Editor's note: This article was written
by Bill Snow. If you have any inspirational missionary stories you
would like to contribute to Meridian Magazine, please write to Laurie
Williams Sowby by clicking here.
Our current prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, has been inspired to form a Military Relations Department to serve those brave men and women who have chosen to serve our country in these perilous times. Young soldiers, sailors and airmen who have left home, many for the first time, and have found themselves in a harsh, strict, and disciplined environment foreign to what they were raised in. In this environment many of them face new physical, emotional and spiritual challenges.
Because of my military background, my wife Rosalie and I were called to be liaisons between the Church and military at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for six months, beginning in October 2005. We had some memorable experiences as we tried to search out and provide loving support for the young men and women stationed there. Many of the things we did seem small, but they were by no means insignificant.
A portion of the Sierra Vista First Ward bishop's welcome letter gives some insight into the challenges the young military people face:
Seniors on Call
As the days went on, we were as close to the soldiers as a phone call. Even though they weren't allowed to call us during duty hours, we would sometimes get a text message alerting us to what was going on and requesting our support that evening. We often had soldiers to our little apartment for diner or just dessert.
Sometimes we would get unusual calls. For example, a young man called one evening to say that his car had broken down and that he needed to get to his barracks before curfew. I rushed on-post to pick him up, and we made it just in time. I then made several trips to the local parts store to secure the right alternator for his car so he could have transportation to visit his new bride in Tucson the next weekend.
Because of the strict rules for the soldiers, they were not allowed to go anywhere without what is called a Battle Buddy until they had reached a certain phase of their training. So, early in their training, they would often come to our services with a non-member friend. That gave us the opportunity to share the gospel with many more of them.
Brother H was one of those golden contacts the Lord had prepared for us. At 32, he was older than most of the soldiers, and he was spiritually prepared. We were able to teach him at the chapel about the Restoration of the gospel. We then invited him and another investigator to our apartment to learn about the Plan of Salvation.
Brother H entered the waters of baptism last February and was supported at the service by many of our LDS soldiers. It was amazing to watch his transformation as he received the Holy Ghost as his companion, and then received the Aaronic priesthood and was ordained to the office of a priest. His first official duty was to bless the sacrament.
One Sunday, three young sisters came to sacrament meeting in tears. They were homesick and wanted to leave the military. One of them was married. Her husband had also joined the Army and was now in training at San Antonio, Texas — 500 miles away.
I was able to give each of them a priesthood blessing, assuring them that God was aware of their situation, that He loved them, and that He would make their burden lighter. Sister Snow was yoked with the Savior in helping them overcome their burdens. She gave each of them a mother-hug and wiped away their tears. We then set a time for us to take them off-post to a nice restaurant for dinner, where we could be together and socialize.
Not all of our LDS soldiers training at Fort Huachuca were new to the military. Some were there to learn new military occupational skills. Brother G was one of those students. He had a family back home in Michigan and had served in Afghanistan.
After his oldest son committed suicide, Brother G was having emotional struggles. He asked if I could counsel or talk with him. In a private room where he was able to get his feelings out, I was able to provide him with three published articles that addressed his situation and helped him cope with his loss.
Serving Other Members
Our service in the community often translated into help for a member in need. One day while dining at our favorite restaurant, Wendy's, we met Maria. We discovered she was a single mom with four children. A victim of domestic violence, she had been relocated to a safer place. She was working long hours at minimum wage to support her family. Because of our volunteer work on-post with Turn Around Point, we were able to help her with clothing for her and her children. Through our service as volunteers at the Thrift Store, we were able to purchase a used washer for her for $85.
She was so thankful for our support and kindness to her and her family that she invited us, along with the full-time Spanish-speaking missionaries, to dinner. After meeting her 4-year-old daughter, I went back to the Turn Around Point and picked up several children's books for her, which I read over and over to her at her request. What a wonderful family and what a tremendous job Maria is doing to raise her children in the gospel!
Sharing Our Testimonies
While serving as Military Relations Missionaries, we had many opportunities to support the local ward's missionary program. We would often work with the full-time missionaries and take them to their appointments. Once we were assigned to visit a part-member family. The ward and the missionaries hadbeen working with Sister M for three years, but had been unable to get her to commit to baptism.
On our first visit, we felt the Spirit very strongly, so Sister Snow bore her testimony of the blessings of the gospel that were in store for this sister and her family. She also told Sister M what a great blessing it was that her husband was worthy to baptize her.
Upon our next visit when she was challenged for baptism, Sister M consented and set a date. What a wonderful baptism! The Spirit was so strong. All of her family and her husband's family were in attendance and gave beautiful talks on the purpose of baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and temple ordinances. We felt privileged to have been an instrument in the Lord's hands in bringing His blessings to this wonderful family.
Liaisons between Soldiers and Parents
It was interesting that we not only helped the soldiers through the rigors of military life, but we also helped their parents. Parents were often more stressed and worried about their soldiers than the soldiers themselves were! We kept in regular contact with many of the parents by telephone and email.
Upon learning of our mission's end, Sister L's mom called and with tears thanked us for helping her daughter through the difficult times. She was now worried about how her daughter would fare without us. After we explained that we would be replaced next month by another couple, she was very relieved.
Fruits of Our Labors
Oftentimes during our mission, we wondered if we were affecting lives and if we were really needed. It wasn't always apparent during much of our mission until we were ready to come home. Our last Sunday with the group was fast and testimony meeting. Tears began to flow as the soldiers expressed their gratitude for our being there for them.
Sister R, the young married soldier whose husband was stationed 500 miles away in Texas, expressed her love for us and her gratitude for our supporting her through the lonely and tough time of separation. She was especially thankful for the priesthood blessings we'd provided her and others during their adjustment to military life.
Sister L, who had once thought it would be better to leave home and get out on her own, felt that she was now in prison! We became her family away from home, and gave her much comfort, which kept her in touch with who she was, why she was here and where she was going. Brother G bore his testimony and told us of his love and appreciation for helping him through his personal crisis.
We know that it is not important where we serve, but how . As we recall our experiences as a missionary couple, we can't help remembering King Benjamin's words. We felt we were truly in the service of our God as we served the young U.S. soldiers at Fort Huachuca.
