Justified Evil

Other Scripture

Image: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf – April 2017 General Conference


 

From the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 10-13, 18:[footnote]1 Nephi 10-13, 18 – LDS.org[/footnote]

10 And it came to pass that I was constrained by the Spirit that I should kill Laban; but I said in my heart: Never at any time have I shed the blood of man. And I shrunk and would that I might not slay him.

11 And the Spirit said unto me again: Behold the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands. Yea, and I also knew that he had sought to take away mine own life; yea, and he would not hearken unto the commandments of the Lord; and he also had taken away our property.

12 And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me again: Slay him, for the Lord hath delivered him into thy hands;

13 Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.

18 Therefore I did obey the voice of the Spirit, and took Laban by the hair of the head, and I smote off his head with his own sword.

Excerpt from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s April 2017 General Conference address:[footnote]Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s April 2017 General Conference address – LDS.org[/footnote]

There may be moments when we are tempted to justify our actions by believing that the end justifies the means. We might even think that to be controlling, manipulative and harsh will be for the good of others. Not so, for the Lord has made it clear, ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness [and] temperance.’ “


 

Crash Course:

Mormon leader condemns fear tactics; new Utah temple, four others announced – Salt Lake Tribune
April 2017 LDS General Conference – LDS.org