Mormon President Gordon B. Hinckley pleaded for peace in Iraq while assuring church members that God would not hold those in the military responsible for what national leaders require.
He said the church's Articles of Faith state belief in being "subject to kings, presidents, rulers and magistrates in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law."
He also quoted from Doctrine & Covenants, one of the church's four books of scripture, which says the faithful "are to renounce war and proclaim peace."
Clearly "there are times and circumstances when nations are justified, in fact have an obligation to fight for family, for liberty, and against tyranny, threat and oppression," he said.
The church, Hinckley said, prays for "an end that will result in a better life for all concerned." He expressed sympathy for war's victims.
Hinckley, 92, is considered the living prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He made his comments Sunday to more than 20,000 members at the church's Conference Center and to millions around the world via satellite feed.
The church announced that the work of 61,638 missionaries produced 283,138 converts in 2002, bringing membership to 11.7 million.