All across the United States, and in various other countries, reports are swirling of murders, assaults and vandalism performed on people who look Arabic or of Middle Eastern descent. These crimes are being committed out of anger and in retaliation for the terrorist attacks that rocked the United States on Sept. 11.

In Orange County, Calif., officials have documented 24 such crimes, the most crimes attributed solely to race that they have counted during any year in the past decade. In Chicago, police report 13 such crimes since Sept. 11. In Kansas City, seven such crimes are under investigation. In Salt Lake City, fire was set to a restaurant owned by a U.S. citizen from the Middle East. In Mesa, Ariz., a member of the Sikh religion was shot to death because a man apparently mistook him for a Muslim. Similar shootings have been reported from several locations.

Nobody knows for sure how many instances of threats, outright discrimination or violence have been perpetrated in the name of vengeance, but the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington recently estimated the number of known reports at 700.

It is understandable that people feel anger and helplessness after so many innocent lives were taken in acts of merciless terror in New York City, Washington, D.C., and aboard commercial jets. But the scriptures are very clear. War and the need to seek justice for crimes are not valid excuses for abandoning Christlike behavior. Circumstances never can be used as cover for sin. That is a doctrine modern prophets have consistently reinforced.

Speaking in general conference earlier this month, President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "I ask particularly that our own people do not become a party in any way to the persecution of the innocent. Rather, let us be friendly and helpful, protective and supportive."

In the closing session of that conference, he said, "Our safety lies in the virtue of our lives. Our strength lies in our righteousness. God has made it clear that if we will not forsake Him, He will not forsake us."

Latter-day Saints, of all people, cannot become so caught up in the events of the day that they lose perspective of the meaning of life, or of the reasons a loving God placed them here. They cannot afford to forget their responsibilities to the kingdom of God, nor that they are required to be charitable under all circumstances.

The key to overcoming hate and anger is the same today as it has been since the grand councils were held in the pre-mortal realm. It is to live as Christ would; to let virtue and charity overcome sin and hate. This is the key to a strength that can overcome seemingly insurmountable foes. "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee," the Psalmist wrote. (Psalm 84:5.) In the Book of Mormon, the Lord promised that the American continent would be a choice land whose people "shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ. . . ." (Ether 2:12.)

Other scriptures make it clear that blessings await the people of any nation who obey the commandments. The scriptures are filled with examples of how nations were saved only through reliance on the love of God and obedience to His commandments.

The Savior repeatedly urged His followers to love their enemies and to return evil with good. To much of the world, that remains as radical a teaching today as it was during His mortal ministry. But it is absolutely essential behavior for anyone wishing to return into God's presence.

This does not mean that people and nations should not fight for freedom and liberty. It does, however, put that fight in a different, more sacred light — one that never would justify doing evil as an act of revenge.