Journal of Discourses 6:50 “Shedding Blood—God’s Provision for His Saints … If this people will live up to their profession— …that is, we shall never be under the necessity of shedding much of the blood of our enemies.
…I do not believe God designs that we should delight in shedding blood. … It is not the Spirit of God that leads a man or woman to shed blood—to desire to kill and slay. When the time comes that we have need to shed blood, then it will be necessary we should do it, and it will be just as innocent as to go and kill an ox when we are hungry or in the time of famine. … I think there is a Scripture somewhere that says, “By your works you are justified;” and again, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” It is the works that God expects. …
Will our enemies come here? No, except we let them. God gives us that privilege. We have the right to let them in here or keep them out; and we choose to keep them out, and we shall do it by the help of God…
We have done the best we can; and if our enemies come upon us, God will throw them into our power, and they will become subject to us. … Are these things interesting to you, brethren? They are what you have to do, every man of you that belongs to the house of Israel.” — Heber C. Kimball, Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, November 15, 1857.
Exodus 20:13 “Thou shalt not kill”.
I came across this reference while researching info on another subject. It seems this is usually the case…
Kimball delivered this oratory two months after the Church slaughtered 120 innocent Christians on their way to California. See Mountain Meadows Massacre for more info.
We’re wondering why he thought it’d be okay with God to kill people if they see fit, when God explicitly said don’t kill?
This is just one example of how the Church ruled the area at the time. Unfortunately, their attitude extended with threats either real, or imagined, long past the time of Mr. Kimball’s talk.
What’s alarming is the admission of he ‘thinks there is a scripture somewhere…’
This is why everyone, LDS, or not, needs to verify the source! And that beloved, includes ours as well!
With Love in Christ;
Michelle
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