U.S. Navy Chaplain Clifford Stuart's introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was absent of much fanfare.It was 1985, and recruit Stuart was enduring basic training at the U.S.
Marine Corps Training Depot in San Diego, Calif. A fellow recruit
handed him a Book of Mormon, inviting him to read.
"Then the Marine who gave it to me was injured and I didn't see him anymore," remembered Brother Stuart.
Still, he read the Book of Mormon, set it down and didn't give it
much thought for several years. Then in 1990, the young Marine began
dating a woman in the U.S. Navy named Carrie Parks. Early in their
courtship, he learned the sailor was a church member. Soon he was
asking Carrie questions about her religion. Missionary discussions
would follow."She was well-versed in the faith."The couple married in 1991, but Brother Stuart would not join the church for another three years.
"I went through several groups of missionaries," he said with a
laugh. "Finally, one missionary simply asked me 'What are you doing
this Saturday?'" Short on answers, Brother Stuart accepted that bold
baptismal invitation.
Once converted, Brother Stuart became fully involved in the church. He and Sister Stuart were sealed in the temple and later
welcomed four children into their family. Meanwhile, Brother Stuart's
military career followed an unexpected path when he became a Navy
chaplain a few years ago.
Now 41, Brother Stuart was recently named the Navy's top chaplain
of the year. It's the first time an LDS Church member has received such an
honor from any branch of the U.S. military.
"I didn't expect to win," said Brother Stuart, who serves as
command chaplain at Naval Air Facility El Centro. "We're serving in a
very, very small base."
Brother Stuart's humility belies several years of faithful
shepherding. Prior to his El Centro assignment, he served two
deployments. The first on naval ships participating in Operation
Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). The second in Iraq.
Brother Stuart called chaplain service in a combat zone "the
ultimate form of ministry" that took his duties "to another level."
During his tour in Iraq, Brother Stuart organized and presided
over sacrament meetings, organized home teaching and facilitated
religious worship for all who requested, regardless of their faith. He
also acted as a counselor, friend and listening ear to sailors and
Marines anxious for spiritual support and direction. His door was
always open."People would come because they had lost someone dear to them, or
perhaps their marriage was in trouble or they were having workplace
issues."
When asked what sort of counsel he would share with LDS military
families dealing with a deployment, Brother Stuart said it's critical
that service men and women hold tight to their standards. He has
witnessed the grief of those who have wavered.
He also encouraged deployed personnel to stay close to their
families, friends and ward leaders. Utilize e-mail to keep loved ones
informed. Meanwhile, he added, family members on the homefront should
gently insist that home and visiting teachers fulfill their duties and
bring much needed monthly fellowship and support.(This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an
official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is
produced weekly by the Deseret News. The contents of each week's edition of LDS
Church News is available to subscribers online at ldschurchnews.com. To subscribe to LDS
Church News, please click here.)