Living the Gospel in the Military

Well, I actually have never posted a message on a Blog before. So I hope that I'm doing this right. Anyways, living the gospel while being in the Air Force has been quite interesting. After the first few months of being in the Air Force I got a general letter from someone in the Quorum of the Seventy addressed to all LDS members in the military service. I was quite suprised that such a letter was written. It was written beautifully. I felt the spirit as I read the letter. The letter came at a very unexpected time; during basic training. It's quite an experience at basic training working 16 hour days, your MTL screaming down your face, given tasks to be completed in impossible time frames, minimal contact with family/friends, 3 hour classroom sessions while sitting on a concrete floor, and only having 1min 30 sec to eat each meal. On Sunday we were allowed to go to church for only 1 hour. What a solace! During this time at basic, their main objective is for you to change your frame of mind from civilian lifestyle to a disciplined American Soldier; a warrior. As I received the letter and recognized it was from the office of the Quorum of the Seventy I felt an overwhelming feeling of love from our Savior. As I read the letter I was promised that many people would ask me regarding the beliefs of the LDS faith and encouraged faithfulness and to be a solid example of a true follower of Christ. This has been a pillar of strength to me the past 3 years I've been in the Air Force. It has emitted to me the love and support that our Savior has and that he knows your trials and will support you and lift you up to heights you've never before been able to achieve.

The night life is a big part of socializing in the military. I have made some very good friends while being in the Air Force; however, I choose not to go to their partys, the clubs, bars, etc. It's quite lonely sometimes. I curb this by choosing to honor my priesthood by obtaining as much education that is possible. That is one of the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood. Also, I attend the gym as much as I can. I could actually be doing better. The Air Force requires quite a bit of time away from home. I have been to a few places such as: Romania, Kosovo, Germany, and Diego Garcia (where I'm currently at). Everytime we leave somewhere we get a mission briefing from our commander and the base commander and the USAFE command commander that is based in Germany. Everytime we go anywhere we are told that there will be alot of downtime. They tell us they are not worried about having an effective mission because we always do. But they said what they are worried about is that there will be alot of time when we are not going to be busy. The Colonel said: "And when your not busy, your minds starts to wander. And that's when you get in trouble." The church leaders have counseled us to not be idle. But to be involved in righteous works with good motives. I like the scripture which states, "In patience possess ye your souls." I love to learn. I love reading the scriptures and studying for my degree. There are alot of great people in the Air Force. But a lot seem unbridled.

I'm often asked questions; why we wear undergarments; why we can't watch R rated movies; why we have a seperate book from the Bible, etc. It is fun to explain why I believe these things and why I follow the prophet. I guess the main thing that I have learned while living the gospel in the military is to not be afraid to stand up for what is true, because it is true. And that I need to be where I'm supposed to be; church, temple, magnifying calling, etc. and I will be a light to others who, when the time comes, are ready to change their life. Tragedies come in life at unexpected times. Sometimes tragedies come to our friends family. They seek answers about life. And they know who to turn to for help. In the Book of Mormon it says that "no miracle can be performed except the person be clean every whit." The gospel first requires you to keep the commandments and then to help our brothers and sisters do the same.