Question
Gramps,
In a question to Gramps about firearms in the US, Gramps says that hunting is now a sport, not a necessity, and that it is “a sport that is frowned on by the Mormon Church.” I was not aware that the Mormon Church had a stance on hunting. Where do the leaders talk about this?
PJ
Answer
Dear PJ,
Let’s start with the scriptures—
And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need. (Doctrine & Covenants 49:21)
This scripture should be sufficient as the word of the Lord, indicating that hunting as a sport is frowned upon by Deity. However, as recorded in the same section of the Doctrine & Covenants, we read that animals are made for the use of man.
And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God;
For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance (Doctrine & Covenants 49:18-19).
But please note that this scripture applies to the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air,– in other words, domesticated animals and birds, not to wild animals, and they–the domesticated animals–are to be used for food and clothing. The proscription against killing wild animals even for food is clearly stated in Doctrine & Covenants 89—
All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth; And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger (Doctrine & Covenants 89:4-15).
In the phrase, And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger, the pronoun, these, refers to its immediate antecedent, wild animals. Thus it is acceptable to the Lord to hunt game, or wild animals, only to be used for food in times of famine or excess of hunger.
Now, what do those who represent the Lord as prophets, seers and revelators have to say on the subject? From President Spencer W. Kimball—
“Now, I also would like to add some of my feelings concerning the unnecessary shedding of blood and destruction of life. I think that every soul should be impressed by the sentiments that have been expressed here by the prophets. And not less with reference to the killing of innocent birds is the wildlife of our country that live upon the vermin that are indeed enemies to the farmer and to mankind. It is not only wicked to destroy them, it is a shame, in my opinion. I think that this principle should extend not only to the bird life but to the life of all animals” (President Spencer W. Kimball, Fundamental Principles to Ponder and Live, Ensign (CR), November 1978, p.43).
From George Q. Cannon, who was sustained as a Counselor to President Brigham Young, and who was also sustained as the First Counselor to Presidents John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow—
“We should by every means in our power impress upon the rising generation the value of life and how dreadful a sin it is to take life. The lives of animals even should be held far more sacred than they are. Young people should be taught to be very merciful to the brute creation and not to take life wantonly or for sport. The practice of hunting and killing game merely for sport should be frowned upon and not encouraged among us. God has created the fowls and the beasts for man’s convenience and comfort and for his consumption at proper times and under proper circumstances; but he does not justify men in wantonly killing those creatures which He has made and with which He has supplied the earth” (George Q. Cannon, Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, selected, arranged, and edited by Jerreld L. Newquist, p.24).
From President Joseph Fielding Smith—
“I never could see why a man should be imbued with a blood-thirsty desire to kill and destroy animal life. I have known men-and they still exist among us-who enjoy what is, to them, the “sport” of hunting birds and slaying them by the hundreds, and who will come in after a day’s sport, boasting of how many harmless birds they have had the skill to slaughter, and day after day, during the season when it is lawful for men to hunt and kill (the birds having had a season of protection and not apprehending danger) go out by scores or hundreds, and you may hear their guns early in the morning on the day of the opening, as if great armies had met in battle; and the terrible work of slaughtering the innocent birds goes on” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, vol 4, p.45).
Gramps
