Customer Reviews

Saints at War: Experiences of Latter-Day Saints in World War II

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As usual, the LDS point of view regarding their history is Whitewashed... I skimmed this book, didn't take time to read it 100%. I didn't see anything regarding Helmuth Hübener, a German LDS youth who opposed Hitler & Facism... AND GOT EXCOMMUNICATED FOR THE 'BOTHER'!... LDS leaders even had the balls to 'reverse' (after death!!) his excommunication, saying it was 'A MISTAKE'!

A couple of comments:

this book is Decidedly from the 'Faithful' american Point of View; the deaths of German LDS is mentioned... sort of 'in passing'. BUT: the main focus is Heavily on the 'heroic' U.S. soldiers, their homes, their families, their assignments & awards, Plus their lives after the war. TSM's navy service, and a couple of other GAs are also mentioned there.

Also, striking to me was the DIFFERENCE between the rather pointed, clear & direct anti-war statements, including by David McKay, who was counselor in FP. Compare to the ambiguous (IF ANY) statements regarding later wars: Korean conflict, Viet Nam, Kuwait, Iraq/Afganistan, etc. the difference(s) GRABS YA!

Memo to church leaders: war is HELL, whether it's one you like or not! People (GASP) Get KILLED & INJURED, disfigured, permanently disabled, etc etc etc, taken away from families, lives disrupted, etc etc etc. Witness the Thousands of soldiers suffering from PTSD now!

Such is life in Morland, orchestrated by LDS, Inc. It's TYPICAL stuff people get from the LDS church: Leaders make it up as they go along, with little if any continuity, principle, or unambiguous message for individuals.

This book is interesting, even thought the focus is a bit narrow; it's mostly a series of sketches regarding individuals & their war-related experiences; I have no information-basis to either verify or refute the accuracy of those stories.