The church website has some interesting advice for those that are entering military service. It appears that this was written only for young US enlistees and not for military servicemen and women of any other country but the general advice could be applied to anyone serving in any country's military. Here are some quotes (all bolding is my emphasis):
1 - The highest military officials of your country desire that your religious beliefs be preserved and strengthened and that you be loyal to your church and your beliefs. They do not want you to give up your religious beliefs when you enter the service.
2 - Generally, individuals in the service are classified as Jews, Protestants, or Catholics. ...We are separate, not to be included with any of the three other groups. Specify that you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and if anyone tries to list you as a Protestant, do not permit it. In case of emergency, for example, proper identification as a member of the Church will be of vital importance.
3 - The Church organization can assist every member in each branch of the service. Its carefully developed program can help make life more pleasant and profitable for you.
4 - At times you may be invited to partake of the sacrament or communion of other churches. We advise you not to do this.
5 - Keep in touch with the Church at home. Write the bishop of your home ward from time to time; tell him where you are and how you are getting along. Report to him concerning the meetings you attend; tell him about your day-to-day experiences. Let him know that you are being true to the faith.
6 - Live above criticism. Hold to your standards. Let your life teach faith and personal purity. In the eyes of others you are a product of Mormonism.
7 - Often a sinful career begins with a cigarette, followed by a drink of beer or other alcoholic drinks, then loss of chastity. Do not take a chance. Leave cigarettes and alcohol alone.
8 - To a Latter‑day Saint, chastity is more important than life itself. Chastity means complete sexual purity, freedom from all forms of sexual immorality, including masturbation, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality.
9 - Adultery is next to murder in the category of sins. Would you think of murdering a man in cold blood? Of course not. You must avoid adultery as you would avoid murder itself.
Many times, prostitutes invite military men, and often military men surrender to them. To accept their sin is to accept the bitterness of hell itself.
10 - Every sin has a price tag on it. Nearly two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul declared that the price of sin is death (Romans 6:23). No one can escape the bill collector.
11 - Remember also that sometime you hope to marry. Just as you would not marry a prostitute, do not expect your girl to marry an adulterer. You must be as clean as you expect your wife or husband to be. And think of the possibility of your becoming a parent. Would you bring upon your own son or daughter the heritage of sexual sin?
12 - A young man or woman of real character will neither be afraid nor ashamed to pray, wherever he may be. Of course, he will not impose his religious beliefs upon others, nor will he exhibit his sacred practices before the eyes of his friends.
13 - Be high class. Be a real Latter-day Saint.
Faithfully your brethren,
Military Relations Committee
Here is the link: So You Are Going into Military Service?
1 - The highest military officials of your country desire that your religious beliefs be preserved and strengthened and that you be loyal to your church and your beliefs. They do not want you to give up your religious beliefs when you enter the service.
2 - Generally, individuals in the service are classified as Jews, Protestants, or Catholics. ...We are separate, not to be included with any of the three other groups. Specify that you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and if anyone tries to list you as a Protestant, do not permit it. In case of emergency, for example, proper identification as a member of the Church will be of vital importance.
3 - The Church organization can assist every member in each branch of the service. Its carefully developed program can help make life more pleasant and profitable for you.
4 - At times you may be invited to partake of the sacrament or communion of other churches. We advise you not to do this.
5 - Keep in touch with the Church at home. Write the bishop of your home ward from time to time; tell him where you are and how you are getting along. Report to him concerning the meetings you attend; tell him about your day-to-day experiences. Let him know that you are being true to the faith.
6 - Live above criticism. Hold to your standards. Let your life teach faith and personal purity. In the eyes of others you are a product of Mormonism.
7 - Often a sinful career begins with a cigarette, followed by a drink of beer or other alcoholic drinks, then loss of chastity. Do not take a chance. Leave cigarettes and alcohol alone.
8 - To a Latter‑day Saint, chastity is more important than life itself. Chastity means complete sexual purity, freedom from all forms of sexual immorality, including masturbation, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality.
9 - Adultery is next to murder in the category of sins. Would you think of murdering a man in cold blood? Of course not. You must avoid adultery as you would avoid murder itself.
Many times, prostitutes invite military men, and often military men surrender to them. To accept their sin is to accept the bitterness of hell itself.
10 - Every sin has a price tag on it. Nearly two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul declared that the price of sin is death (Romans 6:23). No one can escape the bill collector.
11 - Remember also that sometime you hope to marry. Just as you would not marry a prostitute, do not expect your girl to marry an adulterer. You must be as clean as you expect your wife or husband to be. And think of the possibility of your becoming a parent. Would you bring upon your own son or daughter the heritage of sexual sin?
12 - A young man or woman of real character will neither be afraid nor ashamed to pray, wherever he may be. Of course, he will not impose his religious beliefs upon others, nor will he exhibit his sacred practices before the eyes of his friends.
13 - Be high class. Be a real Latter-day Saint.
Faithfully your brethren,
Military Relations Committee
Here is the link: So You Are Going into Military Service?
Comment