As the world watched from 252,756 miles away, the Artemis II mission crew set a new record for human spaceflight on April 6, 2026. These four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — traveled behind the moon, observed the lunar surface and emerged on the other side.
The photos from their historic journey are awe-inspiring: intricate details of craters, the small sliver of the earth rising behind the moon, a glowing halo of sunlight and the smiling faces of the four astronauts.
As their capsule approached the moon, Glover spoke in a livestream video about what he called “one of the most important mysteries on earth.”
“And that’s love,” he said. “Christ said in response to ‘what was the greatest command’ that it was ‘to love God with all that you are.’ And he also, being a great teacher, said the second is equal to it, and that is ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
While their mission was filled with dazzling and wondrous views, one of the most extraordinary achievements of the whole mission came as the world witnessed the friendship — the love — among the astronauts.
These four individuals became one.
“I will miss this comradery,” said Koch. “We are close like brothers and sisters, and that is a privilege.”
Said Hansen: “We’re glad that we can remind people that we can do better as a human race by lifting one another up and collaborating.”
Said Wiseman: “We launched as friends, and we came back as best friends.”
After being welcomed home with a small parade in his hometown, Glover spoke to his neighbors from his front yard: “Let’s be this more. Let’s be neighbors.”
This love in action is peacemaking in action — with life-changing results. Many people around the world observed the Artemis mission and have been inspired by their words and actions.
At the same time the four astronauts were approaching the moon, Church President Dallin H. Oaks stood at the pulpit of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and quoted the Savior’s words on loving one’s neighbors.
From Matthew 5:43–44: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Said President Oaks: “What a revolutionary teaching for personal relationships! Love even your enemies. But who are our enemies? The full meaning of enemies in the sources from which King James’ translators chose the word ”enemies" includes military foes but even extends to any who actively oppose one another. Today we might say that we are commanded to love our adversaries. All mortals are beloved children of God.”
We don’t have to go to space to see the world change through this kind of peacemaking President Oaks is referring to.
“How it would change the world if followers of Christ would forgo harsh and hurtful words in all their communications,” he said.
Jesus Christ has given us the greatest example to follow.
“We can follow the example of Jesus Christ, who is our role model, by choosing to love others — even if they show little or no love toward us,” President Oaks taught.
While studying his talk, I’ve reflected on the people who have had an impact on my own life because of their peacemaking efforts: the Young Women leaders who encouraged our class to be kind to each other, the mission companions who sought to build friendships even when it wasn’t easy, the family members who have forgiven each other for past disagreements.
Even as I watch peacemaking on the global stage, it is the peacemaking among my own friends and family that is truly humbling.
As President Oaks has echoed the Savior’s command to “love your enemies,” I’ve had to take a real look at my own words and actions toward others, and I’ve felt a need to do more to be a peacemaker.
This desire to improve can become overwhelming or discouraging. But the more I’ve prayed to Heavenly Father for help, the more my thoughts have turned to His grace through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
The need for improvement that we all experience is the reason for our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation and the Savior Jesus Christ’s Atonement. He knew we would fall short and need a Savior — even for the day-to-day mistakes in our efforts to become peacemakers. He knew and He provided the way.
The Savior declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ...
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:6, 27).
— Aimee Cobabe is a reporter for the Church News.
