Review
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Title: Even Unto Bloodshed: An LDS Perspective on War
Author: Duane Boyce
Publisher: Greg Kofford Books
Genre: LDS Studies on War
Year Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 312
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-58958-630-7
Price: $29.95
Reviewed by Kris Wray for the Association for Mormon Letters
This volume by Duane Boyce, Ph.D., is an important contribution in the debate over whether or not Latter-day Saints should support or engage in war or violence in any form. Boyce maintains that under certain conditions members of the LDS Church are morally justified in taking up arms, and therefore strict pacifism, despite what some Mormon theologians have occasionally promoted, is not a notion supported in secular/political reasoning or LDS scripture. To the contrary, a significant amount of material exists in LDS literature which lays out the philosophy behind what warrants war. Even so, Boyce makes the case that when physical violence is engaged in by believers in the divine calling of Jesus Christ, it should be done with the utmost caution and calculated wisdom.
Part 1 of “Even Unto Bloodshed” begins by reviewing and analyzing secular theories, in particular the “Just War Theory,” which address and/or counter popular pacifist arguments, while at the same time detailing when and why war is permitted, and how it is to be waged. Part 2 takes on pacifism through the lens of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Part 3 combines everything discussed into a systematic outlook of how Latter-day Saints ought to approach war.
The author places relevant Book of Mormon texts, such as the popular story about the famous Ammonites who refused to fight, under the microscope and convincingly dismantles strict pacifism verse by verse. His exegesis of LDS scripture challenges a number of assumptions and claims in the writings of such noted scholars as Hugh Nibley, Eugene England, and Joshua Madson.
A discussion on the reasons why the Lord allows His people to be engaged in war, and how far and in what ways He assists them, is an interesting part of the book. A comparison between the teachings of Jesus Christ and war citations in scripture unveils some fascinating insight into what Holy Writ says concerning how humans should solve confrontations between themselves.
Boyce’s review of Section 98 in the Doctrine and Covenants, which gives the divine limitations and prescriptions for violence to the modern Saints in an 1833 revelation to Joseph Smith, is pertinent to the equation. Questions about violence in the act of self-defense, and even preemptive action to minimize oncoming threats of violence, are also answered.
Having settled the question of whether or not strict pacifism is a viable option in Book of Mormon theology, “Even Unto Bloodshed” attempts to create an LDS perspective of war by promoting the teachings of Christ, the 38th chapter of Alma, and three discourses by recent LDS leaders. While Boyce does achieve his goal in many ways, it’s regrettable that a little more attention was not paid to Section 98 and other modern revelations, as there is still much to be said about them. I also wish he would have gone over the experiences of early Latter-day Saints in Kirtland, Missouri, in Illinois, and in Utah, considering the amount of fighting they were involved in. Observing the discourse and behavior of the Mormon participants in those conflicts, and also that of their leaders, in particular Joseph Smith, would provide germane understanding into how they themselves interpreted LDS canon and the revelations given to them. The rich and detailed Hebrew Testament war narratives are also grossly underused.
One small criticism of the book I have is that several episodes of past wars and conflicts that are cited as examples to make a point lack the sufficient revisionism these histories have experienced in the past decade or so. If they are simply considered illustrations or hypothetical situations, they still serve to demonstrate why or why not certain actions may be necessary. But, when human casualties are at stake, it is detrimental to make decisions based on the most accurate information possible. I think it’s important to remember that a huge part of war is control of public perception and opinion; therefore, deception and propaganda inevitably become powerful tools used by all sides of a conflict. Utilizing simplified versions of history written by the victors of World War II, for example, may not give a true perception of the complexities, dilemmas, and misdeeds which all sides dabbled in. In other words, the opposing actors of war are almost never completely virtuous or totally evil, as Boyce points out in Chapter 6, so likewise, wars that the powers-that-be deem “just” often include atrocities against noncombatants by both sides.
“Even Unto Bloodshed” is one of the best books published on the war and violence themes in the Book of Mormon, no doubt, and the author does an admirable job summarizing his position. Nevertheless, there is so much more to be said on this issue that it cannot be called the last word on the subject, though I believe his overall thesis is correct, and would only be expanded upon if the above suggestions were implemented. All in all, if you are interested in the question of how Latter-day Saints should approach the question of war and violence, this book is a necessary addition to the debate.