Talk:Morm 5:1-7:10

Regarding the comment:

As far as taking them up, we are all called to fight in the army of God and we must take up our weapons and fight.

I deleted it because in my mind it seems to go against the context of the scripture. That doesn't mean I disagree with it, but I don't think it is relevant to this passage of scripture. In my mind, in this scripture, rather than an encouragement to "take up our weapons" it seems that Mormon is suggesting those he is addressing NOT take up their weapons of war unless commanded to do so. From the context it doesn't sound like he is thinking that they have already been and we are all commanded to take up our weapons of war and fight. --Matthew Faulconer 23:20, 13 Dec 2005 (UTC)

Good point, I agree about the emphasis here being on not taking up weapons. However, regarding the last sentence above, I'm curious to what extent, if any, we (incl. the remant of Israel) have been commanded to take up weapons and fight. Following the cross-reference in Alma 43:47 (cf. D&C 134:11) one could argue that we have indeed been commanded to take up weapons to defend ourselves and our families (which, in the current political climate, is an argument I've heard used to justify the war in Iraq). Interesting that D&C 134:11 states "men are justified in defending themselves", not commanded. Are there other scriptures that address this question? ----RobertC 01:20, 14 Dec 2005 (UTC)