At lunch last week, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a friend asked, “Why do people commit crimes?” During my time as a therapist in prison, it was evident that the motivation for committing crimes included Control, Revenge, Anger, seeking Attention, and Power. (Please excuse my language, but the resulting acronym CRAAP shows there was never a justifiable reason). Acts motivated by Revenge, Anger, Attention, and Power all fall under the inclusive category of Control. We fought a war in heaven against the adversary’s desire to control us, to deny everyone free agency/moral agency, and he coveted the glory of our Father. That war continues today.

How often are we influenced by the media, social media, movies, television, books, etc., to manipulate people for our own gain or pleasure? How often do we play violent video games that reduce the humanity of others as simply targets to destroy? How often do we treat people as objects instead of sons and daughters of the same Heavenly Parents?

Some people attempt to justify their wicked behavior by saying that “the Devil made me do it.” However, don’t we always have the freedom to choose?!? The scriptures talk about people being “stirred up to anger,”1 “stirred up to anger against that which is good,”2 “stir up the Zoramites to anger against the people of Ammon.”3 And yet, people can be “stirred up unto repentance.”4 They, and we, always have the freedom to choose which voices to follow, whether to be stirred up to anger or to be stirred up to good.

Our invitation to the men in prison was to view themselves and each person as a human being with individual worth. Respect your worth and the worth of others. Make the effort to learn about their thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears, dreams and goals. See them as people, not as objects. Stop trying to control others, learn self-mastery. Instead of revenge, be forgiving and seek a peaceful resolution. Instead of anger, be patient and kind. Instead of seeking attention, reach out with gentleness and meekness to serve and to strengthen others. Instead of seeking power, practice humility. Treat others as you would like to be treated. We can do that even when we disagree on the issues of our time.

It is worth repeating the message from the First Presidency of the Church: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the shooting that took place at Utah Valley University, resulting in the death of Charlie Kirk.  Our prayers go out to his family at this time. We condemn violence and lawless behavior. We also pray that we may treat one another with greater kindness, compassion, and goodness. For members of the Church, we reaffirm that the Savior’s teaching and admonition is to love our neighbor.”5

May the Lord bless us to be strong and valiant and loving in the war against control.

1. 2 Nephi 28:19

2. 2 Nephi 28:20

3. Alma 35:10

4. 2 Nephi 28:19

5. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/statement-on-violence-issued-following-shooting-of-political-activist