Chaplain in Navy honored for service

U.S. Navy Chaplain Clifford Stuart's introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was absent of much fanfare.It was 1985, and recruit Stuart was enduring basic training at the U.S.

Marine Corps Training Depot in San Diego, Calif. A fellow recruit

handed him a Book of Mormon, inviting him to read.

      "Then the Marine who gave it to me was injured and I didn't see him anymore," remembered Brother Stuart.

      Still, he read the Book of Mormon, set it down and didn't give it

much thought for several years. Then in 1990, the young Marine began

dating a woman in the U.S. Navy named Carrie Parks. Early in their

courtship, he learned the sailor was a church member. Soon he was

asking Carrie questions about her religion. Missionary discussions

would follow."She was well-versed in the faith."The couple married in 1991, but Brother Stuart would not join the church for another three years.

      "I went through several groups of missionaries," he said with a

laugh. "Finally, one missionary simply asked me 'What are you doing

this Saturday?'" Short on answers, Brother Stuart accepted that bold

baptismal invitation.

      Once converted, Brother Stuart became fully involved in the church. He and Sister Stuart were sealed in the temple and later

welcomed four children into their family. Meanwhile, Brother Stuart's

military career followed an unexpected path when he became a Navy

chaplain a few years ago.

      Now 41, Brother Stuart was recently named the Navy's top chaplain

of the year. It's the first time an LDS Church member has received such an

honor from any branch of the U.S. military.

      "I didn't expect to win," said Brother Stuart, who serves as