Just because it is historical doesn’t mean it is good. Seeing any kind of violence—whether the violence is historically accurate or not—can dull our spiritual senses and affect our actions. The Church has produced some excellent historical films that, of necessity, contain images of war or bloodshed. But they do it in such a way that the images are not graphic or gruesome and the movies do not glorify the violence taking place. For the Strength of Youth says, “Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable.” Historical accuracy does not trump spiritual appropriateness, no matter what story is being told.
But it’s just violence. I love what the Lord told Noah in Moses 8:28-30.
“The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence… for all flesh had corrupted its way… The end of all flesh is come febore me, for the earth is filled with violence…”
It was a world that was filled with violence that led to the flood. It was violence which caused all flesh to become corrupted. But it’s just violence, right? Or is it?
A key component to that scripture is: “all flesh had corrupted its way”, and “the end…is come”. Obviously, violence is a corruption of humanity, to such a degree, that humanity was wiped off of the face of the earth.
13th Article of Faith: “…if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
We create our futures with what we put into our minds today. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
I vote that we all work together to create beauty, not destruction.