Better that one man should die...

We all remember where we were. How could we forget?  I was home, getting my kids ready for school. Once I heard, I spent the rest of the day glued to the TV.  My heart sank lower and lower. This couldn't be real.We lived near the Salt Lake airport and for a week the skies were conspicuously quiet.   The next days were filled with sadness as I watched strangers plead for their loved ones to be found.  Lucky for me, my grief was distant and empathetic. I knew no one who died that day.
I've watched with interest since Sunday when Osama was killed.  Facebook gives us such a great ability to share our opinions.  I've seen everything from disgust that we would be happy about a murder-any murder, to those who are glad he died, but don't think we should celebrate it. Those who are more like me do celebrate his death. I don't think I would've gone out and joined the crowds, but then, I'm old. If I were younger, I probably would have. I think he got what he deserved.
One of the reasons I feel this way about him dying comes from my religious beliefs, more specifically, the Book of Mormon. In 1 Nephi, the Lord tells Nephi-
"Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes."  (Can't think of anyone more wicked than Osama bin Laden.)
Nephi didn't want to murder Laban, he shrank from that responsibility.  The Lord continued-
"It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief."
There are  instances in the Book of Mormon where murderers are put to death (Alma 1:14). Also, where wicked men who lead others against their nation are executed (Alma 62:8-9).
It isn't just the scriptures, though. I have deep feelings about how someone who caused so much death, injury and grief should be dealt with.  I honestly believe that the punishment he receives after death is much harsher than anything we could mete out here on earth.  A prison in America couldn't cause the 'weeping and wailing' I'm sure he's doing now.
Lastly, I don't believe in murder. I also don't believe that when soldiers are going to capture a criminal, who then engages them in a 40 minute fire fight, and those soldiers kill that criminal, that that is murder.  It's justice at work.
I celebrate our country, our freedom and the fact that a terrorist who killed 2996 Americans on our own soil is no longer here. God Bless America.

P.S. I know that you may not agree with me- and isn't that one of the greatest things about our country? That we not only get to have our own opinions, but that we can express them without any fear of repercussions?  Share them with me, if you like. We can agree to disagree and go on being friends!

Comments

  1. TeddiMay 3, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Amen!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DebMay 3, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Couldn't have said it better myself! I am also a little disturbed by those that are heralding Obama a hero. He's not a hero - he just happened to be in the Presidential position at the right time. Those Navy Seals are the real heros. And I celebrate Bin Laden's death as the weakening of Al Qaeda!

    ReplyDelete
  3. LiaMay 3, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    I was thinking of writing a similar post. Funny how I kept thinking of scripture as well.

    I personally have found FB very disturbing. I don't think a 2 sentence post can truly articulate the depth of meaning and emotion a person feels, thus leaving a lot of room for misunderstanding. I've seen a few instances of very immature behavior (arguments turned ugly) and very contentious remarks being posted on statuses trying to provoke.
    I am grateful for all people who moved this event forward, especially the men who willingly put themselves in harms way. I do not celebrate death, but I do know that we must defend ourselves from those that would murder us and our children without a thought. I do not feel that we are trying to cure hate with hate, rather we love our selves, our families our country and our fellow man enough to want to protect them. I am glad we have one less person in the world plotting to destroy all of that. A lot of the people who have the freedom to disagree, who have the right to voice their disgust in our killing a killer, have that right because of these same kinds of engadgements.

    A great thing has happened. An evil influence in the world has been removed, and is now meeting his maker. I can't pretend to imagine that encounter. I do know that our Father in Heaven loves all of his children. Can you imagine the pain this one man has caused him? Just a thought.

    Well, I do go on and could keep going on. Thanks for posting, now I don't have to organize my own thoughts! I just ramble some of them out here and I feel better.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JulieMay 4, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    Lia- I actually hadn't thought about it in that way, of how much it hurt Heavenly Father. It's true that He loves Osama like He loves us and I'm sure He has immeasurable disappointment at his life.

    ReplyDelete

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