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War and Peace in Our Time: Mormon Perspectives
These essays reveal how the scriptures, prophetic teachings, history, culture, rituals, and traditions of Mormonism have been, are, and can be used as warrants for a wide range of activities and attitudes—from radical pacifism to legitimation of the United States’ use of preemptive force against its enemies. As a relatively young religion that for much of its early history was simply struggling for survival, Mormonism has not yet fully grappled with some of the pressing questions of war and peace, with all of the attendant theological, social, and political ramifications. Given the LDS Church’s relative stability and measure of prominence and influence in the early twenty-first century, the time is ripe to examine the historical, spiritual, and cultural resources within the tradition that provide a foundation for constructive dialogue about how individual Latter-day Saints and the institutional Church orient themselves in a world of violence. While recognizing the important contributions of previous scholars who had offered analysis and reflection on the topic, these essays offer a more sustained and collaborative examination of Mormon perspectives on war and peace, drawing on both historical-social scientific research as well as more normative (theological and ethical) arguments.
Praise for War & Peace:
"Whatever your current opinion on the topic, this book will challenge you to reflect more deeply and thoroughly on what it means to be a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, in an era of massive military budgets, lethal technologies, and widespread war." -Grant Hardy, Professor of History and Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, Asheville
Author, Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader’s Guide
"This volume provides a fitting springboard for robust and lively debates within the Mormon scholarly and lay community on how to think about the pressing issues of war and peace." -Robert S. Wood, Dean Emeritus, Center for Naval Warfare Studies, and Chester W. Nimitz Chair Emeritus, U.S. Naval War College
"This collection of differing views by thoughtful scholars comprises a debate. Reading it may save us in the future from enacting more harm than good in the name of God, country, or presumption." -Philip Barlow, Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, Utah State University
Author, Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-day Saints in American Religion
Contributors:
Patrick Q. Mason
J. David Pulsipher
Richard L. Bushman
Joshua Madson
Morgan Deane
Robert A. Rees
F.R. Rick Duran
Mark Ashburst-McGee
Jennifer Lindell
Ethan Yorgason
Jesse Samantha Fulcher
Robert H. Hellebrand
D. Michael Quinn
Boyd Jay Petersen
Loyd Ericson
Eric A. Eliason
Gordon Conrad Thomasson
Ron Madson
Mark Henshaw
Valerie M. Hudson
Eric Jensen
Kerry M. Kartchner
John Mark Mattox
Praise for War & Peace:
"Whatever your current opinion on the topic, this book will challenge you to reflect more deeply and thoroughly on what it means to be a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, in an era of massive military budgets, lethal technologies, and widespread war." -Grant Hardy, Professor of History and Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, Asheville
Author, Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader’s Guide
"This volume provides a fitting springboard for robust and lively debates within the Mormon scholarly and lay community on how to think about the pressing issues of war and peace." -Robert S. Wood, Dean Emeritus, Center for Naval Warfare Studies, and Chester W. Nimitz Chair Emeritus, U.S. Naval War College
"This collection of differing views by thoughtful scholars comprises a debate. Reading it may save us in the future from enacting more harm than good in the name of God, country, or presumption." -Philip Barlow, Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, Utah State University
Author, Mormons and the Bible: The Place of the Latter-day Saints in American Religion
Contributors:
Patrick Q. Mason
J. David Pulsipher
Richard L. Bushman
Joshua Madson
Morgan Deane
Robert A. Rees
F.R. Rick Duran
Mark Ashburst-McGee
Jennifer Lindell
Ethan Yorgason
Jesse Samantha Fulcher
Robert H. Hellebrand
D. Michael Quinn
Boyd Jay Petersen
Loyd Ericson
Eric A. Eliason
Gordon Conrad Thomasson
Ron Madson
Mark Henshaw
Valerie M. Hudson
Eric Jensen
Kerry M. Kartchner
John Mark Mattox
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2012
3 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 4, 2017
A fascinating selection of essays on war and peace from an LDS perspective. From my experience, Mormons in general embrace some form of just war approach: war will eventually be done away with in the Millennium, but wars defending freedom and democracy are justified. This book challenges some of those assumptions, but does so an engaging way. Written from the perspective of scholars, soldiers, national security advisors, chaplains and more, these essays engage one another and the reader and aren't entirely "pro-peace" or "pro-war," but I would say that on the whole, they encourage us to re-evaluate many of our positions.
As an LDS community, we tend to use Helaman's stripling warriors as a righteous example more than we do their parents, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis who buried their weapons of war. We typically say the Anti-Nephi-Lehis were a noble exception, but that we can in no way be expected as a rule to follow their example.
One author totally denies this example, and notes that all wars in the Book of Mormon were the result of sin-- on both sides. He argues that the Book of Mormon, when viewed as a whole, is a pascifist document.
A few others view the Anti-Nephi-Lehis as an example that there can be multiple responses to war, and you can't condemn either of them: "The Author and Finisher of th eFaith posed a problem rather than specified a solution when he directed us to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and counseled his followers to be in but not of the world... The reconcliation of moral obligation and civic duty persists as a central issue for Christians generally and for Latter-Day Saints particularly."
Other authors explored the perspectives of well-known LDS figures, including J Reuben Clark, who originally was a bit of a warhawk, and wrote many justifications for many US war strategies, but eventually became an ardent pacifist-- one of the only of his kind among LDS apostles. Another wrote about Hugh Nibley, who became disillusioned with war, similarly Eugene England.
One I particularly found compelling is an argument that we as a Church are currently living in opposition to God's command to "renounce war and declare peace." He argued that the early Church originally took this command seriously, but eventually responded violently to their neighbors in Missouri. It was their disobedience that resulted in the famous Extermination Order and expulsion from the State. Rather than the familiar painting as persecuted, this was a serious call to repentance.
As an LDS community, we tend to use Helaman's stripling warriors as a righteous example more than we do their parents, the Anti-Nephi-Lehis who buried their weapons of war. We typically say the Anti-Nephi-Lehis were a noble exception, but that we can in no way be expected as a rule to follow their example.
One author totally denies this example, and notes that all wars in the Book of Mormon were the result of sin-- on both sides. He argues that the Book of Mormon, when viewed as a whole, is a pascifist document.
A few others view the Anti-Nephi-Lehis as an example that there can be multiple responses to war, and you can't condemn either of them: "The Author and Finisher of th eFaith posed a problem rather than specified a solution when he directed us to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and counseled his followers to be in but not of the world... The reconcliation of moral obligation and civic duty persists as a central issue for Christians generally and for Latter-Day Saints particularly."
Other authors explored the perspectives of well-known LDS figures, including J Reuben Clark, who originally was a bit of a warhawk, and wrote many justifications for many US war strategies, but eventually became an ardent pacifist-- one of the only of his kind among LDS apostles. Another wrote about Hugh Nibley, who became disillusioned with war, similarly Eugene England.
One I particularly found compelling is an argument that we as a Church are currently living in opposition to God's command to "renounce war and declare peace." He argued that the early Church originally took this command seriously, but eventually responded violently to their neighbors in Missouri. It was their disobedience that resulted in the famous Extermination Order and expulsion from the State. Rather than the familiar painting as persecuted, this was a serious call to repentance.
February 15, 2013
Hear our interview with Patrick Mason here:
http://www.themormonbookreview.com/20...
If there is a subject that needs more work done in the Mormon Studies world, the topic of violence might be a good place to start. This book is a collection of essays on war and peace. "War and Peace in our Time" is a great starting point for any individual who wonders where he or she fits in on the wide spectrum of belief in these areas. The book argues a variety of different viewpoints and the reader is left to make up his or her own mind on what is the best course of action to take on issues surrounding violence in the world. No matter where one ends up after reading this book, one thing is for sure, that person will be a better person for having weighed their options before making that discussion.
http://www.themormonbookreview.com/20...
If there is a subject that needs more work done in the Mormon Studies world, the topic of violence might be a good place to start. This book is a collection of essays on war and peace. "War and Peace in our Time" is a great starting point for any individual who wonders where he or she fits in on the wide spectrum of belief in these areas. The book argues a variety of different viewpoints and the reader is left to make up his or her own mind on what is the best course of action to take on issues surrounding violence in the world. No matter where one ends up after reading this book, one thing is for sure, that person will be a better person for having weighed their options before making that discussion.
April 9, 2024
Thought Prompting. Delightfully So.
This question, “What exactly are the doctrines, principles, and beliefs that govern your personal decision as to whether you would support or denounce a particular war?” summarizes what this compilation of articles seeks to prompt a reader to consider. The compilation and occasional editorial commentary did that well.
I warm to an approach which is descriptive, and multi-faceted. I warm to an approach that honors and inspires individual sentience. I warm to an approach that does not require a silver bullet solution (so to speak) and recognizes the beauty findable in the challenge and ambiguity of seeking truth.
Well done.
This question, “What exactly are the doctrines, principles, and beliefs that govern your personal decision as to whether you would support or denounce a particular war?” summarizes what this compilation of articles seeks to prompt a reader to consider. The compilation and occasional editorial commentary did that well.
I warm to an approach which is descriptive, and multi-faceted. I warm to an approach that honors and inspires individual sentience. I warm to an approach that does not require a silver bullet solution (so to speak) and recognizes the beauty findable in the challenge and ambiguity of seeking truth.
Well done.
January 19, 2017
Some really solid discussion - some essay were so-so but the majority were really well developed
November 4, 2012
The Book of Mormon is commonly interpreted in one of two irreconcilable ways: As the unerring and perfect word of the divine creator, or as a fraud, written by a cheap con-artist. Adherents of these two readings rarely agree, and expend an enormous amount of energy arguing over their own limited interpretations. This is to be expected. As Mormons are many, and not one, the lenses through which the text is interpreted will be diverse.
Mormonism, unlike Christianity, was inaugurated within the context of history. Relevant accounts from reliable contemporary sources allow us to examine its formation relative to social and historical events, drawing coherent conclusions in the process. War and Peace in Our Time is a collection of 17 lectures, compiled and produced by Greg Kofford Books, which effectively detranscendentalizes The Book of Mormon, liberating it from conflicting viewpoints, and applies the principles of the text (with an admirable degree of objectivity) to the historical process of conflict. The positions of the narrators are diverse and expectedly irreconcilable, but all approach scripture as text, from which practical lessons might be derived, relevant to practical human experience in the shared lifeworld.
Despite the diversity of viewpoints within the collection, there are some common themes, and one of the most interesting is the inherent tension resulting from the evaporation of traditional structure from the lives of individuals. The process of modernization is approached as detraditionalization of the social order, leading to the individual’s ability (and subsequent responsibility) to decide for himself on ethical and social matters. Emancipation from dependency is thus linked to the loss of conventional supports bound up in the being of social institutions, namely the LDS church. Matters of official doctrine give way to cultural suggestion, ultimately internalizing the locus of decision.
For modern Mormons, there are few rules which are set in stone, and weighty issues like the morality of conflict are left to the individual to decide and act upon. This is entirely consistent with the original intent of the founders of the religion, who gave priesthood authority to every worthy adult, implying that one clear’s his own path in the woods. The act of participation, worth more than a ticket to the auditorium, carries the price of making every significant decision an act of applied philosophy. This collection won’t provide any individual answers, but it marvelously succeeds in providing readers with seventeen examples of thoughtful decisions on a weighty topic.
Mormonism, unlike Christianity, was inaugurated within the context of history. Relevant accounts from reliable contemporary sources allow us to examine its formation relative to social and historical events, drawing coherent conclusions in the process. War and Peace in Our Time is a collection of 17 lectures, compiled and produced by Greg Kofford Books, which effectively detranscendentalizes The Book of Mormon, liberating it from conflicting viewpoints, and applies the principles of the text (with an admirable degree of objectivity) to the historical process of conflict. The positions of the narrators are diverse and expectedly irreconcilable, but all approach scripture as text, from which practical lessons might be derived, relevant to practical human experience in the shared lifeworld.
Despite the diversity of viewpoints within the collection, there are some common themes, and one of the most interesting is the inherent tension resulting from the evaporation of traditional structure from the lives of individuals. The process of modernization is approached as detraditionalization of the social order, leading to the individual’s ability (and subsequent responsibility) to decide for himself on ethical and social matters. Emancipation from dependency is thus linked to the loss of conventional supports bound up in the being of social institutions, namely the LDS church. Matters of official doctrine give way to cultural suggestion, ultimately internalizing the locus of decision.
For modern Mormons, there are few rules which are set in stone, and weighty issues like the morality of conflict are left to the individual to decide and act upon. This is entirely consistent with the original intent of the founders of the religion, who gave priesthood authority to every worthy adult, implying that one clear’s his own path in the woods. The act of participation, worth more than a ticket to the auditorium, carries the price of making every significant decision an act of applied philosophy. This collection won’t provide any individual answers, but it marvelously succeeds in providing readers with seventeen examples of thoughtful decisions on a weighty topic.
August 7, 2012
An excellent collection, exemplifying the wide variety of thought concerning war in Mormonism.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews