"On one of his trips to Russia as Secretary of Agriculture, President Benson had a moving experience revealing the deep religious faith of some of the Russian people.
"He had been conferring with Premier Khrushchev and other high officials of the Russian government as a representative of the United States. Following that conference, he indicated a desire to visit some church where Christians were still permitted to meet. After some persistence, he was taken to a Baptist church in Moscow. The members of the press accompanying him to Russia for his governmental meeting also followed him to this little church.
"It was one of the very few Christian churches still open in that vast city. The congregation was made up mainly of elderly people, many of whom were women.
"As the obviously American group walked into the chapel, the people in the congregation looked almost agape, hardly believing their eyes. One of the Americans, Secretary Benson, was unexpectedly called to the pulpit.
"Choking with emotion, he testified in that city to the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ.
"'God Lives. I know that He lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ and the Redeemer of the world,' he declared.
"His words were translated into Russian. With each sentence, nods of assent were seen throughout the congregation. Women removed their head coverings and wiped their eyes. Men rubbed away the moisture that blurred their vision. The hardened news correspondents who came because they felt they were compelled to as a party of the Secretary's entourage, and who at first had no interest in this religious gathering whatever, now wept with the congregation.
"It was a solemn moment. Hearts were melted. A spirit enveloped the worshipers such as they had never felt before. Hands folded and heads bowed in humble prayer.
"The American press then slowly walked down the aisle toward the door with a humble attitude in complete contrast to that with which they had entered. As they passed the pews, anxious hands and hungry hearts reached out to them. Then from thankful lips came the strains of 'God be with you til we meet again...,' although everyone realized that this hope would likely never be fulfilled in mortality."
Ezra T. Benson: Secretary of Agriculture and thirteenth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In his own words:
"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace."
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