LDS Church: Oregon Militia Takeover Not ‘Justified On A Scriptural Basis’

Protesters roam the Malheur National Wildlife headquarters in Burns, Ore., on Sunday, Jan 3, 2016. Armed protesters took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday after participating in a peaceful rally o... Protesters roam the Malheur National Wildlife headquarters in Burns, Ore., on Sunday, Jan 3, 2016. Armed protesters took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday after participating in a peaceful rally over the prison sentences of local ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond. The decision to send the man back to prison generated controversy and is part of a decades-long dispute between some Westerners and the federal government over the use of public lands. (Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out against the militant takeover of a federal building in rural, eastern Oregon in a statement issued Monday.

“Church leaders strongly condemn the armed seizure of the facility and are deeply troubled by the reports that those who have seized the facility suggest that they are doing so based on scriptural principles,” the Mormon Church’s statement read. “This armed occupation can in no way be justified on a scriptural basis.”

Ammon Bundy, son of infamous Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, said in a video published Friday that “the Lord was not pleased with what was happening to the Hammonds,” referring to the two Oregon ranchers facing prison time for arson.

Bundy and other armed militants, who are not all from Oregon, have holed up since Saturday at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon. They’ve said they will occupy the space for years, if necessary.

The church’s statement urged “peaceful means” to end the conflict.

Read the full statement below:

While the disagreement occurring in Oregon about the use of federal lands is not a Church matter, Church leaders strongly condemn the armed seizure of the facility and are deeply troubled by the reports that those who have seized the facility suggest that they are doing so based on scriptural principles. This armed occupation can in no way be justified on a scriptural basis. We are privileged to live in a nation where conflicts with government or private groups can – and should – be settled using peaceful means, according to the laws of the land.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. “Scriptural basis”??? Who cares what any religious text says about anything? Why is it that in spite of the atrocities committed by so many religions, and in spite of the absurdities contained in sacred texts, people still use “scripture” as some sort of arbitration device or source of authority? And, what makes LDS’s comment even more hilarious and mock-worthy is Mormons are convinced they need to wear special underwear and that divine inspiration came through a bunch of rocks in a hat. Puhllllleeeeezzzzz.

    Hey, Joseph Smith! Pull your head out.

  2. Ammon Bundy: We don’t recognize LDS Church or Federal govt. Amerikan Jesus and Spaghetti Monster God both say to me that I should take over this building.
    Huckabee: God’s law far supercedes SCOTUS/Fed laws.
    Kim Davis: I fully support ignoring laws of our republic.

  3. “So like I said, it’s one part the mainstreaming of violent right wing extremism but also a major part comical nonsense by a bunch of losers who not only would be funny if weren’t so serious but also manage to be fairly funny even though it is serious.”

    Somebody tell Marshall that there’s NOTHING comical or funny about this situation

    It must be fucking awesome to be white

  4. Avatar for dnl dnl says:

    Don’t be giving them ideas~!!! I read ‘somewhere’ the FauXians are re-writing the Bible to reflect their ‘Family Values’ in aid of turning the US into a TEa-ocracy. Burqas designed by $ister$arah as Chariman of Religion Fashion Designer ‘under’ Trump. Fabric from HobblyLobby. Tim TeaBow as the AyahTellya WhatToBelieve. And Mike Huckabuck as the Ethics advisor…

  5. of equal relevance is the takeover’s not being justifiable on the basis of the flavor of cat crap

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

29 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for paulw Avatar for someguy Avatar for austin_dave Avatar for fgs Avatar for ajaykalra Avatar for dwward Avatar for overreach_this Avatar for newton Avatar for charliee Avatar for sysprog Avatar for vonq Avatar for Lacuna-Synecdoche Avatar for pshipkey Avatar for sonsofares Avatar for neal_anderthal Avatar for artmofo Avatar for fiftygigs Avatar for darrtown Avatar for pshah Avatar for msedlis Avatar for koseighty Avatar for gusfabriani Avatar for origamitrain

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: