In the headlines at about the same time recently were the naming of Ezra Taft Benson as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and President Reagan’s appeal for prayers for success at the upcoming summit meetings with Soviet leader Gorbachev.
Somehow the two stories combined to remind me of an extraordinary spiritual happening 26 years ago in Moscow, Russia, of all places.
Perhaps you’d he interested in some highlights of the event since President Benson was the central figure and in view of the harmonious interaction of Russians and Americans on a people-to-people basis that unforgettable evening.
Benson, a Mormon apostle then serving as Secretary of Agriculture in President Eisenhower’s cabinet, was in Russia in October 1959 on a seven-nation trade development and goodwill trip.
After touring the ornate atheistic Kremlin, including the tombs of Lenin and Stalin, he sought out the Central Baptist Church, one of the few open-for-business churches left in Moscow at the time.
In that faded old stucco building, Benson unexpectedly was asked to address the jam-packed audience of more than 1,000 people. His voice choking with emotion, he “preached a sermon of love, faith, hope and truth,” reported Gaylord P. Godwin of United Press International.
The impact of Benson’s remarks and the surprise visit by the U.S. entourage was a moving experience for Russians and Americans alike.
I have kept the clipping of Godwin’s news dispatch all these years. Another good account – written by Tom Anderson, publisher of Farm and Ranch Magazine – is preserved in the appendix of Bensons book, “Cross Fire,” on his years with Eisenhower.
Most persons in the Moscow chapel ”were well past middle age, with only a handful of teenagers,” wrote Anderson. “They gaped incredulously as our obviously American group was led down the aisle. Many reached out to touch us or grab our hands as we proceeded to the pews which were gladly vacated for our visit.”
Benson’s remarks were interpreted by the Russian minister and were summarized in Godwin’s UPI account.
”I believe firmly in prayer. It is possible to reach out and tap that unseen power which gives us such strength and such an anchor in time of need.”
Godwin wrote that Benson’s voice broke as he spoke of the Prince of Peace and that men and women by the hundreds dabbed at moistened eyes.
“Be not afraid,” the U.S. cabinet member continued. ”Keep His commandments. Love one another. Love all mankind. Strive for peace and all will be well. Truth will endure. God lives … I know that He lives …”
Anderson said in his account that ”the Secretary’s wife and two beautiful daughters raptly drank in his words, with tears streaming.” And that as each sentence was translated, many Russians nodded vigorously and agreed. “Da, da, da!” (Yes, yes, yes).
The audience showed its appreciation in a farewell song. “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” As they sang, the Russians waved handkerchiefs. “The church was a sea of white,” the UPI report said.
This interesting touch was added by Anderson in his magazine: “Cynical newspaper correspondents who had griped about a ‘command performance’ in church with Benson stood crying openly …”
The publisher also said: “It was the most heartrending and most inspiring scene I have ever witnessed. With heavy hearts we left to rejoin the smug, smartaleck atheist guides who took us to the church but refused to go in.”
Benson related the experience in his book and commented: “Its impact was indescribable. I shall never forget that evening … Seldom if ever have I felt the oneness of mankind and the unquenchable yearning of the human heart for freedom so keenly as at that moment.”