Aspen Books

In the blood-soaked trenches of World War I, Lieutenant Hugh B. Brown emerged as an unexpected champion of religious liberty when his superiors attempted to silence Latter-day Saint worship services among the troops.

The young Canadian officer, commissioned in the 13th Canadian Mounted Rifles despite the fading relevance of cavalry in modern warfare, risked everything by formally challenging his commanders' discriminatory orders—a bold move that triggered court-martial proceedings against him. Just when his military career seemed destined for ruin, a reviewing general unexpectedly ruled in Brown's favor, establishing a precedent for religious freedom that would echo throughout his life. Death nearly claimed him in France when enemy fire took down his horse from beneath him, a brush with mortality that transformed the young officer's spiritual outlook.

These defining wartime experiences—standing alone against authority, witnessing the horrors of combat, and surviving by what he considered divine providence—forged the uncompromising moral courage that would later propel Brown from military service into becoming one of the most intellectually formidable voices in the highest councils of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

When a legal expert tried to narrow his moral obligations with a single question, Jesus responded with a story that would forever expand humanity's understanding of compassion across enemy lines.

After correctly identifying that eternal life requires loving God wholeheartedly and one's neighbor as oneself, he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"—hoping for a definition that would restrict his responsibilities. In response, Jesus told the story of a Jewish traveler brutally attacked on the dangerous Jerusalem-Jericho road and abandoned by passing religious leaders—a priest and a Levite—despite their sacred duties. Unexpectedly, a Samaritan—considered an enemy by Jews—stopped, treated the man's wounds, transported him to safety, and even paid for his ongoing care. When Jesus asked who acted as a neighbor, the lawyer reluctantly acknowledged "he who showed mercy," unable to even say "the Samaritan."

With the simple instruction, "Go and do likewise," Jesus demolished ethnic, religious, and social boundaries, redefining "neighbor" not as a limited category of people but as anyone in need, and "neighborliness" not as a feeling but as practical compassion that crosses social divides and involves personal sacrifice.

Sixteen ordinary stones became the catalyst for one of history's most profound divine encounters. When the Brother of Jared asked God to make them glow, he didn't just receive light for his journey—he witnessed the unveiled presence of Deity itself.

When faced with the dilemma of lighting enclosed vessels for an ocean journey, he crafted sixteen clear stones and boldly asked God to touch them with His finger to make them shine. This act of faith resulted in one of scripture's most profound divine manifestations—the Brother of Jared not only witnessed the Lord's finger but was granted a vision of the premortal Christ in His full glory.

This remarkable account teaches that God often invites us to participate in solving our problems and that genuine faith can part the veil between heaven and earth. After this transcendent experience, the Jaredites embarked on their 344-day journey across the ocean, guided by divine winds to their promised land.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Come Unto Christ

“The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” – Russell M. Nelson

When 2,000 inexperienced young men volunteered to face seasoned warriors on the battlefield, their commander feared a massacre. Instead, he witnessed the impossible—though bloodied and wounded, not a single one fell. Their secret weapon? An unshakable belief in their mothers' teaching that God would preserve them if they did not doubt.

These 2,000 young men, sons of converted Lamanites who had sworn never to take up weapons again, voluntarily fought to defend their families and the Nephites during a desperate war. Led by the prophet Helaman, they entered battle with absolute faith that God would protect them—a belief instilled by their mothers. Despite their youth and inexperience, they fought with extraordinary valor and determination.

What makes their story truly miraculous is that through multiple fierce battles where they faced overwhelming odds and suffered many wounds, not a single one of these 2,000 warriors perished.