Lying is the cowardly thing to do. People who justify lying use moral relativism and situational ethics to rationalize lying. If you lie to save your own life- is this courage in the face of battle? If you lie to save your reputation- does that breed intregrity? If you lie to confuse others- is that being honest with your fellow man? If you lie to avoid ridicule or punishment- is not this the most cowardly of all? Fearing the arm of flesh instead of fearing God? What ever happened to "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Ps. 23:4
Lying is a tool of convience- to avoid some type of unwanted consequence. Lying is always accompanied by other wrongdoing.
I was taught that satan is the father of all lies. "...yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the father of all lies..." (2 Nephi 2:18) and "Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell” (2 Ne. 9:34)
Here is a quote from a talk by Marion G. Romney
1. That Satan is the father of lying and inaugurated the practice in this world when in the Garden of Eden he lied to Eve.
2. That God cannot lie.
3. That God hates lying.
4. That liars are classified with major transgressors.
5. That they languish in this world.
6. That all unrepentant liars “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev. 21:8.)(Rev. 21:1–8.)
In the twenty-first verse of section 42 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which the Prophet Joseph Smith specified to be the law of the Church, it is written:
“Thou shalt not lie; he that lieth and will not repent shall be cast out”—meaning, of course, excommunicated from the Church. [D&C 42:21]
-"We Believe in Being Honest” President Marion G. Romney
If indeed God hates lying and punishes liars so severely- would we not expect Him to be bound by His word? Or would we expect Him to have allowance for it?
"We cannot be less than honest, we cannot be less than true, we cannot be less than virtuous if we are to keep sacred the trust given us. " "Those who are living the principle of honesty know that the Lord does bless them. Theirs is the precious right to hold their heads in the sunlight of truth, unashamed before any man. "Brothers and sisters, the Lord requires his people to be honest. May we desire with all our hearts to be honest in all our relationships and in all the things that we do. God will help us if we seek the strength that comes from him. "-We Believe in Being Honest
By President Gordon B. Hinckley
I don't believe that one can "lie for the Lord" without violating God's own commandments. Why would God sanctify a man who uses a tool of satan- i.e. lying- to further His work? Does the father of all lies have a hand in the work?- Did he help it along? Was there not an alternative?
Is not the gospel supposed to be pure? Not the philosophies of man mingled with scripture? If truth is truth than it will always be so- and time cannot right a wrong.
Just my two cents-