Thanks, Maureen, for a thoughtful review of all the key facts. As much as our leaders and prophets have warned against the consequences of of war, we also have scriptural and even “modern revelation “ confirming the necessity at times to fight in defense when an enemy is pursuing your death and destruction. Even the converted Lamanites of Helaman’s time were willing to allow their young me to go to war in defending.
Thus, there are realities which require sober and serious personal decisions transcending a goal of peace and love and charity toward all. Peace doesn’t really mean no conflict; the Lord’s peace comes from genuinely pursuing what is most aligned with what God would have us do …at that time.
Barry HansenJune 23, 2025
Thank you, Maureen, for your informed explanation of the situation. Much appreciated.
David MalpasJune 23, 2025
No sane person wants war. But this action had to be taken. The time for polite rhetoric and diplomacy had passed. While we, as a nation, respect discussion and agreements made, these people do not. They have one fanatical goal as Maureen has so clearly explained. And this is not news to us, although many like to bury their heads in the sand and think they are bluffing. They are not. I am thankful that we have a President that sees the danger and courageously acts accordingly, in spite of inevitable criticism, in the best interests of America, when this type of action is no longer avoidable. We, as a country, should be thanking him and not being critical or thinking up our uninformed views of what he should have done differently. There are many in our government that would have done nothing and still sought "diplomacy". But what would they then say when New York, LA, Chicago and other major US cities go up in a nuclear explosion with millions of Americans dead and our country crippled? Oh, yeah, they would be equally critical saying "why didn't you do something when you had the chance". I am grateful to have a President who is bold and courageous enough to act when action is necessary. God bless President Trump.
C. M. SalticidaeJune 23, 2025
Being the Commander in Chief doesn't mean that POTUS can launch attacks willy-nilly.
Imagine if the Empire of Japan had tried to argue that they weren't at war with the United States just because they had launched a strike on Pearl Harbor. Military strikes are definitionally military actions, which can only take place in a state of war.
JanetJune 23, 2025
Maureen- a perfectly illuminating explanation of the whole problem with the theocracy and politics,
Respectfully, there is one problem with “informing“ Congress of actions which are not legally required to be shared is that. Congress leaks to the mainstream media like a sieve and put the whole plan at the least, and at the most the lives of the military involved at grave risk of failure and death.
Scott WJune 23, 2025
How do we square this with D&C 98:33-38? Or this from Mormon 4:4 -
"And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them."
Even as wicked as the Nephites were at that time, it was the offensive attack that sealed their fate.
Maybe you can say that the Lord doesn't count a one off preemptive offensive strike as war but it is a slippery slope: "And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them."
VictoriaJune 23, 2025
Trump did not need Congress to approve this move. He told Democrats he was doing it according to the press secretary Leavitt. We cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
PatJune 23, 2025
Thank you, Maurine. Really good reminder of the whole situation
Susan MorrisJune 23, 2025
As a follow-up to Johnson‘s comment, I doubt that the stealth operation would have remained secret had the president done as suggested.
Carol AnnJune 23, 2025
Wonderful article!! Democrats, had they been told, would have eagerly leaked this surprise attack to their counter-parts, the press! The tight security was absolutely necessary and awesome in the Midnight Hammer. Never have I been more proud of all armed servicemen who participated in this mission! God bless America and Israel and our POTUS!
JeaNette Goates SmithJune 23, 2025
It is so nice to have a trusted source put these strikes in perspective. Thank you
Linda PalmerJune 23, 2025
Thank you for your expertise in this conflict. Your firsthand experience lends credibility to your comments. As an American, I’m grateful that the nuclear threat from Iran has been neutralized. I’ve had compassion for the Jewish people and I’m glad they can rest from the nuclear threat, if not from the missiles that still rain into Israel. I disagree with the comment that President Trump should have notified congressional leaders. It is a proven fact that sensitive info has been leaked from Congress for decades. Sharing with Congress would have put our military in jeopardy. The Constitution, Article 2, gave President Trump authority to eliminate the nuclear threat to America. He did not put boots on the ground nor declare war. I’m worried about terrorist threats inside the United States because of the open border policies of the previous administration. I pray that our government can find these terrorists and eliminate the threat. Thank you Maureen.
Robin Litster JohnsonJune 23, 2025
Well said, Maurine! The only flaw in the program was Trump's not consulting Congress, or at least the "Gang of 8," or at least including Congress' two Democrat leaders in the informational sessions. By only including Republicans in his information sessions, it becomes a political issue instead of a national issue. That being said, the military was absolutely brilliant in its planning and execution.
Comments | Return to Story
Harold RustJune 24, 2025
Thanks, Maureen, for a thoughtful review of all the key facts. As much as our leaders and prophets have warned against the consequences of of war, we also have scriptural and even “modern revelation “ confirming the necessity at times to fight in defense when an enemy is pursuing your death and destruction. Even the converted Lamanites of Helaman’s time were willing to allow their young me to go to war in defending. Thus, there are realities which require sober and serious personal decisions transcending a goal of peace and love and charity toward all. Peace doesn’t really mean no conflict; the Lord’s peace comes from genuinely pursuing what is most aligned with what God would have us do …at that time.
Barry HansenJune 23, 2025
Thank you, Maureen, for your informed explanation of the situation. Much appreciated.
David MalpasJune 23, 2025
No sane person wants war. But this action had to be taken. The time for polite rhetoric and diplomacy had passed. While we, as a nation, respect discussion and agreements made, these people do not. They have one fanatical goal as Maureen has so clearly explained. And this is not news to us, although many like to bury their heads in the sand and think they are bluffing. They are not. I am thankful that we have a President that sees the danger and courageously acts accordingly, in spite of inevitable criticism, in the best interests of America, when this type of action is no longer avoidable. We, as a country, should be thanking him and not being critical or thinking up our uninformed views of what he should have done differently. There are many in our government that would have done nothing and still sought "diplomacy". But what would they then say when New York, LA, Chicago and other major US cities go up in a nuclear explosion with millions of Americans dead and our country crippled? Oh, yeah, they would be equally critical saying "why didn't you do something when you had the chance". I am grateful to have a President who is bold and courageous enough to act when action is necessary. God bless President Trump.
C. M. SalticidaeJune 23, 2025
Being the Commander in Chief doesn't mean that POTUS can launch attacks willy-nilly. Imagine if the Empire of Japan had tried to argue that they weren't at war with the United States just because they had launched a strike on Pearl Harbor. Military strikes are definitionally military actions, which can only take place in a state of war.
JanetJune 23, 2025
Maureen- a perfectly illuminating explanation of the whole problem with the theocracy and politics, Respectfully, there is one problem with “informing“ Congress of actions which are not legally required to be shared is that. Congress leaks to the mainstream media like a sieve and put the whole plan at the least, and at the most the lives of the military involved at grave risk of failure and death.
Scott WJune 23, 2025
How do we square this with D&C 98:33-38? Or this from Mormon 4:4 - "And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them." Even as wicked as the Nephites were at that time, it was the offensive attack that sealed their fate. Maybe you can say that the Lord doesn't count a one off preemptive offensive strike as war but it is a slippery slope: "And again, this is the law that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them."
VictoriaJune 23, 2025
Trump did not need Congress to approve this move. He told Democrats he was doing it according to the press secretary Leavitt. We cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
PatJune 23, 2025
Thank you, Maurine. Really good reminder of the whole situation
Susan MorrisJune 23, 2025
As a follow-up to Johnson‘s comment, I doubt that the stealth operation would have remained secret had the president done as suggested.
Carol AnnJune 23, 2025
Wonderful article!! Democrats, had they been told, would have eagerly leaked this surprise attack to their counter-parts, the press! The tight security was absolutely necessary and awesome in the Midnight Hammer. Never have I been more proud of all armed servicemen who participated in this mission! God bless America and Israel and our POTUS!
JeaNette Goates SmithJune 23, 2025
It is so nice to have a trusted source put these strikes in perspective. Thank you
Linda PalmerJune 23, 2025
Thank you for your expertise in this conflict. Your firsthand experience lends credibility to your comments. As an American, I’m grateful that the nuclear threat from Iran has been neutralized. I’ve had compassion for the Jewish people and I’m glad they can rest from the nuclear threat, if not from the missiles that still rain into Israel. I disagree with the comment that President Trump should have notified congressional leaders. It is a proven fact that sensitive info has been leaked from Congress for decades. Sharing with Congress would have put our military in jeopardy. The Constitution, Article 2, gave President Trump authority to eliminate the nuclear threat to America. He did not put boots on the ground nor declare war. I’m worried about terrorist threats inside the United States because of the open border policies of the previous administration. I pray that our government can find these terrorists and eliminate the threat. Thank you Maureen.
Robin Litster JohnsonJune 23, 2025
Well said, Maurine! The only flaw in the program was Trump's not consulting Congress, or at least the "Gang of 8," or at least including Congress' two Democrat leaders in the informational sessions. By only including Republicans in his information sessions, it becomes a political issue instead of a national issue. That being said, the military was absolutely brilliant in its planning and execution.
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