So far, up to the date of this letter, I haven't gotten a scratch, and have been in the bitterest battles in the invasion of this country. I have undergone many experiences equal to none other of my life. My testimony has been strengthened now to the point that I know, instead of believe the powers of God. The jump in was not quite as planned, nevertheless our missions were all completed. No man on earth will be able to paint, write or tell of the picture that was seen as we jumped down on our foe. . . . From here on things shouldn't be so rough. See that all my friends know that I am well. My thoughts are always with you. Don't worry about me. I'll soon be home. Your son, Allison. 5 These two letters sent home very different messages. One a message of joy and the other of sorrow; yet so evident in both was the evidence that a loving God was near. Meetings As the Sunday morning general session of the 146th stake conference opened, President Heiner gave an address in which he stated, "Our permanent peace will come when we live the Laws of God." He encouraged all the Saints to make a proper home and community life for our boys when they return home from military service. Joseph F. Merrill, of the Council of the Twelve, closed the conference with an address about ward teaching, asking all the Saints to support each other in this work.46 On 25 and 26 November, Presiding Bishop LeGrand Richards was the General Authority at stake conference. He remarked upon the "splendid example of our LD.S. boys in the U.S. armed service." Later in the conference, he addressed the fact that we owe all that we are to the Lord Jesus Christ.47 While the Saints were meeting at their conference in Morgan, theiryoung men were meeting, where possible, all over the world. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Lee received a letter from a chaplain in New Guinea. He mentioned that he had met their son Jay Lee and told them how the number attending meetings had grown from five in the beginning to thirty-four the past week. They held priesthood meeting and a short sacrament service. The fine spirit of the brethren makes the meetings rich in spiritual blessings, as well as giving us an opportunity to enjoy the fellowship of each other. There is nothing finer than to meet, mingle and associate with our brethren. I am very happy to see how most of our LDS men continue faithful to the standards of the church. All of them who do, are performing great missions by example, as well as precept. . . ,48 More War Deaths The last three months of 1944 and the first four months of 1945 brought the news of numerous war deaths to loved ones in Morgan. Tragedy struck twice at the Walter Nelson home in Milton. They were notified that their son,