STAFFORD, Va. — As the head of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Bruce A. Carlson won't say much about the federal agency he directs. The NRO builds and operates America's spy satellites, which are used extensively by federal agencies and war-fighters deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But on Sunday, July 18, he took time out to visit Stafford and talk at a devotional about his faith in Jesus Christ.
"He is the Redeemer of the world and our personal Savior," said Elder Carlson, who serves as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder Carlson spent 37 years in the U.S. Air Force, which included three tours of duty at the Pentagon. He became one of the nation's few four-star generals before retiring in 2009. "When my career ended, Vicki and I thought we would move to Texas, build our retirement home and be near our children and grandchildren. But the Lord had other plans," Elder Carlson said.
In April of that year, Elder Carlson received a call from the church's First Presidency, asking him to fill a position as a member in his faith's international lay leadership. Two months later, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to lead the once super-secret satellite agency, with headquarters in Virginia.
A quiet man, Elder Carlson said his journey of faith actually began long before he was born, and it began with a song.
In 1908, two young missionaries serving in Minnesota knocked on the door of his great-grandfather. When the door was opened, they began to sing a hymn. He let them in and later joined LDS Church.
But unlike many others who joined the faith, Elder Carlson's great-grandfather didn't move to Utah. Instead, his family stayed in Minnesota and become pioneers in place. His mother was baptized when she was 13, and after World War II, she married a good man who did not initially share her belief in the Book of Mormon.
"We moved often as my dad's career in the Minnesota Forest Service advanced. There was no church to attend and rarely any others of Mother's faith around. That changed in 1965 when we moved to Brainerd, Minn. I was 16 and we were 15 miles from the nearest congregation," Elder Carlson said. "I joined the church at 18."
Many years later, his own father surprised him and asked his son to baptize him.
"I baptized my dad on Tuesday; he was confirmed a church member on the next day. He was quickly ordained as a high priest in the Melchizedek Priesthood and called to serve in the leadership of his local congregation. He was ready," Elder Carlson said.
But Elder Carlson said that his own faith was not that solid.
"I was a fair-weather Mormon. I really believed that I believed," Elder Carlson said. But in 1974, he learned that, as part of the ongoing war in Southeast Asia, the U.S. Air Force was sending him to Thailand to be a forward air controller. The reality that he could soon be facing combat made him focus on his faith.
"I worried that my belief wouldn't be strong enough. I began to read, study, ponder and pray about the Book of Mormon. I gained a testimony that it was true, and as that testimony grew, I knew that God lived and could hear and answer my prayers. I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior," Elder Carlson said.
Despite his nearly four decades in the U.S. Air Force, where he spent more than 3,500 hours flying a variety of fighter-type aircraft, Elder Carlson used the example of a train when speaking about living as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
"Thirty-five years ago, I probably got off the train and wandered around a time or two. I kept my eye on the train but I wasn't that worried about keeping it on track," he said. "Now, the church-train is moving along at a faster pace and those who take the gospel lightly face the consequences of their actions.
"For those who choose to get off the train, I must issue a warning. The terrain is much more dangerous. It can be difficult to re-board, but re-board you must," he said, adding that the effort will be worth it. Paraphrasing a quote made famous by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, Elder Carlson said "What lies behind us pales in contrast to the glorious dawn that is ahead of us."
Jeff Schrade is public affairs director of the Fredericksburg Virginia Stake.