You should sacrifice anything change your life. It will bring Prophet, Church Leaders that is needed to be sacrificed you peace. It will give you to qualify yourselves to do direction and guidance. It will Counsel Youth at Fireside the work of the world. . . . help you feel that you are not By Stephanie Long, Church Magazines Train your mind and your alone in this big and some- hands to become an influ- times brutal world. The Lord housands of youth, walk with gratitude in your ence for good as you go for- answers our prayers. I know their parents, and their hearts. Be thankful for the ward with your life.” that.” Tleaders gathered at wonderful blessings that are Be clean. “Be clean in Encouraging the youth the Conference Center or yours. Be grateful for the every way. Someday you will to follow counsel, President watched by satellite Sunday, tremendous opportunities meet the man or woman of Hinckley assured them December 31, 2006, for a spe- that you have. Be thankful to your dreams. Be clean for the that with such obedience cial New Year’s Eve youth de- your parents who care so very sake of your future compan- would come blessings and votional that Elder Jeffrey R. much about you and who ion. Be clean for the sake of happiness. Holland of the Quorum of have worked so very hard to your posterity. Be clean for the Twelve Apostles called provide for you.” the sake of your self-respect.” Elder Holland “remarkable. . . . There is not Be smart. “You need all Be prayerful. “None of us Acknowledging that the anything like this anywhere the education you can get. can do it alone. . . . Prayer will most common illness that else in the world.” those in their teens and 20s President Gordon B. experience is feelings of low Hinckley, Elder Holland, and self-esteem, self-doubt, and Young Women general presi- the like, Elder Holland spoke dent Susan W. Tanner spoke about his personal struggles during the devotional. Ten with such problems and how musical numbers were pro- to overcome them. vided by the Orchestra at “Yes, I can remember all Temple Square and a choir the things you remember— made up of members of the not being sure about how I Mormon Tabernacle Choir looked or if I was accepted and selected seminary stu- or what the future would dents from across the Salt hold for me.” Lake Valley, along with special Elder Holland said that soloists Peter Breinholt, with the new year one could William Joseph, and Ryan gain a new confidence. Tani. “I wish to speak pointedly tonight about how to have President Hinckley a very special kind of confi- President Hinckley coun- dence in this new year, a con- seled young people not to fidence which when rightfully spoil the future before them. earned does wonders for “Don’t make the kinds of mis- every other aspect of our takes that will bring regret. lives, especially our self- You can be wise and happy esteem and how we view or stupid and miserable. the future.” The choice is yours.” Elder Holland said that President Hinckley positive feelings felt when emphasized several principles one is personally worthy as guidance to the youth for would bring such confidence. the future. Sharing a story of a young Be grateful. “My first man who had borne his testi- suggestion to you, my dear President Gordon B. Hinckley speaks to Church teens during mony about the importance young friends, is that you a special New Year’s devotional. of personal worthiness, Elder

74 pointed out: “Our thoughts are so important. Proverbs Temple Work says that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (see Rolls On Proverbs 23:7). The Book of Mormon says that we Papeete Tahiti Temple will be judged by our Elder L. Tom Perry of thoughts (see Alma 12:14). the Quorum of the Twelve We are admonished in Apostles rededicated the Doctrine and Covenants Papeete Tahiti Temple in two 121:45–46 to ‘let virtue gar- sessions during November nish [our] thoughts unceas- 2006. First dedicated in ingly’ so that our confidence October 1983, the will ‘wax strong in the pres- underwent a 15-month reno- ence of God’ and ‘the Holy vation to enlarge the bap- Ghost shall be [our] tismal font and sealing rooms constant companion.’ ” and provide a youth center Sister Tanner said that vir- for children being sealed to tuous thought would invite their parents. the companionship of the An estimated 10,000 Holy Ghost, and one could Tahitians participated in the find confidence and comfort rededication, which was in such a companionship. broadcast to local stake cen- Sharing a personal story, ters as well as to meeting she spoke of a time when she places in Salt Lake City and was struggling with despair, New Caledonia and on the yet found comfort in thinking BYU–Hawaii campus. positive thoughts. “I concentrated on three Oquirrh Mountain things: Finals will be over in Temple three weeks. I know my fam- President Gordon B. Salt Lake Valley seminary students perform with members ily loves me. And I know Hinckley presided at a of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Heavenly Father loves me. . . . groundbreaking ceremony These thoughts elevated me for the Oquirrh Mountain Holland illustrated that in Youth should not be so enough to feel the comfort Utah Temple on December 16, order to be personally worthy preoccupied with the trou- and guidance of the Holy 2006. In attendance were of the Holy Ghost we must bles of the world that they Ghost through a difficult President Thomas S. Monson garnish our thoughts unceas- become discouraged. If they time.” and President James E. Faust, ingly, as it states in Doctrine think and act virtuously, then Everyone struggles with counselors in the First and Covenants 121:45–46: they will have confidence, hard times, everyone needs to Presidency; President Boyd K. “Let virtue garnish thy Elder Holland said. be rescued from time to time, Packer, Acting President of thoughts unceasingly; then “Have a wonderful life. but everyone has a loving the Quorum of the Twelve shall thy confidence wax Think the best and hope the Heavenly Father who is always Apostles; and other General strong in the presence of best and have faith in the there, Sister Tanner said. Authorities. Elder Russell M. God; and the doctrine of the future. You have a great life Personally living by the Nelson of the Quorum of the priesthood shall distil upon ahead of you. Your Heavenly motto “I can do hard things,” Twelve Apostles conducted thy soul as the dews from Father loves you.” Sister Tanner encouraged all the service. heaven. The Holy Ghost the youth to resolve to let Plans for the Oquirrh shall be thy constant com- Sister Tanner virtue garnish their thoughts Mountain Utah Temple panion, and thy scepter an Also speaking on the unceasingly, that their confi- include a 9-foot-tall statue of unchanging scepter of scripture in Doctrine and dence may wax strong in the the angel Moroni that will sit righteousness and truth.” Covenants 121, Sister Tanner presence of God. ■ atop a 193-foot, copper-clad

ENSIGN MARCH 2007 75 introduced by President . Hinckley during the October Currently the Church 1997 general conference. has 135 temples announced, under construction, or Other Temples operational. Work continues on the For more information Curitiba Brazil Temple, about temples across the , globe, visit the Church’s Panamá City Panamá Temple, temples Web site (www.lds Rexburg Idaho Temple, and .org/temples). ■ Church Marks Anniversary of ’s Birth By Kate McNeil, Church Magazines Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple arch 1, 2007, marks the 200th anniversary spire. The temple will be Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Mof the birth of Wilford located on an 11-acre site at During the ground- Woodruff, the fourth President the base of the Oquirrh breaking ceremony for of The Church of Jesus Christ Mountains on the west side the Oquirrh Mountain of Latter-day Saints. of the Salt Lake Valley and will Utah Temple, President Born on March 1, 1807, face the Wasatch Mountains Gordon B. Hinckley and raised in Farmington, to the east. announced plans to build a Connecticut, Wilford South Jordan, Utah, where temple in Quetzaltenango, Woodruff was a flour mill the Jordan River and the Guatemala. operator. He joined the Oquirrh Mountain temples That temple, the second Church in 1833 and served are located, will be the first temple in Guatemala, will two missions before being city in the world to have two most likely serve stakes ordained an Apostle in 1839. temples. The new temple will only in Guatemala. It will be As a member of the President Wilford Woodruff be the 13th in Utah. one of the smaller temples Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he completed four Valley on July 24, 1847, and additional missions; presided was present when Brigham over the temple in St. George, Young proclaimed, “This is Utah; and served six years as the right place.” Church historian. “God Moves in a He was sustained as Mysterious Way” (Hymns, no. President of the Church on 285) was President Woodruff’s April 7, 1889. He dedicated favorite hymn. “ ‘He loved the Manti Utah Temple and [that hymn],’ remarked the long-awaited Salt Lake President Heber J. Grant Temple, oversaw the organi- [1856–1945], who served as zation of the Genealogical an Apostle when Wilford Society of Utah, and reem- Woodruff was President of the phasized the value of histori- Church. ‘We sang it, I am sure, cal record keeping. sometimes twice a month in President Woodruff was a our weekly meetings in the President Gordon B. Hinckley, right, the counselors in the faithful pioneer, participating Temple, and very seldom did a First Presidency, members of the Quorum of the Twelve in Zion’s Camp with the month pass by when that song Apostles, and other Church leaders break ground for the Prophet Joseph Smith. At age was not called for by Brother Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. 40 he entered the Salt Lake Woodruff. He believed in this

76 thousand miles to have seen upon man” (Teachings of a prophet, or a man that Presidents of the Church, 49). could teach me the things President Woodruff fre- that I read of in the Bible. I quently exhorted his fellow could not join any church, Saints to partake of the bless- because I could not find ings available in the temple. any church at that time that He said, “I consider that the advocated these principles” building of temples is one of (Teachings of Presidents of the important things required the Church, xix–xx). by the Lord of the Latter-day President Woodruff taught Saints in the dispensation of the importance of modern the fulness of times, that we revelation: “The Church of may go into those temples God could not live twenty- and not only redeem the liv- four hours without revela- ing but redeem our dead” tion” (Teachings of Presidents (Teachings of Presidents of the of the Church, 47). Church, xxix). With character- He also emphasized per- istic diligence, he set an exam- sonal revelation through the ple of temple work, ensuring President Woodruff dedicated the in 1893 Spirit: “You may have the that temple work be done for following its 40 years of construction. administration of angels; you thousands of his ancestors. may see many miracles; . . . President Woodruff died work with all his heart and of our work, teachings, and but I claim that the gift of the in San Francisco, California, soul, and labored with all the counsel which we give in Holy Ghost is the greatest on September 2, 1898, at power that God gave him for this meeting? We should” gift that can be bestowed age 91. ■ its advancement’ ” (Teachings (Teachings of Presidents of Presidents of the Church: of the Church, 127). Wilford Woodruff [2004], xv). He encouraged children President Woodruff is to start keeping journals early remembered for being an in their lives: “If my young avid journal keeper. He kept friends will begin to do this a journal for most of his and continue it, it will be of adult life, “making his final far more worth than gold to entry on August 31, 1898, them in a future day,” he said two days before he died” (Teachings of Presidents of (Teachings of Presidents the Church, 132). of the Church, 125). In 2006 members across In one meeting, he the world learned of this taught a principle that can prophet’s testimony from be applied to journals as the manual Teachings of well as to official Church Presidents of the Church: records: “While walking in Wilford Woodruff. In the a rapid stream we cannot manual are many stories tread twice in the same from President Woodruff’s water. Neither can we spend life and ministry. twice the same time. When While searching for we pass out of that door, the truth as a young man, the work of this meeting will President Woodruff felt a be closed to us forever. We need to see a modern-day shall never spend the time prophet: “ I prayed day and President Wilford Woodruff with his counselors in the 1893 of this evening again. Then night that I might live to see a First Presidency: George Q. Cannon, First Counselor, left, and should we not keep a record prophet. I would have gone a Joseph F. Smith, Second Counselor.

ENSIGN MARCH 2007 77 Education Aids Gospel Understanding By Kate McNeil, Church Magazines PHOTOGRAPH BY ADAM OLSON ADAM BY PHOTOGRAPH hen Stephen Abu Jr. gospel in the Atiwa district went to high school of Ghana. Win Abomosu, Ghana, “Our white shirts and ties he carried his books in a plas- made us unique in the village, tic shopping bag. As a college and many mothers encour- student in Utah, he enjoyed aged their children to join the the benefits of a backpack. Church,” Stephen said. “The Whether he carried books in mothers liked our outward plastic or canvas, Stephen’s cleanliness and the standards goal remained the same—to that the members of the get an education. Church lived by.” Stephen was the first of Neighbors would gather his 70 classmates at Abomosu at the Abu home for family Presbyterian Middle School home evening. Brother Abu Stephen Abu Jr., who overcame great odds to receive an to attend high school and the Sr. said many children did education, is now helping others do the same. first to attend college. In 2004 not fully understand what he finished his business mar- was being taught but loved Kennedy International Jesus, Others, You keting degree at Utah State to sing. Airport] on my way to Utah, Stephen now works as University in Logan, Utah. “Family home evening was the person I sat by tried the director of humanitarian After overcoming great new to us as a family and to to show me the Statue of affairs for World Joy, Inc., a odds to become a college our culture,” Stephen said. Liberty,” he said. “Try as I did, nonprofit organization in graduate, Stephen is now giv- “Rarely do you find an African I could not see it because Utah dedicated to helping ing back to his home country family sitting and eating the plane tilted whenever I developing countries, specifi- by rebuilding schoolhouses together, let alone counsel- stretched to peep through cally Ghana. Stephen believes and improving education in ing together as a family. For the window. improving literacy in villages Ghana. my dad to organize a forum “When I arrived in Salt will help his people accept “Education is key to where each could share his Lake City, my cousin drove the gospel, the greatest gift understanding and accepting or her feelings on the direc- me past the Salt Lake Temple, in his life. the gospel,” Stephen says. tion of the family was a sign which I had seen only in “Many of our brothers and of his humility.” Church magazines and sisters who are illiterate find A Father’s Example By the time the full-time videos. I felt so calm seeing it difficult to fully grasp the Influenced by his father, missionaries arrived from the temple, and I thought, mission of the Church,” he Stephen Abu Sr., Stephen was Accra in 1984, Brother Abu Sr. ‘This is the true statue of lib- said. “Those who cannot read able to gain an education and had prepared 84 people for erty,’ for if we enter the tem- and write usually stay away accept the gospel. A principal baptism. The Abu family has ple and keep the covenants from worship service when of the Abomosu Presbyterian built a legacy of faith in we make with the Lord, we they are given a speaking or Middle School, Stephen’s Abomosu, Ghana. will have true liberty.” prayer assignment because father always encouraged While studying at Utah they feel inadequate. This him to gain a full education. True Liberty Found State University, Stephen sometimes leads to their Stephen was the first of his in the Temple attended the Logan LDS inactivity. Being educated five siblings to attend high After serving a mission Institute. There he met his will allow them to read and school. in Nigeria, Stephen began wife, Sonya. The two were understand the scriptures Stephen’s father joined attending school at Utah State sealed in the Logan Utah and Church manuals. The the Church after his brother University in 2001. Temple on April 23, 2003, gospel is the reason I have introduced him to the gospel. “While I was flying into following Stephen’s sealing decided to go back and help He soon began spreading the JFK [New York City’s John F. to his parents. my people.” ■

78 many as possible this year,” selections from the Joseph Scriptures in French, he said. Smith Translation of the Just as with the Spanish Bible, a chronology of Church German, and Italian Internet scriptures, the history, and photographs French, German, and Italian and maps related to biblical Now Available Online online scriptures include the events and Church history. By Stephanie Long, Church Magazines triple combination (the Book To access the scriptures of Mormon, Doctrine and in English, French, German, n estimated 125,000 the Church Curriculum Covenants, and Pearl of Great Italian, or Spanish, go to native French-, German-, Department. It depends Price), the Guide to the http://scriptures.lds.org, and A and Italian-speaking upon the checks, reviews, Scriptures (a listing of gospel click on “English” in the top members will now be able to and revisions that must be topics with definitions and right corner. Then select the study the scriptures in their made to eliminate errors that cross-references), and links appropriate language from native tongue by accessing may have occurred during to other study aids, such as the menu. ■ the LDS scriptures online. the conversion process. On January 8, 2007, the offi- Several languages are cial French, German, and in line to begin the process New Era Publishes New Italian versions of the LDS to be put in Internet form. scriptures were made avail- “Portuguese will be coming Issue on Missionaries able at http://scriptures soon, and others will follow,” n the October 2005 priest- .lds.org. Previously, the LDS said Kai Anderson, director hood session of general scriptures have been available of scriptures coordination. Iconference, Elder David A. online only in English and Brother Schwendiman Bednar of the Quorum of the Spanish. is hoping that in the near Twelve Apostles said, “The The process to convert the future more members will single most important thing traditional print edition of the be able to access the LDS you can do to prepare for a scriptures into the Internet scriptures online in their call to serve is to become a version takes about six native tongue. “Right now missionary long before you months to complete, accord- we are reviewing with the go on a mission.” ing to Ron Schwendiman, scriptures committee the March’s 2007 issue of manager of the Internet order of the next languages the New Era is focused on Coordination Group for and are hoping to release as just that—helping youth prepare for missionary service. Inside the magazine, read- ers will find features that focus specifically on mission- the MTC and in the field. ary preparation, life, and Members may find many work. different uses for the maga- Featured articles include zine. It might be used in con- a message from President junction with Preach My Gordon B. Hinckley that Gospel to aid in the teaching focuses on the blessings of a missionary preparation serving a mission can bring, class. A quiz game could be a message from President made using information Thomas S. Monson that found in the magazine to examines “The Five Ms of help youth learn more about Missionary Work,” advice from missionary preparation. Or a Elder M. Russell Ballard on role-playing game could be how youth can prepare now designed around the topic The LDS edition of the scriptures is now online in French, to serve a mission, and a view “A Day in the Life of a German, Italian, and Spanish, as well as English. into the life of missionaries at Missionary.” ■

ENSIGN MARCH 2007 79 was of great interest to me. gathered for the Relief Society Young Women in Africa Wayne Sidwell, whose family general meeting and had such returned to the Church a feeling of worldwide sister- Serve Prisoners because of loving Primary hood. Thank you for the work By Stephanie Long, Church Magazines teachers, was my parents’ you do in making us feel home teacher. My parents united wherever we live. athered together in a the opportunity to take the had also been “derailed from Carol Dunkley, Australia bush camp in Africa kits to the women, an experi- the gospel by a series of Gwithout modern con- ence she is grateful for. choices,” but because of Answers and Peace veniences such as running “I felt the Spirit of the Brother Sidwell’s efforts in The past few days I have water, 160 young women Lord, and I was humbled to visiting them monthly over been touched by the Spirit worked together to give see the women who were in the course of many years, as I have read and pondered more than 200 people they prison singing and praising they too were eventually from the Church magazines. had never met something the Lord,” Sister Ignatius said. set “back on the strait and The words of “The Temple Is those people didn’t have. “They had gratitude even in about Families” (Nov. 2006), Inspired by their camp the difficult situation they given at the last general con- theme, “Let us all arise and were in, which made me ference, and “What I Have shine forth that our light reflect and be thankful for Learned about Mighty may be a standard to the the blessings I have.” Prayer” (Dec. 2006) spoke nation” (see D&C 115:5), the In addition to the service to my heart and gave me young women of the Harare performed at the prison, answers and peace I have Zimbabwe Stake decided the young women and their been seeking. More impor- to share their light with the leaders hope to continue tant, they taught me once women of the Chikurubi serving the community, as again that Heavenly Father Women’s Prison by putting they often do in homes and and the Savior are aware of together hygiene kits for hospitals. me, understand my struggles, them. “It was a very good and and are prepared to help me “The theme for the uplifting experience; we wish if I will ask. camp . . . made the young for more opportunities to do narrow track.” Since then, Sue Hirase, Utah women decide that they it,” Sister Ignatius said. ■ my parents have served as would like the light to be felt temple workers and have The Name Is Caspar in the prison,” said Margaret served a mission. Brother On page 44 of the Ignatius, Harare Zimbabwe Comment Sidwell magnified his calling December Ensign you show Stake Young Women presi- and became an instrument in a map tracing the route of An Inspiring Rescue dent. “When people are the Lord’s hands. My brothers the handcart pioneers. (This locked up, they are isolated Thank you for the article and I will be eternally grateful same map is also found in the from the world. So the young in the December Ensign to him. July 2006 issue on pages 42 women wanted them to about the 1856 rescue of the Debby Croshaw, Idaho and 44.) Each map spells Fort know and feel their love.” handcart companies. The arti- Caspar as “Fort Casper.” This Just as the young women cle was well researched, finely Feeling United is incorrect, as the fort was had hoped, the residents of written, and highly inspiring. When I received the named for Caspar Collins. His the prison were very happy The authors clearly put a sig- November Ensign with the name was misspelled when and grateful. “They have nificant amount of time and general conference talks, I the city in Wyoming was never received such gifts,” effort into writing this capti- read it right through and am named for him. Additional Sister Ignatius said, “and they vating story. I am grateful now rereading one talk each information about how wanted to know more about to them for this wonderful morning. I would like to say the spelling of the city and the Church and the Book of article. how much I enjoy the pictures fort came to be different Mormon.” Jeff Ehlers, Utah in this issue—the families, the can be found on the official Although the young children, the priesthood ses- Fort Caspar Web site: women could not go to the Getting Back on Track sion attendees. I was just look- www.fortcasparwyoming.com/ facility to personally deliver Your article “Getting Back ing at the picture on page 118 Fortbuil.asp. the kits, Sister Ignatius had on Track” in the January issue of the sisters in St. Petersburg Beth Anderson, Wyoming

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