Finding Faith in the Desert: An Lds Military Chaplain Finds Light and Hope Among the U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi People

Anthony W. Horton is a chaplain in the Army. This powerfully inspiring book follows him to Iraq during the challenges of Operation Iraqi Freedom. How do you bring faith, courage, morality and love to men and women who are daily placing their lives in danger far from home? How do you convince them that a Latter-day Saint can have the answers, when they've been raised to hate or distrust them? This is one of the most uplifting books I have ever read. It has taken me a long time to read it because I find I read a bit, and then put it away to ponder. Many of the passages, thoughts and stories lead me on a search for greater answers. Brother Horton's responsibility is to soldiers of all faiths, and that adds to the challenges and to the need to think deeply about the gospel teachings. During his time in Iraq, he has faced prejudice from other chaplains and from soldiers who have never been expected to receive their religious counsel from a Latter-day Saint. He is frequently called upon to share his beliefs. His explanations of gospel principles reach far beyond the ordinary and will make you see the gospel in ways you never imagined. One of the challenges Brother Horton faces is that soldiers often fool themselves into believing that "what happens in Iraq stays in Iraq." This means they convince themselves that they can live in ways contrary to their beliefs and to the vows they have made to family members and it somehow doesn't count because they are far from home. When they find their conscience has followed them to war, they end up in his office seeking comfort and help as they strive to rebuild the lives they have damaged as a result of their mistakes. Elder Horton's honest but compassionate discussions of repentance have value for any member who may have strayed but wants to return home. The glimpse into Iraqi homes and faith is particularly inspiring. He met a group of people who believe they are practicing a faith that has been handed down to them directly from John the Baptist. Some are the only Christians in their area and struggle to keep their faith in the most challenging of circumstances. Mingled with stories of life in war-torn Iraq are in-depth discussions of six gospel principles. The first six chapters are titled: 1. Adam Fell That Men Might Be 2. Cursed is the Ground for Thy Sake 3. For the Natural Man is an Enemy to God 4. Have Ye Spiritually Been Born of God? 5. Forsake Your Nets and Straightway Follow Him 6. Let Your Light So Shine

Our reading group read this book. As a group we all agreed it was an uplifting book of hope in a time of dispair. There are so few positve reports coming from that part of the world at this time and we as a group felt that at least some of the Iraqi people were being shown compassion by our sevicemen over there. I have to agree with the critique that the editing was so poor, I found my self with pen in hand correcting mistakes.

This is a fascinating book about a soldier and his time in Iraq. His stories are inspiring about God's children and the work that still goes forward even during war. Great read, highly recommend.