Sunday, November 30, 2014

November 30th... courage

K just so you all know I read this on bellainberlin's blog and am reposting it cause it gave me the chills... 




"" Many many years ago in Hamburg, Germany lived a young man by the name of Helmuth Hubener


Being wise beyond his years for a 16 year old. Helmuth was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.. Helmuth had a very broad outlook on life and talent for overseeing certain current circumstances one faced during the reign of Hitler in Germany.



Helmuth grew concerned with the power of the rising political party and was disgraced at how they treated foreigners ESP. Jews. Helmuth knew God viewed all his children equally and that such a political group would poison and destroy many lives.



He acquired a small radio ( very illegal during this time to own in Germany ) and every night when his grandmother went to sleep would listen to foreign news reports from the BBC for updates on the war.



His speculations were true! He saw right through the lies that Hitler was telling the citizens in Germany



For example: 



German broadcasts: Germany proves successful with the bombing of British air craft carrier. No survivors for Britain



The truthful BBC report:

Ship still afloat, noone injured.



Becoming more concerned as time went on and as the political group grew stronger. He became determined to expose Hitler for the liar he truly was.



Although only 16 years of age Helmuth began to print VERY bold messages degrading the political party in hopes to help his fellow Germans learn the truth..



Helmuth later let two of his best friends in on his plans as hope for reinforcement .. One young man being Rudi Wobbe.. Only 15 years old at the time.



Together these 3 young men printed red leaflets and painted the city of Hamburg red late at night hanging the bulletins along all the streets



 A crime that at that the time was viewed to be the most SERIOUS of sins for a German to commit.



A popular known saying was " he who fights for his country may die, but he who betrays his country must die"



Noone dared even whisper anything but pleasing thoughts about Hitler.



One day while at his Sunday church services Rudi Wobbe noticed his friend Helmuth..did not show up..



Their nightmare had happened.. Helmuth had been caught by the police and arrested.

Weeks later.. Rudi too was caught and arrested.



The story goes on that all 3 young men faced weeks of interrogation, beatings, and imprisonment in hopes to get them to admit their crimes.



Not allowed to communicate one with another or to recover in-between beatings.. They endured the harsh punishments and were later all brought before the dreaded " blood court" in Berlin.



The Blood Court in Berlin was where only the most serious of criminals were taken..



Here stood 3 young LDS young men to fight for their freedom as well as their lives. 

The first called to the stand was Helmuth Hubener. Witness reports on the trial explained Helmuths performance to be "unforgettable". 


Just a young boy he stood confident, and held his own openly and confidently degrading Hitler before his own judges.


Helmuth denied the help of his two friends, stating they were innocent and had nothing to do with what had happened.



Later that night after the trial, Rudi was able to speak one more time with his friend Helmuth. He asked him WHY he would do that!?



Why would he take all of the blame when all 3 were obviously guilty.



Helmuth answered:


 " I have faith enough to know that whatever happens to me.. God knows what I did was right.. and I need not fear"

A report the next day was delivered to Rudi Wobbe's Prison cell stating

Helmuth Hubener


Beheaded... 


Total time of execution: 11 seconds



Helmuths last words were found in a note he wrote home just minutes before killed.. Stating that he regretted NOTHING...only that before he is to be killed, that he will be forced to break the word of wisdom



( before execution, the victims are given wine to relax them )


The story of these 3 young men is a famous tale in Germany for War heroes. Hitler feared and was so threatened by the intelligence and testimony in these 3 LDS teens, one faced the most cruel punishment executed during the war.


There are to this day many books, monuments and people thankful to these 3 young men.

Including a film now available at Deseret book.. " Three against Hitler"

Rudi Wobbe lived on by the grace of God and spent the remainder of the War in concentration camps and imprisonment. Rudi later was later freed by British soldiers and returned home to Hamburg.

Just months later, he was called to serve and labor in the KASSEL, Germany Mission..


Serving in Kassel, Rudi Wobbe met and baptized my grandpa Wilford Diederich.
Helmuth Hubener had such a testimony of Gods plan for us he will willing to save his best friends life..



Although Helmuth Hubener never personally got to serve a mission, 


Because of his FAITH and TESTIMONY... His best friend lived on and brought my dad's family to the gospel.


If only Helmuth knew...



Now, in 2013



The granddaughter of Wilford Diederich would be called to serve and labor in




KASSEL GERMANY!!!!!!!!! ""


And now a quote from President Thomas S Monson... because he's so awesUM:
“Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God’s approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.” 

I love being LDS :) 

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