posted
I was sitting among a group of older Mormon ladies the other day. Nice bunch of folk. Are their any Mormon Hatrackers that can verify what they were talking about?
Here goes an attempt to rely on my memory on a subjecdt I don't understand. The following statements are me just randomly putting down my memory-thoughts and don't reflect what I believe.
quote: Mormons believe in the priesthood. They were talking about the war in Iraq. God does not like war, but sometimes it is justified to bring about his purposes. After WWII, many countries (that had religious intolerance--ie Japan and Germany) built temples and welcomed missionaries. Iraq will follow the same pattern.
There were a group of soldiers in Iraq who realized that they had the priesthood and Babylon had not had the priesthood since the days of Abraham. They identified strongly with the "stripling fighters?"
The created a non-denominational church and invited others to worship with them. Upon request they gave blessings--first time since Abraham.
These Stripling Soldiers were involved in the heaviest conflict in Iraq and not one died. One of these Mormons was actually "The Person" who found Saddam.
They think the war will be resolved and the Mormon Church will already have an influence and eventually a temple in Babylon - a sign off the last days.
Is this for real? Has anyone else heard this? I have a feeling that it is a bunch of nice old ladies who want to feel like they know something no-one else does in order to feel important. I admit, they were interesting.
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posted
It wasn't an internet thingy to my knowledge. They were just talking. No one mentioned a computer. But yeah, it sounds like a hoax to me.
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posted
I'm guessing they got their "facts" from the letter going around, either directly or through someone telling them about it; unfortunately, the one that clarifies that it's not true has not managed to reach everyone who got the original e-mail (although we're doing our best to get it out there).
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posted
Thanks for the link Ketchupqueen. I have finished reading it. It must be an iternet Hoax they were talking about. I like this letter that helped clarify it.
quote:Dear Brother and all others who may read this,
I recently received a copy of the following e-mail that recounts some of the activities of the 1457th Engineer Combat Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While I do appreciate the obvious desire to recognize the wondrous power of our Heavenly Father in protecting our soldiers as well as the worthwhile work that the 1457th performed in Iraq, I feel that I need to comment on the significant amount of inaccuracy that it contains.
By way of introduction, my name is James Montoya. I am the Chaplain for the 1457th. I was with them in Iraq. First, I wish to state that I am certain that the author(s) had no intention of deceiving anyone by sharing our story. Second, I am very quick to recognize the hand of Heavenly Father in all the good that occurred to our unit in Iraq. It was miraculous that we had no serious combat injuries or fatalities, considering our missions and the many dangers in and around Baghdad. Third, I can see some accuracy in the stories but there is so much that is misleading that it can’t be called the truth. Fourth, I don’t have time to clarify every point. I have included a few comments below.
The explanation of Combat Engineers and their distinguished history is true. However, the 1457th did not participate in war as was portrayed in this e-mail. We were delayed in Fort Lewis, Washington until late April because the 4th ID was delayed from going into Iraq through Turkey. We watched the news with the rest of the nation as the major combat operations happened—yes, it was frustrating not to participate in the ground war as we had been mobilized to do. We arrived in Iraq after major operations had ceased.
Most of the time we were not separated into other units as is mentioned. We did have platoons or squads go with a unit for 2 to 8 weeks to assist them in their various missions. But for the most part, we were all together.
Many did hear about us. We were on the BBC, CNN, Fox news, ABC, CBS, and NBC. We were written about or had our pictures in the Washington Post, Time Magazine, and many other newspapers and magazines, both at the international and local levels. Most didn’t mention our unit by name, they only said the Army or the Army National Guard was doing something.
It is true that Utah guardsmen were working with many units in central and northern Iraq. Between the military intelligence soldiers and the engineers we worked with a lot of people. But to infer that we were doing most of the work or were involved with most of the great things that happened is untrue. We were a small part who excelled in our responsibilities, but there were also many others doing the work. We did have a few individuals we detained and we did have a few firefights with the enemy, but we didn’t free prisoners or engage in large battles. There are other things mentioned that are similar in that they are true but they are embellished to a point that I almost don’t recognize the story. I lack the time to clarify the stories.
We did pray and our group leaders did hold services for LDS soldiers and any visitors wherever they went. But for the most part it was LDS soldiers who attended. Groups of soldiers did not flock to our LDS soldiers to pray with them, but some of our 1457th soldiers of other faiths did pray with our members. At the same time there were many instances of others seeing our soldiers and being impressed by their examples of faithfulness and their miraculous protection. We did hold regular sacrament meetings at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. We were willing and did on occasion hold spot services as requested. Also, the military intelligence did hold sacrament meeting in a palace for a while, but our unit had sacrament meeting in a large maintenance tent.
Regarding the Army making special inquiries about our unit, I haven’t heard anything on that. From my biased opinion I would say that the soldiers of the Utah National Guard did exceptional work and were the most capable group of soldiers in Iraq. Many would grudgingly agree with me but I am certain there wasn’t a special inquiry made about the 1457th, at least not regarding the items mentioned.
Many of the stories have a truthful base but the facts are so far from what transpired as to make the whole story unrelateable as the truth. The facts do show a miracle of protection and tell a wonderful story of dedication and greatness by our soldiers; they are just not as extravagant. I would appreciate it if you could send my response to anyone who received the original text—especially to the individual who gave it to you.
To all that receive this, I send my profound thanks for your prayers and support while we were deployed. I witness that your prayers were answered and that we were protected and strengthened by the power of our Lord. Please continue your prayers for our brothers and sisters still in harm’s way. God bless you and God bless America! Respectfully,
James A. Montoya Battalion Chaplain 1457th Engineer Combat Chaplain
I guess Utah boys did find Saddam, but not from that battalion. I feel better now.
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posted
You're welcome. It's not that I'm not proud of LDS soldiers who do their duty bravely and wholeheartedly (although I am one of what seems like a minority of LDS people who think that we shouldn't have been fighting there in the first place, at least not for those reasons). It's just that I think we need to respect their valor and not demean their accomplishments by inflating them.
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