November 16, 2025

If you’re looking for a good movie to see, I’d like to recommend “Truth or Treason.” Based on a true story, it tells of a young man, Helmut Hubener, in Nazi Germany. He is a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There he is told to be loyal to Germany and the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler. He gets his hands on an illegal short-wave radio and begins hearing news from the Allies. It does not connect with the news of the Nazis.

At the age of 17, he starts writing pamphlets and posting them around his town, Hamburg. He wrote of the Nazi lies and urge people to resist. Eventually, he and his friends who were helping him are captured, arrested and tortured. He was tried and found guilty of treason. He was sentenced to death and stripped of his civil rights, which meant the guards could torture him, give him no blankets or bedding and make his life as miserable as their cruelty dictated.

Hubener was punished as an adult because of his high intelligence (which sounds odd but in a totalitarian system, the writers and poets and their writings pose the biggest threats). Even the Gestapo submitted a letter urging clemency but it was rejected. Hubener was told seven hours before his execution and he was beheaded. Earlier that day, he had written a  friend,  “I know that God lives and He will be the Just Judge in this matter… I look forward to seeing you in a better world!” 

As a student of history, I find myself fascinated and repulsed all at the same time. Seeing such a story unfold on the screen, a story of incredible courage, intelligence and hope countered by brute force, lies and hatred is powerful. The desire for power and wealth in some people is insatiable. The Nazi playbook brought about a terror unmatched, so far, in human story. Last week, we honored our veterans who fought for our freedoms. They helped to keep the light of liberty glowing in the darkness. I urge you to see “Truth or Treason.”

I hope many of you will consider signing up for The Chalice Project, which is an opportunity to pray with your family or as a single person for vocations. You will be given a kit which includes prayers, profiles of those living out vocations and a chalice, reminding you of the sacrifice of Jesus. Pray for more young people to consider becoming priests, deacons, sisters and brothers to serve God’s People.