Children Quote by Joseph Smith Jr
““8 And the husbands and fathers of those women and children they have slain; and they feed the women upon the aflesh of their husbands, and the children upon the flesh of their fathers; and no water, save a little, do they give unto them. 10 And after they had done this thing, they did murder them in a most acruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death; and after they have done this, they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts, because of the hardness of their hearts; and they do it for a token of bravery.””
About This Quote
Source Scripture: Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 12:8-10, 1830
The passage depicts extreme cruelty and cannibalism as a consequence of hardened hearts, portraying brutal acts as misguided symbols of bravery.
In simple terms: Harsh cruelty caused by hardened hearts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the danger of cruelty and seek compassion.
Themes
cruelty
dehumanization
war
morality
Mood
horrific
somber
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- war crimes
- genocide
- human rights violations
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
human nature
symbolic violence
psychology of brutality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does dehumanization enable cruelty?
- What moral safeguards prevent such brutality?
A Different Perspective
Such extreme acts are historically rare and may be symbolic rather than literal.
