As THE VALIANT begins it second year, let us turn the mirror upon our past, in an effort to see where we are going. One of the most significant events in the life of the U. S. Mormon Battalion was the flap in the local newspapers about militias. The first article mentioning the Battalion indicated that we were militia, had ties with the Freemen, and were under surveillance by the FBI. After we briefed the writer of the article, we received a most favorable write-up by him indicating our TRUE purpose. The result was amazing. We received commendations and requests for more information from all over the western U.S. In Utah and neighboring states, we received requests for membership applications, for information on memorializing the grave of a Mormon Battalion soldier or wife, and general approval for our efforts. What is the message in this? Obviously PUBLICITY! Good Publicity! Now, let us apply this lesson to the future: Every company should be utilizing the local newssheet/newspaper for announcements/reports of coming meetings, activities, honors, etc. Anything the company or the auxiliary does, that is of interest to the public, should be announced in the local papers. Did your company make a trek? Write it up for the papers, and submit it. Are you having someone special as a speaker for your next meeting? Announce it through the local papers, and invite interested members of the public to come. (You might need to add a few more casseroles to the dinner assignments!) We urge you to consider these suggestions as a way to bolster your numbers.
There were many other notable events and opportunities last year--which the Battalion measured up to--which continue to bring the magical results that we are now experiencing. These results are not haphazard; they have required extra effort in planning and execution by dedicated members of the Battalion and Auxiliary. It is this requirement that we now call to your attention:
The original members of the Battalion made extreme sacrifices in leaving their loved ones (as did their families by allowing them to go) to answer the call by their prophet. Their suffering was extreme--going without water for days, subsisting on a meager food supply which we would find unpalatable, in extreme heat and cold. Their suffering was done, as President Brigham Young said, "to prove our loyalty to the Constitution of the United States," and to sustain the Will of the Lord, as revealed by a prophet of God. Today, we are much better situated. We have all the comforts and amenities of modern times. But it gill requires Sacrifice! Considering the mileage we put on our cars, the cost of uniforms, the special dishes for our dinner meetings, the long-distance telephone calls, and the TIME away from family, this is truly a labor of love--or, in other words, it is Sacrifice. This, in addition to our primary responsibilities to Family and Church! But "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven," as we all know. Surely, we do not do it--we would not do it--unless we felt it to be an opportunity to further the fulfillment of prophecy and to enhance the authenticity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While not a "Church" calling, it is certainly a corollary one. Let us take renewed determination to fulfill our self-appointed duty and calling by dedicated service and loyalty to this, the U.S. Mormon Battalion. May God continue to guide us!