I think there is a natural (not as in carnal) inclination in all of us -- Notes from Zarahemla Political Forum

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, [7], 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 17:43:33 06/25/05 Sat
Author: Mary, quite contrary
Subject: I think there is a natural (not as in carnal) inclination in all of us
In reply to: Eppy 's message, "OK...I'm Sure It's No Surpise To Many of You..." on 16:40:39 06/22/05 Wed

to be able to defend ourselves. Think martial "arts". I think the Lord will use any means available to spread the gospel. Our culture at its very best is not perfect, but there was a time when the military was a very LDS-friendly "place". There became a tradition of LDS people entering the military before social mores began to deteriorate and it became less "safe". It seems like a dichotomy, but in a telestial world WHERE DO people work? Is there anything that doesn't have an ethical edge? Anything? I don't think so. I was misunderstood on this board a long time ago when I tried to make a point that there is no perfect profession; the key is to be aware of the problems (issues is my favorite word lately), to keep our eyes open, whatever our profession. The trick is to be aware. Where I differ with many people is in believing that those steering the national (and international) "vehicle" of socio/political entities have the best interests of liberty-loving people at heart. I don't think they do, George Bush least of all. But--

If you believe that our president and his "cronies" are conspiring tyrants there is still no shame in choosing a profession that would enable you to be able to protect the helpless. As long as you are aware that you are an employee and may be asked to do something against your own values. (For what to do in that case, I've related a little story below)

If you believe that our president and his "cronies" are good and are steering this U.S. vehicle wisely, there is no greater virtue in learning to defend, help, and protect than if they are evil.

So I see it.

But, I have believed from the beginning that it is the heart of the individual military "person" which matters. Just as I have to believe that the heart of any person in any career is what matters. Given the present social environments in workplaces, no place is very safe. And which profession doesn't touch some form of pitch?

This is where I believe President Hinckley is inspired. He doesn't tout any profession as being the "best"; he urges us to learn. Learn. Learn. There is no ideal profession.

I think of the man I knew (he was our stake president years ago) who served in the German army. His father was upset about his sons going to war, because he knew Hitler was bad. Both sons had to go. He pulled them close and gave each a blessing. In each blessing, that son was told that he would not have to take a life, if he was faithful and true.
The one son carried a gun throughout the war, but "circumstance" (ha!) after circumstance kept him from having to use it to kill anyone. He was right there as a soldier. The other son became a medic. Time and again he was fired on; always, though he was wounded more than once, he survived, and he never had to use his gun either. Both men came to America and bore their testimonies (the elder brother was the stake patriarch for the same stake his brother led) repeatedly about it. It didn't matter, ultimately, to them OR their father who was right or wrong in that war; what mattered was their personal worthiness; neither boy shed blood. Amazing.
So, how does this tie in?
I believe our LDS military people can have the same protection, if they have that kind of faith.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

I Agree Totally and Know Of Some Experiences Where This Has Happened (NT) -- Eppy, 12:10:49 06/26/05 Sun