THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • APRIL 2007
COVER STORY A Personal Witness ofof thethe Savior,Savior, p.14 p.14 History of the Tabernacle, p. 24 Three Messages to Young Adults, p. 34 Branching Out on Your Family Tree, p. 44 Consider the Children, by Carol B. Johnson This quilt from the Seventh International Art Competition reminds us to consider the children as we read of the mission of Elijah in Doctrine and Covenants 2:2–3: “And [Elijah] shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at [the Lord’s] coming.” APRIL 2007 Contents VOLUME 37 • NUMBER 4
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THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • APRIL 2007
COVER STORY A Personal Witness of the Savior, p.14 History of the Tabernacle, p. 24 Three Messages to Young Adults, p. 34 Branching Out on Your Family Tree, p. 44
4 9 ON THE COVER MESSAGES FEATURE ARTICLES Front: Why Weepest Thou, by Simon Dewey, may not be copied. FIRST PRESIDENCY Mother, Come Home Back:Photograph by Matthew Reier. MESSAGE 9 SHAUNA BIRD DUNN Enriching Your Marriage The job offer was everything I had ever hoped for—but I have 4 PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST learned that I am happiest when I follow the Lord’s plan for There are no simple, easy my life rather than my own agenda. answers to the challenging and complex questions of Gospel Classics: The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice happiness in marriage, but 14 ELDER DAVID B. HAIGHT several key practices can Our most valuable worship experience in the sacrament contribute to enriching a meeting is the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, for it pro- husband-wife relationship. vides the opportunity to focus our minds and hearts upon the Savior and His sacrifice. VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE He Will Give You Rest DENNIS L. McDANIEL Caring for the Poor 22 and Needy I felt Susie’s remorse and desire to change, and I desperately 53 wanted to help her. At that moment, the answer came clearly. 32 34
The Great Tabernacle: The Extraordinary Life of Parley P. Pratt 24 A Building of Purpose and Spirit 56 MATTHEW J. GROW Although seeing the Tabernacle on Temple Square is A farmer, a preacher, an author, a traveler, a merchant, and impressive, knowing its history gives us an appreciation an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Parley P. Pratt exhibited devotion to we cannot get by merely visiting. the Savior throughout his life.
They Lived What They Believed The Example of One 32 ARIEL A. TORAYA 62 ELDER BRUCE C. HAFEN My friend was persistent in inviting me to Church activities. The gospel was everything to Wendy Knaupp, so my mission- I felt I couldn’t keep refusing him, but could I fit in among ary experience with her means everything to me. the Latter-day Saints? Lessons from a Clogged Sink Three Messages to Young Adults 65 HEIDI CAMP 34 ELDER EARL C. TINGEY How often do we put off personal repentance because we Being active in the Church, preparing well for your future, worry about what others will think? and being sealed to a spouse for time and all eternity can help you discover the joy that is the promise of the gospel. Confirming the Call 68 A. WAYNE BAKER Sealed on Earth, Sealed in Heaven I struggled to find out who should serve as our secretary, and 40 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers finally the answer came. There was no mistake—this was the something no other religion can offer—the sealing of families man the Lord wanted. together through the power of the priesthood in holy temples.
Branching Out on Your Family Tree 44 GEORGE D. DURRANT DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? When we perform temple ordinances for our own family The Ensign welcomes submissions that show the gospel of Jesus members—including those who aren’t our direct ancestors— Christ at work in the lives of Latter-day Saints. This month we invite the time we spend will have deeper meaning in our lives. you to share what you have learned about the spiritual and physi- cal benefits of living the Word of Wisdom. How have you been Sunbeam Smiles blessed by eating right, exercising, and taking care of your body? CONSTANCE PALMER LEWIS 48 Please label submissions “Word of Wisdom” and send them by May15 to Those eight wonderful Sunbeam smiles brightened every [email protected] or Ensign Editorial, 50 E. North Temple Street, Room Sunday for me. Then I realized that their smiles could bless 2420, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, USA. Include your name, address, others too. telephone number, e-mail address, and ward and stake (or branch and district). Writers’ guidelines: Information about publication criteria is located online. From www.lds.org, select “Gospel Library,” then “Magazines,” then “Ensign.” The Letter I Didn’t Receive Under “Resources,” click on Ensign Magazine Writers’ Guidelines. Due to the 54 NAME WITHHELD volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt. Authors whose work My roommate showed me that the greatest gift we can give is selected for publication will be notified. If you would like your manuscript, photos, art, or other material returned, please include a self-addressed, someone who is suffering isn’t advice—it’s sharing the pain stamped envelope. and making it easier to carry. 2 APRIL 2007 VOLUME 37 • NUMBER 4
AN OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS The First Presidency: Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust Quorum of the Twelve: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar Editor: Jay E. Jensen Advisers: Gary J. Coleman, Yoshihiko Kikuchi, Gerald N. Lund, W. Douglas Shumway Managing Director: David L. Frischknecht Editorial Director: Victor D. Cave Senior Editor: Larry Hiller Graphics Director: Allan R. Loyborg Managing Editor: Don L. Searle 54 19 Assistant Managing Editor: LaRene Porter Gaunt Senior Editors: Linda Stahle Cooper, LATTER-DAY SAINT Michael R. Morris, Judith M. Paller USING THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS Assistant Editor: Melissa Merrill Expanding family history 70 VOICES Editorial Staff: Susan Barrett, Ryan Carr, research. After reading about LESSONS FROM Powerful hymn lyrics, prepa- Monica L. Dickinson, Jenifer L. Greenwood, THE NEW TESTAMENT R. Val Johnson, Adam C. Olson descendancy research (p. 44), ration from the Holy Ghost, Editorial Intern: Erin Marie Pitcher and a surprise phone call. Senior Secretary: Christy Banz visit www.familysearch.org and The Joy of Publications Assistant: Sally J. Odekirk Repentance click on the Search tab. Resources 19 Marketing Manager: Larry Hiller ELDER CRAIG C. CHRISTENSEN RANDOM listed in the left navigation pane SAMPLER Managing Art Director: M. M. Kawasaki of this page are useful in ancestry When we understand that 74 Art Director: J. Scott Knudsen being filled with joy involves Staying prepared, involving Senior Designers: C. Kimball Bott, research; they also provide infor- Colleen Hinckley being filled with the Holy children who spend time in Design and Production Staff: mation to help find descendants Cali R. Arroyo, Collette Nebeker Aune, Ghost, we realize that true two households, and sharing in other branches of your family. Thomas S. Child, Eric P. Johnsen, happiness comes from relatives’ stories in family Jane Ann Peters, Randall J. Pixton, Teaching through living. repenting of our sins and home evening. Scott Van Kampen Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick Several articles in this month’s living worthy of the Spirit. Distribution Director: Randy J. Benson NEWS OF THE issue deal with the power of ex- © 2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. ample. In the last paragraph on Quiet Stirrings 76 CHURCH All rights reserved.The Ensign (ISSN of the Heart 0884-1136) is published monthly by The page 64, Elder Bruce L. Hafen 50 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BISHOP H. DAVID BURTON pleads with members to intro- 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, I have had many experi- UT 84150-3220, USA. Periodicals Postage duce someone to the Church. Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. ences that have strengthened COMING IN MAY Prayerfully consider ways you To subscribe: By phone, call 1-800-537- my faith, some of them dra- Addresses from the 177th Annual 5971 to order using Visa, MasterCard, might share your beliefs with Discover Card, or American Express. matic. But most often faith General Conference Online, go to ldscatalog.com. By mail, someone you know, keeping comes as the Spirit speaks to send $10 U.S. check or money order to in mind the power of example. Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt our spirits. Lake City, UT 84126-0368. Carrying others’ burdens. To change address: Send both old and new address information to Distribution Read “The Letter I Didn’t Services at the above address. Please allow Receive” (p. 54), and reflect 60 days for changes to take effect. on a time you have been gen- GOSPEL TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE The Ensign can be found on the Internet at www.lds.org, under Gospel Library. uinely comforted by someone Atonement, 14, 22, 65, 71, 72 Fast Offerings, 53 Prayer, 68, 73 Text and visual material in the Ensign may who was willing to share your Callings, 68 Friendship, 32 Preparedness, 74 be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual material may pain. Consider various ways to Children, 48, 74 General Conference, 74 Primary, 48 not be copied if restrictions are indicated “mourn with those that mourn” Church History, 24, 56 Holy Ghost, 19, 71, 72, 73 Prophets, 24, 50 in the credit line with the artwork. Copyright Compassion, 53, 54 Hymns, 70 Repentance, 19, 22, 65 questions should be addressed to Intellectual when you encounter someone Property Office, 50 E. North Temple Street, Conversion, 32, 62, 70 Inspiration, 9, 68 Resurrection, 71, 72 Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3011; e-mail: who is suffering (Mosiah 18:9). Courage, 56 Jesus Christ, 14, 19 Sacrament, 14 [email protected]. Education, 34 Marriage, 4, 34 Service, 48, 53 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Example, 32 Missionary Work, 62 Tabernacle, 24 Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Faith, 50, 56 Motherhood, 9 Temples, 40, 44 Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. Family History, 44, 75 Obedience, 9, 50, 56 Visiting Teaching, 53 Canada Post Information: Publication Family Home Evening, 75 Parenthood, 4 Young Adults, 34 Agreement #40017431
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 3 4 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Enriching Your Marriage
BY PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST Divorce can be justified only in the rarest Second Counselor in the First Presidency of circumstances. In my opinion, “just cause” any years ago when I was practicing for divorce should be nothing less serious law, I was consulted by a woman than a prolonged and apparently irredeem- Mwho wanted a divorce from her able relationship that destroys a person’s dig- husband on grounds that, in my opinion, nity as a human being. Divorce often tears seemed justified. After the divorce was con- people’s lives apart and shears family happi- cluded, I did not see her again for many ness. Frequently in a divorce the parties lose years. In a chance meeting with her on the much more than they gain. street, I noticed that the years of loneliness The traumatic experience one goes and discouragement were evident in her through in divorce seems little understood Marriage is a joint once-beautiful face. and is perhaps not well enough appreciated. quest for the good, After we passed a few pleasantries, she was Certainly, much more sympathy and under- the beautiful, and quick to say that life had not been rich and standing need to be extended to those who the divine. rewarding for her and that she was tired of have experienced this great tragedy and facing the struggle alone. Then she startled whose lives cannot be reversed. Yet for those me by disclosing, “Bad as it was, if I had to do who are divorced, there is still much to be it over again and had known then what I do hoped for and expected in terms of fulfill- now, I would not have sought the divorce. ment and happiness in life, particularly in This is worse.” the forgetting of self and in the rendering Statistically, it is difficult to avoid divorce. of service to others. Experts project that about half of the women in the United States will have a marriage dissolve Difficult Questions sometime in their lives. Divorce is also increas- Why is happiness in marriage so fragile ing in many other countries. Unless the pres- and fleeting for so many yet so abundant ent rate of ever-increasing divorces diminishes, for others? Why does the resulting train
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATTHEW REIER, EXCEPT AS NOTED; PHOTOGRAPH OF COUPLE POSED BY MODELS; RIGHT: PHOTOGRAPH BY BUSATH PHOTOGRAPHY BUSATH BY PHOTOGRAPH MODELS; OF COUPLE POSED BY RIGHT: PHOTOGRAPH AS NOTED; REIER, EXCEPT MATTHEW BY PHOTOGRAPHS even more marriages will come to a tragic end. of heartache and suffering have to be so
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 5 long and have so many innocent people on board? First, am I able to think of the interest of my marriage What are the missing enriching ingredients in so many and spouse first before I think of my own desires? marriages that began with such happiness and so many Second, how deep is my commitment to my compan- high hopes? ion, aside from any other interests? I have long pondered these difficult questions. Having Third, is he or she my best friend? spent almost a lifetime dealing with human experiences, Fourth, do I have respect for the dignity of my spouse I am somewhat familiar with the problems of unhappy as a person of worth and value? marriages, of divorce, and of heartbroken families. I Fifth, do we quarrel over money? Money itself can also speak of great happiness because, seems neither to make a couple happy, nor the thanks to my beloved Ruth, I have found in lack of it, necessarily, to make them unhappy. marriage the richest fulfillment of human A quarrel over money is often a symbol of existence. selfishness. Sixth, is there a spiritually sanctifying Reasons for Divorce bond between us? There are no simple, easy answers to the challenging and complex questions Building Bridges of Enrichment of happiness in marriage. Among the Several key practices can contribute to many supposed reasons for divorce are enriching a marriage. the serious problems of selfishness, imma- Prayer. Marriage relationships can be turity, lack of commitment, inadequate com- enriched by better communication. One munication, and unfaithfulness. important way is to pray together. This will In my experience there is another reason for fail- resolve many of the differences, if there are any, ure of marriage that seems not so obvious but that pre- between the couple before going to sleep. I do not mean cedes and laces through all of the others. It is the lack of a to overemphasize differences, but they are real and do constant enrichment in marriage, an absence of that some- make things interesting. I believe our differences are the thing extra which makes it precious, special, and wonder- little pinches of salt that can make the marriage seem ful, and without which it becomes drudgery or difficult or more flavorful. even dull. We communicate in a thousand ways, such as a smile, a brush of the hair, a gentle touch. We should remember each Enriching a Marriage day to say, “I love you.” The husband should say to his wife, You might wonder, “How can a marriage be constantly “You’re beautiful.” Some other important words for both enriched?” We build our marriages with endless friendship, husband and wife to say, when appropriate, are, “I’m sorry.” confidence, and integrity and also by ministering to and Listening is also an excellent form of communication. sustaining each other in our difficulties. Adam, speaking Trust. Complete trust in each other is one of the great- of Eve, said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of est enriching factors in marriage. Nothing devastates the my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). There are a few simple, relevant core of mutual trust necessary to maintain a fulfilling rela- questions that each person, whether married or contem- tionship like infidelity. There is never any justification for plating marriage, should honestly ask in an effort to adultery. Despite this destructive experience, occasionally become “one flesh.” They are: marriages are saved and families preserved. To do so
6 requires the aggrieved party to be capable Spiritual oneness is the anchor. Slow leaks in here is one of giving unreserved love great enough to the sanctifying dimension of marriage often special forgive and forget. It requires the errant party cause marriages to become flat tires. T enriching to want desperately to repent and actually I believe that divorces are increasing ingredient that above forsake evil. because in many cases the union lacks that all else will help join Our loyalty to our eternal companion sanctifying benediction that flows from keep- a man and a woman should not be merely physical, but mental ing the commandments of God. Marriages together in a very and spiritual as well. Since there are no harm- can die from a lack of spiritual nourishment. real, sacred, spiritual less flirtations and there is no place for jeal- Tithing. I learned in serving almost 20 sense. It is the ousy after marriage, it is best to avoid the years as bishop and as stake president that presence of the divine very appearance of evil by shunning any an excellent insurance against divorce is the in marriage. questionable contact with another to whom payment of tithing. Payment of tithing seems we are not married. to facilitate keeping the spiritual battery Virtue. Virtue is the strong glue that holds charged in order to make it through the it all together. Said the Lord, “Thou shalt love times when the spiritual generator has been thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave idle or is not working. unto her and none else” (D&C 42:22). There is no great or majestic music that Divine presence. Of all that can bless mar- constantly produces the harmony of a great riages, there is one special enriching ingredi- love. The most perfect music is a welding of ent that above all else will help join a man and two voices into one spiritual song. Marriage a woman together in a very real, sacred, spiri- is the way provided by God for the fulfill- tual sense. It is the presence of the divine in ment of the greatest of human needs, based marriage. Shakespeare, speaking through upon mutual respect, maturity, selflessness, Queen Isabel in King Henry the Fifth, said, “God, the best maker of all marriages, / Combine your hearts in one” (act 5, scene 2, lines 67–68). God is also the best keeper of marriages. There are many things that go into enriching a marriage, but some of them seem to be of the husk of the relationship. Having the companionship and enjoying the fruits of a holy and divine presence become the kernel of great happiness in marriage.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 7 decency, commitment, and honesty. Happiness in marriage The Savior has said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and and parenthood can exceed a thousand times any other knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will happiness. come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” Parenthood. The soul of the marriage is greatly enriched (Revelation 3:20). and the spiritual growing process is greatly strengthened May the presence of God be found enriching and bless- when a couple become parents. For couples who can have ing all marriages and homes, especially those of His Saints, children, parenthood should bring the greatest of all happi- as part of His eternal plan. ■ ness. Men grow because as fathers they must take care of their families. Women blossom because as mothers they must forget themselves. We understand best the full mean- ing of love when we become parents. However, if children do not come, couples who are nevertheless prepared to IDEAS FOR HOME TEACHERS receive them with love will be honored and blessed by the After prayerfully studying this message, share it using a Lord for their faithfulness. Our homes should be among method that encourages the participation of those you teach. the most hallowed of all earthly sanctuaries. Following are some examples: In the enriching of marriage, the big things are the 1. Roll two different colors of clay into balls. Explain that little things. There must be constant appreciation for each color represents a marriage partner. Roll the two balls into each other and thoughtful demonstration of gratitude. one ball. Ask a family member to try to separate the two colors. A couple must encourage and help each other grow. Discuss President Faust’s six questions one should ask when Marriage is a joint quest for the good, the beautiful, married or contemplating marriage. Testify of the importance of and the divine. being unified in marriage. 2. Invite the family to stand in a circle. Have each person rep- resent a key practice of enriching marriage. As you discuss the practice they represent, have them link arms or hold hands with the person at their side. Explain that the link would be broken if one family member was removed from the circle. Testify of the importance of keeping marriages strong. 3. Bring a saltshaker. Explain how salt enhances the flavor of food. Read the sentence where President Faust compares differ- ences in marriage to pinches of salt, and discuss how differences can enhance marriage. If teaching a married couple, ask what they have done to increase their appreciation of one another.
8 BY SHAUNA BIRD DUNN Right in the middle of my gradu- ate studies, the Spirit strongly told The job opportunity was everything me I should marry the young man I was I had trained and planned and hoped dating. Luckily, I listened—Brent was too for during the past 15 years. How could good to pass up! He was worried about my I pass it up? attitude toward having children, but he followed the promptings he received to marry me anyway. hen I was a teenager, I decided that when I grew While waiting outside the Salt Lake Temple for up I wanted to be the leader of a large corpora- Brent and me to come out, my sister asked my W tion. I planned the rest of my education based mother, “Do you think they’ll have any kids?” My on that decision. I took foreign language and advanced- mother responded, “I think Shauna will have one, placement classes in high school and majored in marketing just to say she did it.” and economics in college, all to strengthen my résumé and progress along the path toward corporate leadership. An Unexpected Decision I had my life mapped out. After my mission, I would Shortly after we were married, Brent and I both felt graduate with a law degree and a master’s degree in strongly impressed that there was a child who needed to administration, work for several years, get married—not come to our family right away. I don’t think I have ever before age 30 at the earliest—and then, after a couple seen Brent more surprised than he was when I told him,
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE DUNN FAMILY, EXCEPT AS NOTED; BACKGROUND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN LUKE BY PHOTOGRAPHS BACKGROUND AS NOTED; EXCEPT COURTESY OF THE DUNN FAMILY, PHOTOGRAPHS FAMILY of years, I would maybe consider having a child. “I think Heavenly Father wants us to try to have a baby
Mother,COME HOME soon.” His response was, “I A DIVINE RESPONSIBILITY graduates of the program felt the same way, but I was “May I say to mothers collectively, to stay with them. If I were too afraid of your reaction to in the name of the Lord, you are accepted, it seemed that bring it up.” Less than a year magnificent. You are doing terrifi- once I completed the pro- later, we welcomed our son cally well. The very fact that you gram I could design my own Malachi into our family. have been given such a responsibil- future. I envisioned someday I still dreamed of being ity is everlasting evidence of the wearing power suits to my a corporate leader. My hus- trust your Father in Heaven has in you. He knows penthouse office, dazzling band was supportive and that your giving birth to a child does not immedi- my co-workers and employ- helpful. We promised each ately propel you into the circle of the omniscient. ees with my expertise, and other to live by the Spirit and If you and your husband will strive to love God cashing paychecks that truly follow those promptings. and live the gospel yourselves; if you will plead reflected my value. As we talked about our life for that guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit After my third fly-back plans with each other and promised to the faithful; if you will go to the temple interview, I received a tele- with our Heavenly Father, it to both make and claim the promises of the most phone call from corporate seemed to us that my goals sacred covenants a woman or man can make in headquarters. They were were acceptable to the Lord. this world; if you will show others, including your offering me the position. children, the same caring, compassionate, forgiving There were so many reasons A Long-Sought Opportunity heart you want heaven to show you; if you try your to accept this job. The money Fast forward a couple of best to be the best parent you can be, you will have could be used to pay off my years. As I was finishing gradu- done all that a human being can do and all that pending student loan debt. ate school, I interviewed with God expects you to do.” The recruiters’ views of my a large international company Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, university might be tainted for a position in their presti- “Because She Is a Mother,” Ensign, May 1997, 36. by a refusal. And mostly, gious two-year training pro- this position seemed to be gram. This program seemed Even though everything I had trained and to be the fast track to corpo- I knew planned and worked for rate leadership, my dream turning down during the past 15 years. come true. the offer I figured that after com- The compensation was the right pleting the program I could package was amazing— decision, it work part-time while our about four times as was really, children were young and much as anything else really hard. then return to full-time work I had been consider- when I was ready to more ing. The competi- actively pursue my dream tion was fierce, of corporate leadership. so being offered a I could have it all! position would be But just as the elation and extremely gratifying. excitement at being offered The company the position began swelling had an even within me, a different more enticing feeling emerged: the compensation sinking feeling that this and reward pack- was not what Heavenly age to encourage Father wanted me to do.
10 Brent was supportive. He prayed and counseled with side while I worked full time. While this decision may not be me, and he promised to support me in whatever decision right for everyone, we had prayed about this new direction I reached through prayer and counsel with the Lord. for our lives, and it was right for us. We promised the Lord we I prayed that night and told Heavenly Father the unbe- would try to stay close to the Spirit and always make prayer- lievable benefits of this position. But still the Spirit let me ful decisions about our lives. As a result of these prayerful know that I should refuse it. I called back and turned down decisions, we welcomed our daughter Sophia into our family. the offer. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to After four years with this company, I felt that I was do. I felt I was giving up my chance to make something of not supposed to work outside the home anymore. After my life—that I was giving up my well-earned reward for four another long night of counseling with my husband and grueling years of graduate study, giving up my chance to with the Lord, I told the company owner I would be leav- be fulfilled in this life, giving up my dreams. Even though ing. This decision took a leap of faith because we still had I knew it was the right decision, it was really, really hard. bills to pay, including student loans, and we had recently welcomed another daughter, Aerie, to our family. But I A New Direction had learned that I am happiest when I follow the Lord’s Brent and I prayed to know what to do next. A job fell into plan for my life rather than my own personal plans. my lap, and I ended up working with a company I enjoyed, Three years after this difficult decision to leave my job, with flexible hours. It wasn’t quite the high-powered career our daughter Aerie asked me, “Mom, if someone said you I had envisioned, but it paid the bills. Brent stayed home could have ten thousand million diamonds or your Aerie, with Malachi and worked on his fledgling business on the what would you choose?” I told her, “I would choose my
“Mom, if someone said you could have ten thousand million diamonds or your Aerie, what would you choose?” I told her, “I would choose my Aerie.” She jumped up and down, crying with glee, “I knew you would say that! I just knew you would say that!” It hit me then that I had chosen my Aerie.
PHOTOGRAPH BY MAGGI QUACKENBUSH
11 Aerie.” She went on, “If someone said you could have ten But if, by a still, small voice he calls million hundred dollars or your Aerie, what would you To paths that I do not know, choose?” Again I told her, “I would choose my Aerie.” She I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: jumped up and down, crying with glee, “I knew you would I’ll go where you want me to go. say that! I just knew you would say that!” There’s surely somewhere a lowly place It hit me then that I had chosen my Aerie. Had I taken In earth’s harvest fields so wide the position with the large international company, I proba- Where I may labor through life’s short day bly would not have her in my life. And she is truly a joy, as For Jesus, the Crucified. are our four other children. So trusting my all to thy tender care, And knowing thou lovest me, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” I’ll do thy will with a heart sincere: Just after this experience with Aerie, I had a tender I’ll be what you want me to be.1 moment in Relief Society. I had always sung the hymn “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” with thoughts of mission- Over the past seven years since I made the decision to ary service. This time as we sang the hymn, my heart was be home full-time with my children, I have stayed up many filled as I applied the words to my own situation: nights to comfort a sick or frightened child instead of stay- It may not be on the mountain height ing up preparing a presentation for the board of directors; Or over the stormy sea, worn clothes covered in peanut butter smears instead of It may not be at the battle’s front power suits; cleaned my home each day instead of enjoying My Lord will have need of me. a penthouse view from my office; bandaged “owies” and PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN LUKE BY PHOTOGRAPH encouraged piano practice instead of handing out perform- therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made ance reviews; and enjoyed hugs and kisses instead of stock more than you are and better than you have ever been.”2 options as my compensation plan. In doing so, I have come I’m grateful for my calling as a mother. I’m grateful for to realize that a mother’s work is the Lord’s work. As a each of our five children, who teach me daily about purity, mother, I am not just a co-creator with God when children trust, and love, and about becoming more like the Savior. grow within my body; I am a co-creator with Him as I help They help me understand how powerfully Heavenly Father these children learn to walk their own path and become loves me because I am His child. the people He wants them to be. I am grateful for my testimony of the Savior and His I find it telling that God experiences great joy in His role as a sacrifice for me, for it is through the Atonement of Jesus parent. He says in Moses 1:39, “This is my work and my glory— Christ that hearts can be changed—that my heart could be to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” That is changed. I’m grateful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, my work and my glory too—to do those things that will help which led me to make significant changes in my attitude my children along the path to immortality and eternal life. and desires to more fully follow the Lord’s plan for my life. I am indebted to the Lord for sending His Spirit to Powerful Lessons guide my life in the way He wants it to go, for lifting me in Motherhood isn’t easy, but it is worth it. Many times the difficult times, for giving me glimpses of the joy that I have looked around and said to myself, “For this I went comes from submitting to Him and seeking to assist in His to college?” and then I think of the promise made to work and His glory. ■ mothers by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of NOTES 1. Hymns, no. 270. the Twelve Apostles: “Yours is the work of salvation, and 2. “Because She Is a Mother,” Ensign, May 1997, 36.
The Dunn family (far left to right): Aerie; Sophia; Coco holding Sally; Malachi as a child; family photo: Sophia, Shauna, Coco, Brent holding Sally, Malachi, and Aerie; Malachi as a a young man; Shauna holding Coco; behind: Sophia; Aerie; Malachi holding Sally. PHOTOGRAPH BY MAGGI QUACKENBUSH MAGGI BY PHOTOGRAPH
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BY WALTER RANE, COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM OF CHURCH HISTORY AND ART; PHOTOGRAPH OF NAILS BY MATTHEW REIER The Sacrament— and the Sacrifice
David B. Haight was born on September 2, 1906, in Oakley, Idaho, to Hector C. and Clara Tuttle Haight. He married Ruby Olson in the Salt Lake Temple on September 4, 1930. Prior to his call as a General Authority, he had a successful career in retail sales; served as mayor of Palo Alto, California; and presided over the Scottish Mission. He was ordained an Apostle on January 8, 1976. He died on July 31, 2004, at age 97.
BY ELDER DAVID B. HAIGHT (1906–2004) While still praying, I began to lose Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles consciousness. The siren of the paramedic ix months ago at the April general con- truck was the last that I remembered before ference, I was excused from speaking unconsciousness overtook me, which would Sas I was convalescing from a serious last for the next several days. I witness to you operation. My life has been spared, and I now The terrible pain and commotion of peo- that He is Jesus the have the pleasant opportunity of acknowledg- ple ceased. I was now in a calm, peaceful set- Christ, the Son of ing the blessings, comfort, and ready aid of my ting; all was serene and quiet. I was conscious God, Savior to all, Brethren in the First Presidency and Quorum of two persons in the distance on a hillside, Redeemer of all of the Twelve and other wonderful associates one standing on a higher level than the other. mankind, Bestower of and friends to whom I owe so much and who Detailed features were not discernible. The infinite love, mercy, surrounded my dear wife, Ruby, and my family person on the higher level was pointing to and forgiveness, the with their time, attention, and prayers. . . . something I could not see. Light and Life of the The evening of my health crisis, I knew I heard no voices but was conscious of World. something very serious had happened to me. being in a holy presence and atmosphere. Events happened so swiftly—the pain striking During the hours and days that followed, there with such intensity, my dear Ruby phoning was impressed again and again upon my mind
BY WALTER RANE, COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM OF CHURCH HISTORY AND ART; PHOTOGRAPH OF NAILS BY MATTHEW REIER MATTHEW OF NAILS BY PHOTOGRAPH AND ART; RANE, COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM CHURCH HISTORY WALTER BY the doctor and our family, and I on my knees the eternal mission and exalted leaning over the bathtub for support and position of some comfort and hoped relief from the pain. I was pleading to my Heavenly Father to spare my life a while longer to give me a little more time to do His work,
“PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU” (JOHN 14:27), WITH YOU” “PEACE I LEAVE if it was His will.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 15 Y NOT BE COPIED; PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHEW REIER MATTHEW BY BE COPIED; PHOTOGRAPH Y NOT BY SIMON DEWEY, COURTESY OF ALTUS FINE ART, MA FINE ART, COURTESY OF ALTUS SIMON DEWEY, BY
here, in the Son of Man. I witness to you that He is Apostles in the upper chamber on the eve of the garden, Jesus the Christ; the Son of God; Savior to all; His betrayal. Following the Passover supper, T in some Redeemer of all mankind; Bestower of infinite He instructed and prepared the sacrament of manner beyond our love, mercy, and forgiveness; the Light and Life the Lord’s Supper for His dearest friends as a comprehension, the of the World. I knew this truth before—I had remembrance of His coming sacrifice. It was so Savior took upon never doubted nor wondered. But now I knew, impressively portrayed to me—the overwhelm- Himself the burden because of the impressions of the Spirit upon ing love of the Savior for each. I witnessed His of the sins of my heart and soul, these divine truths in a thoughtful concern for significant details—the mankind from most unusual way. washing of the dusty feet of each Apostle, His Adam to the end I was shown a panoramic view of His breaking and blessing of the loaf of dark bread of the world. earthly ministry: His baptism, His teaching, His and blessing of the wine, then His dreadful healing the sick and lame, the mock trial, His disclosure that one would betray Him. Crucifixion, His Resurrection and Ascension. He explained Judas’s departure and told There followed scenes of His earthly ministry the others of the events soon to take place. to my mind in impressive detail, confirming Then followed the Savior’s solemn dis- scriptural eyewitness accounts. I was being course when He said to the Eleven: “These taught, and the eyes of my understanding things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye were opened by the Holy Spirit of God so might have peace. In the world ye shall have as to behold many things. tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have The first scene was of the Savior and His overcome the world” (John 16:33).
16 Our Savior prayed to His Father and acknowledged the During those days of unconsciousness, I was given, by Father as the source of His authority and power—even to the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, a more perfect knowl- the extending of eternal life to all who are worthy. edge of His mission. I was also given a more complete He prayed, “And this is life eternal, that they might understanding of what it means to exercise, in His name, know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom the authority to unlock the mysteries of the kingdom of thou hast sent.” heaven for the salvation of all who are faithful. My soul was Jesus then reverently added: taught over and over again the events of the betrayal, the “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the mock trial, the scourging of the flesh of even one of the work which thou gavest me to do. Godhead. I witnessed His struggling up the hill in His weak- “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self ened condition carrying the cross and His being stretched with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” upon it as it lay on the ground, that the crude spikes could (John 17:3–5). be driven with a mallet into His hands and wrists and feet to He pled not only for the disciples called out from the secure His body as it hung on the cross for public display. world who had been true to their testimony of Him, “but Crucifixion—the horrible and painful death which He for them also which shall believe on me through their suffered—was chosen from the beginning. By that excruci- word” (John 17:20). ating death, He descended below all things, as is recorded, When they had sung a hymn, Jesus and the Eleven went that through His Resurrection He would ascend above all out to the Mount of Olives. There, in the garden, in some things (see D&C 88:6).
BY SIMON DEWEY, COURTESY OF ALTUS FINE ART, MAY NOT BE COPIED; PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHEW REIER MATTHEW BY BE COPIED; PHOTOGRAPH NOT MAY FINE ART, COURTESY OF ALTUS SIMON DEWEY, BY O MY FATHER, manner beyond our comprehension, the Savior took upon Jesus Christ died in the literal sense in which we will all Himself the burden of the sins of mankind from Adam to die. His body lay in the tomb. The immortal spirit of Jesus, the end of the world. His agony in the garden, Luke tells chosen as the Savior of mankind, went to those myriads of us, was so intense “his sweat was as . . . great drops of spirits who had departed mortal life with varying degrees blood falling . . . to the ground” (Luke 22:44). He suffered of righteousness to God’s laws. He taught them the “glori- an agony and a burden the like of which no human person ous tidings of redemption from the bondage of death, and would be able to bear. In that hour of anguish our Savior of possible salvation . . . [that was] part of [our] Savior’s overcame all the power of Satan. foreappointed and unique service to the human family.”1 The glorified Lord revealed to Joseph Smith this I cannot begin to convey to you the deep impact that admonition to all mankind: these scenes have confirmed upon my soul. I sense their “Therefore I command you to repent. . . . eternal meaning and realize that “nothing in the “For . . . I, God, . . . suffered . . . for all, that entire plan of salvation compares in any they might not suffer if they would repent; . . . way in importance with that most tran- “Which suffering caused myself, even God, scendent of all events, the atoning sacri- the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, fice of our Lord. It is the most important and to bleed at every pore, . . . single thing that has ever occurred in the “Wherefore, I command you again entire history of created things; it is the rock to repent, lest I humble you with foundation upon which the gospel and all my almighty power; and that you other things rest,”2 as has been declared. confess your sins, lest you suffer Father Lehi taught his son these punishments” (D&C Jacob and us today: 19:15–16, 18, 20). “Wherefore, redemption
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 17 ur most cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for unworthily (see 1 Corinthians 11:27–30). valuable he is full of grace and truth. Our Savior Himself instructed the Oworship “Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for Nephites, “Whoso eateth and drinketh my experience in the sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all flesh and blood unworthily [brings] damna- sacrament meeting those who have a broken heart and a contrite tion to his soul” (3 Nephi 18:29). is the sacred spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the Worthy partakers of the sacrament are in ordinance of the law be answered. harmony with the Lord and put themselves sacrament, for “Wherefore, how great the importance to under covenant with Him to always remember it provides the make these things known unto the inhabitants His sacrifice for the sins of the world, to take opportunity to focus of the earth, that they may know that there is upon them the name of Christ, and to always our minds and no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, remember Him, and to keep His command- hearts upon the save it be through the merits, and mercy, and ments. The Savior covenants that we who do Savior and His grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down so shall have His Spirit to be with us and that, if sacrifice. his life according to the flesh, and taketh it faithful to the end, we may inherit eternal life. again by the power of the Spirit, that he may Our Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, “there is no gift greater than the gift of salva- being the first that should rise. tion” (D&C 6:13), which plan includes the “Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, ordinance of the sacrament as a continuous inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all reminder of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice. He the children of men; and they that believe in gave instructions that “it is expedient that the him shall be saved” (2 Nephi 2:6–9). church meet together often to partake of Our most valuable worship experience bread and wine in the remembrance of the in the sacrament meeting is the sacred ordi- Lord Jesus” (D&C 20:75). nance of the sacrament, for it provides the Immortality comes to us all as a free gift opportunity to focus our minds and hearts by the grace of God alone, without works of upon the Savior and His sacrifice. righteousness. Eternal life, however, is the The Apostle Paul warned the early Saints reward for obedience to the laws and ordi- against eating this bread and drinking this nances of His gospel. cup of the Lord I testify to all of you that our Heavenly Father does answer our righteous pleadings. The added knowledge which has come to me has made a great impact upon my life. The gift of the Holy Ghost is a priceless pos- session and opens the door to our ongoing knowledge of God and eternal joy. ■ From an October 1989 general conference address; capitalization and punctuation modernized.
NOTES 1. James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 6th ed. (1922), 671. 2. Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed.
(1966), 60. MODELS POSED BY RUTH SCHÖNWALD, BY PHOTOGRAPH LESSONS FROM THE The Joy of NEW TESTAMENT Repentance
BY ELDER CRAIG C. CHRISTENSEN I wish to focus on the great joy that comes Of the Seventy to those who repent and the feelings of joy hroughout His mortal ministry, the we receive as we help others through the Savior showed great love for each son repentance process. Tand daughter of God—especially those who had fallen. In the parables of the lost “Men Are, That They Might Have Joy” sheep, the lost piece of silver, and the prodi- Joy is much deeper than simply passing gal son, the Lord emphasized the importance moments of contentment or feelings of of reaching out to those who stray or are lost happiness. Real joy, or “everlasting joy” and the joy that is felt when they return (see (2 Nephi 8:11), comes from experiencing Luke 15). For example, He said, “Joy shall be the power of the Atonement through sincere True happiness
BY LIZ LEMON SWINDLE, FOUNDATION ARTS, MAY NOT BE COPIED NOT MAY ARTS, LIZ LEMON SWINDLE, BY FOUNDATION in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, repentance and from a spiritual confirmation comes from repenting more than over ninety and nine just persons, that we can be redeemed from sin through of our sins and living
PRODIGAL SON, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). the Lord Jesus Christ and inherit eternal life. worthy of the Spirit. The prophet Lehi taught that Heavenly Father’s plan for each of us is that we “might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25) and that the only sure way to find everlasting joy is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Although we cannot receive a fulness of joy in this life (see D&C 93:33–34), we can receive daily manifestations of joy as we live the gospel. Mormon taught the pattern for finding joy when he said of the faithful Nephites, “They did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 19 s we apply and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the fill- similar terms. For example, in the book of the Atone- ing their souls with joy and consolation, yea, Acts we learn that “the disciples were filled A ment in our even to the purifying and the sanctification with joy, and with the Holy Ghost” (Acts lives, we must reflect of their hearts, which sanctification cometh 13:52). And the Lord promises those who fol- on the Savior and because of their yielding their hearts unto low Him, “I will impart unto you of my Spirit, His infinite gift to us, God” (Helaman 3:35). which shall enlighten your mind, which shall exercise faith in fill your soul with joy” (D&C 11:13). Him, and seek a Filled with Joy through the Holy Ghost When we understand that being filled with spiritual confir- In many scriptures the prophets speak joy involves being filled with the Holy Ghost, mation that He can of feeling joy and feeling the Holy Ghost in we realize that true happiness comes from and will redeem us repenting of our sins and living worthy of the from all our sins Spirit. In addition, when feeling the Spirit, we and infirmities. can find great joy in knowing that we are being sanctified before God. The joy that comes from repentance is evi-
dent on many levels. First is the joy and com- AND ART RANE, COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM CHURCH HISTORY WALTER BY fort that come to the heart of a repentant soul
as the burden of sin is lifted. Second are ALMA ARISE, the deep feelings of joy and love that come to those who help others work through the repentance process. And finally there are the joyful feelings of a loving Savior as He sees us follow His admonitions and rely upon the healing power of His atoning sacrifice. As we apply the Atonement in our lives, we must reflect on the Savior and His infi- nite gift to us, exercise faith in Him, and seek a spiritual confirmation that He can and will redeem us from all our sins and infirmities. Thus, we will feel the joy and peace that can be manifested to us only by His Holy Spirit. Our experience will be like
that of the people of Zarahemla: “The Spirit BE COPIED; RIGHT: NOT MAY CHURCH, ADVENTIST COURTESY OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ANDERSON, HARRY BY of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come” NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE, BE DONE, NOT
(Mosiah 4:3). LEFT: THE JOY OF A REPENTANT SOUL We can learn much about the joy that follows true repen- tance by studying the experiences of the Apostle Paul and
“That I Might Bring Souls unto Repentance” Alma the Younger, although our experiences may not be as After we have felt the joy that comes through the bless- dramatic (see Acts 8:1–3; 9:1–31; Mosiah 27:8–31; Alma ings of the Atonement, we can also find great joy in inviting 36:5–24). Paul and Alma were men of influence who went others to come unto Christ. While teaching his son Helaman, about persecuting the Saints. In the midst of their destruc- Alma said: “I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring tive actions, both men received heavenly visitors. An angel souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of of the Lord appeared to the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also Alma, while Jesus Himself be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. spoke to Paul, asking, “Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give “Why persecutest thou me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors” (Alma me?” (Acts 9:4). 36:24–25). Both men fell to the The Savior Himself taught: “If it so be that you should earth as a result of what labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, they saw and heard. Alma and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be was struck dumb, and your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! Paul became blind. More “And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you important, both men recovered from their wicked and fallen have brought unto me . . . , how great will be your joy if state in a similar way. Paul simply asked, “Lord, what wilt you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:15–16). thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6). He immediately turned his life to the Savior and followed the Lord’s instructions
“How Great Is His Joy in the Soul That Repenteth” with exactness. Alma describes his repentance: Finally, I cannot help but imagine the sense of fulfill- “As I was thus racked with torment, while I was har- ment the Savior must feel each time we repent of our sins rowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I and apply His atoning sacrifice in our lives. Surely John remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto echoed the Savior’s feelings when he declared, “I have the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. (3 John 1:4). Christ, speaking of Himself, said, “How great “Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I is his joy in the soul that repenteth” (D&C 18:13). cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have After teaching the Nephites about His Atonement and mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am what they needed to do to stand spotless before Him, encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. Jesus expressed His feelings to them by saying: “My joy is “And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remem- great, even unto fulness, because of you . . . ; yea, and even ber my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the the Father rejoiceth, and also all the holy angels, because memory of my sins no more. of you and this generation; for none of them are lost. . . . “And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did In them I have fulness of joy” (3 Nephi 27:30–31). behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as I testify that we too can find joy in this life and a ful- was my pain!” (Alma 36:17–20; emphasis added). ness of joy in the life hereafter by “looking unto Jesus the —Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Seventy author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2; emphasis added). ■
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 21 He Will Give You Re s t My heart hurt with hers. I wanted so much to help her because I felt that her remorse and her desire to do right were sincere. BY DENNIS L. McDANIEL was serving as a missionary when I met Susie (name has because I felt that her remorse and her desire to do right been changed). She and her family had been taught the and be baptized were sincere. At that moment, the answer I gospel by two missionaries who worked in the mission to my prayer came clearly. I asked her, “Susie, would you office with me. They had received all the lessons and had like to be free of the guilt and pain of this sin?” Once again accepted the invitation to be baptized and confirmed. It her hands covered her face, and her head bowed. She was my privilege to interview this wonderful family of four: uttered only one word: “Yes.” Her tears came even more mother, father, younger brother, and Susie. freely, and I consoled her by talking about the Atonement I had completed the baptismal interviews for the other and how she could apply it to her life. I explained that one three family members and had found them wonderfully purpose of baptism and confirmation is to heal the souls of prepared and excited to be part of the Lord’s kingdom. those who are sincere in repentance, and without question But when Susie walked in, she seemed quiet and some- I found her to be sincere. what hesitant to meet with me. We completed the interview with a prayer. The Spirit of I began asking questions about what she had been the Lord was clearly present, more powerfully than I had taught. She knew the story of the Prophet Joseph Smith ever before felt in an interview. and believed it; she had read the Book of Mormon and My companion and I arrived at the chapel shortly knew it to be true; and she accepted the Church as the before the baptism. There was no time to speak to Susie only true and living Church on the earth and wanted to or her family prior to the service. After the singing and be part of it. I asked Susie about her willingness to live the the talks, they were baptized—first her mother, then her law of tithing, the Word of Wisdom, and other command- father, then her brother, and finally Susie. She walked ments. She said she understood these and was willing down into the font, and her smile told the story—the heal- to live them for the rest of her life. Indeed, the interview ing balm of the Master was working in her heart. As she was much like those I had had with the rest of her family. came out of the water, tears were in her eyes and mine. Then I asked, “Can you tell me what the law of chastity Her smile was even bigger than before, and her counte- is?” Her countenance immediately changed. I quickly rec- nance was radiant. I understood at that moment why the ognized this must be why she seemed hesitant to meet Savior taught, “Come unto me, all ye that . . . are heavy with me. Before I could say anything, she covered her face laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). with both hands, put her face and hands in her lap, and We spoke only briefly after the service. I welcomed the began to sob uncontrollably. family as new members of the Lord’s kingdom. As I shook We sat without speaking for several minutes. I was Susie’s hand, I wanted to tell her how much this experience unsure of what to say, and Susie could not stop sobbing. I had meant to me. I had repented in my life and felt the prayed for the Lord’s help and asked Susie what was wrong. power of the Atonement, but I was grateful to have felt it She finally lifted her face and told me that several weeks more powerfully than ever before because of my associa- before meeting the missionaries she and her boyfriend tion with her. had done things the missionaries had taught her were Joining the Church is a challenge in and of itself. Joining wrong according to the Lord’s law. She had already told her under such personally strained circumstances had to be an boyfriend what she had learned and had told him she would even greater challenge for Susie, as it is for many new no longer be involved in such a relationship. She had even members. But the Atonement of Jesus Christ made the suggested to him that he meet with the missionaries and challenge surmountable and led this wonderful daughter hear what she now knew was true. Still, the guilt for having of God to conversion and a healing of the soul. It also engaged in these acts weighed down her soul. taught an impressionable young missionary an important
ILLUSTRATION BY SAM LAWLOR BY ILLUSTRATION My heart hurt with hers. I wanted so much to help her lesson about applying the Atonement in his own life. ■
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 23 THE GREAT TABERNACLE: A BUILDING OF PURPOSE AND SPIRIT
The history surrounding the Tabernacle on Temple Square is an inspiration to us, as well as an example of sacrifice and the joy that follows as we help build the kingdom of God.
he story of the Tabernacle they wasted no time in begin- on Temple Square in Salt ning to make the desert blos- TLake City, Utah, is much som. The prophet chose a site like the story of the Latter-day for the temple and planned the Saint people. The Tabernacle was rest of the city around this site. built under less than favorable One of the Saints’ foremost circumstances through great sac- needs was a place to gather, and rifice. Understanding the Taber- that need was fulfilled when they nacle’s history can help Church President Brigham Young built a bowery on the temple site members understand more of their own only a week after they arrived in the valley. That Church history and appreciate the marvel that first bowery was replaced by a second, and the is the Salt Lake Tabernacle. second by an adobe tabernacle (later known as Although a visit to the Tabernacle is impres- the Old Adobe Tabernacle). These earlier struc- sive, knowing how it came to be will allow us tures gave the pioneer builders experience and to appreciate it in a way we could not by just confidence when the time came to build “the walking inside. Great Tabernacle,” as did their previous experi- When President Brigham Young (1801–77) ences in building the Kirtland Temple in Ohio
and the pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, and the Nauvoo Temple in Illinois. AS NOTED EXCEPT COURTESY OF LDS CHURCH ARCHIVES, ALL IMAGES
24 A Grand Design anything that I’ve seen anywhere in this Above: This early photo In a press conference at the start of the world.”1 shows the Tabernacle under Tabernacle’s recent renovation, President In both form and function the Tabernacle construction. The building was to be 150 feet (46m) wide, 250 Gordon B. Hinckley commented: “I points to the gathering of Zion in the latter feet (76m) long, and 64 feet absolutely marvel at President Young’s bold- days. Its design reflects the centrality of the (20m) tall. It has served as a ness in going forward with this project. Way prophet’s guidance to the Church. The central meeting place for out here in this then-remote wilderness, Restoration of the gospel meant that living Latter-day Saints for nearly 150 without steel, with their bare hands, very lit- prophets were again on the earth, and for years. Construction began in 1863. General conference was tle in the way of resources, they determined the Saints to hear the prophets, a large held in the partially completed to construct a building to accommodate their gathering place was necessary. It needed to building in October 1867, and it needs for assembly and to dream of such a have good acoustics. It needed good sight was dedicated in October 1875. building as this—unique and different from lines. And it needed to be comfortable and
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 25 Below left: President Heber J. easily accessible so the Saints could be The Saints renewed their covenants each Grant speaks from the pulpit instructed. week under the roof of the tabernacle until in the Tabernacle, circa 1930. The design of the Tabernacle also evi- the 1890s. Over its many years of use, the Below center: President David O. McKay with then denced the Church’s hierarchy. The original Tabernacle has served not only as a place for Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, tiered seating and pulpits of the rostrum worship but also as a venue for cultural and the day he was called as an reflected the leadership of the Brethren community events. Apostle, September 30, 1961. who were seated there. Even the placement The Tabernacle Choir has had its home in Below right: The Old Adobe of the Tabernacle, directly on axis with the the Tabernacle for more than 130 years. Tabernacle after the con- struction of the Temple Salt Lake Temple, shows its importance—its The building housed general conferences Square wall. Notice the joint centrality and connectedness with the for nearly 140 years. In its lifespan, the decorative elements temple. The Saints were not simply a reli- Tabernacle has seen funerals of Church lead- following the slope of gious congregation; they were a covenant ers, missionary calls, pageants, programs, the gable. people. concerts, and civic meetings. “What a remarkable and useful building it A Building with Purpose has been,” President Hinckley said. “What For many years the main use of the Taber- great purposes it has served. I know of no nacle was for weekly sacrament meetings. other structure like it in all the world.”2
1847 1849 TABERNACLE A week after the pioneers arrived in the Salt A second bowery replaced the first. It was Lake Valley, they built a bowery where they sturdier, with walls and a shingled roof. TIME LINE gathered to hear the prophet and take the Canvas awnings were later added to house sacrament. larger audiences.
All the Presidents of the Church from Brigham Young to Gordon B. Hinckley have spoken from the pulpit of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle and its predecessor buildings Right: Architectural drawing of the great have always served arched wood trusses bearing on one as a place for the of the 44 stone piers, which are three feet (.9m) wide and nine feet (2.7m) deep. Saints to gather to Massive wood sleepers rest atop the hear the word of the 20-foot (6m) stone piers, transferring their Lord. load to the stone piers below.
26 The first meeting place on Temple Square was the bowery, a accommodate the increasing number of Saints. The first simple pole structure with open sides and roofed with willow conference in the Salt Lake Valley, August 22, 1847, was held branches. This 1862 photo shows a later bowery, behind the in the original 40-by-28-foot (12 x 8.5m) bowery located on the Old Adobe Tabernacle. This bowery was enlarged as needed to southwest corner of Temple Square.
1851–52 1854 Spring 1863 An adobe tabernacle was constructed in Seats were set up north of the adobe Construction began on “the Great the southwest corner of Temple Square. tabernacle to provide room for thousands Tabernacle.” It protected audiences from the weather, more. The next year the seats were unlike the previous boweries. covered with a bowery.
Above: The trusses were framed and put together on the ground and temporarily pinned. When everything was properly fitted and marked, the timbers were taken apart and raised plank by plank and put into place over scaffolding erected for that purpose.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 27 The Saints who built the Tabernacle had few resources, not even steel for the girders. All the building materials were locally acquired, including 1,500,000 board feet (457 km) of timber. Sacrifice was a less tangible raw material that aided in its con- struction. The Saints were not well off, so the Tabernacle was built using donations. The completed Tabernacle, A Spirit of Its Own For both the Salt Lake Temple and the circa 1870. If you visit the Tabernacle, you will likely Tabernacle, Latter-day Saint artisans from hear a tour guide explain its roof—how it Europe produced hand-grained, hand- spans 150 feet (46m) with no supports, how marbleized woodwork using methods it consists of a latticework of timbers and that are no longer commonplace. plaster strengthened by horse and cow hair The many uses of the building, the and occupies 10 feet (3m) of space between people who built it, the very materials it is the ceiling and roof covering. You might also made of all contribute to the spirit of the hear that it is an architectural masterpiece. Tabernacle.
October 1867 1869–70 July 4, 1873 General conference was A balcony was built to The Tabernacle Choir per- held for the first time in the provide additional seating formed inside the building Tabernacle. in the Tabernacle. for the first time.
Above: The Tabernacle during the summer of 1867. Right: The pews and interior balcony were finished in 1870. Note the star and word Utah on the organ pipes. Above right: The Tabernacle organ was draped in black for the August 1877 funeral of President Brigham Young. The garlands from the ceiling were still in place after the 30–year celebration of the pioneers’ July 1847 entry into the valley.
28 “A building develops a personality of its character. It has been seismically updated, own,” says President Hinckley. “The Spirit and access and seating have been improved, of the Lord has been in this structure. It is among other changes. “When all is said sacred unto us.”3 and done, it will be modern in its strength and capacity but old and beautiful and BUILT IN THE The Tabernacle Exhibit original and natural in its appearance,” WILDERNESS What the tour guides at the Tabernacle President Hinckley promised at the start “To me it is a mir- don’t tell you is how much the building of the renovation.4 acle building. I has changed over its history. Though its think of the skill of those who structure remains the same, its appearance A History of Strength designed it and has changed markedly. You can see these Like the Tabernacle’s history, the history know that there changes and learn much more about the of the Latter-day Saints is full of change and must have been history of the Tabernacle in a current exhibit, growth, of adapting to meet current and great inspiration which runs through January 2009, at the future needs. President Hinckley has said: behind that skill. Museum of Church History and Art. “In imagination I can see Brigham Young I think of faith as The most recent renovations to the standing here and looking up at the men I reflect on the Tabernacle are part of its ever-changing putting together the timbers, and saying, time and circum- stance of its con- struction. It is October 1875 July 15, 1929 truly a taberna- Construction on the Tabernacle was completed, and it The Tabernacle Choir’s weekly radio program, cle, built in the was dedicated in general conference. Music and the Spoken Word, was broadcast from the Tabernacle for the first time. wilderness from which the voice of the servants of the Lord should go forth to the world.” President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Building Your Tabernacle,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 51.
Left: A celebration in the Tabernacle after 1884 Above: Detail showing the featuring handcarts and flags. orientation of the wedges. The Above left: Richard L. Evans wedge, driven into the peg, speaks from the pulpit for expanded the peg to ensure a Music and the Spoken Word, tight fit. The wedge was driven circa 1930. so that it expanded in the direction of the grain to avoid splitting the trusses at the end. Contrary to legend, some metal bolts were used in the construction of the Tabernacle. ENSIGN APRIL 2007 29 and virtue into these personal tabernacles. Only in such strength is there safety and growth and happiness. If there is one great ringing message I take from the builders of this structure it is this—Be strong!” 5 The Tabernacle is a building of great pur- pose and spirit, and, like the Saints who built it, it is strong. It has withstood the tests of time. ■
NOTES 1. Tabernacle renovation press briefing, Oct. 1, 2004, newsroom.lds.org. 2. “Good-bye to This Wonderful Old Tabernacle,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 90. 3. “Good-bye to This Wonderful Old Tabernacle,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 91. The Tabernacle as it ‘Build it strong, boys. Build it strong!’ 4. Tabernacle renovation press briefing, Oct. 1, 2004, appeared circa 1940, with newsroom.lds.org. “Our bodies, . . . our minds, are the taber- 5. “Building Your Tabernacle,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 51. an oxidized tin roof. nacles of our spirits. He who is the Father of Based on historical research by Richard Oman, curator for the Tabernacle exhibit at the Museum those spirits would have us build strength of Church History and Art.
1947 1970 1971 For the centennial of the arrival The Tabernacle became a The Tabernacle was named of the pioneers in the Salt Lake National Historic Landmark. a National Historic Civil Valley, a new aluminum roof Engineering Landmark, an replaced the shingles of the honor given to other Tabernacle. structures like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Panama Canal.
Above: Workers atop the building completing construction of the roof on the west end of the Tabernacle. Above center: President David O. McKay at the pulpit with Elder Spencer W. Kimball in the background. Right: Exterior view of the Tabernacle dome and the spires of the Salt Lake Temple.
30 The Tabernacle Organ t has been run by a team of five men pumping bellows. It has been run by a water- wheel in the basement. And now it is run by electricity. No matter what its source Iof power, the Tabernacle organ has always been considered one of the greatest organs in the world. Joseph Harris Ridges built the organ at the request of President Brigham Young. Timber for the wood pipes came from Pine Valley, 300 miles south of Salt Lake City. The metal pipes came from Boston, Massachusetts. Ridges’s early organ looked much different than the present ver- sion. It was five times smaller and had only Organ with 1915 extension (above) and without extensions two keyboards. in 1904 (right). Over its history, the organ has been added to and updated several times. It now has 11,623 pipes, 206 ranks of voices, and 5 keyboards. Daily recitals were given in the Tabernacle for nearly 100 years, until 2005, when the Tabernacle was closed for renovation. ■
October 1999 2005 April General conference was held for the The Tabernacle was closed for 2007 last time in the Tabernacle, which had renovation. The Tabernacle reopened. a seating capacity of about 6,000. Conferences were moved to the Conference Center, which has a seating capacity of 21,000. PHOTOGRAPH BY A. BY ANGLE PHOTOGRAPH
Left: Tabernacle interior at the 1978 general conference with the newly rebuilt rostrum area. Note the increased number of lights above the Tabernacle Choir. Center left: In 2006 new steel “sister” trusses were installed adjacent to the existing wood lattice trusses. This will preserve the historic arch while providing the level of safety desired for gravity and seismic loads. Above: An aerial view of the new aluminum roof being installed in 2006.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 31 I wasn’t sure if true happiness was really THEYTHEY LIVEDLIVED attainable—until I met a group of young WhatWhat TheyThey BelievedBelieved Latter-day Saints. BY ARIEL ARON TORAYA
was born into a Christian home with two loving the stress of my previous nonstop life slipped from my parents. They were good people who taught me shoulders. But inside I was still unfulfilled. I many virtues, including optimism, hard work, Then one of my neighbors, Daniel, began inviting me honesty, and kindness. to Latter-day Saint single adult activities. I always declined, I grew up knowing there was a God but had little idea but he was persistent. Finally I felt I wasn’t being a good who He was. I knew He wanted me to be good, but I friend in always turning him down, so I accepted his in- often fell prey to my weaknesses. Whenever I reflected vitation to attend a dance, dinner, and campout. on where my life was going, I had to admit I wasn’t really I went with some trepidation, wondering how I would happy about the results. I wasn’t sure being truly happy fit in with a large group of Latter-day Saints. I also feared was even possible. they might bombard me with their ideas. The young adults I met that night were very friendly. Not Fellowshipping with the Saints only were they fun; they were also true followers of their reli- Then I moved to Utah, where I felt as if I were jump- gion. There was no drinking, smoking, or drugs. Nor was there ing back in time. I had come from a big city, and now I the contention, slandering, and coarse language I had often could see fields and cows from my kitchen window. found in other social settings. Instead, I found singles enjoying Struggling to fit in with the people in my new area, I each other’s company in a spirit of love and friendship. wondered why I had moved to such a quiet place. After The following morning as Daniel and I were driving
a year or two I grew to love the beauty of the land, and home from the campout, I felt impressed to ask him about DILLEEN MARSH BY ILLUSTRATION these wonderful people I had met. I asked if these people I remember how closed my heart was to the gospel then. were representative of Latter-day Saints as a whole. He I had doubted that anybody had the authority to speak to asked if I would like to see what other Latter-day Saints me for God. were like. I accepted. Now, however, I read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know whether it was true. I placed hope and faith in A Different Lifestyle my Eternal Father that He would fulfill His promise to That Sunday I attended sacrament meeting, Sunday answer my prayer. There was no angelic visitation, School, and priesthood meeting with Daniel, and the but my conversion was equally powerful. I cannot friends I had made at the activity openly welcomed me. I doubt the sure witness given by the Spirit of the Lord. had previously attended a few sacrament meetings but had Many people feel as I once felt about the gospel. never felt the spirit of it until that Sunday as I mingled with I know the key to my conversion was a testimony those young singles. Already in life I had seen so much of provided not by the words of the Lord alone but what the world had to offer young adults—drinking, drugs, by those who had faith enough to live by those coarse language and behavior, sexual impropriety, gam- words. Their actions were a key to my conversion. ■ bling, pornography, and other wicked practices. I had never seen and felt a testimony so moving as that of these singles, who were determined to live the stan- dards of their faith.
Coming to Know the Truth Many years earlier I had had a Latter- day Saint friend who tried to share truths about our Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 33 Three Messages toYoung Adu lts
BY ELDER EARL C. TINGEY many of our young adults have not estab- Of the Presidency of the Seventy lished themselves in a unit where they have y young adult friends, you live in a a bishop and their bishop knows who they time3 of great promise. Never in the are. Every member of the Church should Mhistory of the world have there been be known by and be accountable to a so many opportunities for choice and success. bishop or branch president. This relation- I have three messages for you as you make ship will provide you with an opportunity your way in the world: be an active member of to participate in priesthood ordinances, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have interviews, secure temple recom- prepare today for life tomorrow, and be willing mends when appropriate, and receive If you will put the to accept the responsibilities of marriage. callings in the Church. things of God first, There should be a clear line to someone you will make good Be Active in the Church holding priesthood keys. If you have two decisions. Nothing As you secure a quality education, com- bishops, you have no bishop. If your mem- else counts if you do mence employment, and look forward to bership record is not in the ward where you
not qualify to return marriage, you should always keep in mind attend and you are not in a position to accept MODELS JOHN LUKE, POSED BY BY PHOTOGRAPHS to live with Heavenly your Church activity. Father and His Son, Young single adults are a highly Jesus Christ. mobile group. You change addresses and telephone numbers often. As Church leaders, we are saddened when we lose contact with you. When this occurs, we can’t be in touch with you to invite you to accept a Church calling and to share in all the blessings of Church membership. One of our greatest concerns is that
34 a calling, you may quickly find yourself becoming lost to your leaders. A Church calling is one of the most wonderful bless- ings you can enjoy at your stage of life. You have so much to contribute to the ward or branch where you live. Your talents and skills are necessary to a growing Church. If you are a returned missionary, you can influ- ence other members with your enthusiasm and your testimony. A calling is also important if you have not yet served a mission. If you have not established yourself in a ward or branch and are not known by your bishop or branch president, will you accept my personal challenge to immediately correct that matter? Become accountable to your priesthood leaders. Sisters, get to know the mem- bers of the Relief Society in your area. Become involved in the Relief Society organization. Young men, be worthy to assume the increased responsibilities and enter into the sacred covenants that are part of progressing from the Aaronic Priesthood to the Melchizedek Priesthood. very member of the Church should be Establish yourself in your local elders quorum, and known by and be accountable to a bishop become an active participant. Eor branch president. This relationship will If you are established in a ward or branch, I challenge provide you with opportunities to contribute to the you to think of friends or associates in the gospel who ward or branch where you live. have become lost to their priesthood leaders. Encourage these friends to reestablish themselves in the gospel and to become participating members of the Church.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 35 et a good Prepare Today necessary to successfully obtain employment, education, for Life Tomorrow rear a family, and be a contributing member G and acquire The second message I bring you is to make of society. the skills necessary wise decisions in preparation for your future. Education and vocational training can be to successfully obtain I have associated with thousands of expensive. Learn how to save money and employment, rear a college-age students. I can honestly say that wisely use what funds are available to you. family, and be a what you decide to do with respect to your This will help minimize the debt you may contributing member education, employment, preparation for have when you complete your education. of society. marriage, and Church activity at this time of If you are securing an education while your life will set the pattern for your future. married, it will require that you and your If you will put the things of God first, spouse exercise good decision-making skills you will make good decisions. It is so easy as you sacrifice to care for your family. You to make a decision that seems attractive at will need to ensure that the needs of your the time but that, in the aggregate, will lead family, your employment, and your education you away from the kingdom of God. Nothing are not jeopardized. else in eternity counts if you do not qualify Single or married, those of you who are today to return to live with Heavenly Father employed should develop a good work ethic. and His Son, Jesus Christ. Be productive; magnify your employment In the scriptures we find several state- skills. Be loyal to your employer. Seek oppor- ments that may be of help to you. Jesus tunities for advancement and for additional Christ said, “But seek ye first the kingdom responsibility. Pay your tithes and offerings. of God, and his righteousness; and all Save some of your income, and develop the these things shall be added unto you” habit of thrift and self-reliance. (Matthew 6:33). On another occasion He said, “He that Know the True Value of Money findeth his life shall lose it: and he that One of the great challenges at this stage loseth his life for my sake shall find it” of your life is to know how to make decisions (Matthew 10:39). Do you understand that with respect to spending money. losing your life in the service of others President Brigham Young taught: “If you allows you to find your true identity as a wish to get rich, save what you get. A fool child of God? The alternative—being self- can earn money; but it takes a wise man to centered and not serving God or others— save and dispose of it to his own advantage.”1 results in losing your life in an eternal sense. So many enticing and interesting prod- As you prepare for your future, ucts are available in our society. They your service and association in the provide pleasure and relaxation. They environment of the Church are are intriguing, and they seem necessary. most important. Yet the Savior said: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon Secure a Good Education earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, We encourage you to get a good and where thieves break through and steal: education and to acquire the skills “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19–21). Be careful that you do not unwisely surround yourself with physical, temporal playthings that may not be neces- sary at this stage of your life. Do not feel that you must immediately provide for yourself what your parents had when you left their home. In most cases it took your par- ents decades to acquire the conveniences of a modern concern that our young single adults know the doctrine of home, and it is simply not practical to seek to acquire the Church on marriage. The doctrine of the Church with them now as you begin your new family home. respect to the eternal family is clear. Let me quote from I can personally testify that some of the sweetest memo- the Doctrine and Covenants: ries my wife and I have are of when our growing family was “Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the world, and living in a small apartment as I was completing law school. he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant We had few of life’s luxuries. But we didn’t know we were with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, poor because we had each other and the blessings of the their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are gospel. These blessings completely overshadowed our lack dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they of physical possessions. are not bound by any law when they are out of the world. “Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither Be Willing to Accept the marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels Responsibilities of Marriage in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minis- The third message I would like to discuss with you— ter for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceed- and it connects with the previous two messages—is to be ing, and an eternal weight of glory” (D&C 132:15–16). willing to accept the responsibilities of marriage. In simple, plain language, marriage for time and all The Brethren of the Church have a deep and abiding eternity is essential for exaltation.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 37 5. A negative perception of marriage as the result of media reports or the experiences of family or friends may deter one from marriage. Some say, “Why get married when there are so many divorces?” The existence of divorce does not mean you cannot have a happy and successful marriage. Don’t let the actions of others make your deci- sions. Determine that your marriage will not be a failure. 6. Some put off marriage for financial reasons. Post- poning marriage until money is sufficient to sustain a styl- ish living is not wise. So much of life together—struggling, adjusting, and learning to cope with life’s challenges—is lost when that happens. These and many other concerns may delay marriage. It is not my intent to answer each of these objections to your personal satisfaction. I simply declare the doctrine of the Church with respect to marriage, and I encourage you to have the faith sufficient to move forward in this most important decision of your life.
Challenges That May Delay Marriage Fear With this scripture in mind, let me mention some of the If I could choose one word that best describes most of factors that may delay marriage. the reasons for delaying marriage, it would be fear—fear 1. To some, there may seem to be less encouragement of the future, fear of failure, and so on. It is not unusual to for returned missionaries to get married. If that is your have fear. Fear can be overcome by preparation and faith. understanding, it is a false assumption. All returned mis- When the Apostles of old feared that a great storm sionaries should be encouraged when they return home to would sink their ship, Christ “arose, and rebuked the wind, remain active in the Church, secure an education, acquire and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, employment skills, and move in the direction of finding an and there was a great calm. eternal companion. “And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it 2. Some young men feel they cannot meet the that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39–40). expectations of some young women. The phrase “high The Apostle Paul taught, “For God hath not given us the maintenance” is often used to describe those who give the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound impression they need more than the other can provide. mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Proper communication can address that uncertainty. I can honestly say that in my generation, when the 3. An emphasis on education or career may put mar- opportunity to marry the right person came, the chal- riage in a lesser role. Marriage, education, and career can lenges of continuing one’s education became secondary go together. A career without family, where family is possi- to the all-important decision to marry the right person. ble, is a tragedy. Many of you young adults have already made that decision 4. Do not let your life be simply an existence that is fun and are moving forward with your lives, even though you or selfish. Life is more than an amusement park. Do not be do not have all the conveniences you might otherwise hooked on obtaining possessions. Accept responsibility. have. But you are moving forward in accordance with an
38 eternal plan and under a divine pattern that Not All Will Marry amily this Church offers all members. Now, I know that not all who wish to marry overshadows will do so in this life. The Lord’s plan provides F all other Family for that. relationships and Some time ago, Sister Tingey and I, who The wonderful story of Ruth in the Old decisions. Unless you have 4 children and now 21 grandchildren, Testament is a story of a woman who lost her understand what had a “granddaughter sleepover.” Five of our husband and then chose not to pursue only your future can hold granddaughters, ages 6 to 14, came to our her own individual goals. Ruth was single, but with respect to home. In addition to being cousins, they are she remained devoted to family and to God. family, it will be the closest of friends. When her mother-in-law, Naomi, encour- difficult to make We ate a wonderful meal prepared by aged her to move forward with her life, Ruth wise decisions. An Sister Tingey. Then the granddaughters did uttered a great faith-promoting statement: eternal marriage some crafts, also prepared by Sister Tingey. “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return and family are worth Afterward we played their favorite games, and from following after thee: for whither thou any struggles. then they presented a little talent show for goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will Grandma and Grandpa. In the course of the lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy talent show, they sang several favorite Primary God my God” (Ruth 1:16). songs adapted to grandparents, including the As you will remember, later in life Ruth following: met Boaz, and they were married and became a link in the chain of the ancestry of Jesus I’m so glad when [Grandpa] comes home, Christ. All the blessings promised to faithful Glad as I can be; followers of the Lord were hers. Clap my hands and shout for joy, The family is the heart and soul of the Then climb upon his knee, gospel. Through the family we progress into Put my arms around his neck, the eternities. An eternal marriage and family Hug him tight like this, are worth any struggles. Pat his cheeks, then give him what? Please ponder these thoughts I have shared A great big kiss.2 with you. Pray about them. Know that your Five granddaughters were on my lap as Heavenly Father will bless you and will help you they sang this song, arms around my neck, replace fear with faith if you call upon Him. patting my cheeks and giving me great big I humbly bear my witness and testimony kisses. that being active in the Church, preparing well This is what it’s all about. This is family. for your future, and being sealed to a spouse This is the gospel. This completely over- for time and all eternity can help you discover shadows all physical possessions and things the joy that is the promise of the gospel of that cost money. Jesus Christ. ■ Unless you understand what your future From a Church Educational System fireside address given at the Ogden Utah Institute of Religion on can hold with respect to family, it will be diffi- May 2, 2004. cult for you to make wise decisions affecting NOTES 1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham your future. Family is everything. It over- Young (1997), 229. shadows all other relationships and decisions. 2. “Daddy’s Homecoming,” Children’s Songbook, 210.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 39 n April 3, 1836, in verily, verily, I say unto the newly dedi- you, that whatsoever Ocated temple in you seal on earth shall Kirtland, Ohio, the Lord be sealed in heaven; and Jehovah appeared to the whatsoever you bind on Prophet Joseph Smith and earth, in my name and Oliver Cowdery. Then by my word, saith the Moses, Elias, and Elijah each Circle of Life, by Keith Mallett, of California. Lord, it shall be eternally appeared and committed Infant daughter, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother bound in the heavens.” make up four generations of this “circle of life.” the keys of vital and eternal These sealing ordi- works to earthly leaders once more. nances, which bind families together for eternity, can Elijah’s appearance was in fulfillment of the be performed only in holy temples by those having prophecy made in Malachi 4:5–6: the proper priesthood authority. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before The art on these pages celebrates the joy of family the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: history work and temple ordinances that seal gener- “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the ations of families together eternally. children and the heart of the children to their Right: Mountain of the Lord’s House, by Don Busath, of Utah. fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” This artistic treatment of the photograph of the Salt Lake Temple The keys and power of the priesthood Elijah captures the temple’s grandeur as a holy place where sacred restored on that day in the Kirtland Temple are ordinances are performed, including the sealing of families for described in Doctrine and Covenants 132:46: “And “time and all eternity.”
40 Right: A Family Home Evening, by Bruce Clovis Smith, of Missouri. The love and family unity Latter- day Saints seek through the sealing ordinances of the temple begin in a Christ-centered home.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 41 Left: Genealogy, by Theodore Gorka, of South Carolina. “Let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation” (D&C 128:24).
Right: Tree of Life, by Ada Redd Rigby, of Utah. This intricate cut-paper picture captures the beauty and joy that can come to families as they reach back through their family tree and seal generations of families together.
Far right: Genealogy, by Randi Helen Austenaa, of Norway. This woven fabric tapestry symbolically combines family history, represented by the pedigree chart, and temple work together. This work won a Purchase Award in the Seventh International Art Competition sponsored by the Museum of Church History and Art.
Right: Think Temple, Think Family! by Richard H. Olagunju, of Nigeria. This carved wood relief sculpture shows an African family going to the temple.
42 ENSIGN APRIL 2007 43 BY GEORGE D. DURRANT
Feel like you are at a dead end searching your family tree? Then give descendancy research a try. remember, as a grandfather, having a picture taken of our family. Like other grandparents, I did not want a the same way about their posterity? I single descendant left out. What a task it was to I think they would. arrange everyone’s schedule so we could all be in the As Latter-day Saints, we have the priesthood power to same place at the same time. But it was worth it. provide temple ordinances that can seal families together I think that is how most families feel. Grandparents forever. So just as my grandparents didn’t want to leave love their children and grandchildren. They want to spend even one of their children or grandchildren out of the eternity with them. So why wouldn’t our ancestors feel family portrait, they wouldn’t want to leave even one of
44 them out of their eternal family. descendants of our direct Yet as we reach back through time on our pedigree, we ancestors. We should, however, sometimes provide the saving ordinances for only one be sensitive to the feelings of others child of each couple on our pedigree chart—the child who and obtain permission from the closest is our direct ancestor. We seal that child to his or her par- living relative when submitting the ents, but we forget about the rest of the children in that names of deceased persons who were family. We leave our ancestral families like an incomplete born within the last 95 years. family portrait with many empty spaces. President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Tracking Descendants Apostles, wrote on July 14, 1994: “Members Providing temple ordinances for relatives other than our of the Church as individuals and families are direct ancestors is not a new direction. This article is simply responsible to identify their own direct-line a reminder that in addition to providing ordinances for our ancestral families and see that temple
ILLUSTRATIONS BY CARY HENRIE CARY BY ILLUSTRATIONS direct ancestors, we can also provide ordinances for the ordinances are performed for them. They may PICKING THE LOW-HANGING FRUIT BY SAM LOWER Sample Descendancy of Our 16 Great-Great-Grandparents y great-great-grandparents were born about 1800. 16 family group records of 16 great-great-grandparents Century MClimbing that far up my family 19th tree was fairly easy for me. Climbing 4. Now you higher up the family tree will be harder. have a descen- So I thought about branching out. Have 5 children per family x 16 family group records = dancy that you? The fruit that is easiest to pick is includes a set of in the lower branches of our family 80 family group records grandparents tree, among the descendants of our great-great grandparents. Our success (John and Jane rate in the lower branches will be 5 children per family x 80 family group records = Hall) with their chil- greater than in the higher branches. dren (Elizabeth, For example, if we have an aver- 400 family group records William, and Sarah) age of five children per family and and grandchildren come down five generations, we can (the children of expect to find 12,496 people. 5 children per family x 400 family group records = Printing a descendancy chart Elizabeth, William, and will show you where to look Sarah). 2,000 family group records for family members on the 5. As you search the lower, more accessible records where your branches of your family tree. By picking 5 children per family x 2,000 family group records = ancestor lived, gather any the low-hanging fruit, we information you find on will be able to identify 10,000 family group records the entire ancestral family. more family members, Century provide temple ordinances 21st With the technology avail- for them, and seal their families able today, you will be 16+80+400+2,000+10,000=12,496 total family group records together for eternity. able to search more effec- tively than ever before. also do family history research and temple work for their 6. Broaden your search to other areas where family deceased relatives who are collaterally related (not their members lived, if needed. direct lines).”1 7. Provide temple ordinances for individuals as they are uniquely identified. A Few Simple Steps 8. You can repeat this pattern by choosing another So how do you get started if you want to provide ordi- name on your pedigree chart. nances for an entire ancestral family? 1. Choose a name from your pedigree chart. You may Blessings and Clues want to begin by choosing someone from within the first So why would anyone want to do family history for an five generations. (See “Picking the Low-Hanging Fruit,” by ancestral family? Sam Lower, above.) For example: John Hall. 1. Some people feel that their family history has all been 2. Create a family group record for that ancestor. For done. By choosing an ancestor on our pedigree chart and example: John Hall with his wife, Jane, and their children, identifying the ancestor’s children and grandchildren, we Elizabeth, William, and Sarah. will have the opportunity to experience the joy of doing 3. Then create a family group record for each child of family history work and providing temple ordinances for that ancestor. For example: Elizabeth, with her husband more of our own family members. and their children; William, with his wife and their chil- 2. Records become scarcer as we research ancestors dren; and Sarah, with her husband and their children. who lived in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
46 When we do research in the nineteenth and twentieth cen- turies, we have more records available and, as a result, have more opportunity for success. 3. Since the families of the children and grandchildren often lived in the same area as grandparents, we can find the needed information with little extra work. This is an efficient use of research time. 4. Clues to ancestors are found in the records of their descendants. When you gather records of the HELPS FOR HOME EVENING descendants of an ancestor, you will Most Ensign articles can be used for family have a better chance of finding home evening discussions, personal reflection, clues of that ancestor than if you or teaching the gospel in a variety of settings. just search the records of one child 1. Cut several long strips of paper, and write or grandchild. on each strip the name of a person from your 5. Meeting living cousins can be immediate or extended family. Join the strips as approaching your family a blessing. All of you will learn more if they were links in a chain. Read the section history in this broader family stories and discover other “Rejoicing in Posterity.” Explain that if one link is way. If so, you already know the family photos. You may also find missing, the chain is incomplete. Testify of the joy of seeing things through the out more about your common blessings that come from uniting families eyes of your ancestors. You recog- ancestors. through priesthood covenants. nize that they would want to have 2. See who in the family can name the most their children and grandchildren Rejoicing in Posterity relatives. Use pictures if possible. Review the with them eternally, just as we do. Attending the temple and doing “Simple Steps” on getting started in family his- You may have even broadened vicarious work for a person who tory. Assign family members one ancestor each your research to include great- never had these temple ordinances for whom they can create a family group record. grandchildren and beyond. The in life is spiritually satisfying, but Complete the temple work, if needed. more of the members of an ances- when we do this work for our own 3. Create a game by hanging fruit at different tral family for whom you are able family members, the satisfaction is heights, including some that are too high to to do temple work, the greater magnified. By seeking the descen- reach. Have family members try to pick the fruit. the joy and rejoicing your ances- dants of a direct line ancestor, all of At what height is the fruit easiest to pick? Read tors will be able to have in their whom have a kinship relationship “Picking the Low-Hanging Fruit,” and discuss posterity. ■ to us, our time spent in doing their how family history research can produce great NOTE 1. Letter to General Authorities; Regional temple work will have deeper success when we identify family members who Representatives [now Area Authorities]; meaning in our lives. lived within the last 150 years. Temple Presidents; Stake, Mission, and District Presidents; Bishops; and Branch Perhaps you have already been Presidents.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 47 S u s nb ile eam Sm
BY CONSTANCE PALMER LEWIS cheerful—smiling their Sunbeam smiles. Looking at eight wonderful Sunbeam smiles every Sunday truly did When our ward Primary had a service brighten my day. activity, I wasn’t sure how three-year-old After several months, our ward Primary had a service Sunbeams could help. activity. I was asked to think of something that my class could do to be of service. I wasn’t at all sure what little Sunbeams y husband and I were blessed with a baby girl could do to give service. The Primary president had sug- when we were in our forties and had thought that gested baking some cookies and taking them to someone Mour family was complete. Many times as I dealt in our ward. I thought that might be nice, but I didn’t think with the daily pressures of life with several teenagers and that it would hold the children’s attention throughout the one little girl, I realized that her presence calmed me activity. It seemed too complicated to bake cookies as part and helped me remember the important things in life. of the activity, but if I baked cookies myself beforehand, When Mary-Celeste started Primary, I was called to then the children wouldn’t really be providing service. teach her Sunbeam class. I had very little experience I began thinking of what little children can actually do teaching Primary and felt unsure of myself, but I decided to serve others. Then I thought of their Sunbeam smiles. to give it my best effort. Looking into the children’s On the day of the activity, I brought paper plates, yarn, and open, smiling faces each week, I grew to love each of bright washable markers for each child. I asked them to draw them and to cherish the time I spent with them. One a picture of themselves with their very best Sunbeam smile. of the first lessons in the Primary manual taught the I fastened yarn to the plates so they each could wear their children that they can help others be happy by being own picture as a necklace. With the help of a member of the
48 Primary presidency and a couple of my CHOOSE HAPPINESS The children explained own teenagers, we took the children to a “The most fundamental that they had brought their nearby hospital to visit an elderly sister of all human searches Sunbeam smiles to help her from our ward. I had checked with her is for happiness. . . . be happy. Then, to help Sister and with her nurses beforehand to make Smiling brings a glow Fisher remember their smiles, sure the visit would be all right. to our countenances they each gave her the paper As we entered Sister Fisher’s hospital that radiates to others. plate with their brightly col- room, the children smiled their very Being friendly to our neighbors, to peo- ored smiling picture on it. brightest Sunbeam smiles. We greeted ple at school, at church, or at work is Sister Fisher was delighted! her and sang: a great way to show the Lord that we A nurse helped us hang each want to keep the covenant we made at If you chance to meet a frown, smiling paper-plate face on baptism ‘to bear one another’s burdens, the wall of her hospital room. Do not let it stay. that they may be light’ (Mosiah 18:8). On the way back to the Quickly turn it upside down I recommend friendliness because so church, the children talked about And smile that frown away. many people are shy or lonely and what they had done. I believe No one likes a frowning face. need a kind word or smile. Lifting they realized what it means to Change it for a smile. others expands our inner selves. serve others. And I realized how Make the world a better place It is also the way of the Master.” much my own life was blessed by By smiling all the while. President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the having our little daughter and her First Presidency, “Who Do You Think You Are?” ■ ILLUSTRATION BY STEVE KROPP BY ILLUSTRATION (“Smiles,” Children’s Songbook, 267) Ensign, Mar. 2001, 6. cheerful Sunbeam smile.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 49 LESSONS FROM THE
NEW TESTAMENT Quiet Stirrings of the Heart
BY BISHOP H. DAVID BURTON fence and ran into the building, where I Presiding Bishop saw that the proprietor had been shot and s Latter-day Saints we know that we probably robbed. come to earth to obtain a physical I held the man in my arms as he took his A body, to gain experience, and to last breath. I didn’t know at the time that he prove ourselves. Some people have a short was dying. The police and paramedics quickly mortal experience, and some have a long arrived and assumed the man’s care. experience; some have an experience full of This experience was a turning point for trials, and some seem to be on easy street for me. It led me to ponder some of life’s deep much of their lives. But when we have faith in questions. I later found out that the perpetra-
The simple faith that the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly tors of the crime were young men with whom JOSEPH ALLEMAN BY ILLUSTRATIONS helps sustain us is Father’s plan of happiness, we are better able I had attended school, and I thought about developed over a to put our experiences in perspective, to them and about the choices they had made. I lifetime. I have grow from our trials, and to have joy. thought about my own choices and about the experienced this This simple faith that helps sustain us is direction I wanted to take in life. I thought cumulative process developed over a lifetime. I have experienced about how precious and tenuous life is and in my own life. this cumulative process in my own life. about how important it is to have faith. One experience that was instrumental in The Savior’s declaration became more pro- this faith-building process happened when I found to me: “I am the resurrection, and the was a teenager. During one summer I worked life: he that believeth in me, though he were as a “night waterman” on a golf course. Each dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). How night after play on the golf course had con- grateful I was for my knowledge that life cluded, I would water the grounds, resetting doesn’t end when we finish our mortal journey. the hoses every hour. Late one evening while I was alone on the An Encounter with a Prophet golf course, I heard gunshots ring out from a Another experience that strengthened my little grocery store across the street. A couple faith occurred some years earlier, when my of men quickly exited the store. I jumped the father was the bishop of our ward. One night
50 I was involved in a street football game. My my father continued to visit with the family. I held the man father had to make some visits, and he called thought about that street football game and in my arms me to leave the game and accompany him. I wondered if my friends were still playing. In my I as he took his left my friends and changed my clothes, and impatience I went outside and sat on the front last breath. This off we went. porch to wait for my father. experience was Our last visit that night was at the home After a few minutes President McKay came a turning point of a young woman who was afflicted with outside and sat down on the top step. He for me. I thought cancer. As my father and I visited with the chatted with me for a few minutes. He asked about how family, a car pulled up in front of the house, how old I was and all the other usual ques- precious and and out stepped President David O. McKay tions one would ask a young person. And tenuous life is and (1873–1970), totally unannounced. I had seen then he told me a story. how important it is pictures of him but had never come close to When he was about my age, he said, he to have faith. shaking the hand of a President of the Church. and his brothers always wanted to go to gen- After President McKay spoke briefly with the eral conference. It seemed to him that every family, he gave the young woman a blessing. It time the family made those plans, something was a magnificent blessing. Afterward he and would happen to prevent the trip. But on one
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 51 and the decision whether to serve a mission was looming. In those days young men were called at age 20. I didn’t know whether I wanted to go, and my mother was concerned. One evening I came home and happened to overhear my parents talking about me. I remember my father saying to my mother, “Blanche, don’t worry about that boy; he’ll make the right decision.” My parents never knew I overheard them. But their conversation made me think a lot about a mission and what a mission does to build faith. I was grateful my father had confi- dence that I would serve a mission. I did decide to go, and it was a marvelous faith- building experience.
A Lifetime of Vigilance I have had many other experiences that have strengthened my faith. Some have been resident McKay occasion they were able to come to Salt Lake dramatic. But I have found that most often came outside, City and enjoy attending conference. faith comes through the quiet stirrings of the Psat down on During one session, he said, his father intro- heart as the Spirit speaks to our spirit. Even the top step, and duced him to President John Taylor (1808–87). a simple thing like taking the sacrament chatted with me President McKay told me, “I sat with President each Sunday is a faith-building experience for a few minutes. Taylor in the Tabernacle for a few minutes just for me. Attending the temple builds my faith. All these years later like I’m sitting with you on the top stair of this Participating in the Church and in my callings I still remember how porch.” He said President Taylor took off his builds my faith. All these experiences con- strongly I felt the coat, rolled up his shirtsleeve, and showed the tinue to sustain me. Spirit and the power evidence of the wounds he had sustained Developing faith requires a lifetime of vigi- of his prophetic while he was with the Prophet Joseph Smith in lance. I believe the Lord’s promise when He calling. Carthage Jail. said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and That was an impressive moment for me. ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened All these years later I still remember how unto you. strongly I felt the Spirit and the power of “For every one that asketh receiveth; and President McKay’s prophetic calling. he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Luke 11:9–10). Should I Serve a Mission? I know that as we seek to build our Yet another experience that built my faith faith, the Lord will pour out His blessings occurred when I was nearing my 19th birthday upon us. ■
52 VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE
covenant people, and each is an opportunity for which you agreed to Become an Instrument in the be accountable” (“Witnesses for God,” Hands of God by Caring for the Ensign, Nov. 1996, 31). Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Poor and Needy Bishop: “The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it is our responsibility ‘to Prayerfully select and of the least of these my brethren, ye feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, read from this message have done it unto me.” to provide for the widow, to dry up the scriptures and the tear of the orphan, to comfort teachings that meet the How Can I Be an Instrument to Care the afflicted, whether in this church needs of the sisters you visit. Share for Others? or in any other, or in no church at all, your experiences and testimony. Mosiah 4:26: “Ye should impart of wherever he finds them’ (Times and Invite those you teach to do the same. your substance to the poor, every man Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, 732). May we according to that which he hath, such be generous with our time and liberal What Does the Lord Say about as feeding the hungry, clothing the in our contributions for the care of Caring for the Poor and Needy? naked, visiting the sick and adminis- those who suffer” (“Go, and Do Thou Elder Russell M. Nelson of the tering to their relief, both spiritually Likewise,” Ensign, May 1997, 77). Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Our and temporally.” Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society Heavenly Father is concerned for [the Elder Henry B. Eyring of the general president: “The Lord’s Store- poor and needy]. They are all his chil- Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “I will house—where ‘there is enough and to dren. . . . The poor—especially wid- never again see home teaching or vis- spare’—is [symbolically] what the Lord ows, orphans, and strangers—have iting teaching as only programs. has placed in each of us (D&C long been the concern of God and . . . Such work is an oppor- 104:17). It is one woman the godly. . . . To those who cared for tunity, not a burden. . . . making a difference for the poor, blessings were promised” Every member has made another. It is one sister (“In the Lord’s Own Way,” Ensign, a covenant to do works offering to listen or May 1986, 25). of kindness as the Savior talk with a sister Matthew 25:37–40: “Then shall the would do. So any call to who may be righteous answer him, saying, Lord, bear witness and to care for lonely. It is a sister when saw we thee an hungred, and fed others is not a request for developing a close thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? extra service; it is a blessing friendship with the sis- “When saw we thee a stranger, and designed by a loving Heavenly ter she visit teaches. It is took thee in? or naked, and clothed Father and His Son, Jesus you and me with our thee? Christ. . . . Each is a chance to strengths, our skills, and “Or when saw we thee sick, or in prove what bless- our talents blessing the prison, and came unto thee? ings flow from life of another” (“Welfare, “And the King shall answer and being a the Crowning Principle of say unto them, Verily I say unto a Christian Life,” BYU you, Inasmuch as ye Women’s Conference, have done it unto one May 1, 2003, 3). ■ PHOTOGRAPHS BY CRAIG DIMOND, EXCEPT AS NOTED; INSET: PHOTOGRAPH BY WELDEN C. ANDERSEN, POSED BY MODELS; POSED BY BORDER © ARTBEATS WELDEN C. ANDERSEN, BY PHOTOGRAPH INSET: AS NOTED; EXCEPT CRAIG DIMOND, BY PHOTOGRAPHS ENSIGN APRIL 2007 53
NAME WITHHELD
My roommate’s unspoken comfort I struggled to control my emotions as I stood and found helped me feel I was not carrying the nearest exit. I increased my pace and walked as quickly my burden alone. as I could to my dorm, not wanting my emotions to spill out in public. Tears still trickled out, despite my efforts to uring my freshman year at Brigham Young hold them in. University, the Relief Society leaders of my singles I reached my dorm room and broke down in sobs. My Dward decided to organize a special fireside celebrat- heart wrenched with the pain of being the only woman ing the relationship between mothers and daughters. in the ward whose mother hadn’t written. As I sat there At the end of the beautiful program, one of the organ- drowning in my pain, a sympathetic figure quietly came in izers announced that they had privately contacted our and wrapped her arms around me. My roommate, Brenda, mothers and asked each mother to write her daughter held me close and cried with me. a letter. One by one, each young woman received a letter. A visit from an angel would not have been sweeter. Tender feelings rose to the surface, and I could hear I still felt the pain, but I no longer felt I carried it alone. sniffles throughout the room as the Relief Society sisters That simple yet divine act gave me insight into what it read their mothers’ words. As the stack of letters yet to means to mourn with those who mourn and comfort be handed out grew smaller, I developed a knot in the those who stand in need of comfort (see Mosiah 18:9). pit of my stomach. I wondered if the program organizers Since that time I often ponder the occasion when Jesus had been able to contact my mother, who for the past came to see Lazarus four days after Lazarus’s death. Even several years had lived an unstable lifestyle. At times I though Jesus knew that Lazarus would soon be raised from didn’t even know where she was, and my efforts to con- the dead, He felt compassion for the sorrow of others and tact her were often unfruitful. wept (see John 11:32–35). After the last letter was handed out, I sat empty-handed. Although I am far from perfect at putting this principle Then, almost apologetically, someone handed me an enve- into action, I have learned that the greatest gift we can lope with the bishop’s handwriting on it. Although I appre- give someone who is suffering isn’t advice about how ciated the kind words in his letter and have kept the letter things will get better, how we should be grateful it isn’t to this day, it is hard to describe the intensity of painful worse, or how we need to have faith. Sometimes the emotions that swept over me like a wildfire. Embarrass- things we say in our efforts to help actually come across ment, humiliation, anger at my mother’s choices and the as judgmental or trivialize the depth of sorrow the person pain they had caused me, and a feeling of rejection all is experiencing. The greatest gift I ever received in a seared my heart. While tearful women shared unspoken, time of pain came in the form of a sweet roommate who tender moments with their mothers, I felt as if I were at a shared the pain with me, dividing it up between the two ■ PHOTOGRAPH OF HANDS BY ROBERT CASEY; PHOTOGRAPHS OF ENVELOPE AND LETTER © GETTY IMAGES OF ENVELOPE PHOTOGRAPHS ROBERT CASEY; OF HANDS BY PHOTOGRAPH feast but not allowed to eat. of us so it would be easier for me to carry.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 55 TheThe ExtraordinaryExtraordinary LifeLife ofof
he extraordi- nary life of TParley P. Pratt began two centuries ago this month. In 1853, a boyhood friend requested from Parley, then age 46, a “history of [his] life.” Parley responded that a full account “would overload the mail” and would seem “far more strange . . . than the thousand volumes of modern fiction.” Nevertheless, Parley obliged his friend, explaining that devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ had taken him far from his youthful home in New York. He had “crossed the Atlantic six times” on missions to England, explored the western United States, visited gold rush California, and eaten “figs fresh from the trees” in Chile. As a minister of Christ, Parley had “been honored and received as an Apostle, and scorned as a Devil.” Indeed, his beliefs had entangled him in a wide range of difficulties: “I have lain months in gloomy dun- geons, and been loaded with chains. I have been visited there by visions of Angels and Spirits, and been delivered by miracles.” During his life, he said he had been a farmer, a servant, a fisher, a digger, a preacher, an author, an editor, a traveler, a merchant, an elder, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ.1 Parley concluded that the gospel of Jesus ParleyParley P.PrattP.Pratt Christ had transformed his own life, and he BY MATTHEW J. GROW invited his friend to seek out the Church.
“I have lain months in gloomy dungeons, and Early Life been loaded with chains. I have been visited Born on April 12, 1807, in Burlington, New there by visions of Angels and Spirits, and been York, Parley was the third of five sons born to delivered by miracles.” Jared and Charity Dickinson Pratt. Jared was a weaver and farmer who occasionally taught
56 Left: Parley P. Pratt, about 1853. Above: Elder Pratt and The Book of Mormon his wife Belinda B. Marden. Returning to Ohio, Parley was swept up by the religious teachings of Sidney Rigdon, a minister of the Campbellite school. In the generation following the American movement, which sought to restore the practices of New Revolution, new technology and expanding transportation Testament Christianity. In Rigdon, Parley found someone networks revolutionized the economy, propelling many who taught the “ancient gospel in due form.” Still he felt towards success but consigning others to poverty. As with that “one great link” was missing: the “authority to minis- Joseph Smith’s family, prosperity always seemed just out of ter in holy things—the apostleship.”5 reach for the hardworking Pratts, causing them to move In 1830, then 23, Parley felt a call to abandon his farm several times in search of better prospects. Despite their and preach the gospel, believing that God would provide toil, debt hounded Jared and Charity. As a consequence, in financially for him and Thankful. After selling their prop- 1822 they boarded Parley, then 15, and his younger brother erty at “great sacrifice,” the young couple, with $10 in their Orson, 11, with local farmers as hired help. Parley compen- pockets, took a boat from Cleveland, Ohio, to Buffalo, New sated for a limited formal education through reading. York.6 At Buffalo they took passage on the Erie Canal, “I always loved a book,” he remembered.2 headed for Albany. But Parley followed a prompting to At a young age Parley faced the religious ferment disembark prematurely at Newark, while Thankful that bewildered Joseph Smith at about the traveled on to their final destination. same time. Jared and Charity did not As a result, Parley was introduced to the Book belong to a church, though they fre- of Mormon, an experience that forever quently attended various denominations changed his life. He later recalled: “I read and taught their sons a respect for the all day; eating was a burden, I had no Bible and Christian faith. Parley became a desire for food; sleep was a burden religious seeker, beginning a serious study of when the night came, for I preferred the scriptures at age 12. As he grew older, he reading to sleep.” Feeling the confir- wondered at the discrepancies between biblical mation of the Holy Ghost, Parley teachings and contemporary churches. Desiring wrote: “I knew and comprehended that the to follow God, Parley joined a Baptist church at book was true. . . . My joy was now full.”7 age 18, though he remained dissatisfied. In September 1830 Determined to meet Joseph Smith, Parley The following year the Pratts lost their farm, Parley P. Pratt first traveled to Palmyra, where he instead found prompting Parley to move to frontier Ohio, encountered the Hyrum Smith, who instructed him about the where he envisioned conducting missionary Book of Mormon. Restoration. In the Church of Jesus Christ, work among Native Americans. After spending “I read all day; . . . Parley recognized the authority, simplicity, a winter in a “small hut” with only the Bible I preferred reading and purity he had long sought. On Sep- and a “few other books” for companions,3 he to sleep. I knew and tember 1, 1830, he was baptized by Oliver returned to New York the following spring to comprehended that Cowdery. see Thankful Halsey, whom he had previously the book was true. courted. Parley shared his religious views with . . . My joy was now Missionary Labors her and asked her to marry him. Thankful, 10 full.” From the moment of his conversion, Parley years his senior, accepted, telling him, “I never became a tireless missionary. The Sunday after can be happy without you.”4 his baptism, Parley wrote that he preached
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 57 Parley P. Pratt (left) organized Left: In 1834 Parley a School of the Prophets in recruited for and served Jackson County, Missouri. in the Zion’s Camp expedition. ILENCE, YE FIENDS, BY ROBERT BARRETT BY THE WILDERNESS, GO INTO
Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer Jr., and Ziba Zion’s Camp. In 1835, along with his brother Orson, he Peterson walked more than 1,500 miles on their 1830 received a call as one of the original Twelve Apostles. The mission to the Indians in Missouri. following spring, Parley—deeply in debt and with Thankful seriously ill—hesitated about serving another mission. JOSEPH SMITH ORDAINING PARLEY P PRATT AS AN APOSTLE, before “a large concourse of people. . . . The Holy Ghost Heber C. Kimball, a fellow Apostle, blessed Parley with spe- STRUGGLE AT ZION’S CAMP, COURTESY OF LDS CHURCH ARCHIVES; STRUGGLE AT (FROM LEFT): PHOTOGRAPH TOP came upon me mightily . . . and four heads of families came cific promises: Thankful would be healed and would give forward expressing their faith, and were baptized.”8 Soon birth to a son, their first after nine years of marriage, and after, Parley baptized his younger brother Orson; eventually, Parley would fulfill a mission in Canada which would serve his two older brothers would follow. as a stepping-stone for the gospel to be taken to England.9 In October 1830 Joseph Smith received a revelation Elder Kimball’s blessing proved prophetic. In Canada, directing Parley and three other missionaries (including Parley helped convert several individuals who became Oliver Cowdery) to take the gospel to Indian tribes on the some of the first missionaries to England, including John western frontier in Missouri (see D&C 32:1–2). Over the Taylor, later the third President of the Church, and his wife next four months, Parley and his companions traveled Leonora. Following Parley’s return, Thankful gave birth to some 1,500 miles, mostly on foot, to Missouri, preaching to a son in March 1837, though she died a few hours later. various tribes. They also stopped in Mentor, Ohio, not far When Parley returned to Kirtland from his Canadian from Kirtland, where Parley taught his former religious mission, he found himself embroiled in various conflicts mentor, Sidney Rigdon. Kirtland quickly pulsed with reli- that threatened the Church, resulting from a combination gious excitement; within weeks, Rigdon and more than 100 of internal divisions, persecution, and a national financial others in the region had converted. The center of Church panic. The crisis jeopardized his faith, leaving him tem- membership quickly shifted from New York to Ohio. The porarily disillusioned with the Prophet Joseph Smith. Lord, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, soon directed the Soon, however, Parley humbled himself and begged entire Church to gather to the Ohio (see D&C 37). Joseph’s forgiveness. Over the next few years, Parley served short preaching missions, organized a School of the Prophets in Jackson Imprisonment County (see D&C 97:3), experienced the tumult of When Missourians forced the Saints from the state in Missouri persecution, and recruited for and marched in late 1838, Parley was arrested with other Church leaders
58 Left: In 1835 Parley P. Pratt and his brother Orson were ordained members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Right: In November 1838 the Prophet rebuked the guards at the Richmond Jail. The guards ceased their blasphemous talk and begged his pardon.
and imprisoned for eight months in Richmond and The Written Word Columbia, Missouri. Temporarily detained with President The month after his escape, Parley, along with most of
BY SUSAN COMISH BY Smith and others in a hotel in Independence on the way to the Twelve Apostles, left on a mission for England. Upon BY CLARK KELLY PRICE; CLARK KELLY BY Richmond, he slipped out unnoticed one snowy morning arrival, Parley enthusiastically wrote Mary, “Here is a and quickly reached the woods outside the city. However, boundless harvest for the next 15 to 20 years, . . . and here, when he realized that his escape might subject his brethren if the Lord will, I expect to spend 5 or 10 years at least.”14 to a “storm of trouble, or even of death,” he chose to Soon joined by Mary, Parley remained in England until return to the hotel.10 Though homeless and imprisoned, October 1842. Though he overestimated his stay, his opti- BY WALTER RANE; S ILENCE, YE FIENDS, WALTER BY with his family and the Saints exiled from the state, Parley mism proved well-founded. During the mission of Parley felt “more firm than ever in the faith of Jesus.”11 and the other Apostles, missionary work in England His love and respect for the Prophet Joseph also deep- exploded, and shiploads of emigrants were soon headed ened. One night in the Richmond Jail, as guards in “dread- for Nauvoo. In England, Parley served as the founding edi- ful blasphemies and filthy language” boasted of their tor of a newspaper, the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, participation in the Saints’ persecution, Joseph rebuked which continued in publication until 1970. them in the name of Jesus Christ in a “voice of thunder”: In his missionary labors throughout his life, Parley “SILENCE, ye fiends of the infernal pit. . . . Cease turned instinctively to writing and publishing. such talk, or you or I die THIS INSTANT!” The During his era the availability of cheap pam- JOSEPH SMITH ORDAINING PARLEY P. PRATT AS AN APOSTLE, PRATT P. PARLEY JOSEPH SMITH ORDAINING “quailing guards . . . begged his pardon.” phlets and newspapers rapidly increased, and STRUGGLE AT ZION’S CAMP, COURTESY OF LDS CHURCH ARCHIVES; STRUGGLE AT (FROM LEFT): PHOTOGRAPH TOP Parley wrote, “Dignity and majesty have I opponents of the Church used the printed seen but once, as it stood in chains, at mid- word to condemn the Saints and misrepre- night, in a dungeon in an obscure village of sent their beliefs. Parley also understood the Missouri.”12 power of print and used publishing to Following the transfer of Joseph and other advance the cause of the gospel, printing and prisoners to Liberty Jail, Parley remained in distributing pamphlets by the thousands. He Richmond Jail. While imprisoned, he espe- was blessed with a poetic mind, a romantic cially felt the absence of his family, writing his Inset: Elder Orson spirit, and an engaging style, and his volumi- second wife, Mary Ann Frost, “Locks and bars, Pratt, 1853. nous writings ensured that the Latter-day rivers and distance separate us, and still I love From the moment Saint message received an eloquent defense. you, but am doomed to languish out long of his conversion, Parley was comfortable with various liter- months and perhaps years deprived of your Parley P. Pratt became ary genres and wrote poetry, fiction, hymns, society while my little ones grow, and change a tireless missionary. short essays, and expansive books. Three of their size and appearance without one sweet Just a few weeks after his hymns appeared in the first Latter-day kiss or fond embrace from a father who loves his own baptism, he Saint hymnal in 1835. In England he received them dearer than life.”13 Parley had a dream baptized his younger an assignment to publish a new hymnal. in which his first wife, Thankful, comforted brother Orson. Parley told Brigham Young, “As to hymns, I am him and promised his eventual release. His Eventually their two writing several new ones every day, and am in brother Orson helped him escape, fittingly, older brothers, Anson hopes to contribute 100 new ones to the vol- on Independence Day, July 4, 1839, from the 15 While he did not reach and William, were ume we now print.” jail in Columbia, after which they joined the his goal, the new hymnal contained nearly 50 also baptized. Saints at Nauvoo. of his hymns. The current hymnal contains
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 59 Left: From 1839 to 1842, Elder Pratt Left: While in England Elder Pratt served a mission in England with founded a newspaper, the other Apostles. They baptized Latter-day Saints’ Millennial thousands, and shiploads of emigrants Star. He served as its editor until were soon headed for Nauvoo. his return to the United States. , THE END OF PARLEY’S STREET THE END OF PARLEY’S BY JOSEPH BRICKEY BY EMBARKATION OF THE SAINTS AT LIVERPOOL, OF THE SAINTS AT EMBARKATION COLD MISSOURI NIGHT,
On October 31, 1838, the Prophet, Elder Parley P. Pratt, Elder The Later Years Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, and George W. Robinson were Returning from England, Parley’s family shared in the taken prisoner by Missouri militiamen. hardships and the poverty of the Saints. In Nauvoo in 1843, his family—“consisting of wife and her sister, five seven of Parley’s hymns, including “The Morning Breaks,” children, hired girl, and hundreds of goers and comers”— “An Angel from on High,” “Come, O Thou King of Kings,” lived in “one small room.”16 Poverty, however, was prefer- and “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth.” able to separation, which he experienced often in his life Three books particularly depict the power and range of as a “wandering Pilgrim.”17 Aboard a ship on his way to a Parley’s writing. In 1837 Parley penned A Voice of Warning— short English mission in 1846, Parley groaned, “I am after the scriptures probably one of the most widely read Alone! Alone! Alone! O Horrible!”18 The joy of the ministry works among Church members for the next half century. compensated in part for the long absences. In addition, Instrumental in the conversion of thousands, A Voice of Parley was comforted by the doctrine of eternal family, Warning clearly laid out Latter-day Saint doctrines. In which taught him to love “with a pureness” and “an inten- 1855 Parley published his Key to the Science of Theology, sity of elevated, exalted feeling, which would lift my soul the first comprehensive exposition of LDS theology. In a from the transitory things of this grovelling sphere and more personal vein, his lively autobiography, written soon expand it as the ocean.”19 before his death but published thereafter, captures the In June 1844 Parley learned of the assassination of his spirit and excitement of the early decades of the beloved Prophet. Hurrying home to Nauvoo, he arrived Restoration. before any other Apostle (except John Taylor and Willard
60 att Left: Parley and his family were among those who left Nauvoo in frigid weather in February 1846. Right: Elder Pratt was murdered in May il 1857 while serving a mission in the eastern states. He is buried at Fine Springs, Arkansas.
Richards, who had been with Joseph Smith in the jail at approaching death. He wrote home, “I long to do my Carthage, Illinois). Parley opposed attempts by his former duty while here and then go to rest in the paradise of teacher, Sidney Rigdon, to reorganize Church leadership God.” Indeed, Parley stated, “I neither dread nor fear BY GLEN HOPKINSON BY in the absence of the Twelve Apostles. This helped ensure death, but I anticipate changing worlds with joy inex- that Brigham Young, not Rigdon, would become the next haustible.”22 In May 1857, shortly after his 50th birthday, leader of the Church. In February 1846 Parley and his fam- Parley was murdered outside the small town of Van ily were part of the forced exodus from Illinois. Like so Buren, Arkansas. many other Saints, he spent his last minutes in Nauvoo As he lay dying, Parley testified to those who had come traveling down Parley Street before ferrying his family to help: “I die a firm believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ across the Mississippi River. as revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith. . . . I know Parley provided crucial leadership in the trek to the Salt that the Gospel is true and that Joseph Smith was a Lake Valley and in the early exploration of Utah. During prophet of the living God, I am dying a martyr to the the winter of 1849–50, he led a 50-man expedition to faith.”23 Indeed, Parley’s testimony of Jesus Christ and the investigate possible settlement sites and natural resources Restoration resonates down through the years and in southern Utah. In the 1850s Parley traveled twice to strengthens us today. ■
California as president over a mission to “all the NOTES islands and coasts of the Pacific.”20 In 1851 he 1. See Parley P. Pratt to William Patterson, May 9, 1853, Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; hereafter sailed from gold rush San Francisco to cited as LDS Church Archives. Spelling standardized. 2. Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt Valparaiso, Chile, along with his wife and (1985), 2. For more on the Pratt family, see R. Steven another missionary, making the trio the first Pratt, “The Five Sons of Jared and Charity Pratt,” Ensign, Oct. 1979, 52. missionaries to South America. Unfortunately, 3. Pratt, Autobiography, 10.
THE END OF PARLEY’S STREET, STREET, THE END OF PARLEY’S NEAR RIGHT: LIVERPOOL,KEN BAXTER; TOP BY OF THE SAINTS AT EMBARKATION LEFT: FAR TOP 4. Pratt, Autobiography, 11. civil unrest, restrictive laws against non- 5. Pratt, Autobiography, 13. Catholic religions, struggles with the lan- 6. Pratt, Autobiography, 18. 7. Pratt, Autobiography, 20. guage, the death of an infant son, and lack of 8. Pratt, Autobiography, 27. 9. Pratt, Autobiography, 110. adequate funds cut short this early effort. 10. Pratt, Autobiography, 167. Parley continued to study Spanish, however, 11. Parley P. Pratt to Mrs. Rockwood, Dec. 9, 1838, A. P. Inset: Elder John Rockwood Collection, LDS Church Archives. and envisioned a day when the Church 12. Pratt, Autobiography, 179–80. Italics removed. Taylor, 1853. 13. Parley P. Pratt to Mary Ann Frost Pratt, LDS Church would sweep Latin America. While serving a Archives. Spelling and capitalization standardized. In 1856 Brigham Young called Parley on a 14. Parley P. Pratt to Mary Ann Frost Pratt, Apr. 6, 1840, mission in Canada LDS Church Archives. Spelling and punctuation mission to the eastern United States. Parley standardized. in 1836, Elder Pratt 15. Parley P. Pratt to Brigham Young, May 4, 1840, LDS had “desired, after traveling for twenty-five or helped convert Church Archives. Spelling and capitalization standardized. twenty-six years, mostly abroad, to stay at 16. Parley P. Pratt to John VanCott, May 7, 1843, LDS several individuals Church Archives. Spelling standardized. home and minister among the people of 17. Parley P. Pratt to Belinda Marden Pratt, Oct. 14, 1846, who became some of LDS Church Archives. God, and take care of my family.” Nevertheless, the first missionaries 18. Parley P. Pratt to Belinda Marden Pratt, Oct. 1, 1846, he accepted his call, telling the Saints, “If it is LDS Church Archives. Spelling standardized. to England, including 19. Autobiography, 260. the will of God that I should spend my days 20. Pratt, Autobiography, 355. John Taylor, who 21. Journal of Discourses, 5:196–97. in proclaiming this Gospel and bearing testi- later became the 22. Parley P. Pratt to Belinda Marden Pratt, Jan. 27, 1857, LDS mony of these things, I shall think myself Church Archives. Spelling and capitalization standardized. third President of the 23. John A. Peel, as quoted in Steven Pratt, “Eleanor highly privileged and honoured.”21 McLean and the Murder of Parley P. Pratt,” Brigham Church. Young University Studies, winter 1975, 248. While on his mission, Parley sensed his
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 61 OThe Examplene of
BY ELDER BRUCE C. HAFEN Of the Seventy he recent e-mail subject line brought German apartment that was probably as big me sad news: “Funeral for Wendy as our bedroom today, with us sitting on the T Knaupp.” As I brushed away the tears, edge of the bed/couch [facing the missionar- I thought of the day more than 40 years ago ies]. I remember feeling marvel and relief. I when my missionary companion and I met had always felt that there must be something Wendy and Paul Knaupp near a flower shop like that out there somewhere. It didn’t make inside the Frankfurt train station. A young sense that God would leave us to blindly stum- One woman’s American couple in Germany on military duty, ble around as we were so obviously doing. . . . example—as wife, they were far from home, expecting their first It seemed so right and I believed it.” mother, and human baby. Because our mission president had just Soon after deciding to be baptized, how- being—radiated urged us to be “every moment a missionary,” ever, Wendy and Paul heard from a family the message of the we struck up a conversation with them. member who criticized the Church’s policy gospel. As we taught them the missionary dis- about who could receive the priesthood. They cussions, I was impressed with the light in became confused and discouraged. They said Wendy’s soul. She was cheerful and bright we shouldn’t visit them again—except once and spiritually very alive. She sensed the more to say good-bye. We didn’t know how to meaning of the Restoration with sure in- answer their questions but knew we had one stincts. It was a privilege to be close enough last chance. As we talked I felt prompted to to watch her testimony grow and watch that read with them a scripture I had recently light in her face increase. noticed in my personal study, the story of More than 30 years later, Wendy recalled Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10–11. That night I her first visit with us: “I will always remember realized a fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to the feeling I had when I first heard the Joseph missionaries: “It shall be given you in the very Smith story! I can picture our tiny upstairs hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall
62 hat first impressed W Libby most about the Church was say . . . [and] the Holy Ghost shall [bear] Paul and Wendy were baptized. Soon they the power of Wendy’s record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say” were sealed in the temple. Amid the normal personal example. (D&C 100:6, 8). We all felt a spirit of peace as trials of family life, they raised five children For Libby, at least at we prayed together. who eventually all became active in the the beginning, Wendy Years later Wendy said of this same experi- Church. Some served missions. Paul was a herself was the ence: “I don’t remember what they told us or schoolteacher. Paul and Wendy sang beautiful message of the what we talked about, but that light . . . the duets in church together. Wendy led her ward Restoration. Spirit . . . was back and I knew that it was choir for years. They loved the temple and true, and that even though I didn’t under- came to know for themselves “the joy of the stand everything completely, the message saints” (Enos 1:3). was still true and we needed to accept it, and Once while attending church in London, that at some future time we would come to my wife, Marie, and I met a woman named
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICHAEL T. MALM MICHAEL T. BY ILLUSTRATIONS understand.” Libby Casas from Maine. Because the Knaupps
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 63 f missionary were the only people we then knew in Maine, He wants, and I am in His care.” She expressed work, we asked if she knew them. Her face lit up: gratitude for the gospel and her family, then OPresident “Know them? Wendy is my dear friend. She wrote, “Isn’t the Lord wonderful!” Gordon B. Hinckley introduced me to the gospel!” Wendy had met Now Wendy is gone, and her family misses has said, “Everyone Libby in a Laundromat—two mothers doing her terribly. When her son wrote us about her that you see come their family laundry—and shared the gospel death, he said, “Thank you for bringing Mom into the Church with Libby just as we had done with Wendy in into the light of the gospel. She has lived in because of your the train station. What first impressed Libby obedience to the commandments.” He said effort will bring most about the Church was the power of his mother once wrote to him, “I love the happiness into Wendy’s personal example—as mother, wife, Lord and am eternally grateful [to Him] for your lives.” and human being. For Libby, at least at the bringing the priceless gospel into my life. I beginning, Wendy herself was the message of want to prove faithful more than anything the Restoration. else and am really trying to do so.” The Knaupps later lived in Oregon. Then Because the gospel was everything to last year, after we heard that Wendy had can- Wendy and her family, those of us who were cer, we were blessed to discover them visit- her missionaries understand “how great shall ing in Utah during general conference. be your joy” (D&C 18:15) with her in our Wendy’s husband, their returned missionary Father’s kingdom. The gospel was everything son, and I gave her a blessing. We shared our to her, so my missionary experience with her experiences from the past four decades. It means everything to me. No wonder the Lord was clear that the gospel meant absolutely said that doing missionary work is “the thing everything to them. It was the center and which will be of the most worth unto you” purpose of their lives and their children’s (D&C 15:6; emphasis added). lives. Paul and Wendy fervently wanted to be President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: healthy so they could fulfill their dream of “I want to plead with the Saints to do all that serving a mission together. you possibly can to provide referrals [of peo- Not long before she died, Wendy wrote to ple] whom [the missionaries] might teach. me in a letter, “I really feel that . . . Everyone that you see come into the I am in the arms of the Church because of your effort will bring hap- Lord. He can do anything piness into your lives. I make that as a prom- ise to each of you” (“Inspirational Thoughts,” Liahona and Ensign, Oct. 2003, 3). I have tasted firsthand what that promise means. I too plead with you to introduce even one person to the Church this year—and not to give up when they encounter some opposi- tion. If you make sure that opportunity does not pass you by, you will say with Wendy Knaupp, “Isn’t the Lord wonderful!” ■ BY HEIDI CAMP Unclogging the Kitchen Sink The next morning, I geared up to fix the During a difficult moment, sink. Our home is 80 years old with many of I learned a powerful lesson the charming original elements. Unfortunately, this includes the plumbing—which is far from about repentance. charming. My kitchen sink clogs up about twice t all started on a beautiful summer evening a year, so I had watched my husband dismantle, when I was least expecting it. My husband had rooter, plunge, and shake the plumbing to free Itaken our son on a trip to celebrate his high up the flow of water. I thought to myself, “I am school graduation, leaving me home with our 12- strong. I can do this. Who needs a plumber?” year-old daughter. I was completing last-minute I threw on my oldest sweats and a wrinkled preparations for a birthday party for my mother, T-shirt. I didn’t even comb my hair, but pulled with just 15 minutes until my extended family was it up in a tangled ponytail. Then I proceeded due to arrive. And then the sink clogged up—way to dismantle the kitchen plumbing. After loos- up. Dirty water gurgled into the sink, bringing ening the first fitting, I was surprised with a with it the muck from the plumbing and filling less-than-refreshing shower of water. But after the sink to the brim with a silty, smelly mess. some experimentation, I was able to success- So I did what any self-respecting homemaker fully drain the water from the sink into a bucket would do—I covered the sink with a large cutting with a minimal amount of sloshing onto the
ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRANDON DORMAN BY ILLUSTRATIONS board and intentionally ignored it for the night. floor. I was now wet and smelly but quite
LESSON FROM A SINKCLOGGED 65 REFRESHING FORGIVENESS “Peace is the precious fruit of a righteous life. It is possible because of the Atonement of the Savior. It is earned through full repentance, for that leads to refreshing forgiveness. Repentance opens the doors of enlightenment and aids inspiration. Repentance brings salvation through forgiveness.” Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Path to Peace and Joy,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 26.
pleased with myself. I could now figure out what to do Cleaning Up the Mess about the offending clog, which was somewhere in the As often happens in life, my ultimate humiliation labyrinth of plumbing in my basement. came at precisely the same moment as my enlightenment. Then the doorbell rang. Muttering to myself, I opened the Brother Bowers pulled the rooter cord back out of the door just a crack, lest the visitor see me in all my undignified pipe, bringing with it some of the gloppy, black goop. glory. Standing there was Brother Douglas Bowers, a mem- I was disgusted that I could have this kind of unsightly ber of our stake. My initial response was horror because I gunk in my pipe and embarrassed that now Brother knew what I looked like and smelled like, but this quickly Bowers knew it. I said something witty like, “Oh, how dissolved into disbelief when he announced, “I understand disgusting!” He smiled and said, “That’s just life. We all you’re having problems with a drain—I’m here to help.” have muck in our pipes.” It turns out my sweet 12-year-old had quietly “worked” the With the cleansing power of the garden hose, he ward “calling tree” until she could find some help. Brother flushed out the muck and cleaned the pipes. He quickly Bowers was the only poor soul unlucky enough to be home this reassembled all the parts and pieces and smiled as fresh, Saturday morning. And without hesitation he had come to help. clean water flowed from my faucet into the sink and Within 10 minutes he had dismantled the appropriate through the pipes. couplings and orchestrated a creative construct of a gar- I was struck that the pipes were a metaphor for life. den hose, some rags, and a grapefruit. Then he proceeded We all have muck in the pipes of our souls. At one point to blast out my clogged pipes. I watched in awe as he or another, we’ve all been too embarrassed, or too afraid rootered and wrangled, hardly even getting his hands dirty. of humiliation, or too caught up in our own abilities, to Through it all, despite my relief and gratitude, I was ask for the help we need to clean it out. But when we fighting a sense of mortification—not only because of how humble ourselves enough to seek the Lord’s help—as I looked and smelled, but also because—Oh, my gosh!— my daughter sought the help of Brother Bowers—His he saw my basement, as well as my dirty dishes, my over- response is to love us and help us clean up the mess. flowing garbage can, and my dirty kitchen floor. Then He rejoices with us.
66 How often have we put off the process of personal repen- flowers reflect the light of early evening. I reminded her that tance because we were just too embarrassed? How often even she probably couldn’t recall the specific weeds she had have we been more concerned pulled; rather, each week she focuses about what our neighbors will her efforts on the new weeds that have think than about the sweet joy taken root, working to keep her garden that comes from having clean clean and beautiful. hearts and souls? HELPS FOR HOME EVENING As I watched Brother Bowers in my I had a friend tell me once Most Ensign articles can be used for family kitchen that Saturday morning, I was that she was too afraid to talk home evening discussions, personal reflection, reminded that despite our best inten- with her bishop because she be- or teaching the gospel in a variety of settings. tions and outward show, sometimes life lieved that members of her ward 1. Ask family members what areas of the is just plain hard. Through the process, would always look at her differ- home they would not want a visitor to see and the pipes of our souls occasionally get ently and would never be able to why. Relate the story and ask your family how clogged up with muck—with mistakes, forget the mess she made of her they would feel if this happened to them. Use with heartache, with bitterness, with life. This sister has a beautiful the article to discuss how the Savior can help unforgiving. We don’t have to hide the flower garden in her yard. I sug- us repent and improve the unkempt areas of “dirty basements” of our souls from gested to her that after she our lives. Christ—He already knows what’s works for hours weeding the 2. As a family, fix or clean a problem area there. The Savior has given us the flower garden, no one ever walks in the home. Discuss how it would feel to cleansing power of the Atonement, a by her garden and snickers about have done this project alone. Together read gift that is available to each of us if we the weeds that used to be there. Ether 12:27. Identify how the Savior, priesthood but humble ourselves—and trust our Instead, they just smile at how leaders, family, and friends can help us over- Savior enough—to take advantage of it. beautiful the garden looks and come our weaknesses. He is anxiously waiting for us to invite how brilliantly the colors of the Him to help. ■
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 67 Confirming the Call As I struggled to fill the call I had received, I learned valuable lessons in hearing the voice of the Spirit.
68 BY A. WAYNE BAKER “You have supposed that I would give it unto you, when s president of a stake auxiliary, I needed a secretary. you took no thought save it was to ask me” (v. 7). When Heeding the pattern set forth in Doctrine and answers don’t come immediately, I’ve learned to return to A Covenants 9:7–9, I studied the readiness and studying out the issues and forming new decisions until abilities of many brethren, made a selection, and on a these steps bring a discernible result. Sabbath afternoon placed the decision before the Lord. I hurried to submit the name of this friend to the stake I thought I understood the process fairly well because I’d presidency so they might issue the call. Proper procedure used it many times before. However, I felt no confirming was followed, but there was a question about the brother’s feeling from the Spirit. After meditating, I asked again but spiritual readiness to fill the calling. I was asked to consider still did not get an answer. What was wrong? another name. I changed my prayer and asked instead, “If this brother What a dilemma! I knew my leaders to be inspired men is not the correct selection, please cause my bosom to of God, yet they had not acted upon my recommenda- burn within me.” Nothing happened. tion. Had their spiritual insight been Lesson one for me: The Spirit different from my own? Perhaps I does not bear witness to that which had made an error. Fasting, I is not correct. Neither request could approached the Lord in prayer once be answered because both dealt with more. Again I received a strong con- wrong decisions. Suddenly I realized firmation that this brother was the that I had experienced a “stupor of one to call. thought” (D&C 9:9) in both cases Wanting to sustain my stake lead- and that I needed to “study it out” ers, I decided to call the counselor (v. 8) again. over my auxiliary, explain my Another day came, and I pre- dilemma, and ask for counsel. He lis- sented another name to the Lord. tened and promised to bring the Still no confirmation came. For some matter to the attention of the stake time after that, I studied scriptures president. Upon hearing about my The call was issued and accepted. I said, and prayerfully meditated upon the experiences, the president reconsid- “I want you to know that you were truly problem. After I had presented more ered his earlier decision and then called of God.” than a dozen names, all without said, “Issue that call right now!” results, the selection process became more difficult: I The call was issued and accepted. My friend was sus- would have to consider brethren for whom human wis- tained and set apart. I said to him, “I want you to know that dom cried out, “There is little chance the Lord will you were truly called of God,” and I related the struggle I’d approve him at this time.” had and the sweet confirming Spirit I’d eventually received. In the meantime, a very close friend of mine who He replied, “I know that is true because I have been served as secretary in a social club was making a struggle praying that I would be called to be your secretary.” to become active in the Church. He had great ability and Tears of joy were shed. In time this good brother went was a man of integrity but lacked, in my judgment, spiritual on to serve as a bishop, then as a counselor in a stake maturity. Nevertheless, I finally submitted his name to the presidency. Lord. A penetrating burning filled my bosom. There could Lesson three for me: When we follow the Lord’s instruc- be no mistake. He was the one the Lord wanted to serve as tions to study, ask, and receive confirmation of the Spirit secretary in the organization I presided over. before moving ahead on a decision, the Lord’s will can be Lesson two for me: Stay at it until you receive confirma- revealed and His purposes more readily accomplished in tion or experience a stupor of thought. Sometimes we our lives. I’m grateful for the lessons I learned and for the pray for inspiration but fail to take time to determine “if it abiding trust I know we can place in our Heavenly Father be right” (D&C 9:8). The Lord counseled Oliver Cowdery, to lead us aright. ■ ILLUSTRATIONS BY PAUL MANN PAUL BY ILLUSTRATIONS ENSIGN APRIL 2007 69 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES
The Poem By Alice Faulkner
hen I was a child, I found a poem on a page that had Wbeen torn from a pamphlet someone had ripped apart and strewn on the sidewalk. I grew up in public housing projects and was a loner, but I had three escapes: books, Elvis Presley movies, and poetry. I loved poetry. It spoke to a part of me I could not identify. There urious seemed to be no word to about describe it. Curious about the Cthe poem, poem, I picked it up and took I picked it up and it home. took it home. There another home opened the hymnbook to the I read that poem every day, was something in somewhere, and if page indicated and saw the poem I sometimes several times a day, it that spoke to me I really tried I could had found all those years ago. The in the years that followed. Sitting and touched me. sort of remember it. arrangement was different from the in class, walking the halls to and The poem encour- one I had sung aloud to myself when from classes, sitting alone at aged these feelings. I couldn’t sleep or when I would recess, I would find parts of that From time to time I awaken in the middle of the night poem coming to my mind. I had would remove it from my drawer and crying, but I recognized even the never memorized a poem before, read it. I wondered how many people notes that sounded from the piano. but this one was different. There was like me there were in the world and if O my Father, thou that dwellest something in it that spoke to me and I would ever meet any of them. In the high and glorious place, touched me. For a wise and glorious purpose When shall I regain thy presence Ofttimes a secret something Thou hast placed me here on earth And again behold thy face? Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,” And withheld the recollection While everyone else sang “O My And I felt that I had wandered Of my former friends and birth. Father” (Hymns, no. 292), I could From a more exalted sphere. Imagine my surprise many years only sit and cry, knowing that God I always felt different from other later when, as an investigator sitting had placed that song in my path
children. I felt at times that there was in my first sacrament meeting, I as a child. BRIAN CALL BY ILLUSTRATIONS
70 In thy holy habitation, aching heart yearning to know once This woman’s patriarchal blessing Did my spirit once reside? more its Eternal Father. promised her the joys of mother- In my first primeval childhood, hood. But years passed while she and I had learned to call thee Father, Was I nurtured near thy side? her husband prayed and waited for Thru thy Spirit from on high, children. Finally, their prayers were But, until the key of knowledge As I sat in that sacrament meeting, answered. For nine months their lives Was restored, I knew not why. ■ listening to my poem being sung by were filled with joyous preparations. the congregation, I knew I was on They painted a special room; bought the right path. I knew that what the furniture, clothes, and other baby missionaries were teaching me was My Son Also supplies; and offered many prayers. true. I knew that The Church of Jesus Lives The doctors said she would never be Christ of Latter-day Saints was the able to have another baby after this By Brenda Hunt only true Church of God on earth. So one, so her dreams were wrapped up when I knelt and asked God if it was in this child. right before Him that I be baptized woman in my ward taught me The day came when this sister gave and confirmed into the Church, I a priceless lesson about the birth and heard the cry of her baby. wasn’t surprised when the answer A sweet peace that comes from “It’s a beautiful boy,” the nurse said. was yes. a sure faith in Jesus Christ and After three weeks of lessons by His Atonement. Elder Walker and Elder Whittaker, I was lowered into the waters of baptism. I was washed clean, cleaner than I had ever felt and could ever imagine being. Accompanying these elders in the circle of priesthood holders inally, the who participated in confirming couple’s me a member was my first F prayers bishop, the man who answered were answered. the phone the day I called They bought requesting that missionaries furniture, clothes, visit me. and other baby I could hear the words of supplies. my beloved poem like a sweet refrain floating above and weaving itself between each person I met and each act that brought me into the Church— words that had touched an LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES
The mother closed her eyes and almost out loud: “I already know this. offered a prayer of thanksgiving. I have taught this lesson numerous Four minutes later, the baby was Why Was the times these past two years. I am dead. Spirit Telling grateful to feel thy Spirit, but please I saw her in sacrament meeting witness to our investigator as well!” two weeks afterward. As the music Me? A short time after this evening, I director, she walked to the front of By Roger B. Woolstenhulme met with my mission president, and the chapel and took her seat beside he informed me that my mother had the organ. Under her direction we n the summer of 1980, I was near- been killed in a tragic automobile sang “I Know That My Redeemer ing the end of my service in the accident. Naturally, this sudden loss Lives” (Hymns, no. 136). She stood I Massachusetts Boston Mission. came as a tremendous shock to my straight and tall, her face bright, her One evening we had an appointment family and our entire community. But testimony radiating. At times the to teach a promising young college once the emotions of the moment words came with great difficulty for student about the plan of salvation. passed and I had occasion to reflect, her. She swallowed Several times during the I recalled with perfect clarity the pow- and pressed her lips everal times course of the lesson, I was erful witness of the Spirit I’d received together. Then she during the almost overwhelmed as the during that plan of salvation lesson. stopped singing, but Scourse Holy Ghost repeatedly wit- I knew that this was the work of a her arm continued to of the lesson, nessed to me that the princi- loving Heavenly Father preparing move, conducting us I was almost ples we were teaching were me for the loss that was to come. as we sang. overwhelmed by true. I remember praying Later, with tears the Holy Ghost. coursing down her cheeks, this sister bore her testimony in these simple words: “I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that He is just and that He loves us. And because He lives, my son also lives.” In her faith I saw an assur- ance of the reality of our Redeemer, whose Atonement for us makes immortality and eternal life possible. Her son had been taken, but she knew that he would be restored to her someday. ■
72 called the missionary I back and asked him what he needed. He was surprised and replied that he A day never passes that I do not called. I noted who it had not called me. me I needed to talk to you miss the teaching and companionship was and pushed the immediately.” of my mother. But a day also never appropriate button to We talked for a time, and his passes that I am not reminded of how call him back. problem was solved. a loving Heavenly Father carefully pre- The missionary When I spoke with him two pared me for that loss. ■ answered the phone, days later, I asked the elder and after a brief greeting, I asked him again if he had called me. “No, what he needed. He was surprised President,” he replied, “that was the The and replied that he had not called work of the Lord.” He verified that me. I insisted that my phone had his telephone showed he had not Unexplainable registered a call from him, but he dialed my number, even by accident. repeated that he had not called. The Lord said, “Be thou humble; Call We ended our conversation, but and the Lord thy God shall lead By Claudio Zivic five minutes later he called me back thee by the hand, and give thee and said, “President, I have a prob- answer to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10). aturday, February 7, 2004, lem that is really making me feel Alma, teaching his son Helaman, found my wife and me in a uncomfortable, and I’m beside said, “Counsel with the Lord in all S hotel in Gijón in northern myself over it. I prayed and asked thy doings, and he will direct thee Spain, where I was serving as presi- the Lord for help to know what I for good” (Alma 37:37). We must do dent of the Spain Bilbao Mission. should do. I didn’t feel like calling what our Heavenly Father desires As we finished our evening meal, you, but while I was asking the Lord in order to feel the peace we con- I checked my cellular phone for any what to do, you called. I was sur- stantly need. That unexplainable messages I had not heard. It did prised because I had not called call was undoubtedly an answer to indeed indicate that a missionary had you. I knew the Lord was telling a young missionary’s prayer. ■
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 73 RANDOM SAMPLER
names. The individuals who chose My Conference Fun those names then try to switch seats, competing with the caller, who also Preparedness ant a fun children’s activity scrambles for a seat. The one left Reminder to do between conference standing is the new caller. For variety, Wsessions? Try one of our instead of calling out a few names, the very six months at conference favorite games: “Prophets.” You’ll caller can also say, “general confer- time, I remember to check need at least a small group of people ence.” In this case, everyone changes Eour family’s emergency pre- and a circle of chairs to play. Arrange seats, and the caller again scrambles paredness kits. Between conference the chairs with one fewer than the for a chair. We’ve also played this sessions, I pull out the kits and make number of people playing. Then invite game using names of ancestors, sure items inside haven’t expired. I each person to choose the name of a calling out “family file” for everyone also update any stored clothing that prophet and tell the group. One per- to move. our growing family might need in an son, “the caller,” stands in the center Kristin W. Belcher, Utah emergency evacuation. This semi- of the chair circle, while annual conference reminder could also everyone else takes a seat. be a signal to rotate your food storage The caller then calls out and make a list of items needed. three or four prophets’ Lisa Covino, Idaho
74 LEFT AND RIGHT: ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOE FLORES; UPPER RIGHT: ILLUSTRATION BY BETH WHITTAKER possible. suggest asfewchanges with theotherparentto better forourrelationship tation schedules,andit’s little ornocontroloftheirvisi- ence hasbeenthatthechildrenhave make todoso.Our experi- aneffort we appreciateitwhenChurchleaders difficult toaccommodateeveryone, planned inadvance.Thoughitcanbe exercises orsharingtimemightbe opening their involvementinPrimary can beinattendance.For instance, activitieswhenthe child important lessons we Sunday us ofthe even informed teacher Primary up. Onekind help thechildcatch last week’slessonto ers havedonetoincludeus. some positivethingsourChurchlead- two suchchildren,I’dlike toshare two households?Asastepmotherof D Households of Two Children schedules. them inmind. • • Prepare lessons with Be sensitivetothechildren’s who dividetheirtimebetween activities involvingchildren o youteachaclassorplan When possible, try toplan When possible,try Quickly review Relatively Speaking lesson wemadeasimple for afamilyhomeevening children visualizethings, tives? To helpouryoung stories oftheir But whataboutsharing tors wholivedlongago. stories abouttheirances- our childrenremarkable We mightthinktotell them atfamilyhomeevening had missedsowecouldteach FAMILY HOMEEVENINGHELPS when everyone was when everyone living together. Also, consider avoiding attendance sticker rela- charts thatare charts meant to show every- one’s husband andIthen them ingreatdetail.My prised whenherecounted of thestories.Iwassur- old ifherememberedany asked mythenfour-year- thislesson,I days after about thatperson.Three I toldamemorablestory placement ofeachphoto, tives theyknow. Withthe with photosoffourrela- tion paperanddecoratedit family treeoutofconstruc- Tricia Aagard, Wyoming His gospel. gain testimoniesoftheSaviorand children atchurchandhelpthem toinvolveour who make effort every circumstances. We appreciateteachers participate. out thechildrenwhocan’tregularly progress butinsteadvisuallysingle Today’s children liveinavarietyof Emily Cushing,Utah share withtheirchildren. children willsomeday stories, whichwehopeour rable collectionoffamily we arecreatingamemo- in abinder. Bydoingthis, put themwiththepictures write thestoriesdownand evening lesson.We also goes alongwithahome that relatives hasastory whenever weoroneofour senting thisspeciallesson pre- decided totaketurns ENSIGN APRIL 2007 75 Church Releases New LDS.org
eginning January 30, 2007, the first thing visi- Btors to LDS.org noticed was the new look. After sev- eral years of research and planning and more than eight months of beta testing, the new LDS.org finally went public. But the changes to the site are far more than just cos- metic. The changes make it easier for visitors to navigate, use features, and find information. Church instructional designers spent several The film The Testament of One Fold and One Shepherd is being made available on DVD months studying and testing in 18 languages. the site’s navigability. The result is a more user-friendly The Testaments of One Fold organization of information, beginning with six major and One Shepherd Now on DVD channels headlining the home page and a more con- fter its five-year exclusive coming of the Savior to the football stadium. The 48 prin- sistent navigation system run in the Joseph Smith Americas. cipal cast members, 52 fea- throughout the site. A Memorial Building in When the film was first tured players, and more than The redesigned Gospel Salt Lake City, Utah, and un- introduced, Elder Neil L. 1,000 extras brought the story Library was launched on the der the direction of the First Andersen of the Seventy to life. The Orchestra at beta site a few weeks earlier. Presidency, the film The explained, “The purpose of Temple Square and the Consistently one of the most- Testaments of One Fold and the film is to establish that Tabernacle Choir provided visited sections of LDS.org, One Shepherd is being made Jesus is the Son of God, ‘the the music. the Gospel Library is home to available on DVD through light and life of the world,’ The 65-minute film (item more than 100,000 pages of Church distribution centers. and to show the miraculous no. 01607) is being made information, including the The Testaments of One effect the Savior has on the available on a multilanguage scriptures, Church maga- Fold and One Shepherd is an lives of those who believe in DVD in Church distribution zines, general conference epic story depicting Christ’s Him.” centers worldwide in 18 lan- addresses, and existing cur- ministry to the people in The film took more than guages (American Sign, riculum materials. Making ancient Israel and His subse- two years to make and Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, that information more useful quent appearance in ancient required extensive research English, Finnish, French, was a top priority. America, as related in two tes- into the ancient cultures of German, Italian, Japanese, In addition to being able taments: the Bible and the the Americas. It was filmed in Korean, Mandarin, to read the text of talks or Book of Mormon. It follows Utah, California, and Hawaii Norwegian, Portuguese, magazine articles, users can the fictional family of Helam on 57 sets, the largest of Russian, Spanish, Swedish, choose audio, video, pdf (full as they witness the signs and which was about the size of a and Ukrainian). ■ graphic layout), or other
76 Lecture Looks at Future of Family History Online By Erin Pitcher, Church Magazines
he future of family his- computer systems to convert tory researching may be the rolls of microfilm stored Tcloser than you think,” there into high-quality digital said Rich Running at a lecture images. held on January 9, 2007, as “This scanning process part of the annual Salt Lake began at the vault five years Institute of Genealogy ago,” Derek Dobson, sponsored by the Utah FamilySearch Scanning prod- Genealogical Association. uct manager, explained. Nearly 200 people “Within that short period of After years of behind-the-scenes work, the Church has attended the lecture, time technological develop- released a new version of LDS.org. “Opening the Granite ments have made this Mountain Vault,” where pro- process at least four times versions of selected content. including Gospel Library. duction management leaders faster and much higher qual- The search function on the The changes made public of the Family and Church ity than a few years ago. . . . site has also been greatly in January are the first of History Department of the Now, in approximately 20 improved, allowing visitors to several phases to be rolled Church explained technologi- minutes the information in search beyond Gospel Library out as they become avail- cal advances in two facets of one roll of microfilm is made and to fine-tune the search. able. Users will find that genealogical research—scan- into some 1,200 digital Construction of the new some links will still take ning and indexing. images.” site also took into considera- them to pages from the old As a manager of product Brother Running said that tion another kind of accessi- LDS.org until these can be management of the depart- this digitalization will make bility, says Larry Richman, rebuilt and integrated into ment, Brother Running family history work much director of Internet coordina- the new design. describes these changes as more convenient. Instead of tion. The site design will Over the next several steps in building a “digital traveling to one of the allow for adding more months, the Church expects highway” for genealogical Church’s 4,500 family history languages. to make refinements and researchers. centers and ordering rolls of The changes will allow the add new features. The gen- microfilm, researchers will Church to make the entire eral conference section will FamilySearch Scanning eventually be able to access site available in nine more be updated, several more This digital highway is those documents online in languages (Chinese, French, languages will be added to being constructed through the comfort of their homes. German, Italian, Japanese, the scripture site, and mate- FamilySearch Scanning as the FamilySearch, the Korean, Portuguese, Russian, rial will be added to the estimated five billion historic Church’s Internet-based fam- and Spanish) with some sec- Gospel Library in 40 more documents at the Church’s ily history service, has as its tions of the site providing languages. Granite Mountain Records main objectives to acquire content in many additional Users can stay up-to-date Vault are being converted and preserve data of languages. with the latest changes to from microfilm to digital pic- genealogical significance and The scope of the redesign LDS.org, as well as other tures that will eventually be to improve accessibility to task was enormous. Long new product releases, by accessible via the Internet, those records. past are the days of the origi- clicking the “What’s New” Brother Running said. “FamilySearch Scanning is nal five-page LDS.org first link on the homepage or The Granite Mountain an integral part of making launched in 1994. The most through the What’s New Records Vault, located in the those objectives a reality,” recent version was launched e-mail. Subscribe for free Wasatch Mountains, holds the said Paul Nauta, manager of in June 2000 and over the by clicking the “Free E-mail largest collection of family public affairs for the Family next six years grew to tens of Subscriptions” link at the history records in the world. and Church History thousands of pages, not bottom of the page. ■ Employees use advanced Department.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 77 FamilySearch Indexing Brother Nauta feels the people can identify their In conjunction with most important part of this ancestors and link themselves FamilySearch Scanning, genealogical “digital highway” to their forebears,” he said. indexes of information are is recognizing the desired Additional information on being compiled with the help destination. FamilySearch Scanning and of thousands of volunteers. “All these things the FamilySearch Indexing is These contributors extract Church is doing regarding available online at www family history information genealogical work are to .familysearch.org or www from digital images of histori- make records available so .familysearchindexing.org. ■ cal documents that will help others search for relevant information more efficiently. Museum Announces FamilySearch Indexing allows individuals to volun- Eighth International teer online, download his- Art Competition J. Kirk Richards’s oil painting toric documents, and input Baptism received a Merit the necessary information he Museum of Church will encompass the experi- Award and a People’s Choice using an online form that can History and Art has an- ences of Latter-day Saints Award in the most recent be completed in less than an Tnounced the theme for everywhere. Entries in the competition. hour. its Eighth International Art competition should represent “This system allows peo- Competition, “Remembering (1) Latter-day Saint doctrines, application of religious values ple to accomplish a substan- the Great Things of God.” beliefs, and teachings, includ- in Latter-day Saint life, includ- tial amount of work in a short The museum invites Church ing stories from the scrip- ing Church, family, and indi- period of time,” Brother members around the world tures and teachings of the vidual activities. Dobson said. “Many people to participate in the exhibit to prophets; (2) events, sites, The competition is open to may not be able to spend be held March 20 to October and individuals pertinent to members of the Church who hours on genealogical 11, 2009. the history of the Church will be age 18 and older by research. However, anyone The work in the exhibit and its people; or (3) the December 31, 2008. Each can spend half an hour to an artist may submit one work. hour indexing names in a Works representing worldwide simple, understandable sys- cultural and aesthetic tradi- tem. Youth have even volun- tions, styles of art, and various teered with FamilySearch media are all welcome. Entries Indexing and are finding it an must have been completed enjoyable experience.” after January 1, 2006. The first version of Official entry forms will be FamilySearch Indexing was mailed to artists on the released in September 2005, museum’s mailing list in April and by the end of 2006 more 2008. The form will also be than 25,000 people within available online at the 1,200 stakes and partnering museum’s Web site. To be societies had registered as included in the mailing or to FamilySearch Indexing change contact information if volunteers. you are already on the mail- Church members can con- ing list, write to the museum tact their local ward or branch at Eighth International Art leaders for additional infor- Competition, Museum of mation about how to get Church History and Art, involved. However, volunteer- 45 N. West Temple St., Rm. ing with FamilySearch This stained glass entry by Patricia Chiu, Joseph Smith Cuts 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84150- Indexing is not restricted to the Ice for Joseph L. Heywood’s Baptism, was part of the 3470, USA, or e-mail church members of the LDS faith. Seventh International Art Competition. [email protected].
78 The first round of judging in which artwork is purchased details about these perform- Box 151, Clarkston, will be based on photographs for the Church collection; up ances, including driving direc- Utah 84305 or by calling of the artwork submitted with to 25 cash Merit Awards, tions, log on to www.pageants 435-563-0059. the entry form online or by bestowed by the jury; and 3 .lds.org. For additional informa- mail before October 10, 2008. cash Visitors’ Choice Awards. tion: Contact Donald J. Artwork will be judged on the For more information Arizona Easter Pageant: Jeppesen at 435-245-3501, successful expression of the about the competition or to Jesus the Christ or log on to www.martinharris theme; artistic and technical see artwork from former Description: Reenacts the pageant.org. accomplishment; and the cre- exhibitions, visit the Savior’s life, ministry, and ativity, originality, and quality museum’s Web site at Resurrection. Hill Cumorah Pageant: of the art. Awards include a www.lds.org/churchhistory/ Location: 525 East Main America’s Witness for Christ number of Purchase Awards, museum/competition. ■ Street, Mesa, Arizona. Description: Portrays Dates and times: March events of ancient America as 30–31 (Spanish speaking), described in the Book of Documentary on Church March 28–29 and April 3–7 Mormon. (English speaking); 8:00 p.m.* Location: 603 State Route to Air Nationwide Ticket information: 21, Palmyra, New York. two-part documentary focus on the history of the Admission is free, and reser- Dates and time: July about the Church will Church, while the second vations are not required. 13–14, 17–21; 9:15 p.m.* A air nationally on PBS night will focus on the For additional informa- Ticket information: April 30 and May 1, 2007. Church today. tion: Call 480-964-7164. Admission is free, and reser- American Experience and For more than three years, vations are not required. Frontline, both PBS pro- Whitney interviewed hun- Castle Valley Pageant For additional informa- grams, have teamed up to dreds of people for the film Description: Recounts the tion: Log on to www.hill release the four-hour docu- and was given access to the settling of a pioneer village. cumorah.org; contact Donald mentary The Mormons, di- leadership of the Church on Location: Spartan G. Schluter via mail at 53 rected by award-winning all levels. Whitney traveled Boulevard, Castle Dale, Utah. Falcon Trail, Pittsfort, New filmmaker Helen Whitney. cross-country and sent a crew Dates and time: August York 14534; call 585-248-9135; The documentary, not pro- to Ghana to show that the 2–4, 7–11; 8:30 p.m.* or e-mail hcp@rochester duced by the Church, will Church exists throughout the Ticket information: .rr.com. focus on the Church, from its world. Whitney also attended Admission is free, and reser- origins in the 1800s to the ward meetings and went on vations are not required. Mormon Miracle Pageant Church today. The documen- visits with home teachers. For additional informa- Description: Describes tary will air in two install- Check PBS.org for local tion: Contact Mark Justice at the Restoration of the gospel, ments: the first night will airing times and channels. ■ 435-687-2234. the witness of the Book of Mormon, and the journey Clarkston Pageant—Martin of the pioneer Saints. Church Pageants for 2007 Harris: The Man Who Knew Location: South Temple ostumes, lights, music to Latter-day Saints and Description: Depicts Hill, Manti, Utah. —all of these con- members of other faiths. It Martin Harris’s experiences Dates and times: June Ctribute to the success is the spirit that is felt at testifying of the Book of 14–16, 19–23; seating begins of the seven annual pag- those events that has awed Mormon. at 6:00 p.m., and the pageant eants sponsored by the viewers since 1917, when Location: Amphitheater starts at 9:30 p.m.* Church. But it is not solely the first Church-sponsored adjacent to Clarkston Ticket information: the actors, the sound, or the pageant began. Cemetery, Clarkston, Utah. Admission is free, and theatrical effects that draw Between March and Dates and time: August reservations are not more than 200,000 specta- August these pageants are 3–4, 7–11, and 14–17; required. tors year after year to these performed at various loca- 8:15 p.m.* For additional informa- productions. The central tions throughout the United Ticket information: tion: E-mail queries to manti purpose for these pageants States, and all are invited to Admission is free. However, [email protected], is to strengthen testimonies attend. Below is information tickets are required and can or call either 888-255-8860 or and teach gospel principles about each pageant. For more be obtained by writing to PO 435-835-3000.
ENSIGN APRIL 2007 79 chest patterned after the pic- Western tradition, and it is ture on page 11 of the gratifying to see the progress December Ensign. Our family of an individual artist over the members were at our house years under the influence of Christmas Eve. Just before the Spirit. Study and faith everyone went home, we got seem to truly complement out one of the chests and read one another here. from an instruction sheet we Kate Horton, Indiana had placed inside. It explained that each person was to write Keeping a Sabbath his or her intended gift to the Kendal Hunter’s article on Actors portray inhabitants of the ancient Americas in the Hill Savior in the coming year. keeping the Sabbath holy Cumorah Pageant. Paper and pens were provided struck a chord with me. For for all, and even the youngest years I worked in hospitals Nauvoo Pageant Call 1–510–531–1475. Those children participated. Some and nursing homes and often Description: Tells of living in California may call didn’t want to stop writing, had to miss sacrament meet- Joseph Smith’s prophetic 877-836-7468 toll-free. but finally, we folded our ings. One way I found that mission and the early Saints’ * Start times are papers, put them in envelopes really helped me to stay spiri- experiences in Nauvoo. approximate. with our names on the out- tually strong was to keep my Location: 165 North Wells side, and dropped own Sabbath by dedicating Street, Nauvoo, Illinois. Arizona Easter Pageant: them into the little one of my days off each week Dates and times: July 6– Jesus the Christ March 30–31 Christmas chest. We to study, prayer, service, and August 3; preshow activity (Spanish); March 28–29; April 3–7 decided not to read resting from worldly cares. I begins at 7:00 p.m., and the Mormon Miracle Pageant them again for one believe my example of always pageant starts at 8:45 p.m.* June 14–16, 19–23 year, on next Christmas keeping a Sabbath day, even Ticket information: Nauvoo Pageant Eve. if it wasn’t on Sunday, has Admission is free, and reser- July 6–August 3 The fun part, at helped my children remain vations are not required. Hill Cumorah Pageant: least for me, was that active in the Church. Thanks For additional informa- America’s Witness for Christ each family received a for an excellent article. tion: Call 800-453-0022, July 13–14, 17–21 Christmas chest (with Donald Fallick, Dominican ext. 315, or log on to www Oakland Temple Pageant their written letters Republic .historicnauvoo.net. July 17–21, 24–28 and instructions Castle Valley Pageant inside) on Christmas Family Home Evening Helps Oakland Temple Pageant August 2–4, 7–11 morning. I wanted to thank you for Description: Reenacts the Clarkston Pageant—Martin Perhaps a new tra- “A Quiz for Couples” in history of the gospel, includ- Harris: The Man Who Knew dition will emerge that January’s Random Sampler ing events from the Savior’s August 3–4, 7–11, 14–17 will assist our children section. My husband’s navy life and the latter-day and their families to carrier group was recently Restoration. focus on the Savior as deployed, so our family is Location: 4780 Lincoln we celebrate His birth. Thank experiencing its first military Avenue, Oakland, California. you to Sister Yvette T. Joyner separation. We are using the Dates and times: July Comment and the Ensign staff for the “Quiz for Couples” idea to 17–21, 24–28. Matinee per- idea, picture, and article. remain close even though formances will be held July 21 Starting a Family Tradition David H. Kotter, Utah he is thousands of miles and July 28. Evening perform- My wife, Bette, and I love away. We take turns e-mailing ances begin at 8:00 p.m., and Christmas traditions and activ- Breathtaking Art each other a question daily, matinees start at 2:00 p.m.* ities, so December’s Thank you for the breath- and we’re enjoying reading Ticket information: Questions and Answers sec- taking art by Walter Rane on each other’s responses. It Admission is free, but tion made a fun read. This the cover of the January has also spurred discussions tickets are required due year each of our children’s Ensign. It is gratifying to see that we might have missed to limited seating. families received a small, Latter-day Saint art that has otherwise. For additional information: simple Christmas treasure absorbed the best of the Kim Blair, California
80 MAY NOT BE COPIED NOT MAY John the Baptist Appearing to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, by Del Parson On May 15, 1829, on the bank of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, John the Baptist ordained Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood. He said, “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins” (D&C 13:1). “Our most valuable worship experience in the sacrament meeting is the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, for it provides the opportunity to focus our minds and hearts upon the Savior and His sacrifice.” See Elder David B. Haight, “The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice,” p. 14.