As members of the church we recognize that the Book of Mormon was written for us and for our day and age.

No earthly Nephite, other than Mormon, and perhaps Moroni, ever read the Book of Mormon in its entirety. It was edited by the Prophet Mormon under the direction of the Savior with the intention of articulating doctrine, events and experiences that relate to our times and circumstances.

We live in a time of endemic warfare, and as Joseph Smith prophesied on Christmas Day 1832, from that time forth, "war shall be poured out upon all nations" until the Second Advent of the Savior. Many chapters in the Book of Mormon describe incessant warfare.



Why is this so? As President Ezra Taft Benson explained, "From the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war."

What individual among us, who seeks to be a disciple of Christ, does not need to understand how to behave in times of war?

Needless to say the Book of Mormon, in its entirety, deserves careful study by every member of the church. Perhaps, however, in this short space we can glean some insight into the social conditions, and from them, some practices the Lord would have us follow in a world embroiled in warfare.

In the later portion of the Book of Alma, in what are often called the "war chapters," we read in Alma 51 of a time of chaos and dissension in Nephite society. Two groups of people align against each other, the "freemen" under Pahoran, and the "kingmen" under Amalickiah. It is Amalickiah's intention to "overthrow free government and establish [himself as] a king over the land." He and his followers seek "power and authority over the people." They aim to destroy individual rights and liberties, and thereby gain the ability to exact force upon others and enslave the Nephite people.

Conversely, the freemen "covenant to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government." They uphold individual liberty, leaving decisions and practices to individual conscience, so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others. They specifically mention defending religious liberty, knowing it is essential to God's purposes for mankind.

At this time there is not only an enemy within but without. The Lamanites, intent on destroying the Nephites, are marching against them and the freemen are willing to take up arms and defend their nation. Forbidden by God to be aggressors and taught to sue for peace they are, however, to defend their families, their property, their liberty and their rights.

On the contrary, when the kingmen learn of the approach of the Lamanites they are "glad in their hearts; and they refuse to take up arms." They hope to weaken the government and in the ensuing chaos take power. Captain Moroni mounts a campaign against the dissenters forcing them to defend liberty or lose their lives. He also leads the stripling warriors into battle. The story of the safety and survival of these 2,000 young men, with the Lord's protection, is well-known.
 
While we know that righteous individuals who go to war may not return, it is instructive, after this brief description, to consider what afforded these young warriors protection and what the Lord expects of his followers in times of war?

We first note that true disciples "obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness." They keep God's "statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually." They act "according to their faith," "have exceeding faith" in Jesus Christ and "put their trust in God continually." Ever deepening faith in Christ and obedience to the commandments is necessary for spiritual safety in our day.

Saints also "stand fast in that liberty wherewith God made them free." In times of war disciples of Christ act in defense of principles of freedom and liberty. We find a sterling example of this when we study Captain Moroni who raised a "standard of liberty," secured legislation against traitorous acts, and was proactive in quelling treachery. We learn that to sit back while freedoms erode is antithetical to discipleship.

In Doctrine and Covenants section 98 and Mormon chapter 3 we find further requirements for Christ's followers in times of war. If a nation declares war against another the state under attack is to "first lift a standard of peace unto that people, nation, or tongue: And if that people d[o] not accept the offering of peace, a 2nd or 3rd time," then the Lord will "justify them in going out to battle against that nation, tongue, or people."

This principle is reiterated when Mormon refuses to continue leading the Nephite armies after they "began to boast in their own strength, and ... swear before heaven that they would avenge themselves of the blood of their brethren ... (and) go up to battle against their enemies." Disciples of Christ find no justification for initiating war but are justified, after patience and forbearance, in defensive warfare.

There is, of course, so much more in the Book of Mormon teaching disciples of Christ about their responsibilities in times of war, but those events and practices touched upon here incline followers of the Savior to be peacemakers, to reach out in charity to others, to obey the commandments of God, and to actively involve themselves when they see agency, freedom, liberty and religious worship under attack.