Los Alamos Fire
In 1941, the government opened a uranium mill in the small southeastern town of Utah in which I grew up. It was the uranium from this mill that would feed the Manhatten project leading to the development of the atomic bomb at the Los Alamos lab in New Mexico.
The project, was of course, top secret and none of the residents of this small rural town were ever informed of the potential risks incurred by placing a uranium processing plant in the center of the community. It would be years later before its slow, insidious and deadly malignant effect would be realized – and, by then, it was too late. At the time, we were just happy to have the boom to our economy and the jobs that came with it.
The mill was in operation from 1941 to 1960. I was five years old when it closed. It would be many, many years later though before the mill site was cleaned up and the tailings hauled off. The tailing ponds, or what remained of them were just a stones throw down the hill from my grandparents house; the sight of many adventures in my elementary years. Old tires and debris littered the area and it always seemed fun to go down there and poke around. No one worried about kids in those days. After breakfast, during the summer time, we took off on our bikes, the only instructions from our parents – “be back in time for lunch!”
As the fire burns near the Los Alamos lab, I wonder about the safety of the population there. One report I read, mentioned that the burning of surrounding trees and soil could pose a safety risk even if the fire never reaches the laboratory grounds. Causing me to wonder, as many of us do, if we are being given the entire story. It’s taken 60 years and an alarming number of cancer deaths for the government to finally own up to their responsibility to the citizens of southern Utah.
Floods, tornados, fires. The older I get and the more studied in God’s word I become, I have to wonder if God’s view of history is the same as our own. Does the end justifiy the means? Yes, Japan surrendered after the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but, thousands of innocent civilians were killed – dead from flash burns and radioactivity. And, innocent civilians were lied to in the development of these weapons. Does God sanction that? I wonder.
Rambling thoughts as I watch the flames of the Los Alamos fire scorch the night sky – the deaths of innocents heavy on my mind.
* Please, thoughtful comments only, not a forum for debating the use of the atomic bomb to end the war
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6 Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
http://abcnews.go.com/US/los-alamos-fire-epa-testing-radiation/story?id=13953953
Heaven Bound 
Hi Cindy,
I hope you and your family are well dear sister.
As for the question whether or not GOD sanctions all the underhanded stuff that goes on in governments, especially in military aspects; it would seem that nothing escapes HIS all seeing eyes.
That does not mean HE is pleased with the use or intended use thereof. But we must always remember that it is GOD whom is in complete control and we need only trust HIM to control the outcome of the many human blunders we make in the name of science or peace.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose.
So while one nuclear bomb can ruin your whole day; we are promised that no matter how bad or bleak an incident may seem to us, we are to trust and wait on HIM to make it for our good since we are the called according to HIS purpose.
That does not include a guarantee that it will be easy or pleasant, but it will be ultimately for our good. That is to HIS glory.
Happy independence day while we still have independence.
I have always been a dependent; on GOD.
Blessings on you and your family ….. Steve Hollander
[Thank you Steve, I appreciate your kind response very much. The fire at Los Alamos (along with our other recent national disasters) has left me to wonder if God’s judgment on our nation, includes not just recent wrongs, but, previous wrongs as well. I’m thinking of the verse from Galatians that says, ” Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” In Hosea 8:7, it says: “They sow the wind, but, reap the whirlwind.” Were decisions to build bombs and drop them on innocent people made after praying and seeking God? I doubt it. The danger the fire poses in exposing the local population and others to deadly chemicals and radiation, may be just one example of the chickens coming home to roost! Grace and blessings! Cindy]
By: Steve Hollander on June 30, 2011
at 2:06 pm
Cindy – many thoughts expressed here that more than a few are thinking about these days. Steve, great insight. Your comments give a great overview to the article.
Makes us all wonder where all of this is going. What will be left of the earth as we know it? This is what happens when men demand to make our own rules and do things “our way.” It is the reason that when the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus is finally established on earth, it will be ruled by a “rod of iron” (tough love). We are now proving that man has a very sinful heart and we cannot rule ourselves(because Jesus is not on the throne of men’s hearts).
I often think of Noah – when the door was opened for the first time after the flood. What were their feelings when they looked at the world after the flood!
Miles and miles and miles and miles – not a living soul. The world had been cleansed and “set back in order.” But, they had to start totally over – from scratch – by themselves with the tools and implements they brought and the knowledge they accumulated over the years. I’m very sure there must have been some tough, low days for them.
I think about Lot – having lost his wife – having to start over in a brand new place – having left all behind.
I often wonder if there is a “zoo” someplace set aside by God to replenish the earth. It makes me search the scriptures more for clues.
What an adventurous time it will be for the young – a brand new world – all peaceful and safe for the babies they bring into the world. Times are getting tougher by the day – but if one looks far enough ahead, what a great world it will be.
[A wonderful world indeed Jeane! Thanks for sharing! C]
By: Jeane on June 30, 2011
at 4:01 pm
Cindy,
The Lord uses those that would bring destruction to do good things.
Genesis 50:20
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
This man, Joseph, that the Lord used to save many is a remarkable man, he saw evil first hand, sold into slavery by his brothers, Because of his coat. Imprisoned for someone else’s sin. Brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. I don’t know if it ever happened or not, it is not recorded, but he never complained once! When he told his story to those men in prison, he had a chance. I wish I could make it through a day. But he was steadfast. Our God is so good we will have to wait to see everything that he is doing in these days, but God intends to do good. Our idea about what that looks like is, I think, very different than His.
Steve is right, Our heavenly Father intends to work things out, no matter what the enemy may do.
Isaiah 42:2-4
King James Version (KJV)
2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Lord as we await the return of your Son, King Jesus, encourage your people. Grant to our sister Cindy understanding that goes way beyond what we can figure out and simply trust you to do what you said that you would. Thank you Lord.
[Hi Jeff, Thanks so much for writing! And you are absolutely right, as believers, we have the comfort of knowing that all things work together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” I don’t doubt that one bit! I grew up in a time when God, country and patriotism were all rolled in to one. We trusted the government to watch out for our best interests, but, as an older adult, looking back, I can see that was never the case; it wasn’t then and it’s not now. Too often, we have accepted the decisions made by those who have been placed in power over us without holding them responsible for the unwise and ungodly decisions they have made; I can assure you, while we may let them off the hook, God does not. The judgment befallling this nation is ample proof of that . Grace and blessings! C]
By: jeff on June 30, 2011
at 11:16 pm
“Manhattan”project…. Los Alamos Fire…same sex marriage act NY…you think there is any correlation? Plus David Wilkerson 1000 fires coming to New York City in his Urgent Message March 2009. Love visiting your blog Cindy..thank you
http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2009/03/urgent-message.html
[Hi Carleen, thanks for writing! I think he is right, fire is coming and it may not be of the forest fire variety! Perhaps the Los Alamos fire is a warning that fire of a different kind is coming. They call the Los Alamos fire “the Conchas” fire. Conchas is Spanish for “shell.” Here in Hawaii, we have the custom of blowing the Conch shell in advance of an important event. Very similar to blowing the shofar. In fact, each time I hear the Conch shell blown, it reminds me of that very thing. A big shell and an experienced blower can make quite a sound. Something to think about! Grace and blessings! Cindy
By: GmaCole on July 1, 2011
at 1:39 am
Found this interesting on Manhattan Project..http://www.mrdowling.com/706-manhattanproject.html
[Thanks Carleen, Check this out if you haven’t read it already – on today’s Raiders News Network – ties in well with our subject – http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/06/29/989692/-Fukushima-Spews,-Los-Alamos-Burns,-Vermont-Rages-and-Weve-Almost-Lost-Nebraska ]
By: GmaCole on July 1, 2011
at 1:56 am
Cindy, As I read this post, the passage in Isaiah 55:9 came to mind.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (KJV)
He does indeed have a much different view of history than we do.
God bless you!
By: Coreen on July 4, 2011
at 3:45 pm
[…] by the Sea’s article, “the flames of history” got me thinking about fire, which in turn led me to the subject of today’s […]
By: If You Play With Fire You Will Get Burned | The Day Approaching on July 4, 2011
at 3:46 pm
Cindy, I have no idea how you posted my article this way, but thank you for referencing my blog. God Bless! Coreen
By: Coreen on July 5, 2011
at 3:37 pm