MWEG Official Response to the Escalation of Conflict in Iran

Over recent days, often during official celebrations of Christianity’s most holy day, the president of the United States escalated the conflict with Iran in a manner that is deeply irresponsible and morally reprehensible. In the process, he repeatedly abused his authority as commander in chief.

In public appearances and online messaging he used language that was crude, violent, and dehumanizing — signalling a willingness to defy international law and effectuate the complete destruction of “a whole civilization.” These actions and words degraded our nation, and their juxtaposition with Easter celebrations perverted and distorted its redemptive and hopeful message.

Mormon Women for Ethical Government is a faith-based, grassroots civic organization, and as such we feel called to affirm that these positions do not reflect either the transformational values of Christianity or the will of the American people — who we continue to believe are collectively predisposed toward goodness. The call of Christ is not one of war, but peace. He demands that we retain sight of the divinity in every human being, even during periods of armed conflict. We cannot claim to be disciples of Christ while raining down unrestrained horror on God’s children.

The announcement of a two-week ceasefire is a blessed relief to all who seek peace. But it will not erase or repair the irredeemable damage that has been done to the reputation and values of the United States, nor does it rewind the needless slaughter of Iranian civilians or the terror felt by onlookers around the world.

As citizens in a representative democracy, we all bear the collective weight of the decisions made by those we have elected to lead. This includes the failure to act. As such, we plead with members of Congress to collaborate courageously and actively restore guardrails around this administration. If we continue to stand by as our most cherished values and the rule of law are deconstructed, we will find that the civilization we are watching die is our own.