the animals that move upon the earth, and the fish that swim in the waters, for his use; not to be wasted, not to be killed for sport, not to be exterminated from the face of the earth, as many kinds of animals and birds have been through man’s hunting propensities; but to be a blessing to man; to furnish him with that which he may need from time-to-time for food and other purposes and assist him in various ways.
And God will hold man accountable for the right use of his opportunities. These birds and animals and fish cannot speak, but they can suffer, and our God, who created them, knows their sufferings, and will hold him who causes them to suffer unnecessarily to answer for it. It is a sin against their creator. These dumb creatures appeal to the sympathy of every right-feeling person. They are to a certain extent helpless, and in many instances defenseless.
Man should therefore treat them with all possible kindness. Children should be taught that it is a duty to protect and care for the creatures that are in their charge; to see that they are fed and watered and housed, so that they will not suffer. They should bit be overworked. They should not be beaten improperly or abused; but should be treated with kindness. A child that is cruel to an animal exhibits a bad disposition. He will be apt to grow up to be an unfeeling, cruel man. Therefore children should be taught to be merciful to the brute creation.
George Q. Cannon
“Do Not Kill”, Juvenile Instructor Vol. 26 No. 24 (July 15th, 1891), pg 442-444
I have felt for some time that we are bending our necks too much to our enemies. My feeling has been that we should not tamely submit to the tyranny practiced upon us. Our people are apparently terrorized by a few men, not exceeding a dozen, who are running this raid to suit themselves. We are like a lot of sheep in a corral, and our enemies like butchers. They make the selection of their victim and rush in and drag him out, while the rest of the flock huddle up in a corner.
I have felt that if a few of them were well trounced it would have a salutary effect. To go beyond this, that is, to go so far as to take life I would be utterly opposed. President Taylor learned my feelings and was considerably exercised about them. He thought it would not do to permit any violence of this kind.
George Q. Cannon
Journal Entry, April 6th, 1885
2.15. Gordon B. Hinckley
The great English essayist Thomas Carlyle once ironically shared the observation, “God must needs laugh outright, could such a thing be, to see his wondrous mannikins here below” (quoted in Sartor Resartus [1836], 182). I think our Father in Heaven must have wept as He has looked down upon His children through the centuries as they have squandered their divine birthright in ruthlessly destroying one another.
Gordon B. Hinckley
“War and Peace”, General Conference April 2003
Let it be understood that we have no quarrel with the Muslim people or with those of any other faith. We recognize and teach that all the people of the earth are of the family of God. And as He is our Father, so are we brothers and sisters with family obligations one to another.
Gordon B. Hinckley
“War and Peace”, General Conference April 2003
Now, there is much that we can and must do in these perilous times. We can give our opinions on the merits of the situation as we see it, but never let us become a party to words or works of evil concerning our brothers and sisters in various nations on one side or the other. Political differences never justify hatred or ill will. I hope that the Lord’s people may be at peace one with another during times of trouble, regardless of what loyalties they may have to different governments or parties.
Gordon B. Hinckley
“War and Peace”, General Conference April 2003
May the Lord bless us to work unitedly to remove from our hearts and drive from our society all elements of hatred, bigotry, racism, and other divisive words and actions. The snide remark, the racial slur, hateful epithets, malicious gossip, and mean and vicious rumor-mongering should have no place among us.
Gordon B. Hinckley
National Conference of Christians and Jews Interfaith Services, November 20, 1994
Let us be good [spouses and [parents]. Any [one] who is a tyrant in [their] own home is unworthy of the priesthood. [They] cannot be a fit instrument in the hands of the Lord when [they do] not show respect and kindness and love toward the companion of [their] choice.
Likewise, any [one] who is a bad example for [their] children, who cannot control [their] temper, or who is involved in dishonest or immoral practices will find the power of [their] priesthood nullified.
Gordon B. Hinckley
“Reaching Down to Lift Another,” Ensign, November 2001, 52
The [spouse] you choose will be your equal. … [they are] not your servant, your chattel, nor anything of the kind. How tragic and utterly disgusting a phenomenon is [spousal] abuse. Any [one] in this Church who abuses [their spouse], who demeans [them], who insults [them], who exercises unrighteous dominion over [them] is unworthy to hold the priesthood. Though [they] may have been ordained, the heavens will withdraw, the Spirit of the Lord will be grieved, and it will be amen to the authority of the priesthood of that [person].
… If there be any … who are guilty of such behavior, I call upon you to repent. Get on your knees and ask the Lord to forgive you. Pray to Him for the power to control your tongue and your heavy hand. Ask for the forgiveness of your wife and your children.
Gordon B. Hinckley
“Personal Worthiness to Exercise the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 2002, 53–54
2.16. Harold B. Lee
What is the position of the Church with respect to war? War is an ugly thing, a vicious thing. It makes men do things they would not normally do. It breaks up families, causes immorality, cheating, and much hatred. It is not the glorious John Wayne-type thing you see in movies.
Harold B. Lee
“From the Valley of Despair to the Mountain Peaks of Hope”, New Era, August. 1971
2.17. Heber J. Grant
We earnestly implore all members of the Church to love their brethren and sisters, and all peoples whoever and wherever they are; to banish hate from their lives, to fill their hearts with charity, patience, long-suffering, and forgiveness.
Heber J. Grant
Message from the First Presidency, in Conference Report, October 1939, 8
The Divine law on the taking of human life was proclaimed at Sinai and in the Garden. This law, we declare, is equally binding upon men and upon nations. It embraces war.
We further declare that God is grieved by war and that he will hold subject to the eternal punishments of his will those who wage it unrighteously.
Heber J. Grant
Message from the First Presidency, in Conference Report, October 1939, 8
2.18. Istvan Jamrik
I choose to align myself with people who share goals with me rather than share all of the myths behind it with rigid uniformity.
This reminds me of a conversation I had with a fellow Reformed Mormon, Sister Sarah Williams, about the conceptualization of the Divine being a mere set dressing to the play that ultimately our being is. Let’s say if person one believes in Jehovah, person two believes in no God, and person three believes in an arcane polytheistic pantheon, but the beliefs of all three result in striving for peace, equality, and economic justice, then the differences in belief do not matter. The same way if person one believes in Jehovah and as a result wants peace, equality and justice while person two believes in Jehovah and as a result preaches hate, intolerance and hellfire for those with other beliefs, then the similarities in the myths they subscribe to do not matter at all. They are just two similar set dressings for two very different plays.
Istvan Jamrik
“Putting Away Childish Things”, Third Reform Mormon General Conference, April 4th, 2026
2.19. J. Reuben Clark
As the crowning savagery of [World War 2], we Americans wiped out hundreds of thousands of civilian population with the atom bomb in Japan, few if any of the ordinary civilians being any more responsible for the war than we were, and perhaps most of them no more aiding Japan in the war than we were aiding America. Military men are now saying that the atom bomb was a mistake. It was more than that: it was a world tragedy.
… And the worst of this atomic bomb tragedy is not that only did the people of the United States not rise up in protest against this savagery, not only did it not shock us to read of this wholesale destruction of men, women, and children, and cripples, but that it actually drew from the nation at large a general approval of this fiendish butchery. … Thus we in America are now deliberately searching out and developing the most savage, murderous means of exterminating peoples that Satan can plant in our minds. We do it not only shamelessly, but with a boast. God will not forgive us for this.
If we are to avoid extermination, if the world is not to be wiped out, we must find some way to curb the fiendish ingenuity of men who have apparently no fear of God, man, or the devil, and who are willing to plot and plan an invent instrumentalities that will wipe out all the flesh of the earth. And, as one American citizen of one hundred thirty millions, as one in one billion population of the world, I protest with all the energy I possess against this fiendish activity, and as an American citizen, I call upon out government and its agencies to see that these unholy experimentations are stopped, and that somehow we get into the minds of our war-minded general staff and its satellites, and into the general staffs of all the world, a proper respect for human life.
J. Reuben Clark
General Conference Talk, October 5th, 1946
2.20. Jason W. Briggs
The bare mention of “fighting Saints” generates in our minds incongruities, a chaotic mixture of opposites, distorted images of lambs with claws, and doves with talons and fangs — misery with veins of bliss running through it.
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
War is a monster; a desolator, a scourge; the sum of all the calamities that flesh is heir to, all this is conceded in the abstract by Christian men as well as Saints.
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
Each party in all wars suppose some god to be on their side. If both parties are Christians, each supposes the same God to be on their side, as if war was the offspring of some of the attributes of God.
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
The sinews of war is its power to crush, and these sinews are furnished by the rich, the capitalists take the loans and so enable war to act itself out
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
Patriotism, in short, is on both sides of every question and every struggle, it is the inspiration of all wars … Patriotism as a ruling sentiment flatly contradicts the gospel, for it teaches to love our own, and despise others. Hence, patriotic duties may or may not agree with moral duties.
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
The children of this world understand that the religion of Christ forbids war and all violence. While the children of the kingdom are discussing whether or not the “Saints shall fight.”
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
There can be no doubt that Jesus Christ was a non-resistant, and when His teachings become the rule of nations war will have ceased.
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
who is a Saint? Is he not one who adopts the precepts and has the Spirit of Christ? Certainly. Then if when the nations are converted they will not “fight” nor go to war, how can the Saints who are now converted do so? That is, can they fight without violating the precepts of the Savior or is it a moral duty to go to war and fight? We decidedly think not.
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
Jesus said: “If my kingdom was of this world then would my servants (the Saints) fight, but now is not from hence.” (John 18:36)
Therefore, they will not fight to defend it nor their king.
Now here is a very pertinent question: If the Saints are not permitted to fight to defend the kingdom of God, to defend their king, their own Shepherd and Savior, are they permitted to fight in defense of other lords and other kingdoms?
Jason W. Briggs
“War and the Relation of Saints Thereto” Herald (Vol. 9-4:53) – February 15th, 1866
2.21. Jaxon Washburn
There’s no doubt that Jesus’s teachings have the potential to be divisive insofar as they call us to radical forms of love, empathy, consecrated discipleship, and boundless charity.
Yet he is not the Prince of the Sword, but the Prince of Peace.
I would rather be accused of worshipping a “different Jesus” than the Christ who stones.
Jaxon Washburn
Facebook post, July 3rd, 2026
2.22. Jessica Spence Moss
I am afraid of the hell that we, as humans, create because we are disconnected from each other; because we refuse to see the divine in each soul; because we believe some lives are worth more than others; because we think we are more deserving of love, peace, comfort, and safety than someone else. This is what creates hell
Jessica Spence Moss
“The Pretti Good People I Hope to Meet in Heaven”, February 3rd, 2026
2.23. John Taylor
The people of [the United States] are evidently bent upon their own destruction,
and they are full of enmity, hatred, war, and bloodshed.
To all human appearance, it would seem that
they will not stop short of the entire destruction of this great nation.
John Taylor
Journal of Discourses 9:234
2.24. Joseph F. Smith
One thing is certain, the doctrine of peace by armed force, held to so long and tenaciously by czars, kings, and emperors is a failure, and should without question forever be abandoned. It has been wrong from the beginning. That we get what we prepare for is literally true in this case. For years it has been held that peace only comes by preparation for war… peace only comes by preparing for peace, through training the people in righteousness and justice, and selecting rulers who respect the righteous will of the people
Joseph F. Smith
“The Great War”, Improvement Era, Volume 17, Number 10, page 1074
I never could see why a man should be imbued with a bloodthirsty desire to kill, and destroy animal life. I have known men – and they still exist among us – who enjoy what is, to them, the “sport” of hunting birds and slaying them by the hundreds… I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food… I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men whom I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood. They go off hunting deer, antelope, elk, anything they can find, and what for? “Just for the fun of it!” Not that they are hungry and need the flesh of their prey, but just because they love to shoot and to destroy life.
Joseph F. Smith
The Juvenile Instructor Vol. 48 No. 5, pg 308-309 (May 1913)
2.25. Joseph Fielding Smith
The flesh of living creatures should be indulged in sparingly although there was no sin in the shedding of their blood when required for food. There is no inference in the scriptures that it is the privilege of men to slay birds or beasts or to catch fish wantonly. The Lord gave life to every creature, both the birds in the heavens, beasts on the earth, and fishes in the streams or seas. … It was intended that all creatures should be happy in their several elements. Therefore to take the life of these creatures wantonly is a sin before the Lord.
It is easy to destroy life, but who can restore it when it is taken? … Man should be more the friend and never an enemy to any living creature. The Lord placed them here.
Joseph Fielding Smith
Answers to Gospel Questions: The Classic Collection in One Volume, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1957–1966), 4:43–44.
I believe it is our solemn duty to love one another, to believe in each other, to have faith in each other, that it is our duty to overlook the faults and the failings of each other, and not to magnify them in our own eyes nor before the eyes of the world.
Joseph Fielding Smith
Conference Report, April 1915, 119
2.26. Joseph Salisbury
Adam is truly our father and a great patriarch of the [human] race. In this sense he is our “god,” and as such is worthy of our veneration. With other noble ones he rules in the realms of spirit-life, not as an absolute monarch whose fiat strikes terror into every heart, but as one who enjoys the entire confidence of those over whom he presides. His weapon is love, and justice, mercy, and truth are his governing sentiments. He is not the Adam now that he was when he made an apron of fig leaves. Thousands of years in the progressive conditions of spirit-life have developed him and lifted him up to the highest sphere of spiritual existence.
But not withstanding all this he is not the Creator of the Universe, with its endless varieties of life. There is above and beyond him, with all his knowledge and influence, a great creative power which Brother Pratt calls the “great first cause,” before which even Adam bows down in humble adoration, and to which the heavenly hosts offer up songs of eternal praise.
Joseph Salisbury
“Adam Our Father and God”, Mormon Tribune, March 12th, 1870
If the personal coming of Christ were a fact instead of a myth we could not accept the evidence of earthquakes in favor of that event. We would much prefer to recognize as indications the remodeling of society, the abolishing of sectional hates, and the fraternizing of the human family everywhere. We might then reasonably suppose we were approximating nearer the conditions that would be congenial to the nature and sentiment of the Son of Mary.
Joseph Salisbury
“Earthquakes and Fanaticism”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, November 5th, 1870
2.27. Joseph Silver
Jesus has come again, – not, it is true, as some would have had him come, in flaming fire to take vengeance on the wicked and ungodly; but to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, power to the lame to walk, and teach us again, as when in earth life, to love one another, to live as he lived, to bless and save humanity. And this we can all do more or less if we seek to cultivate pure charity for the human race.
The conception that… the members of this community and many others have had, not excepting even prophets and apostles, of what they have termed “The Second Advent of Christ”, is an erroneous conception and very soon circumstances will arise which will prove this to the world.
I said Jesus had come again. It is true. I do not, however, say that he has come with ten thousand of his saints to reign as a temporal prince. But he has come, and is still coming, and going and will continue to come. He is, with many of his brethren, a spiritual missionary. He does not confine himself to a time or place, particularly, or to one section or church, or to this prophet or that prophet, – but wherever and whomsoever he can impress with pure and holy thought, that he does. Be assured that he is no bigot. He is without a doubt a universalian. It would be inconsistent with the philosophy of spiritual existence and progress, to suppose that Jesus Christ, or any other being who has once dwelt with us in the flesh, could come again and reign as king or potentate among us. This dogma, therefore, must forever pass away.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Believe”, Mormon Tribune, June 25th, 1870
Were we to admit that God or Adam required that Jesus should die, we should, to say the least, do both God and Adam a serious injustice. The idea that Jesus, of necessity, had to die an inhumane and ignominious death to appease the wrath of his own father or his God is preposterous. He did die, however; but would he have died could he have prevented it? It is true, like some [people] since his time, he could have recanted and thereby perhaps have saved his life. But no, he preferred death to recantation. He loved the truth, and for the sake of humanity and the truth he went about doing good regardless of consequences. If his prosecutors and murderers had loved the truth they would never have imbued their hands in his innocent blood, and he would have died a natural death.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Not Believe”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 2nd, 1870
I think no [one] should be found in the Church willing to offer so great an insult to [their] Creator as to even pray for the destruction of [their] supposed enemies, far less with [their] own hands spill the blood of [their] fellows.
Joseph Silver
“Some Things I Do Not Believe”, Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 2nd, 1870
2.28. Karin F. Peter
We have to look at our own attitudes towards reconciliation. Although it can be tedious and painful and humbling, it’s also necessary.
Karin F. Peter
Plenary Session of the Inland West Mission Center Conference, September 30th, 2023
2.29. Lars Peter Edholm
A domineering priesthood, wheresoever it is established, can never with their threats and anathemas scare [people] to heaven: as to their wholesale consignments to the opposite abode, they are simply the objects of contempt.
Lars Peter Edholm
Salt Lake Weekly Tribune, July 26th, 1870
2.30. Lenora Barlow
A man of God gathers people, helps people, encourages people. A man who seeks to represent Jesus doesn’t destroy families, control people, or abuse them.
Lenora Barlow
Facebook post, December 26th, 2025
Supporting and encouraging one another instead of pointing fingers is far more helpful and productive
Lenora Barlow
Facebook post, December 31st, 2025
Threats only work for so long. Eventually those threatened will want to run, and possibly never come back.
Love is long lasting, and keeps children, friends, spouses, and people coming back.
Lenora Barlow
Facebook post, December 28th, 2025
I believe when everyone is silenced, every kind of abuse can continue and grow.
Lenora Barlow
Facebook post, February 26th, 2026
2.31. Leonard Phillip Matlovich
I think it’s a crazy mixed up world we live in when we’re rewarded for killing and hating, and punished for loving.
Leonard Phillip Matlovich
Interview with Studs Terkel, November 14th, 1975
We don’t want to have to win victories over people, we want to win people over
Leonard Phillip Matlovich
San Francisco Sentinel, September 18th, 1987
When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing to men, and a discharge for loving one.
Leonard Phillip Matlovich
Matlovich’s tombstone
2.32. Lorenzo Snow
One day, to while away the slowly passing hours, I took my gun with the intention of indulging in a little amusement in hunting turkeys, with which that section of the country abounded. From boyhood I had been particularly, and I may say strangely attached to a gun. Hunting, in the forests of Ohio, was a pastime that to me possessed the most fascinating attractions. It never occurred to my mind that it was wrong—that indulging in “what was sport to me was death to them;” that in shooting turkeys, squirrels, etc., I was taking life that I could not give; therefore I indulged in the murderous sport without the least compunction of conscience. But at this time a change came over me. While moving slowly forward in pursuit of something to kill, my mind was arrested with the reflection on the nature of my pursuit—that of amusing myself by giving pain and death to harmless, innocent creatures that perhaps had as much right to life and enjoyment as myself. I realized that such indulgence was without any justification, and “feeling condemned, I laid my gun on my shoulder, returned home, and from that time to this have felt no inclination for that murderous amusement. In fact, years had elapsed since the days of boyhood sport, and in the interval I had neither time nor opportunity for reckless indulgence.
Lorenzo Snow
Biography and family record of Lorenzo Snow, Chapter V
2.33. Lorenzo Watson
Capitalism is so entrenched today that the governing class – the idle few who have acquired private possession of almost all the resources of nature [and] all the means by which life is sustained – that the time and opportunity of leisure vacation and study of the deep and profound [truths] of religion is almost denied to the toiling masses.
Yet, we witness abiding faith and believe that the influence of this and other similar institutions will have the effect of educating the young so that the will grasp the wrongs of the Capitalist system, the injustice of the competitive [results], and within the next decade usher in the much-coveted change: the cooperative commonwealth; and that those in the future are enjoying the fruits of our labors; and that, instead of the land been covered with palatial homes of the rich in most-pleasant-places, surrounded with all the comfort that wealth can buy with [cowering] slaves to attend their every wish on the one hand, and hovels and shacks on the other, where hunger, poverty, and wanting no [end], and crime of every name and nature is rampant, on the sight and the office of which is to those whose natures are attuned to the principles of justice, truth and, love.
You who read this are living in a land where no need of armies, navies, and police forces exist; where love is governing force; where all are working for the good of all; and that an injury to one is the concern of all, trusting that this is the time looked so eagerly for by all the past, seems any profits is the prayer of the writer.
Lorenzo Watson
Letter to the Future, 1908
2.34. Marion Duff Hanks
All through the scriptures the loftier expectation is expressed by the Lord and His apostles: Believe, repent, obey the ordinances, walk in the light of the Spirit, endure in faith—yes! But also, manifest your discipleship in civility, in gentility and tender compassion, in kindness and consideration, in patience and forbearance and refusal to condemn, in forgiveness and mercy.
Marion Duff Hanks
“More Joy and Rejoicing”, October 1976 General Conference
2.35. Matthew Frizzell
Empires in decline turn to magical thinking, serially invent new enemies, escalate violence,
and bankrupt themselves on fantasies of the past.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on July 4th, 2025
Nothing great about escalating violence.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on June 23rd, 2025
Jesus’ story offers a vulnerable life-risking alternative for life and peace together. It’s directly counter to the self-righteous, scapegoating (them-blaming), wealth hoarding propaganda of corporate capitalism and its religious veneer, Christian Nationalism. Few may chose it, but Jesus’ way is true liberation, an exodus from empire and its culture of disorder and death
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on April 6th, 2025
We live in an immoral country where the idea of universal healthcare, education, and social security are “extreme” and “impractical,” while wealth buys elections and coopts the outrage of its victims.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on March 21st, 2025
Empires define greatness by the idols of wealth, displays of power and obedience, self-glorification by targeting others “less-than”, and the lie that this is peace.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on March 16th, 2025
To me, real freedom means laws and policies ensure those with disabilities, children in low-income families, single parent moms and dads, historically excluded classes, and wage-earning families have the same legal protections and equitable economic opportunities as wealthy able-bodied Americans.
This is based on my understanding of the Gospel.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on March 11th, 2025
Without democracy, capitalism is the rights and freedom of capital over the people.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on March 9th, 2025
Historically, totalitarianism can advance after rule of law and rule of party become difficult to distinguish.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on February 18th, 2025
The biggest government taxes citizens to consolidate power, pays law enforcement and military to force peace by violence and control rather than democracy and social contract, and moves beyond your bedroom to living in your head through anxiety, fear, and intimidation.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on February 17th, 2025
The wealthy and corporate interests have weaponized news and government against vulnerable people: working class, poor, immigrants, black Americans, LGBTIQA+ community, children (defunding schools, anti-gun control), and the disabled. It’s naked. It’s not conspiracy. There is no one mastermind or villain. It’s simple interests.
Democracy shares our common wealth and protections. Those who don’t need democracy will fight its ideology and institutions. They need only the law to protect their property and financial interests.
If you hate government, there is good reason. Corporate interests have been flooding US government with soft money and politicians for decades. These politicians in both parties have served the interests of their funders with few exceptions. Their compromises have weakened protections, made all dependent on debt, and funneled wealth to the top with relatively stagnant wages. None of this data is secret.
Democratic government, however, is our best defense against unfreedom – an “everyone against everyone and for yourself” society – where factions and ruler vs ruled intensifies. Dismantling government will leave the masses without a way to govern, without laws that protect, and at the mercy of corporate interests without recourse.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on February 9th, 2025
Taking democracy for granted is how it dies. Democracy doesn’t start as a system of legal protections, institutions, and shared governance. It started with everyday people participating and taking action to build coalitions for change.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on February 8th, 2025
For those seeking to consolidate power, the chaos is a form of terrorism against the citizenry. It’s designed to desensitize you of your own outrage and become more docile while power is exercised overtly and covertly. You can’t resist if you’re exhausted or confused.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on January 29th, 2025
[Donald Trump’s] lust for power will result in loss of human lives. We live in a late modern world in which human lives are dependent on integrated social systems of government, private business, agencies and services. Our food, energy services, healthcare, and livelihoods rely on money, subsidies, information and transportation systems. The chaotic orders ending funding, access, and jobs will harm the most vulnerable. This is the greatness narcissists and demagogues celebrate.
Matthew Frizzell
FB post on January 28th, 2025
2.36. Patrick Kearon
The Savior knows how it feels to be a refugee – He was one. As a young child, Jesus and His family fled to Egypt to escape the murderous swords of Herod. And at various points in His ministry, Jesus found Himself threatened and His life in danger, ultimately submitting to the designs of evil men who had plotted His death. Perhaps, then, it is all the more remarkable to us that He repeatedly taught us to love one another, to love as He loves, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Patrick Kearon
“Refuge from the Storm”, General Conference, April 2016
2.37. Rob Lauer
Human beings exist in the image of God, and God loves them unconditionally in the same way that all good parents love their children.
Like all good parents, God wants His children to have this same love for one another; to help one another through hard times, protect one another from danger, and forgive one another when disagreements and conflicts occur.
When we hurt one another’s feelings or wrong one another — intentionally or unintentionally — we should remember that we are still a family and do all we can to be reconciled.
Rob Lauer
“Reclaiming Our Humanity”, First Reform Mormon General Conference, April 5th, 2025
[My] theology challenges me to be in my relationships to be with everyone [and] anyone; to be more just more understanding, more steadfast, more merciful, [and] more long-suffering, which is a virtue that you never hear anybody mention anymore. It’s so out of fashion! Who wants to suffer longly with someone?
But that IS a virtue – to be able to put up with things, to suffer through something as you’re working through it. Not just suffering for suffering’s sake, but with the objective of loving the other person, of making peace with them, of being restored or forming a relationship that’s deeply meaningful with them.
Rob Lauer
“Mormonite Plain & Simple: Episode 1”, September 22nd, 2026
Being gracious, being merciful, and being long-suffering are not signs of weaknesses.
In our cultures – particularly today – that seems to be the dominant view, or at least the sense that that’s a sign of weakness.
It actually takes great strength – Herculean strength – to be merciful, to be long-suffering, to be understanding, [and] to be gracious.
Rob Lauer
“Mormonite Plain & Simple: Episode 1”, September 22nd, 2026
2.38. Robert M. Daines
I want to convince you that this is a serious legal and political claim and not just a sentimental one If you want to defend religious liberty, I want to argue that it’s far more important that you are a good Muslim, Jew, Christian or Buddhist – a good peacemaker – than that you are a good litigator. We don’t need better lawyers. We need better disciples and bridge builders.
Robert M. Daines
BYU’s 2026 Religious Freedom Annual Review
We may have [legal] precedents sufficient for our needs [in regards to religious freedom, but] what we don’t have in enough abundance are people willing to love, sacrifice for and compromise with people who do not share our faith and values, not as a strategy but because of who we are and who they are and who we are called to be.
Robert M. Daines
BYU’s 2026 Religious Freedom Annual Review
2.39. Russell M. Nelson
Any war is a horrifying violation of everything the Lord Jesus Christ stands for and teaches.
Russell M. Nelson
“The Power of Spiritual Momentum”, General Conference April 2022
2.40. Sarah Williams
I read Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision carefully. He describes a darkness pressing in on him, an inability to speak, a desperate inner struggle before the light comes. That account, to my ear, sounds like a man in the grip of something overwhelming — a psychological crisis, a visionary episode, perhaps something chemically assisted. There may indeed be real historical evidence suggesting that entheogens may have played a role in the revelatory world that Joseph and those around him inhabited. That diminishes it for me not a whit, because whatever its origins, the message of that vision calls us toward something beautiful: seek your own revelation. Trust your conscience. The divine speaks to individuals. That is a radical, living idea, and I am grateful for it.
But I can hold that gratitude and still be honest, because Joseph Smith was also a man. A complicated, flawed, sometimes harmful man. And Brigham Young likewise was a man, and every prophet who has ever stood before us and declared “thus saith the Lord” — was a human being, with desires and fears and blind spots, mixed in with whatever genuine light they carried. The milk asks us to receive their words as though God spoke them directly. The meat asks us to do what we do with our own inner revelations: audit them. Ask always — does this call me to be better, or does it call me to be worse? Does this lead toward the light, or does it serve someone’s fear, or pride, or hunger for power?
When a prophetic voice calls you toward greater love, toward justice, toward the dignity of every person — receive it. This is the Divine speaking through a human vessel.
When it calls you toward harm, toward exclusion, toward the diminishment of any of God’s children — set it down. Not in anger, but with the same gentle skepticism I’ve learned to apply to my own inner voices. Because that part is not the divine, not sacred; it is base and wicked
Sarah Williams
“On the Sacredness of Doubt”, Third Reform Mormon General Conference, April 4th, 2026
2.41. Shannon McAdam
In a world where imperial powers and oppressive systems try to keep us closed off and fearful of other people, we can stand against those powers by opening up and connecting with others.
Shannon McAdam
Daily Bread, December 12th, 2025
2.42. Theodore M. Burton
It is impossible to pick up a newspaper or listen to a news broadcast without learning of some new quarrel among nations, some new argument among politicians, some new expression of prejudice against a race or a people, or some new outburst against a person or an idea. When I read or hear of these continuing disputes, I am aware of their negative nature. People nowadays seem to be continually against something or somebody. We appear to live in a negative era. What could have brought all this about?
The answer appears to me to be that each person today wants to “do [their] own thing,” to demonstrate [their] complete independence of everything and everyone. We forget that we are not, and cannot be, totally independent of one another either in thought or action. We are part of a total community. We are all members of one family
Theodore M. Burton
“Blessed Are the Peacemakers”, General Conference, October 1974
2.43. Wilford Woodruff
When I was a boy and went to school, the schoolmaster used to come with a bundle of sticks about eight feet long, and one of the first things we expected was to get a whipping. For anything that was not pleasing to him we would get a terrible thrashing. What whipping I got then did not do me any good. I have always felt that ill-treatment either of children or animals is all wrong. Kindness, gentleness and mercy are better every way. I would like this principle instilled into the minds of our young men, that they may carry it out in all their acts in life. Tyranny is not good, whether it be exercised by kings, by presidents, or by the servants of God. Kind words are far better than harsh words. If, when we have difficulties one with another, we would be kind and affable to each other, we would save ourselves a great deal of trouble.
Wilford Woodruff
Deseret Weekly, June 22, 1889, 823.
2.44. William Henry Shearman
In the abstract, people admit love to be more powerful than fear, and that a throne based upon the love of a people is more secure than one sustained by a million bayonets.
William Henry Shearman
“Over-Governing”, The Utah Magazine, October 23rd, 1869