Thank you, Elder Wood.

It’s so wonderful to see you again.

And it’s marvelous to be with you today. Did you stand long enough? Or do you want to stand one more time?

Well, it's really a pleasure to be here.

And of course I would like to thank, above all, our Heavenly Father to

enable to you to be here and fill these roles which are so sacred and important

and great to the world.

But also, I would like to thank, of course, as has been done before, our dear friend Frank Clawson.

Here he is.

Thank you so much.

When I think about him and I read his bio and I read the F-15, I see him as a young pilot training on the F-15.

I don't know whether you were trained in Luke Air Force Base with the F-15, I guess you were.

Because that was where they got their certification there.

And there was always, what they called, the “million dollar run”.

It is once in their training they were allowed to go full afterburner right after takeoff -- well, during takeoff and leave it on, not switch it off, and go all the way straight up, till you never saw that F-15 again.

And it was really singular. And at the time when I was with my wife and our children in our

private/professional life

leading the pilot school of Lufthansa down in Goodyear, which is just next to Luke Air Force Base.

Every time I saw an F-15 going up there, I think, “There’s another lucky guy who gets his one million dollar ride.” Well, he has really done a multi-million dollar and in souls, right, while he was serving in these sacred responsibilities in the Church Military Relations and Chaplains Service Division.

Thank you so much, Colonel Clawson, you did a marvelous job here.

And when I look around and see some familiar faces, it's kind of hard to recognize some with only half available.

Brother Skinner, I see you there, right. I haven't seen you for a while.

We see the generals up there.

So it’s great to see you all.

I don't know whether Robert Oaks was here, was he? He’s my neighbor, he’s across the street.

Well, we love you all and I bring you the love and greetings from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.

We really admire you and love you.

Elder

Jaggi did such a wonderful job talking about Germany, that was nice.

I read his talk before and it’s a really nice one. It’s a good message.

And we have Elder Ringwood here, who’s the Executive Director of

the Priesthood and Family Department.

We had new assignments, you know, it’s like in the military when you’re “transferred” so I was assigned after three and a half years in the Missionary Department to the Priesthood and Family Department, and there Elder Ringwood is the Executive Director.

And so I’m very grateful to work with him, and Brother Richard Heaton.

He’s the guy, if you need something, they are the guys besides

Frank Clawson, of course, from now on. Or I don't know when the switchover is to Colonel Linton. Is he here, Ted Linton?

Oh, there he is. Boy, you look so civil. You looked so totally different there on this photo.

We talked.

But you’re also half-masked so I didn't recognize you.

Yeah, you are, that’s right.

(laughter) Well, let me

just express again my gratitude for all of you for your marvelous work and who you are and what you’re doing for the Church and for people around the globe who are very much relying on your insights and your willingness to offer times, talents, and love shared with them.

And let me say, you know, it’s interesting when you talk about Latter-day chaplains,

I think there’s no office in America so delicately balanced between church and state as that is for the military chaplains.

On the one hand, the military chaplains wear the uniform of their service, they’re answerable to their commander, or if they are civil chaplains to their boss, so to speak.

And for the military one, in war and peace.

As defenders of the U.S. Constitution they are partisan for a particular city of men.

On the other hand, they are designated spokespersons for the city of God

and the nation’s armed forces and other organizations, of course.

They are the representatives of a religious tradition, accountable above

all to the Almighty.

Your service as chaplains preserves a person’s right to freely exercise their religion.

George Washington pointed to the second justification when he wrote to Colonel George Taylor that chaplains should be character and good conversation who will influence the manner of the corps, both by precept and influence.

With very little adaptation, these basic principles apply, not only to chaplains in the armed forces, but to all chaplains regardless of the entity they serve in.

Now, former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Dr.

David Shull -- and that is quite a while ago when he served -- he said, “Whereas in the past, chaplains would probably be called upon to function as practitioners

in their individual faith traditions.

In the future," and this future is here, "they will increasingly be called

upon to be consultants and advisors to their commanders on the precept of other world religions.”

Shull turned emphatic about the need for endorsing denominations to embrace pluralism.

He said, “For the chaplains that you send, their conceptual picture of

ministry must clearly depict a very pluralistic mind reflecting pluralism in their own ranks and in the world in which we function.” End of quote.

Today we are here, gratefully, in the presence of 150 military chaplains and chaplain candidates, 73 civilian chaplains, plus 118 of all types of

chaplains watching this seminary virtually.

We also welcome any spouses who are in attendance.

And I must say, and I will repeat this I think a couple of times, when I think of it, you spouses are so important for the work.

And so, chaplains, please don't ever underestimate the importance and the necessity of your spouses. Share with them about your work.

There are sometimes things which may be confidential, but mostly not, mostly not.

Include them in your work.

That’s the same when we say in the Church, bishops, don't talk to your wife or your family about confidential matters, of course we keep that very clear and distinct.

But there are so many other things to include your spouse in what you do.

Because that will help you, because in many ways I see this with my wife Harriet. And she sends her love, too, and greetings. She wanted initially to come, but then she said, “Well, I see only half the people.

So next time I come when everybody’s here, all right?” (laughter)

So, she sends her love, too. And I learned this from her, when we have something to share with her, I always learn a lot and get insight and wisdom, which I otherwise would not get.

So, the civilian chaplains serve in a variety of settings, in healthcare, prisons, police, border patrol, civil air patrol, universities, rehabilitation centers, assisted living centers, and other settings.

All important in our society today.

You work in an environment rich in pluralism.

I solute and honor each one of you to accept this challenge and rejoice in the opportunities these circumstances offer for you as a member of The Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

And I express my admiration and love, again, for your families, for your spouse, who are part of this great work.

Because other than some other professionals, you bring sometimes work home, because it is in your heart, in your mind, it affects you.

So, keep their importance in your life always in mind.

You, as chaplains, you rejoice with those who rejoice, and you weep with those who weep.

These are some of the unique elements of being chaplains and the opportunity to minister to all.

Now, let me quote President Gordon B.

Hinckley when he said, “Today we’re prone to speak of large numbers, that as members of the Church” -- and the same with men and women of the armed forces, or men and women in other organizations -- “but we must never forget that we are all individuals with our own needs and problems, our own hopes and dreams, our own faith and convictions." Some are strong, some are weak, but we all try.

We have problems to deal with, they are serious and difficult.

We need one another to build and strengthen each other.

We must never lose sight of the fact that we are to succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.

Again, we honor and salute you, we love you.

And I admire you and your desire to serve in such a marvelous way.

We’re proud of you and your dedication to the Lord’s work, to your family and to your country.

When I think about you, your work and your code of ethics, as a Latter-day Saint chaplain, I’m reminded of our Articles of Faith.

Let me quote some of them, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers

and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent,

virtuous, and in doing good to all men [and women].

Indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, we believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.

If there’s anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report,

or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” That was Joseph Smith 1842.

So, still very, very applicable today, right? Now, let me find similar language in the Latter-day Saint Chaplain Code of Ethics.

You know this better than I do, but let me quote out of it, just a few verses.

“I will adhere to the doctrine and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I understand that as a chaplain I must work in cooperation with chaplains of

other faith traditions.

Together we will strive to minister as completely as possible to the individuals and their families under our care.

I will offer pastoral care and ministry to people of all faiths, with the same commitment with which I serve members of my own faith.

When conducting religious services that include persons from other faith traditions, I will draw upon those beliefs, principles and practices that we have in common.

As a disciple of Christ, I will maintain temple worthiness, observe personal and family devotions, including prayer and scripture study, and magnify my callings in the Church.” And we all know that they are limited, you cannot be

a bishop in the ward you are serving.

But there are lots of callings, and you can be a source for those who also need

to be involved.

Now, let me continue, one more verse or two.

“I will live so that my personal practices are consistent with the Savior’s teaching. I will treat all people with dignity and respect. I will not proselyte those I serve, but I retain the right to answer sincere questions about my faith when asked.

I recognize the sacred trust afforded me as a chaplain, I will hold myself to the high standard of moral and ethical behavior, and I will only do what is in the best interest of the people under my care.” That is part of your code of ethics.

Now, in regard to missionary work, of course, we don't do this in profession either, that we, as a supervisor, start to proselyte to those who depend on us.

But we let them know when they ask why we do things, where we go on Sundays, and all this.

And for you, I would say use all the resources the Church has to invite

people to participate.

And I brought over this little booklet, Emotional Resilience

for Self-Reliance. And the self-reliance courses are just amazing.

You know, I wouldn't consider proselyting, but if anyone sees that

and comes to one of those courses, not because they are in bad shape, but they love to participate, boy, they will say, “What a church.

What do they do for people of their faith and others? They invite them to come and see and come and help and come and belong.”

Right, we follow the principle of love, share, and invite.

This is so simple, so straightforward.

That’s what we do.

You know, this is what the world needs nowadays, to find peace.

Of course, during your service lots of questions will arise. And as I said before, Church Military Relations and Chaplain Services Division

are a source of great knowledge and wisdom.

But you have also, and more importantly even, you have direct access to heavenly help and guidance, the written and the spoken word of God.

Just take James 1, verse 5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of

God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given to him.” Now, Joseph had this experience, and we all benefit of this.

So when you have questions, ask and you will receive, and many will benefit from this, maybe even generations to come will praise your name for your inspiration and your counsel.

Now, let’s read Philippians 4, one verse there.

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown” -- that is you -- “So stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” And of course, then Doctrine and Covenants 4 is altogether a wonderful section to know, but let me just use a few verses from that section.

“And faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.” That’s your qualification, that’s your qualification.

“Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance” -- temperance is

common sense, right?

Don't overdo it, stay in the middle, right.

“Patience” -- that’s tough, but it’s needed.

“Brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility” -- that is to be teachable.

Teachable by the Lord and by those who have more wisdom and knowledge in some areas.

“And diligence. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

That is Section 4. You know it was given in

1829, in February of 1829, I think it was.

And that was a time before we even had the Book of Mormon in hand.

That was before the Church was established, was founded.

But you see those principles, they are eternal, they are here for you.

Now, let me come to another source, besides the scripture. Let’s go back into your field.

And I’m quoting a general who’s not always by everyone accepted, but I think I like this quote, really.

Douglas MacArthur he said, “The soldier, above all others, prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds

and scars of war.”

This may have been true after the Second World War. It was especially true also after the First World War.

It is again true now.

When you look around and you see families

who show the scars of war, may it be physically, or emotionally.

And you are a wonderful source of healing because you know where the Master Healer is, who has the answers for every concern in life.

Some years ago in the middle of the Iraq war, I went to Fort Carson in

Colorado, quite an outfit, I must say.

Especially one which during the Iraq war was continuously

deployed to Iraq.

I talked to families where the husband was deployed more than five times within a short time.

These are scars, these are wounds, these are very difficult times.

And you have the bridge over this river of sorrow and pain.

You have the key for an entry through the door to peace and

the feeling that they are not alone.

I visited during this time the Saints at Fort Hood, Texas.

Oh, what a base, just by extension it’s huge.

Then when you see all the tanks there, you know, I was used to fighter jets or something like that, but boy, these are machines.

And the helicopters there, they have all these fighting machines there, it’s amazing. But again, the scars and the pain some of them have by -- really have dedicated their lives.

And they stayed faithful, these members, because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But also, because of help, of care of people like you.

I learned quickly

early on, you know, people don't

care so much about what you know

until they know that you care.

And these families, really, it doesn't help them too much if you just tell them everything you know until they really feel that you care for them.

That you may not ever understand and feel the same pain they can, but that you try to understand and help them.

And that the gospel of Jesus Christ and the messages you have can be

a difference and lead them to the Church, lead them to the bishop, lead them to the elders quorum, lead to the Relief Society, lead them to the Young Women president, lead them to the Primary, because you have all ages in these wonderful military families.

Often young families with small children, make sure that the Primary, the young women, the young men are aware.

It’s one church, we cannot just fix on the elders quorum or the Relief Society, everything is part of that church.

These families are sacred fields of your service.

The wounds of war can be deep and long-lasting, the Master Healer is the only hope for so many, and you can help to open the door to Him and His

healing power.

Let me quote a couple of other individuals.

“Where the power of love overcomes, the love of power of

the world, then the world will know peace.”

I know you have, you do, use that love for the people, to heal the people.

Another one,

it’s from Indira Gandhi, “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.”

We have to reach out, especially to people who are bitter, who think something went wrong, someone did something wrong to them, maybe the society, maybe government, maybe individuals, whatever it may

be, we need to open hands and shake hands and embrace.

Saint Francis said, “Never be in a hurry, do everything quietly and in calm spirit, do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your

whole world seems upset.” Some of you might serve one day out there in the field and be surrounded by, and some of you have, surrounded by the fog of war, but keep that inner peace, don't hurry, and you will find peace yourself.

Another quote, “The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart.

The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.” And many of those people you have influence that you work with, will be grateful for this

instrument of love and peace you bring to their lives.

Now, let me share some personal memories of my own military service. I joined the Air Force in 1959, and I wanted to become a pilot.

I was hoping to become a fighter pilot, but you know how it is in the Air Force, you have to earn your stripes.

If you are not high enough up everybody else becomes a fighter, and you do something else. Everything is beautiful.

Later in my career I loved to fly the 747, it’s not really a fighter, but it’s a really nice airplane.

So, as a young man I wanted to become a fighter pilot, but you know how it is

in the Air Force or in all armed forces, because before you learn to fly

you have to learn how to walk, right.

So, you went through basic training and everything. And afterwards later in a special ceremony we had to solemnly swear that we would support and defend the constitution of my home country

“against all enemies, foreign or domestic, and bear true faith and allegiance to the same”. Sounds familiar to some of you, right?

That obligation to solemnly swear caused a huge conflict in my life as a young

German Latter-day Saint.

I was familiar with our country’s recent history and the cause and effects of World War II, we were taught this well, and how you have to be careful to whom you give an oath of allegiance.

So it did not feel right to take an oath, this would've ended my career right there.

And I thought the scriptures were also very clear to forbid to take such an oath.

Because when you read in Matthew it says, “Again, ye have heard that it has

been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shall perform

under the Lord thine oaths.

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great king.

Neither shall thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” This really put me into a conflict of deep

interest, what I should do. I wanted to become a pilot, and here were the scriptures.

Fortunately, I had a wise and inspired district president who didn't have any

chaplains or anything like this.

This district president way back then, Michael Pillich, I remember him well, he later became the first stake president of the Hamburg Germany Stake.

And he helped me to get through this difficult process by counseling, by speaking with me, by expanding the scriptures in many ways and explaining what it meant, and so on.

So, his counseling brought peace to my mind, to my heart, and to my conscience, and helped me to move forward with courage to serve God and country without any trepidation, confusion, or guilt.

Of course, then I served in the Air Force, earned my wings, as you heard, (Inaudible) Air Force. So, you know when you like wings, I wear both wings, German and the American wings, so I was always very proud to wear both of these wings.

Now, as a fighter pilot, then, during the Cold War -- I served in the Air Force from ’59 to ’65 -- that is, 1959 to 1965.

(laughter) Some people ask me when I flew -- “You flew in the Air Force?”

They say, “Well, which war? First War or Second War?”

Anyway, when I served then back during the Cold War time in Germany in the German Air Force and you know, during this time of high tension

Germany was actually a battleground, it was not considered

as survivable as a community, that was how the plans were.

Fortunately, that never happened.

But anyway, often I spent my time as a combat-ready pilot, which I was at that time.

Many hours and many days the quick reaction alert, which is (Speaks German)

it’s called in German.

So we had 24 hours sitting there and waiting, hopefully it will not happen, but if it happens within minutes you're ready to go and go to your targets, your predetermined and planned out targets.

And again, here a conflict.

I grew up in Eastern Germany as a child.

We fled from Eastern Germany to the West when I was a child.

And my targets were either in very close Eastern European countries, and even in East Germany where I grew up.

So here I was as a young fighter pilot and having my targets in case of a crisis to deliver my weapons close to where I grew up.

Now, these are all conflicts which are not of importance for anyone who cannot relate to the situation.

But when you are in the armed forces many different things may arise, which are

current problems.

When you look at your service now with COVID-19 in the armed forces, or the hospitals, or universities, or wherever you are now

serving, these are also conflicts in the minds of the people you can help them

to overcome.

You can help them overcome.

One memory of World War II towards the end, we had just fled Czechoslovakia in front of the Russian Front to Eastern Germany, and there we were waiting for the end of the war kind of. The U.S.

Army approached from the west and from the east came the Russian Army.

And my oldest brother, he was at that time 16 or 17, about,

he responded to the call to come and fight, because in the last couple of

weeks of the war they called everyone in. So he was called in and he wanted to go.

My mother, of course, tried to avoid it, she took us to the barracks and she talked to the commander, “Don't take him.

My husband is out there.” But he wanted to go.

So he went out as a 16-year-old into the army and fought there, or tried to fight.

I think he never got into real combat, because the U.S. Army came in with their tanks and they had actually no real weapons. And so he was captured and became a prisoner of war at 16.

And at that time, actually it was always, as families, they were hoping if you were becoming a prisoner of war was please with the U.S.

Army, because they were treated in a better way there.

So, he was caught, fortunately, when we lived in an area where the U.S.

Army moved out and the Russian Army moved in, he had the privilege to overnight

escape from the prison camp and return home to us.

But this experience for him was a long time scar on his mental

ability, and never, I think, really went away totally.

But these are memories, and at the same time, memories of healing

and reconciliation, because you know the gospel of Jesus Christ -- and this happened to us, because in the same city where first the U.S. Army came in, later the Russians came in, we found the gospel of Jesus Christ, The Church of Jesus Christ.

And we learned what this can bring to our life.

So, don't ever underestimate the power of your influence and impact in individual lives.

And, you know, when you look back in history it is now 76 years after the end of World War II, and it’s 31 years after the reunification of Germany.

I thought it would come one day, the reunification, but I thought it would come when my great-grandchildren, perhaps, would see it.

But it came when I was -- 31 years ago, I was still younger, let’s say it this way.

But these significant changes recent events, with historic consequence, give us reason to believe that nothing is impossible.

That’s why we, under certain circumstances, never should give up.

These hopeful moments in history can help us work toward reconciliation and peace, both in the present and in the future.

Many changes in our lives make things more complicated, as I said, especially for your work.

COVID-19, just look at us now, right.

Oh, it’s okay, right, we get used to it.

Some countries around the globe, they wear a mask all the time, right?

So we shouldn't complain too much about it.

But I talked recently to one of your marvelous officers about, for instance, the unmanned arial vehicles.

I learned a lot about the UAVs.

When I think about the Air Force, how I joined it, and how it is now, and when you perhaps go into a UAV unit it’s a different way to fly and to deliver weapons.

Air Force, I think the motto is, “Aim High, Fly, Fight,

Win”, right?

But with these UAVs you are pretty much sitting in your chair and doing something which is terribly important, and terribly emotional, and terribly stressful.

And to get through that needs the gospel of Jesus Christ, needs the help of people who understand and try to understand.

Because just think about this, when you sit there, deliver weapons from faraway place, and you go home, step out of your office, so to speak, hop in your car, drive home, your children are there, you take a walk, you go ride on the bicycle, and you just had hours ago this, wow, this thing to take care. You know, in the olden times you flew out there, delivered your weapons, survived, or not survived, maybe you were killed or you killed others.

And then you came home to your base, you

all sweated up and totally different situation.

And now, this is our responsibility toward our people, our children, and their children to make sure that we help under those circumstances, and also prevent any conflict, if possible, in the future.

It takes empathy and action to influence the future of mankind based on

dignity, honesty, and eternal values, regardless of differences in politics, religion, race, or cultural tradition.

We remember the past and current events in our recent history, not just to yearn for peace and comfort, but in an effort to craft peace,

to build the future.

A wise man who lived in the 14th century said, “Five enemies of peace inhabit with us, greed” -- he called it avarice –

“ambition, envy, anger, and pride.”

You can find all these things in the scriptures again, with the same description.

If these were to be banished we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.

In the Book of Mormon we read, “Mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” Therefore, it is not enough to express our love only for those who suffered in the past, we need to include all who suffer now.

And we need to do all we can do prevent suffering in the future.

As I said, my family were refugees.

We were even twice refugees. The first time I was only four, and the second time I was eleven.

Today my heart is filled with sadness when I think of the worldwide flow of

refugees and immigrants and the suffering of so many families and innocent children.

They are both brothers and sisters, they are our brothers and sisters.

And you will be confronted with this, it happens all over the country, all over the world.

We should be cognizant of our responsibilities as Christians.

Laws of the country must be obeyed.

And laws must also reflect our willingness as Christians to help the poor and the needy, to be willing to mourn with them, to comfort them, to pray with them, to generously share our means and possibilities with them and certainly, to be their friends.

Committing ourselves to this kind of service will best express the pure love of Christ to our fellowman.

The Savior said, “Blessed are the poor, blessed are those who hunger and thirst, blessed are those who are persecuted, blessed are the meek.” These are startling, attention-grabbing contradictions.

The beatitudes are not just quiet philosophical stars in a peaceful summer night.

They are lightning bolts and thunder claps of spiritual power.

Let us look at them as a list of Christlike attributes that we should seek to develop and you are examples to the world of these attributes.

God’s ways are not our ways.

When we recognize fulfillment of the Lord’s purpose, even in our moments of sorrow, the Holy Ghost will be invited to console us and then the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ will become solid cornerstones in our lives and in the lives of those we serve, you serve, and minister to.

Christlike compassion and empathy for our fellowman will change

us, they will bring a positive change to the future of the world.

Both our desire and our action to help someone who is sick, hungry, or in trouble will bring peace to our own personal lives.

This will bless your communities, where you serve, where you live, it will bring Christ’s peace to the nations of the world.

Therefore, every day can, and should be a day of new beginning.

This is a God of new beginning. He helps us to do that.

On this day of new beginning, and in your unique role of Latter-day Chaplains now today, and to continue on in this service, let us continue to be confident and full of hope for a better and more peaceful world, and a more peaceful future.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

For this, I pray

that it will be in your life.

And I leave you my apostolic blessing that you will find joy in your service, and that you will see that the Lord will accept your sacrifices, and will bless you and your families because of your dedications

and your willingness to serve Him and His children, thus fulfilling

the two great commandments.

I give you this, my blessing, each and everyone individual for you and your families, in great gratitude for you and for a love for you.

And I do this, in the sacred name of our Savior, in the name of our Master, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.