AboutJason Expertise Please state your experience or current knowledge of the LDS faith so that I can better answer your question. I served a two-year LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. I have been a member of the LDS Church my entire life. I was married for eternity (sealed) to my beautiful wife just this year. I don't know all the answers, but any that require my perspective, I would be glad to try or help find the answer.
Experience I have been a member of the LDS Church my entire life. I served a two-year LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. I was married for eternity (sealed) to my beautiful wife just this year. My father has taught LDS religion classes as his profession most of my life. I have been somewhat aquainted with members of the Fundamentalist LDS faith and have some friends that were a part of that religion.
Organizations The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church)
Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Education/Credentials BS - Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University
MBA - Currently enrolled, University of Utah
Question An Atheist asked me if your God Jesus is love and love us then why He command Saul to killed every one including women and infant of Amalek ?
1 Samuel Chapter 15
15:2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
15:3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
Answer Sorry for the delay. Been busy preparing for our first child!
I think there are many possible answers to the topic you mention. Some of which are comforting to me, but may not work for your atheist friend. I would imagine scriptures from the bible aren't going to be much help to them here.
Some things I know. I know that God loves us, His children. I also know that His dealings with us don't always make sense to us (Isaiah 55:8-9). Beyond that, I think the best logical explanation has to do with the laws of justice and mercy. He loves us and wants to have mercy on us, but the law of justice requires that broken laws carry their consequence.
You may not hold the Book of Mormon as scripture as I do, but if you read in the book of Alma, chapter 42 (found at http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/42) it goes a long way to explain why God must exercise justice. Most of the time, it seems he allows the wicked to make their wicked choices, but when He sees fit to step in and let the "sword of justice" fall (especially if it is to spare the righteous), we can't help but admit He is just.
On a personal note, I have to wonder if some of those "wicked" that we read of God destroying in the bible weren't better off eternally by being sent to the judgment before their sins were any more grave. It might actually be an act of love and mercy for them.
Overall, there are so many more examples of Him dealing with us with incredible mercy. I believe He is so anxious to forgive us. Those that received His wrath in the Old Testament must have really fought His mercy or spitefully stood in the way of His work.
I hope that helps in some way. I pray the Lord will be with you and inspire you as you try to explain the nature of our Father in Heaven.
