LDS, what do you think of these verses about killing when compared to the 2nd ammendment?

[clem84]

D&C 42: 18-19, 79
18 And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.
19 And again, I say, thou shalt not kill; but he that killeth shall die.

79 And it shall come to pass, that if any persons among you shall kill they shall be delivered up and dealt with according to the laws of the land;

is there a difference as i have often thought, that we can kill in self defense and in defense of families and faith and freedom even as the constitution describes it. or is the gospel of peace totally mandated that no one should kill anyone in all circumstances

[oakley]

D&C 42: 18-19, 79
18 And now, behold, I speak unto the church. Thou shalt not kill; and he that kills shall not have forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to come.
19 And again, I say, thou shalt not kill; but he that killeth shall die.

79 And it shall come to pass, that if any persons among you shall kill they shall be delivered up and dealt with according to the laws of the land;

is there a difference as i have often thought, that we can kill in self defense and in defense of families and faith and freedom even as the constitution describes it. or is the gospel of peace totally mandated that no one should kill anyone in all circumstances

Religion has really never had a problem with killing people. All you have to do is look at the crusades and all the religious wars that have occurred and are still occurring. More people have died in the name of god than for any other reason. So I guess it depends on what god you believe in. Religion is very scary to me and I find it amazing that people in the 21st century are basing their lives on mythical gods!

[fitche]

christian teaching supports the concept of “A Just War” briefly as follows:
1. war should be only self defense;
2. war should be a last resort;
3. a decision to enter war should be made only by a legitimate authority;
4. military responses must be proportional to the threat;
5. reasonable chance of success
6. public declaration notifying all parties concerned

further
~the bible provides us with the obligation to preserve life.....basically, you must protect your life and the lives of others.
~it indicates the possibility of "righteous killing" - which is never a light thing, even if you are in the right, even if you do it righteously you are not unchanged
~bible communities and individuals are given legal sanction to defend their lives with lethal force - and do. however - it also makes clear that the sword is not always the appropriate response, especially in persecution for Christ. (in which case there is greater protection than swords).
~scriptures tell us that possession of weapons and skills with weapons a good and useful thing.
~the bible provides warnings against misuse of violent means. those who resort to violence rather than Godliness are not to be admired.
consider david and joab........both were skilled at killing men, and both had killed many men.
the difference --- david ALWAYS first and foremost, sought the Lord, trusted the Lord, and loved the Lord. his regard first for the Lord determined when he would not resort to violence (saul). however - joab, over and over, resorted to the sword to deal with problems. joab was a man of violence - w/ no regard to the Lord's desires.

it is a hard thing to stay on the side of righteousness in these types of situations.....and only God and the individual involved can say if one does.