“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” ( Rev. “And prevailed not neither was their place found any more in heaven. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels,

The book of Revelation speaks briefly of what must have been a terrible conflict for the minds and loyalties of God’s children. But there has been conflict throughout the ages over essentially the same issues. The ability to kill and destroy is constantly refined. We are now a world Church with members in most of the nations which have argued this matter.

There have been demonstrations for and against. The nations of the earth have been divided over the present situation. I recognize it is a very sensitive subject for an international congregation, including those not of our religious faith. I have prayed and pondered much concerning this. Hopefully it is now drawing to a conclusion.Īs I discuss the matter, I seek the direction of the Holy Spirit. The present war is really an outgrowth and continuation of that conflict. When I came to this pulpit at that time, the war against terrorism had just begun. I spoke of this somewhat in our October conference of 2001. His life, his mission, his military service, his death seem to represent the contradictions of the peace of the gospel and the tides of war.Īnd so I venture to say something about the war and the gospel we teach. He returned home, served in the Marines, married, became a policeman, and was then recalled to active military duty, to which he responded without hesitation. Like so many others, he had grown up in the Church, had played as a schoolboy, had passed the sacrament as a deacon, and had been found worthy to serve a mission, to teach the gospel of peace to the people of Japan. Twenty years ago Elder Cawley was a missionary of the Church in Japan. He was 41 years of age, leaving behind a wife and two small children. Marines had been killed somewhere in Iraq. My brethren and sisters, last Sunday as I sat in my study thinking of what I might say on this occasion, I received a phone call telling me that Staff Sergeant James W.

Instal the new for mac War and Peace