Latter Day Satyagraha

Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

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“Faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom”. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

In April 1893, when the Salt Lake City Temple was being dedicated by President Wilford Woodruff, Leo Tolstoy published his book “The Kingdom of God is Within You”, and laid out a new organization for society based on a literal Christian interpretation. The title of the book is taken from Luke 17:21. Tolstoy sought to separate Orthodox Russian Christianity, which was merged with the state, from what he believed was the true message of Jesus Christ, as contained in the Gospels, specifically the Sermon on the Mount. Tolstoy takes the viewpoint that all governments who wage war are an affront to Christian principles.

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Martin Luther King’s Nonviolence Step 1 : Gather Information

Learn all you can about the problems you see in your community through the media, social and civic organizations, and by talking to the people involved.

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An Anti-Nephi-Lehi Conversion Story

During my first year of studying at the University of Bradford, while doing a bachelor’s in peace and development studies, I became like most other first year students overwhelmed with the problems of this world. What we were learning in the first year was pretty much to recognize violence in all its different forms and manifestations. To put it mildly, I was in deep despair. I think that what was most upsetting to me was the fact that… read more

1. Introduction to Nonviolence: Matt Bear from nonviolenceunited.org
2. Why I Joined the Green Party…
3. My Pilgrimage to Nonviolence (by Martin Luther King, Jr.)
4. Gandhi’s Testimony (140th Anniversary Video)

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The Nonviolent Articles of Faith

Thirteen statements describing the fundamental beliefs of the latter day satyagraha movement both within and outside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 1. We believe that we are all children of heavenly parents with a divine nature and destiny. We believe the words of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and we believe in the Holy Ghost that teaches all to come unto Jesus and to follow His example.

1. Nonviolence: a Pre-requisite for Baptism
2. Daring to Take Jesus at His Word (via Mind, Soul and Body)
3. Forgiveness (Gordon B. Hinckley, lds.org)
4. The Nonviolence of Early Followers of Christ

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…subject to Kings, Presidents, Rulers and Magistrates

Gordon B. Hinckley said in his address War and Peace: “…as citizens we are all under the direction of our respective national leaders. They have access to greater political and military intelligence than do the people generally. Those in the armed services are under obligation to their respective governments to execute the will of the sovereign. One of our Articles of Faith, which represent an expression of our doctrine, states, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law” (A of F 1:12). But modern revelation states that we are to “renounce war and proclaim peace” (D&C 98:16). Gordon B. Hinckley acknowledges here the inherent ‘contradictions of the peace of the gospel and the tides of war’.

1. Father, Forgive Them: The Soldiers and the King of the Jews
2. LDS views on War (Mormon History)
3. A Message of Peace for LDS in the Military (LDS Church video)
4. Iraq War Veteran Speaks Out
5. Lay Down Your Arms – Soldier of Love
6. Universal Soldier