LiahonaThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints • June 2010

Keeping It Real: The Challenges and Blessings of Technology, pp. 18, 22 Honesty at School—the Real Test, p. 50 Children, Are You Ready to Pray? p. 70 Whither Thou Goest, by Sandy Freckleton Gagon After Naomi’s husband died, her two sons married—one to Orpah and the other to Ruth. About 10 years later Naomi’s two sons died. “Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her. “And [Naomi] said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” (Ruth 1:14–16). Ruth remained, married Boaz, and gave birth to Obed, through whom came David the king (see Ruth 2–4). 18

Liahona, June 2010

Messages Feature Articles Departments 4 First Presidency Message: 18 Positive Uses of the Internet 8 Small and Simple Things Canaries with Gray on Their Used appropriately, the Internet Wings can bless our lives with inspiring 10 What We Believe: Agency Is Essential to Our Eternal By President Thomas S. Monson content and resources for learn- Progress ing and teaching the gospel. 7 Visiting Teaching Message: 12 Gospel Classics: Built upon Renewing Covenants 22 Things as They Really Are through the Sacrament the Rock By Elder David A. Bednar By Elder Orson F. Whitney One of the adversary’s most effective tactics is to use 15 We Talk of Christ: Power to technology to disconnect Change us from reality. Name withheld 32 Cambodian Latter-day 16 Serving in the Church: Saints: Moving in a New Called and Set Apart to Serve Direction By Elder Kenneth Johnson By Chad E. Phares Latter-day Saint Voices Though the country has faced 38 dark times, the light of the 74 News of the Church gospel is shining in the lives of Cambodian Latter-day Saints. 80 Until We Meet Again: Transparent Adversity By Felipe Urbina On the cover Photographs by David Stoker.

June 2010 1 Young Adults Youth Children

46 Bound Together through God’s Word 62 By David A. Edwards These young women in Ger- many share how seminary has helped them gain a greater love for God’s word. 49 Poster: Ready or Not 50 To Cheat or Not to Cheat By Shery Ann de la Cruz Could I choose to cheat, despite 42 all the help Heaveny Father had given me? 42 Your Mission in Life Is Now 58 How Are Your E-Manners? By Jan Pinborough 52 Our Space By Lindsay Law Discover three principles that It’s fun to use e-mail, text will help you face the future with 54 Long-Distance Family Home messages, and cell phones. Evening confidence, energy, and faith. But do you know how to use By Luis Felipe Viera-Mesones them without hurting others’ 45 Gospel in My Life: Even when Dad was out of town, feelings? Update Your Spiritual he always made it to our family Status home evenings. 60 Skipping to a Jamaican Beat By Megan Withers How I Know: 55 Meet two Jamaican siblings, and You Already Know learn why they have so much By Elizabeth Stitt faith. Questions and Answers 56 62 Be on the Lord’s Side “I’ve prayed and studied the By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf scriptures for a long time, but I You can be a sunbeam for Jesus. never seem to get an answer to my questions. Why isn’t the 64 Sharing Time: The Holy Ghost See if you can Lord blessing me with a Testifies of the Truth of All find the Liahona testimony?” Things By Sandra Tanner and Cristina hidden in this Franco issue. 66 Our Page 68 Shadows on the Wall By Patricia R. Jones Desiree learns the hard way that what we watch on television can affect our thoughts. 70 For Young Children

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2 Liahona June 2010 Vol. 34 No. 6 LIAHONA 09286 Official international magazine of The Church of Jesus More Online Christ of Latter-day Saints Liahona.lds.org The First Presidency: Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Boyd K. Packer, For Adults L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd This issue of the ­Liahona contains a number of Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen articles about Internet use. To find more informa- Editor: Spencer J. Condie Advisers: Keith K. Hilbig, Yoshihiko Kikuchi, tion on the topic, including resources for children Paul B. Pieper and parents to promote safe Internet use, visit Managing Director: David L. Frischknecht Editorial Director: Victor D. Cave www.gospeltopics.lds.org and read the topic Senior Editor: Larry Hiller Graphics Director: Allan R. Loyborg “Internet.” Managing Editor: R. Val Johnson Assistant Managing Editors: Jenifer L. Greenwood, In his article “Called and Set Apart to Serve” (page 16), Elder Adam C. Olson Associate Editor: Ryan Carr Kenneth Johnson of the Seventy explains the importance of being Assistant Editor: Susan Barrett set apart for a calling. For more information on specific callings, Editorial Staff: David A. Edwards, Matthew D. Flitton, LaRene Porter Gaunt, Annie Jones, Carrie Kasten, Jennifer visit “Serving in the Church” at www.lds.org. Maddy, Melissa Merrill, Michael R. Morris, Sally J. Odekirk, Joshua J. Perkey, Chad E. Phares, Jan Pinborough, Richard M. Romney, Don L. Searle, Janet Thomas, Paul This month Small and Simple Things (page 8) VanDenBerghe, Julie Wardell Senior Secretary: Laurel Teuscher addresses the topic of family communication. Art Director: Scott Van Kampen To learn more about strengthening your Production Manager: Jane Ann Peters Design and Production Staff: Cali R. Arroyo, family, visit www.lds.org/hf and click Collette Nebeker Aune, Howard G. Brown, Julie “Building a Strong Family.” Burdett, Thomas S. Child, Reginald J. Christensen, Kim Fenstermaker, Kathleen Howard, Eric P. Johnsen, Denise Kirby, Scott M. Mooy, Ginny J. Nilson Learn more about Latter-day Saints in Cambodia at Prepress: Jeff L. Martin www.liahona.lds.org. Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick Distribution Director: Randy J. Benson For subscriptions and prices outside the United States and Canada, contact your local Church distribution center or For Youth ward or branch leader. Send manuscripts and queries to Liahona,­ Rm. 2420, In “To Cheat or Not to Cheat” (page 50), Shery Ann de la Cruz 50 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150- 0024, USA; or e-mail: [email protected]. talks about an experience at school in which her integrity was put to The Liahona­ (a Book of Mormon term meaning “compass” or “director”) is published in Albanian, the test. To learn more about the importance of being honest, Armenian, Bislama, Bulgarian, Cambodian, Cebuano, visit www.gospeltopics.lds.org and read the topic “Honesty.” Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Fijian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kiribati, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Marshallese, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, For Children Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Sinhala, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Tahitian, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tongan, How are your e-manners? Find out by taking our Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. (Frequency varies by language.) online quiz found at www.liahona.lds.org. While you’re © 2010 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. there, you can also view a special video Printed in the United States of America. Text and visual material in the Liahona­ may be copied for about media use. incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual material may not be copied if restrictions are indicated To find more Coloring Pages like the in the credit line with the artwork. Copyright questions should be addressed to Intellectual Property Office, 50 E. one on page 73 as well as other fun North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA; e-mail: [email protected]. activities, visit www.liahona.lds.org and For Readers in the United States and Canada: June click on “Children’s Activities.” 2010 Vol. 34 No. 6. LIAHONA (USPS 311-480) English (ISSN 1080-9554) is published monthly by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150. USA subscription price is $10.00 per year; Canada, $12.00 plus applicable taxes. Periodicals Postage Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. Sixty days’ notice required for change of address. Include address label from a recent issue; old and new address must be included. Send USA and Canadian subscriptions to Salt Lake Distribution Center at address below. Subscription help line: 1-800-537-5971. Credit card orders (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) may be taken by phone. In Your Language (Canada Poste Information: Publication Agreement #40017431) To find online Church materials in your language, POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Salt Lake visit www.languages.lds.org. Distribution Center, Church Magazines, PO Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368. June 2010 3 First Presidency Message

By President Canaries Thomas S. Monson with Gray on Their Wings

early 60 years ago, while I was serving as a young achieve these goals?” I answer, “By gaining a true bishop, Kathleen McKee, a widow in my ward, perspective of who we really are!” We are sons Npassed away. Among her things were three pet and daughters of a living God, in whose image canaries. Two, with perfect yellow coloring, were to be we have been created. Think of that: created in the given to her friends. The third, Billie, had yellow coloring image of God. We cannot sincerely hold this convic- marred by gray on his wings. Sister McKee had written in tion without experiencing a profound new sense a note to me: “Will you and your family make a home for of strength and power. him? He isn’t the prettiest, but his song is the best.” In our world, moral character ofttimes seems Sister McKee was much like her yellow canary with secondary to beauty or charm. But from long gray on its wings. She was not blessed with beauty, gifted ago the Lord’s counsel to Samuel the prophet with poise, or honored by posterity. Yet her song helped echoes: “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for others to more willingly bear their burdens and more ably man looketh on the outward appearance, but shoulder their tasks. the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). The world is filled with yellow canaries with gray on When the Savior sought a man of faith, their wings. The pity is that so precious few have learned He did not select him from the throng of the to sing. Some are young people who don’t know who self-righteous who were found regularly in the they are, what they can be or even want to be; all they synagogue. Rather, He called him from among the want is to be somebody. Others are stooped with age, fishermen of Capernaum. Doubting, unschooled, burdened with care, or filled with doubt—living lives far impetuous Simon became Peter, Apostle of below the level of their capabilities. faith. A yellow canary with gray on his wings To live greatly, we must develop the capacity to face qualified for the Master’s full confidence and trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, abiding love. and triumph with humility. You ask, “How might we When the Savior chose a missionary of

4 Liahona Teaching from This Message hen you teach . . . , it is often helpful to have learn- Wers look or listen for something specific” (Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 55). To help family members understand President Monson’s message, consider asking them to be prepared to share what they learn after reading the message together. Invite each person to share what he or she feels is an important point in the article. Conclude by bearing testimony of President Monson’s message. Teaching the word of God, as given through His proph- ets, can have a powerful influence on the lives of those we teach (see Teaching, No Greater Call, 50). President Monson states there is strength and power in knowing we are children of God. After reading the article, ask the fam- ily to share what helps them remember who they are.

zeal and power, He found him not among His advo- cates but amidst His adversaries. Saul the persecutor became Paul the proselytizer. The Redeemer chose imperfect people to teach the way to perfection. He did so then. He does so now—even yellow canaries with gray on their wings. He calls you and me to serve Him here below. Our commitment must be total. And in our struggle, should we stumble, let us plead: “Lead us, oh lead us, great Molder of men, out of the darkness to strive once again.” 1 My prayer is that we will follow the example of the Man of Galilee, who could be found mingling with the poor, the downtrodden, the oppressed, and the afflicted. May a true song come from our hearts as we do so. ◼ Note 1. “Fight Song,” Yonkers High School. i on by S teve Kropp Illustrat

June 2010 5 Youth Children

What Is True Beauty? Sing Your Sweetest Song resident Monson says in this message, “In our world, resident Monson told about Sister McKee’s three Pmoral character ofttimes seems secondary to beauty or Pcanaries. Two were yellow all over. They looked charm.” Young women might struggle with their image of perfect! The third didn’t look perfect because it had who they are and what they can become. Consider these gray spots on its wings. But Sister McKee loved it thoughts about true beauty from Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy: because it sang so sweetly. Some people feel they are not as beautiful or • a young woman whose countenance is aglow with both as smart as others. But each person is valuable to happiness and virtue radiates inner beauty. • The virtuous smile is truly beautiful as it radiates in a the Lord. We can be faithful and brave and use our totally natural way. This true beauty can’t be painted on talents to serve others. Then we are like the yellow but is a gift of the Spirit. canary with gray on its wings. We are not perfect, • Modesty is an outward sign and requirement for inward but we are singing our sweetest song! beauty. Color the picture of Sister McKee and her special • if you are discouraged about your appearance, it will help canary. Then write down three ways you can sing to see yourself through the eyes of those who love you. your sweetest song for the Lord. Hidden beauty seen by loved ones can become a mirror for self-improvements. • The kind of man a virtuous woman wants to marry also “seeth not” as the natural man seeth (see 1 Samuel 16:7). He will be drawn to the true beauty she radiates from a pure and cheerful heart. The same is true for a young woman looking for a virtuous young man. • our Father in Heaven expects all of His children to choose the right, which is the only way to lasting happiness and inner beauty. • With the Lord, there is no competition. All have an equal privilege to have His image engraven upon their counte- nances (see Alma 5:19). There is no truer beauty.

To read the entire message, see Lynn G. Robbins, “True Beauty,” New Era, Nov. 2008, 30. Young men can find similar advice in Errol S. Phippen, “Ugly Duckling or Majestic Swan? It’s Up to You,” ­Liahona, Oct. 2009, 36; New Era, Oct. 2009, 16.

I can sing my sweetest song for the Lord by:

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______aryn R oos i on by M aryn i on by Chr st na S m th; llustrat P hoto i llustrat 6 Liahona Visiting Teaching Message Helps for Visiting Teaching s you come to know a sister and A her family, look for ways you might help her renew her covenants through the sacrament. If she does not attend sacrament meeting, could Renewing Covenants you invite her to attend or offer help through the Sacrament for her to do so (transportation, assis- tance with children, a friend to sit by, Teach these scriptures new testament in my blood,’ ‘which and so on)? and quotations or, if is shed . . . for the remission of sins.’ Personal Preparation needed, another prin- ‘This do in remembrance of me.’ . . . Luke 22:19–20 ciple that will bless the “Since that upper room experi- 1 Corinthians 11:23–28 sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the ence on the eve of Gethsemane and 3 Nephi 18:1–12 doctrine. Invite those you visit to share Golgotha, children of the promise what they have felt and learned. have been under covenant to remem- ber Christ’s sacrifice in this newer, Jesus Christ Instituted the higher, more holy and personal way.” 1 Sacrament Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum she said with all confidence, ‘I have “Jesus took bread, blessed and of the Twelve Apostles. been baptized for a whole day, and I broke it, and gave it to his Apostles, haven’t sinned once!’ But her perfect saying, ‘Take, eat’ (Matt. 26:26). ‘This We Renew Our Baptismal day did not last forever, and I am sure is my body which is given for you: Covenants through the she is learning by now, like we all Sacrament this do in remembrance of me’ (Luke learn, that as hard as we try, we do 22:19). In a similar manner he took “When we are baptized, we take not always avoid every bad situation, the cup of wine, traditionally diluted upon ourselves the sacred name every wrong choice. . . . with water, said a blessing of thanks of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His “. . . It is not possible to make for it, and passed it to those gathered name is one of the most significant real change all by ourselves. Our about him, saying: ‘This cup is the experiences we have in life. . . . own willpower and our own good “Each week in sacrament intentions are not enough. When we meeting we promise to remem- make mistakes or choose poorly, we ber the atoning sacrifice of must have the help of our Savior to our Savior as we renew our get back on track. We partake of the baptismal covenant. We prom- sacrament week after week to show ise to do as the Savior did—to our faith in His power to change us. be obedient to the Father and We confess our sins and promise to always keep His command- forsake them.” 3 ◼ ments. The blessing we receive Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general in return is to always have His president. 2 Spirit to be with us.” Notes Elder Robert D. Hales of the 1. Jeffrey R. Holland, “This Do in Remembrance of Me,” ­Ensign, Nov. 1995, 67. Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 2. Robert D. Hales, “The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom,” “I was with an eight-year- ­Liahona, Jan. 2001, 8; Ensign,­ Nov. 2000, 8. old girl on the day of her 3. Julie B. Beck, “Remembering, Repenting, and Changing,” Liahona­ and Ensign,­ May

hotograph by Jerry G arns P hotograph by Jerry baptism. At the end of the day 2007, 110–11.

June 2010 7 SmallSmall & Simple &Things Simple Things “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

Church History around the World Nigeria

uring the 1950s, several DNigerians began learning about the Church through magazine articles and Church literature. They sent letters to Church headquarters expressing their desire to learn more about the Church’s teachings. In response, Church leaders looked into initiating missionary work in the country. However, a civil war, difficulties with visas, and the challenge of having enough local priesthood holders to admin- ister the Church prevented leaders from establishing official Church units in the area. The Church was finally able to By 1987 Church membership Above: Members establish a missionary presence in there had reached nearly 10,000, of the Church in Nigeria gather to 1978. When the first missionaries and in 1999, Nigeria had more watch general

arrived, they found large groups members of the Church than any conference. hares hares P

Right: The Aba The Church in Nigeria . of people interested in the gospel. other African nation, with mem- E Nigeria Temple. The first baptism was performed in bership totaling 42,746. Nigeria Membership 83,919 November of that year, and on the now has a temple in Aba, which Missions 4 same day, the first branch of the was dedicated in 2005 by President Stakes and Districts 32 Church was organized. Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008). Wards and Branches 256 Temples 1

How to Improve Family • Plan regular family activities. Communication They don’t have to be com- • Turn off or put away elec- plex. Have a picnic, go on a tronic devices before you walk, or play a game together. begin family gatherings such • have family discussions in k er; i on by B eth M . W h tta R e i er; llustrat aose k e; photograph by M atthew as meals, scripture study, and which everyone’s opinions or family home evening. concerns can be voiced. Listen • Try to have at least one meal intently without judging or together every day. lecturing, and don’t interrupt each other. photograph by Chad Chad by of Deseret News; photograph from top: ba ck ground © G etty Images; photograph c ourtesy r i ght, eft, from top: photograph by John O lu F L eft, 8 Liahona In the Words of Church Leaders Tithing—a Commandment Even

How Do You Spend Your Time? for the Destitute By Elder Lynn G. Robbins here are 24 hours in a day. You probably Of the Seventy Tspend much of that time sleeping and work- ing (or studying), but you likely have a few hours n October of 1998 Hurricane Mitch dev- each day that can be spent on other activities. I astated many parts of How much of that time do you spend watching Central America. President TV or surfing the Internet? If you spent only one Gordon B. Hinckley hour each day on one of the following ideas, (1910–2008) was very how many goals, projects, or tasks could you concerned for the victims complete during a week? a month? a year? of this disaster, many of whom lost everything— • reading the scriptures or memorizing scripture food, clothing, and mastery verses. household goods. He visited the President Gordon B. Hinckley visited Church members in Honduras following the hurri- • Participating in sports or exercise. Saints in the cities of San Pedro Sula cane in 1998. • Learning a new hobby or talent: cooking, sing- and Tegucigalpa, Honduras; and ing, sewing, gardening, or playing a musical Managua, Nicaragua. And like the comes from God, not from man. words of the loving prophet Elijah instrument, for instance. The prophet wanted to help them ead to a starving widow, this modern unlock the windows of heaven • Participating in family home more prophet’s message in each city was as promised by the Lord in the evening or spending time with R about being similar—to sacrifice and be obedi- book of Malachi (see Malachi 3:10; your family. a wise ent to the law of tithing. Mosiah 2:24). • reading a good book. steward of But how can you ask someone President Hinckley taught them • Writing an uplifting letter to a your time so destitute to sacrifice? President that if they would pay their tithing, missionary from your ward or in Elder Hinckley knew that the food and they would always have food on David A. clothing shipments they received their tables, they would always branch. Bednar’s would help them survive the crisis, have clothing on their backs, and • Learning a foreign language. article on but his concern and love for them they would always have a roof over • doing family history work. page 22. went far beyond that. As important their heads. • Going home or visiting teaching. as humanitarian aid is, he knew From an April 2005 general conference • fulfilling your Church calling. that the most important assistance address. • Writing in your journal.

Increasing My Testimony of Christ, my testimony of the teaches me the paths I should s I work to develop my Savior continues to increase. choose. A testimony of Jesus Christ, Although there are trials and As I follow the counsel given I find that consistently doing problems that present them- by the leaders of the Church, I simple things allows my testimony selves, I have been able to avoid feel my testimony grow and I to grow. Because I strive to pray, things that would be harmful to know that I am coming closer go to church, read the Book of me by listening to the prompt- to my Father in Heaven. Mormon, and stand as a witness ings of the Holy Ghost, who Eng Sodavy, Cambodia

June 2010 9 What We Believe

1. Our mortal life is a period of testing to see how we will use our agency (see Abraham 3:25). AIs Essegntial toe Our ncEternal Progryess

ur Heavenly Father has given decreed in heaven . . . , upon which us agency. This ability to all blessings are predicated” (D&C Ochoose for ourselves is an 130:20)—and to this law there is essential part of the plan of salvation. also “a punishment affixed” (Alma In the premortal Council in 42:22). Therefore, when we choose Heaven, our Heavenly Father pre- our course of action, we also choose sented His plan, which included the the consequences of our actions principle of agency. Lucifer rebelled (see Galatians 6:7). Although con- and “sought to destroy the agency of sequences may not be immediate, man” (Moses 4:3). As a result, he and they will always follow. Choosing those who followed him were cast to follow God’s commandments out. The rest of us chose Heavenly leads us toward peace and eter- Father’s plan, which allowed us to nal life. Choosing to accept Satan’s come to earth and gain a physical temptations leads us toward sin and body. It also provided a Savior, Jesus heartache. 1 Christ, who would atone for our The Old Testament prophet Joshua sins. Through repentance we could set the example for us when he said, be forgiven. We shouted for joy (see “Choose you this day whom ye will Job 38:7)! serve; . . . but as for me and my How we use the gift of agency in house, we will serve the Lord” mortality affects our eternal happi- ( Joshua 24:15). ness or misery. The scriptures teach Note us that “there is a law, irrevocably 1. See True to the Faith (2004), 12.

fter the Fall, Adam and Eve “had moral agency or the ability A to choose between good and evil. This made it possible for them to learn and progress. It also made it possible for them to make wrong choices and to sin” (Preach My Gospel [2004], 49).

10 Liahona 4. When we choose our 2. There must be “oppo- course of action, whether sition in all things” so that good or bad, we also we can see the differences 3. Our Heavenly Father choose the consequences 5. Because “[we] are permit- between good and evil. This gave each of us the Light of attached to our actions (see ted to act for [ourselves],” gives us the opportunity Christ so that we may know Deuteronomy 11:26–28; we are responsible for to choose. (See 2 Nephi good from evil (see Moroni 30:15–20; Galatians 6:7; our actions (see Helaman 2:11–16; D&C 29:39.) 7:12–17). Revelation 22:12). 14:30–31).

6. When we choose to obey 7. When we choose to 8. Our Heavenly Father “will 9. We must humble our- God’s commandments, our disobey God’s com- not suffer [us] to be tempted selves and “pray continually” options increase, and we mandments, our options above that [we] are able; so that we can resist temp- have more freedom (see decrease, and we may but will . . . make a way to tation (see Alma 13:28). ◼ 2 Nephi 2:27; D&C 58:26– become captive to wick- escape,” provided we choose 28; 93:20). edness (see 2 Nephi 2:29; to resist the temptation John 8:34). (1 Corinthians 10:13).

“Wherefore, men are free . . . to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil” Photo illustrations by Matthew Reier, (2 Nephi 2:27). except as noted; photograph of earth © Corbis; Adam and Eve Cast Out of the Garden of Eden, by Gary Kapp; photo illustration of man and police officer by Robert Casey

June 2010 11 Gospel Classics Built upon the Rock

Orson F. Whitney was born on July 1, 1855, in Supper, particularly our use of Salt Lake City, Utah. He was ordained an Apostle water instead of wine on such on April 9, 1906, by President Joseph F. Smith. occasions. He said it made him This article comes from an address he delivered shudder when he saw the peo- in general conference on October 7, 1916. ple sipping the water; and he pointed out the fact, for it is By Elder Orson F. Whitney (1855–1931) a fact, that according to the Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Bible the Savior, when He insti- tuted the sacrament among the Jews, used wine, declaring that n 1847 the Latter-day Saints, The lesson I wish to con- it was His blood or that it rep- under the leadership of vey is this: we are a progres- resented His blood. I could add IPresident Brigham Young, . . . sive people, for we are God’s that the Book of Mormon also [were commanded] to organize people, and as such we have states that the Savior used wine themselves into companies of the right to use these modern when He introduced the sacra- hundreds, fifties, and tens, pre- methods, these improved sci- ment among the Nephites. paratory to the long and wea- entific facilities, which the Lord My . . . friend, whether he risome ox-team journey to the has provided and placed in our knew it or not, had hit upon the Salt Lake Valley. hands for the promotion of His great distinguishing feature that And now I would like to marvelous work. . . . differentiates God’s Church from ask a few questions: Would it all other churches under the be wise or sensible in anyone What Makes Us Different? sun—is this, that while they are at this time to attempt to carry Many years ago there came founded upon books and tradi- out the terms of that revelation? to Utah a learned prelate of tions and the precepts of men, What would you think of a [another] church . . . , and I had this Church is built upon the man, in a day of railroads and a conversation with him. He rock of Christ, upon the princi- automobiles and airplanes, who had been to a “Mormon” sacra- ple of immediate and continu- would yoke up an ox team here ment meeting and had much to ous revelation. The Latter-day in Utah, and make a start for the say in criticism of our method Saints do not do things because Missouri River? . . . of administering the Lord’s they happen to be printed in

12 Liahona In saying this, I speak with all due reverence of the writ- ten word of God, that which is printed in the books, part of which may be obsolete, having fulfilled its purpose and been laid upon the shelf, while the other part is virile, full of life, and applicable to our present state—our present degree of development. But even this part must be interpreted aright. No man ought to contend for what is in the books, in the face of God’s mouthpiece, who speaks for Him and interprets His word. To so contend is to defer to the dead letter in preference to the living oracle, which is always a false position. What the Lord said to the Jews and Nephites 2,000 years ago or what He said to the The great distinguishing feature that Latter-day Saints 50 or 60 years a book. They do not do things differentiates God’s Church from all other ago has no force whatever at because God told the Jews to do this time unless it agrees with churches [is that] this Church is built upon them; nor do they do or leave present-day revelation, with undone anything because of the rock of Christ, upon the principle of the Lord’s most recent instruc- instructions that Christ gave to immediate and continuous revelation. tions to His people through His the Nephites. chosen or appointed servants Whatever is done by this or servant; and they who ignore Church is because God, speak- God’s Work Moves On this fact are liable to get into ing from heaven in our day, has Divine revelation adapts trouble. It is the latest word from commanded this Church to do itself to the circumstances and God that must be heeded, in

arson it. . . . That is the constitution conditions of men, and change preference to any former revela- of the Church of Christ. If we upon change ensues as God’s tion, however true. use water instead of wine in the progressive work goes on to The same God who says do sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, its destiny. There is no book thus and so today can repeal it is because Christ has so big enough or good enough to that commandment tomorrow,

Jesus Christ, by D el P T he L o r d Jesus Christ, commanded. preside over this Church. without being changeable or

June 2010 13 Gospel Classics

inconsistent. The legislature, We Must Keep Up divine plan for human progress, meeting every two years, I might continue the theme the pathway to perfection; and repeals old laws or such of indefinitely but will close now the spirit of the gospel is the spirit its former enactments as have with this thought. God’s work is of improvement, of advancement. served their purpose; but no progressive. It changes its appear- God’s work will go on, but one thinks of charging the ance but never its principles. The will you and I go on with it? . . . lawmakers with inconsistency truths upon which it is founded How can we go along with the or self-contradiction. How then Lord’s work? There is but one can God be considered incon- way, and that is to do the things sistent if He says one thing [God] commanded Abraham to slay which He has commanded and today and changes it tomor- his son, and Abraham was about to do so leave undone the things which row or next month or next when the same God said, “Lay not thine He has forbidden. . . . year in order to suit altered hand upon the lad.” Abraham was O my brothers and sisters of circumstances? under obligation . . . to obey the second the Church of Christ! Let us be He commanded Abraham to command instead of the first. awake and up and doing. . . . slay his son, and Abraham was Keep on doing something for about to do so when the same God, that the spirit of His work God said, “Lay not thine hand are eternal, unalterable, but there may abide in you and guide upon the lad” [Genesis 22:12]. are many regulations that change you along that path “growing Abraham was under obligation and change and change, as the brighter and brighter unto the . . . to obey the second com- work of God goes on. The ever- perfect day” [see D&C 50:24]. ◼ mand instead of the first; and he lasting gospel is something more Punctuation, paragraphing, spelling, would have been a transgressor than a fire escape, the way out and capitalization modernized; subheads had he failed. of a perilous situation. It is the added. by Jerry H arston, © I R Sac rifi c e o f I s aac , by Jerry 14 Liahona We Talk of Christ

important, they showed me love and told me I could find even greater love from my Heavenly Power Father and Savior. I felt “a mighty change wrought in [my] heart” (Alma 5:12), and I found that the to Change happiness I had so long been Name withheld searching for had been in the lthough I was born into the Church and was gospel all along. active through the age of 15, I wandered It has been six years since I A from the gospel during young adulthood. decided to turn to my Savior. During that time, in search of something that could It has been a lot of hard work, make me happy, I turned to drugs. but through the strength of the I struggled with an ever-increasing addiction, Lord, I have overcome many Turning the burden of and my life felt like some sort of bad movie I obstacles. my addiction over to could not turn off. Although I wanted to stop, I I never would have imag- found I had hardly any control over my thoughts the Savior, I prayed and ined the happiness and joy I or actions. It wasn’t until I was serving a prison admitted to Heavenly now have in my life with my sentence for a drug-related crime that I found Father, “I cannot do this wife and children. I hold the what I had lost. I had a copy of the Book of on my own.” Melchizedek Priesthood Mormon and came across Alma 5:7: “Behold, he and have received temple changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them ordinances. I attribute these out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. positive life transformations to Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nev- Jesus Christ. He is the power ertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light to change. of the everlasting word.” Heavenly Father, “I cannot do I testify to others who are I knew I was in the midst of darkness, and I this on my own.” struggling as I did—and to those wanted to have my heart changed. I entered the LDS addiction who love them—that change is It wasn’t that I hadn’t tried changing before. recovery program, a 12-step possible and that it’s very real. I had participated in various recovery programs. class taught by two missionaries, You need not give up hope. I had tried quitting for myself and for my family. a husband and wife. What they There is a way to return to hap-

. M alm Those things all worked for a little while, but I taught in that class saved me. piness, and it is through Jesus always slipped. This verse in Alma offered me They nurtured the seed of faith Christ. ◼ hope in Jesus Christ—hope that even if I didn’t that had been planted many For information about the addiction recovery program, please see your have the power to change myself (and I knew I years earlier, when as a child I priesthood leader or visit www. ldsfamilyservices.org. The program’s didn’t), He could change me. attended church with my mother. manual, Addiction Recovery Program: I remember turning the burden of my addic- The missionaries taught me about A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing (item no. 36764), is available tion over to the Savior. I prayed and admitted to repentance and forgiveness. More in many languages. rt, by Mic hael T H e al i ng T he Br o ke n a rt, June 2010 15 Serving in the Church

By Elder Kenneth Johnson Of the Seventy

The principle of setting apart those called to serve is expressed in the and counsel of the Lord to Moses when Called He instructed Moses to “lay thine hand upon [ Joshua]. . . . And thou to Serve shalt put some of thine honour upon Set Apart him” (Numbers 27:18, 20). Formal callings in the Church are not complete until we Through this divinely established have been set apart by proper priesthood authority. pattern, we can rise above our indi- vidual frailties, limitations, and even opposition. Consider the experience of Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman: “The Holy Spirit of God did come n a vision given to the Prophet and gratifying to obtain a personal down from heaven, and did enter into Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon witness through prayer that we have their hearts, and they were filled as if Iat Hiram, Ohio, on February 16, been called of God. Through His with fire, and they could speak forth 1832, we find these words of comfort servants, the Lord invites us to par- marvelous words” (Helaman 5:45; see and encouragement: ticipate in His work so that we can also verses 17–19). “I, the Lord, am merciful and gra- come to know and love Him more cious unto those who fear 1 me, and fully (see Mosiah 5:13). Teaching by the Spirit delight to honor those who serve me Upon receiving a call to serve, we In a revelation to Joseph Smith, in righteousness and in truth unto might experience feelings of inad- the Lord posed the following ques- the end. equacy comparable to what Enoch tion: “Wherefore, I the Lord ask you “Great shall be their reward and felt when he was commissioned this question—unto what were ye eternal shall be their glory” (D&C by the Lord to lead and teach the ordained?” 2 (D&C 50:13). The Lord 76:5–6). people (see Moses 6:31). The words responds, “To preach my gospel by During my years as a member “My Spirit is upon you, wherefore the Spirit, even the Comforter which of the Church, I have experienced all thy words will I justify” (Moses was sent forth to teach the truth” a growing appreciation for what it 6:34) must have brought assurance (D&C 50:14). means to be called of God and for the to Enoch as he gained a vision of Clearly, there are constraints con- promised blessings associated with how the Lord would empower him cerning the manner in which we responding to the Lord’s invitation to to fulfill his sacred assignment. The should teach sacred truths: serve Him. scriptures further record what a great “Remember that that which cometh When leaders pray to know the leader Enoch became as “he walked from above is sacred, and must be will of the Lord before extending a with God” (Moses 6:39). The expe- spoken with care, and by constraint call to serve, they receive a feeling of rience of Enoch contains valuable of the Spirit” (D&C 63:64). assurance that confirms the correct lessons for each of us as we serve “He that is ordained of me and action to be taken. It is both essential in the Lord’s Church. sent forth to preach the word of truth

16 Liahona by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? “And if it be by some other way it is not of God” (D&C 50:17–18). When we are called to a position in the Church as a leader or a teacher, our commission is to teach the word of God by the Spirit of God, not by “the authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew Being Set philosophies of men interlaced with 7:28–29; see also Joseph Smith Translation, Apart a few scriptures.” 3 Like Enoch, Nephi, Matthew 7:36–37). “The setting apart is an and Lehi, we too can receive help from Alma, the great Book of Mormon established on high through the promptings of the prophet, exemplified this approach: practice in the Holy Spirit. “And now, as the preaching of the word Church and men and women We might conclude that having had a great tendency to lead the peo- are ‘set apart’ to special heard or read information concerning ple to do that which was just—yea, it responsibility, in ecclesiasti- a doctrine or principle will suffice. But had had more powerful effect upon the cal, quorum, and auxiliary positions. . . . such an approach reflects a failure to minds of the people than the sword, “To some folk the setting recognize that a deeper comprehension or anything else, which had happened apart seems a perfunctory of principles comes through personal unto them—therefore Alma thought it act while others anticipate it revelation (see Job 32:8). Consider this was expedient that they should try the eagerly, absorb every word of inspired observation by Hyrum Smith, virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5). it, and let their lives be lifted brother of the Prophet: “Preach the first When entrusted with the sacred thereby. principles of the Gospel—preach them responsibility to teach the gospel, let “The setting apart may be taken literally; it is a setting over again: you will find that day after us follow the example of the Savior apart from sin, apart from the day new ideas and additional light con- and declare with Him, “My doctrine carnal; apart from everything cerning them will be revealed to you. is not mine, but his that sent me” which is crude, low, vicious, You can enlarge upon them so as to ( John 7:16). ◼ cheap, or vulgar; set apart 4 comprehend them clearly.” Notes from the world to a higher 1. In scripture, our “fear” toward Deity relates to the [plane] of thought and activity. concept of “reverence.” President David O. McKay The blessing is conditional Following the Savior’s Example (1873–1970) provided insight into this divine characteristic, stating, “Reverence is profound upon faithful performance.” Our greatest example in all things respect mingled with love” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1967, 86). President Spencer W. Kimball is the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom it is 2. In scripture, “ordain” and “set apart” are used (1895–1985), The Teachings of written: interchangeably (see D&C 20:67; 25:7; see also Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Kimball (1982), 478. “And it came to pass, when Jesus had comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 3:106). ended these sayings, the people were 3. Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Teacher Come from astonished at his doctrine: God,” Ensign,­ May 1998, 26; see also Mosiah 18:19–22.

atthew R e i er i on by M atthew P hoto i llustrat “For he taught them as one having 4. Hyrum Smith, in History of the Church, 6:323.

June 2010 17 i ons by John L u k e P hoto i llustrat 18 Liahona Positive Uses of the Internet

he Internet allows instant access to scriptures, and even trading away hours of many resources that can strengthen sleep that affected my ability to serve others, Tand enrich our lives. Many spiritually to be sensitive to the Spirit, and to maintain a uplifting Web sites give direction and inspi- healthy lifestyle.” ration. The following ideas can help you stay Sister Renfroe learned not to let good connected to reality without completely dis- things get in the way of better things, as Elder connecting from the good things the Internet Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve has to offer. Apostles counseled: “Just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. Limit Your Time . . . Of course it is good to view wholesome Rebecca Renfroe, from Idaho, USA, used entertainment or to obtain interesting informa- to blog and read others’ blogs almost daily. tion. But not everything of that sort is worth Her mind was always in “compose” mode— the portion of our life we give to obtain it. mentally writing a blog about what she did Some things are better, and others are best.” 1 with her children instead of just doing things with them. She realized there had to be a Choose Uplifting Media balance. Amy Paulsen of Washington, USA, appreci- She says, “The Spirit helped me to recog- ates Web sites that other mothers have created nize that having a blog was not the problem— that provide lesson ideas and activities for devoting too much of my time and energy teaching children gospel principles. When she to it was. I had literally been giving portions needs visual aids, she finds art online to print of my life away: trading away quality time out. When she needs ideas, she finds links to with my children and my husband, trading Church magazine articles, conference talks, away time for serious, in-depth study of the and online manuals.

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The Best Choice ake sure that the choices you Mmake in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed Church Web Sites your soul.” hurch Web sites provide excellent resources Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Sharing the Gospel Using the Cfor learning and teaching the gospel. From Internet,” Liahona,­ June 2008, N2; Ensign,­ July conference talks to Church history to help with 2008, 60. your calling, the Church sites are designed to help members easily access gospel material. The following is a sampling of official Church Web sites available in different languages:

“The Internet has helped my husband and me prepare meaningful family home evenings for our children,” Sister Paulsen says. “It’s also comforting to know that there are so many other mothers out there who also ‘teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord’” (D&C 68:28).

Use the Internet to Share the Gospel One member, Lin Floyd of Utah, USA, created a family history Web site with ances- tors’ photos and histories. His Web site and others like it have helped people learn more about the Church and its doctrine. Some have desired to be baptized or have returned to Church activity. Others have found helps for doing family history, fulfilling callings, and strengthening marriages. There are many positive things we can do with the Internet. As you establish guide- lines for Internet use—making sure that the Using Church Web sites you visit expand your mind, increase sites, you can share your opportunities, and feed your soul—the the gospel, prepare lessons, and engage Internet can be a great resource for enriching in family history your personal life and strengthening your work. family. ◼ Note 1. Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Liahona­ and ­Ensign, Nov. 2007, 104, 105.

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• LDS.org: Research conference talks, read the French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, latest news of the Church, and connect to Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. many other Church resources. To find materi- • FamilySearchIndexing.org: Volunteer to als in your language, go to languages.lds.org. help digitize and index Church family history • Mormon.org: Refer your neighbors, family, resource records. Available in English, French, and friends to this site designed for those who German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and want to learn more about the Church. The site Spanish. explains our basic gospel beliefs, including the • Countries.lds.org: Many countries have nature of God, eternal families, and the plan of their own Church Web site. For example, on salvation. Available in many languages. Denmark’s site you can watch videos showing • JesusChrist.lds.org: Read testimonies of the the Copenhagen Denmark Temple. On the apostles and prophets about the Savior Jesus Argentina/Uruguay/Paraguay site, members Christ. Available in English and Spanish. can sign up to receive inspirational quotes • Liahona.lds.org: Find your favorite articles from Church leaders through e-mail. On from the Liahona­ as well as Web extras such Korea’s site you can watch several Church as photo galleries and activities for children. films. Other countries’ sites have similar • ProvidentLiving.org: Learn about self- features. reliance topics such as food storage, employ- • Languages.lds.org: Each language has a ment, and Church humanitarian efforts. list of the translated material available on Available in English, with some material in LDS.org. Most sites offer general conference German, Portuguese, and Spanish. talks and manuals online. Some offer addi- • LDSjobs.org: Search for jobs, find informa- tional resources. tion about schools, connect with job seekers, • Images.lds.org: Download gospel art and learn how to help those in your ward images, Church history pictures, photos of or branch who are looking for employment. temples, and more. Available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. • LDS.org/braille: Find Braille texts in English • YouTube.com/MormonMessages: Watch and Spanish; they are downloadable and short audiovisual presentations about gospel printable. principles. Available in English and Spanish. • ByuTvInt.org: Watch Brigham Young • Temples.lds.org: View information about University programming online, or find and pictures of temples around the world. out how to get it in your area. Available in Available in English, German, Portuguese, English, Portuguese, and Spanish. and Spanish. • Music.lds.org: Listen to and print hymns • New.FamilySearch.org: Research your and other music. Available in English, French, family line, and submit information about Portuguese, and Spanish. (At www.music.lds. your ancestors. Prepare names for temple org, click on Music, then Hymns, and then work. Available in Chinese, English, choose a language.)

June 2010 21 

By Elder David A. Bednar Things as They Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles s I have looked forward to and prepared for this opportunity to learn with you, I have come to better understand the I raise an apostolic voice A strong feelings of Jacob, the brother of warning about the potentially of Nephi. He said, “I this day am weighed down stifling, suffocating, suppressing, with much . . . desire and anxiety for the welfare and constraining impact of of your souls” ( Jacob 2:3). The message I want to share with you today has over time distilled upon some kinds of cyberspace my “soul as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). interactions and experiences I invite your earnest attention to a serious subject upon our souls. that has both immediate and eternal implications. I pray for the Holy Ghost to be with and teach each of us during our time together. I long have been impressed with the simple and clear def- inition of truth set forth in the Book of Mormon: “The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls” ( Jacob 4:13; see also D&C 93:24). We will focus upon the first major element of truth identified in this verse: “things as they really are.” We first will review several key elements of our Heavenly Father’s plan of hap- piness as the doctrinal foundation for knowing and understanding things as they really are. We then will consider methods of attack used by the adversary

to distract us from or inhibit our capacity to discern i on © Corb s and G etty mages P hoto Illustrat 

Things as They Really Are

things as they really are. And finally, we will discuss a depth, and an intensity of experience that the responsibilities that rest upon you as the rising simply could not be obtained in our premortal generation. You will need to be obedient, to honor estate. President Boyd K. Packer, President of sacred covenants, and to discern things consistently the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has taught, as they really are in today’s world that grows ever “Our spirit and our body are combined in such more confused and wicked. a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character.” 3 Our Divine Destiny Thus, our relationships with other people, our In “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” capacity to recognize and act in accordance the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve with truth, and our ability to obey the principles Apostles declare that as spirit sons and daugh- and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ ters of God, we “accepted His plan by which His are amplified through our physical bodies. In children could obtain a physical body and gain the classroom of mortality, we experience ten- earthly experience to progress toward perfection derness, love, kindness, happiness, sorrow, and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs disappointment, pain, and even the challenges of eternal life.” 1 Please note the primary impor- of physical limitations in ways that prepare us tance of obtaining a physical body in the process for eternity. Simply stated, there are lessons we of progressing toward our divine destiny. must learn and experiences we must have, as The Prophet Joseph Smith taught with clarity the scriptures describe, “according to the flesh” the importance of our physical bodies: (1 Nephi 19:6; Alma 7:12–13). “We came to this earth that we might have a Apostles and prophets consistently have taught body and present it pure before God in the celes- the mortal and eternal importance of our bodies. tial kingdom. The great principle of happiness Paul declared: consists in having a body. The devil has no body, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and herein is his punishment. He is pleased when and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? he can obtain the tabernacle of man, and when “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall cast out by the Savior he asked to go into the herd God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which of swine, showing that he would prefer a swine’s temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:16–17). body to having none. All beings who have bodies And in this dispensation the Lord revealed have power over those who have not. . . . that “the spirit and the body are the soul of “The devil has no power over us only as we man” (D&C 88:15). A truth that really is and permit him; the moment we revolt at anything always will be is that the body and the spirit which comes from God, the devil takes power.” 2 constitute our reality and identity. When body Our physical bodies make possible a breadth, and spirit are inseparably connected, we can

June 2010 23 

receive a fulness of joy; when they are sepa- primary target of his attempts to lure us to physi- rated, we cannot receive a fulness of joy cal and spiritual destruction. (see D&C 93:33–34). The Father’s plan is designed to provide The Adversary’s Attacks direction for His children, to help them become The adversary attempts to influence us both happy, and to bring them safely home to Him to misuse our physical bodies and to minimize with resurrected, exalted bodies. Lucifer labors the importance of our bodies. These two meth- to make the sons and daughters of God con- ods of attack are important for us to recognize fused and unhappy and to hinder their eternal and to repel. progression. The overarching intent of the When any of Heavenly Father’s children mis- father of lies is that all of us become “miserable use their physical tabernacles by violating the like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27), and he works law of chastity, by using drugs and addictive to distort the elements of the Father’s plan he substances, by disfiguring or defacing themselves, hates the most. Satan does not have a body, and his eternal “Our spirit and our body are progress has been halted. Just as water flowing in a riverbed is stopped by a dam, so the adversary’s combined in such a way that our eternal progress is thwarted because he does not body becomes an instrument of our have a physical body. Because of his rebellion, mind and the foundation of our Lucifer has denied himself all of the mortal bless- ings and experiences made possible through a character.”

tabernacle of flesh and bones. He cannot learn President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum the lessons that only an embodied spirit can of the Twelve Apostles. learn. He cannot marry or enjoy the blessings of procreation and family life. He cannot abide the or by worshipping the false idol of body image, reality of a literal and universal resurrection of all whether their own or that of others, Satan is mankind. One of the potent scriptural meanings delighted. To those of us who know and under- of the word damned is illustrated in his inability stand the plan of salvation, any defiling of the to continue developing and becoming like our body is rebellion and a denial of our true identity Heavenly Father. as sons and daughters of God (see Mosiah 2:36– Because a physical body is so central to the 37; D&C 64:34–35). Father’s plan of happiness and our spiritual devel- Now, brothers and sisters, I cannot tell you all opment, we should not be surprised that Lucifer the ways whereby you may misuse your bodies, seeks to frustrate our progression by tempting us “for there are divers ways and means, even so to use our bodies improperly. One of the ultimate many that I cannot number them” (Mosiah 4:29). ironies of eternity is that the adversary, who is You know what is right and what is wrong, and miserable precisely because he has no physical you have the individual responsibility to learn body, invites and entices us to share in his misery for yourself “by study and also by faith” (D&C through the improper use of our bodies. The very 88:118) the things you should and should not do tool he does not have and cannot use is thus the and the doctrinal reasons you should and should

24 Liahona 

not do those things. I testify that as you desire diversions, and detours that have no lasting value. to so learn, as you “watch yourselves, and your My heart aches when a young couple—sealed thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and together in the house of the Lord for time and for observe the commandments of God, and con- all eternity by the power of the holy priesthood— tinue in the faith of what ye have heard concern- experiences marital difficulties because of the ing the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of addicting effect of excessive video gaming or your lives” (Mosiah 4:30), you will be spiritually online socializing. A young man or woman may enlightened and protected. And according to waste countless hours, postpone or forfeit voca- your faithfulness and diligence, you will have tional or academic achievement, and ultimately the power to discern the deception and repel sacrifice cherished human relationships because the attacks of the adversary as he tempts you to of mind- and spirit-numbing video and online misuse your physical body. games. As the Lord declared, “Wherefore, I give Satan also strives to entice the sons and daugh- unto them a commandment . . . : Thou shalt not ters of God to minimize the importance of their idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy physical bodies. This particular type of attack talent that it may not be known” (D&C 60:13). is most subtle and diabolical. I want to provide You may now be asking yourself, “But, Brother several examples of how the adversary can pacify Bednar, you began today by talking about the and lull us away into a sense of carnal security importance of a physical body in our eternal pro- (see 2 Nephi 28:21) and encourage us to put at gression. Are you suggesting that video gaming risk the earthly learning experiences that caused and various types of computer-mediated commu- us to shout for joy in the premortal existence nication can play a role in minimizing the impor- (see Job 38:7). tance of our physical bodies?” That is precisely For example, all of us can find enjoyment in what I am declaring. Let me explain. a wide range of wholesome, entertaining, and We live at a time when technology can be engaging activities. But we diminish the impor- used to replicate reality, to augment reality, and tance of our bodies and jeopardize our physical to create virtual reality. For example, a medi- well-being by going to unusual and dangerous cal doctor can use software simulation to gain extremes searching for an ever-greater and more valuable experience performing a complicated exhilarating adrenaline “rush.” We may rationalize surgical operation without ever putting a human that surely nothing is wrong with such seemingly patient at risk. A pilot in a flight simulator repeat- innocent exploits and adventures. However, put- edly can practice emergency landing procedures ting at risk the very instrument God has given us that could save many lives. And architects and to receive the learning experiences of mortality— engineers can use innovative technologies to merely to pursue a thrill or some supposed fun, model sophisticated design and construction to bolster ego, or to gain acceptance—truly mini- methods that decrease the loss of human life and mizes the importance of our physical bodies. damage to buildings caused by earthquakes and Sadly, some young men and young other natural disasters. i on by Cra g Di mond P hoto i llustrat women in the Church today ignore “things In each of these examples, a high degree of as they really are” and neglect eternal fidelity in the simulation or model contributes relationships for digital distractions, to the effectiveness of the experience. The term

June 2010 25 

This and similar images are used as part fidelity denotes the similarity between reality of the planning and design process for each new and a representation of reality. Such a simulation temple that is constructed. The rendering por- can be constructive if the fidelity is high and the purposes are good—for example, providing trays fabrics, furnishings, fixtures, lighting, scale, experience that saves lives or improves the qual- and proportion to show how each component ity of life. will look and feel when finished. In essence, the Please notice the fidelity between the repre- entire temple and all of its elements are designed sentation of reality in the computer rendering in detail before construction ever begins. (page 26) and the reality of the completed room in the photograph on the next page. In the example, high fidelity is employed to accomplish a most important purpose—the design and construction of a sacred and beautiful temple. However, a simulation or model can lead to spiritual impairment and danger if the fidelity is high and the purposes are bad—such as experimenting with actions contrary to God’s commandments or enticing us to think or do things we would not otherwise think or do “because it is only a game.” I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppress- ing, and constraining impact This image is a computer-generated rendering of a of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and sealing room in the Newport Beach California Temple. experiences upon our souls. The concerns I raise are not new; they apply equally to other types of media, such as television, movies, and music. But in a cyber world, these challenges are more per- vasive and intense. I plead with you to beware of the sense-dulling and spiritually destructive influence of cyberspace technologies that are used to produce high fidelity and that promote degrading and evil purposes. If the adversary cannot entice us to misuse

26 Liahona 

our physical bodies, then one of his most potent to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour” tactics is to beguile you and me as embodied (1 Thessalonians 4:4). spirits to disconnect gradually and physically Consider again the example I mentioned earlier from things as they really are. In essence, he of a young couple recently married in the house encourages us to think and act as if we were in of the Lord. An immature or misguided spouse our premortal, unembodied state. And, if we let may devote an inordinate amount of time to him, he can cunningly employ some aspects of playing video games, chatting online, or in other modern technology to accomplish his purposes. ways allowing the digital to dominate things as Please be careful of becoming so immersed they really are. Initially the investment of time and engrossed in pixels, texting, earbuds, twit- may seem relatively harmless, rationalized as a tering, online social networking, and potentially few minutes of needed relief from the demands addictive uses of media and the Internet that you fail to recognize the importance of your physical body and miss the richness of person-to- person communication. Beware of digital displays and data in many forms of computer- mediated interaction that can displace the full range of physi- cal capacity and experience. Read carefully the following quote describing an intense romantic relationship a woman had with a cyberspace boy- friend. And note how the medium of communication minimized the importance of the physical body: “And so PFSlider [the man’s This is a photograph of the actual sealing room in screen name] became my everyday life. All the the Newport Beach California Temple. tangible stuff fell away. My body did not exist. I had no skin, no hair, no bones. All desire of a hectic daily schedule. But important oppor- had converted itself into a cerebral current that tunities are missed for developing and improv- reached nothing but my frontal lobe. There was ing interpersonal skills, for laughing and crying no outdoors, no social life, no weather. There together, and for creating a rich and enduring was only the computer screen and the phone, bond of emotional intimacy. Progressively, seem- my chair, and maybe a glass of water.” 4 ingly innocent entertainment can become a form In contrast, we need to heed the admonition of of pernicious enslavement.

ght: photograph by W elden C. A ndersen, © I R render i ng by Cra g L ofgreen, © I R I; r ght: L eft: Paul: “That every one of you should know how To feel the warmth of a tender hug from an

June 2010 27 

eternal companion or to see the sincerity in the computer world of Second Life, a well-chronicled eyes of another person as testimony is shared— digital fantasyland. . . . He’s never so much as all of these things experienced as they really are spoken to her on the telephone. But their rela- through the instrument of our physical body— tionship has taken on curiously real dimensions. could be sacrificed for a high-fidelity fantasy that They own two dogs, pay a mortgage together and has no lasting value. If you and I are not vigilant, spend hours [in their cyberspace world] shopping we can become “past feeling” (1 Nephi 17:45), as at the mall and taking long motorcycle rides. did Laman and Lemuel long ago. . . . Their bond is so strong that three months Let me provide another example of discon- ago, Mr. Hoogestraat asked Janet Spielman, the necting gradually and physically from things as 38-year-old Canadian woman who controls the they really are. Today a person can enter into a redhead, to become his virtual wife. virtual world, such as Second Life, and assume a “The woman he’s legally wed to is not amused. new identity. An individual can create an avatar, ‘It’s really devastating,’ or a cyberspace persona, that conforms to his or f the adversary cannot says Sue Hoogestraat, . . . her own appearance and behavior. Or a person who has been married can concoct a counterfeit identity that does not Ientice us to misuse our to Mr. Hoogestraat for correlate in any way to things as they really physical bodies, then one seven months.” 5 are. However closely the assumed new iden- Brothers and sisters, of his most potent tactics is tity approximates the individual, such behavior please understand. I is the essence of things as they really are not. to beguile you and me as am not suggesting all Earlier I defined the fidelity of a simulation or embodied spirits to discon- technology is inherently model. I now emphasize the importance of bad; it is not. Nor am I personal fidelity—the correspondence between nect gradually and phys- saying we should not an actual person and an assumed, cyberspace ically from things as they use its many capabilities identity. Please note the lack of personal fidelity in appropriate ways to really are. in the following episode as reported in the Wall learn, to communicate, Street Journal: to lift and brighten lives, Ric Hoogestraat is “a burly [53-year-old] man with and to build and strengthen the Church; of course a long gray ponytail, thick sideburns and a salt- we should. But I am raising a warning voice that and-pepper handlebar mustache. . . . [Ric spends] we should not squander and damage authentic six hours a night and often 14 hours at a stretch on relationships by obsessing over contrived ones. weekends as Dutch Hoorenbeek, his six-foot-nine, “Nearly 40% of men and 53% of women who play muscular . . . cyber-self. The character looks like a online games said their virtual friends were equal younger, physically enhanced version of [Ric]. . . . to or better than their real-life friends, according “. . . [He] sits at his computer with the blinds to a survey of 30,000 gamers conducted by . . . a drawn. . . . While his wife, Sue, watches tele­ recent Ph.D. graduate from Stanford University. vision in the living room, Mr. Hoogestraat chats More than a quarter of gamers [who responded online with what appears on the screen to be indicated that] the emotional highlight of the past a tall, slim redhead. week occurred in a computer world.” 6 “He’s never met the woman outside of the How important, how enduring, and how timely

28 Liahona 

is the Lord’s definition of truth: “things as they I have raised a voice of warning about only a really are.” The prophet Alma asked, “O then, is few of the spiritual hazards in our technologically not this real?” (Alma 32:35). He was speaking of oriented and rapidly changing world. Let me say light and good so discernible they can be tasted. again: neither technology nor rapid change in or Indeed, “they who dwell in [the Father’s] presence of itself is good or evil; the real challenge is to . . . see as they are seen, and know as they are understand both within the context of the eternal known, having received of his fulness and of his plan of happiness. Lucifer will encourage you to grace” (D&C 76:94). misuse and to minimize the importance of your My beloved brothers and sisters, beware! To the physical body. He will attempt to substitute the extent personal fidelity decreases in computer- monotony of virtual repetition for the infinite mediated communications and the purposes of variety of God’s creations and convince us we are such communications are distorted, perverted, merely mortal things to be acted upon instead and wicked, the potential for spiritual disaster of eternal souls blessed with moral agency to act is dangerously high. I implore you to turn away for ourselves. Deviously, he entices embodied immediately and permanently from such places spirits to forfeit the blessings and learning expe- and activities (see 2 Timothy 3:5). riences “according to the flesh” (1 Nephi 19:6; Now I would like to address an additional Alma 7:12–13) that are made possible through the characteristic of the adversary’s attacks. Satan often Father’s plan of happiness and the Atonement of offers an alluring illusion of anonymity. Lucifer His Only Begotten Son. always has sought to accomplish his work in secret For your happiness and protection, I invite you (see Moses 5:30). Remember, however, that apos- to study more diligently the doctrine of the plan tasy is not anonymous simply because it occurs of salvation—and to prayerfully ponder the truths in a blog or through a fabricated identity in a chat we have reviewed. I offer two questions for con- room or virtual world. Immoral thoughts, words, sideration in your personal pondering and prayer- and deeds always are immoral, even in cyberspace. ful studying: Deceitful acts supposedly veiled in secrecy, such 1. Does the use of various technologies and as illegally downloading music from the Internet media invite or impede the constant companion- or copying CDs or DVDs for distribution to friends ship of the Holy Ghost in your life? and families, are nonetheless deceitful. We are all 2. Does the time you spend using various tech- accountable to God, and ultimately we will be nologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity judged of Him according to our deeds and the to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways? desires of our hearts (see Alma 41:3). “For as [a You will receive answers, inspiration, and man] thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). instruction from the Holy Ghost suited to your The Lord knows who we really are, what we individual circumstances and needs. I repeat and really think, what we really do, and who we affirm the teaching of the Prophet Joseph: “All really are becoming. He has warned us that “the beings who have bodies have power over those i on by W elden C. A ndersen P hoto Illustrat rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; who have not. The devil has no power over us for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the only as we permit him.” housetops, and their secret acts shall be These eternal truths about the importance of revealed” (D&C 1:3). our physical bodies will fortify you against the

June 2010 29 

deception and the attacks of the adversary. One of statements are true. But I often have wondered if my deepest desires for you is an ever-increasing tes- young people hear this description so often that it timony of and appreciation for the Resurrection— becomes overused and trite—and that its impor- even your own resurrection with a celestial, exalted tance and deep implications may be overlooked. body “because of your faith in [the Lord Jesus Christ] We know that “unto whom much is given much is according to the promise” (Moroni 7:41). required” (D&C 82:3). And the teachings of President Cannon and Elder Maxwell help us to understand The Rising Generation more fully what is required of us today. You and I would like to speak specifically to you as you I are to be valiant and “obedient to Him under all really are. You really are the rising generation in circumstances.” Thus, obedience is the principal The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In weapon upon which the rising generation must rely October of 1997, Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) in the latter-day battle between good and evil. of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited We rejoice that Brigham Young University–Idaho to speak in a ou and I are to be the Lord through His devotional. During the day he was on the campus, authorized servants has we talked together about a variety of gospel top- Yvaliant and “obedient “raised the bar” for the ics in general and about the youth of the Church to Him under all circum- young men and young in particular. I remember Elder Maxwell making a women of today. Given statement that greatly impressed me. He said, “The stances.” Thus, obedience what we know about youth of this generation have a greater capacity for is the principal weapon who we are and why obedience than any previous generation.” upon which the rising we are here upon the He then indicated that his statement was based earth, such inspired upon a truth taught by President George Q. Cannon generation must rely in the direction is welcomed (1827–1901), First Counselor in the First Presidency: latter-day battle between and appreciated. And “God has reserved spirits for this dispensation who we should recognize have the courage and determination to face the good and evil. that Lucifer incessantly world, and all the powers of the evil one, visible strives to “lower the and invisible, to proclaim the gospel and maintain bar” by coaxing us to misuse and minimize the the truth and establish and build up the Zion of importance of our physical bodies. our God fearless of all consequences. He has sent The Savior has warned us repeatedly to beware these spirits in this generation to lay the foundation of deception by the adversary: of Zion never more to be overthrown, and to raise “Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take up a seed that will be righteous, and that will honor heed that no man deceive you; . . . God, and honor Him supremely, and be obedient “For in those days there shall also arise false to Him under all circumstances.” 7 Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great Parents and Church leaders frequently empha- signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, size that the young men and young women of this they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect generation have been reserved for this season in according to the covenant. . . . the history of the world and are some of the most “And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be valiant of Heavenly Father’s children. Indeed, such deceived” ( Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5, 22, 37).

30 Liahona 

Obedience opens the door to the constant com- of the adversary—today and in the days that lie panionship of the Holy Ghost. And the spiritual ahead. We can and will fulfill our foreordained gifts and abilities activated by the power of the responsibilities and contribute to the work of the Holy Ghost enable us to avoid deception—and to Lord in all the world. see, to feel, to know, to understand, and to remem- I testify that God lives and is our Heavenly ber things as they really are. You and I have been Father. He is the author of the plan of salvation. endowed with a greater capacity for obedience Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer, whose body precisely for these reasons. Moroni declared: was bruised, broken, and torn for us as He offered “Hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the the atoning sacrifice. He is resurrected, He lives, Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever and He stands at the head of His Church in these ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, latter days. To be “encircled about eternally in the arms of his love” (2 Nephi 1:15) will be a real and not a virtual experience. I testify we can and will be blessed with the courage and determination to face the world and all the powers of the evil one. Righteousness will prevail. No unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing. I bear witness and testify of these things as they really are and as they really will be, in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. ◼

From a Church Educational System fireside address delivered at Brigham and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Young University–Idaho on May 3, 2009. Lord with all your heart, and work out your own Notes 1. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona,­ Oct. salvation with fear and trembling before him. 2004, 49; Ensign,­ Nov. 1995, 102. “Be wise in the days of your probation; strip 2. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 211, 214. yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may 3. Boyd K. Packer, “The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character,” Brigham Young University consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness 2002–2003 Speeches (2003), 2. unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, 4. Meghan Daum, “Virtual Love,” The New Yorker, Aug. 25 and Sept. 1, 1997, 82; or Meghan Daum, My Misspent Youth but that ye will serve the true and living God” (2001), 19. 5. Alexandra Alter, “Is This Man Cheating on His Wife?” Wall (Mormon 9:27–28). Street Journal, Aug. 10, 2007, pp. W8, W1. As we heed that inspired counsel, we can and 6. Alexandra Alter, Wall Street Journal, Aug. 10, 2007, p. W8. 7. George Q. Cannon, “Remarks,” Deseret News, May 31, 1866,

i on by S teve B underson P hoto i llustrat will be blessed to recognize and repel the attacks 203; see also Journal of Discourses, 11:230.

June 2010 31 

Cambodian Latter-day Saints: Moving in a New Direction

By Chad E. Phares Despite facing severe trials in the past, Cambodian Church Magazines Latter-day Saints are discovering that the gospel of Jesus n the midst of the late spring Christ is giving them a reason to hope for the future. rainy season in Phnom Penh, ICambodia, the Tonle Sap River— which has poured into the Mekong Reap Branch in the Cambodia Phnom River for months—defies its natural Penh Mission, was nine years old in movement and changes course to 1975, when he and his family had to flow in the opposite direction. leave their home. They—along with This directional change causes the millions of others—were required Tonle Sap Lake at the head of the to perform hard manual labor in the river to swell to five times its size, country’s vast fields. bringing much-needed nutrients to the fish and birds that feed there. Like the river that changes direc- tion, members in Cambodia have felt how the gospel of Jesus Christ has helped change the direction of their own lives. Their hearts now overflow with the joy and peace the gospel brings. This swell of joy provides spiritual food for their souls. Although the country has faced dark times, the gospel of Jesus Christ has helped many Cambodians see the help get him through his pain. light of a new day shine through the “I always had hope,” he says. darkness of the past. The determined hope that helped President Loy get Changing Direction through the trials of his child- During the country’s political tur- During this time, President Loy lost hood is the same hope that later moil in the 1970s, many Cambodians both of his parents and five of his allowed him to recognize the truth were driven from their homes and eight siblings. of the gospel of Jesus Christ. lost family members. Despite the hardships, President Because Cambodia is largely a Loy Bunseak, president of the Siem Loy always had at least one thing to Buddhist country, President Loy grew

32 Liahona 

Opposite page: Loy Bunseak, a branch president and tour guide in Siem Reap, shows visitors the city’s ancient temples. He also finds opportu- nities to teach about Latter-day Saint temples by displaying a photo of the Hong Kong Temple in his tour van. Left: Despite feeling hopeless at times during his younger years, Sen Sok Branch president Khan Sarin joined the Church after his wife, Suon Sokmo, invited him to study the scrip- received my testimony tures with her. Top: of its truthfulness from Phnom Penh. God,” President Loy says. “I could see how living by the teachings of the Book of Mormon made my family happier.” President Loy’s experience is not unusual. Khan Sarin, up without a knowledge of Jesus president of the Sen Sok Branch in the Christ. He began to learn about the Phnom Penh Cambodia North District, Savior when Latter-day Saint mission- was separated from his family as a teen- aries came to his home and told him ager and forced to work in the fields. and his family they had an important message to share. “I had never heard of Jesus Christ “After I became a member of the until I met the missionaries,” he says. “I wanted to learn more about Him.” Church, I . . . received a new light After intense study and discussion, that I never had before.”

President Loy and his family were Khan Sarin baptized in 2001. “The missionaries helped me learn

P hotographs by Chad E . hares, ex c ept as noted from the Book of Mormon, but I

June 2010 33 

Below: A recently completed meeting- house accommodates the growing membership in Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh. Bottom: When they were young, Pich Sareth and his wife, Seng Tha, were separated from their families for extended periods of time. They feel grateful to have the opportu- nity to spend time with their children and raise them in the Church.

“I felt hopeless at this time,” President Khan says. “I did not know if I would survive.” Looking back, President Khan feels that the Lord protected him from harm several times in his life. As a young man he joined the army and was shot at from as close as 20 feet (6 m) away but was not hit. He also stepped on many active land mines that did not explode. One land mine he stepped on did explode, but he was not seriously injured. Because of the dangerous circum- stances soldiers found themselves in, within her. He accepted her invitation they did whatever they could to be to study the scriptures together, and protected. Several men in the military he soon decided to be baptized. got tattoos because they believed the “The most important thing that I tattoos could help keep them safe. ever received in my life is the testi- “Before I became a member of mony I obtained from studying the the Church, I didn’t know anything,” scriptures,” he says. President Khan says. “Now I know Pich Sareth, a member of the that it was Jesus Christ—not the Phnom Penh 12th Branch in the tattoos—that saved me.” Phnom Penh Cambodia North After President Khan’s wife, Suon District, also saw trials at a very young Sokmo, met the missionaries and was age. He was only five years old when baptized, he was impressed by the he was separated from his family and changes he could see taking place forced to work in the fields. He would

34 Liahona 

time every day to read the scriptures. “I cannot even explain As they have done this, the joy of the gospel has permeated their souls. the joy I felt in the temple. . . . “We feel we are on the right path I know that the temple is now, and we want to stay on this nar- necessary for families to live row path and continue to progress,” Sister Seng says. “I am grateful every together forever.” day that we can have our children on Loy Bunseak this path with us.” The joy that President Loy feels felt in the temple,” President Loy said. extends in both directions—to his “I knew my family was being made ancestors as well as his descendants. strong. I know that the temple is President Loy and his family visited necessary for families to live together the Hong Kong China Temple in forever.” 2004. Not only were President Loy’s President Khan and his family also sometimes find crabs or frogs he wife and children sealed to him, but had the opportunity to be sealed could eat to quell his hunger. the saving ordinances of the temple together as an eternal family in the Brother Pich’s wife, Seng Tha, and were also completed for his father, Hong Kong Temple. “The feeling I felt her family were also forced from mother, and the brothers and sisters at the temple is something I had never their home. Because she was only he had lost. felt before. It is hard to express my feel- four years old and small, she was “I cannot even explain the joy I ings in words,” President Khan says. not required to work, as other chil- dren were. She was separated from her family much of the day and was watched by elderly women who could not work. After meeting the missionar- ies in 1995, Brother Pich and his wife began to learn about the love Heavenly Father has for them. “When I had problems, I could see that praying helped me get through them,” Brother Pich says. “I knew Heavenly Father cared.” After Brother Pich decided to be baptized, his wife also gained a testi- mony of the gospel and was baptized.

A Swell of Joy Since their baptisms, Brother Pich and his family have recognized the joy that stems from gaining a testimony

B a ck ground © G etty Images; photograph of H ong Kong Ch i na T emple by Cra g Di mond of Jesus Christ. The Pich family takes Miracles Can Occur

he Church was officially recognized in Cambodia in 1994. TToday there are about 8,000 members in 24 branches. The gospel of Jesus Christ can spread to other areas of the world where the Church currently has little influence. President Thomas S. Monson counseled us to pray for this growth: “I Nutrients for Survival would ask that your faith and prayers continue to be offered Thanks to the spreading of the gos- in behalf of those areas where our influence is limited and where we are not pel, members in Cambodia are receiv- allowed to share the gospel freely at this time. Miracles can occur as we do so” ing the spiritual nutrients they need (“Welcome to Conference,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2009, 6). to survive. Although the Church is growing in Cambodia, members hope that this growth is just a precursor to a huge blossoming of the gospel in their country. Although ancient architecture and Just as the fish and animals receive temples abound in Cambodia, the needed nutrients when the Tonle Sap gospel has brought a sense of newness Lake overflows, a growing number of to the lives of Church members here. Cambodians are receiving the spiri- tual nutrition they need thanks to the overflowing desire in members’ hearts to share the gospel.

“When a pot is covered, it boils Christ, everything became better in over,” President Khan says. “This is my life and with my family,” he says. the feeling I have in my heart. I must “Having the priesthood in our home open my heart to tell everyone what brings us together. If we have a prob- it is feeling.” lem, we sit and discuss it as a family.” President Loy hopes the residual Since the government of effect of the gospel being taught in Cambodia granted the Church legal his home will be that his daughters recognition in 1994, thousands of will continue to embrace the gospel Cambodians have accepted the and teach their children. gospel. The Pich family looks for- “After I found out about Jesus ward to the day when the gospel will

Humanitarian Service and decrease the use of chemical fertilizers atter-day Saint Charities has played and insecticides. Farmers are also taught the L a significant role in meeting the importance of producing rice for them- needs of Cambodians who have lacked selves as well as rice that can be sold. the basic commodities and services Wheelchairs needed to be healthy. In December 2009, LDS Charities Family Food Production delivered more than 1,000 wheel- LDS Charities has focused efforts chairs to the National Center for Disabled on helping farmers harvest more rice Persons in Phnom Penh. The wheelchairs and produce healthier rice by teaching were given to Church members as well them how to use organic fertilizers as to other Cambodians in need. 

“When I had problems, I could see that praying helped me get

through them.”

Pich Sareth

spread across all parts of the country. learning of the Savior. He believes Church, I lost a lot of the pain I felt Brother Pich says, “I hope someday the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only from things that had happened in there will be a temple in Cambodia.” thing that can heal Cambodians from the past. I’ve received a new light Sister Seng agrees: “Heavenly their past trials. that I never had before,” he says. Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are “After I became a member of the “Everything feels new.” ◼ alive. My hope for the future is that the Church will continue to grow so a temple can be built.” President Khan recognizes the

B a ck ground © G etty Images ways his life has changed since

Water LDS Charities has provided Cambodian villages with soap, water filters, toilet facil- ities, rain-harvesting systems, and resources to perform water-quality analysis. LDS Charities has also overseen the drilling of several wells, which are helping thousands of people.

June 2010 37 Latter-day Saint Voices

Finally, the bus pulled to the side Help Me! of the road. “You must get off,” the driver said. n my second night of study locate the metro, I could arrive home “This is the last stop.” Oabroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, safely. I spotted a young couple down My whole body shook as I strug- I met with my friends downtown the street and walked toward them. gled to breathe and hold back tears. It to play American football. After the “I am lost,” I said. “Do you know was getting late, and if I couldn’t find game I decided to experiment with where the metro is?” the metro before it closed, I would taking the bus home. I had never “The metro is very far from here,” have to spend the night on the streets taken the bus in Russia, but my host the man said. “But there is a bus stop of St. Petersburg. mother had told me that bus 7 or bus over there. Get on bus 5, and it will “Help me, Father in Heaven,” 1 would take me home. So when bus take you to the metro.” I prayed quietly and began walk- 7 arrived, I climbed aboard. I thanked him and walked ing. Then, breaking into a run, I As we drove along, I looked at quickly down the street. When a bus started waving at passing taxis. None the shops and watched the people approached the stop, however, it stopped. mingling on the sidewalk. Slowly, was not a number 5 but a number 1. I soon came to another bus stop, the area began to grow unfamiliar. I I thought back to my host mother’s which was crowded with people. checked my watch and realized that words: “Get on bus 7 or bus 1, and it The lights of an approaching bus— I had been riding for 30 minutes. will take you home.” a number 7—shone down on us. I Suddenly the bus stopped, the I reluctantly got on, but once again hesitated. Buses had only gotten me lights went out, and everyone got off. we drove and drove. The passengers lost, but a strong force from behind Trying not to panic, I looked around exited one by one until I was the only pushed me up the steps and into for assistance. I knew that if I could one left. the bus. I sat down heavily in a seat, t was getting glancing at my watch. It was 11:50 Ilate, and if I p.m. The metro would close in 10 couldn’t find the minutes. metro before it I closed my eyes, whispering closed, I would again, “Help me.” When I opened my have to spend eyes, I saw the bright lights of a metro the night on the station as the bus came to a stop. I streets of St. ran off the bus and into the metro to Petersburg. catch the last train of the night. As I sat down, I thought of how our Father in Heaven numbers His sparrows (see Matthew 10:29–31), and I silently thanked Him. I knew on that dark night in that vast city, He had led me home. ◼ Tiffany Lewis, Texas, USA i ons by G regg T hor k elson Illustrat was about to Iaccept their invitation, but then I remembered what I had been taught in seminary about not going to places Invitation to Disaster where the Holy Ghost would hortly after I began my mandatory Our time in the army finally ended, celebration, not go. Sservice in the Brazilian army, I and on our last day as soldiers, the which fea- was selected as corporal over a dozen men invited me to celebrate with tured lots of men. Unfortunately, my 12 young them at a small ranch. “Corporal, you alcohol. While soldiers seemed to have the lowest have to come to our party,” one of under the influ- standards in the barracks. I came to them said to me. “You aren’t going to ence, the men had begun throwing discover that they were or had been insult us by not showing up, are you?” alcohol on each other. Then, as a joke, involved in drugs, theft, sexual immo- I was about to accept the invita- one of them threw a match on his rality, and other serious sins. tion so as not to insult them. But the buddy, who was so badly burned that Rather than allow myself to be thought came to me that their party he died a few days later. As a result, all influenced by their low standards, I standards would be contrary to my of the participants at that party faced took advantage of every opportunity I Latter-day Saint standards. I remem- criminal charges related to his death. had to share the gospel with them. For bered what I had been taught in sem- Had I attended the party—even example, during breaks or when we inary about not going to places where without drinking—I would have were cleaning rifles together, I talked the Holy Ghost would not go. Despite been in the same predicament. That to them about the gospel. I thought their resentment, I told the group that incident would have followed me they would make fun of my standards I wouldn’t be attending. I said good- and could have hindered my future. and ridicule me, but they listened bye and headed home. I mourned for the young man who and came to treat me with respect. Months passed before I again saw had died, but I was grateful that I had However, despite my efforts to teach one of the soldiers from that group. followed the promptings of the Spirit them gospel doctrines, they didn’t What he told me made me grate- and the counsel of Church leaders. ◼ change their attitudes or behavior. ful that I had skipped their farewell Cesar A. Minutti, Brazil

June 2010 39 od’s Gcommand- ments are gifts to I Chose Not to Drink us, and if we keep them, they will lead hile traveling to a youth con- to drink,” her friend had said. The Jesus Christ. us back to Him. Wference in Stuttgart, Germany, woman then added that she knew of For that reason, I had the opportunity to speak with a few Latter-day Saints who did drink I don’t drink an elderly woman about the temple “now and then.” alcohol. God’s and about my faith in the restored Contrary to what this woman command- gospel. She was acquainted with the thought, the gospel is not forced ments are gifts Church and had a fairly good idea of upon anyone. We all have the right to to us, and if we some gospel doctrines. make our own decisions. Heavenly keep them, they will lead us back During our conversation, however, Father gave us the Word of Wisdom to Him. the woman said something that made to help us keep our bodies holy, but From this simple encounter, I was me sad. When she was introduced to each of us must choose whether to reminded that as members of the the Church approximately 40 years live His law of health because He also Lord’s Church, we are always exam- before by a Latter-day Saint friend, gave us our moral agency. ples to others. We choose, however, something her friend had said still I decided several years ago when what that example will be. ◼ stood out to her. “I’m not allowed I was baptized that I would follow Torsten König, Germany

40 Liahona Latter-day Saint Voices

of the Spirit, which prompted me Turn Off the TV! to avoid temptation and to remain spiritually ready. Additionally, I he Saturday night following the She had a high fever and looked pale. am grateful the Spirit directed the TThanksgiving holiday, I found Her roommate said she had been sick brother from my elders quorum to myself alone in my off-campus apart- for several hours, was weak, and was my apartment. ment. I didn’t have much to do, so I unable to eat because of an upset Most of all, I am grateful for a kind flipped through the channels on the stomach. and merciful Heavenly Father, who TV until I came across a movie that I had assumed that I would anoint strengthened me in my inadequacies, had just started. her with oil, but the brother from guiding my words in the blessing and It didn’t take more than a few min- my elders quorum asked me to utes for me to realize that the movie give the blessing instead. I felt was inappropriate. For a minute I inadequate and was not sure thought, “What’s the big deal? No one what I would say. I had not is around. After all, it’s on TV, so all of had time to mentally prepare the worst parts must be edited out.” to give a blessing, but I silently The Spirit, however, prompted me prayed that God would direct to turn off the TV. I decided to read a my words. book instead. After the anointing, I About half an hour later I heard a addressed the young woman knock at the door. It was a member by name and pronounced the of my elders quorum, who told me blessing. I found myself making that one of the young women he promises of restored health and home taught was sick and needed a providing words of comfort that blessing. He had spent the past 30 were not my own. I then closed minutes calling around and knocking the blessing. As we opened on doors, trying to find someone our eyes, I saw a huge smile who was home and able to help on the young woman’s face, and she then fulfilling the he Spirit him. Finally, he had come to my thanked us for the blessing. She soon words He had Tprompted me door. I agreed to help and quickly recovered and was able to return to me speak. I know to turn off the changed into Sunday dress. her studies and finish the semester. that as we remain TV. About half an While we were walking to her As I reflect on that experience, I feel worthy, we will hour later I heard apartment, I asked him how ill she great gratitude for the opportunity to have the Spirit to a knock at the was. All he knew was that he had hold the priesthood. The experience guide our path so door. received an urgent call from the lasted only about 10 minutes, and I am that we can be young woman’s roommate, request- sure the ill young woman has since ready to serve ing that he come right away. forgotten about it. But it has had a those around us. ◼ When we arrived at the apartment, lasting impact on me. Jonathan H. it was apparent that she was not well. I am grateful for the whisperings Westover, Utah, USA

June 2010 41 Your Mission in Life Is Now

By Jan Pinborough Church Magazines

Three principles can n my young adult years, I spent a homes, businesses, and farms in New help us step into the lot of time wondering about my York and Pennsylvania to venture to future. Mission, marriage, educa- an unfamiliar place. And the Lord told future with greater I tion, career—all of these were open them that this place would be only confidence, energy, questions, and I didn’t have many temporary: and faith. answers. I was willing to fulfill what- “And I consecrate unto them this ever mission the Lord had in mind land for a little season, until I, the Lord, for me, if I could only find out what shall provide for them otherwise, and it was. command them to go hence; My patriarchal blessing gave me the “And the hour and the day is not big picture of my life’s purpose. But given unto them, wherefore let them in some ways I felt like I was trying act upon this land as for years, and to find my way to the grocery store this shall turn unto them for their using a map of the solar system. What good” (D&C 51:16–17). if I made a wrong turn somewhere? I like to picture those early Saints Would I still be able to find and fulfill hearing the Lord’s instructions and the mission the Lord had for me? getting right to work. They plowed Since then, I have discovered three fields they didn’t know they would principles that have helped me step harvest, planted trees whose fruit they into the unknown with greater confi- might never eat, and built a beautiful dence, energy, and faith. temple they would ultimately have to leave. I picture them living busy, pro- 1. For a Little Season ductive lives, not peering endlessly The first principle has to do with into the unknown, wondering where the preciousness of the present. they would go next and when. They Starting in 1831, many of the early acted “as for years,” trusting that their Saints spent about seven years in work would not be in vain. Kirtland, Ohio. They had left behind By the time they left Ohio in 1838,

42 Liahona Young Adults 

2. A Mission Every Day A second useful principle came from a simple realization. My mission in life was not waiting for me in the vague and distant future. It was daily and ongoing. President Brigham Young (1801– 77) explained: “There is neither man nor woman in this Church who is not on a mission. That mission will last as long as they live.” 1 In other words, my mission in life had already started. I didn’t so much need to find it as to recognize it. I found one way to recognize it by understanding three elements that were already part of my life: • A unique set of personal gifts. • A unique set of personal challenges. The early Saints in Kirtland acted “as for years,” trusting • Specific needs in the world that the that their work would not be in vain. As you too trust in Lord wants me to respond to. the Lord and act “as for years,” you can make the most Simply put, we fulfill our mission of every stage of your life. whenever these three elements inter- sect and we choose to act. Consider how this worked in the life of Joseph in the Saints had helped lay a strong Oliver Cowdery saw Jesus Christ the Old Testament (see Genesis 37–47). foundation for the Church’s future and received priesthood keys from Joseph had many gifts. He was growth. Consider what transpired Moses, Elias, and Elijah. raised in a family that had a knowl- during that precious and productive • The first missionaries were sent to edge of God, and he was an heir to period: England. the Abrahamic covenant. He had the • The Prophet Joseph Smith orga- My young adult years were an spiritual gift of interpreting dreams. nized the School of the Prophets, extremely valuable “little season” He also had many challenges. It finished his inspired translation given to me by the Lord. During our seems to me that some of Joseph’s of the Bible, and received many young adult years, physical and mental challenges included a father who important revelations. energy are at their peak. We can make showed favoritism, jealous brothers, • The First Presidency, the Quorum the most of them by determining to and his own lack of tact in dealing of the Twelve Apostles, and the trust in the Lord and act “as for years.” with them. In his young life he was Seventy were organized. Then these years can become a conse- sold into slavery in a foreign land, • The Kirtland Temple was built and crated period of extraordinary produc- falsely accused of immoral behavior,

born, may not be c op i ed O born, may by G arth e n ts, and A ll T h o u Ha st, i on by John L u k e; T ime, Tal P hoto i llustrat dedicated. There Joseph Smith and tivity, growth, learning, and service. and cast into prison.

June 2010 43 

But Joseph was also willing to act, using both his gifts and his challenges to respond to specific needs in his world. On several occasions, includ- ing in prison, he chose to use his spir- itual gift to interpret people’s dreams. This choice, in turn, opened up an opportunity to work for the pharaoh, storing food for the Egyptian people. Because he was faithful and diligent in this assignment, Joseph was able to perform a life-saving mission, rescu- ing many, including his own family, from starvation. Because of his gifts, his challenges, and his faithfulness, Joseph’s gifts and his challenges Joseph of Egypt could fulfill a unique mission in serving combined to put him in a unique the Lord and others. These same three elements intersect position to respond when famine every day in each of our lives. came to the land. Because Joseph was who he was and where he was and because he chose to act faithfully choice to meet her sister’s need, this as it turns out, I didn’t need to worry. and obediently, he fulfilled a unique young woman was living her mission. The Lord always knew where I was mission in serving the Lord, the peo- When this choice to heed the Spirit and where He wanted me to go. I ple of Egypt, and his own family. and to act continues day after day, kept trying my best to follow His But these three elements don’t week after week, and year after year, commandments, serve Him, and lis- intersect just in the lives of people we it creates a larger pattern that we will ten to the Spirit. Even though I often read about in the pages of scripture. later come to recognize as the mis- couldn’t discern it at the time, I now They intersect every day in each of sion the Lord had for us to fulfill. recognize that His hand was always

our lives. guiding my life. . B arrett A young adult woman had a gift 3. Be Still and Know The young adult years are filled for writing and some personal expe- Years beyond my 20s now, I can with crucial decisions and some rience with depression. When her finally recognize that my life has inherent uncertainty and stress. But teenage sister was dealing with a unfolded in the very way described greater confidence comes when we difficult situation at school, she was in my patriarchal blessing many years learn to rely on the Lord’s ability to able to recognize that her sister was ago. That certainly wasn’t because I bring about His purposes for our slipping into despondency. Heeding knew exactly what I was doing and life—day by day. Then we are better the Spirit’s promptings, she wrote where the future would take me. I able to “be still, and know that [He is] her sister a series of beautiful notes, most definitely didn’t. God” (Psalm 46:10). And in so doing, expressing her love and confidence, My life had some twists and turns we experience peace. ◼ one for each day of an especially and disappointments that made me Note 1. Brigham Young, “Remarks,” Deseret News,

trying two-week period. In that small wonder if it was going off track. But July 3, 1867, 201. T by R obert R e i er, © I I; J o seph n Eg ypt, i on by M atthew P hoto i llustrat

44 Liahona Young Adults Gospel in My Life

Update Your Spiritual Status

oung adults throughout the Church responded to Elder David A. Bednar’s fireside address “Things as They Really Are,” which he gave in May 2009 (see page 22 in Ythis issue), by evaluating their use of computers, cell phones, and other technol- ogies. Here, a few of them talk about the changes they made in response to the message and the blessings they received as a result.

The Need for Focus Some technologies, like A Commitment to Myself portable music players, can avoid anything that distracts I evaluated my use of Technology Traps keep you from focusing on me from being in tune with technology and realized I own a cell phone busi- what’s going the Spirit. For example, that perhaps some tech- ness and am an electronic on around some of the functions that nology has become too engineer, so technology you. Elder my cell phone offers, such much a part of my daily has always been part of my Bednar’s talk as mobile banking services, life. I made a daily life. The Internet, video helped me are handy and convenient. commitment games, electronic media and realize that as I prepare to However, other functions to myself to devices—all are supposed serve a mission, I need to are mostly time-consuming value the to provide healthy enter- become more accustomed and can take my attention time I have tainment. However, most of to interacting with other and focus from things that and to use it wisely. Instead them can easily be used in people. I know that I need matter more. of sitting at the computer unrighteous ways. to be less dependent on I am now and engaging in social net- I can’t imagine how our technology, even though making more works, I’d rather spend my Heavenly Father feels when it’s fun. As a missionary I efforts to time reading a good book we fall into technology traps will need to focus on other pay personal or learning a new skill and waste people and the work I’ll be visits to my that will provide learning our time with doing for the Lord. friends and family rather experiences and promote things that Andrew Hovey, Massachusetts, USA than using other electronic growth. I try to spend more do not edify. communication. Because time with people to build Because of Relationships of this, my relationships friendships and share good Elder Bednar’s inspired Strengthened have been strengthened. laughs. words, I have made a goal Elder Bednar’s message Now I have an even greater Ruth Barilea, Manila, Philippines to always use technology is one that is sometimes appreciation for the things appropriately and spend treated lightly or even that are truly important in my time wisely. ◼ ignored because the neg- my life. Christian Alejandro Zerlin, Managua, Nicaragua ative effects of technology Jayoung Lee, Seoul, Korea misuse might seem trivial.

i on © Corb s and G etty mages B ottom: P hoto i llustrat Now I realize that I should

June 2010 45 Bound Together through

God’s Word A seminary group in Berlin, Germany, shares some thoughts on the scriptures.

By David A. Edwards Church Magazines

hat do the scriptures mean and the Spirit I received along with it to us? How do we gain a that really helped me.” Wtestimony of them? How Denise Reiner, 16, has had similar can we better understand them? experiences. She remembers having Like many other Latter-day Saint a question, opening her scriptures, teens throughout the world, the young and then seeing the answer on the women in the Dahlem Ward, Berlin page she opened to. This experience Lesley’s Favorite Scripture Germany Stake, are finding answers impressed her, but most often, she 1 Corinthians 13:3–8. “I like to these questions by meeting each says, “you notice that you’re guided this scripture because it describes many morning before school to study the a little more, that you really do find important attributes.” scriptures in seminary. Their experi- an answer to all your questions when ences with the scriptures have deeply you read in the scriptures regularly.” affected their lives, and they are ready and willing to share their feelings. Unity through the Scriptures These young women believe that Answers from the Scriptures the scriptures help us to be unified as One of the important experi- Saints in Christ’s Church. “The gospel is ences these young women have had in the scriptures,” says Elizabeth Clark, with the scriptures has been to find 16. “We shouldn’t really debate and Denise’s Favorite Scripture answers to their questions through contend about it. The principles are in 2 Timothy 2. “It’s just beautiful how scripture study. there. That can help us be unified.” Paul wrote the letter to Timothy with all of Sometimes when Sariah Gruse, 16, Sariah agrees: “The gospel is the those words of comfort and shared with him is studying the scriptures, an answer same throughout the whole world all of his experiences. I think that’s one of the will leap out from the page, she says. because of the scriptures. It doesn’t most beautiful chapters in the scriptures.” “But I usually don’t find that scrip- matter where you go in the world. ture again the way it stood out to me You can always feel at home at before, because it was the thoughts church because you’ll find the same

46 Liahona Youth  ; ; ed t as not as t ep xc e s, s, d war d . E . A

d hs by Davi by hs p e © Ge tty I mag s p hotogra h of B ran de nburg G at Photogra

Amid the bustle of Germany’s capital city of Berlin, a group of seminary students has learned the power of the scriptures.

June 2010 47 teachings and the same beliefs.” her worries and has found seminary Sariah’s Favorite Scripture Sarah Clark, 17, believes that to be a place of safety and support in D&C 14:7. “I like this scripture because the Book of Mormon is especially expressing her questions, thoughts, and it emphasizes that the greatest gift we can important “because the gospel feelings about the gospel. receive from Heavenly Father is eternal life.” is expressed clearly there. If we follow it and the other scriptures, The Effect of the Scriptures it helps us to become unified and The scriptures have had a very stay unified.” real effect on the lives of these young This unity fosters the Spirit, says women, and they have been able to Elizabeth. “When we’re all in agree- apply the scriptures in various ways. ment with the gospel, then you For instance, scripture study has can feel the Spirit when it’s taught. helped them answer others’ questions Sarah’s Favorite Scripture When there’s contention, you can’t as well as their own. “If you under- 1 Corinthians 10:13. “That is really feel the Spirit at all.” stand the scriptures and the principles a beautiful promise, because then I always in them,” says Elizabeth, “then, if know that I can withstand any temptations.” Better Understanding someone asks you something about through Seminary the gospel, you can actually explain When it comes to developing a it better because you understand it better understanding of the scriptures, yourself. That makes it a lot easier.” these young women all agree that In addition, Denise has found seminary has been indispensable. “In strength and encouragement through seminary you learn a lot about the the scriptures. “If you simply read people in the scriptures and the whole what kind of temptations the people history behind them,” says Denise. had back then and how they were Elizabeth’s Favorite Scripture “Seminary is part of my life,” says able to overcome them, that strength- D&C 84:88. “It says that the Lord is Lesley Reiner, 17. “I know that it’s ens you today,” she says. “And when always there for us and that we are protected.

important. You should study person- you read in the scriptures about all It’s comforting, and that’s why I like this scrip- e w Re i r, © IRI Photogra p h of scri tur e s by M atth ally, and then seminary is there for of the blessings of the gospel, then ture so much.” you to study together.” you know what you get in return for Sarah adds, “I always look for- faithfulness, and that’s also good ward to studying the scriptures every to know.” morning in seminary. My testimony Because of the effect the has been strengthened. I think it’s a scriptures have had in their lives, special time.” these young women now see For Sariah, seminary has become a themselves on a path leading to place to share her feelings. “At first it even greater understanding and was hard for me because my mother testimony. And they feel bound is the seminary teacher and I had the together in unity to Latter-day feeling that I couldn’t really express my Saints everywhere through the thoughts,” she says. But she overcame word of God. ◼

48 Liahona Youth  Ready or Not The battle is on. The enemy won’t wait. Now is the time to put on the whole armor of God. (See Ephesians 6:11–18.) rt C as e y by R ob e rt Photo illustration  To Cheat or Not to Cheat

By Shery Ann de la Cruz s a 17-year-old nursing student, I found my second year of A college a challenging one. (In the Philippines we finish high school at age 16.) I found the endless quizzes, research projects, and read- ing assignments to be exhausting. I felt as though I always had dark cir- cles under my eyes, since I normally got little sleep. Despite the heavy workload, I always tried to remember that “sacrifice brings forth the bless- ings of heaven.” 1

50 Liahona Youth 

the quiz, I realized that I knew the answers to every question but one. I knew that if I worked hard, I “How can this be?” I thought. “I’ve “How then can I do this great wicked- would have a better future. Whenever studied hard for this quiz. I should ness, and sin against God?” (Genesis I wanted to give up and go to bed know this answer!” 39:9). I knew that Heavenly Father without studying, I imagined how sad As I tapped my pen furiously on had helped me through countless and defeated I would feel the next day my chair, it occurred to me that it challenges, including many quizzes if I did poorly on a quiz or assignment. would take just a moment to turn my and school assignments. How could This was enough motivation to keep head, give my hair a flip, and dart my I forget all He had done for me and me awake so I could study. eyes toward my classmate’s answer. choose to sin? Many of my classmates were upset “I could do this just once,” I thought, To this day I can’t when they got a low score on a quiz. remember the result However, they did of that particular quiz. not want to work and Whether I came up study hard. As a result, with the answer or students would often I couldn’t remember the answer to one question not, I can’t recall. “help” one another by on the quiz. It would be so easy to dart my eyes But I have always sharing answers dur- toward my classmate’s answer. remembered that I ing quizzes or tests, felt good for making allowing others to the right choice. look at their papers Now as a junior when the professor I still face the same wasn’t watching. I was often tempted “and I’ll ace the quiz. Just once won’t mountain of schoolwork and the same to do the same, but I never dared. I hurt. Besides, it’s so unfair for me. temptations; however, choosing not to have read countless times in Church I study hard, yet I get lower grades cheat isn’t difficult because I’ve made magazines that members of the than my classmates because I don’t that choice already, at a time when Church should have high standards, cheat!” Still, I felt uncomfortable. I the temptation was hard to resist. I’ve which means no cheating. So I studied fidgeted in my chair, trying to make learned that the joy and satisfaction hard and resisted the temptation, even a choice: to cheat or not to cheat. of getting high grades is greater when though this sometimes meant getting Then a voice inside me said, “No, I work hard and earn it. Wickedness, lower grades than my classmates, Shery! Cheating is wrong, and you indeed, never was happiness (see since they had each other’s help. know it!” Suddenly I realized that even Alma 41:10). True happiness is found On one particular day I had classes if I got a perfect score on the quiz, I in keeping the commandments and from 7:00 in the morning until 7:00 in wouldn’t feel good about my score following the counsel of our prophet the evening, and I had a quiz sched- if I cheated. My Heavenly Father was and other Church leaders. I truly uled in each class. I studied 10 pages counting on me to make the right believe the words “Keep the com-

T hork e lson for my first quiz alone. “How will choice—this choice was the real test. mandments. In this there is safety and I get through all this?” I wondered. Just then a scripture I’d learned peace.” 2 ◼ G r e gg Thankfully, I did well on my first quiz. in Sunday School came to my mind: Notes 1. “Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27. During lunch I studied for my next 2. “Keep the Commandments,” Hymns,

llustration by I llustration one. When I went to class and started no. 303.

June 2010 51 Our Space

My Favorite Scripture 1 Nephi 3:7 his is my favorite scripture because it helps Tme remember that the Lord helps us gain confidence, and if we follow His path, He will bless us and be at our side. ◼ Livio de Rosa, Italy llustration by Paul M ann by Paul I llustration

My Testimony on Sharing the Gospel haring the gospel with others is a great and Smarvelous work. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will guide us if we are faithful and sincere in sharing the gospel. Don’t hesitate to share what we know is true; don’t feel that our friends or parents will get angry if we share the gospel with them. Remember, we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are responsible to share the truth with those souls who are now lost and try- ing to find the iron rod. ◼ Rose Ann Polintan, Philippines

52 Liahona Youth

Learning about the Gospel s a young girl I was education so I could have a of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Abrought up by good and good job and help support Saints is the true Church upon wonderful parents in a humble my family. After attending the the earth. I shared my beliefs home with my four siblings. Our Church school for a little while, with my family, and a few years parents loved us, and we loved I was baptized. later my mother, brother, and them too. They wanted the best One of the first things I did sister were baptized. for all of us, even though they as a member of the Church The gospel of Jesus Christ has couldn’t afford everything we was read the Book of Mormon. changed my life and given me wanted. They worked hard so Reading it helped strengthen my the desire to serve God and help we could be happy. testimony of the Prophet Joseph those who are not of our faith. I When I was older, I moved Smith. I learned that if the Book am grateful that I had the oppor- away to attend a Church school of Mormon is the word of God, tunity to serve a mission and in my country, Kiribati. My then Joseph Smith is a true work to bring souls unto God. ◼ dad advised me to get a good prophet of God and The Church Neeteti T. Raabaua, Kiribati

I Wasn’t Nervous Anymore

e were going to hand out struggling with our youth follow and Wpamphlets to find missionary drugs and other gave her the pam- referrals for our stake youth con- problems. We did phlet to read with ference activity. I had been reading our best to console her son. I could tell For the Strength of Youth. When the her, then moved on. it made her happy. activity began, I tossed it back on the A few minutes She called her son table where I had found it. But the later I opened my outside, and we thought occurred to me that I should scriptures. When I saw were able to set take it with me. So I picked it up and my For the Strength up an appoint- put it in my scriptures. of Youth pamphlet, I ment for both of We were all nervous about talking remembered what the them with the to strangers about the gospel, but woman had said about missionaries. when we stopped to talk to a woman her son and felt like I felt like a missionary! It was hanging laundry in her yard, she was I should go back. I wasn’t nervous great to have the opportunity to teach very friendly and took one of our anymore. and maybe help this young man. I pamphlets. During the conversation We found the woman still outside. know it was the Holy Ghost who told she told us about her concerns for I told her I had something she might me to take that pamphlet with me. ◼ her family. One son in particular was like. I explained about the standards Boris Antúnez, Chile

June 2010 53 Long-Distance

My father also uses the Internet to Family Home Evening keep in touch with us in other ways. When he is away from our home in By Luis Felipe Viera-Mesones Peru, he connects and finds out what s a family we consistently Internet and the computer have we’re doing and where we are. And hold family home evening; allowed our father to participate in when it is time for interviews or fam- A however, my father often our home evenings. ily councils, these are carried out at travels for extended periods of time We do not have to depart from our the appointed time, even when he’s for his employment. Sometimes that established schedule: if it is Dad’s turn traveling. means he is out of town when it’s to give the lesson, for example, he There are many good and useful time for family home evening. gives it. One of our family’s traditions technological advances that we often Then two years ago, when my is to evaluate our personal goals each don’t put to good use because we father got his own laptop, one of my week; this is never interrupted any- fear their misuse and the harm they siblings wondered, “Why not have more. And another important thing: can cause us. However, if we use our family home evenings with Dad our reading of the Book of Mormon such technology wisely and humbly, via the Internet?” as a family is now continual, since we it can be of great help. Since that time, when our father no longer have excuses not to read. We feel very thankful in our fam- is away during family home evening, ily for the Internet because it has we simply agree on a time, and we One of my siblings asked, “Why become a great tool for removing the connect. We can see and hear him, not have our family home eve- obstacles that might otherwise keep

and he can see and hear us. The nings with Dad via the Internet?” our family apart. ◼ d S tok e r by Davi Photo illustration

54 Liahona Youth How I Know

You Already Know

I believed the Church was true, but when did I receive that witness?

By Elizabeth Stitt

ne day at school, a that witness. For some time that Smith was a prophet. But I classmate and I some- bothered me. I wanted to have asked anyway. I finished my Ohow entered into the a particular experience when I prayer, and nothing happened. topic of religion. My classmate would pray and immediately the No grand feeling, no vision, no became a little antagonistic answer would come rushing to angels. Nothing. and started to criticize what me. It never happened. I found a rock and sat down I believed. But what I could define was and opened my patriarchal bless- She looked me in the face a moment when my testimony ing and started to read. My bless- and said, “You believe in your was confirmed. After my first ing mentioned the Restoration of Church only because your par- year of high school, I went with the gospel, and in my head the ents raised you in it. Otherwise, some other youth on a tour words repeated: “You already you wouldn’t believe.” to Church history sites. or more know. You already know.” I don’t remember what I said When we arrived at the F on this If I could go back to that to her, but I kept thinking about Sacred Grove, our tour topic, see Elder moment when my friend chal- her comment and wondering guide invited us to seek Neil L. Andersen’s lenged what I believed, I don’t why she would say that. I had a personal confirmation October 2008 know how I would describe how been raised in the Church, that what had happened general conference I know the Church is true. But I and, really, I had never ques- there was true: that God talk, “You Know wish I had told her that while my tioned the Church’s teachings the Father and Jesus Enough,” at parents had taught me what they or doctrines. Ever since I was Christ appeared to Joseph conference.lds.org. knew to be true, I had to find little, I felt the Church was true. Smith and initiated the that answer for myself. And I did. Before I was even baptized, Restoration. I found a I didn’t need to go to the our family read the Book of quiet place in the grove Sacred Grove to know the Mormon together, and I knew and read the account of Church was true. I didn’t need aggart, © IRI aggart, it was true. I didn’t just believe; the First Vision. Then I any great experience to know I knew it and had no doubts. knelt down and prayed. I the Church was true. I just But I couldn’t define a particular already knew the First Vision needed to be reminded, “You

Photogra p h by T im moment when I had received had happened and that Joseph already know.” ◼

June 2010 55 Questions & Answers

“I’ve prayed and studied the scriptures for a long time, but I never seem to get an answer to my questions. Why isn’t the Lord blessing me with a testimony?”

ome people describe dramatic, even miraculous, experiences Be Sincere through which they gained their testimonies. But more often Heavenly Father knows your heart a testimony comes gradually in a quiet way. If you haven’t even before you ask; He is simply received a powerful spiritual witness, don’t be discouraged. waiting for you to bring your ques- You’ve already taken the first step toward gaining a testimony tions before Him in sincere prayer. I Sby desiring to believe (see Alma 32:27). Your Heavenly Father loves you and have a personal testimony that He wants to bless you with a testimony—but in His own time and in His own answers prayers. You might receive an immediate way (see D&C 88:68). answer, or it might take a little longer, but I truly Not everyone receives a testimony in the same way. Some feel “a burning know He will answer. Be patient and continue in in the bosom” (see D&C 9:8). Others feel the Holy Ghost speak truths in your faithfulness. their minds and hearts (see D&C 8:2). Your witness will also come through Sharon F., 20, Lagos, Nigeria the still, small voice of the Spirit. Ask Heavenly Father to help you recognize these gentle promptings. Listen to the Holy Ghost A powerful way to gain a testimony is to take opportunities to share the Pray for guidance in seeking gospel with others. As you teach the truths of the gospel, the Spirit can bear personal wisdom. Heavenly Father witness to you, as well as to others, that what you say is true. hears and answers all our prayers. Continue to pray with faith and sincerity, waiting patiently for the Lord’s Answers come through the prompt- answer. As you keep the commandments, you will be worthy of the com- ings of the Holy Ghost. Ask in panionship of the Holy Ghost, the source of testimony. faith, be humble, keep the commandments, partake of the sacrament worthily, take time to ponder the scriptures, and patiently seek Pray Always God’s will. I understand what you are going through. I have struggled Ana Mae R., 20, Davao Oriental, Philippines through difficult times in which my testimony has been shaken. The way I was able to get through it—and gain the Bear Your Testimony strengthened testimony that I have today—was with constant Church leaders have taught that in addition to scripture study and prayer. I read my scriptures every oppor- asking, we ought to share our testimonies of what tunity I got. I prayed morning and night, straining to feel the Spirit. Yet it all we want to know, even though we have not yet seemed to be in vain. But one day, when I got home from school, I knelt by received a firm answer. I prayed for a testimony my bed. I don’t know how long I prayed, but I did receive an answer. Just many times and did not receive the witness I was pray always. Study the scriptures. You will find the answer you’ve been seeking until I shared my testimony of the gospel looking for. and the Restoration. Even though I had not yet Christopher W., 15, Nevada, USA obtained a firm testimony, I received that clear, soft,

56 Liahona Responses are intended for help and perspective, not as pronouncements of Church doctrine. Youth

Ensign, . . . A Fervent A Fervent Testimony ask merely cannot “We for a testi- in prayer to it expect and mony immediately given be to us. “Search and ponder upon the truths Questions & Answers 7/10 Answers ­Liahona, Questions & 2420 Rm. St., Temple North 50 E. USA UT 84150-0024, City, Salt Lake you are learning about gospel principles. you are learning about gospel principles. further with them Test them. about Think know you what to them Relate prayer. can learn will you truths the All feel. and eventually fit together into a fervent, undoubting testimony.” Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of Apostles, “The the Twelve Importance of ­ Receiving a Personal Testimony,” 1994, 20. Nov. Send your answer by July 15, 2010, to: to: 2010, Send your answer by July 15, [email protected] Or e-mail: Responses may be edited for length or clarity. must permission and information following The full name, (1) be included in your e-mail or letter: stake (4) branch, or ward (3) date, birth (2) if and, permission, written your (5) district, or written your parent’s you are under age 18, your publish to acceptable) is (e-mail permission response and photograph. Monica N., 19, Lima, Peru Monica N., the answers we seek. I think the best way best way I think the seek. we the answers spiritually to be still, to gain a testimony is when we way, That as physically. as well will be we and read the scriptures, pray ready to receive. are meant to help me become better or if they way are Heavenly Father’s me that I am of warning headed down the wrong path?” n Questio Next “How can I tell if my trials trials my if tell I can “How Chioma O., 15, Abia, Nigeria Chioma O., 15, Abia, Be Still willing to Father is always Heavenly something within us us; however, answer us from receiving can sometimes keep Sometimes our prayers are not answered are not answered Sometimes our prayers and time take may Answers immediately. will come according to the desires of One of the qualities of a Saint heart. one’s study the Continue to pray, is patience. and the commandments, keep scriptures, Also listen to the testimonies of others. strict to the promptings of attention pay come may The answer the Holy Spirit. least expect it. when you Never Give Up There time. take may Gaining a testimony to gain an can do are many things you up give Just never testimony. immovable to answers Father for on asking Heavenly prayers. your Philippines 18, Benguet, G., Wilben Have Patience

Prayer and fasting will Prayer prepare the spiritual soil in testimony will which your testimony and your grow, will be a strength and anchor to help you resist every trial and resist every anchor to help you A testimony is achieved temptation. our diligence helps through consistency; must fast Many times we the truth. us feel as Alma did (see Alma 5:45–46). Your as but be small at first, testimony may and searching the praying continue you will begin to see the fruits you scriptures, faith. of your Mariam N., 19, Accra, Ghana 19, Accra, Mariam N., Seek Divine Revelation I had the opportunity convert As a new to perform my ancestors. some baptisms for to performAs I stood in the water this I had a strong feeling sacred ordinance, Since the dead is divine. that baptism for been able to build my tes- then I have In my the dead. timony of baptisms for is defined as testimony understanding, of faith. to the person divine revelation study must pray, we gain a testimony, To the teachings of and obey our scriptures, testi- root of every At the Jesus Christ. otherwise, mony must be a righteous life; the Spirit cannot bear witness of the work of the Lord in our day. Elder Zubieta, 20, Colombia Cali Mission Aura O., 18, Huila, Colombia O., Aura Fast and Pray powerful confirmation of the Holy Ghost. confirmationpowerful of the Holy Ghost. testimony, share your that if you I know the Lord will strengthen it. By Lindsay Law How Are Cell phones, e-mails, text messages—there are so many great ways to talk to your friends and your family. Do you know when it’s appropriate to use them?

You just received a birthday Your parents gave you a gift from your grandma. Your new cell phone for emergen- 1mom reminds you to send her 4 cies. You want to call your a thank-you note, but you want to friend so the other kids at school send her an e-mail instead. What can see your phone. What do do you do? you do? a. Send Grandma an e-mail. a. Make some quick calls, b. Send her a handwritten note. just to show off your new phone. Mary e-mails you to invite b. Keep your phone in you to her birthday party. your backpack. 2You want to send the e-mail message to your best friend, Sarah. Your friend What should you do? Cristina a. Send the e-mail to Sarah so she 5wants to play knows about the party too. football with you, b. Keep the e-mail to yourself. but you are instant messaging your It is time for family home friend Jacob. What evening. You want to keep do you do? 3playing your computer a. Tell Cristina game until the lesson starts. What you’ll play with her do you do? tomorrow so you can keep a. Finish your game while your writing to Jacob. family sings the opening song. b. Tell Jacob you will write to b. Turn off the computer, and him later so you can play sing with your family. football with Cristina.

58 Liahona Children  Yo u r E - M a n n e r s? E-mail is a fast way to communi- to yourself. Then Sarah’s feelings 1cate, but taking the time to send won’t be hurt if she wasn’t invited a thank-you note will show your to the party too. grandma how much you love her and appreciate her gift. You Computer games are fun, but could also call her to tell her 3family home evening is impor- thank you. tant. Join in the opening song, and save the computer game for later. Sending one friend’s 2e-mail to another If your parents bought you a friend is like telling a 4cell phone for emergencies, you secret. If your friend shouldn’t use it to call friends. Also, sends you a message other kids might feel bad if you that is meant just for show it off. you, keep that message It’s great to talk to friends who 5aren’t with you, but it’s better Did you to spend time with friends in per- answer a to any son. Try limiting your computer time so you can spend time with of the questions? If so, friends face-to-face. ◼ check out these ideas for improving your e-manners. Photo illustration by John L uk e Photo illustration June 2010 59 g Skippin to a By Megan Withers

n a warm evening in Kingston, Jamaica, you might find Samuel (age 10) and Giordayne (age 7) outside skipping Owith their two brothers. As they skip, they sing to the beat: 1, 2, 3, Aunty Lulu, 4, 5, 6, Aunty Lulu, 7, 8, 9, Aunty Lulu, 10, Aunty Lulu, 10, Aunty Lulu.

Samuel and Giordayne are two happy children who are good at many things. They enjoy playing sports, studying hard at school, helping around the house, and being an example to those around them with their big smiles and cheerful attitudes.

School Days In Jamaica, schools have Boy Day and Girl Day every year. On Girl Day, boys don’t go to school. Instead, mothers may go to school with their daughters. They have a talent show, a spelling contest, and other fun activities. Giordayne was chosen from her class to compete in the spelling contest, and she won. “My favorite word to spell is environ- ment,” Giordayne says. On Boy Day, fathers may attend school with their sons. Samuel entered the writing contest. He wrote an essay explaining how he shows respect to himself and others. He also won first place.

60 Liahona Children  Jamaican Beat

A Visit to the Temple Two Great Teachers Samuel looks forward to the day Samuel dreams of becoming a teacher when he can attend the temple. For when he grows up. He wants to teach many families in Jamaica, it’s a big sac- his favorite subjects: mathematics and rifice to visit the temple because there science. Giordayne, who isn’t a temple there. It is expensive to go looks up to her older to the United States to attend the temple. brother, wants to be a Fortunately, Samuel and Giordayne’s teacher too. family was able to go. Samuel says, “My Samuel and favorite family vacation was when we Giordayne are already went to New York City to visit my aunt. teachers now by being We saw the Manhattan Temple. It is the great examples to their only temple I have ever seen.” friends. There are only The whole family was very excited a few children at their when the Panama City Panama Temple school who are mem- opened in 2008 because it’s not as bers of the Church.

alm tr ee s © Ge tty I mag e hard to go there. Once or twice a year, “When someone is the members in Jamaica travel to the doing something bad, Panama City Temple. “I am excited to such as fighting, I tell go to the temple when I turn 12,” them to do what’s right,” Samuel says. Samuel says. Samuel and Giordayne enjoy sharing their testimonies, and their Primary president knows she can rely on them to give a talk if the An Answer to Prayer speaker is unable to attend. On Sunday One time their father’s company was going to be shut mornings they wake up extra early down. Giordayne encouraged her family to ask Heavenly to prepare a talk just in case they are Father for help. “Giordayne is so diligent in her prayers. She needed to speak. always reminds our family of the things we need to pray for,” Samuel and Giordayne try to faithfully her mother says. The family’s prayers were answered when serve the Lord in everything they do. their dad got a new job. “I knew that if we prayed, everything Giordayne says, “I know that if I have would be OK,” Giordayne says confidently. faith, I shall not perish, but I will live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again.” ◼ nt; p hotogra h of D e v lo p m nt; imag e of flag © N ova e sy of th family; an d chil r e n court Photogra p hs of family

June 2010 61 By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in Be on the the First Presidency Lord’s Side hen I was little, I lived Saints. When I was eight, I was says, “If God be for us, who can in Zwickau, Germany. baptized in a public swimming be against us?” (Romans 8:31). This WMy grandmother had pool by my father. gave me comfort and courage, a friend with white, flowing hair. When I was 11, my family had because at that time the future Her name was Sister Ewig, and she to leave East Germany. We moved looked bleak in Germany. The invited my grandmother to church. to Frankfurt, West Germany. I city of Frankfurt was in ruins with When our family went there, we attended the Frankfurt Branch, bombed-out buildings. That teach- s saw many children. All of us were which was not as big as the one ing has stayed with me throughout e mag very impressed by the music, espe- in Zwickau. The Frankfurt meet- my life. It taught me that I need I tty tty

cially the singing. One song, “Jesus inghouse was small, and we had to be on the Lord’s side. I cannot Ge Wants Me for a Sunbeam,” really classes in the basement. The mis- afford not to be on the Lord’s side. impressed me.1 I felt very close to sionaries taught us important gos- I challenge you children to follow arsh; book © © book arsh; M

Jesus when I sang it. I knew that pel principles. the words of the prophets. When n ee He wanted me to be a sunbeam One missionary, Elder Stringham, you do, you will find the answers to for Him. I still love that song—and impressed me very much with his your questions, whether you are 6, 9, the testimony that it gave me of the lessons on the Pearl of Great Price, 11, 19, or, like me, 69 years old! ◼ : illustration by Dill by illustration : Savior. especially where Moses is being From “Friend to Friend,” Liahona, Apr. 1999, d My whole family—except me, taught that he is a son of God F2–F4; Friend, June 1998, 6–7. Note ackgroun because I was only six years old— (see Moses 1:3–4). Elder Stringham 1. “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam,” Children’s B were baptized members of The also taught me the scripture that Songbook, 60. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

When he or she joined the Church: Special Missionaries ike President Uchtdorf, you are a member of the Where he or she joined the Church: LChurch today because someone special taught some- one in your family about the gospel. Ask your mother or father to tell you who was the first member of the Church How he or she found out about the Church and gained a testimony: in your family, and see if you can find out who taught the earliest members of the Church in your family. Fill in as many of the answers below as you can:

The first member of the Church in my family: Who taught him or her about the gospel: Children 

Be a Sunbeam for Jesus When President Uchtdorf first went to church, he heard the song “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam.” You can be a sunbeam in your family by doing kind deeds and leaving cheery thank-you notes:

1. Trace the sun shape onto a piece of thin paper, and cut it out. 2. Write the name of a family member on one side of the sun, and then color it in your favorite sunny colors. 3. On the other side, write a note thanking a family member for something he or she does for you. 4. Do a secret kind deed for that person, such as making a bed or folding clothes, and leave a sunshine note.

June 2010 63 Sharing Time

The Holy Ghost Testifies of the Truth of All Things

By Sandra Tanner and Cristina Franco (1 Nephi 16:28). Lehi’s family learned to follow the n the Book of Mormon we read about Lehi and his directions of the Liahona. family. Heavenly Father led them to a new home We receive a marvelous gift when we are baptized Iin a choice land. Lehi received a marvelous gift and confirmed. This is the gift of the Holy Ghost. The from God: a round ball with two spindles that “pointed gift of the Holy Ghost is like the Liahona. We can learn the way whither [they] should go” (1 Nephi 16:10). This to follow the Holy Ghost. If we follow His promptings, gift was called the Liahona. Nephi said the Liahona “did we can return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus work according to [our] faith and diligence and heed” Christ again.

June 2010 Scripture Journal

Read Moroni 10:5. and find its answer in the scripture reference in Pray to Heavenly Father to know that the Holy the opposite window. You can write your answers Ghost will help you. in your scripture journal. Memorize Moroni 10:5. • Write in your journal about some times you Choose one of these activities, or create have felt the Holy Ghost. Recognizing His your own: help in the past will help you listen to and follow His promptings in the future. • Help someone else memorize Moroni • Talk to your parents, teachers, or friends 10:5. about times they have been led by the • Remove the Liahona activity on page Holy Ghost. 65, and mount it on heavy paper. Cut out the circles and the two sections Write in your journal or draw a pic- within the broken lines. Attach the ture about what you have done. How circles with a metal fastener. Read does what you have done help you the question in the cutout area, understand Moroni 10:5? ◼ illustration by Jam e s Johnson illustration

64 Liahona Children

Who will How can I recognize teach me all things the voice of the Holy and help me to remember? Ghost?

How does the Holy Ghost speak to us?

How can we know

the truth of all

Moroni 10:5

things?

Helaman 5:30

D&C 8:2

John 14:26

June 2010 65 Our Page ne afternoon my younger Osister Camilia and I were playing while my dad was mowing the lawn. We decided to help him. Even though it was very hot, we had fun working together. When we finished, we went with my dad to return the lawnmower to our elderly neighbor. When we got to her door, my dad offered to mow her lawn too. My sister and I decided to help too. While he mowed, we picked up the grass and put it in a bag. When we finished, the neighbor said, “Thank you so much, Sofia and Camilia, for cleaning my yard. You are very sweet and caring girls.” Then she gave us some candy. We went home very happy, not just because we had candy but because we had served our neighbor. Génesis M., age 7, Costa Rica Sofia Carolina P., age 9, Argentina

Ngoc Huyen D., age 7, from Cambodia, likes the story of Captain Moroni and the title of liberty (see Alma 46). She has six broth- ers and sisters, and she likes to play with The Primary children in the Chennai Second balloons. Branch, Bangalore India District, and their leaders prepare for their sacrament meeting presentation.

66 Liahona Children

hen I was younger, Wwe would go out to play at recess. When it was time to come in, we

had to line up. Each time e ; valon we did, I sang “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95). One day a girl next to me said, “That song you’re singing is very pretty. Where is it from?” I answered, “It comes from Primary. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I have faith.” After that she became my best friend! Noémi D., age 12, France r: illustration by A c e nt r: illustration p hotogra h by R ichar d M . omn e y; B ottom l e ft: of t e m p l by Phyllis L uch, © 1988 IRI illustration right:

f you would like to submit a drawing, Iphoto, experience, testimony, or letter for Our Page, e-mail it to liahona@ldschurch. org, with “Our Page” in the subject line. Or mail it to: ­Liahona, Our Page 50 E. North Temple St., Rm. 2420 Salt Lake City, UT 84150-0024, USA Each submission must include the child’s full name, gender, and age plus the parent’s name, ward or branch, and stake or district, and the parent’s written permission (e-mail is acceptable) to use the child’s photo and submission. Submissions may be edited for clarity or length.

Tuan Anh P., age 11, Cambodia

June 2010 67

ShadowsShadows onon thethe WallWall

“Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world” (D&C 50:41).

By Patricia R. Jones Based on a true story om!” Desiree cried. “I’m scared!” closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Then she opened one eye and looked at the wall. The M Mom appeared in Desiree’s door- uler, uler,

way and turned on the bedroom light. shadows were still there. R Desiree squinted into the corner where the “Mom!” she cried again. h Young Young h c i scary shadows had been. Nothing was there. This time Mom didn’t smile when she R “I thought I saw a wolf in that corner,” turned on the light. She looked tired. She Desiree said. asked, “Desiree, do you remember what you Mom wrapped her arms around Desiree, were watching on television earlier?” making her feel snug and safe. “When the Desiree nodded. She had watched a light is on, we can see that there’s really program about wolves. nothing there,” Mom said. Mom sat on Desiree’s bed. “What we When Desiree felt better, Mom turned watch can really influence us—our thoughts, e sy of C . H arrison onroy o. by He inrich H ofmann, court out the light and went back to bed. Desiree our actions, and even our feelings.” the and from Christ by S am N i e lson; de tail I llustration

68 Liahona Children 

television can affect our “I have an idea,” Mom thoughts, even if it isn’t said. She took a picture of a bad program. I think Jesus Christ off Desiree’s that what you watched desk and pulled it out of its tonight played a part in wooden frame. Then she “But the show I watched how you are feeling,” Mom neatly taped it to the wall about wolves wasn’t bad,” explained. where Desiree had seen Desiree said. Desiree thought about the scary shadows. “He will “What we watch on what Mom said. She had always be there for you, never noticed being affected Desiree. Remember that by what she watched before. when you are afraid.” ear not; only “Wow,” Desiree said. “I’ll As Mom turned off the Fbelieve. Believe in God, the Father of have to be more careful in light, a warm feeling filled us all. . . . Believe in deciding what to watch.” Desiree’s heart. She knew the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mom smiled. “That’s a what Mom had said was President Gordon B. good idea, Desiree.” true. Jesus would always Hinckley (1910–2008), “Fear Not; Only Believe,” New Era, Jan. 2000, 6. “But what about tonight? watch over her, help her, I still feel scared.” and quiet her fears. ◼

June 2010 69 For Young Children

No, Devon. You should kneel, fold your arms, and close your eyes when you pray. You should also be still. It shows respect He Is Listening for Heavenly Father. “The Lord hath heard the prayers of his 2. people” (Mosiah 27:14).

By Allison Graham England Based on a true story

1. Devon, it is time to get ready for prayer.

But I am ready. Devon dropped his toy truck, folded his arms, and knelt next to Mom.

3. How does Heavenly Father listen to me? Does He have ears?

Yes, He does have ears. He listens when you say your prayers.

4. Heavenly Father usually Devon said his prayer and stayed on answers our prayers by talking to his knees with his head bowed and arms our hearts and minds rather than folded for a few seconds after he had talking to our ears. He does this finished. through the Holy Ghost.

He’s not talking back. Are you sure He is listening?

70 Liahona There are other ways Children 5. we can know Heavenly Father is listening. Devon, how do you Remember how He helped Grandma feel better feel when you share? after she got a priesthood blessing?

Happy. 6.

And how do you feel when you do something wrong— Yes, I’m glad like throw your toys? Grandma felt better.

I feel bad.

Devon felt happy. The Holy Ghost helps us have these feelings to let us know right and wrong. He also helps us have ideas about Now I know, what things we can do to be Mom. Heavenly Father happier. does listen to me.

7. Just because you do not hear Heavenly Father talking to you, that does not mean that He isn’t listening. He sends you warm, good feelings to let you know He is there.

8. llustrations by Elis e B lack I llustrations June 2010 71 Helps for Parents • Find a quiet time and place to read “He Is Listening” with your child. Share an experi- ence about when Heavenly Father answered one of your prayers. Share how you felt. • Like Devon’s mom in “He Is Listening,” ask your child questions that will help him or her learn to recognize how the Holy Ghost feels. If possible, use recent experiences your child has been a part of. • After your child completes this activity, use it to help your child practice good prayer manners the next time he or she prays.

Preparing to Pray Devon needs to get ready to pray. Look at the pictures. If he is getting ready to pray, circle the picture. If he is doing something that does not help him get ready to pray, draw an X on the picture. Children Coloring Page The Lord Calls to Samuel

“The Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I” (1 Samuel 3:4). e r by Be th M . W hittak I llustration

June 2010 73  News of the Church

Spirit Unites Team, football coach, who is himself a recent convert. Now they are at the heart of another “team”—their priests Quorum Members quorum—and working with another “coach”—their By Richard M. Romney bishop—as they live the gospel day by day and Church Magazines prepare to serve as full-time missionaries. ne of the great stories coming out of Africa this summer is about football. But Coach Solomon Was Wise Oit’s not about the World Cup. Like many people in South Africa, 29-year-old Top football teams from all over the world are Solomon Eliya Tumane loves football. He spends playing in South Africa this month, hoping to win tireless hours each week coaching the Hurricanes the World Cup. Teammates will depend on each Football Club. He loves his players and rejoices other, their coaches, and their fans to get them in their successes. They love and respect him through to the finals. Among players and fans in return. So when Coach Solomon joined The from each country, team spirit is so palpable you Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his can feel it in the air. players were curious. But no team’s members will be more loyal to “He would come to practice straight from his each other, their coaches, and their fans than the institute class,” says Siyabulela Manyakanyaka, 17, priests quorum of the Kagiso Ward, Soweto South who goes by “McDonald.” “We could see the Africa Stake, even though they won’t be playing for scriptures and Church magazines in his bag, the World Cup. A little over a year ago, five of these so we started asking questions, and to answer, young men were introduced to the Church by their he would read to us,” says Thapelo Benjamin Sesinyi, 17. “I was eager to teach these young ones because I love them so much,” Coach Solomon says. “I want them to go in the right path. I told one of them, ‘You would do well if you read the scriptures,’ so they all started reading the scriptures. They enjoyed it, so then I taught them about prayer. Then one day they surprised me. I got to practice early, and I was taking a nap when they woke me and said, ‘Coach, we need to visit your church.’ That was a day I will never forget, because I knew then that they were on the right path.”

With Approval But the coach wouldn’t go further without

Photogra p hs by R ichar d M . omn e y parental approval. He went to each player’s home, Teammates Siyabulela “McDonald” Manyakanyaka, Thapelo Sesinyi, Emmanuel one at a time, to ask if it was all right to invite Pebe, and Lawrence Tsetse joined the Church in part because of the example of the players to church. The parents agreed. “We their coach, Solomon Tumane (center). came to church three weeks in a row,” Thapelo

74 Liahona remembers. “We wanted to learn more and more.” football together, go to seminary together, and So the coach again asked parents for permission, serve in the priesthood together. If I call one this time for the players to study with the full-time young man to ask if he can help, I get all five.” missionaries. Again the parents agreed. McDonald says the priests quorum also studies “The missionaries gave us each a copy of the regularly from Preach My Gospel, and Thapelo Book of Mormon,” McDonald says. “They told us says that in addition to inviting friends to church, to read it and pray about it because it is true, so quorum members seek out those who no longer we did. I prayed and read and found the Book attend. “In many ways, we are learning to be mis- of Mormon to be true.” So did other players, who sionaries now,” he says. were then baptized and con- “We often hear from these young firmed. Five of the team mem- men in testimony meeting,” the bers are now Latter-day Saints. bishop says. “They often promise Coach Solomon that they will go on full-time mis- Gospel Goals sions.” Nothing would make their football coach Most teams set goals for a winning season, but happier. “I can’t wait for them to serve,” Solomon these five young Hurricanes are also shooting for says. another goal in the not-too-distant future. With Unity, gospel knowledge, and an orientation the guidance of Bishop Bongani Mahlubi, a toward service—those are all part of a solid training man they consider a spiritual coach, they are regime for prospective missionaries. And in addi- preparing for full-time missionary service. tion, these young men have already developed a “They are a great strength in our great desire to work together to do good. Just like ward,” the bishop says. “And they are the football teams competing for the World Cup, part of that great priesthood team of Aaronic they depend on each other, on their coaches, and and Melchizedek Priesthood holders all over on their fans (including ward members, families, and the world. These young men do everything friends) to get them through to their “championship.” together—they walk to school together, play With that kind of team spirit, their goals will be achieved. ◼

A Coach’s Conversion invited me to come to church, and when I did, I felt some- Like many other young adults, football coach Solomon thing inside telling me that this was what I had been look- Eliya Tumane had questions about religion. “I wanted to ing for all those years. know about God and why He asks us to pray, and about “The missionaries taught me to pray and that it is Jesus Christ and why He died for us. I was confused, but I important because it is our way to talk to Heavenly was studying the scriptures, particularly the Old Testament. Father and to find the truth. I accepted what the mission- “Then one day I was coming from work, and I saw two aries taught me. I knew it was the true gospel, especially missionaries. I asked them the question about Jesus Christ. when we would read the scriptures together and pray As they talked about Him, I could tell they loved Him. They about them.” ◼

June 2010 75 Survivors Helping Survivors By Ryan Kunz

Church Magazines e Le ishman Photogra p h by N at ven after Tropical Storm Ketsana flooded the EPhilippines’ capital, Manila, and the surrounding areas in late September 2009, the devastation wasn’t over. It also wasn’t over after Typhoon Parma streaked through the northern regions of the Philippines just eight days later. The destruction wasn’t over even after Parma reversed course and made landfall again just days later as a tropical storm, wreaking further damage. However, Saints around the Philippines, even those struggling to recover from earlier storms, didn’t wait for Parma’s third and final destructive Vehicles lie “It was one of the most memorable home eve- pass to begin helping those in need. toppled or half- nings for many families in our ward,” said Bishop buried where Franco Advincula. Donating What Was Saved typhoon- A sister from a family in need called the bishop caused flood- arañaque City, near Manila, was hit by Tropical to ask when they could give their contributions. “I ing left them Storm Ketsana in late September. At the height was stunned, and I couldn’t find the right words,” P in Pangasinan, of the storm, the bishop of one of the four local Philippines. said Bishop Advincula. “However, I was inspired wards floated across neck-deep floodwaters on Members of that I should not deny this good sister the oppor- a Styrofoam cooler lid to help evacuate three the Church tunity to help.” families. The next day sacrament meeting was reached out canceled; however, many members of the affected to help those Helping Again and Again ward, though dealing with the effects of the storm in need, even hen Ketsana hit Metro Manila, the Alaminos themselves, met at the meetinghouse in pajamas, when they WPhilippines District president, Porferio themselves had shorts, and jackets, carrying food and clothes to Balute Jr., said he was impressed to ask the mem- been affected. be given to those in need. In about two hours, all bers in his district to help their neighbors to the the families in the ward were visited, checked on, south. However, many members in the Alaminos and helped. district were still recovering from Typhoon Then, only two nights after many of them had Emong, which hit four months earlier in May been wading through the wreckage of their own 2009. It was the costliest typhoon to ever hit that villages, members from the Parañaque area gath- western Philippines city. Many of the members ered at their local meetinghouse and assembled made their living fishing or farming, and their 26 bags of clothing, which they donated to others, livelihoods had been destroyed by the ensuing all sorted and individually packaged. floods.

76 Liahona In the News

Though he was afraid to ask too much of those Missionaries Support Family History who were still struggling to get back on their feet, President Balute asked anyway. ince the Church released the Micronesia, Mongolia, and That afternoon the members arrived at the Snew FamilySearch program Singapore, learn basic family meetinghouse with 21 sacks of clothing, a bag of last year, many Church members history principles. food, and Philippines $1,500. have tried the new system for the Support missionaries are tra- When Parma struck a week later, this time to first time. ditionally called to serve for 30 the north, the members from the Alaminos district To support those new to the months. All support missionaries responded again and gathered more clothing, program or with questions about serve from their homes or family food, and money. Some of them even volunteered family history work in general, history centers in their areas, their time to go and distribute the goods directly. the Church has provided various where they receive program “We just wanted to help,” said President Balute. resources, including Worldwide training and day-to-day support. “We never realized that we would gain so much. FamilySearch Support. They respond to questions by Our faith increased, our love for our fellowmen The FamilySearch Support phone or e-mail, and because increased, our testimonies were strengthened, and program began in 2005 with they are spread out around the our understanding of the Savior’s love and His a few volunteers offering help world, someone is available 24 Atonement was deepened.” with family history work. The hours a day, every day, with the program has grown to include exception of Sunday mornings. Selflessness and Optimism nearly 1,200 volunteer support “I love being able to serve lder Kendall Ayres, who serves with his wife missionaries positioned through- English-speaking patrons from all Ein the Perpetual Education Fund program, was out the world. around the world, helping them called to oversee and organize the distribution of Support missionaries are to do their family history,” said supplies. He described the unity of the Filipino located in 34 different countries, Sister Connie Cheney of Pleasant Saints in the relief effort. offering assistance on a wide Grove, Utah, USA, who is cur- “It has been a wonder to watch as those who variety of family history ques- rently serving her second mis- have lost the most are finding much of their relief tions in dozens of languages and sion with Worldwide Support. in turning out and providing help to others who multiple time zones. The easiest way to contact have been equally hard hit,” said Elder Ayres. “I Sister Cecilia Dimalaluan has support missionaries is through comprehend the mechanics of ‘losing your life to served as a support missionary the Internet, by visiting contact find it’ in a way that I never have before. For me it in the Philippines since August .familysearch.org or via e-mail at is no longer theology—it is actuality. There are far 2008 and says she loves the [email protected]. more requests to participate than we have needs to opportunity to share her knowl- The FamilySearch Web site fill. The outpouring of goods and efforts is almost edge of family history with provides toll-free telephone beyond comprehension; it has been a revelation.” others. One of the first Filipinos numbers for contacting support “Filipinos generally are very resilient,” said trained as a support missionary missionaries in different regions Elder Benson Misalucha, an Area Seventy in the in the Philippines, she speaks of the world. Philippines Area. Rather than looking at the glass Cebuano, English, and Tagalog. In areas where the Internet is as being half full or half empty, “we have been She helps members and non- not accessible, it is best to con- looking at the glass and saying, ‘Well, it’s a great members from surrounding tact family history missionaries glass, even if there’s no water.’” ◼ areas, including India, Malaysia, in the area, talk to a ward or

June 2010 77 Temple News

Interested in Serving? branch family history consultant, nyone interested in serving as asking local priesthood leaders. or visit a local family history Aa family history support missionary Missionaries should have access to center. can find more information online a personal computer and high-speed Article by Lauren Allen, at contact.familysearch.org, by e-mail Internet and have some experience in Church Magazines ◼ at [email protected], or by family history work. ◼

Chinese and Korean Scriptures Available Online

he Church has launched and the Chinese version can Great Price) and Guide to the Ttwo new online versions of be found at scriptures.lds Scriptures, which includes a the LDS scriptures: the Korean .org/ch. number of helpful study aids and version in October 2009 and The Korean and Chinese an alphabetical listing of gospel the Chinese (traditonal char- scripture sites contain the text topics. Japanese, Cebuano, and acters) version in December. of the triple combination (the Tagalog versions of the scriptures The Korean version can be Book of Mormon, Doctrine are scheduled to be published found at scriptures.lds.org/ko, and Covenants, and Pearl of online in 2010. ◼

Temple News

New Temple Announced Temple Dedicated Cebu Temple in Utah in Arizona to Be Dedicated President Thomas S. An open house for The The Cebu City Philippines Monson announced in January Gila Valley Arizona Temple Temple will be open to the a new temple to be built took place from April 23, public from May 21, 2010, in Payson, Utah, USA. The 2010, through May 15, 2010. through June 5, 2010. A cultural temple will help meet mem- A cultural celebration was celebration will follow on bership growth in the area and held on May 22, 2010. June 12. The dedication will be ease usage of the Provo Utah Dedication of the temple held on June 13, with three ses- Temple, one of the busiest followed on May 23, 2010, sions broadcast throughout the in the Church. The Payson with three dedicatory ses- Philippines. The temple will Temple will be the 15th in sions. The temple was first open the next day. The temple, Utah. It brings the total num- announced in April 2008. It announced on April 18, 2006, ber of temples already in oper- is the third temple in the is the second in the Philippines ation or in the planning and state of Arizona in the United and the 133rd operating temple construction phases to 152. States. in the world. ◼

78 Liahona Comment Family Home Evening Ideas

A Great Year to Come This issue contains articles and I love the new look of the ­Liahona. activities that could be used for family I like the way the articles are arranged home evening. The following are a few by age, especially the youth section, examples. which helps me greatly. I like the new “Built upon the Rock,” p. 12: After sections, especially the More Online sharing the article, consider discuss- section. I am looking forward to a ing what it means that “this Church is great year! built upon the rock of Christ, upon the principle of immediate and continuous Roland T., age 17, Pangasinan, Philippines revelation.” Find examples from general conference of continuing revelation. have come to appreciate that there was I Felt the Spirit “Things as They Really Are,” p. 22: a wise purpose for the Lord to command Today I felt the Spirit strongly as I Consider reading the article in advance him to do so. read the new ­Liahona. I am the Young and prayerfully selecting parts that apply When President Gordon B. Hinckley Women president, and as I saw the to the needs of your family. You may (1910–2008) visited Guatemala in 1997, new format, I saw the great concern want to use this article for two family his counsel that especially penetrated my Heavenly Father has for the youth, as home evening lessons. heart was the simple encouragement to they now have a section dedicated “Your Mission in Life Is Now,” hold family home evening. Moved by our just to them. I know these changes p. 42: Ask a family member to define prophet’s words, my wife, four children, will benefit my home, my young intersection. Consider reading the section and I met and set a goal that we would women, and members throughout in the article “A Mission Every Day.” Then “build a ship called family home evening.” the world. ask family members to share an experi- We knew the effort it would require but Shanin Palma Sanhueza, Chile ence where they or others have seen a also realized that the Lord had a wise need and were able to help fill it. purpose for asking us to do so. The Best of All “To Cheat or Not to Cheat,” p. 50: Years and hundreds of home evenings Years ago I switched all of my After sharing this story with your family, later, our family home evening ship has Church magazine subscriptions to the emphasize the statement, “Choosing not grown with our family. And we have ­Liahona. It gave me the best of all the to cheat isn’t difficult because I’ve made experienced just what President Hinckley magazines and a broader worldwide that choice already.” Consider discuss- promised. From these small gatherings— perspective. However, its layout was ing the question, How can deciding in held regularly and with perseverance— sometimes confusing. advance make it easier to do what is something wonderful has come. Love for Now with the new ­Liahona, all my right? parents has grown. Love between brothers concerns with the layout are resolved, and sisters has increased. And our love for and the content is better focused and Heavenly Father and the Savior has been more substantive. Now, more than Building a Ship magnified. Appreciation has come into ever, the ­Liahona will continue to be With deep admiration I have studied our hearts for what is simple and good. part of my personal gospel study. the experiences of the prophet Nephi, (See Gordon B. Hinckley, “Some Lessons I Larry D. Kump, West Virginia, USA ◼ especially admiring the perseverance and Learned as a Boy,” ­Ensign, May 1993, 54.) discipline with which he built a ship. I Rony Saúl García Méndez, Guatemala ◼

June 2010 79 Until We Meet Again

Transparent Adversity By Felipe Urbina A bee and a bus ride helped me see that there is a way out of trouble— but often we must trust someone who has the vision to see.

n the bus to work one morning, I took a window seat. Before long I Obecame aware of a little bee try- ing to get itself out of a fix. It was trapped between the two glass panels of the window, and no matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t find its way out. Encased in a transparent

prison, it could see freedom but couldn’t find by Jorg e C occo I llustration an escape route. Perhaps frightened, it beat its wings furiously and desperately threw we often don’t turn to Him—or to those He itself against the glass. has called to lead us—for help in our times I’ve always been a person who didn’t of need. We give no heed to the whisperings like to see anyone or anything hurt. So after of the Spirit and try to face our challenges on observing the bee for some time, I began to our own, rather than relying on those who try to get it out of its difficulty. But lacking have greater vision. trust and understanding of my desire to help, As Latter-day Saints, we actually do know it didn’t take advantage of the assistance I how to overcome adversity: we have the offered. In fact, all it did was continue to scriptures, prayer, and the companionship throw itself against the window. Finally I of the Holy Ghost. Our leaders have been began to get a bit irritated. called by the Lord and are ready and willing But then I started to think about how to help. sometimes people find themselves in similar Before I got to my stop and after the poor situations. We get into predicaments—some little bee had suffered much, it managed to not of our own making. We also make mis- get out of its predicament. From it I learned takes, even serious ones. Like the bee, we that we also can overcome trials—suffering may feel imprisoned by these adversities. less if we turn to and trust in Heavenly Father Unfortunately, even though the Lord knows and His Son, Jesus Christ, to whom all adver- what we need in order to escape our trials, sity is transparent. ◼

80 Liahona May not be copied May Words of Christ

Christ and the Palsied Man, thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? by J. Kirk Richards “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath When the people of Capernaum gathered to see the power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of Savior, it was so crowded that a man who was para- the palsy,) lyzed had to be lowered through the roof. “I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of thy way into thine house. the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” “And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and Then Jesus said to the doubting scribes, “Whether is it went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven amazed, and glorified God” (Mark 2:5, 9–12). ENGLISH

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