I’ve been wondering for some time how effectively democracy will erradicate terrorism and Islamic jihadism. Our nation’s leaders would like us to believe that the beacon of democracy will eventually surpress these terrorist regimes.

But what happens when the terrorists are in your democracy?

…the Nephites did build [the Gadianton Robbers] up and support them… And thus they did obtain the sole management of the government… (Helaman 6:38-39)

Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land. (Mosiah 29:26-27)

For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted. (Helaman 5:2)

So today we have Hamas, a terrorist organization that was elected by the Palestianian people into control of their legislature. We have Hezbollah, another terrorist organization. with widespread integration into Lebanon’s government. We won’t even delve into the issue of conspiracy and corruption in our own government… But it’s amazing to see fulfillment of Book of Mormon prophecy so blatantly put before our eyes.

I came across this article which aptly states the following:

We’ve been told for some time now — against common sense and the weight of our own national experience — that the way to defeat international jihadism is to spread democracy.

So now the Lebanese democracy can’t control Hezbollah (which has been freely elected and controls about a fifth of its legislature), while the Palestinian Authority IS Hamas (the Palestinian people having democratically put them in power).

How much do we figure that Israel is hoping democracy breaks out in Egypt, with the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Jihad waiting in the wings? All it needs right about now is yet another democratic neighbor.

Democracy has many enduring benefits, but it doesn’t stop terrorists from operating — and in many ways, it makes life easier for them. When are we going to stop talking about it as a national security cure-all?

We have to kill al Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas and the rest. This is harder work than the administration’s rhetoric is preparing the nation for. We are not going to democratize these savages into submission.

The author of this article proposes annihilation as the solution to suppressing these terrorist regimes. I think in light of the fulfillment of Book of Mormon prophecy in this regard, it’s best to learn how they accomplished it, as an example for what we ought to do in our day:

And it came to pass that the Lamanites did hunt the band of robbers of Gadianton; and they did preach the word of God among the more wicked part of them, insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanites. (Helaman 6:37)

So the best way (and perhaps only effective way) to erradicate terrorist regimes is by preaching the word of God (after “hunting” them, invariably suggesting that strong military action is required). Now I’m not advocating sending the missionaries into Israel, Syria, and Iraq just yet. That’s obviously not a wise thing to do. But it is my belief that one of the reasons we’re fighting in the Middle East right now is to spread democracy as a precursor for allowing the gospel to enter those countries. I’m sure this fact is hardly on President Bush’s war agenda, but we know that all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

The Lord’s gospel has to, and will, spread to each and every nation, kindred and tongue (2 Nephi 30:8). Democracy is a precursor to allowing restorational truths to flourish, as much in Iraq as it was in 1820 America.

Annihilation, while a ephemeral solution, will not fix our problems. Terrorism will continue to fester and spread. The only remedy, the only solution, is the gospel. In the mean time, it is our duty and responsibility to stand up for “liberty and justice for all” by whatever means necessary.