Sometimes only young people have the courage to choose what is right.
Helmuth Hubener was only 16 years old when he discovered that his government was lying to him and all of their citizens. In spite of great personal danger, he decided to oppose the Nazi party rule. In 1941 he printed out leaflets containing Allied radio broadcasts and his own political commentary.
“Do not allow your free will, the most precious thing you possess, to be taken away from you,” Hübener wrote in a 1941 leaflet.
At the age of 16, Helmuth was taken to prison and was eventually executed for “conspiracy to commit high treason.” He was only 17 years old.
In the years following World War II, Hübener has been honored for his courage to oppose the Nazi regime. Accordingly multiple schools and streets bear his name, and memorial exhibits have been established at a vocational school in Hamburg, the German Resistance Memorial in Berlin and the Gedenkstätte Plötzensee Memorial Wall in Berlin, where Hübener was executed.
Helmuth was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While visiting the Plötzensee memorial wall in 2018, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles paid tribute to Hübener, saying: “Helmuth Hübener’s courage and willingness to stand for what is good will always serve as a reminder and an invitation to follow the teachings of Christ.”
Helmut had to stand up to his Branch President and priesthood leader who was a Nazi party representative. A good man, his Branch President did not see the danger of divisive racism and cruel Nazi ideology. Helmut saw past the lies and violence to the truth. And for that truth, he gave his life.
Schnibbe, a friend and fellow conspirator was not killed. Guilty of lesser charges he was condemned to spend the war in a concentration camp. He later reported Hübener’s last words to him: “I hope you have a better life and a better Germany.”
His words are cause for reflection. The world has recovered from WWII, the players long dead. What remains is the knowledge and understanding that we can do terrible things – And we can do gentle, kind deeds as well.
We build our own world in life. Reflect now on what you are doing to create a better world – in your homes, your work place, and your community?
Change often starts with only one person. You!
Citations:
Churchnews: https://www.thechurchnews.com/history-archive/
krhofhiens.com 