Area Presidency Message

Australia Local Pages

of the Lord, the Jr.— . Prophet of the Joseph by the power of God did By Elder F. Michael Watson perform the mi- Second Counselor in the Area Presidency raculous service embers of The Church learned for himself in the spring of bringing forth of Jesus Christ of Latter- of 1820 when the Father and the the kingdom out M day Saints are part of Son appeared and declared to of obscurity in the history—an eternal heritage! him what he had sought after in restored gospel of humble prayer. Jesus Christ.” 3 “The Standard of Truth has President Harold B. Lee been erected; no unhallowed “In the same way that I know hand can stop the work from Jesus is the Christ—and that “That new day dawned when Elder F. Michael progressing, persecutions may is by revelation from the Holy [a] soul with passionate yearn- Watson rage, mobs may combine, armies Spirit—I know that Joseph Smith ing prayed for divine guidance. may assemble, calumny many is and was and everlastingly shall A spot of hidden solitude was defame, but the truth of God be a Prophet of God. In a spirit found, knees were bent, a heart will go forth boldly, nobly, and of testimony and thanksgiving, was humbled, pleadings were independent, till it has pene- as set forth in the Doctrine and voiced, and a light brighter than trated every continent, visited Covenants: ‘Joseph Smith, the the noonday sun illuminated the very clime, swept every country, Prophet and Seer of the Lord, world—the curtain never to be and sounded in every ear, till the has done more, save Jesus only, closed again.” 4 purposes of God shall be accom- for the salvation of men in this President Spencer W. Kimball plished, and the Great Jehovah world, than any other man that shall say the work is done.” 1 ever lived in it.’” (D&C 135:3)2 “The Prophet Joseph Smith President Joseph Fielding Smith was not only ‘one of the noble This eternal truth did not and great ones,’ but he gave and die on June 27, 1844 when the “Joseph Smith, the young continues to give attention to Prophet Joseph Smith and his man not schooled in the theolo- important matters here on the brother Hyrum were martyred in gies of the day, not schooled in earth even today from the realms Carthage, Illinois. What earthly the high schools of learning of above. For in the eyes of the clocks do not permit time for, the his day, . . . [was] one who could Lord . . . it is all one great eternal restored gospel of Jesus Christ be submissive to the teachings program in which the Prophet can show us the path that reaches and whisperings of the Spirit. Joseph plays an important role— beyond time and through the veil. Joseph Smith could not have es- all through the eternal priest- Testaments continue to tablished this Church. He could hood and authority of God.” 5 validate what young Joseph not have brought forth the work President Ezra Taft Benson

June 2012 U1 “I am grateful . . . [for] my “Volumes have been written our Lord and Savior have been testimony of the simple story of concerning the life and accom- realized through personal spir- the lad under the trees kneeling plishments of Joseph Smith. In itual confirmations. There has and receiving heavenly visitors— the course of his ministry he come a conviction that God our not one God, but two separate, was visited by John the Baptist, Father in Heaven lives and loves individual personages, the Father Moses, Elijah, Peter, James, and us, and His Son, Jesus the Christ, and the Son, revealing again to John, that the Restoration of all is our Savior and Redeemer. the earth the personages of the things might be accomplished. Joseph Smith was the Prophet of Godhead. . . . I bear witness that He endured persecution; he the Restoration. This assurance, . . . it is one of the greatest single suffered grievously, as did his through the whisperings of the events in all history.” 6 followers. He trusted in God. He Spirit, even the Holy Ghost, pro- President Howard W. Hunter was true to his prophetic calling. vides the polar star of direction He commenced a marvellous toward all that is desired in the “The story of Joseph’s life is the missionary effort to the entire eternal glories. story of a miracle. . . . In the brief world, which today brings light The timeless events and space of 20 years preceding his and truth to the souls of man- experiences with our latter-day death, he accomplished what none kind. At length, Joseph Smith prophets of God, whom we other has accomplished in an died the martyr’s death, as did sustain, cause us to remember entire lifetime. He translated and his brother Hyrum.” 8 that we are children of a loving published the Book of Mormon, a President Thomas S. Monson Father in Heaven and that we volume which has since been re- should act accordingly. The translated into scores of languages The Prophet Joseph Smith’s significance of the life and his- and which is accepted by missions counsel to President Brigham tory of the Prophet Joseph Smith across the earth as the word of Young given in a dream and those who followed con- God. . . . He established an orga- President Young had after the tinue to provide the Standard of nization which . . . has withstood Prophet’s death: “Be sure to tell Truth. May we ever look toward every adversity and challenge and the people to keep the spirit of the gifts of the Atonement and is as effective today in governing the Lord and it will lead them Resurrection, made possible by a worldwide membership . . . as it right. Be careful not to turn away His Son, Jesus the Christ, with was in governing a membership the small still voice; it will teach the eternal promise of life ever- of 300 in 1830. . . . Joseph Smith you what to do and where to lasting in the highest realms of set in motion a program for car- go; it will yield the fruits of the the celestial kingdom. ◼ rying the gospel to the nations of kingdom.” 9 notes: the earth. . . . Members gather in With the exception of the 1. Joseph Smith Jr., History of the [nations of the earth twice a year] Prophet Joseph, seven of the Church, 4:540. 2. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: and are the flowering of the vi- prophets of God heretofore refer- Joseph Smith (2007), 541–555. 3. Teachings: Joseph Smith, 541–555. sion of Joseph Smith, the prophet enced I have known and worked 4. Teachings: Joseph Smith, 541–555. of God. He was indeed a mighty with personally. Alongside each, 5. Teachings: Joseph Smith, 541–555. 6. Teachings: Joseph Smith, 541–555. seer who saw this day and greater I wish to add my own witness. 7. Teachings: Joseph Smith, 541–555. 8. “Led by Spiritual Pioneers,” Liahona days yet to come as the work of Over the span of many years and Ensign, Aug. 2006, 7. the Lord moves over the earth.” 7 in personal study, and of time to 9. Manuscript History of 1846–1847, comp., Eldon J. Watson President Gordon B. Hinckley ponder and pray, the promises of (1971), 529.

U2 Ensign Local Pages

A Week of Miracles ermission Kendall and Chantal Pitman p n January this year 1,200 youth from across Queensland, along with 180 counsellors, at- I tended the Brisbane Special Multi-Stake Youth Conference that was held at the University of Queensland. The conference theme was “Believe. Hope. Endure” (from the thirteenth article of faith). Many of the youth were scheduled to attend h courtesy of Kendall Pitman and used with h courtesy the conference last year, but sadly it was post- p poned due to the 2011 Brisbane flood disaster. Brisbane youth listen to Elder Will Hopoate, an Australian rugby league Photogra Session directors and “parents” for the week, hero, talk about his decision to serve a mission. Chantal and Kendall Pitman, along with Elder F. Michael Watson and Sister Jolene Watson, of ermission the Pacific Area Presidency, and Elder Jeffrey D. p Cummings, Area Seventy for Brisbane, shared many inspired messages with the youth during the week. President and Sister Wheelwright of BYU–Hawaii also attended and spoke to the youth about the importance of education. The counsellors shared their powerful testi- monies of the Saviour and taught the youth how they could develop their own testimonies. Lessons Photo courtesy of Kendall Pitman and used with Photo courtesy and workshops encouraged participants to follow the Saviour, listen to the prophet, and pray about Brisbane Especially for Youth conference. serving missions, as well as preparing to be mar- ried eternally in the . For some youth it was clothes and asked if she could purchase more mod- the first time they had opened and read the scrip- est clothing. Another member of the Church spoke tures and asked questions about the gospel. about how her daughter returned home and asked Since the conference Brother and Sister Pitman if they could have so that she have received numerous calls, emails and messages could share her testimony with them. The confer- from youth, counsellors, parents and leaders who ence taught and encouraged the youth to love the have shared stories and experiences about how this Lord and to feel the Spirit and to “take it home”! event has affected them. One father shared that his Many youth shared their testimonies in their own son phoned him during the conference and asked wards and branches after the conference, saying him to forgive him, and expressed his desire to how they now felt differently about the Church and now serve a mission for the Lord. Another father its teachings, and how glad they were to have made commented that his daughter had felt the Spirit so many new friends who had the same standards. strongly that she wanted to go on a mission and be Many know the Lord loves them and hears their married in the temple. A mother told of how her prayers. Many youth stated that the testimony meet- daughter returned home, threw out all her immodest ing in their companies was the spiritual highlight

June 2012 U3 of the event. They shed many tears of love and joy years. They know that this special program was about finding the Lord and making good friends. inspired of the Lord and would be the answer to The session directors for the Brisbane conference the prayers of some parents and leaders and would have been planning for this event for the last three help rescue and save our rising generation. ◼

makes up the difference so we Standing Up for Their Convictions can have eternal life. By Linda Hawkins Lyndon also touched the ublic speaking in front leader and guest audience as he shared his goal of 700 people would be speaker at the conference. of embarking on a mission when P a daunting task for most; Darcey captured the audi- he turns 19, just as his three older however, Darcey Pilkington (age ence’s hearts as she spoke about brothers have done. 10) and Lyndon Yip (age 14) how she knew that Jesus loved Lyndon was also asked to handled the task with the aplomb her. She read a story about a little stand at the pulpit (as a visual of seasoned professionals. girl who wanted a bicycle but aid) while Elder Hamula related The occasion was the semi- didn’t have enough money to a true story about a young man annual conference of the Perth purchase it. Her father encour- who had made a commitment, Southern River Stake aged her to do her best to earn and kept it, even though it put of The Church of Jesus Christ of pocket money; however, after his life at risk. Elder Hamula en- Latter-day Saints, held at Thornlie, doing all she could, she was still Peter Abetz, couraged everyone to also take a in February this year. far below achieving the full price Elder James J. stand for their convictions when Three State politicians were for the bike. Her father then said Hamula, William gospel principles or our religious amongst the audience: Peter if she would give him all she Johnston, rights are attacked or threatened. Antonio Abetz (Liberal, Southern River), had saved, he would make up Prior to the Sunday morning Buti, and Tony Buti (ALP, Armadale) and the difference and buy the bike meeting, Peter Abetz and Tony President Mark Bill Johnston (ALP, Cannington). for her. The story is symbolic Pemberton at Buti were guests at a breakfast Elder James J. Hamula, Pacific of what the Saviour does for us the Southern with local Church leaders. During Area President, travelled espe- through the Atonement. If we River stake the breakfast, various social cially to Perth to be the presiding strive to be like Him, His grace conference. issues were discussed as well as some of the challenges which ermission.

p face Australian families. Elder Hamula highlighted some of the Church’s programs which provide solutions to these challenges,

eredith and used with such as family home evening M and the welfare and self-reliance avid avid D programmes. He also expressed gratitude to the politicians for the h courtesy of h courtesy

p service they gave to their commu- nity, often at personal sacrifice to

Photogra themselves and their families. ◼

U4 Ensign A Sea of Yellow—Helping Hands Helping Hearts By Teri Milner round 200 members from the Melbourne Australia Braeside Stake in Victoria, with ermission. A $5,000 worth of materials and tools funded p by their stake, recently went to work painting, building, landscaping, and restoring the facilities

of the Mornington Peninsula Youth Enterprises. ilner and used with M e k The two-hectare work site was started by a lo- i M cal, Russell Ardley, to help his son find direction in his life. Today it provides a range of educational, training, and support services to youth from the mages courtesy of mages courtesy Mornington Peninsula and surrounding com- I munities. The facility has been running for 19 years, and about 400 youth participate in the programmes annually. The youth are referred by courts or job net- works, or they sign up voluntarily to learn life skills. With limited funding, it is a constant struggle to maintain the site. The service provided by the The Mormon Helping Hands group from the Braeside Stake worked to Church members was gratefully received as they refurbish the facilities of the Mornington Peninsula Youth Enterprises. worked hard to restore the buildings and facilities. The spirit of love and service was strong as everyone did their part, from the little children to the elderly. Jess O’Riordan, age 18, said, “I’m happy to help other people, and it was great to be doing some- thing for these youth.” Hannah M., age 13, agreed, saying, “Even though there was a lot of work to be done, it was a great opportunity to help other youth, and we had the best fun!” Russell Ardley spoke to the volunteers at the end of the day and expressed his gratitude and appre- ciation for everyone’s help. He was thankful for all the work that had been accomplished. He said it took a lot to maintain the site and they don’t get a lot of funding, so to have the Mormon Helping Hands group come in and do the work for them was wonderful. For Russell it’s all about helping the kids. He laughingly added, “Everyone did so much work, Michael U., Melissa M., Hannah M., Russell Ardley, Zac W., Emmitt C., they wore me out! It was fantastic. We got so much Mark Hope, Shenae K., and Sophie E. enjoy the Helping Hands service done it was unbelievable.” ◼ project.

June 2012 U5 2. Cultivate a spirit of love in the home. Family Ten Ideas for Faith-Strengthening members will participate more if they feel and Fun Family Home Evenings loved, calm, and comfortable with one another. If a conflict has arisen, seek to resolve it prior By Holly Atkinson to family home evening if possible, so that the he most important ingredient in producing spirit of love can abide and hearts can be more “ happiness at home for members of the fully turned toward the Lord. TChurch is a deep religious commitment 3. Keep it simple and sweet. Family home eve- to God and His gospel” ( James E. Faust, “Enriching ning is a time to learn and to create memories Our Lives Through Family Home Evening,” Ensign, of good feelings. Often in families there are June 2003, 2). many different age groups to cater to if chil- Family home evening is one of many great tools dren are involved. Use the resources available the Lord has given parents to help them rear their on Church websites and in magazines to help children in righteousness and to solidify family span the gaps. bonds. Members of the Church are encouraged to 4. Make it inclusive. A family home evening that set aside one night a week to spend time together, has elements each family member can engage teaching and learning, and having fun as a family. in is likely to be more successful. Encourage It is never too late to begin this family activ- older children to help the younger children ity. The following ideas and suggestions are just with reading scriptures or completing other a few of the things to consider when planning small tasks. This helps them to bond and pro- family home evenings tailored specifically for vides an opportunity for the older children to your family: give service. 5. Hav e fun! Sometimes a sermon doesn’t serve 1. Be prepared! Often time can slip away from Families can the purpose you hope it will. By abandoning grow closer us during the week. Set aside a specific block the lecture and keeping it fun—with a phys- by regularly of time weekly to prayerfully consider which ical activity if possible, or getting out of the spending time lesson would best serve your family for the together in house—family members will have a more coming week. Seek the Spirit’s inspiration as activities such positive experience. you ponder different topics. Ask the question: as family home 6. Mix it up a little. Having an object lesson to “What would the Lord have me teach?” evening. start the evening and letting the family guess what the topic is going to be is a great way of getting their attention and setting the tone for family home evening. 7. Keep the love in it. Sometimes family home evening can get rowdy. It’s usually held at the ibrary L end of the day and people (especially little edia

M ones) can be tired. Try to keep a loving tone even if someone needs reminding to stay on hurch C task in family home evening. 8. Some of the best family evenings are spent in service to others. Prayerfully select families mage courtesy of mage courtesy I you can serve. Going outside of the comfort

U6 Ensign zone of a plate of cookies is exciting for every- all about—getting to know one. Weed someone’s garden, walk their dog, your family.” rake their leaves, shovel their paths, clean for Along with encourag- them, make a meal, fold their laundry, etc. ing family members 9. Get specific. Sometimes ew take for granted in carrying out family things like the plan of salvation or the concept research, Sister Pryor of the Atonement. These are timeless topics also assists patrons at the that can be covered in family home evening, family history centre. “For helping to keep them uppermost in the minds members of the Church, of parents and children. linking their family to- 10. Be practical. One of the most fun lessons our gether is a religious re- children enjoyed was when we cleaned the sponsibility. But it’s not house. My husband drew a basic plan of our a chore—most of us love house, we got into teams, wore a team “cos- it,” she explains. “And that Hannah S. learns research skills at the tume”, played some upbeat music and speed- need to discover one’s family history centre. ermission p cleaned the house. Each person raced to tidy roots is a much bigger and clean rooms in the house and tick them off trend these days than when I started out. Now the plan. At the end we relaxed and ate sherbet countless people have the genealogy bug.” in the back yard. ◼ At the Firle centre, patrons can access online ims family and used with ims family

information free of charge via the FamilySearch.org S website—including birth, marriage, and death Exploring Trees records; censuses; probates and wills; and land records.

with Grandma of the mage courtesy Research used to involve studying microfiche or I By Caroline McIlwaine microfilm records and writing to or visiting records annah S., aged 12, spends a lot of her free offices or parish churches for information—and that time at the family history centre of The still happens—but now FamilySearch.org has more H Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than one billion names in its searchable databases. situated in Firle, South Australia. Ancestoral re- Many people nowadays research using their search is a hobby she is learning from her grand- home Internet, which has resulted in 10 million mother, Ruth Pryor, who has been a genealogist hits a day on the FamilySearch.org site. for 40 years. “I’m learning about the branches Sister Pryor has researched some lines back of our family tree,” explains Hannah. “I’m really further than the 1500s. With her own family tree enjoying finding out who my ancestors are.” incorporating more than 4,500 names, the challenge Ruth Pryor says family history research is a pas- and interest for her now is finding out more about sion she is delighted to pass on to her children, and their lives. now grandchildren. “It’s amazing to see their eyes “Someone has said that genealogy, meaning the light up with interest as they get to know something names on our pedigree, equates to the branches about an ancestor who lived more than a century of a family tree, but family history—finding out ago,” she says. “And they realise that while those about an ancestor’s life and times—that’s the leaves. people’s lives and experiences were so different, We’ll always be filling in the gaps and finding more we’re all linked. We are all family. That’s what it’s leaves.” ◼

June 2012 U7 Correction of Australian Leadership Changes

Assgn Person Parent Org Org Official Name Country Concatenated Name Official Name Melbourne Australia Anthony R. Lawless, Glenroy Ward, Anthony R. Lawless Glenroy Ward Australia Deer Park Stake Melbourne Australia Deer Park Stake Melbourne Australia David J. Kerwin, Croydon Ward, David J. Kerwin Croydon Ward Australia Maroondah Stake Melbourne Australia Maroondah Stake Sydney Australia Dildar S. Jassar, South Harbour Ward, Dildar S. Jassar South Harbour Ward Australia Harbour Stake Sydney Australia Harbour Stake Esera S. Faalogo, Hampton Park Hampton Park Melbourne Australia Esera S. Faalogo Australia Ward (Samoan), Melbourne Ward (Samoan) Pakenham Stake Australia Pakenham Stake Eight Mile Plains Francis Iva, Loganholme Ward, Eight Francis Iva Loganholme Ward Australia Australia Stake Mile Plains Australia Stake Melbourne Australia Graham F. Smith, Pakenham Ward, Graham F. Smith Pakenham Ward Australia Pakenham Stake Melbourne Australia Pakenham Stake Adelaide Australia Gregory J. Nethercott, Mount Gambier Gregory J. Nethercott Mount Gambier Ward Australia Marion Stake Ward, Adelaide Australia Marion Stake Melbourne Australia Hartmut G. Skibbe, Churchill Park Ward, Hartmut G. Skibbe Churchill Park Ward Australia Pakenham Stake Melbourne Australia Pakenham Stake Lukas Appleby, Cleveland Ward, Lukas Appleby Cleveland Ward Brisbane Australia Stake Australia Brisbane Australia Stake Eight Mile Plains Michael J. Stone, Windaroo Ward, Michael J. Stone Windaroo Ward Australia Australia Stake Eight Mile Plains Australia Stake Melbourne Australia Ray B. David, Greenvale Ward, Ray B. David Greenvale Ward Australia Deer Park Stake Melbourne Australia Deer Park Stake Melbourne Australia Sione F. Lavaka, Dandenong Ward, Sione F. Lavaka Dandenong Ward Australia Pakenham Stake Melbourne Australia Pakenham Stake Perth Australia Thane L. Mandin, Mandurah Ward, Thane L. Mandin Mandurah Ward Australia Rockingham Stake Perth Australia Rockingham Stake Wade J. Milne, Brassall Ward, Wade J. Milne Brassall Ward Ipswich Australia Stake Australia Ipswich Australia Stake Coffs Harbour J. Keith Sadler, Coffs Harbour Branch, J. Keith Sadler Coffs Harbour Branch Australia Australia District Coffs Harbour Australia District Melbourne Australia Malcolm Dearden, Warrnambool Branch, Malcolm Dearden Warrnambool Branch Australia Wyndham Stake Melbourne Australia Wyndham Stake Wangaratta Steven R. McMurray, Wangaratta Steven R. McMurray Wangaratta Branch Australia Australia District Branch, Wangaratta Australia District Timothy M. N. Adelaide Australia Timothy M. N. Thornton, Murray Bridge Murray Bridge Branch Australia Thornton Marion Stake Branch, Adelaide Australia Marion Stake Dirk Smibert, Australia Perth Dirk Smibert Australia Perth Mission Pacific Area Australia Mission, Pacific Area Mark R. McNamee, Ipswich Mark R. McNamee Ipswich Australia Stake Pacific Area Australia Australia Stake, Pacific Area Barry Lee Adelaide Australia Temple Australia Barry Lee, Adelaide Australia Temple, Peter R. Barr Sydney Australia Temple Australia Peter R. Barr, Sydney Australia Temple,

For regular updated information on leadership changes within Australia, please go to lds.org.au Please contact Catherine Vaughan at: [email protected] for information about submitting stories or articles to the Ensign insert pages. ◼ australia U8 Ensign