At the height of WWII on the 3rd of October 1942, the First Presidency of the LDS Church, President George Albert Smith, First Counselor J. Reuben Clark and Second Counselor David O. McKay issued a statement published in the Deseret News renouncing war and the requirement of proclaiming peace. In part the statement read, “We renew our declaration that international disputes can and should be settled by peaceful means. That is the way of the Lord.
We call upon the statesman of the world to assume their rightful control of the affairs of nations and to bring this war to an end, honorable and just to all. Animated and led by the spirit of Christ, they can do it. The weeping mothers, the distraught and impoverished wives, the fatherless children of the world, demand this be done. In this way only will enduring peace come; it will never be imposed by armed force. Hate driven militarists and leaders with murder in their hearts, will, if they go though to the end, bring merely another peace that will be but the beginning of another war.
We call upon the Saints the world over to pray to God constantly in faith, nothing doubting, that He will bring His purposes speedily to pass and restore peace again to the earth to bless His children.”
Three things stand out about this First Presidency message. First, it flies in the face of common sentiment and views about WWII. Cessation of hostilities was the requirement to bring about a negotiated peace with the combatants, namely Adolph Hitler and General Tojo. Second, war does not bring peace and is no solution in resolving international conflicts. Peace brought about through war is only a temporary condition, a respite, while the stage is set for the next conflict. Lastly, those prosecuting this war, on both sides, which must include the several leaders even heroes of the ‘greatest generation’, could be included in the category of ‘hate driven militarists’. Credit for the writing of this statement has been assigned by historians to President J. Reuben Clark. Perhaps not many know that he had a long career prior to his call as a General Authority in the US State Department. At the time of his call he was the US Ambassador to Mexico. Had Gov. Alf Landon of Kansas defeated FDR in one presidential election Ambassador Clark would have been named Secretary of State in the Landon administration.
Christmas is a time of hope and peace yet sadly the message is lost upon so many in this land and this church. Perhaps, if nothing else we can agree at least to “pray constantly in faith” to restore peace again to all of Heavenly Father’s children.
