Thou Shalt Not Kill
No compassionate, loving person can condone the violence that seems so widespread in the world today. Recent events at the XX Olympiad in Munich have gained world-wide attention and quickly bring to mind the troubled conditions which plague our planet.
The earth has seldom been a place of peace and tranquility. History proves it, and there is little reason to believe it will change before the Prince of Peace returns. Most assuredly, the Adversary will continue to influence the souls of men, perhaps with even greater fervor in these latter days.
And so, the question might be asked, “What should be our course?” Should we sur render and allow the followers of evil free reign? Quite the contrary. There is an even greater need for those who love life and liberty to be a positive influence in the lives of others. If every human being would keep the simple commandments “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not steal,” many of the world’s problems would disappear. Is it little wonder that one spiritual leader recently commented: “The only way we will solve the problems of the world is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “1 He has given us the formula for peace, yet we cannot seem to follow even the simplest part of it.
Some of us may see violence only in other cities and other lands, but it occurs as well in our own neighborhoods and in our own families. We must teach correct principles to those we influence in order that there will be a proper degree of reverence for life in our homes. We cannot expect the world to be any better than the laws we are willing to obey, or the commandments we are willing to keep. And we must not be discouraged. The Lord is willing to help. Our fathers did not give up in the face of difficulty, and we should follow in their footsteps. We should do as they did: acknowledge the hand of God and follow the guideposts He has given – for the day of peace will come.
As Theodore Curtis suggested in his verse:
Lean on my ample arm, Oh, thou depressed! … If thou wilt come to Me, Thou shaIt have rest.2
1President Harold B. Lee, News Conference, Mexico City, Aug. 28, 1972
2Theodore E. Curtis, Lean On My Ample Arm
September 10, 1972
Broadcast Number 2,242