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Courage in a season of war: Latter-day Saints experience World War II
The complete story of the contributions made by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during World War.
- GenresNonfiction
552 pages
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 19, 2008
This book grew on me. The editor in me was annoyed by an absence of publication information, and I might have wished that the BYU-Idaho English Department had done a better editing job. Nonetheless, I'm glad I read this. Hopefully people will go on to collect volumes more of such material!
Those who seek the sensational deserve to be put off by this. It is neither action nor exposing of the sacred, but there's enough of that for those who appreciate the remaining content and flavor. The sections each open with a passage of scripture.
I enjoyed my immersion in the goodly culture of these valiant men and women. They often displayed a sly humor. Many had borne testimony freely to their comrades in arms. All felt that they'd learned from the war, which disclosed the best and the worst in people (364, 382; see Alma 62:41). The contributors weren't afraid to discuss the humanity of their foe (such as on 53), and there are touching accounts of caring that transcended racial problems of the era (39, 52, 269, 291-292, 416). I especially loved the accounts where men set aside their respective uniforms to worship at the same church (513-514, and 257-259, which is repeated in summary form in the February 2003 Ensign).
Interestingly, every comment on the use of the atomic bomb was in favor (the most direct one on p. 346). This from a group that consistently attested to feeling no hatred for the people they opposed (156, 321, 345, 364, 504), or at the very least sought to overcome hard feelings (from a POW, 324).
One critical note: while a good story, the account of an LDS WWI Medal of Honor recipient on 464-467 was out of place in this book.
Those who seek the sensational deserve to be put off by this. It is neither action nor exposing of the sacred, but there's enough of that for those who appreciate the remaining content and flavor. The sections each open with a passage of scripture.
I enjoyed my immersion in the goodly culture of these valiant men and women. They often displayed a sly humor. Many had borne testimony freely to their comrades in arms. All felt that they'd learned from the war, which disclosed the best and the worst in people (364, 382; see Alma 62:41). The contributors weren't afraid to discuss the humanity of their foe (such as on 53), and there are touching accounts of caring that transcended racial problems of the era (39, 52, 269, 291-292, 416). I especially loved the accounts where men set aside their respective uniforms to worship at the same church (513-514, and 257-259, which is repeated in summary form in the February 2003 Ensign).
Interestingly, every comment on the use of the atomic bomb was in favor (the most direct one on p. 346). This from a group that consistently attested to feeling no hatred for the people they opposed (156, 321, 345, 364, 504), or at the very least sought to overcome hard feelings (from a POW, 324).
One critical note: while a good story, the account of an LDS WWI Medal of Honor recipient on 464-467 was out of place in this book.
June 24, 2008
This is a collection of war stories from LDS soldiers/missionaries/citizens. They are mostly told by the soldiers themselves. A few are told about soldiers who didn't survive.
The collection is moving and inspiring. It gives great insight into the situation the Germans were in in their own country.
My Grandfather in law's story appears in this book. It is right on par with the other wonderful stories.
The collection is moving and inspiring. It gives great insight into the situation the Germans were in in their own country.
My Grandfather in law's story appears in this book. It is right on par with the other wonderful stories.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews