Thou Shalt Not Kill

     I want to describe some value instruction I received from my mother.  Its something I would like to communicate to family members.  It is something with which I struggled a bit regarding its application, but also have a profound appreciation for this standard and strategy for living.
    This is it.  As a boy my mother taught me that I should never, never, never point a gun at another human being.  Not in my thoughts, not in my words, not even in pretense or simulation in my actions.  Little boy games of cops-and-robbers, war, or cowboys-and-Indians were totally unacceptable, as were any kind of games that simulated killing or hurting human beings.
    This seemed to be an application of the commandment that one should not kill or the higher law prohibiting anything like it.  The underlying principle seemed to be to have a profound respect for life and to avoid anything that even suggested causing hurt.
    I pondered other applications of this principle.  
    What about going to war?  I was close to being drafted into the military when I was college age.  I wondered if I could kill if I were in the service.  Our scriptures seem to say that a people would be justified in fighting if they are attacked but should never be the instigators, so I suppose I would do what was necessary for our country in the latter case, but with reluctance.
    What about arming myself with a gun to protect myself and our family?  I have never felt comfortable with the use of guns, so I guess we will just take our chances.
    What about killing animals?  My family owned a .22 caliber rifle a part of my growing up time.  We lived on a farm.  My father used the gun only when we had a farm animal ready to be butchered for food for our family, and seemed a little uncomfortable with its use.  I think he loved his animals and it hurt to lose one, even though our family had limited resources and he was responsible to provide for our necessities.
    What about eating meat?  The scriptures justify eating a limited amount of meat and in my judgement animal protein is a part of a healthy diet.  However, animals should be treated humanely, and suffering avoided or minimized in the process.  Their flesh should not be wasted.
    What about hunting?  That has had no interest to me, but I suppose that in earlier years I would have done it reluctantly to provide for my family.  I would not hunt for sporting purposes.
    What about fishing?  Earlier in my life I wondered if I should avoid fishing, but took up the practice as I became involved in scouting.  It seemed to be helpful for relationship-building with the boys.  My rule was: “If you catch ‘em, you eat ‘em.”  Do not waste food.  Try to minimize suffering by the fish.
    What about killing noxious animal life?  Joseph Smith instructed the men of Zion’s Camp to not kill rattlesnakes, but move them our of the way.  Ordinarily I would take a “live and let live” approach to any animals, insects, etc. that come my way.  Avoid dangerous critters, of course.  But probably those that come into our living spaces, i.e., flies, mosquitos, spiders, for example, and pose some problems with cleanliness and or biting, must be dealt with.