Some news outlets have misinterpreted a recent general conference address by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. We encourage reporters and editors to consider the full text of Elder Nelson’s remarks which is available on our Web site.

Elder Nelson pointed to the example and teachings of the Savior as "the pathway to peace on earth and good will among men." He also made plain that the scriptures "strongly condemn wars of aggression, but sustain obligations of citizens to defend their families and their freedoms."

His remarks further explain:

"Because ‘we believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law,’ members of this Church will be called into military service of many nations. ‘We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.’

During the Second World War when members of the Church were forced to fight on opposing sides, the First Presidency affirmed that ‘The state is responsible for the civil control of its citizens or subjects, for their political welfare, and for the carrying forward of political policies, domestic and foreign. . . . But the Church itself, as such, has no responsibility for these policies, [other] than urging its members fully to render . . . loyalty to their country."

Full content of Elder Nelson's address