Every time I hear a story of some person being attacked or otherwise injured by another human being, I am saddened, but reminded that this is a prophecy about the last days: "the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound" (D&C 45:27). In place of providing actual self-defense training, I would like to present some gospel teachings about defending oneself that will hopefully create a slight paradigm shift in those reading.
"And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed" (Alma 43:47). Those who have read the Book of Mormon know about the war chapters in Alma and the numerous battles fought between the Nephites and Lamanites. What are the Nephites supposed to do when threatened by an aggressive external force? Listen to this from the pen of Pahoran, the chief judge of the land, in his epistle to Moroni, the chief captain of the Nephite armies:
"And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land.
We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.
We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do.
But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.
Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God" (Alma 61:10–14).
They wish that they did not have to use force to defend themselves from the Lamanites, but sometimes these things are necessary. A practical example of this from the scriptures is the experience that Nephi had in retrieving the brass plates from Laban:
"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.
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" (1 Nephi 4:10–11).
Nephi was commanded by the Spirit to kill Laban, but not until after Laban had tried to kill Nephi and his brothers at least twice, thus fulfilling the commandment (see D&C 98). Applying this to a situation that some of us could face in our lives: if we are attacked by some less-fortunate soul, we should (depending on the immediate lethality of the situation) give them a chance to not attack. However, as we will see in the following case with Alma, sometimes we do not have the luxury of being nice.
"And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another.
And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.
Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword" (Alma 2:29–31).
Alma did not say, 'pardon me Amlici, are you sure you want to kill me?' Amlici's actions were clear enough that Alma jumped straight to self-defense. He was certainly justified in doing so, as we can see from the fact that he still received revelation from God after this event, indicating he still had divine approval.
A few more quotes about self-defense:
War is wrong, but self-defense is right. Men are justified by God in defending their lives, their homes, and their liberties unto death.
Gos. Doc, p. 419.
"Civil law recognizes that there are gradations in this matter—from accidental manslaughter to self-defense to first-degree murder. I feel that the Lord also recognizes differences in intent and circumstance."
Ensign, Oct. 1987, pp. 7–8. Elder Ballard
"We need to be absolutely clear that there is such a thing as justified self-defense. You have the right to protect yourself against physical harm if you are attacked. You have a right to use physical force to protect virtue, family, freedom. But—
One of the lessons we learn from men like Nephi, Moroni, and Mormon is that the righteous only fight as a last resort. They do it reluctantly and never enjoy fighting."
The rest of this article is excellent as well:
https://www.lds.org/new-era/1997/09/somebodys-going-to-get-hurt?lang=eng
To conclude, though this world is careening quickly into the calamities foretold by the prophets, we should not be afraid. Some of us may in our lives face dangerous circumstances. Please listen to the Spirit and do not be afraid to act in self-defense, for yourself or those you love.
"And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed" (Alma 43:47). Those who have read the Book of Mormon know about the war chapters in Alma and the numerous battles fought between the Nephites and Lamanites. What are the Nephites supposed to do when threatened by an aggressive external force? Listen to this from the pen of Pahoran, the chief judge of the land, in his epistle to Moroni, the chief captain of the Nephite armies:
"And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they would stay in their own land.
We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.
We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do.
But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us.
Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God" (Alma 61:10–14).
They wish that they did not have to use force to defend themselves from the Lamanites, but sometimes these things are necessary. A practical example of this from the scriptures is the experience that Nephi had in retrieving the brass plates from Laban:
"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.
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" (1 Nephi 4:10–11).
Nephi was commanded by the Spirit to kill Laban, but not until after Laban had tried to kill Nephi and his brothers at least twice, thus fulfilling the commandment (see D&C 98). Applying this to a situation that some of us could face in our lives: if we are attacked by some less-fortunate soul, we should (depending on the immediate lethality of the situation) give them a chance to not attack. However, as we will see in the following case with Alma, sometimes we do not have the luxury of being nice.
"And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another.
And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.
Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword" (Alma 2:29–31).
Alma did not say, 'pardon me Amlici, are you sure you want to kill me?' Amlici's actions were clear enough that Alma jumped straight to self-defense. He was certainly justified in doing so, as we can see from the fact that he still received revelation from God after this event, indicating he still had divine approval.
A few more quotes about self-defense:
War is wrong, but self-defense is right. Men are justified by God in defending their lives, their homes, and their liberties unto death.
Gos. Doc, p. 419.
"Civil law recognizes that there are gradations in this matter—from accidental manslaughter to self-defense to first-degree murder. I feel that the Lord also recognizes differences in intent and circumstance."
Ensign, Oct. 1987, pp. 7–8. Elder Ballard
"We need to be absolutely clear that there is such a thing as justified self-defense. You have the right to protect yourself against physical harm if you are attacked. You have a right to use physical force to protect virtue, family, freedom. But—
One of the lessons we learn from men like Nephi, Moroni, and Mormon is that the righteous only fight as a last resort. They do it reluctantly and never enjoy fighting."
The rest of this article is excellent as well:
https://www.lds.org/new-era/1997/09/somebodys-going-to-get-hurt?lang=eng
To conclude, though this world is careening quickly into the calamities foretold by the prophets, we should not be afraid. Some of us may in our lives face dangerous circumstances. Please listen to the Spirit and do not be afraid to act in self-defense, for yourself or those you love.
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