At this time of war, Latter-day Saints are divided in their opinions about the war effort. Some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turn to the gospel to search for answers.

As a historian of the global movement of the church, Bruce Van Orden, professor of church history and doctrine, estimated that 50 percent of American Latter-day Saint adults have supported President Bush and war with Iraq from the beginning. Another 25 percent were hesitant at first toward Bush's war plans but now support the war effort.

At the present time, 25 percent of American Latter-day Saints strongly oppose the United States' involvement in the war.

Opinions on the war, like many other issues in the church, do not have an obvious right or wrong answer.

"Ever since World War I, church leaders and prophets have strongly stated that church members may exercise their own discretion in political matters, including regarding whether their people should engage in war or in matters of establishing peace," Van Orden said.

Some professors said it is difficult to apply gospel principles as explanations for the war.

"This is a political military issue," said Richard Holzapfel, associate professor of church history and religion.

However, people who are opposed or supportive of the war can find scriptures to justify their opinions, he said.

God has always provided his prophets with the law of war, Van Orden said, referring to Doctrine and Covenants 98:32-48 and Alma 43:46-47.

"In short, the law of war forbids preemptive strikes and attempts to attack another nation until attacked by them two, three and four times," he said.

The scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 18:10 that promotes the worth of souls also supports Van Orden's opposition to the war. The souls of all nationalities are precious in the sight of God.

"I grieve as much for the casualties of war in Iraq as I do for the casualties of war among the coalition of the willing," Van Orden said.

He also strongly believes in the statement in Doctrine and Covenants 98:16: "renounce war and proclaim peace." The Lord has continually taught his people the peacemakers will be blessed, he said.

"I don't think we have done a good job in offering the olive branch and proclaiming peace," Holzapfel said.

While the scriptures contain many references as to why the United States should not be at war, religious reasons can also be found to justify the war.

If there were cause to believe Iraq has weapons of mass destruction to be used against us, then that would be a reason for defensively taking action, said Richard Cowan, professor of church history and doctrine.

Although war should be the last resort, maintaining freedom and liberty is another reason the war may be validated, he said.

Holzapfel hopes the means will justify the ends, depending if the Iraqi people truly needed and desired the assistance of the United States in their liberation.

Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Apr 2003