The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Monday saying that a talk given during the church's general conference this past weekend has been misconstrued.
"Some news outlets have misinterpreted a recent general conference address by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We encourage reporters and editors to consider the full text of Elder Nelson's remarks," which involved the possibility of peace in the world.
Because the United States is considering a war with Iraq and Congress is expected to vote on authorizing a military strike this week, several news organizations took statements from the talk and cast them in the context of the current national debate on the issue.
The statement from the church's Public Affairs office said, "Elder Nelson pointed to the example and teachings of the Savior as 'the pathway to peace on earth and good will among men.' He also made plain that the scriptures 'strongly condemn wars of aggression but sustain obligations of citizens to defend their families and their freedoms.' "
Spokesman Dale Bills said the church issued the statement in response to several media inquiries about the talk, and the "oversimplification" of some reports about its content. The church has discussed the context of the talk with those reporters, Bills said.
Elder Nelson's talk made no mention of the debate over a U.S. military strike in Iraq, though he said that "as a church, we must renounce war and proclaim peace."