- Opening Song: Hymn # 270 "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go"
- Scripture: Alma 43:45-47
- Story The Candy Bomber
The majority of news about the ongoing operations in Iraq are negative and filled with news about fighting and protests against Coalition Forces. After having flown over almost every portion of Iraq and interacting with several Iraqi civilians up close, I believe our military leaders when they say that 95% of all Iraqi's are happy with our presence in their country and what we are doing for them.
When Iraqi's see our helicopters flying around, we receive excited waves from children and adults alike. Last year when I convoyed through half the country, every town had the streets lined with people waving and yelling things like "Thank you!" and "Go USA!". Every base and camp in Iraq employs local Iraqis in order to help put money into needy Iraqi hands. I just read a news report that came from one camp commander that had paid out over 7 million dollars to working Iraqi's and reconstruction projects in the local city. On a personal level, our unit is becoming known as the "Toy Bombers" because of a small event that has become a huge project.
One day one of our pilot's (who is also a member of the church) was flying over the city and saw several children kicking around a flat soccer ball. The site inspired him to gather up all the extra balls and frisbees laying around camp and on the next flight over the town, they dropped them in the playing field. The next day the parents came to the base to thank the pilots for showing such love towards their children. The story spread home to the pilots' families and as they started sending additional toys to Iraq to be dropped for the children, more people started to get involved. Now the "Toy Bombers" are quickly becoming a large organization. The last shipment arrived with 18 large boxes filled with toys that have been dropped in towns and villages all over Iraq. For more info on the Toy Bombers go to http://toybomber.org
Update July 05 The Toy Bombers site was down the last time I checked and I know the unit is currently in the United States again, but will be headed back to Iraq soon. I don't know if they have intentions to continue with the Toys.
In the Sunday Morning session of the latest General Conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a talk titled "War and Peace"
One of our Articles of Faith, which represent an expression of our doctrine, states, "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law" (A of F 1:12).
But modern revelation states that we are to "renounce war and proclaim peace" (D&C 98:16).
In a democracy we can renounce war and proclaim peace. There is opportunity for dissent. Many have been speaking out and doing so emphatically. That is their privilege. That is their right, so long as they do so legally. However, we all must also be mindful of another overriding responsibility, which I may add, governs my personal feelings and dictates my personal loyalties in the present situation.
When war raged between the Nephites and the Lamanites, the record states that "the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for ... power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church.
And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God" (Alma 43:45-46).
The Lord counseled them, "Defend your families even unto bloodshed" (Alma 43:47).
And Moroni "rent his coat; and he took a peicce thereof, and wrote upon it-In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children-and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
"And he fastened on his headplate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren" (Alma 46:12-13).
It is clear from these and other writings that 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.
Last year when I deployed over here, myself and many others believed it was in defense of our families back in the United States. Although many do not feel that threat any more, I find comfort in knowing that even the Iraqi people are our brothers and sisters and we are helping bring the blessings of liberty our brethren like Moroni. I know that I joined the military as a result of personal revelation. I know that I am doing the Lord's work while serving in Iraq and have seen the positive effects first hand that we have brought the people who live here. I pray in my heart that this operation we are conducting in Iraq is in preparation for allowing the gospel to be preached to the people in the Middle East. I continually pray for the Holy Ghost to guide our leaders and commanders in their plans and decisions. I am grateful that my service in the military can be focused on helping save people. I share this testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
- Activity Ideas
- Make your own "Title of Liberty" like Moroni with paint and a large piece of paper, or even "rent" and old shirt and use a piece thereof like Moroni. Explain what it means when people of old "rent" their clothing.
- Buy some candy bars and have string and handkerchiefs available to recreate the actions of the "Candy Bomber". Try different sized parachutes and how high and how much hang time you can get with your candy bar
- Put together a box to send to the Toy Bombers for the children in Iraq. Visit the Toy Bomber website for more information on what to send.
- Closing Song: Hymn #152 "God be with you till we meet again"
