As a retired American diplomat who served with several other LDS diplomats in Afghanistan, I appreciate any acknowledgement that there are Mormon men and women serving in dangerous areas around the world, and that Matthew Tueller is one such public servant. The article title, though - "The LDS Diplomat who Might Have the Most Dangerous Job in the World" - is more sensational than accurate. Ambassadors are fairly protected people living in danger zones. The underlying diplomats and servicemen have, I would argue, much more dangerous jobs; they just don't have the visibility of the top people.
However, I would argue that He who had the most dangerous job in the world (as in likely to lead to death) was our Savior, who was crucified by wicked men some two thousand years ago. How grateful we are for his sacrifice for us.
Wayne FehlbergFebruary 1, 2015
We met Matt and DeNeece in the Riyadh East Ward in Saudi Arabia. The article describes him well. I am not surprised at the description of integrity and courage he displays. The article would double in length trying to describe the courage and faith DeNeece and family living without Dad at home. She was my son's favorite Primary teacher.
Meg StoutJanuary 31, 2015
I laughed out loud at Blaine Tueller's musing that they didn't know who well-regarded Matthew's Arabic skills are among his colleagues.
I think Matt is a distant cousin of mine. At any rate, I'm glad to hear that such a great speaker of Arabic with a Mormon love of all mankind is serving in this dangerous part of the world. May he be watched over by all with an ability to avert harm. And if the all-too thinkable were to occur, may even that "service" forward the cause of peace in this embattled part of the world.
Julie MackayJanuary 30, 2015
I will pray for him.
VeAnn MolanderJanuary 30, 2015
Dear Maurine,
For many years I've read the essays and articles that you've deemed worthy of sharing. Many of them have been saved, and the piles grow higher - along with my hope of re-reading them.
This particular one brought tears to my eyes, for this man has such quiet character, and an incessant desire to help others in the midst of chaos. We know where his testimony of "real" service is!
I know (and his family) that our Savior's very pleased with his choices. If anything happens to him, all of us have the peace of knowing in whose hands he is.
God bless and be with this humble yet mighty person. And to his parents, "What an incredible son you have brought forth!".
Sincerely,
VeAnn M.
Jim JenkinsJanuary 30, 2015
Please pray in your families for this brave Latter-day Saint, as well as for all our missionaries and service men and women in these troubled times.
Susan RoylanceJanuary 30, 2015
Thank you Maureen for sharing this wonderful story, of a man who loves the Arabic people. I share that love, and sometimes it gets complicated. I wish him well -- and his family. We should keep them in our prayers!
droundyJanuary 30, 2015
My hat goes off to him. I hope he is successful in creating just a little more peace in the world.
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John DysonFebruary 3, 2015
As a retired American diplomat who served with several other LDS diplomats in Afghanistan, I appreciate any acknowledgement that there are Mormon men and women serving in dangerous areas around the world, and that Matthew Tueller is one such public servant. The article title, though - "The LDS Diplomat who Might Have the Most Dangerous Job in the World" - is more sensational than accurate. Ambassadors are fairly protected people living in danger zones. The underlying diplomats and servicemen have, I would argue, much more dangerous jobs; they just don't have the visibility of the top people. However, I would argue that He who had the most dangerous job in the world (as in likely to lead to death) was our Savior, who was crucified by wicked men some two thousand years ago. How grateful we are for his sacrifice for us.
Wayne FehlbergFebruary 1, 2015
We met Matt and DeNeece in the Riyadh East Ward in Saudi Arabia. The article describes him well. I am not surprised at the description of integrity and courage he displays. The article would double in length trying to describe the courage and faith DeNeece and family living without Dad at home. She was my son's favorite Primary teacher.
Meg StoutJanuary 31, 2015
I laughed out loud at Blaine Tueller's musing that they didn't know who well-regarded Matthew's Arabic skills are among his colleagues. I think Matt is a distant cousin of mine. At any rate, I'm glad to hear that such a great speaker of Arabic with a Mormon love of all mankind is serving in this dangerous part of the world. May he be watched over by all with an ability to avert harm. And if the all-too thinkable were to occur, may even that "service" forward the cause of peace in this embattled part of the world.
Julie MackayJanuary 30, 2015
I will pray for him.
VeAnn MolanderJanuary 30, 2015
Dear Maurine, For many years I've read the essays and articles that you've deemed worthy of sharing. Many of them have been saved, and the piles grow higher - along with my hope of re-reading them. This particular one brought tears to my eyes, for this man has such quiet character, and an incessant desire to help others in the midst of chaos. We know where his testimony of "real" service is! I know (and his family) that our Savior's very pleased with his choices. If anything happens to him, all of us have the peace of knowing in whose hands he is. God bless and be with this humble yet mighty person. And to his parents, "What an incredible son you have brought forth!". Sincerely, VeAnn M.
Jim JenkinsJanuary 30, 2015
Please pray in your families for this brave Latter-day Saint, as well as for all our missionaries and service men and women in these troubled times.
Susan RoylanceJanuary 30, 2015
Thank you Maureen for sharing this wonderful story, of a man who loves the Arabic people. I share that love, and sometimes it gets complicated. I wish him well -- and his family. We should keep them in our prayers!
droundyJanuary 30, 2015
My hat goes off to him. I hope he is successful in creating just a little more peace in the world.
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