Support of flags, war, military service, elections — Section 43
It is contrary to the Kingdom of God to support flags and war and elections and military service
Representative of a Christian church:
I believe Latter-day Saints salute flags and join the military ranks. Thus, you support organizations who sanction killing other human beings. You also vote in elections and support earthly governments instead of supporting only the Kingdom of God on earth. God’s laws declare that we should not kill and that we should not make or honor graven images (flags, statues).
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
Christ taught the multitude in Matthew 23:2-3 that “the scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. All therefore whatsoever they bid you to observe, that observe and do, but do not ye after their works [religions] for they say, and do not.” Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:1-3, taught, “I exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” Paul also taught ni 2 Corinthians 3:17 that “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We have liberty in the land of America, and I would fight and die to preserve that liberty that has been God-given and support our leaders. Joseph Smith received divine revelation from God which states, “We believe in being subject to kings, president, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” We also firmly believe, as taught in the Book of Mormon, that God’s hand was evident in the establishment of America, and this unfortunately did involve war and the loss of life.
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