The truth about war is sometimes hard to find, when ex-presidents, leaders of nations and even the Pope consider the war in Iraq to be immoral. LDS Church President Hinckley's remarks last Sunday shed some light on the subject of war, which was very reassuring to me and many in the military who are members of the LDS Church around the world.
President Hinckley clearly articulated and reiterated the principle of love and self-defense in the words of Jesus found in John 15:12, 13, when Jesus said "Love one another," and "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
President Hinckley then quoted an ancient prophet from the Book of Mormon, who stated that individuals and nations are justified in defending their families, homes and freedom, and in fact are held accountable to God for defending such principles and the innocent.
Clearly, in my opinion, this is the case in the present war against Saddam Hussein, who has terrorized, oppressed and slaughtered millions in Iraq, and justifies the war of liberation against him and his followers.
Art J. VanTielen
Murray