10 Responses for "Dick Cheney at BYU"

1. Joseph E. Davis March 28th, 2007 at 11:55 pm 1

   Hopefully the Jedi Knights are strong enough to evaluate what Darth has to say on its merits.

   I try to listen to people I disagree with, even vehemently, because it challenges my thinking and even sometimes makes me change my mind.

2. Eric Robeck March 29th, 2007 at 12:06 am 2

   Duane,

   Thank you for making me aware of this event. I have added my signature to the list, even though I am not very hopeful about the outcome. As much as we abhor the actions and character of our vice president, the Church and BYU are not likely to back out of this. Although they have made a political statement by accepting his request to visit, they would be making an even stronger statement if they denied it.

   I love BYU and found it to be a great atmosphere in which to gain an education. Surprisingly, that very education has made me a confessed liberal. I cross paths with the administration on many issues — free speech, homosexual policies, political bias, and a general lack of tolerance for opposing viewpoints.

   Still, if anyone asks, I am a proud BYU graduate.

3. Connor March 29th, 2007 at 10:50 pm 3

   It’s like inviting Darth Vader to talk to young Jedi Knights.

   Classic! I myself am opposed to his visit, and will most likely attend the protest.

   I’m glad to see that the Church has responded on the issue of political neutrality in this matter, a question raised in part by the Trib’s Rebecca Walsh who wrote a piss-poor hit piece. My commentary on her article can be found here.

4. Steven Hodnett April 26th, 2007 at 8:14 am 4

   Duane,

   To paraphrase scripture “in the last days they will call evil good and good evil.” If the majority of the world calls Israel evil and Babylon (the world) good you should re-evaluate your position. It is the pro homosexual, pro baby killing, anti-religion crowd that opposes Cheney. I admit he is not perfect. A more drastic use of force would have actually shortened this war, but it is appeasement to the libs that has caused it to continue on.

   You should be more concerned with pushing for the Ex Communication of Harry Reid rather than fighting against a man who is doing what he believes is best with the intelligence he had at the time.

   You are misguided in your protests. Ancient scripture biblically and in the Book of Mormon as well as American history suggests the use of force is necessary to free the captors from the oppressors. Now the liberals in America have become the oppressors.

   We should all bow to radical islam, abortion, and the radical left.

5. Bud Mortensen April 27th, 2007 at 10:51 pm 5

   Steve,Saddam Hussein was a cruel, evil despot, but if Iraq’s cheif export was broccoli, he would still be in power, just as many dictators past and present have stayed in power. We are there to protect our access to Mideast oil. Our intent, and our disdain, for their history and culture could not have been missed by the Iraqis, when our invading troops surrounded and protected the Oil Ministry while leaving their prized national museum unprotected and open to looters. They do not want an occupying power there any more than we would want one here.
   As for Senator Reid, I believe him to be a hard working, worthy member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who loves his country and is respected by his colleagues.
   This country was once the light upon the hill it was meant to be. Now we are viewed world-wide as bullies who invade other countries, kidnap, torture, hold prisoners in wire cages (under conditions that have received international condemnation–even from our allies); and bunglers who offend our friends and, daily, create more enemies, while trampling on our Constitution–Attorney General Gonzales recently told a Senate committee that the Constitution does not guarantee the right to habeus corpus proceedings, much to the consternaton of members of both parties. I love this country, I hope we can become that light upon the hill once more and honor our divinely inspired Constitution.
   It’s my opinion that we are in this terrible position because this administration abandoned Christian principles and opted for dishonesty, arrogance, greed and pride of place. I don’t know of any scripture that tells us to invade countries. My reading is that the Lord is the one who freed and frees the prisoners by providing a means of escape from their captors and their sins. My understanding is that we are to spread the good word of the gospel of Christ and do good works that others might see our good works and glorify God.
   “Blessed are the peace makers…” “Pray for your enemies…” Good advice, I’m sure. May His blessings rest upon you.

6. kathrin questenberg April 30th, 2007 at 10:08 pm 6

   Dear Steven Hodnett!
   75% of the US Americans called Bush and Cheney good( in 2003) , by your own standards they and their viewpoints ( e.g. their war) should have been reflexively rejected.
   You know reflexively…its the way you frame your world. So maybe you want to look into your Urim and Thummin and tell the rest of us reprobates the remainder of God’s will. Since no one can one- up anyone with putative claims to superior sprituality, that leaves us with intellectual frameworks….a tragedy for you since you are overtly underprovisioned. But chin up, and keep trying!
   Sincerely,
   a pro-religion, anti - baby killing, “by their fruits ye shall know them” Mormon

7. charles quisenberry April 30th, 2007 at 10:15 pm 7

   Joseph F. Smith: For years it has been held that peace comes only by preparation for war; the present conflict should prove that peace comes only by preparing for peace, through training the people in righteousness and justice, and selecting rulers who respect the righteous will of the people.1

   Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark & David O. McKay: [T]he Church is and must be against war….It cannot regard war as a righteous means of settling international disputes;

   George Albert Smith, J. Reuben Clark & David O. McKay: By building a huge armed establishment, we shall belie our protestations of peace and peaceful intent and force other nations to a like course of militarism…3

   Spencer W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner & Marion G. Romney: While recognizing the need for strength to repel any aggressor, we are enjoined by the word of God to “renounce war and proclaim peace.” We call upon the heads of nations to sit down and reason together in good faith to resolve their differences.4

   Spencer W. Kimball: We are a warlike people…When enemies rise up, we commit vast resources to the fabrication of gods of stone and steel–ships, planes, missiles, fortifications–and depend on them for protection and deliverance. When threatened, we become anti-enemy instead of pro-kingdom of God; we train a man in the art of war and call him a patriot, thus, in the manner of Satan’s counterfeit of true patriotism, perverting the Savior’s teaching: “Love your enemies…”5

   Spencer W. Kimball: Father, we are concerned with the political world of today and that nations seem to need only the lighting of a match to bring war and desolation and destruction. Bless, we pray thee, the leaders of nations, that they may rule wisely and righteously and give thy people freedom to worship thee in truth and righteousness. Stay the powers, our Father, that would bring us to the brink of annihilation. 5a

   Russell M. Nelson: Because of the long history of hostility upon the earth, many feel that peace is beyond hope. I disagree. Peace is possible….Resolution of present political problems will require much patience and negotiation. The process would be enhanced greatly if pursued prayerfully.6

   Eugene England: LDS theology offers a guide to better conduct. I believe its fundamental message is that “effective pacifism”–even unilateral disarmament if accompanied by massive efforts to extend intelligent, creative, tough-minded but loving help to other nations…–is the ideal solution, the only one that could make our enemies no longer enemies…7

   Edwin Brown Firmage: Jesus knew that no dispute is finally solved by violence. The underlying cause usually remains, simply exacerbated by the evil progeny spawned by war: hatred of our brothers and sisters, as if they were somehow fundamentally different from ourselves; the teaching and glorification of violence; lust; ignorance; propaganda; and suffering, starvation, disease, and death.8

   NOTES
   1. Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, comp. John Widtsoe (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939), 421.
   2. In Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, comp. James R. Clark, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-75), 6:158.
   3. In Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6:241.
   4. “Christmas Message from the First Presidency,” Church News (20 Dec. 1980): 3.
   5. Spencer W. Kimball, “The False Gods We Worship,” Ensign (June 1976): 4.
   5a Spencer W. Kimball, Temple Dedicatory Prayer Washington DC Temple 19-22 Nov 1974
   6. Russell M. Nelson, “Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” Ensign (Nov. 2002): 39.
   7. Eugene England, “Can Nations Love Their Enemies?”, Dialogues With Myself (Midvale, UT: Orion Books, 1984), 148.
   8. Edwin Brown Firmage, “Violence and the Gospel: The Teachings of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon,” BYU Studies 25 (Winter 1985):40.

8. Wade May 23rd, 2007 at 6:57 pm 8

   I am relieved to see that most of the comments have been pro-peace. More importantly, it is nice to see that they have mostly been reasonable. I lean left on a few issues like on social programs and the environment, but lean right when it comes to other issues like pro-life/choice issues. I have been really horrified the last few years how polarized this country has become. Calling for a leader’s excommunication just because he does not share every viewpoint of a POLITICAL party is judgemental and misguided. There are Democrats AND Republicans in the First Presidency of the LDS church, and they are not trying to oust each other! More importantly, had Joseph Smith (He was not a Republican when he ran for President of the United States by the way) asked which political party was true instead of which religion was true, he would have received the SAME ANSWER! That NONE of them were completely true. I have a moral problem with some of the Democrat’s political stands, but I also struggle with some of the Republican views….so I guess the point is that I wanted to thank everybody for the reasonable debate. It gives me some hope for our religion and our country. And for the people who are polarized…be nice. After all, we are brothers and sisters. That includes me, you, Harry Reid, AND Dick Cheney!

9. Seven Hodnett June 6th, 2007 at 12:20 am 9

   Thank you for your response. You are misguided. It was only through war that the Nephites were able to liberate the Lamanites. There is more priesthood in the Middle East today than there has been since the time of Christ and the apostles.

   The crimes Bush and Cheney are guilty of is not using more swift and precise military action and enable the Iraqis to then engage in building their own country more quickly.

   According to libs like you we should exalt Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi to Benevolent Dictator like Chavez, so they never have to leave. Bush goes away, not soon enough for conservatives like me, but he will leave, yet the lies from the left call him names like dictator, etc.

   The U.S. will have a dictator, unfortunately it will be a Democrat president who stacks the court with judges who will not uphold the rule of law and who will impose homosexuality even against the Mormon Church.

   As far as the church goes, it is my opinion that the Brethren would do well to gain the respect of devout “Christions” by holding Harry Reid accountable for “honesty in his dealings.” Oh the foolishness of the left, when they are learned they think they are wise and they hearken to Hollywood, Al Gore (sorcerers(, liars and attorneys (Edwards, Obama, Clinton), and the devil doth lead them “speedily down to hell.”

10. Michael Hight July 10th, 2007 at 8:45 am 10

    The great paradox of a great number of those that profess to be disciples of the Prince of Peace surrounds life itself. Most of these so called Christians are vehemently against abortion but also pro-war. Incidently, there seems to be a great number of them that are pro-business and anti-environemnt; a less form of life but still a creation that is a live, has a spirit and a resurrection.

    We learn the correct principle of justified killing of another one of God’s children in the Book of Mormon; to protect our property our lives and the lives of our family and neighbors.

    By the way, it also states that liars are going to be cast out forever.

    I am not sure the motives behind our church leaders for this action. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they have pure motives. I can tell by just listening the Profet that he is a man that is truely striving to live after the manner of the Master. That this is what they say it is…respect for the office of vice-president. I will however also voice my dissent against an invitation to a man that actively fulfills satan’s promise to reign with blood and horror on the earth.

    When all is said and done I prescribe to the only true government; the government of God and await its promised reign.