Female missionaries mugged at gunpoint

[Mordecai]

I really don't think it's tempting God to turn the other Cheek and forgive those who hurt us, even if they put our life in danger. In fact, I think it's putting more faith in God.

Alma 42:19-20:

Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?//And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.

I think the principle here is clear. The law is there to make people afraid to commit crimes. If people think missionaries won't press charges, they will not be afraid to commit crimes against them, and they will be targets for future muggings. Terrible idea. If you go and confess a crime to a bishop, the bishop will tell you to turn yourself in. Or he will.

This is the basic principle of criminal justice. You have laws and punishments affixed and that helps to prevent future crimes from being committed. Mercy can't rob justice or criminals will become emboldened. Also, you tempt the Lord, like throwing yourself from a cliff, insisting God will save you.

[Walden]

If people think missionaries won't press charges, they will not be afraid to commit crimes against them, and they will be targets for future muggings. Terrible idea.

Yes, I am sure the criminal underworld is licking their chops at the prospects of mugging LDS missionaries. I mean, the criminal who mugged these two missionaries got away with a valuable Bible and Book of Mormon. Can you imagine their value on the black market? I mean, if this guy could get away with stealing a bible and book of mormon without fear of prosecution, then all those other criminals could do so as well. And then all hell would break lose and it would just be absolute anarchy.

Let's get real, the "terrible idea" is not in failing to prosecute such idiots; the terrible idea was that of teh mugger when he thought that mugging a missionary would be worth the hassle....I mean, these missionaries are people who rarely have anything of value on them except for their scriptures. If you are going to go through the hassle to mug somebody, why don't you at least hit up the guy wearing the Rolex and Armani, not the kids wearing the JC Penney suits and Timex watches while on their way to a dinner reservation at a members home because they don't have the cash to buy meals each day? Now that is the terrible idea.

[Calm]

Yes, I am sure the criminal underworld is licking their chops at the prospects of mugging LDS missionaries. I mean, the criminal who mugged these two missionaries got away with a valuable Bible and Book of Mormon. Can you imagine their value on the black market? I mean, if this guy could get away with stealing a bible and book of mormon without fear of prosecution, then all those other criminals could do so as well. And then all hell would break lose and it would just be absolute anarchy.

Let's get real, the "terrible idea" is not in failing to prosecute such idiots; the terrible idea was that of teh mugger when he thought that mugging a missionary would be worth the hassle....I mean, these missionaries are people who rarely have anything of value on them except for their scriptures. If you are going to go through the hassle to mug somebody, why don't you at least hit up the guy wearing the Rolex and Armani, not the kids wearing the JC Penney suits and Timex watches while on their way to a dinner reservation at a members home because they don't have the cash to buy meals each day? Now that is the terrible idea.

In Russia, IIRC, there was a kidnapping for ransom of some missionaries. I can't remember if it happened more than once, but where kidnapping for ransom is a business, making it clear one was not going to press charges would likely only increase the likelihood of further kidnappings.

It would seem the man took 'advantage' of an opportunity when it presented himself. We know nothing about the man himself. What if you found out he had not only mugged, but killed a person with the same gun the day before? Do you think that charges should be dropped?

I think making generic judgments in criminal cases is problematic. It should be treated on a case by case basis.

[Mordecai]

Yes, I am sure the criminal underworld is licking their chops at the prospects of mugging LDS missionaries

They specifically do target LDS chapels here in the U.S. Americans are looked upon as being rich in many foreign countries and having money. Why not target LDS missionaries, if you know there's no chance of going to prison? I don't see how this is "turning the other cheek." Not pressing charges against people who pull guns, as a rule (instead of as an exception) is dangerous and is tempting the Lord.

I think making generic judgments in criminal cases is problematic. It should be treated on a case by case basis.

Of course.

[TAO]

Alma 42:19-20:

I think the principle here is clear. The law is there to make people afraid to commit crimes. If people think missionaries won't press charges, they will not be afraid to commit crimes against them, and they will be targets for future muggings. Terrible idea. If you go and confess a crime to a bishop, the bishop will tell you to turn yourself in. Or he will.

This is the basic principle of criminal justice. You have laws and punishments affixed and that helps to prevent future crimes from being committed. Mercy can't rob justice or criminals will become emboldened. Also, you tempt the Lord, like throwing yourself from a cliff, insisting God will save you.

Mordecai, just as murderers can be forgiven by God if they are not under full knowledge, we should wait before we press charges necessarily - we do not know how accountable he is, because we do not see inside of him. Punishment is dependent on accountability, and if he does not have a high degree of accountability, the punishment will be much less harsh.

If he's doing this to multiple people, he may need to go to jail for a few years (I don't think massive 50 year sentences do very much good all the time... they are only necessary some of the time), and come out a better man. If it's something he regrets though, it will be better to drop charges. Jesus counciled us that if someone wished to sue us for our coat, to give him our cloak also. We should be very careful about how quickly we condemn other men, we have not lived their live quite as they have, and they may be due more mercy than we normally give them.

Let's hope he is feeling regretful about it, rather than wanting to do it more.

Best Wishes,

TAO

[Mordecai]

Mordecai, just as murderers can be forgiven by God if they are not under full knowledge, we should wait before we press charges necessarily - we do not know how accountable he is...

True, we don't know. Of course, we'll probably never know. That's up to God to decide and the justice system. We, as individuals, aren't given that responsibility, unless it's been given via gov't channels. Now, if the person was a member of the Church, I'd be inclined to let the bishop handle things. But in this case, you certainly go straight to the gov't and let them do their work. Then the sister missionaries can go back to doing what they do, which is missionary work, hopefully without anyone pulling another gun on them.