Elder B. H. Roberts was a chaplain in the United States Armed Forces during
World War I. The war finally drew to a close, and the peace treaty was
signed on 11 November 1918. Two weeks later, on Thanksgiving Day, the
American soldiers were gathered together "in one grand Thanksgiving
service."
"The large attendance included high-ranking military officers and the
services were conducted by the chaplains, who were seated on the
grandstand.
"Elder Roberts was relegated to one of the rear seats. He had not been
asked in advance to participate on the program, therefore, it was with
great surprise that he heard the chaplain in charge announce: 'Elder
Roberts, the Mormon chaplain from Utah, will now step up and read the
Thanksgiving Psalm.'
"Elder Roberts had never heard of the Thanksgiving Psalm but, hiding his
personal embarrassment and possible impending embarrassment to the Church,
he arose and walked to the podium, not knowing what he should say.
"Years later he testified that, during the long walk to the front, he
distinctly heard an audible voice announce: ''The 100th Psalm.' It was as
clear as though another person had spoken at his side.
"Elder Roberts faced the crowd, paused, then opened his Bible and read
Psalm 100....
"After Brother Roberts had closed his Bible and was returning to his seat,
he noticed that his fellow chaplains refused to look at him; their eyes
were immovably fixed on the floor.
"It was then he realized that his part on the program had been a
deliberate attempt to embarrass him, the Church and the priesthood. He
acknowledged the help which he had received from the Lord in his moment of
need and, when he returned to his tent that night, he checked the Book of
Psalms, discovering that the 100th Psalm contained the most pertinent and
appropriate sentiments on Thanksgiving."
("Inspiration, Key to Thanksgiving Psalm," Church News, 22 Nov. 1975, p. 12)
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