A HOLY WAR

I received the following information from a military member:

“My job in the military is with EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal), and I am serving my second tour in the Middle East. We carry plenty of weapons but, so far, none of my men have had to pull a trigger but that doesn’t mean we haven’t suffered our share of abuse. Some time ago, in the middle of the night; we were attacked by rocket fire. One man, not from our unit, was killed; at least three more were injured. Several had their tents ripped apart by shrapnel but escaped harm. Conditions here are gruesome at best. We are often away from military bases and must live on MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) and any food our relatives send us by way of stateside packages.

The enemy likes to store their bombs and explosives under schools and hospitals. Perhaps, since it is a ‘holy war,’ it doesn’t matter if innocents are killed.

Our ‘showers’ consist of stripping down and pouring bottled water over our bodies. Daytime temperatures can exceed 120 degrees F. We must wear all sorts of body armor and this makes the heat even more unbearable. Many of our people do not know when they are scheduled to go home because those called to replace us are scarce. Our morale can be very low at times. Certain numbers of our group have received inadequate training and can be a danger to the rest of the men. It is not uncommon for a spouse to write and say that they have found another in our absence and therefore desires a divorce. Suicide watch becomes necessary.

The native military can seldom be trusted and can be bribed into things like removing a land mine only to place it on the same road, farther down the line. Some of our interpreters live back in the States in Michigan. They do what they can to help us understand the culture. I have learned numerous things to stay alive but most of all; I have learned gratitude for the living conditions in my country and can hardly wait to be reunited with my family. Receiving mail is a really big deal. We fight the enemy here so that we will not be forced to fight them on the streets of the USA. Pray for us.”

FIRE FROM HEAVEN

17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.

19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.

40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Adapted from the KJV Bible 1st Kings Chapter 18
The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints