Unlikely Saint
by Lyda Mae (RavenDove) Dameron
Chapter Three: Did You Think To Pray?
88888888
BJ Hunnicut struggle to finish suturing a wound as the cannons went off around him. He hated battalion aide duty. He'd been here for two days. With any luck he would be heading back to the 4077 tonight. Then he could sleep in his own cot.
The next soldier in line for his care had a fairly minor leg wound. Though the man must have been in pain he was reading scripture in the morning light. "Do you always read the Bible during an artillery barrage?"
"It's not the Bible." the soldier said. "It's the book of Mormon1, and I try to read at least a chapter of scripture each day."
"I should be honored." Hunnicut joked. "I don't think I've ever pulled shrapnel out of the leg of a Saint before2."
The soldier smiled. "My name's Andrus." He put the book back in his pocket as they moved him to the make shift operating table. "Corpral Milo Andrus3, from Spanish Fork, Utah." The Fork was pronounced more like Fark.
"Well Elder Andrus," BJ said as he took a look at the leg, "I'll have you doing the two step on R&R in Tokyo before you know it."
"I'm afraid my wife would object." Andrus said. "I promised her and my daughters that I'd save all my two stepping for them."
88888888
Ere you left your bed this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor
As a shield today?
Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So when life gets dark and dreary,
Don't forget to pray.
When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace my brother,
That you might forgive another
Who had crossed your way?
Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So when life gets dark and dreary,
Don't forget to pray.
When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was full of sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?
Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So when life gets dark and dreary,
Don't forget to pray.4
Father Mulcahy was impressed at the pure tones of their foundling's voice. "That was beautiful." he told her as the last note died.
"I remember singing that with a large choir5." She told him.
"Do you remember anything else?"
She thought a moment. "Stained glass windows and paintings of the stations of the cross, but they weren't in the church that I usually went to6." She closed her eyes in deep thought. "I remember a priest officiating at a wedding when I was small."
"Perhaps you are a convert to Mormonism or you have a close relative that is Catholic."
"We are all converts to a faith if we truly believe." she said. "If we just go through the motions, then it is not in our hearts."
"That is a good point." Mulcahy rubbed his eyes. We've been talking for most of the morning, and I didn't sleep at all last night."
"I'm sorry father." The woman picked up her tray from the table. "Perhaps there is someone who can help me find my way back to Post Op so you can get some rest."
Mulcahy stood, "It's on my way child."
88888888
1. The LDS Church accept The Bible, The Book Of Mormon, The Doctrine And Covenants, and the Pearl Of Great Price as books of scripture. It is possible to perches a book called a quad combination that contains all four books of scripture that is published by The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is available in standard, pocket and Large print editions.
2. Being from the West Coast BJ is more likely to have had interactions with LDS church members of that era. Specifically in medical school and residency.
3. Milo Andrus is the name of my daughter's great grandfather. A Mormon who actually served in the army during the Korean War. This character is not biased on him, only named in his honor.
4. The song Did You Think to Pray? Is a Mormon hymn written by Mary A. Pepper Kidder, 1820-1905 and composed by William O. Perkins, 1831-1902. It is listed as hymn 140 in the current Hymn book used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
5. The largest Mormon choir is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but that doesn't mean this is the choir my character is singing with in her memory.
6. The most elaborate and famous Catholic Church in Utah is the Cathedral of the Madlen in Salt Lake City, Utah. My character has been there at some point in her life.
88888888