Life Eternal

Dear Stake Family:

Lauri and I are currently leading a study abroad global infrastructure program through Italy, France, and the Netherlands. We have and will see some of Europe’s great ancient and modern cities with their rich engineering and culture. Our program began in Rome where the highlight was being able to visit the Rome Temple and perform ordinances there as we visited the temple engineer and learned about its design and construction. It is the first and only temple so far built in New Testament territory. Patterned after the architecture of Rome it is stunning in so many facets. In front of the visitor’s center you can see the Christus statue through the window as well as the temple in its reflection. The brilliant blue sky the day we visited accentuated its great beauty. As a group of students prepared to do baptisms for the dead, the temple president came and visited with us for a few minutes. He reminded us of a parable about a pearl of great price and box that President Packer shared. The story goes that the pearl’s owner hoped to enhance the pearl’s value by creating a beautiful box in which to display it. The box itself was exquisite and soon a buyer came to inquire about the purchase of the box rather than the pearl. The temple president suggested that it might be easy to focus on the beauty of the temple and forget the pearl of great price - ordinances and covenants that are performed within its walls.

A second impression occurred for me while visiting Saint Peters and the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican and later the Accademia and Uffizi Galleries in Florence. There is so much art through the years that depicts the life of the Savior and other prophets and apostles of primarily the New Testament era. I was struck by the devotion and love these artists and the people/culture they represented had for our Savior Jesus Christ. It was also apparent to me, especially on a trip like this where we study the brilliance of those that designed and built the Colosseum, Pantheon, Forum, Saint Peters and so many other structures, how little advancement occurred in technology for humankind through the dark ages. It becomes quite obvious that the Light of the Savior truly was lost for many years. It is also apparent from the beautiful works of art, that an understanding of who God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are, was lost (John 17:3). The paintings and structures themselves are like the boxes, beautiful in and of themselves, but often distracting from and obscuring the meaning of the life and mission of the Savior whom they intend to honor and adore.

It has been a reminder to me how easy it is to become distracted by the excitement and pursuit of many good, even magnificent things in this life, making it easy to lose sight of our pearls of great price. Our covenants and discipleship, that bind us to the Savior and provide access to the healing power of His all encompassing Atonement, is the most precious pearl we have. There are so many people that truly lack an understanding of who Jesus Christ is, and the purpose and plan of this life. The tragic events this past week in our community that took the lives of two of our youth punctuate the need to know Christ and have faith in His healing Atonement. I pray that we will not be distracted by beautiful boxes and other distractions that rob us of the comfort needed in times like these. I also pray that we will be willing to pay the price of discipleship that activates the atonement in our lives individually, and collectively. We look forward to gathering at our stake conference June 11-12 and hope that you will plan to participate.

Love, President Nelson