Our greatest fear as a human race is death. Why? Because we don't understand it. Those who have a knowledge of the resurrection are less likely to fear death because we know that the demise of our physical bodies is not the end of our existence. I have been to many funerals and seen a number of dead bodies in my lifetime. The physical body is nothing but a shell. Without the spirit, the body is nothing; a bunch of dirt and various elements that will return to the ground from whence they came.
Recently someone left a comment on one of my posts that made me think. That comment alone is responsible for this entry in the Great Blogosphere. It was in reference to this post from last year. Here is the comment:
"Don't get all gun nutz on me but seriously, how many people are you planning to kill with 10 YEARS of ammunition?! You know all your bullets are just going to burn up during the second coming."
I will address each of this poster's concerns.
1. "Don't get all gun nutz on me..."
First and foremost he/she has put me onto the defensive. And that's fine. To those who did not grow up around or have never handled a firearm, those who DO use firearms can be perceived as crazy or rednecked or somewhat unbalanced. It's a guilt-by-association mentality because they see guns as the things that kill people. Simple as that. In reality, people kill people. If we didn't have access to firearms then we'd use some other instrument to cause death: knives, poison, etc. Having grown up around and used guns my whole life, I know how they function, I know how to use them and they are only scary in the hands of the inexperienced. They are a tool, like any other I own, with a specific purpose.
2. "...how many people are you planning to kill with 10 YEARS of ammunition?!"
I am being honest when I say "Hopefully, none. Ever." I don't own guns because I am out looking for a fight. If anything, feeling that gun on my hip each day makes me hyper-aware of scary situations and helps me avoid problems in the first place. 99.9999% of all of my ammunition will be used to punch holes in little white targets. I hope the other .0001% of that ammo is used for deer or elk. And have you seen the price of ammo these days??? Holy shnikees. It's gone the way of gasoline.
3. "You know all your bullets are just going to burn up during the second coming."
I am counting on that. Meanwhile, however, I, as husband and father to 6 people depending on me, have been given specific responsibilities. 1 Timothy 5:8 says: "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." D&C 134:11 states: "...we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded."
Every prayer I utter contains a version of this phrase: "Please protect my wife and children from harm this day, while I am away. Keep them safe and allow them yet another day on this earth."
This is not a kind world we live in. It is increasingly polarized. We see great deeds of love and service and the most evil and vile sins committed against each other. It is my responsibility to protect and defend my family. Nephi, Ammon, Moroni, and Peter defended their homes and families "...even unto bloodshed."(Alma 43:47) That is something I take seriously as a holder of the Priesthood of God. And when the Day comes when Jesus reigns again on the earth, I will be glad that my "swords" will be melted with fervent heat and turned into some useful farming instrument. I welcome it.
But I'd rather walk around with a gun on my hip every single day of my life and never need it, than cry in anguish from the results of not having it in a SINGLE time of need.
Me, Myself and I
- Mateo
- I am a Mormon...married to Lisa. We have 5 awesome children. I am a gun rights advocate and believe the 'right to keep and bear arms' refers to an INDIVIDUAL right, as affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court. I like to hunt big game, although I have only ever killed a single buck deer. I am an actor of sorts and have been in many local plays and musicals.
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9 comments:
Well said, nephew o' mine...
Thanks for your response Lance. I really enjoyed your post and have a few more thoughts in response.
Just for your information, I do think I have some understanding of firearms. My family has never owned a gun, but I have had plenty of exposure and have handled many handguns, rifles, and shotguns. I earned my rifle shooting merit badge and took the hunter safety course in scouts. I don't fear guns.
If the gospel really is true then the only thing that matters in this life is to first bring our own souls to Christ and then bring others to him, including our family.
Besides the verse you quoted, the Book of Mormon provides examples of saints who gave their lives up rather than shed the blood of their bretheren. They weren't defending their fsmilies from physical death, but from a spiritual death, caused by taking up arms.
Our ultimate example of how to live our lives was the Savior, and I don't remember him ever packing heat.
Those are just my thoughts on the issue, I am willing to accept the fact that I may be wrong and I don't for a second claim to know what is right for you and your family. But when it comes right down to it I just don't think you need a gun, especially if you "Doubt not, fear not."
As a wife to my husband who also carries I must say that I feel much more safe knowing we have that source of protection for our family in the slim chance that he would ever need to use it and that he has taken a class and knows how to use it properly if and when that situation presents itself. If anybody ever tried to hurt my family in that sort of matter I would be very devastated if my husband DIDN'T carry.
Lance - I appreciate your post. This is, and always will be, I think, a topic for heated discussion. These are my thoughts and are not meant to defend or offend you or "Magnanonymous".
I, myself, do not own a gun, and at this point in my life, don't intend to own a gun. This is my choice. I have come to understand that living the gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to live according to our own agency (which we understand is not free). We each have our own thoughts, are able to receive personal revelation, and understand our responsibilities as priesthood bearers differently.
That is the joy of this life. That is how I love my brethren in the Holy Priesthood. We are all different, yet we share this bond of brotherhood which God has given us. And with that, "yours" is to not try to convince "me" that I need to purchase guns and ammo, and "mine" is to not look down upon or fear "you" because you do choose to own these items.
As was mentioned, the ultimate example of how to live our lives is the Savior. He is Peace; He is Love; He is Forgiveness; He is my Brother. Whether or not you carry a gun has nothing to do with these things. We should all be aware of why we do the things we do.
In the words of Mormon in Moroni 7:
And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.
The words in the Book of Mormon are meant for our day, and the more I study them, the more I understand the similarities that we face today that were faced then.
For Magna and Nate, I pose the following questions. I do NOT post these to incite contention. Contention is of the devil. I am only trying to learn, to educate myself and understand your positions.
1. The 2nd Amendment: Do you believe that the Constitution and Bill of Rights were instituted of men that were truly inspired of God? Do you believe that anyone has the God-given right to bear arms and defend themselves?
2. Given the choice, if someone were to unlawfully enter your home or otherwise try to harm you or your family, would you defend them and yourself? If not, why? If so, with what and to what extent? Would you be willing to kill someone in order to save your life or those of your family?
3. Mercy vs. Justice. The scriptures talk about Righteous Judgment, as Nate mentioned. If, according to the Savior, someone smites me and I give him the other cheek, I will be shown great mercy at the Day of Judgment. Showing mercy to others means the Savior will show mercy to me. That said, according to scriptures I quoted, if someone attacks me or my family, I am fully JUSTIFIED in defending them, even unto bloodshed. Justification, to me, means to be “pardoned from punishment for sin and declared guiltless”. Will I be punished for this act? I do not believe so. However, any blessings I might have received by showing that person mercy are rescinded.
I would love to hear your thoughts on these items. I promise I am NOT looking for a fight. I just want to understand and learn. Who knows, after much study and thought, my position could dramatically change.
Lance, this is great I am enjoying this conversation. In response to the questions you have posed here are some thoughts:
I believe the Constitution was inspired, but not perfect. It was meant to meet the needs of 18th century America, but is is also a living document one that can change to meet changing needs. A ggod example of this is slavery. The Constitution on one hand recognized that all men are created equal, but 18th century America was not truly ready to live up to that value. I personally feel that any benefits citizen gun ownership may provide to a society are outweighed by the costs.
I draw my own personal opinions not so much from the Constitution as from my own personal understanding of the Gospel.
As to point number two, I have already chosen not to keep firearms in my home. So that option is off the table. As I have thought on how I would react if forced to defend myself and my family, I would hope I would be able to follow the Savior's example as much as possible. I think "turning the other cheek" and "renouncing war and proclaiming peace" would be some guiding thoughts in such a situation. We are dealing with hypotheticals so it is impossible to say exactly what I would do.
I think your last thought sounds good, but my problem with that thought is that I personally don't trust myself to make the right judgement in every given situation and I am not sure there is anyone else I would trust to make the right choice and take away a life in the blink of an eye.
I could go on and on about all the negatives I see in having a gun rich society and having guns in the home. I just think that is one heck of a resposibility you take on when you choose to become a gun owner. There may be a few people in the world who could truly handle such responsibilty properly, but there are a whole lot of people who can't handle that yet still have easy access to guns.
Lance- I appreciate your insight and thought into this topic. You are a good man who, undoubtedly, has a great love for your wife and children. What an amazing example that is to me.
After your response yesterday, I started typing and thinking about a response. I thought about it throughout the evening and into this morning. I have a difficult time sometimes finding the right words to express how I feel, and try hard not to not offend those who I speak to or write to. Perhaps I come across a bit abrasive at times. I don't mean to. Being in the bishopric the past two years has taught me much about patience and learning to rely on the Spirit to choose my words wisely. It is a constant battle.
Magnanonymous hit many of the same thoughts I have been having. I love living in this country and the freedoms it grants us. As the Lord states in 2 Nephi 10 this is a land of liberty and freedom. Anyone has the right to bear arms because of the Constitution. On the flip side of that, anyone also has the right to not bear arms. I am one who chooses to not own a firearm of any kind.
As Magna alluded to, I wonder if the Founding Fathers had the foresight to see to our day and what guns would evolve into. Perhaps. Now don't get me wrong - I support you and your right to own firearms. It is your choice and your responsibility. Like Magna, I sometimes question my ability to "make the right judgement in every given situation". Therefore I have chosen to not own firearms.
I guess, when it comes down to it, I sometimes see guns as "violence". Perhaps media and entertainment have skewed my view a bit. I like to consider myself a peaceful person. I have a very difficult time speaking out or even raising my voice, especially in anger, at others. That doesn't mean I don't occasionally. Is this ignorance? A weakness, no doubt, that has limited me in certain situations.
I would do all that I could to defend myself and my family. Of course, it is hard to defend oneself against a firearm if one is weapon-less, as I am. Perhaps my 33-inch Easton aluminum baseball bat may suffice. ;) Though I may not be the best at it, I am a proponent of being prepared. But perhaps carrying/owning a gun "just in case" may not be a sound reason. I don't think we should live in constant fear that something necessitating a gun will happen to us or our families.
As I mentioned in my previous response, we are all unique in our thoughts and experiences. We all are able to know what is best for us and our families. The relationship we have with our Heavenly Father is as unique as a snowflake. He knows our thoughts and intentions. It is my responsibility to know how to best care for my family, to know what I can or can't take on, and to bring peace to my soul through the teachings of my Savior.
Excellent reply, Nate. Your thoughts have helped me to understand your (and Magna's) position on the matter. Well said.
I really enjoyed the forum. I think both represent very legitimate concerns and ideas. As taught in a concealed weapons class , they stressed that this was something you don't over react with. It can cause serious harm and if you can live with the consequence of taking a life or making a mistake of sorts than you were ready to take the responsibility of gun ownership.It is a predetermined decision to make. It is a last resort and one that requires education, training and controlled reaction. I know You are just that person Lance. Either way, freedom to bear arms as all other freedoms as constituted in our framework should be honored no matter what side of the fence you sit on. I think 18th century or not fundamentals remain the same just as in the gospel and it's framework.
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