Monday, September 07, 2015

How to treat the Islamic State?

What is the Book of Mormon response to Islamic State? 

The scriptures don't talk about Islamic State directly, obviously, but there are principles we can learn to guide our actions. 

There is evil in the world and it must be resisted. But how? What is the proper response? In the stories from the Book of Mormon the people were physically separated from their enemies in different lands. Nephites are the good guys in the north and the Lamanites are the bad guys in the south. The Nephites were often invaded and many people were killed.   The Nephites were always focused on defense. They never invade the south. There is an expedition worth noting that went to the Lamanites to reclaim their lands, led by Zeniff. They wanted those lands because that is where they had all come from. The group was small and could never have taken over all the south but they wanted to establish their kingdom there. This is the story of the bad King Noah, Abinadi, and Alma. The people, led by Limhi, ended up enslaved to the Lamanites and were miraculously rescued and led back north to the Nephite lands. In all the wars mentioned in the Book of Mormon, that is the only reference to something that could be called military action in enemy territory. 

The focus on defense is evident but is never stated as policy. The people defend their lands and recover cities they have lost but they never invade.  The Lord has said that he will deliver his people. At the end of their history the north is overrun. The Nephites always lose when they attack the Lamanites. Was this due to geography? No, it is a problem with motive. They sought vengeance. Attacking enemies isn't the answer. Although, according to Teancum, killing their leaders is an option.

The most effective thing was the missionaries. When the sons of Mosiah taught the Lamanites they changed the hearts of many.

Another important lesson learned is to shelter those that join your side. The Ammonites were bad guys turned good and would have been slaughtered had the Nephites not taken them into their lands and protected them with their armies.

So we need to find a way to defend against Islamic state and shelter those that need it.