The man stared outside his office window, he could see the majestic Rocky Mountains to the distance, the man sighed, he wanted to travel and see those mountains, he was told that they were majestic during the fall and spring times. With Winter ending, this was the perfect time to see the mountains, and he had even got his plans in order and negotiated with the Mexican authorities for rights to travel and visit, being a foreign dignitary to begin with. Joseph and his family eagerly counted down the days until they could depart to Mexico. The troops who arrived home from the bloody Canadian Front brought forth stories of traveling through the mountain passes and stories of snowfalls that could exceed taller than a full grown man in many parts of the passes. Even diplomats had stories, Joseph desperately wanted to see it before God called him home, which could be soon, given his health.
Finally the week came that the family could go on their trip, as the children eagerly jumped on the train for Mexico a messenger came from the State Department with a message for Joseph. Joseph took the message and read it, his face suddenly went blank and he rushed to the waiting carriage and raced off towards the State Department leaving his family wondering what is wrong. As the carriage thundered to a stop in from of the State Building, Eric Truman was standing at the door expecting his arrival and immediately ushered the Prophet into a room, already there was, General Timmons, Commander of the Western Forces; General Scofield, Grand General of all Deseret forces; Ambassador Jensen, Ambassador to Mexico; Secretary Barson, Chief of the Diplomatic Force; and finally Ambassador Gonzalez, Ambassador to Deseret from Mexico.
Joseph first looked at Secretary Barson for confirmation, the Secretary looked at the Prophet and nodded, "Sir, Mexico has erupted into Civil War. We felt it was too dangerous for you to visit it now."
Joseph then looked at the Generals, "What is our readiness?"
General Timmons stood and cleared his voice, "Sir, our forces are at peak readiness since their arrival from Canada several weeks ago, there have been minor reports of refugees and soldiers skirmishing, but overall we have the resources and equipment necessary to repel any forces that should come our way."
Joseph then looked at Ambassador Jensen who immediately took his cue, "Sir, Mexico is torn between two factions, the Monarchy under their Emperor, and the Socialists, I have no idea who heads this faction, but I am sure Ambassador Gonzalez would be able to. But I have been able to determine that Mexico is now focused on their own fight that we should not see any of the fighting come our way. I also have the assurance of the Emperor that his forces will not close in our positions. They hold the lands to our west for now."
Joseph sighed and breathed easy, he then turned to the Mexican Ambassador, "Ambassador, whose side are you on and will they be looking for our assistance?"
"Sir, I remain loyal to the Emperor, and he has not informed me if he will be asking for assistance or not."
"Good."
Joseph then turned towards a messenger and told him to head to the train station and tell his family to cancel the trip and that all will be explained later. The messenger saluted and left. Joseph then faced the group again and said, "Allright gentlemen, keep me posted and Ambassador Jensen and Gonzalez, as well as Secretary Barson I want to see you in my office."
