Espionage!

[Bini]

Would having a career in government espionage as an LDS prevent you from entering the temple? Obtaining information by deceit and manipulation isn't "honest dealings with your fellow man"..

[Vort]

Excellent question. The Doctrine and Covenants also has harsh words for those who lie in order to catch someone in a lie.

I don't know the answer, but I assume that espionage per se won't prevent you from getting a temple recommend. I know the FBI hires heavily from among the Latter-day Saints, and I assume the CIA does so, as well. How well such a life would fit into a gospel home is another matter.

[selek]

Originally Posted by Bini

Would having a career in government espionage as an LDS prevent you from entering the temple? Obtaining information by deceit and manipulation isn't "honest dealings with your fellow man"..

If that were the case, there would be no such thing as an LDS politician.

[Eowyn]

I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

[Eowyn]

My very LDS BIL was heavily recruited by the CIA. He ended up turning them down because his wife didn't want to raise their family in DC. He was going to be translating Chinese intelligence.

[rameumptom]

The scriptures say, "Thou shalt not kill", and yet we have thousands of active LDS in the military, who have been involved in the deaths of thousands of enemy, but also tens of thousands of innocent civilians that were unfortunate to be near those enemies.
I think the Lord makes exceptions for those who work for the defense of the government. Remember, Capt Moroni and others used deceit as a strategem against the Lamanites.

[ZionsRodeVos]

I was thinking of the military too when I read this.

I was in the military during the first gulf war and my unit was sent there. I remained behind because I was in supply and I ordered gear from Camp Pendleton and shipped it to my unit. However, if I would have been on the front lines I would have been shooting to kill because that is what you do in the military and I would have felt as Captain Moroni did in that this was allowed because I would have been following military orders and my leaders believed it was necessary for the defense of our country.

I view espionage the same way. The knowledge someone in espionage would be seeking would be to help those in charge better defend our country. Of course, for myself, I would not take a job like that because I wouldn't want to learn how to be deceptive. But that is just me.

[pam]

You mention Camp Pendleton. Were you in the Marines?

[Blackmarch]

Originally Posted by Bini

Would having a career in government espionage as an LDS prevent you from entering the temple? Obtaining information by deceit and manipulation isn't "honest dealings with your fellow man"..

Not necessarily. a grand majority of obtaining information can be done honestly. But if it's necessary for actions that are otherwise, then it won't bar you from heaven just as having to kill during a war won't necessarily bar you.
(I'd point to the example of Nephi when he had to go obtain the brass plates from laban is a good example, and there is also the times when subterfuge was used during the nephite-lamanite wars to avoid bloodshed)

[ZionsRodeVos]

Originally Posted by pam

You mention Camp Pendleton. Were you in the Marines?

Yes. I was in 3rd Battalion 5th Marines for most of the 4 years I served active duty.