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Show (BP C) President Smith: On Hunting I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food, and then he should not kill innocent little birds that are not intended for food for man. I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men whom I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood. They go off hunting deer, antelope, elk, anything they can find, and what for? "Just for the fun of itl" Not that they are hungry and need the flesh of their prey, but just because they love to shoot and destroy life. I am a firm believer, with reference to these things, in the simple words of one of the poets: "Take not away the life you cannot give, For all things have an equal right to live." Joseph F. Smith Sixth President, LDS Church Juvenile Instructor, April, 1913, 48:308-9 - |