When a college professor was asked to distinguish between physics and chemisry, he said that physics is what physicists do.
Approaching adulthood I, too, realized that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies were not pacifists. Fortunately I did not limit myself to using them as my role models; instead, I chose the higher road, devout pacifism.
Defining pacifism as not participating in war is incomplete and backward, equivalent to defining Mormonism as not partaking of alcohol and tobacco--the observation is correcct, but not defifnitive. In both practices the value is what we do, not what we refuse to do. Pacifism is actively waging peace: overcoming the causes of conflict by assertively loving all people and equally sharing resources.
WGCJuly 8, 2016
John von K, I don't see the savior's teachings of nonviolence as supporting as supporting Pacifism.
I see them as teachings for our personal life, not teachings for nations. In this argument I split Pacifism from nonviolence—nonviolence as a personal guide to govern interactions with others, Pacifism as a doctrine applied to nations' relations with each other. I see Christ's teachings as nonviolent, not pacifist. The only time I feel they would coincide would be if the citizens of a nation, unanimously, made a covenant of nonviolence with God and held to it. At that time I feel God would fight their battles for them.
WGCJuly 8, 2016
I must admit that I was also surprised that anyone would argue pacifism as a motivation for the Ammonites. I have ALWAYS understood their non violence as a covenant they made to no longer kill—no matter how justified—for fear they would backslide and lose their salvation. Similar to many I have known that have been alcoholics—they avoid alcohol, or anything like unto it, for fear they will relapse. Even to some beer in a stew or wine in a soup, they fear the taste may start them craving alcohol and relapse.
R TJuly 7, 2016
A thought about a topic left hanging in the article... “perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God” (Alma 24:13). Having previously been among those described as a "bloodthirsty" people, their sentiment makes sense. After repenting and being forgiven for such murders, naturally they'd realize it best to stay well clear of anything resembling that past sin. Bloodthirsty almost denotes an addiction to something. Once in the clear, even approaching a previous addiction might awake previous feelings and endanger them of being ensnared again, thereby compromising their earlier repentance.
John von KJuly 6, 2016
And yet, pacifism is a core belief of the New Testament. The Saviour said that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. The beatitudes also promote pacifism: turn the other cheek, pray for you enemies, go the extra 1.609 extra kilometre, etc.
KimberlyJuly 6, 2016
I have to admit to being surprised that anyone would believe that the Ammonites were pacifists. In all the times I have read this story it never occurred to me for all the reasons stated above. I always felt their willingness to lay down their lives instead of fighting was because of the covenant they made with God not to kill ever again. I have always admired the strength of the Ammonite people and their incredible faith. A faith that I wish I could say that I have. Thank you for this essay I am looking forward to the next one
Gary LawrenceJuly 6, 2016
A very clear and insightful analysis, Duane. Thanks.
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Kent BusseJuly 10, 2016
When a college professor was asked to distinguish between physics and chemisry, he said that physics is what physicists do. Approaching adulthood I, too, realized that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies were not pacifists. Fortunately I did not limit myself to using them as my role models; instead, I chose the higher road, devout pacifism. Defining pacifism as not participating in war is incomplete and backward, equivalent to defining Mormonism as not partaking of alcohol and tobacco--the observation is correcct, but not defifnitive. In both practices the value is what we do, not what we refuse to do. Pacifism is actively waging peace: overcoming the causes of conflict by assertively loving all people and equally sharing resources.
WGCJuly 8, 2016
John von K, I don't see the savior's teachings of nonviolence as supporting as supporting Pacifism. I see them as teachings for our personal life, not teachings for nations. In this argument I split Pacifism from nonviolence—nonviolence as a personal guide to govern interactions with others, Pacifism as a doctrine applied to nations' relations with each other. I see Christ's teachings as nonviolent, not pacifist. The only time I feel they would coincide would be if the citizens of a nation, unanimously, made a covenant of nonviolence with God and held to it. At that time I feel God would fight their battles for them.
WGCJuly 8, 2016
I must admit that I was also surprised that anyone would argue pacifism as a motivation for the Ammonites. I have ALWAYS understood their non violence as a covenant they made to no longer kill—no matter how justified—for fear they would backslide and lose their salvation. Similar to many I have known that have been alcoholics—they avoid alcohol, or anything like unto it, for fear they will relapse. Even to some beer in a stew or wine in a soup, they fear the taste may start them craving alcohol and relapse.
R TJuly 7, 2016
A thought about a topic left hanging in the article... “perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God” (Alma 24:13). Having previously been among those described as a "bloodthirsty" people, their sentiment makes sense. After repenting and being forgiven for such murders, naturally they'd realize it best to stay well clear of anything resembling that past sin. Bloodthirsty almost denotes an addiction to something. Once in the clear, even approaching a previous addiction might awake previous feelings and endanger them of being ensnared again, thereby compromising their earlier repentance.
John von KJuly 6, 2016
And yet, pacifism is a core belief of the New Testament. The Saviour said that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. The beatitudes also promote pacifism: turn the other cheek, pray for you enemies, go the extra 1.609 extra kilometre, etc.
KimberlyJuly 6, 2016
I have to admit to being surprised that anyone would believe that the Ammonites were pacifists. In all the times I have read this story it never occurred to me for all the reasons stated above. I always felt their willingness to lay down their lives instead of fighting was because of the covenant they made with God not to kill ever again. I have always admired the strength of the Ammonite people and their incredible faith. A faith that I wish I could say that I have. Thank you for this essay I am looking forward to the next one
Gary LawrenceJuly 6, 2016
A very clear and insightful analysis, Duane. Thanks.
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