Blessings of Being a Mormon Soldier
Latter-days Saints are NEVER happy with war. But, if America needs soldiers, then one may fully expect the Latter-day Saints (LDS) to be full participants in fulfilling those needs. Mormons recognize the obligation for military service as a responsibility to the nation.
This blog overtly recognizes and appreciates the service of LDS Soldiers. Many of the blog essays on this site are directed to such soldiers. (For a listing of military related posts, click on: "LDS Soldiers").
As noted by President Kimball, there are many positives that can be obtained in the military, if one has the right attitude:
The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.419
Make good use of time in military service. [Some of you young men] are obligated to train for military service. Your time there need not be wasted. It can be a time for study, self-improvement, and service to others. Here you may learn to exercise authority gracefully so that you may have the enthusiastic cooperation from those you command rather than their insubordinate and sullen obedience. You may also learn to be a consistent follower, and how men work as teams in harmony, especially when lives depend on such unified cooperation. You will see men in their best and worst moods and learn how to judge them. Your ability to command respect from subordinates and superiors may well carry over into your business, professional, community, and ecclesiastical life.
The power of the gospel is to turn lemons into lemonade. The atonement creates that capacity.
Jesus taught us how to rise above evil while in the presence of evil. In fact, the Pharisees were always criticizing Jesus for associating with sinners. What was the response of Jesus? To paraphrase, he said, “The whole hath no need of a physician” (see Matthew 9:12). Jesus needed to be around the spiritually sick – that was part of his mission.
A careful reading of the New Testament will indicate that Jesus was far more impressed with sinners trying to improve than with self-righteous individuals who thought they had already arrived at some form of perfection.
Military and war environments are FAR from perfection. Yet, the LDS soldier can rise above it.
I have advised my LDS military son as follows: Behave in a manner that will bring honor upon your country and your Church. Behave so that your Temple Recommend can be renewed. Many LDS soldiers have preceded you, even coming from the most hardened combat theaters, and the Church would NEVER think to deny them their Temple Recommend.
Remember: Perfection in this lifetime is an unattainable ideal, but we strive toward it as if it were attainable. Jesus not only makes up the difference, but he is the difference each step of the way everyday of our lives.
Mormons have never been pacifists, because Mormonism teaches some things are worth fighting for. On April 28, 1898 at the beginning of the Spanish-American War, President Woodruff and his Counselors made the following statement: “[T]he L.D.S. Church abhors war and favors peace but when war does come its membership has always been instructed to answer the call to loyal and patriotic military service” (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.3, p.298).
In war, Mormon soldiers simply must do their best to be good Latter-day Saints. It is the job of the LDS soldier to make a little bit of heaven out of the hell of war. A “little bit” is all one can expect.
There will always be latter-day soldiers, and the Church has always been appreciative:
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.706
The Mormon servicemen, not only from the United States but other parts of the world, performed a great service to the Church during the Second World War and immediately following the war. …
Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion. The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?
LDS soldiers serving in the Middle East are merely part of the fulfillment of prophecy. Therefore, LDS soldiers know your part!! See the big view of history clearly.
Latter-day Saints always have served in the best traditions of the U.S. Army and its long military history since 1846. Mormon solders driven by prayer and the sacrament (when available) need never hang their heads.
Copyright 2008 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] c0m; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.
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