One thing that happens when countries go to war with one another is that they begin to demonize their opponents. You might not be able to kill another person, but it is okay, even admirable, to kill Japs and Krauts.
Because we had to stand up to protect, not only ourselves, but the free world, we had little choice but to become involved. Looking to the example of men like Captain Moroni, I believe God will support a defensive war to protect family, faith, and freedom. I believe that World War II was such a war.
I don't think God is okay with wars fueled by vengeance.
Sometimes viral sayings such as Remember Pearl Harbor, Remember the Maine, or Remember 9-11 incite men and women to act out of anger and revenge. Remembering those who gave the last full measure of devotion (Lincoln) on Memorial Day or Veteran's Day, with love and respect, are admirable. But remembering a specific incident to stir anger and a desire for revenge is something else again. Many of the wars since 1941 have had blurry edges as to the reasons for going to war.
Going back to the Book of Mormon examples, the war in which Captain Moroni led the Nephite army to protect their homes and freedoms against the Lamanites, and their Nephite apostate allies, was what I would call a defensive war. The wars later in the history of the Nephites could not be so classified. The Prophet Mormon was called to lead the Nephite army against the Lamanites in his day. He was very young when the war began and he was a brilliant leader. The problem was that the Nephites had failed to remember God and the covenants they had made with Him. Through pride and sin, they had become more wicked than the Lamanites. The war soon became a war of hatred and vengeance. Mormon refused to lead the army anymore. He saw the people sorrowing and thought they were repenting; however, he soon learned that they sorrowed because they could no longer prosper in their sins. Mormon called it the sorrowing of a damned soul.
Eventually, the Nephites were destroyed, just as the descendants of Jared had been. Like the Jaradites, they were swept off the face of the land. God withdrew His hand of protection over them as He had with Israel and Judah and all because they broke their Covenant promises.
Therefore, when we talk about remembering, the first thing we should remember is the Lord, Jesus Christ, the God of this land. Love Him. Keep His commandments. Honor the Covenants you have made with Him. Second, we need to remember our fellow man. We must learn to love our neighbor as ourselves. Even when we disagree, we should do so with respect and not demonize them by calling them vile (and untrue) names such as Nazis. It breaks my heart to go on social media sites and see the foul names and accusations people fling at each other just because they don't agree. We need to have great discernment and live close to the Holy Spirit so that we will know when it is time to fight and when it is time to turn the other cheek. Either action, when done inappropriatly, can bring disaster and suffering.
Now, pardon me while I step down from my soapbox!
© Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson November 2019
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