President Gordon B. Hinckley offered an LDS perspective on war in Iraq that caused serious reflection for some members.

"The nations of the earth have been divided over the present situation," President Hinckley said in general conference on Sunday morning. "Feelings run strong. There are demonstrations for and against. We are now a world church with members in most of the nations which have argued this matter. Our people have had feelings. They have concerns."

BYU's campus has been no exception to the climate of debate regarding the, war and those who sustain President Hinckley as a prophet of God now have more religious guidance on which to base their actions and opinions.

"I thought it was wonderful," said Stanley Taylor, a professor of political science at BYU. "It doesn't alter anything I've thought in the past. I was delighted to hear it, it's council for which we've all been praying."

"He (President Hinckley) said this is a continuation of the war on terrorism," said Athelia Graham, a recent BYU graduate who attended the Sunday morning session in the conference center. "I agree with him on all counts. I didn't have any issues with what he said and I was glad he was specific about certain things."

President Hinckley spoke about the responsibilities of the members of the church in time of conflict. He emphasized that all people are brothers and sisters, as children of God.

"He kind of helped the [international] situation by first saying that we should look at everyone as God's children," said Faaifoauolelagi Pili, a senior from American Samoa, majoring in political science, "We have no quarrel with the Muslims, they are our brethren. He makes it clear that we are all about peace and we hope this conflict will be over as soon as possible."

Pili said President Hinckley's talk caused him to reflect on how the current conflict relates to the examples of war he cited from the scriptures, including Captain Moroni's title of liberty.

"I didn't exactly get what his position is and I think he did that on purpose," Pili said.

Former BYU student LDS church member Caleb Proulx, who recently withdrew from school after being arrested in peaceful protest of the war, would not comment on his feelings or reactions to President Hinckley's talk.

"If I feel the government is doing something immoral," Proulx told the associated press last week. "I'm willing to break the law in the tradition of nonviolent civil disobedience and I'm willing to accept the consequences."

"In a democracy we can renounce war and proclaim peace," President Hinckley said. "There is opportunity for dissent. Many have been speaking out, and doing so emphatically. That is their privilege. That is their right, so long as they do so legally."