By Kim W. Nelson.

July 20, 1969 Commander Neil Armstrong and ‘Buzz’ Aldrin were the first humans to land on the moon. Many of us have vivid recollections of that event… others here have, or will, learn about it in history classes. As Neal Armstrong stepped off the lunar module, Eagle’s, footpad he described it as “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Never before had man been on another world. For the next 2 ½ hours everything they did would be new and never before done. The astronauts planted a US flag but, also something not commonly known, they planted a rod several meters from the lunar module called a ‘gnomon’. This rod then served as a point of reference in relation to the lunar module as they took pictures, explored, did tests and gathered about 48 lbs of lunar rocks to take home. As they moved about the barren surface of the moon they would talk to command central in Houston, Texas and would reference the module and the gnomon so command knew just where they were.  This was a useful tool during their brief visit.

Each of us in our own unique way, as each day of our lives unfolds is in a place or situation that we have never been. What is our point of reference…or gnomon…that let’s us know where we are?

Elder Quentin L. Cook shares an incident where he and his two boys got trapped in a surprise June blizzard on the Donner Pass. (I have personally been on Donner Pass in white out conditions. There is a feeling of disorientation and helplessness that is unique to that situation) Stuck for hours in their car, they were finally towed to safety. Elder Cook phoned his wife and when the three year old spoke with his mom he said in a quivering voice, “Hope Ya know, we had a hard time.”

Elder Cook used this story as a metaphor of life as he said: “The incident I just recounted, while a difficult travel situation, was brief, and there were no lasting consequences. However, many of the trials and hardships we encounter in life are severe and appear to have lasting consequences. Each of us will experience some of these during the vicissitudes of life.”

Elder Cook continues: “One of the essential doctrines illuminated by the Restoration is that there must be opposition in all things for righteousness to be brought to pass. This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving. As we read in Abraham, “and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” Elder Harold B. Lee taught, “Sometimes the things that are best for us and the things that bring eternal rewards seem at the moment to be most bitter, and the things forbidden are oft-times the things which seem to be more desirable.”

On several occasions, when my wife Lee Ann and I were raising our kids we were advised by ‘more mature’ adults that we should enjoy this time because it was the best time of our lives. They were right but I don’t believe we every really understood their counsel at the time it was given.

It’s my wife’s belief that the best way to get a real glimpse of hell is to pack your belongings and kids into the car and take a long family vacation. On one such trip we stopped at a Dennys to eat and were asked: “how many in your party?” “7” I responded, “But trust me this ain’t no party.” Difficult yes, but those trips were some of the greatest experiences of all of our children’s lives. Our children seek to create the same enduring experiences for their children.

For many years, I worked for a very successful man would sincerely believed that “Every adversity carries with it a seed of equivalent or greater benefit.”[2] If someone approached him and indicated they had a problem his immediate response was: “Terrific!”  If they persisted and indicated that it was really a difficult problem he would exclaim: “That’s double terrific!”

He was not making light of the situation, he was just trying to get the person to find solutions not focus on the problem.

I want every person here to do one thing right now. Think of a problem you have. I won’t ask for a show of hands to see who could think of one because I know the answer…it would be unanimous…everyone has problems…problems don’t discriminate. It becomes quite obvious then, that the difference between success and failure is not that we have problems (because everybody has problems), it’s how we deal with them. That is the little difference that makes the big difference.

Elder Cook shared the stories of two sisters who were driven from Nauvoo. Helen Mar Whitney and Bathsheba Smith. Each suffered all manner of starvation, poverty, sickness, death of loved ones. Each had a gnomon of faith. In other words, each sister had their spiritual bearings in order which helped them survive arduous adversities. Later sister Smith served as the matron of the Salt Lake Temple and the 4^th General President of the Relief Society. Sister Whitney blessed us with writings of the defense of our faith and was the mother of Apostle Orson F. Whitney.

Three lessons in the scriptures that help us understand the importance of knowing where we are in relationship to our Father in Heaven and our Redeemer Jesus Christ are found:

In the Garden of Eden: “And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?”[3]

To better understand what happened in the Garden of Eden read in Moses: “And I the Lord God, called unto Adam, and said unto him: Where goest thou?”[4]

Later, at another trying time another prophet, Abraham, is commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac. “And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.”[5]

In the New Testament,  Jesus was missing for three days…he was teaching at the temple…his mother asked him where he had been. He responded: “…How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my fathers business?”[6]

Each of these scriptural accounts teaches us of the importance of standing in holy places during our short visit on this earth.

Especially this day, as we commemorate the greatest event of all mankind, the atonement of Jesus Christ our Savior, do we know where we stand? Do we have a gnomon that shows us where we are in relationship to our Savoir?

Elder Cook admonishes to show gratitude for the Savior and his atonement with the following:

“Think of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane during the Atonement process, suffering agony so great that He bled from every pore. His cry to His Father included the word Abba. This might be interpreted as the cry of a son who is in distress to his father: ‘Oh my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life. At times when we may feel to say ‘Hope you know, I had a hard time.’ We can be assured that He is there and we are safe in His loving arms.”

In closing let me share one last story: In 1666 the Great fire of London destroyed 80% of the city of London. Charles II appointed six commissioners to redesign and rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren, master architect, was commissioned to design and oversee the construction of nearly 50 churches, not the least of them a new St. Paul’s Cathedral.  A story is told of Sir Christopher Wren observing three stone masons working on this project. He noted that each seemed to be working with a different degree of intensity. He approached the first and asked: “What are you doing?” “chiseling stone, can’t you see?” came the response. He asked the second mason to which came the answer: “I’m earning my daily wage.” Of the third he asked the same question and he replied: “Why I’m building a great cathedral.”

When the Lord calls for us and asks for an accounting will we respond with:

1- “I was just chipping away and putting in my time”, or

2- “I made a good living and lived well”, or

3- “I was a part of something greater than myself and filled the measure of my creation.”[7]

In all we do, let’s all be building a great cathedral…let’s not lose track of where we are.

I have a personal testimony of the atonement. Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer. He suffered and overcame all so that we too can overcome all.

Joseph Smith is a true prophet that restored those sacred principles and ordinances so that we can live to receive the blessings that Christ promises.

I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ.

Easter talk given by Kim Nelson,

Hansen Park Ward Sacrament Meeting,

Kennewick, Washington Stake

April 2009