Mormonism and Violence - Justified Violence in Mormon Scripture - Justified Killing or Attempted Killing

Justified Killing or Attempted Killing

Mormonism teaches that violence and even killing can be justified in certain situations, so long as the action is commanded by God. The Book of Mormon contains an example where Nephi, the narrator of that part of the book, came upon a drunken and passed-out Laban (1 Ne. 4:7-8) laying on the streets of Jerusalem. Laban had previously stolen Nephi's family property and had refused to give Nephi an important set of brass plates which contained the written Word of God or Law of Moses he needed for his family to remain obedient to the Law. Nephi was concerned that his family would perish in unbelief (1Ne. 4:15) in the wilderness, as they were evacuating Jerusalem at Gods command, without the ability to study and read those Commandments and Covenants that God had given his people Hebrew nation. Nephi realized that those Laws were written on the brass plates (1 Ne. 4:16).

Nephi states that after realizing that the fallen drunk man was Laban himself he feels "constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban". Nephi seems to struggle with the commandment, as he had never "shed the blood of man" and "shrunk and would that I might not slay him". But the Spirit repeats his commandment to Nephi two more times. Nephi is obedient for "it is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief".

In 1843, Smith dictated a revelation justifying Abraham's attempted human sacrifice of his son Isaac. According to the revelation, "Abraham was commanded to offer his son Isaac; nevertheless, it was written: Thou shalt not kill. Abraham, however, did not refuse, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness." (D&C 132:36).

Read more about this topic:  Mormonism And Violence, Justified Violence in Mormon Scripture

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