Do Latter-Day Saints believe that war is acceptable? Its an interesting question. Members of the church have been involved in armed conflicts ever since the formation of the church, the Mexican-American war probably being the first declared war we were involved in. The Book of Mormon is full of examples of war, with a good portion of the book of Alma essentially being a day-to-day history of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites. Why would Mormon have felt he needed to detail that war so much? He glazes over most of the other conflicts between the two peoples. I think that he knew that there at least needed to be one example of what war was like, and to show how a good man like Captain Moroni handled war. Captain Moroni, we are told, did not delight in the shedding of blood. He never wanted to go to war. But when it came to his doorstep, he wasn't about to sit by and watch it happen. He rallied the people to defend themselves and protect their families, property, and beliefs. Another example of war given in the Book of Mormon is when the Nephites have left most of their lands and all congregated together to protect themselves against the Gadianton Robbers. They knew that the Gadianton Robbers would be coming for them eventually. Some of the Nephites urged their military leader, Gidgiddoni, to go fight the robbers before they came to them. He said that the Lord forbade it, and they could only fight the robbers once they came to them.
I feel like these examples from the Book of Mormon send the message that war is acceptable when its about defending yourselves, not for conquest. Today, our church leaders rarely make political statements one way or the other. The church is worldwide, it would be illogical of them to take stances on issues that have varying opinions around the globe. I think instead they expect the members of the church to look at the examples from the scriptures and trust that they will make the right choices.
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