This point has been raised over and over - Thou Shalt Not (what) Kill? or Murder? The Commandment originally stated, "Thou Shalt Not Commit Murder" The Hebrew word for Murder is Kill! The variations were obviously known to the Jewish nation in that they fought many wars - in which everyone was destroyed - men, women and children.
John Calvin, a sixteenth-century reformer, wrote, “If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, … it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy a fœtus in the womb before it has come to light.”
(The following quotes are from an essay by Hugh B. Nibley entitled, "If There Must Needs Be Offense"
Karl von Clausewitz, the greatest of all students of war, says it is all-important in making war to distinguish between the general principles, which always apply, and the special instances and exceptions, which are dictated by expediency and are never exactly the same twice. It is dangerous and foolish, he says, to lay down rules based on inference from special cases.
One can easily distinguish between general principles and special exceptions because the former are stated in general terms and as direct commands of God: "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). "Man shall not smite, neither shall he judge" (Mormon 8:20). "Cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh" (2 Nephi 4:34). "We believe . . . in doing good to all men" (Article of Faith 13). "Contention is not of me, but is of the devil" (3 Nephi 11:29). "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9). "It is the wicked that stir up the hearts of the children of men unto bloodshed" (Mormon 4:5). "Love your enemies" (3 Nephi 12:44). "Naught but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne" (Moses 7:31). Such statements allow of no qualification or modification.)
Admittedly we are faced with grim situations—these are not called the last days for nothing! How we react to these situations is part of the test we undergo in this time of probation. Direction given by a Modern Day Prophet: "Tell the people to . . . keep the spirit of the Lord," he said three times with great emphasis. "They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts."
We've the choice of whether to shed blood or not - killing/murder being how one thinks before the actual act - and as apply stated the taking of innocent life - even in combat one should seek not to kill if at all possible. Two of our greatest generals of WWII also took the most prisoners than any others. Both worked extremely hard to repatriate those prisoners taken as well.
Thus whether we term in killing or murdering each must decide what they would do - and understand that they will be held to account for what they think or don't think before they act. We may call a person a mass-killer - or serial killer - but if caught and tried they will be tried and sentenced if convicted for the crime of murder.
Remember man/woman are more afraid of peace, love, understanding than they are of war - combat and vengeance. Therefore, they reject the teachings found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - or for that matter most any religious thinker - while justifying their resolve of warfare by saying all kinds of rhetorical words excusing them trying to seek peace first.
If all men and women would obey just the first Two Great Commandments there would be no need for any others - but the adversary will make sure this doesn't happen on his watch. c/ork
“Shedding Innocent
Blood”
cji
9/17/13
Bargaining with the
adversary
making deals in the
nighttime
ignoring consequences
of law
random killing
(murdering)
taking life just to
see one die;
Throughout history
many cry
from this random
murdering
hearing the dead’s last
call
when others cross the
line
bargaining with the
adversary!
Copyright © 2013 – cji
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