THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JUNE 2011

Priesthood: The Power of Godliness, pp. 8, 19, 44 Single in a Family- Oriented Church, p. 48 Education: My Path Out of Poverty, p. 60 75 Years of Service and Self-Reliance, p. 81 MAY NOT BE COPIED MAY

The Sacred Susquehanna, by Glen S. Hopkinson

On May 15, 1829, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, John the Susquehanna River. Then they were to ordain each other to Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Acting the Aaronic Priesthood. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:68–72; under the direction of ancient Apostles Peter, James, and John, D&C 13:1.) he laid his hands upon the heads of Joseph and Oliver and con- A few weeks later, Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph ferred the Aaronic Priesthood. and Oliver near Harmony, conferred upon them the holy John the Baptist then directed Joseph that he should bap- Melchizedek Priesthood, and ordained them to be Apostles (see tize Oliver and that Oliver should then baptize Joseph in the D&C 27:12; 128:20). Contents June 2011 Volume 41 • Number 6

FEATURES 22 The True Path to Happiness Elder Quentin L. Cook Five keys to happiness. 34 Mom’s Commitment to Modesty Kelly Ann Petersen It was the 1960s, and short hemlines and sleeveless shirts were in high fashion. 36 Questions & Answers How do I maintain a modest appearance when appropriate clothing is difficult to find? 40 A Mormon Panorama James Gordon Holmes Before there were movies there was C. C. A. Christensen and his panoramic history of the Church. 4 44 Priesthood Blessings: Learning to Trust God MESSAGES Mark L. Grover How I realized the importance of priesthood FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE power in our home. 4 The Blessings of Tithing 48 Single in a Family-Oriented Church: President Henry B. Eyring Advice from One Single Adult Brother to Another VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE Todd L. Goodsell Why the Church is exactly 12 7 Strengthening Families through where single adults need Temporal Self-Reliance to be.

OUR HOMES, OUR FAMILIES

ON THE COVER The e nsign of The ChurC h of Jesus ChrisT of LaTTer-day s ainT s • June 2011 Defending the Family in a Front: Restoration of the 12 Melchizedek Priesthood, Troubled World by Walter Rane. Elder Bruce D. Porter Back: Photo illustration by Matthew Reier. Our duty is to defend the Priesthood: The Power of Godliness, pp. 8, family and rear the rising 19, 44 Single in a Family- generation in righteousness. Oriented Church, p. 48 Education: My Path Out of Poverty, p. 60 75 Years of Service and Self-Reliance, p. 81 19 The Power of a Righteous Example Jerry Stringam I considered general conference a free week- end until one young woman taught me a valuable lesson.

E11U00_Cover.indd 3 2/25/11 11:06 AM

June 2011 1 8 30

LIVING AS LATTER-DAY SAINTS DEPARTMENTS 20 The Prison & the Dandelion WHAT WE BELIEVE Andrew D. Olsen We can choose our attitude. 8 The Priesthood Is the Authority to Act in God’s Name 28 The Healing Power of Hope Our Heavenly Father governs the heavens and Name withheld the earth through His priesthood authority. His love healed my wounds. WE TALK OF CHRIST 47 Reaching Out to Single Adults Allison L. Weiss 10 He Carried My Sorrows What can we do to support single adults? Jane Bleak Peace comes as we surrender our will to our TEACHING, LEARNING, SERVING Heavenly Father and rely on Christ’s Atonement. 30 The Heart and a Willing Mind SERVING IN THE CHURCH Elder Donald L. Hallstrom Five ways we can give our heart and 39 Blessed by Councils mind to the Lord. Elder M. Russell Ballard A family in financial trouble is blessed by BY STUDY AND BY FAITH their ward council. 52 The Latter-day Saint Concept of Marriage 66 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES President Hugh B. Brown Are you prepared to bless others through This divine perspective, adds glory to your priesthood? the idea of marriage. 70 SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS GOSPEL SOLUTIONS 73 Family Home Evening Ideas 56 I Desperately Wanted to Stop News of the Church Name withheld 74 How I overcame my decades- 79 In Other Church Magazines long struggle with pornography. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN PROVIDENT LIVING 80 Building on a Sure Foundation 56 Joshua J. Perkey 60 The Power of Education How a foundation of spiritual witnesses can Suzy Taggy Coelho Caldas Nelsen become an unshakable testimony. My mother said education was the one thing that could lift me out of poverty. COMING IN JULY 64 Making Spiritual Education a Priority • Choosing Happiness Joel Childress • Saints on Lake Titicaca Where was I going to find time for institute? • Mi Vida, Mi Historia

2 Ensign moreOnline ENSIGN ONLINE AN OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH If you’re looking to get more from OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS your Church magazine experience, JUNE 2011 VOLUME 41 • NUMBER 6 check out additional features at The First Presidency: ensign.lds.org. Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf LEADERSHIP TRAINING The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: You can watch the Worldwide Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, Leadership Training broadcasts by M. Russell Ballard, Richard G. Scott, going to lds.org/broadcasts/archive/ Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, worldwide-leadership- David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, training/2011/02. D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen Editor: Paul B. Pieper SERVING IN THE CHURCH Advisers: Stanley G. Ellis, Christoffel Do you have a new calling? You Golden Jr., Yoshihiko Kikuchi can find out more about what is Managing Director: David L. Frischknecht expected of you in your new role Editorial Director: Vincent A. Vaughn and what resources are avail- Graphics Director: Allan R. Loyborg able to you at lds.org/service/ Managing Editor: R. Val Johnson serving-in-the-church. Assistant Managing Editor: LaRene Porter Gaunt PDFS OF THE MAGAZINES Senior Editors: Matthew D. Flitton, If you would like to see the Larry Hiller, Michael R. Morris, Joshua J. Perkey magazine pages with art, you can Assistant Editors: Heather F. download documents by going to Christensen, Melissa Merrill the magazine article and looking Editorial Staff: Susan Barrett, Ryan Carr, Jenifer L. Greenwood, Adam C. Olson under the “downloads” link on the Editorial Intern: Sara D. Smith right side of the page or by clicking Adminstrative Assistant: Faith S. Watson on the pdf icon in the downloads Managing Art Director: J. Scott Knudsen column in the table of contents. Art Director: Scott Van Kampen Senior Designers: C. Kimball Bott, Colleen Hinckley, Eric P. Johnsen, DO YOU HAVE A STORY Scott M. Mooy Production Staff: TO TELL? Collette Nebeker Aune, Howard G. Brown, We welcome donated submis- Julie Burdett, Reginald J. Christensen, sions showing the gospel of Jesus Kathleen Howard, Denise Kirby, Christ at work in your life. On each Ginny J. Nilson, Jane Ann Peters Prepress: Joshua Dennis submission, please include your Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick name, address, telephone number, Distribution Director: Evan Larsen e-mail address, and the name of © 2011 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. your ward and stake (or branch and All rights reserved. The Ensign (ISSN district). 0884-1136) is published monthly by The Please submit articles through Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, ensign.lds.org, or send them to UT 84150-0024, USA. Periodicals Postage Ensign Editorial, 50 E. North Temple Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. SUBSCRIBE TO OR RENEW THE ENSIGN MAGAZINE St., Rm. 2420, Salt Lake City, UT Copyright information: Text and visual Online: Visit store.lds.org. By phone: In the United 84150-0024, USA. Authors whose material in the Ensign may be copied for States and Canada call 1-800-537-5971. By mail: Send work is selected for publication will incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual material may not be copied if $10 U.S. check or money order to Distribution Services, be notified. restrictions are indicated in the credit line P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. with the artwork. Copyright questions should be addressed to Intellectual Property Office, 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt TO CHANGE ADDRESS Lake City, UT 84150-0018; e-mail: Send both old and new address information to [email protected]. Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 84126-0368, USA. Please allow 60 days for changes Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. to take effect. Canada Post Information: Publication Agreement #40017431. June 2011 3 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

By President Henry B. Eyring First Counselor in the First Presidency

THE BLESSINGS OF Tithing

od’s purpose in giving us commandments is to bless G us. He wants to give us eternal life, the greatest of all His gifts (see D&C 14:7). To receive the gift of living with Him forever in families in the celestial kingdom, we must be able to live the laws of that kingdom (see D&C 88:22). He has given us commandments in this life to help us develop that capac- ity. The law of tithing is one of those preparatory commandments. The law is that we give to the Lord one-tenth of all our income. It is simple enough that even a child can understand it. I have seen children hand a bishop a tithing envelope that contains one- tenth of the coins they earned. One of the blessings that comes from paying a full tithing is developing faith to live an even higher law. To live in the celestial kingdom, we must live the law of consecration. There we must be able to feel that all we are and all we have belong to God.

4 Ensign There are at least three ways that what the future holds. Whatever our TEACHING FROM THIS paying a full tithe in this life prepares circumstances may be, things will MESSAGE us to feel what we need to feel to work out for the best. As we keep • Sometimes the best way to receive the gift of eternal life. our promises, He will keep His. A teach a certain principle is to First, when we pay our tithes feeling of peace is one of the great demonstrate it (see Teaching, to the Church, our Heavenly Father blessings of paying a full tithe. Those No Greater Call [1999], 164). pours out blessings upon us. Anyone who have kept the commandment of Consider asking a family member who has consistently paid a full tithe tithing can testify that the blessing of to demonstrate what one-tenth knows that is true. The blessings are peace is real and precious. represents. He or she could sometimes spiritual and sometimes Third, those who pay tithing feel an demonstrate it by separating one temporal. They are given in the increase in their love of God and of all item from a group of 10 items. Lord’s time and according to what God’s children. That increase of love To conclude, consider inviting a He knows is best for us. comes from understanding how the family member to show how to As those blessings come, our faith Father uses the tithes we offer to bless fill out a tithing slip. is increased that God is the source of people in this world and for eternity. • “Those you teach will benefit everything that is good in our lives. It Through His authorized servants, from each other’s participation” becomes easier to see that consecra- He expends the tithes with great care. (Teaching, No Greater Call, 63). tion simply recognizes the truth that The tithe payer helps the Lord build Invite family members to share all of God’s creations are His. It makes temples, where families can be sealed what they believe President us feel gratitude that He asks only 10 forever. The tithe payer helps Him send Eyring means by the statement percent of what He has already given the gospel to people everywhere. The “feel what we need to feel to us. So we are better prepared to live tithe payer helps Him relieve hunger receive the gift of eternal life.” the law of consecration when it will be and suffering in His own way through Consider discussing the three asked of us. His servants. Any of those servants can ways in which paying tithing Second, all of us who have paid a tell you how love increased because prepares us to feel what we consistent full tithe feel greater confi- tithing was used to bless people. And need to feel to receive God’s dence in asking God for what we and so can the faithful tithe payer. blessings. our families need. He has promised Tithing settlement is months in the blessings even greater than we can future. I pray that you and your family receive when we have been faithful will begin now to plan and prepare to to our covenant to pay our tithes (see qualify for the blessings that God pours Malachi 3:10). So one of the great out on all those who can declare to

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT CASEY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT blessings of tithing is confidence in Him that they are full-tithe payers. ◼

June 2011 5 First Presidency Message

YOUTH C H I L D R E N I Can Pay Tithing aying tithing means giving 10 percent of Pwhat we earn to the Lord. Look at these three Enough Money children doing jobs. On the first blank space by By Fabiano dos Santos da Silva each drawing, write how much you think each child might earn for the job. On the second line, met the missionaries when I was 17. At that time my older write how much the tithing would be. I brother and I lived together. Our mother had passed away the year before, and life was difficult. When the missionaries taught me, I could see that this Church was the church I had always sought. But the influence of my friends pre- vented me from going to church on Sundays. One time I went to a Church activity during the week. Seeing all the young people laughing and playing brought me great joy. The missionaries, with the youth, took that opportunity to teach me a gospel lesson, and I felt so good I resolved to be baptized. But even after I joined the Church, I faced challenges. I was the only member of the Church in that part of town and lived far away from the meetinghouse. My nonmember friends no longer wanted anything to do with me. When I felt alone, I prayed and felt the love of the Lord. Each month, I received a small allotment of money from a fund my mother left. It was difficult to sustain myself with so little money. But I determined to be obedient. I paid tithing and also had to pay for transportation to seminary and Sunday meetings. I didn’t understand how, but at the end of the month, I found that there had been enough money to do it all. I know that I have been blessed by paying tithing. Obeying this commandment helped me gain a stronger testimony, serve a mission, and recognize blessings so I can strengthen new members who are facing challenges.

Bonus question: Which of these tithe payers would receive the most blessings? (Hint: See the last paragraph of President Eyring’s message.) ILLUSTRATIONS BY STEVE KROPP ILLUSTRATIONS VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE

Study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it Strengthening Families with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an through Temporal active part of your own life.

Self-Reliance Faith • Family • Relief

eveloping self-reliance—the ability to care for What Can From Our History Dourselves and our families—is the responsibil- I Do? Relief Society sisters have always partici- ity of every sister. We become self-reliant as we learn 1. How can I pated in the work of saving souls temporally to love work, as we seek inspiration to find the best help my sisters and spiritually. Each week as the Female Relief ways to provide for ourselves, and as we work with and their families Society of Nauvoo met, sisters reported on family members to meet basic needs. improve in tempo- people in need. Donations of money, goods, ral self-reliance? When we are self-reliant, we use our blessings talents, and time were dispersed to relieve the How can and resources to prepare for and avoid problems. 2. needy. This foundational work of relieving suf- I improve my Self-reliance, however, is enhanced as we pray for own temporal fering has continued to be the work of Relief the courage to meet with faith the challenges that self-reliance? Society through the generations. will surely come. Self-reliance also enables us to When the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake keep our covenant to care for others. For more informa- Valley, President Brigham Young (1801–77) tion, go to www In Relief Society, we are taught self-reliance prin- .reliefsociety.lds.org. counseled sisters to assist those in need and ciples and skills. Sisters can learn about budgeting, to learn skills that would allow them to take NOTES debt relief, employment qualifications, the scriptures 1. See Handbook 2: care of themselves. He said, “Learn to sustain and the gospel, teaching others to read and learn, Administering the Church (2010), yourselves; lay up grain and flour, and save it technology, physical health, fitness, addiction pre- 9.4.2. against a day of scarcity.” 3 Under the direction vention and recovery, social and emotional health, 2. Julie B. Beck, “The Welfare of the priesthood, Relief Society continues to preventing illness, gardening, food production and Responsibilities of teach self-reliance, to safeguard the family, and the Relief Society storage, emergency preparedness, and many other President,” Basic to encourage personal righteousness and acts things that will help us become self-reliant.1 Principles of of charity, the pure love of Christ. Welfare and Self- Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, Reliance (2009), 6. explains that “providing for ourselves and others is 3. Teachings of Presidents of From the Scriptures evidence that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. the Church: John 13:34–35; James 1:27; Mosiah 4:26; . . . When [my mother-in-law] passed away suddenly Brigham Young (1997), 231. Doctrine and Covenants 29:34–35; 38:30; 44:6 last year, she left evidence of her self-reliant life. She had a current temple recommend and well-used scriptures and gospel study manuals. We lovingly divided up the pots, pans, and dishes with which she had prepared thousands of meals. She left us quilts she had made from old clothing. She believed in the old adage ‘Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.’ We saw the supply of food she had grown, preserved, and stored. Particularly touching were her little account books in which she faithfully recorded her expenditures over many years. Because she lived providently, she left some money she had saved for emergencies, and she left no debts! Most importantly, she had taught and inspired many others with the skills she had acquired during her faithful life.” 2 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WELDEN C. ANDERSEN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION June 2011 7 WHAT WE BELIEVE

The offices and some of the duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood:

1. Elders “confirm those who are baptized into the church, by the laying on of hands for the bap- PRIESTHOOD tism of fire and the Holy IS THE AUTHORITY TO ACT IN GOD’S NAME Ghost” (D&C 20:41). ur Father in Heaven gov- Priesthood are deacon, teacher, priest, erns the heavens and the and bishop. Within the Melchizedek Oearth. By His eternal power Priesthood, the offices are elder, high the universe is kept in perfect order. priest, patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle. To govern His Church on earth, He Those who hold these offices are orga- delegates a portion of His power and nized into quorums, or groups. Each authority to worthy male members of office has certain duties assigned to it. the Church. This delegated authority is called priesthood. We see this pat- Keys of the Priesthood tern of delegated responsibility in the The term keys refers to the authority The offices and some of New Testament, when Jesus Christ to preside over specific Church units or the duties of the Aaronic gave His Apostles the authority to act jurisdictions. In stakes and wards, for Priesthood: in His name (see Matthew 16:19). example, only the stake president, the This is God’s pattern of government. bishop, and quorum presidents It is in place upon the earth today. hold priesthood keys. The keys Those who hold the priesthood are are given by the laying on of authorized to act in God’s name in hands by a priesthood holder leading His Church and in administer- authorized to confer them. ing the sacred ordinances necessary for • Presidents of Melchizedek salvation, such as baptism, confirma- Priesthood quorums receive tion, administration of the sacrament, the keys of presidency and the and temple marriage. Every faithful administration of spiritual things Latter-day Saint man, woman, and child (see D&C 107:10, 18–19). needs priesthood ordinances and is blessed by receiving them. • Presidents of Aaronic Priesthood quorums receive the keys of Offices of the Priesthood the ministering of angels and There are two divisions of the performing ordinances such priesthood: Melchizedek and Aaronic. as baptism and the sacrament The Melchizedek Priesthood contains (see D&C 107:20). greater authority than the Aaronic • The President of the Church Priesthood. holds all the priesthood keys Within these two divisions are for the entire Church (see specific offices, or areas of responsi- D&C 81:1–2). bility. The offices within the Aaronic

8 Ensign 2. High priests “administer 4. Seventies preach the gos- in spiritual things” and pel and are special witnesses have “a right to officiate of Jesus Christ under the 5. Apostles serve as in” the offices of elder, 3. Patriarchs give patriarchal direction of the Quorum “special witnesses of the priest, teacher, and deacon blessings (see D&C 107:53; of the Twelve Apostles name of Christ in all the (D&C 107:12). 124:91–93). (see D&C 107:25, 34). world” (D&C 107:23).

1. Deacons pass the 2. Teachers “watch over 3. Priests “teach, . . . baptize, 4. Bishops are presidents sacrament. the church always, and be and administer the sacrament, of the priests quorum and,

MATTHEW REIER, RUTH SIPUS, CRAIG DIMOND, AND JOHN LUKE MATTHEW with and strengthen them” and visit the house of each as high priests, preside over PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY HYUN-GYU LEE, WELDEN C. ANDERSEN, PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS (D&C 20:53). member” (D&C 20:46–47). all members in a ward (see D&C 107:87–88). ◼

“Without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of god- liness is not manifest unto men in the flesh” (D&C 84:21).

For more information, see Gospel Principles (2009), 67–80; True to the Faith (2004), 124–28; and D&C 20:38–79; 84:1–44; 107.

June 2011 9 WE TALK OF CHRIST

He Carried My Sorrows

“Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Mosiah 14:4).

By Jane Bleak

ADVERSITY CAN LEAD will never forget the summer and fall our son Michael’s death. She reminded TOWARD GOD of 2009. On June 9 my father died us that we were not alone when she “There are those who have after suffering from dementia for wrote, “God is carrying you.” Her letter met disaster, which almost I over 10 years. On June 25 our 22-year- reminded me of the scripture in Doctrine seems defeat, who have old son died unexpectedly, and less than and Covenants 84:88: “I will go before become somewhat soured in their natures; but if they stop a month later, so did my cousin. On your face. I will be on your right hand to think, even the adversity August 13 my 82-year-old mother had and on your left, and my Spirit shall be which has come to them open-heart surgery and began a lengthy in your hearts, and mine angels round may prove a means of spir- recovery. On October 18 my 41-year-old about you, to bear you up.” itual uplift. Adversity itself brother died. On October 31 my hus- I gained strength by reading a talk by may lead toward and not band had a massive heart attack and flat Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of away from God and spiritual lined for eight minutes. The firefighters, the Twelve Apostles titled “Trust in the enlightenment.” paramedics, and a priesthood blessing Lord.” He said: “Just when all seems to President David O. McKay (1873– 1970), Treasures of Life, comp. Clare brought him back to us. be going right, challenges often come in Middlemiss (1962), 107–8. People often asked me how we han- multiple doses applied simultaneously. dled all of these events. My consistent When those trials are not consequences answer was that we would turn to the of your disobedience, they are evidence Savior, and He cared for us. He did not that the Lord feels you are prepared leave us alone in our trials. I felt minis- to grow more. He therefore gives you tered to and carried by the heavens. Truly, experiences that stimulate growth, under- He “has borne [my] griefs” (Mosiah 14:4). standing and compassion, which polish Comfort also came in the form of you for your everlasting benefit. To get family, friends, and members of our ward you from where you are to where He and stake. They took loving care of us in wants you to be requires a lot of stretch- countless ways. Our 13-year-old grand- ing, and that generally entails discomfort daughter, Krystal, wrote us a letter after and pain” (­Ensign, Nov. 1995, 16–17).

10 Ensign WHY CAN WE TRUST IN THE LORD? Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles helps answer this question in his In Gethsemane, Jesus Christ set a perfect example of trust when He asked His Father general conference talk “Trust that “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” But then He said, “Nevertheless not in the Lord” (­Ensign, Nov. 1995, as I will, but as thou wilt” (see Matthew 26:39–44). 16–18).

He said that questions such as “Why the future, helped me to heal my heavy 1. God knows what He is doing. does this have to happen to me?” or heart, heightened my awareness of the When we pass through trials “Why do I have to suffer this now?” lead goodness around me, given me oppor- for His purposes, we can trust us into blind alleys. Rather, Elder Scott tunities to serve, deepened my compas- Him to help us. suggests asking questions like “What am sion for others, and magnified my love 2. God’s plan is to exalt us so we I to learn from this experience?” “Whom for family and friends. can return to live with Him.1 am I to help?” and “How can I remem- Through it all, I have gained a testi- 3. Overcoming trials is part of ber my many blessings in times of trial?” mony that our challenge is to surrender that plan. As we do so, we I have resisted the temptation to our will to our Heavenly Father because gain strength, understanding, ask, “Why?” Instead, I have asked for only then can we personally be refined faith, and trust in God.2 Heavenly Father’s guidance through my and polished in the ways He has specifi- trials. He has blessed me with hope in cally designed for each of us. ◼ Consider sharing Elder Scott’s talk “Trust in the Lord” with Handling Grief someone who is struggling.

• We are not left alone in our grief because Jesus Christ—“a man of sorrows, NOTES and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3)—has borne our sorrows as part of 1. See Gospel Principles (2009), 10–11. 2. See Gospel Principles, 17–21. the Atonement. • We can strive to resist the temptation to ask, “Why?” Instead, we can ask for the Lord’s guidance. • We can accept the challenge to surrender our will to our Heavenly Father.

For more information on this topic, see Proverbs 3:5–6 and Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Sunday Will Come,” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, Nov. 2006, 28–30. BY HEINRICH HOFMANN, COURTESY OF C. HARRISON CONROY CO. CHRIST IN GETHSEMANE, BY HEINRICH HOFMANN, COURTESY

June 2011 11 

Those who honor the calling of righteous parenthood will find their souls refined, their hearts purified, and their minds enlightened by the most important lessons of life. 

By Elder Bruce D. Porter Of the Seventy

DefendingTHE FAMILY IN A TROUBLED WORLD

atter-day Saints have been blessed with revealed truths regarding families that remain unknown to the world at L large. We understand that the family is an eternal insti- tution ordained by God from before the foundation of the world, with the potential to continue on forever beyond this mortal sphere. Happy, loving families, though imperfect and falling short of the ideal, are the closest thing we have on earth to a small-scale model of eternity, a tiny seed of unimaginable glory to come. We also know that gender, as declared in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” is “an essential characteristic of indi- vidual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” 1 The differences between men and women are not simply biological. They are woven into the fabric of the universe, a vital, founda- tional element of eternal life and divine nature. The family is intended by God as the great entryway into mor- tal life. It is central to the salvation of the human race, the per- petuation of civilization, and the birth and rearing of each new

PHOTOGRAPH BY APRIL NEWMAN generation.

June 2011 13 

seem to have lost their bearings when it comes to under- standing the vital importance of the family. This crisis was foreseen and foretold by ancient prophets who saw our day in vision. Their words of sober prophecy and warning are coming to pass before our very eyes. Here are a few such prophecies from ancient scripture: The Apostle Paul: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy . . . “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God . . . “Led away with divers lusts, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowl- edge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1–2, 4, 6–7). The Lord Jesus Christ: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). Isaiah: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

In families more than anywhere else children learn We live in a day when the love of many, even toward the values, practical life skills, manners, and fundamental their own children, is waxing cold; a day when so many truths that enable them to rise up and be successful in people love pleasures more than God; a day when good is the world. They learn the all-important attributes of love, called evil and evil good. Those who defend the traditional unselfishness, sharing, giving, and hard work that someday family, who stand for fidelity and chastity and all that once will be essential for them to form families of their own was considered wholesome and praiseworthy are mocked and to rear up a new generation in order that the great and ridiculed. On the other hand, those who see no prob- wheel of life may roll onward. So vital is the family to the lem with fatherless homes, who advocate abortion, who cycle of human life and the renewal of each generation fight all attempts to limit pornography, and who seek to that it is fair to say that if the family breaks down, every- redefine the very essence of what a family is, are praised thing breaks down. If families do not fulfill their divinely and upheld as champions of tolerance. Truly, the world appointed purpose of carrying on the light of truth and the has turned upside down. torch of civilization to the next generation, then we can In 1920 the divorce rate in the United States was 8 per throw any amount of money or ideas or programs at our 1,000 married women; by 1979, it had reached nearly 23, a world’s problems, and we will assuredly fail. nearly threefold increase.2 It has since dropped slightly,3 but this is likely due to a large increase in cohabitating couples, The Family Is in Crisis now an estimated 6.6 million,4 whose separations, including In our contemporary world, in many dimensions, the from children, are not recorded in official statistics. By many family is in crisis. The crisis is both internal to many fam- measurements, the United States has the highest divorce rate ilies and it is external or societal in the sense that many in the world. Evidence of the toll is that today in America a 5 NICOLE KORB OF COLOR-DIENST KORB; LEFT BOTTOM: PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN FRIIS, © HENRIK ALS; RIGHT: PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT REIER PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT NICOLE KORB OF COLOR-DIENST KORB; LEFT BOTTOM: PHOTOGRAPH BY JAN FRIIS, © HENRIK ALS; RIGHT: of society’s leaders and opinion-makers increasingly heartbreaking 40 percent of all births are out of wedlock. REIER; LEFT BOTTOM: PHOTOGRAPH BY RUTH SIPUS; OF FREIBERG GERMANY TEMPLE LEFT TOP: PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT

14 Ensign 

One consequence of family disintegration has culture have glorified the pursuit of self: of the been a rising generation among whom many wholly autonomous individual unconnected no longer seek to perpetuate the cycle of family with social or moral obligations, free to pursue formation that is at the heart of human existence, whatever ends he or she chooses so long as it and for that matter, at the heart of eternal life. does not cause direct physical harm to other Many young people across our nation, who in aggrandizing selves. the natural course of life should grow up, marry, In the mad pursuit of self that prevails in the and rear children, are instead trapped in a world world today, many believe that they may make up where sexual intimacy is casual, responsibility and their own rules as they go along, putting on their long-term commitments are denigrated, and chil- personal concept dren are viewed as a burden, a distraction from of morality or “life- Successful families the pursuit of happiness and personal fulfillment. style” like a change They have lost connection with the divine pur- of clothing. Such is require that men pose of mortal life, arriving instead at the sterile a violation of divine and women make apex of the me generation. law and as such is substantial and At least one secular scholar, James Lincoln Collier, doomed to failure. long-term sacrifices of recognized the danger of these trends 20 years ago. This is what the Lord their time, money, and Collier traces how in the course of the 20th century, said of those who personal fulfillment in selfishness, sexual immorality, and the deterioration seek to become their order to dedicate their of community values damaged America’s social fab- own law: efforts to rearing the ric. His foremost concern is for the family: “That which next generation. “We have abandoned our children. Between a breaketh a law, and soaring divorce rate and an equally soaring rate abideth not by law, of children born to unwed mothers, it is now the but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and case that the majority of our children will spend at willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in least a portion of their childhoods in single parent sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, homes—in effect being raised without fathers. A justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain large minority will spend their entire childhoods filthy still” (D&C 88:35). essentially without fathers, and a considerable Yet the messages we constantly hear in media, number will not even know who their fathers are. entertainment, and advertising sound like this: “This is an extremely unusual circumstance— “You’re number one.” perhaps unique in human experience. In no “Do your own thing.” known human society, past or present, have chil- “You’re special.” dren generally been raised outside of an intact “Find yourself.” nuclear family. The nuclear family is one of the Such messages are so pervasive that we uncon- most basic of all human institutions, a system of sciously absorb them and sometimes repeat them. doing things so fundamental that until this century Yet they are diametrically opposite from the mes- it occurred to very few people that life could exist sage of the Savior, as recorded in similar language without it.” 6 in every one of the four gospels: “He that findeth The disintegration of millions of families has his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for taken place in part because popular media and my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39). Happiness through Selflessness and Obedience We gain happiness and salvation not by blindly pursu- ing our own self and our own will. We gain salvation by submitting our will, indeed our very selves, to the will of God. We must lose ourselves to find ourselves. The family by its very nature is an institution based upon righteous self-denial and sacrifice. It is not an indi- vidualistic or self-centered organization, but a highly coop- erative and other-centered institution. Successful families require that men and women make substantial and long- term sacrifices of their time, money, and personal fulfill- ment in order to dedicate their efforts to rearing the next generation. Selfishness in any form or degree weakens the bonds that hold families together. The rise of selfishness in our society is the fundamental underlying trend that undermines families and makes successful marriages so difficult. Many today find it irrational to devote so much time and energy to the welfare of the next generation, but if this commitment is not deeply rooted in society, civiliza- tion will decline and perish, while children grow up in a moral wasteland, confused, unguided, and unloved. God has given His children commandments, laws, and Moreover, the sacrifices that fathers and mothers make for revelations that define the pathway leading back into their children ultimately will result in the greatest possible His presence. His laws and commandments are intended happiness for those making the sacrifices. In all of human to bless us, to uplift us, and to bring us joy. They mark experience, there are no joys more tender, no love more the path of safety amidst the storms and mists of mortal sweet, no fulfillment higher than that found in the family. existence. This means that the strait and narrow path is a Those who honor the calling of righteous parenthood will path of divine love, a path laid down by a God of perfect find their souls refined, their hearts purified, and their minds charity, whose only desire is to bless. To the degree that enlightened by the most important lessons of life. They will any human being strays from that path, he or she inevita- rise to far greater heights of happiness than those who engage bly experiences inner conflict, distress, and loneliness. To in the narrow and ultimately unsatisfying pursuit of self. leave the strait and narrow path is to leave the one path In Lehi’s vision of the tree of life, he saw a strait and congruent with our own eternal nature. When we invite narrow path leading to the tree of life, which represented people to lay aside the things of the world and come the love of God (see 1 Nephi 8:20; 11:21–22). The world at unto Christ, we are inviting them to the one sure path that large is not interested in any moral path that is strait and leads to lasting joy and inner peace. narrow, but prefers its avenues to be as broad as possible. To some the very idea of a strait and narrow path will Latter-day Saints are often accused of narrow-mindedness seem intolerant of those who choose different paths. By or lack of tolerance and compassion because of our belief holding up a divine ideal of what family ought to be, in following precise standards of moral behavior as set they claim we are guilty of intolerance toward those who forth by God’s prophets. Let us consider, therefore, what is choose other paths, other standards, other definitions of

meant by the strait and narrow path. right and wrong. But is this really true? L. GARNS; LEFT BOTTOM: PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN LUKE; LEFT TOP: PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN LUKE; BOTTOM: © JERRY PHOTOGRAPH BY © HYUN-GYU LEE RIGHT:

16 Ensign 

The Shifting Definition of Tolerance convictions in the public arena. Until recently in our national history, tolerance Now let us go one step further. Even in its orig- referred to racial and religious non-discrimination. inal and correct connotation, tolerance is surely It meant civility in the political arena; in other a secondary virtue in comparison with the far words, respecting the right of others to express higher virtue of love. Certainly it is good to be tol- their views, even if we do not agree with them. erant of those who are different than we are, treat- It meant treating all people with decency and ing them with kindness and civility. But love, or respect. Such tolerance is an important and vital charity, is the highest of all, and it is far better to part of our American heritage. genuinely love those with whom we differ. When Today, however, the world is in danger of we truly love all of abandoning all sense of absolute right or wrong, God’s children in a all morality and virtue, replacing them with an Christlike way, we God has given His all-encompassing “tolerance” that no longer will desire to bring children commandments, means what it once meant. An extreme definition them unto Christ, laws, and revelations of tolerance is now widespread that implicitly or the fountain of all that define the pathway explicitly endorses the right of every person to happiness. This leading back into His choose their own morality, even their own “truth,” means proclaiming presence. His laws and as though morality and truth were mere matters the truth, defend- commandments are of personal preference. This extreme tolerance ing that which is intended to bless us, culminates in a refusal to recognize any fixed right, and in a mild to uplift us, and to standards or draw moral distinctions of any kind. voice inviting all bring us joy. Few dare say no to the “almighty self” or suggest to walk the path of that some so-called “lifestyles” may be destructive, Christ. By defend- contrary to higher law, or simply wrong. ing the traditional family, Latter-day Saints bless all When tolerance is so inflated out of all propor- people whether others recognize it now or not. tions, it means the death of virtue, for the essence of So perfect and exalted was Christ’s love for morality is to draw clear distinctions between right God’s children that He took upon Himself the and wrong. All virtue requires saying no firmly and penalty for their sins, descending below all things courageously to all that is morally bankrupt. in the Garden of Gethsemane and dying for us on Curiously enough, this new modern tolerance the cross at Golgotha. Yet He never compromised is often a one-way street. Those who practice virtue nor tolerated sin in the slightest degree it expect everyone to tolerate them in anything (see D&C 1:31). He treated the woman taken in they say or do, but show no tolerance themselves adultery with love and respect, putting her accus- toward those who express differing viewpoints ers to shame; nevertheless He said, “Go, and sin or defend traditional morality. Indeed, their intol- no more” ( John 8:11). The Master abhorred sin, erance is often most barbed toward those of because sin is the enemy of the human soul. religious conviction. But let there be no misunder- God’s love is sometimes described as standing or deception: the First Amendment right unconditional. It is true that God loves all of His of free speech applies to religious speech as well children on earth no matter how often or how as to other kinds of speech. Believers of all faiths far they may stray. But while God’s love is all-en- have every right to participate in and share their compassing, His blessings are highly conditional, 

including the very blessing of being able to Regardless of what the future may hold, God feel and experience His love. The further human has ordained that in the dispensation of the full- beings stray from the path of righteousness, the ness of times, the parents of the Church will be less they will be capable of feeling divine love, given power to help save their children from the because it is conveyed into our hearts by the darkness around them. As the hearts of fathers Holy Spirit. This does not mean that God loves and mothers turn to their children, and the hearts us less when we stray, only that we, by our of the children to their parents, we eventually will choices and actions, have distanced ourselves witness the rise of a generation refined and pre- from His love. How wondrous, then, is the gift pared to meet the Savior at His coming. The tri- of repentance, by which we can be brought umph of God’s kingdom in the latter days will be back into accord with His will and feel again a triumph not only of the Church as an organiza- of His love. tion but of tens of thousands of individual families who by faith have overcome the world. Our May we as members of the Church rise up Responsibility Regardless of what the to Defend and assume our divinely appointed role as a future may hold, God has the Family light to the nations. May we sacrifice and labor ordained that in the In the fam- to rear a generation strong enough to resist the dispensation of the ful- ily proclama- siren songs of popular culture, a generation filled ness of times, the parents tion, the First with the Holy Ghost so that they may discern of the Church will be Presidency and the difference between good and evil, between given power to help save Quorum of the legitimate tolerance and moral surrender. May Twelve Apostles we arise in faith and in love so as to prepare the their children from the declare, “We way for the great millennial reign of Christ, a day darkness around them. warn that the to come when in every village and city of the disintegration world, boys and girls will play in innocence, of the family will bring upon individuals, com- and every child of God know the peace of a munities, and nations the calamities foretold by happy home. ◼ 7 ancient and modern prophets.” The Church is a Adapted from an address given at a conference held at small institution compared with the world at large. Brigham Young University on March 5, 2010.

Nevertheless, the Latter-day Saints as a people NOTES should not underestimate the power of our exam- 1. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, Nov. 2010, 129. ple, nor our capacity to persuade public opinion, 2. Susan B. Carter, et al., Historical Statistics of the United reverse negative trends, or invite seeking souls to States, Millennial Edition, Vol. 1, 688–689. 3. 16.9 divorces per 1,000 married women ages 15 and enter the gate and walk the Lord’s chosen way. older in 2008. See W. Bradford Wilcox and Elizabeth Marquardt, eds., The State of Our Unions: Marriage in We ought to give our best efforts, in cooperation America, 2009, 75. with like-minded persons and institutions, to 4. America’s Family and Living Arrangements: 2009, U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March 2009. defend the family and raise a voice of warning See Table UC1. This source estimates 6.6 million cohabitat- and of invitation to the world. The Lord expects ing couples. 5. Brady E. Hamilton, et al., “Births: Preliminary Data for us to do this, and in doing so to ignore the mock- 2008,” National Vital Statistics Reports 58:16 (April 2010), 5. 6. James Lincoln Collier, The Rise of Selfishness in America, ing and scorn of those in the great and spacious (1990), 246.

building, where is housed the pride of the world. 7. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” 129. PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRISTINA SMITH

18 Ensign OUR HOMES, OUR FAMILIES

The Power of a Righteous Example By Jerry Stringam n April 1992 my family and I were “So are you going out with her?” living in Provo, Utah, where we I asked. I had moved from Canada so I could “She said she would like to go,” complete a degree in engineering at he replied, “but she told me to call Brigham Young University. My son her back after I get home from Jase, who was 17, had become friends the priesthood session.” With a with a young woman named Krista. dejected look on his face, he On the Saturday evening of gen- slunk off to his room. eral conference weekend, Jase came Something hit me like into the living room and asked if a ton of bricks. I had I got up from he could borrow the car to take grown up in southern my chair and called Krista out for a milk shake. I tossed Alberta, nearly 80 miles down the hall to Jase and my him the keys, and he went into the (130 km) from the stake second son, a newly ordained dea- kitchen to call her. I could hear one center. No one had expected me or con, “Change your clothes. We have side of the conversation, which went even my parents, who had leadership 10 minutes to get to the priesthood like this: positions in our branch, to show up session at the stake center.” I hurried for conference sessions, let alone the to get ready, and when I came out of “Hi, Krista, priesthood session. Now someone my bedroom, both boys were ready, it’s me, Jase. was counting on it. and we headed for the car. I was wondering if What would my response be to I don’t remember the talks very you would like to my son’s look of sad- well, but I remember that we felt the go out for a milk ness as he went to Spirit. It felt good to be at the priest- shake.” his room? I knew hood session with my sons. When Silence. that my decision we came home, Jase felt good about “You mean after would set a himself, which made me feel good. priesthood meeting? precedent for He called Krista, and they went to get Well, OK, years to come. milk shakes. I’ll call you then. In the two decades that have passed See ya.” since that day, the priesthood holders in our family have not missed a single Jase hung up priesthood session of general con- the phone and ference. Because a righteous young came back into woman stood up for her beliefs, our the living family had the opportunity to change, room. and we continue to hear the words of latter-day prophets and feel the Spirit in the priesthood session of general

ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROGER MOTZKUS ILLUSTRATIONS conference. ◼

June 2011 19 

THE PRISON & THE

DANDELIBy Andrew D. Olsen N

As a missionary, I learned to face difficulties with hope and faith instead of becoming a prisoner of discouragement.

hese are the areas I’ll be assigning you to,” our mis- sion president said when he met his three newest Telders. I felt excited about the first two places he mentioned but reluctant about the third. It was a town with four prisons. Later that day, I felt somewhat relieved when I was assigned to one of the other areas. This reprieve was only temporary, however, as I was transferred to that town several months later. I arrived by bus on a bitterly cold January night. A ward member brought my companion to pick me up, then drove us to an old house that had been divided into apartments. Missionaries often live in humble dwellings, but this was unlike any I’d seen before. “I haven’t let my bare feet touch the floor since I got here,” my companion said. I soon learned why. Parts of the floor were spongy with decay. Not to be outdone, the ceiling sagged ominously. Wallpaper was peeling off the walls. Leaky radiators were hissing. When I opened the old latch-style fridge, I saw two boxes of breakfast cereal. “That’s how we keep out the cockroaches,” my companion explained. I was sure that those who said there were only four prisons in town had miscounted.

20 Ensign DANDELI N

ILLUSTRATION BY GREG NEWBOLD most fundamentalfreedom—the power tochoosemy denied theirfreedom, the Ihadbeensurrendering that inthisplacewhereso many peoplewere forcibly tions controlmyoutlook. Icametorecognize theirony do thesame. Istoppedlettingdifficult condi- Gradually any environment, Iadopteditasasymboltohelpme ing thevery flower I’d heldincontempt. you’re planted,” Ithought, surprisedtofindmyselfadmir in thesidewalk. fromacrack radiantly “Bloom where single dandelion. Insteadofbloominginrichsoil, itshone made peace. by Surrounded patchesoflatesnow was a inthemissionfield,One morning I walked outsideand doing lawn care, anddandelionshadbeenmyenemy. break: adandelion. Before mymission, Ispentasummer and someguidance—Ifound bothinabundance. sodramatic.need anything AllIneededwas somehope Ididn’t power ofGodfreedthem(seeHelaman5:20–49). Helaman’s sonsNephiandLehiwere castintoprison, the which they were Andwhen bound” (seeAlma14:26–29). Amulek prayed for deliverance, “they broke thecordswith from prisonandotherbondage. For example, asAlmaand my situationandthemanyaccountsofpeoplebeingfreed Book ofMormon. between Ibegantoseespiritualparallels with myown attitude. around me. Instead, Iwas buildingthetown’s newest prison blame adverse circumstancesfor theprisonwalls Ifelt rising planted,” itsaid. helpedmerealizethatIcouldn’t This phrase that breathedspringintomywinter. “Bloom whereyou’re letters tofamilyandfriends. Inresponse, Ireceived aletter five feet long. Idefaultedtodiscouragement. winter anyone couldremember. Iciclesfromourroofwere moved outoftown. Adding to ourdifficulty was the worst people toteach. Ofthosewe were teaching, two orthree to goagainstus. Despiteworking hard, we found very few Because ofthedandelion’s abilitytothrive inalmost I alsohadanunexpectedaccompliceinmyprison andmind, tothe Seeking achangeofheart Iturned Apparently Iexpressedinmy someofthesestruggles fewDuring thenext weeks, almosteverything seemed - them that put their trust inhim”them thatputtheirtrust 29:20). (Mosiah ◼ the childrenofmen, ofmercytowards thearm extending doth theLordwork withhispower inallcasesamong unto himhediddeliver themoutofbondage;andthus themselves before him;andbecausethey criedmightily and theprisonwalls collapse. wire,and razor I summonthisexperience asamissionary, time totime. Butbefore Igetvery farwithmyconcrete againsteachotherfrom and thedandelionstillfaceoff As life progresses andgreaterchallengesarise, theprison planted, whenever theseason, whatever thechallenges. the discovery thatIcanchoosetobloomwherever Iam this day, Icherishthefriendships. AndIstillbenefitfrom life morethan30years departure. myreluctant after To forinstrument theLordtowork through. than improve mypersonalcapacity; italsomademeabetter such aninstrument. Changingmy attitudedidmuchmore instruments. Myearlierattitude hadlimitedmypotentialas in thattown dependedonthemissionariesbeinggood scripture suggestedthatinsomesmallway, theLord’s work through your instrumentality” (D&C111:2). To me, this people inthiscity, whomIwillgatheroutinduetime. . . andthesesimilarwordsserving oftheLord: “I have . . . many andeven intonew generations extending intoothernations. that were opened, theblessingsofgospelarenow shall beopened” (D&C100:3). Through someofthedoors “I have muchpeopleinthisplace, . . . andaneffectualdoor these words andCovenants: oftheLordfromDoctrine I wroterepeatedly, and “I love thisplace.” to thatareaopenlyaskingstay. “I love thesepeople,” ings changedfromsilentlyhopingIwouldn’t besentenced itive expectations, they alsobecameself-fulfilling. Myplead- negative outlookhadbeenself-fulfilling. AsIdeveloped pos- response tomycircumstances—withoutmuchofafight. “Behold, hediddeliver thembecausethey didhumble The town Ioncehopedtoavoid continuestoblessmy I alsosaw between aconnection thetown whereIwas Soon Isaw between aconnection myfieldoflaborand shows aremarkablechange. journal My My missionary

June 2011

21  

THE TRUE PATH TO Happiness

As we pursue he recipe for “the good life” has been to spend less time “preparing students for the true path debated for centuries. When the careers” and more time “preparing them to Apostle Paul was in Athens on Mars make social decisions.” 3 to happiness in T Hill, he encountered “philosophers of the As I read these statements, I reflected our families and Epicureans, and of the Stoicks” (Acts 17:18). on what the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: professions, I pray The Stoics believed that the highest good was “Happiness is the object and design of our we will use our virtue, while the Epicureans believed that the existence; and will be the end thereof, if we knowledge and highest good was pleasure. Many Stoics had pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is become proud and used the philosophy as virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and influence to bring “a cloak for . . . ambition and iniquity.” Many keeping all the commandments of God.” 4 greater righ- Epicureans had become hedonists who took In the spirit of the statement in the New teousness, peace, as their motto “Let us eat and drink, for York Times about marriage and the Prophet’s understanding, to-morrow we die.” 1 optimistic declaration, I am confident that we and freedom to Many in the academic world have long can have the happiness that we desire and pointed to Aristotle’s advocacy of “intellec- that God wants for us. What must we do to people all over tual contemplation” as a blueprint for “the attain it? the world. good life.” A reviewer writing in the New York Times Book Review asserted that modern phi- Be Grateful for Your Heritage losophers “have concluded that there is no Always be grateful for your blessings, espe- single right balance of elements that consti- cially your heritage. When we are blessed with tutes ‘the good life for man.’” 2 goodly parents, we should be grateful. This is An article in the New York Times asserted, the debt each of us owes for our heritage. “Marital happiness is far more important An old Chinese proverb reads, “When than anything else in determining personal you drink the water, don’t forget the well

well-being.” The author challenged colleges from whence it sprung.” It is clear from the WELDEN C. ANDERSEN, AND JOHN LUKE CASEY, BY ROBERT PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS

22 Ensign 

By Elder Quentin L. Cook Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

scriptures that we are to honor our parents. which they would hope to bestow upon us. A proverb reads, “My son, keep thy father’s This is a step toward personal happiness. commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 6:20). The great Commit Yourself to the Family German philosopher Goethe put it this way: Second, commit yourself to the eternal institution of the family as the foundation for What from your fathers’ heritage is lent, happiness. In the world at large, many are Earn it anew, to really possess it! 5 choosing not to get married or are delaying It is clear that we need to be grateful for our marriage. The family is an eternal institution parents and take positive action to acquire that ordained of God from before the foundation PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROBERT CASEY, WELDEN C. ANDERSEN, AND JOHN LUKE CASEY, BY ROBERT PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS 

I assure you that the joy, love, and fulfill- ment experienced in loving, righteous families produce the greatest possible happiness we can achieve.

of the world. Most people will marry and be such as infidelity or other extreme conditions. blessed with children. There is no greater President McKay was obviously concerned blessing in this life than having children. Some that the institution of marriage was in trouble. of the most poignant passages in all of scrip- He stated, “The increasing divorce rate in the ture capture the sublime significance of chil- United States today is a threatening menace to dren in our Heavenly Father’s plan. They are this nation’s greatness.” 7 truly “an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). When we look back at what President When I was in my 20s, President David O. McKay taught, it was truly prophetic. The McKay (1873–1970) gave a prophetic mes- current editor-in-chief of U.S. News and sage about marriage and children. He was World Report has chronicled the history and 95 years old and in the last year of his life. consequences that have occurred since then. He taught that the pure love between a man He reports that “divorce rates have more and a woman “is one of the noblest things on than doubled since the 1960s,” and births earth, and the bearing and rearing of children to unwed mothers “have risen from 5 per- the highest of all human duties.” 6 cent in 1960 to about 35 percent today.” He President McKay then shared his concern explains the results and the adverse impact about the increasing acceptance of divorce. In on children. He makes it clear that “the stable 1969 California was the first state in the United family of two biological parents . . . turns out States that allowed what has been called “no- to be the ideal vessel for molding character, fault divorce.” Prior to that time, there had to for nurturing, for inculcating values, and for be a reason for the termination of a marriage, planning for a child’s future.” 8

24 Ensign 

The New York Times article con- whom you admire and who will be force for good. A significant challenge cludes, “Modern societies . . . have an your best friend. I assure you that the is to adhere to the scriptural injunc- affinity for material concerns and a pri- joy, love, and fulfillment experienced tion to live in the world but not of mordial fear of moral and social ones” in loving, righteous families produce the world (see John 17). President and, as a result, they have a “spiritual the greatest possible happiness we can Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972), blind side.” 9 Isn’t this what President achieve. That happiness is the foun- as a member of the Quorum of the McKay prophesied? dation for a successful society. Those Twelve Apostles, taught that though Let me assure you that the vast who are righteous and are not able we are in the world, “we are not of majority of marriages between faithful to accomplish this goal are entitled the world in the sense that we are members of the Church are happy and to every blessing that our Father in under any necessity to partake of successful. For those not yet married, Heaven has for His children. . . . evil customs, . . . fashions, . . . you should move forward with faith follies, false doctrines and theories.” 10 and confidence toward the ultimate Be Involved in a Positive Way In addition, your contribution to the goal of marriage and family. I would Third, be involved in the world place where you live is part of your counsel you to find a righteous spouse in a positive way and be a powerful challenge to be an example, share 

the gospel, and live according to the associated with the firm, but its lawyers and all manner of promiscuous and truths you have been taught by par- were individuals of character and abil- sinful conduct. A concerned stake ents and prophets. ity. After a morning of interviews, the president back then asked the leader- To accomplish this challenge, you most senior partner and two other part- ship of the Church if leaders should will want and need to be involved in ners took me to lunch. The senior part- encourage Church members to the world in a positive way. We must ner inquired if I would like a prelunch remain in the San Francisco Bay Area. be tried and tested and found worthy alcoholic drink and later if I would like President Harold B. Lee (1899– of a greater kingdom. As President wine. In both cases I declined. And the 1973), then a senior member of the Thomas S. Monson has taught, second time, I informed him that I was Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was “Decisions determine destiny.” 11 an active Latter-day Saint and did not assigned to address the issue. He met This is not an easy life; it was drinkalcoholic beverages. with a group of priesthood leaders not meant to be. Nevertheless, we I received an offer of employment and told them that the Lord had not know that the Lord will cause our from the firm, and a few months later inspired the construction of a temple trials to bless us and be for our the senior partner told me that the in our area only to have the members good. He will give us the strength offer of alcoholic beverages was a leave. His counsel was to: to stand firm despite opposition. test. He noted that my résumé made 1. Create Zion in our hearts and homes. Righteousness is its own reward, it clear that I had served a Latter-day 2. Be a light to those among whom and the scriptures promise us that Saint mission. He had determined that we live. the reward for righteousness is he would hire me only if I was true to 3. Focus on the ordinances and prin- “peace in this world, and eternal life the teachings of my own church. He ciples taught in the temple. in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). considered it a significant matter of I counsel you to be involved in the character and integrity. If we will follow President Lee’s world in a positive way. In my years in San Francisco, counsel today, we can successfully California, USA, I knew some mem- be in the world but not of the world. Live and Communicate Your bers who avoided letting their associ- However, we must each determine Standards ates know they were Latter-day Saints. whether we will look to the world Fourth, live and communicate your Invariably, they were drawn into com- or focus on the temple. standards to those you interact with. promising situations that could have Over our lifetime we will face Challenges will come to many of you been avoided had they forthrightly many worldly challenges. One of as you seek employment. You will declared what they believed. these challenges is that we will find need to be wise. My recommendation that the Church and its teachings are would be to let potential employ- Be a Light not understood and are sometimes ers know you have high ethical and Finally, be a light to the people misrepresented. A few years ago Elder moral standards, including a commit- where you live. When my wife and I M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of ment to your family. were starting out as a newly married the Twelve Apostles called on Church I learned the significance of this couple in the San Francisco Bay Area members to let their voices be heard early in my career. After finishing my in the mid-1960s, the Latter-day Saint in defending the faith and correcting education at Stanford Law School, I population was relatively small. In false information. He pointed out that focused on working for a particular law addition, the San Francisco Bay Area it is particularly important for us to firm. No members of the Church were had become a magnet for drug abuse participate in the “‘new media,’ made

26 Ensign 

possible by the Internet.” 12 In a world with From an address delivered at Brigham Young University– diverse communications and with members Hawaii on April 10, 2010. For the full text in English, visit http:// devotional.byuh.edu/node/416. spread all over the globe, there is a need for NOTES 1. Frederic W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul Latter-day Saints to respond to and defend (1902), 1:535–36. against irresponsible and inaccurate descrip- 2. Jim Holt, “A Word about the Wise,” New York Times Book Review, Mar. 14, 2010, 12. tions of the Church when they occur. We are 3. David Brooks, “The Sandra Bullock Trade,” New York Times, Mar. 30, 2010, p. A23. grateful for what has transpired since Elder 4. Joseph Smith, in History of the Church, 5:134–35. Ballard’s article, and I reiterate his challenge. 5. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust, trans. Bayard Taylor (1912), 1:28. I am confident that we can attain the hap- 6. David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1969, 9. 7. David O. McKay, Apr. 1969, 8. piness we desire and that God wants for us. It 8. Mortimer B. Zuckerman, “Family-Unfriendly Policies,” is my prayer that as we pursue the true path to U.S. News and World Report, Oct. 5, 2007, 72. 9. David Brooks, “The Sandra Bullock Trade,” p. A23. happiness in our families and professions, we 10. Joseph Fielding Smith, in Conference Report, Oct. 1916, 70. will use our knowledge and influence to bring 11. Thomas S. Monson, “Invitation to Exaltation,” Tambuli, greater righteousness, peace, understanding, Sept. 1993, 4; ­Ensign, June 1993, 4. 12. M. Russell Ballard, “Sharing the Gospel Using the and freedom to people all over the world. ◼ Internet,” ­Liahona, June 2008, N1; ­Ensign, July 2008, 60.

Be involved in the world in a positive way and be a powerful force for good.

June 2011 27  THE HEALING POWER OF

Sin, divorce, and disappointment HOPE left me wounded. The Savior helped me through them all.

Name withheld always knew I would come back to the Church. Still, it even though this privilege was almost unheard of in my came as a surprise to me when the Holy Ghost whis- line of work. Ipered that now was the time. I hadn’t exactly been My next step in the repentance process was prayer. living in a way to invite the Holy Ghost to speak to me. I had always been taught that Heavenly Father answers But the whispering of the Spirit was persistent. prayers. I turned to Him for help in making the changes My parents had been blessed to learn of the gospel in that were needed in my life. With His help, the doors their teens, not long after they began dating. After their mar- opened wider for me to come back. riage they were diligent about sharing this precious gift with At that time, I had a Primary child’s basic understanding their children. I grew up in the Church, watching my parents of repentance and forgiveness. When I was taught more serve faithfully in leadership callings. In my teens, though, I fully how the Savior’s Atonement really applied to me, dropped out, determined that I must experience life on my I learned I could be forgiven for those parts of my life own terms to learn if what I had been taught was true. that were not acceptable in the Lord’s eyes. The words of Still, I never denied that the gospel is true, and a part Mosiah 26:29 came to have deep meaning for me: of me knew I needed to come back. Despite the worldly “Whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye lifestyle I was living, I just knew somehow that I would be judge according to the sins which he has committed; and married in the temple—someday. if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth When the Spirit spoke to me, I was in my mid-20s living in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will far from home, in a major city of the country where I was forgive him also.” born, and enjoying my job as a flight attendant. My parents After much sincere repentance, I was able to go to the believe those spiritual promptings came to me as a result temple with some friends to do baptisms for the dead. of blessings that were pronounced on them by President I found there a few loving people who had known me Thomas S. Monson after my father was called as a mission since my birth. In the temple I felt overwhelmed by a president. President Monson promised that they would sense of accomplishment. I was worthy at last to be within receive unexpected blessings as a result of their desire to those walls! As a group of youth from another part of the serve and their willingness to accept the call. country prepared to do baptisms for the dead, I watched I was comfortable in my lifestyle—not ready to give them, hoping they would stay close to the gospel as they up what I now call “my sugar-coated years,” although I grew older, and that they would be stronger against temp- was discovering that there was little substance under the tation than I had been, because it never stops. sugar coating. A breakup with a man after two years of I had gained an excitement about studying the gospel, dating opened the way for me to consider a more impor- and every time I read in the scriptures, especially the Book tant relationship—with my Savior. One day while I was of Mormon, I felt an increasing certainty that all I read was feeling dejected over that breakup, the words came to my true. It was exciting to feel worthy to partake of the sacra- mind, “I have to go back to Church.” I began attending ment each week. For me, the feeling was like being given meetings when I had Sunday off, and later I requested a precious gift all over again. that I be given every Sunday off. My request was granted, When I was able to receive my own endowments in

28 Ensign  THE HEALING POWER OF HOPE

the temple, and then to be sealed to a returned missionary me each time I needed Him, to soothe my aching heart. I and to move to his country, I felt this was the fulfillment of know now that the Atonement of His Son can help to heal a dream. this wound too. I also know that the healing has been helped Unfortunately, part of that dream would soon be lost. In by the love of my family and the support of good friends that just over a year, my marriage ended. The decision was not my Heavenly Father has placed around me. mine, and even though I did not want the outcome, noth- Sometimes I look back and marvel at how He changed ing I could do would change the situation. my life. Sometimes I still look back and wonder too how Watching that part of my new life crumble was more pain- some things went wrong—the things I could not control. ful than I could ever have imagined. Divorce was emotionally I suppose no one would willingly choose the pain and shattering. I was alone—in my ex-husband’s homeland and testing I have gone through. However, through these expe- far from my family—wondering how to deal with the hurt. riences, I have come much closer to my Heavenly Father, There were many tears, and it would have been easy to and I would not give up any of what I have come to know BY BRIAN KERSHISNIK, DO NOT COPY become bitter. But I could not, because my Heavenly Father and understand about His love for me. continued to sustain me as I turned to Him in prayer and by He still sustains me and lifts me up, and with the

BRINGING FOOD, attending the temple regularly. He has been there to comfort strength He gives me, I look to the future in hope. ◼

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By Elder Donald L. Hallstrom Of the Presidency of the Seventy THE Heart AND A WILLING Mind

n 1951 Masako Kato met the missionaries in her A few months later a young missionary hometown of Yokohama, Japan. When the mis- approached them and suggested they think about Isionaries began to speak of spiritual things, she marriage—to each other. This surprised them, felt something and allowed them to teach her about especially Shozo. However, it prompted him to the restored gospel. During this time both Masako’s think about Masako in a different way than he older sister and mother died. She was emotion- had before. Not long afterward, on April 29, 1953, ally devastated but still attended the Church’s little they were married. branch—even on the Sunday after her mother Brother and Sister Suzuki were blessed with passed away. During the opening hymn, the power nine children. Seven of their children served of the Spirit brought her to tears, and she gained a full-time missions. Eight married, all in the witness of the eternal nature of life. temple. Brother Suzuki has served as a branch Masako wanted to be baptized, but her father president, district president, mission president, would not give his permission. She was of president of the Japan Missionary Training legal age, but out of respect for her father, she Center, regional represen- honored his wishes. However, she continued to tative, and patriarch. From

attend Church meetings and participate in Masako’s determined desire REIER, POSED BY MODEL PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT Church activities. to join the Church have The missionaries suggested that it might be come 54 righteous mem- good for her to share the gospel message she had bers of the Suzuki family. come to know. Seemingly unafraid, she invited Indeed, “out of small things Masako and Shozo co-workers to attend church with her. A few came Suzuki. Shozo proceedeth that which is to some social activities, but one, Shozo Suzuki, served as mission great” (D&C 64:33). president in the also came to Sunday meetings. He had a good Sapporo Japan These same blessings can feeling about what he heard, and he consented to Mission, 1976 – 79. be found everywhere the receive the missionary discussions. After several Church is established. They can even happen in months Shozo accepted the challenge to be bap- your own family. tized. Masako decided it was time to again seek her father’s permission to be baptized, which he The Heart and a Willing Mind gave. On August 4, 1952, Masako and Shozo were How do such blessings come? That question is baptized. answered in scripture: “Behold, the Lord requireth

30 Ensign 

When we live by covenant rather than by convenience, we direct our lives toward our heavenly home. PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT REIER, POSED BY MODEL PHOTOGRAPH BY MATT

the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and From these words we understand that both the obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in heart and the mind must be fully engaged in this these last days” (D&C 64:34). holy process. This doctrine is affirmed in the experience of The heart is symbolic of love and commitment. Jesus with the Pharisaic lawyer who asked him: We make sacrifices and bear burdens for those we “Master, which is the great commandment in love that we would not endure for any other rea- the law? son. If love does not exist, our commitment wanes. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord If we love the Lord with all our heart, we are thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, willing to give Him everything we possess. Elder and with all thy mind. Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) said: “The sub- “This is the first and great commandment” mission of one’s will is really the only uniquely (Matthew 22:36–38). personal thing we have to place on God’s altar.

June 2011 31 

“Master, which circumstances. is the great I wish to sug- commandment gest five ways we in the law? can genuinely “Jesus said seek to give our unto him, heart and mind to Thou shalt love the Lord the Lord: thy God with 1. Gain and all thy heart, constantly nur- and with all ture your own thy soul, testimony. Our and with all testimonies thy mind” should include (Matthew knowledge of, 22:36–37). and love for, God the Father, Jesus . . . The many other things we give to God . . . Christ, and the Holy Ghost. We should also testify are actually things He has already given us, and of the glorious gospel plan, the centrality of the He has loaned them to us. But when we begin Savior and His Atonement, the Restoration of the to submit ourselves by letting our wills be swal- Lord’s Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith, lowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving and the role of apostles and prophets. something to Him. . . . There is a part of us that is If you do not feel the power and security that ultimately sovereign, the mind and heart. . . . And this knowledge brings, I ask you to study the when we submit to His will, then we’ve really exhortation found in Moroni 10:3–5. given Him the one thing He asks of us.” 1 2. Honor priesthood ordinances and covenants. Having “a willing mind” connotes giving our Ordinances are sacred ceremonies in which we best effort and finest thinking and seeking God’s enter into solemn covenants with the Lord. As wisdom. It suggests that our most devoted life- covenant children, we have been promised all time study should be of things that are eternal in that is required for eternal success if we are true nature. It means that there must be an inextricable to our promises. Prepare for the ordinances yet to relationship between hearing the word of God be performed in your life, and be guided in your and obeying it. decisions by the covenants you have made. When BY PAUL GUSTAVE DORÉ GUSTAVE BY PAUL The Apostle James said, “Be ye doers of the you are evaluating alternatives, ask yourself, “Is word, and not hearers only” ( James 1:22). this choice consistent with my covenants?” Some of us “hear” selectively and “do” when it is Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum convenient. But for those who give their heart and of the Twelve Apostles has said: “The importance mind to the Lord, whether the burden is light or of having a sense of the sacred is simply this—if heavy makes no difference. We demonstrate a con- one does not appreciate holy things, he will lose secrated heart and mind by consistently following them. Absent a feeling of reverence, he will grow

God’s commandments no matter how difficult the increasingly casual in attitude and lax in conduct. THE DISCIPLES PLUCKING CORN ON SABBATH,

32 Ensign 

He will drift from the moorings that his covenants with or not accept the counsel of prophets is no more than God could provide. His feeling of accountability to God deciding whether to accept good advice and gain its ben- will diminish and then be forgotten. Thereafter, he will care efits or to stay where we are. But the choice not to take only about his own comfort and satisfying his uncontrolled prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which appetites. Finally, he will come to despise sacred things, we stand. It becomes more dangerous.” 3 even God, and then he will despise himself.” 2 5. Establish a life of service. When I was still in my 20s, When we live by covenant rather than by convenience, I was called to be the bishop of an 850-member ward. we direct our lives toward our heavenly home. Two weeks before, a partner and I had founded a com- 3. Root out duplicity. A duplicitous person is double- pany and hired several new employees. At the time, my minded in thought, speech, or action with the intent to wife and I had three energetic children ages one to seven. deceive. Such a person often acts one way in public and The daunting responsibilities to properly care for my another way in private. Often the purpose of our decep- young family, to assist the Saints entrusted to my steward- tion is to hide our sins, but as Jonah learned when he ship, and to create a viable business seemed impossible. fled to Joppa, you cannot hide from God (see Jonah 1). As I now reflect on the events of the ensuing years, I Our deceit will be found out eventually, and the damage am convinced that service to others (most important, ser- caused may be irreversible. vice to my family) has been one of the great blessings of One way to test whether we have “an eye single to the my life. Without the continual humility and life perspective glory of God” (D&C 4:5) or a secondary eye to the evil of that service engenders, the allure of the world could easily the world is to evaluate how we act when we are alone. have entrapped me. What sites do we visit on the Internet? What television pro- By serving others, we emulate the ultimate act of ser- grams or videos do we watch? What kinds of books and vice offered to each of us by the Redeemer of the world. magazines do we read? Would we be comfortable doing Service is a way for us to show gratitude for the blessing of the same activities if others were watching? salvation, which comes only through Jesus Christ. 4. Continually study the doctrine. When we know the commandments of God and “liken all scriptures unto us” No Other Way (1 Nephi 19:23), we will change the way we think and act. Submitting our will—completely giving our heart and Studying and following the counsel of living prophets mind to God—is not easy. But I am comfortable with, and is vital. Having prophets of God on earth has become so comforted by, the “great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). commonplace for us as members of the Church that we There is no other way. I would not want another way. I may underappreciate their profound importance and role. testify of Him whose plan it is, God the Eternal Father, and President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First of Him who is central to the plan, Jesus Christ, our Savior Presidency, has stated: “Looking for the path to safety in the and Redeemer. I bear witness of apostles and prophets, BY PAUL GUSTAVE DORÉ GUSTAVE BY PAUL counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith. whose counsel I gladly follow. With all my heart and mind When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that I testify of these truths. ◼ they hear only a wise man giving good advice. Then if his From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University—Idaho counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with on May 17, 2005.

what they want to do, they take it. If it does not, they con- NOTES 1. Neal A. Maxwell, “Sharing Insights from My Life,” in Brigham Young sider it either faulty advice or they see their circumstances as University 1998–99 Speeches (1999), 4. justifying their being an exception to the counsel. . . . 2. D. Todd Christofferson, “A Sense of the Sacred” (Church Educational System Fireside for young adults, Nov. 7, 2004), www.ldsces.org.

THE DISCIPLES PLUCKING CORN ON SABBATH, “Another fallacy is to believe that the choice to accept 3. Henry B. Eyring, “Finding Safety in Counsel,” ­Ensign, May 1997, 25.

June 2011 33 

MOM’S COMMITMENT TO Modesty

By Kelly Ann Peterson have to change my wardrobe after I went to the temple. y mom joined the Church after she married My mom sewed for me, helped me choose modest my dad. It was the mid-1960s, and mini skirts, clothing, and told me of her decision years before. When Msleeveless shirts, and short hemlines were the I was in high school looking for a formal gown to wear fashion. As she learned more about the gospel and espe- to the prom, she took me shopping. We searched and cially about the temple, my mom knew she would need to searched for something appropriate, and finding nothing make a decision. in our area, we drove three hours to Salt Lake City. There She was aware that her clothing would need to be mod- we found a beautiful and perfectly modest pink gown. Her est to cover the temple garment she would be wearing. sacrifice of time showed me that dressing modestly was Going to the temple meant a great deal to her because it important to her. And it was at that dance I realized how meant that Dad and I could be sealed to her and that we important it had become to me as well. I felt like a prin- could be a family eternally. That is what she chose. cess in my dress. I noticed how uncomfortable some of I was less than two years old, so I don’t remember the the other girls seemed to be in their dresses. Many of them sealing experience, but Mom told me that it was beautiful. spent the evening keeping tiny straps on their shoulders She also told me that when I was brought into the sealing or tugging at the bodices of strapless gowns. They did not room, she could not hold back the tears. look like they were having much fun. When my mom came home, she went through her When I later married my sweetheart in the Logan wardrobe and gave away most of her clothing. But she Utah Temple, I didn’t have to change my wardrobe considered it a small sacrifice. She knew the blessings of afterwards. Mom had prepared me; I had only one dress the temple were better than any of those clothes. I could no longer wear. She had also prepared me by As I grew up, she taught me modesty. She wanted me to teaching me how sacred and special the garment was

understand how to dress appropriately so that I wouldn’t and what a privilege it was to be able to wear it. I never BY DILLEEN MARSH ILLUSTRATION

34 Ensign 

felt that garments were a restriction; I appreciated them from the first time I wore them. I knew the blessings and promises and protection they pro- vided. It felt wonderful to have something from the temple that went home with me. And I didn’t have any regrets about not being able to wear certain styles of clothing. As my mother had taught me, the blessings I had were better than any of those clothes! Now I am a mother of two beautiful daughters and two handsome sons, and I am trying to teach them modesty and its role in preparing for the temple. Even when they were young, I tried to dress them modestly. A cute sundress is still cute with a T-shirt under it. I talk with my children about what is too short, too tight, and too revealing. I remind them of the goal of going to the temple and being able to wear the temple garment. Many years ago, my mom made that sacrifice. But as she saw it, she gave up one thing for something far better. I’m so glad she did. Her personal commitment

ILLUSTRATION BY DILLEEN MARSH ILLUSTRATION to modesty made it so much easier for me. ◼  Questions & Answers

Today’s clothing trends aren’t always modest, but it is still possible to maintain an “attitude of humility and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior.” 1 In what ways can I be modest, specifically in finding and wearing appropriate clothing? ILLUSTRATIONS BY DILLEEN MARSH ILLUSTRATIONS

36 Ensign 

s a mother of five daughters, I am THE PRINCIPLE OF MODESTY A constantly looking for ways to help “ ome Latter-day Saints may feel that modesty is a tradition them dress modestly while still looking Sof the Church or that it has evolved from conservative, fashionable. My sewing skills have been puritanical behavior. Modesty is not just cultural. Modesty invaluable in converting sleeveless prom is a gospel principle that applies to people of all cultures and ages. In fact, modesty is fundamental to being wor- dresses into modest ones. I’ve also found that thy of the Spirit. To be modest is to be humble, and being if we can’t find long-enough shorts, we’ll con- humble invites the Spirit to be with us.” vert pants into shorts or capris. I’ve made sure Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Modesty: that I’m passing down these values and skills Reverence for the Lord,” Liahona, Aug. 2008, 18; ­Ensign, Aug. 2008, 34. to my daughters through the Personal Progress program so that they can, in turn, adjust their clothing to meet the standards of the Church. Other things we’ve done include deciding that if a skirt does not meet the suggested length, we just won’t buy it. I also know that prayer works. Before shopping, I often should not be exposing any skin on your say a prayer that we will find the item we’re backside. looking for at a price that will fit our budget, I have found this to be a good exercise for and it works! The Lord is mindful of even checking my modesty and hope that it can be our smallest desires to be obedient to His helpful to others as well. commandments. Linda B. Fielding, Utah, USA Adrienne Vanderkooi, Ontario, Canada n a world that is ever pushing the bound- y sister served as a Young Women pres- Iaries of modesty, I have watched my mother Mident in Alaska for several years. I have set the example for not only my sisters but loved and followed her advice for modesty for me as well. While most often we think of for girls and women. She used the “Head modesty as only applying to girls, guys can Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” method. We all choose to be modest also. Mom always eval- know the song, but it works very well for uated what my siblings and I were wearing modesty as well. using the “arms held high” test—if skin was Head: Put your hands on your head. If any showing around our waist when we lifted skin shows around your middle, your clothing our arms, we would choose another outfit. is not appropriate. In addition, Mom had to approve any clothes Shoulders: Put your hands on your shoul- we wanted before we bought them. ders. If you can feel bare skin, the clothing While my mother was always making sure is not modest. we were modest in dress, she quietly set the Knees: Put your hands on your knees. You example for us to follow. When my sister got should not expose anything at the neckline married, for instance, my mother couldn’t of your shirt. find a modest dress. She looked for weeks, Toes: Put your hands on your toes. You but in the end, her sister made a dress for

June 2011 37 

SHARE YOUR IDEAS her a week before the wedding. It was s members of the Church, we have An upcoming Questions & probably the most beautiful dress I had A covenanted to take upon ourselves the Answers feature will focus ever seen. Another aunt, trying to teach name of Jesus Christ and to “stand as witnesses on the following question: her five-year-old daughter about modesty, of God at all times and in all things, and in all I haven’t been active said it best: “Look, Honey, you can be places” (Mosiah 18:9). Whenever I face a ques- in the Church for years. I pretty and modest at the same time.” tion or issue, I try to think of how the Savior have sometimes felt like Stephen Larson, California, USA would respond or act. When it comes to mod- coming back, but I’m esty, I believe the Savior’s clothing was simple afraid of not knowing like to keep up on the current styles, and plain, never detracting from His special anyone or not knowing as Ibut I always add my own modest twist message or attracting attention to Himself. much about the gospel as to them. If I see an outfit in the store and For us to be modest, we can dress and act other people. I’m so intim- think it’s cute but it just doesn’t cover me in the same manner. Is what we’re wearing or idated. Where do I start? up enough, I find a T-shirt in a coordinat- doing detracting from the Spirit? Is it putting If you’d like to con- ing color to wear under it. A friend who is other peoples’ attention where it ought not to tribute your ideas and not a member of the Church once told me be? These are some questions that I ask myself experiences, please label that she likes how I can stay both stylish when selecting my wardrobe. I do enjoy them “Coming Back to and modest. There is no reason to dress looking nice, but I always strive to stand as a Church” and follow the immodestly when you can make your witness of God, even in what I am wearing. ◼ submission guidelines own modest style. Brian Fleming, Arizona, USA under “Do You Have a Devynn Bohn, Florida, USA NOTE Story to Tell?” on page 3 1. True to the Faith (2004), 106. of the Table of Contents. Please limit responses to 500 words and submit MORE ON THIS TOPIC: them by July 16. • “Dress and Appearance,” For the Strength of Youth (2001), 14–16. • “Modesty,” True to the Faith (2004), 106–108. • Silvia H. Allred, “Modesty: A Timeless Principle for All,” Liahona and ­Ensign, Jul. 2009, 28–32. • Robert D. Hales, “Modesty: Reverence for the Lord,” Liahona, Aug. 2008, 18–23; ­Ensign, Aug. 2008, 34–39. • Joseph Walker, “More than Hemlines and Haircuts,” ­Ensign, Feb. 1992, 22–25. • D. Todd Christofferson, “A Sense of the Sacred,” Liahona and New Era, Jun. 2006, 28–31.

38 Ensign SERVING IN THE CHURCH

BLESSED BY Councils

By Elder M. Russell Ballard heavily in debt and were in arrears on their Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles mortgage. Following approved welfare guide- ome years ago when STRENGTHENING lines, I inquired about the ability of their I was serving as a THOSE WHO extended family to help but received little NEED HELP bishop, a family in our information. Our Relief Society president, S “Ward council mem- ward experienced a crisis however, was able to learn that the mother bers strive to stay when the father lost his job. had a brother who was wealthy. informed about the I was concerned about their needs, well-being, “There’s no reason to contact him,” the well-being, and I visited their home to coun- and spiritual progress mother said. “We haven’t even spoken in years.” sel with them and to offer Church assistance. of members in their I understood her dilemma, and yet I felt it Interestingly, they were reluctant to respond organizations. They was important to follow the order of the Church. to my offer of temporary assistance, and so I also stay informed And so I counseled with her and eventually about members who took the matter to the ward council. In a spirit received her permission to contact her brother, face special chal- of loving confidentiality, I shared with them my lenges or changing who lived in a distant city. I called him and concern for this wonderful family and asked circumstances. This explained the difficult circumstances in which for their ideas as to how we could bless them. information allows his younger sister was living. Within three days Our Relief Society president volunteered to them to strengthen he arrived in Salt Lake City and helped get his visit with the mother to ascertain their tempo- those who most sister’s financial affairs in order. Meanwhile, our ral needs and to work with them in obtaining need their help.” elders quorum president helped her husband Handbook 2: Administering any commodities they needed—which, of the Church (2010), 4.5.1. find a steady job with a good income. course, was her responsibility according to More important, however, was that they the program of the Church. Within a couple of were closer and more united as a family. I days, she had accomplished what I had been don’t think I’ll ever forget that tender moment unable to accomplish, and the family humbly of reunion between the mother and her and gratefully accepted commodity assistance. brother after years of estrangement. Although The elders quorum president counseled with her brother had become alienated from the the father of the family—which, of course, was Handbook 2 and Church, there was an immediate spirit-to-spirit his right and duty—and worked with him on the November 2010 bonding. As a result, the brother eventually ways to find a job. Our Young Men president and February 2011 returned to full activity in the Church and noticed that the family’s house was in desper- worldwide leadership renewed his relationship with his family. ate need of painting, and he arranged for his training broadcasts All of this happened because of the inspired priests to work with the high priests group to are available at work of a faithful ward council functioning paint the house. LDS.org. Click “Menu” according to the program that God has out- During the course of my conversation and then “Serving in lined for His children through His servants. ◼ with the parents, I discovered that they were the Church.” From Counseling with Our Councils (1997), 15–17.

June 2011 39 

A MORMON PANORAMA Family Memories of C. C. A. Christensen, His Great Panorama, and Two Special Paintings

By James Gordon Holmes Jr.

ur great-great-grandfather Carl to unload the panorama and prepare it for Christian Anton Christensen presentation inside the meetinghouse. O(affectionately known as The panorama was wound out C. C. A.), has been referred to vertically. Poles attached to as “undoubtedly the finest tripods served as “reels,” 19th-century genre painter which two men—one at of Mormonism and Utah.” 1 each pole— rolled it out An early pioneer artist slowly so as to provide from Denmark, he is best a synchronous presenta- known for his Mormon tion as if it were a motion Panorama—a series of 23 picture. The direction and large oil-on-canvas paint- intensity of light thrown by ings, each measuring 6.5 feet the oil lamps was controlled (1.98 m) tall by 9.5 feet (2.9 m) by shades, screens, and mirrors. wide, sewn together in continuous Grandmother provided the background runs. Each scene served as a pictorial record music by playing the piano. Her music con- of one of the many poignant events in early sisted of a combination of various tunes and Church history. I recall Grandmother sharing hymns, giving an added dimension of drama with me her memories of traveling with to each scene. It was not uncommon for the her father and C. C. A. to various Latter- congregation to sing along with the hymns day Saint settlements throughout Utah to that Grandmother played. show the panorama to local congregations. Grandmother told me that C. C. A. “in Grandmother told me that as a teenager she a thick Danish accent, would then tell the helped load the panorama into long wooden story of our people. Invariably, the Saints boxes, then into the wagon where they were were moved to a level of high emotion.” covered with canvas and quilts to protect The experience “was especially moving for them. When they arrived at their destination, those who had actually participated in or

they enlisted the help of the local brethren witnessed the events being presented.” ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OF BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, COURTESY PAINTINGS ALL PAGES: OF DESERET NEWS; TOP, PHOTOGRAPH BY R. SCOTT LLOYD, COURTESY RIGHT:

40 Ensign 

A MORMON PANORAMA

Far left: Photograph of C. C. A. Christensen, courtesy of Church History Archives. Left: Paul Anderson, curator of the BYU Museum of Art, stars as C. C. A. Christensen in a reenactment of C. C. A. presenting his panorama. Across the top of this page and the next are 20 of the 23 paintings in C. C. A.’s panorama, courtesy of the BYU Museum of Art.

June 2011 41 

THE

Two Companion Paintings family for five generations. Years ago our aunt donated Throughout my youth, the painting Winter Quarters, Sugar Creek to the Church. For the last 25 years, it has 1846–47 (above), shared the space on the wall above the hung next to its longtime companion Winter Quarters, piano in Grandmother’s neatly kept home in Salt Lake City, 1846–47 in the main gallery of the Church History Utah, USA. It depicts the temporary settlement on the west Museum. However, unlike Sugar Creek, which is owned bank of the Missouri River in Nebraska Territory, USA, of by the Church, Winter Quarters, 1846–47 has been on the Saints who fled from Nauvoo, Illinois, USA. Hanging loan from our family. next to it was the painting Sugar Creek (above right), In December 2009, we, as the five children of Jeanette depicting another site specific to the Mormon exodus. Taggart Holmes (deceased), came together in a unan- These paintings hung side by side in Grandmother’s home imous decision to donate the painting to the Church. for as far back as I can remember, seemingly enjoying an Now the two companion paintings, which had shared inseparable companion- the space on the wall above the ship. We believe that both piano in Grandmother’s home paintings were created in for so many years, have been the 1880’s in the upstairs permanently reunited. I feel studio of C. C. A.’s home, sure that our great-great-grand- unlike the panorama scenes, father, my mother, and all others which were likely painted in who have acted as generational his nearby granary. custodians of this wonderful As is commonly the work would be pleased. ◼

case with things of a senti- NOTE mental nature, the pair of 1. Richard L. Jensen and Richard G. Oman, C. C .A. Christensen, 1831–1912: COURTESY OF CHURCH HISTORY MUSEUM OF CHURCH HISTORY COURTESY WEST COAST, GIFT TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS FROM THE FIVE CHILDREN OF JEANETTE TAGGART HOLMES (2009); LEFT, BOTTOM: HOLMES (2009); LEFT, SAINTS FROM THE FIVE CHILDREN OF JEANETTE TAGGART 1846–47 WINTER QUARTERS, AND SUGAR CREEK, GIFT TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST LATTER-DAY C. C .A. CHRISTENSEN: LEFT: paintings remained in our Mormon Immigrant Artist (1984), 31. BOTTOM: SCENE FROM FJORD ON NORWAY’S CENTER: EMIGRANT SHIP AND RIGHT, RIGHT, OF SPRINGVILLE MUSEUM ART; COURTESY LAKE VALLEY, PIONEERS’ FIRST VIEW OF THE SALT TOP: HANDCART MANTI TEMPLE; RIGHT,

42 Ensign 

C.C.A. CHRISTENSEN’S LIFE TIME LINE: • November 28, 1831: Born in Copenhagen, Denmark. • 1840: Amid poverty, C. C. A.’s mother developed hope and character in her children. • 1842: Placed in an orphanage, where his artistic talent was discovered. • 1847–53: Attended the Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen. • September 26, 1850: Baptized in Copenhagen. He said, “I felt like a newborn.” • 1850–65: Served five missions in southern Scandinavia, during which he organized the first branch in Oslo, Norway, in 1853. Spent one month in Drammen, Norway, jail for proselyting in 1854. • April 24, 1857: Married Elise Scheel Haarby of Norway on the Westmoreland before they cleared Liverpool harbor in England. • September 13, 1857: Arrived in Salt Lake Valley in the 7th Handcart Company. • 1859–62: Eventually settled in Ephraim, Utah Territory. • 1863: Painted scenery in newly completed Salt Lake Theater. • 1868: Worked on roadbed in Echo Canyon for Transcontinental Railroad. • 1879: Began exhibiting first seven scenes of Mormon Panorama. • 1881: Painted murals for the St. George Utah Temple. • 1886–87: Painted murals for the Manti Utah Temple. • 1887–89: Served final mission to Scandinavia. • 1890: Ordained a patriarch. • 1901: Worked in Church Historian’s Office prepar- ing history of Scandinavian Mission. • July 3, 1912: Died in Ephraim, Utah.

June 2011 43 By Mark L. Grover never asked God for anything that He didn’t then give of my uneasiness about giving blessings and seldom asked me,” my wife, Deborah, said. This statement still aston- for the additional spiritual help she may have desired. I ishes me even though I was with her throughout its In March 1989, when the doctor announced that my fulfillment. And it probably astonishes all those who know wife had cancer, our lives were altered. Because of the of Deborah’s seven-year struggle with systemic lupus, her exotic nature of her cancer, it had eluded physicians for two-year fight with breast cancer, and her eventual death two years. By the time it was finally diagnosed, it had on September 19, 1990. But those who are amazed and spread and her chance for recovery had significantly astonished may not understand priesthood blessings or their diminished. Knowing we were in a struggle we could not fulfillment. It was with difficulty that I learned for myself win on our own, we further opened our lives to spiritual what it means to hold the priesthood and to exercise it to help. Our ward fasted for Deborah, and we gratefully bless others. accepted the care of the Relief Society. Her battle became Although my parents were both active in the Church one fought by many. A friend who had endured the same and faithful to its precepts, I don’t remember the priest- chemotherapy my wife was about to receive confided that hood being a specific spiritual influence in my childhood. during the most difficult periods of the treatment, he had I don’t recall being sick enough to need a blessing and requested and received priesthood blessings. He advised have no memory of priesthood blessings administered to us to do the same—to seek spiritual help in order to toler- others in my family. ate the effects of the treatments. This lack of emphasis on priesthood blessings carried The chemotherapy was difficult. My wife experienced all over into my own family when I married and my wife and the expected reactions. She was sick for several days after Priesthood Blessings LEARNING TO TRUST IN GOD

I had children. I gave priesthood blessings if someone was a treatment. She spent most days in bed, and eating was a seriously ill or was having an operation. I also gave my chore. But little by little we learned how to confront each wife a few blessings for emotional help, but those occa- challenge as well as possible. sions were rare. During this difficult period, my wife, as our friend had Giving a blessing was always a positive experience for advised, called on me for priesthood blessings. I gave her me. But a lack of understanding and a shortage of self- a blessing to help ease the anxiety she experienced the confidence limited my exercise of this priesthood function. first week of chemo. Through a priesthood blessing, the I struggled to know the words to say, unsure if what came fear accompanying an operation—though not completely into my mind was really what God wanted. eliminated—decreased. Long periods of vomiting stopped This situation changed little when my wife discovered and sleep replaced restless nights as I laid my hands on she was suffering from systemic lupus. Those years of bat- her head and blessed her. These blessings gave us prom- tling a disease of exhaustion and discomfort were aided by ises of help and comfort, intermingled with glimpses of only occasional priesthood blessings. My wife was aware the future. They filled us with warmth and joy.

44 Ensign 

Every blessing was fulfilled— even though we didn’t get what we desired most. ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRIAN CALL ILLUSTRATIONS I wish I could say that giving blessings became easier for the difficult phase of waiting to see if the drugs had been me then, but I can’t. I gave the requested blessings, but my effective. We enjoyed this time free of doctor’s appoint- difficulty in exercising the priesthood persisted. I never men- ments, tests, and treatments. However, in the back of our tioned my discomfort to my wife, but she could sense my minds was the fear that some cancer had been able to reluctance. However, these were difficult trials, and she knew survive the onslaught of the poisonous anticancer drugs she was entitled to help and I was the conduit through which and was reestablishing itself. she could receive it. So when she needed help, she asked. Little by little, small physical signs convinced us of our greatest fear: the treatments had not been successful. The doctors were upbeat, but we knew it was a matter of time. IN HARMONY WITH HIS WILL The last six months of Deborah’s life were incredibly “As we exercise the undoubted power calm. After one last procedure failed, we decided to dis- of the priesthood of God and as we continue the treatments and to go home and enjoy what treasure His promise that He will hear time was left. Some may not believe that it was a wonder- and answer the prayer of faith, we ful few months, but it was the best time of my life. must always remember that faith During this period some concerned friends and family and the healing power of the priesthood cannot produce a result contrary to the will of Him whose suggested that we needed to be more assertive with the priesthood it is. This principle is taught in the Lord in our battle to save her life. They told me that I had revelation directing that the elders of the Church the priesthood and should use it to cure her. Though I shall lay their hands upon the sick. The Lord’s understood their feelings, these friends didn’t understand promise is that ‘he that hath faith in me to be what was happening. There was nothing I wanted more healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be than to promise Deborah life, but those words never healed’ (D&C 42:48; emphasis added).” came while I was giving her a blessing. There was little Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Healing the Sick,” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, May 2010, 50. she would have desired more than to have a blessing of health, but she never felt she should ask. We both believed in miracles but also recognized our limited perspective on Before giving any blessing, I knew what I wanted to an experience that fits into an eternal plan. bless her with: I wanted more than anything to bless her What did happen was a greater miracle. In the blessings, to be healed. And she wanted that too. But that blessing she was never promised life but was given the indisputable never came. What did come were blessings of comfort, assurance that what was happening was God’s will. She was which didn’t take the trial away but made it easier to bear. not promised ease but was given help to endure the difficult Slowly I began to understand better how the priesthood times. She was not allowed to stay and raise our children but and priesthood blessings work. Giving blessings wasn’t was assured of eternal bonds. She passed away with only a tool to get what I wanted but rather a way to receive limited pain and discomfort, with her family at her side. needed help. I learned to trust in the Lord and His will I know that God does exist and deeply cares for us. He instead of what I thought needed to be done. I gained provides us with comfort and assistance when we need confidence that the words that came to my mind were strength and understanding. Though life is difficult, the Lord indeed the words God wanted me to say. And while giving has promised to help us through our trials, and one way blessings has never become easy for me, I have learned to help comes is through priesthood blessings. Knowing this, trust in the feelings I have while giving blessings. my wife was able to say, “I never asked God for anything After Deborah completed her treatments, we began that He didn’t then give me.” ◼

46 Ensign  REACHING OUT TO Single Adults

By Allison L. Weiss s I reflect on my life as a home evening, family prayer, family single adult, I recognize outing, or Sunday dinner. It is a true A that although there is gift when I can experience the Spirit much that I can do to build relation- and blessings of the priesthood oper- ships with fellow ward members, ating in a Latter-day Saint home. many kind gestures have strength- ened my resolve to stay faithful and Life Goals helped me feel that I belong to my I am taking advantage of my sea- ward family. Below are a few ideas son as a single adult to continue my that may help you to strengthen the whether it’s a priesthood blessing, a education and engage in worthwhile single members in your ward. shoulder to lean on, a compassionate projects inside and outside of the ear, or a good laugh. Church. I thrill at the chance to share Relationships with with ward members what I am doing Ward Leaders Appropriate Physical Touch with my time and talents. I love it Occasionally, busy fathers and Growing up in a large family, I had when they are sincerely interested in mothers who are also leaders in the ample opportunities to hug and cud- my personal and professional pursuits. Church forget what it is like to partic- dle babies, tousle the hair of young ipate in Sunday services as a single children, joke around with brothers Acceptance adult. It means so much to me when and sisters, and sit close to parents. Single adults of all ages are con- a member of the bishopric, the Relief As a single adult, I don’t always know fronted daily with the fact that they Society president, or elders quorum if or when I can interact this way are operating alone in the world. president confidently calls me by with ward members. I appreciate Most of us, given enough time, name and shakes my hand. I love when female ward members give me prayer, and trials, come to grips when families invite me to sit with a hug and let me know that it’s OK with this fact and come closer to the them at church. Those little acts tell to interact with and hug their young Savior as a result—a blessing I deeply me, “We know who you are. We want children. These small gestures help treasure. It lifts my heart when ward you here. You’re not alone.” me feel the love and support of my members interact with me as openly Heavenly Father. as they do with other families and Faithful Home and married couples. Visiting Teachers Social Opportunities As brothers and sisters in the gos- Church family is my family. As a outside Church pel, we are all children of God trying single adult, I am particularly depen- I am glad to socialize with ward to live faithful lives. Remembering this dent on monthly visits and friendly families during the week, but some- shared commitment can make it easier phone calls from visiting and home times I feel a little bashful inviting for all of us to share in the joys and teachers. I appreciate those who myself into their lives. I appreciate sorrows of life and to greet, fellowship,

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID STOKER BY DAVID PHOTO ILLUSTRATION make it easy to ask for what I need, the moments I can spend in a family and love one another. ◼

June 2011 47 

Single IN A FAMILY- People sometimes wonder how I thrive in the ORIENTED Church. This is what I tell them. ome time ago I was talking insensitive toward singles and partic- CHURCH with a gentleman I had met ularly toward single men. He told me at a civic event. I learned that that after finishing school, he pur- By Todd L. Goodsell S he had been raised a Latter-day chased a home at age 30 and hoped Saint but was no longer active in to marry soon thereafter, but when the Church. As we swapped stories that did not happen, some members about our lives, he shook his head of the Church stopped interacting and exclaimed that it was difficult with him. Some, he said, even started to understand how I—someone in saying unkind things about him. He his mid-30s who had never been resolved the discomfort he felt by married—could remain active in the leaving the Church. Church when some members are I am sorry for this brother. I tried to

48 Ensign 

explain how I felt about the Church, Fully Participate in the Ward to true that there are some callings what I do in it, and what the gospel Which You Belong that a single brother cannot hold does for me. I hope he comes back Every time I move into a new —he cannot be a bishop, for exam- someday soon. ward, I schedule an appointment with ple—I have found that there are The Church is exactly where single the bishop. In that appointment, I many more ways I can serve than adults belong. It has had a profound introduce myself, telling him what I ways I cannot. The way I see it is influence in my life, but I under- am doing in my life, explaining how that this is Christ’s church, not mine. stand that being a single adult in I feel about the gospel, and placing I want to do everything I can to help the Church—and especially a single myself at the Lord’s service. This His work succeed. man—can bring with it some difficul- usually leads to my receiving some I also try to get to know the other ties. There are several things that have responsibility in the ward, at which I members of the ward, married and helped me get along in a Church try to do my best. single. For instance, when I have that is decidedly (and rightfully) I have occasionally heard some been new to a ward, I obtain a copy pro-family. single men complain about not being of the ward list. Then, either before able to hold certain callings because or after church, I call someone I Don’t Be Resentful of their marital status. Although it’s do not yet know and ask if I can In my early 20s, I met some deliver some bread never-married singles in their 30s or other treats I who were resentful or depressed have made. When about their situation. Although I ear- I deliver them, nestly did not want to be over 30 and I usually have

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY GARNS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY single, I decided then that no matter an opportunity what course my life took, I would not to talk with the harbor negative feelings toward those ward members I’m who had family blessings I hoped visiting and get to to have myself. Instead, I choose to know them a little congratulate those I know when they bit. Later, after get- marry or have children. As a sociol- ting to know most ogist I have studied young couples members of the with children, and I now live in a There are many more ward, I pay attention to new fam- ward with lots of recently married ways I can serve than ilies who attend the ward, writing couples and young children. It can ways I cannot. The down their address and delivering hurt to hear some married men com- way I see it is that this treats to them during the upcoming plain that they do not want children is Christ’s church, not week. Many have appreciated that since I have not had the opportu- someone noticed them and wel- mine. I want to do nity to become a father. Still, I seek comed them into the ward. Doing everything I can to to learn from married people and this has helped me to get to know help His work succeed. remind myself that someday I will people in the ward and feel as receive the blessings of marriage and though I can talk to and do things parenthood too. with them.

June 2011 49 

in a God of miracles.” He requires that we “go with all [our] might and with all [we] have” to do what He has commanded “and cease not [our] diligence” (D&C 124:49, emphasis added). I do not have to be perfect right now; I just have to do my very best— and not give up. Heavenly Father will take care of whatever I cannot do for reasons beyond my con- Teach the Full Gospel I welcome teachings trol. I cannot stop trying. Some single adults get offended about family in Sunday Instead of “giving up,” make big when the concept of family is dis- School and priesthood. decisions with reference to the bless- cussed at church. I would be offended I want to feel the Spirit ing you want to receive. I decided I if we did not talk about families at when we talk about the would do things that would make me church! Families are central to the gospel of Jesus Christ— more marriageable in time, whenever gospel. Our purpose in being here is not the sense of emptiness that time came. So I went ahead with to create eternal families composed of my schooling and started my career. I that comes when we skip exalted individuals. We are not perfect realized I do not have to wait until I am some portion of the gospel yet, but we can be made so through married to put myself in a position to out of fear or distaste. the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I per- support a family. However, I made sure sonally welcome teachings about that along the way I was still available to family in Sunday School and priest- stop hoping for promised blessings date and willing to marry. I like the way hood. On a practical level, I want to and instead do things that make the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer learn how to be a good husband and promised blessings less likely. For put it: “We must be ready to allow father before I get there. On a spiritual instance, when people “give up,” they ourselves to be interrupted by God.” 1 level, I want to feel the Spirit when we might stop attending church meetings In addition, I have tried to make sure talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ— or singles activities, or they might date, that I do not get so set in my ways that not the sense of emptiness that comes cohabit with, or marry someone not of I would be unable to adjust to having a when we skip some portion of the our faith. If I were to “give up,” even if wife and children with me too. Finally, gospel out of fear or distaste. it were only for a short time, that might I try to give meaningful service and be just the time when I could have met become a more interesting person than Don’t “Give Up” a wonderful woman. I do not want to I would be if I just sat around watching I put “give up” in quotation marks miss the opportunity. television. In the course of doing so, I because that is what many single And the opportunity can still come. have met other people who are trying adults say they are doing when they As one friend told me: “We believe to accomplish something good.

50 Ensign 

Respond to Rude Comments with general. That created an awkward felt gratitude and love for this brother Kindness situation, but I understood it as an who was trying to repair any damage Sometimes members assume that unfortunate mistake by a brother he had caused. the lack of a blessing is the result of who was basically good. Later that a person’s unrighteousness, and day he caught me between meetings Live As Much of the Gospel As occasionally they can say things and apologized. He said that he had You Can without considering others’ feelings. not realized that I was not married, When my stake presidency asked At times all I can do is remind myself but even if I were married, he said, stake members to obtain a home that the Church exists as a means of his comment would have been inap- storage supply, I set about doing that. I helping imperfect people become propriate. I felt better. One evening laughed at my awkward attempts to be perfected through the Atonement of a couple of days later, there was a obedient and at how some foods come Christ. Other times I find that I can knock on my door. I opened the door in containers so large that much of the do more than this. Many married to find that same brother. I invited food, when the container was opened, people do not know how to talk him in, and he again apologized would spoil before an individual could about singlehood. They do not have for what he had said the previous eat it all. But I built my home storage concepts or experiences that express Sunday. He said his comment was anyway, in containers that made sense what it is like. flippant, irresponsible, and wrong. I for a single person who lives alone. Once, in a public setting, a local Likewise, I do not yet have a wife I church leader made a remark about can take to the temple, but because I my marital status that left me embar- plan to attend regularly with my wife rassed. Wanting to resolve the situa- STRIVE when I am married, there is no reason tion and also treat him with respect, FOR EXCELLENCE I cannot establish the habit of regular I called him a week or two later. I “Remember that we have temple service while I am single. For all been single, are now told him that I was glad that he was now, I can invite the Spirit to attend me single, or at some time may concerned about my welfare, and again be single; so being in my daily scripture study. Someday I hoped he would feel comfortable single in the Church is not my wife will be able to add her insights talking with me about my marital sta- extraordinary. . . . too as we study the gospel together. tus. It turned out that he was unsure “If you are striving for These practices and attitudes have how to bring up the subject. I sug- excellence—if you are helped me as a single member in trying your best day by day gested that in the future, instead of the Church. As I explained to the with the wisest use of your doing it the way he had, he could ask gentleman I met at the civic event, time and energy to reach me—privately—“What have you been realistic goals—you will be even though some promised bless- through?” “How do you feel about a success whether you are ings have not come yet, that does not it?” and “Is there anything I can do to married or single.” mean they will never come. What help?” In this manner, we established President James E. Faust (1920– matters is that we do things now to 2007), “Welcoming Every Single a means by which we could talk One,” ­Ensign, Aug. 2007, 5–6; keep ourselves available to receive about this topic. ­Liahona, Aug. 2007, 2–6. the blessing. ◼

On another occasion, a different NOTE married brother made an unkind 1. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community remark about unmarried men in (1954), 99.

June 2011 51 GOSPEL CLASSICS

The Latter-day Saint together, let not man put asun- Concept of der” (Matthew 19:4–6). Marriage Fulfills God’s Purposes It is plain that God intended Marriage that man and woman should become one. By personally Hugh B. Brown was born on October 24, 1883, in officiating at this first wedding, Granger, Utah. He was ordained an Apostle in 1958. He sanctified the institution of He served as a counselor to President David O. marriage. It is a normal, health- McKay for eight years. The following article is an ful, and desirable state and was excerpt from his book You and Your Marriage. instituted to fulfill God’s purpose in the earth. By President Hugh B. Brown (1883–1975) It is the central element in First Counselor in the First Presidency the domestic establishment. It is more than a human institution arriage is and should shall cleave unto his wife: and to be regulated solely by custom be a sacrament. The they shall be one flesh” (Genesis and civil law. It is more than a Mword sacrament is 2:18, 24). contract under the sanction of variously defined, but among When Jesus departed from moral law. It is or should be a Christian people it signifies a Galilee and came into the coasts religious sacrament by which religious act or ceremony, sol- of Judea beyond Jordan, a great men and women solemnly emnized by one having proper multitude followed Him, and undertake to cooperate with authority. It is a pledge, or sol- the Pharisees questioned Him God in His avowed purpose emn covenant, a spiritual sign or regarding divorce. to make earth life and mortal- bond between the contracting “And he answered and said ity available to His spirit chil- parties themselves and between unto them, Have ye not read, dren and to bring to pass their them and God. That marriage that he which made them at the immortality and eternal life. was instituted and sanctified by beginning made them male and There are those who say that the Lord Himself is shown by female, the highest, most dedicated, the following quotations: “And said, For this cause shall and most desirable life may “And the Lord God said, it is a man leave father and mother, be achieved outside the mar- not good that the man should and shall cleave to his wife: and riage covenant. In other words, be alone; I will make him an they twain shall be one flesh? they would forbid those who help meet for him. . . . “Wherefore they are no seek the highest glory to be “Therefore shall a man leave more twain, but one flesh. “contaminated by physical and his father and his mother, and What therefore God hath joined animal-like associations.” There

52 Ensign is no warrant in the scripture man cannot achieve a godlike He said, “Whatsoever thou shalt for such doctrine. In the book stature or receive a fulness of bind on earth shall be bound in of Proverbs we read, “Whoso joy. . . . heaven” (Matthew 16:19). findeth a wife findeth a good To a Latter-day Saint, there is This authority is referred to in thing, and obtaineth favour of only one kind of marriage that the scriptures as “the keys of the the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22). . . . is wholly acceptable: temple or kingdom of heaven” And in the Doctrine and celestial marriage, which is per- (Matthew 16:19), and Covenants we read, “And again, formed only in the temples of atter-day Saints in celestial marriage verily I say unto you, that whoso the Church. Temples are erected L believe that in those keys open the forbiddeth to marry is not and dedicated in holiness to the order to attain the door to that kingdom. ordained of God, for marriage Lord to provide a place where best in life and the is ordained of God unto man” spiritual and eternal ceremonies greatest happiness Needs Are Fully (D&C 49:15). and ordinances may be per- in this world and Realized formed. While we recognize civil for the next, men Man has certain Temple Marriage Brings marriages performed by minis- and women must basic needs—moral, True Happiness ters of other churches and civil be married in the social, biological, The Latter-day Saints believe marriages performed by officers temple. and spiritual—and that in order to attain the best of the law or others legally these can only be in life and the greatest happi- qualified to perform them, we fully realized in the ness in this world and for the believe that only in a temple of God-ordained insti- next, men and women must be God can a marriage for time and tution of eternal marriage. married in the temple for time eternity be performed and then To live the abundant life here and eternity. Without the sealing only by one having the authority and eternal life hereafter, man

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JERRY GARNS BY JERRY PHOTO ILLUSTRATION ordinances of temple marriage, which Christ gave to Peter when must love and be loved, serve

June 2011 53 blessings are intended to con- tinue throughout the eternities to come. But to enjoy the privi- leges and advantages of eternal love as it relates to husbands and wives, parents and children, the ordinance that authorizes and sanctifies this most beautiful of all relationships is not accept- able if it contains the limitation “until death do you part.” For and sacrifice, have responsibil- for eternal element and eternal family relationships and conju- ity and exercise his God-given spirit to be inseparably con- gal associations to be eternal, creative powers. “I am come that nected and receive a fulness of the marriage contract must they might have life, and that joy. Latter-day Saints therefore authoritatively state, they might have it more abun- believe that God is actually the “for time and for all dantly” ( John 10:10). third partner in this relationship eternity.” But perhaps the greatest and that bringing children into atter-day Saints All people should value of marriage is not that the world within the divinely L believe that realize their respon- which accrues to the individual sanctioned institution of mar- God is actually the sibility to their off- man and woman. The purpose riage is part of His plan to bring third partner in this spring and to the of their union in the beginning to pass the immortality and marriage relation- covenants they make is indicated by the Lord’s com- eternal life of man. ship and that bring- with respect thereto. mandment: “Be fruitful, and ing children into When the Lord said, multiply, and replenish the earth, The Eternal Nature of the world within the “We without them and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Marriage divinely sanctioned cannot be made per- In proper marriage, there is When the Lord Jesus des- institution of mar- fect” (D&C 128:18), opportunity for man to realize ignated love of God and love riage is part of His He was referring his natural urge to be creative of fellowmen as the two great plan. to a chain whose and productive. This can be commandments, He glorified links extend into the completely fulfilled and properly love. In fact, we are told that future as well as the enjoyed only in the marriage God is love. Therefore, as past. In fact, we may relationship, in child bearing God is eternal, so love must have more direct responsibility and child rearing. Parents should be eternal, and its fruits and for those entrusted to us in this remember that the children born life than to our ancestors. We to them—their children—are cannot be held responsible for also the children of God. He is the sins, either of commission the Father of their spirit bodies, or of omission, of our ancestors, and during the pre-earth exis- but He has warned that in case tence He wisely made provision of failure on the part of our

54 Ensign Gospel Classics

posterity, if it can be attributed to our failure in God and of angels. Surely such a concept and practice, our duty to them, then the sins will be upon our with its accompanying obligations, makes for the per- heads. manence of the home, the glorifying of the institution of Among the blessings of those who attain the marriage, and the salvation of the souls of men. highest degree in the celestial kingdom is the blessing of eternal increase, which, among other An Act of Faith things, means that even after death men may con- Such marriage is essentially an act of faith, solemnized tinue to cooperate with God in bringing to pass in the presence of a divine partner. There must be faith the immortality and eternal life of man. and courage to see it through, to endure to the end, despite NO Progressing as Eternal Companions BLESSINGS the difficulties, trials, disap- The Latter-day Saint concept of eternal pro- WITHHELD pointments, and occasional gression includes eternal development, eternal “What of the bereavements which may be increase of knowledge, power, intelligence, many mature encountered. awareness, and all the characteristics and capac- members of When one accepts the con- ities that make for godhood. But in the economy the Church ditions and obligations of this of God, man cannot attain this state of continuing who are not married? Through eternal partnership, he must perfection in his unfinished or unmarried state. no failing of their own, they realize that failure here is almost There must be growth and increase of the whole deal with the trials of life total failure. Whatever his suc- man—in other words, the man who has found alone. Be we all reminded cesses may be in other fields of and been united to his other half. that, in the Lord’s own way activity, if a man fails to dis- This concept of marriage, with its divine per- and time, no blessings will charge the obligations imposed spective, gives new meaning and adds impor- be withheld from His faithful by the eternal covenant, the tance, dignity, and glory to the idea of marriage. Saints. The Lord will judge and appalling penalty will be the With this concept the thoughtful person will be reward each individual accord- loss of celestial glory, accom- more careful and selective in the choice of his ing to heartfelt desire as well panied by responsibility for the eternal companion. Certainly before entering into as deed.” losses sustained by those with such an eternal contract, both men and women Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum whom he made the contract and of the Twelve Apostles, “Celestial should be humble and thoughtful and should Marriage,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. for whom he is responsible. prayerfully seek for divine guidance. 2008, 94. “Marriage is ordained of God The religious sanctity and sanction of the unto man. marriage relationship [are] greatly enhanced and “Wherefore, it is lawful that appreciated where the couple, before marriage— he should have one wife, and and they must, necessarily, be of the same faith— they twain shall be one flesh, start with the same goal in mind. They must and all this that the earth might prepare and be worthy to receive the sacred answer the end of its creation; ordinance in edifices where only the worthy may “And that it might be filled with the measure of man, enter. Here they receive instruction, make cov- according to his creation before the world was made” enants, and then at the altar pledge eternal love (D&C 49:15–17). ◼

TOP: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JERRY GARNS; BOTTOM: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY APRIL NEWMAN GARNS; BOTTOM: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JERRY TOP: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION and fidelity, each for the other, in the presence of Subheads added; punctuation and capitalization standardized.

June 2011 55 I DESPERATELY WANTED TO STOP Name withheld How I am overcoming my addiction to pornography.

y struggle with pornog- repented. I advanced in the priesthood. are like that; they create great liars. I raphy began during my I held a calling. I was doing so well, in knew it was creating a wedge in our Myouth, when others intro- fact, that I was called to serve a mission, marriage and causing her great pain, duced me to inappropriate materi- and I had a period of several years but I would not acknowledge that I als and behaviors. The gospel was when my addiction was under control. had a problem. What mattered most not a major part of my life then. to me was not my behavior but how Although my family had attended Caught in the Net people perceived me. church through my Primary years, by When I returned home from my My double life—and the resulting the time I was 13 or 14, we stopped mission, I did not struggle with pornog- loss of the Spirit—made me vulnerable going altogether. As a result, the raphy; I simply did not have access to to increasingly serious sins, including teachings of the gospel did not really it. That changed in the late 1990s, when infidelity. My wife had strong impres- play a role in my decision making. the Internet became increasingly per- sions that something was wrong It never occurred to me to tell my vasive. I accidentally stumbled across and told me about them. With great parents what neighbors and so-called some pornographic images online, and remorse, I admitted to what I had done. friends were introducing me to. I was I returned to pornographic sites over That was my lowest point, the too embarrassed to bring up what I and over again during the following point at which I realized that I had to had seen and experienced. I had no months. The web had ensnared me. change. Sitting across from me was idea how to deal with it. For decades I wanted to reach out to someone the woman I loved. She loved me. I to come, my pornography addiction for help, but I wasn’t sure whom—or had betrayed her. I determined then would remain my secret. how. How could I talk to my parents to do whatever it took to save our about this? How could I admit to my relationship and our family. Influence of the Gospel bishop that even though I had made Shortly before I graduated from so much progress, I couldn’t stop Recovery high school, a seemingly small miracle engaging in this immoral behavior? I I began meeting with my bishop happened, an event that would turn desperately wanted to stop, but I was regularly in working through the my life in another direction. Despite too embarrassed by my weakness repentance process and Church dis- the distance between my actions and to confide in anyone, so I kept my cipline. He recommended I attend gospel standards, one Sunday morn- addiction to myself. meetings of the addiction recovery ing I followed a strong prompting to I didn’t even tell my wife, whom I program, offered through LDS Family go to church and pay tithing. When I married in 2000. I wanted to tell her Services. I had never heard of the arrived at the chapel, I asked for peo- about my struggle when we were dat- program. I learned that the group held ple I knew. One of the names I gave ing, but I was terrified that she would free, confidential meetings based on was the Young Men president I had look down on me or, worse yet, refuse the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, when I was a deacon, the last time to marry me. So I lied. And I contin- adapted into a framework of the doc- I had attended church. He was now ued to do so in our marriage. I found trines and principles of the Church. serving as bishop of the ward. myself being sneaky to prevent being I admit that during the first few That good bishop helped bring me caught. I hid pictures on my computer. meetings, I thought, “I don’t need to back into the Church. I confessed my When my wife asked me about partic- be here. I don’t really have a prob- sins, and he worked with me to set up ular Internet links, I denied knowing lem with pornography. I can quit any

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT CASEY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBERT a progress plan. Over several months I what she was talking about. Addictions time.” That, of course, wasn’t true.

June 2011 57 DELIVERANCE: ONLY IN GOD “Are you struggling with some sin or weakness? It can be something as simple I learned that most people battling constant, conscious efforts to turn to as not having the addictions have turned to some kind of the good. Several of the 12 steps have willpower to rise in the morning early “self-medication” to fill the voids they helped me do this by bringing me enough to have time for scripture feel in their lives. Pain, sorrow, lone- closer to God. study and prayer. It can be something liness, fear, or other kinds of discom- Every day when I wake up, I get on so powerful, such as Internet pornog- fort can act as triggers that can entice my knees and thank Heavenly Father raphy or lack of moral self-control, that people to use this self-medication to for giving me the opportunity to repent you feel you have been pulled down make them feel better. Some people of my sins and to come to Him through into an abyss and there is no hope for you. Do you find yourself hating use prescription drugs. Others use illicit the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ. what you are doing but not able drugs. Others use alcohol. For me, I ask Him to let me know His will so to find the willpower to turn away pornography offered the short-term, that I can do it. I ask Him to lead me from it? Then reach out and humble artificial “quick fix” I thought I needed. away from temptation. I pray as though yourself. The Lord’s enabling power Knowing what triggered my addic- I rely on Heavenly Father every minute is sufficient to change your heart, to tion was one thing. Avoiding environ- of the day—because I do—and I keep turn your life, to purge your soul. But ments that aided my addiction was that prayer in my heart throughout you must make the first move, which is to humble yourself and realize that another. This stance requires being the day. I pray again each night. I also only in God can you find deliverance.” vigilant 24 hours a day, seven days a spend some time in the scriptures daily Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of week for the rest of my life. I cannot so that I can focus my thoughts on the Twelve Apostles, “Be Strong in the Lord,” get online “just to browse.” In fact, if virtuous things. If I don’t make these a ­Ensign, July 2004, 12. I am by myself, I don’t go online at habit, I don’t have the Spirit in my life. all. I can’t look at an ad and enter- And left on my own, I am not strong tain thoughts in my mind. We don’t enough to resist temptation. have cable TV in our home. When For a long time I believed I could I commute to work, I avoid taking overcome my behavior anytime I With my bishop’s encouragement, certain roads because I know there wanted to by my own willpower. But I continued to attend. My pride began are billboards along those roads that I failed miserably. After a while I got to melt away, and I began to work the could trigger inappropriate thoughts. tired of doing it on my own, especially steps of the program: honesty, hope, If I start to slip and my mind begins when “on my own” wasn’t working. trust in God, truth, confession, change to wander, I turn to my wife, to my I realized that I could not do what I of heart, humility, seeking forgiveness, bishop, and to prayer for strength. needed to do without the Lord’s help. restitution and reconciliation, daily My addiction affects the most Ether 12:27 helped me understand this accountability, personal revelation, minute parts of my life, but taking better. The Lord told Moroni, “My grace and service. For the first time in a these precautions is worth it. I can- is sufficient for all men that humble long time, I was living a “sober” life, not neglect these defenses because I themselves before me; for if they a life free of pornography. Recovery know what my addiction can do to humble themselves before me, and isn’t ever really “over,” but I had been me and to those I love. have faith in me, then will I make weak introduced to a new level of freedom. things become strong unto them.” It came because as I participated in Reliance on Deity Once I went to Him, still doing all the 12 steps, I came to understand It’s not just a matter of avoiding I could do (see 2 Nephi 25:23), I real- what was behind my addiction. the bad, though. I also must make ized that I could do much better and

58 Ensign become much more with His help than I ever could dream of by relying on my own merits (see Alma 7:14). My wife and I now serve as facilita- tors at the addiction recovery program meetings. She has learned—and is helping others understand—that the Atonement is for not only those who are working to overcome an addiction but also those who have been affected by the addiction through no choice of their own. If we turn to the Savior, His grace can work in all of our lives. To those who are battling addiction and to the people they love, I can attest that there is hope. There is always hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. HELP IN OVERCOMING PORNOGRAPHY Hope in the Savior I am deeply grateful to Jesus Christ he addiction recovery program, offered through LDS Family Services, includes because He literally saved me from Tfree, confidential support meetings for people dealing with addictions to alcohol, the chains of sin. Addiction is like drugs (both prescription and illegal), tobacco, coffee or tea, pornography, inappropri- being held by chains that “bind the ate sexual behavior, gambling, codependency, and eating disorders. To find a meeting children of men, that they are carried near you, visit www.ldsfamilyservices.org. Your priesthood leader may also have infor- away captive down to the eternal gulf mation about nearby meetings. of misery and woe” (2 Nephi 1:13). Even if you cannot attend one of the meetings, you may benefit from the program When I realized I was in trouble, I study guide. Addiction Recovery Program: A Guide to Addiction Recovery and Healing didn’t know where to turn. I was (item no. 36764) is available in many languages from Distribution Services or as a PDF desperate because I could not free at www.recoveryworkbook.lds.org. myself from my predicament. But the CombatingPornography.org is a Church-sponsored website offering help for indi- Lord could free me. When I turned to viduals facing addiction. It can also help their spouses, parents, and priesthood leaders. Him, He was there to help. Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts (item no. 00460) is a booklet designed to I can relate with Ammon: “Yea, help those struggling with pornography. It discusses how to recognize destructive I know that I am nothing; as to my media, resist and avoid the temptation of pornography, and abandon pornography strength I am weak; therefore I will addictions. It also lists scriptures and other Church resources on repentance, the not boast of myself, but I will boast of sanctity of the body, and overcoming worldly influences. Church leaders and family my God, for in his strength I can do all members can share the booklet with loved ones struggling with pornography. The things” (Alma 26:12). I know that God booklet is available from Distribution Services in many languages. It is also available can help us do all things, including in American Sign Language on DVD. overcoming the chains of addiction. ◼ Other talks and articles on this topic are listed at www.liahona.lds.org.

June 2011 59 THE POWER OF Education

By Suzy Taggy Coelho Caldas Nelsen

y mother grew up knowing My mother told me to Even though we worked hard, we nothing but abandonment, work hard in school never seemed to have enough money. starvation, and poverty. She Sometimes we would have hardly M because it was the one didn’t receive much formal schooling, anything to eat. My mom gave us her but she knew the value of education thing that could over- food and sometimes went for days and its power to change lives. In come poverty. without any for herself. We would sewing together scrap pieces of paper drink water and go to bed because to make me a notebook for school, it was all we could do to avoid the my mother made one thing clear: hunger pangs. education could help me escape a life enough money to rent a house, so Do you know how to split one egg of poverty. instead we rented a plot of dirt. We among six people? I do. built our home of scrap wood, paper, I had a small group of friends when Humble Beginnings and plastic with a roof made of dried I was young, but as we grew up, we I was born in northern Brazil more leaves. We had no furniture other than took different paths. The girls turned than three months premature. Thirty a hammock, which two or three peo- to selling their bodies to make money, years ago, there was almost no chance ple would often share, and our bed, and the boys would steal. When they for a premature baby to survive in the which we made from a few flattened invited me to join them, I felt some- cockroach-infested public hospital. The cardboard boxes. We had no running thing inside tell me it wasn’t right. I doctors told my mother that I would be water, no electricity. We had nothing. know the Lord was aware of me even dead within a few hours. I did not die. Mom worked as a housekeeper then, before I was a member of the The Lord helped me survive. and did people’s laundry. I went Church, and I have continued to see When I was about five years old, with her to the river and helped the evidence of His hand in my life. my father left my mother, my four best I could; then we would walk for siblings, and me. My mother had also hours delivering the clothes. This time Refusing to Give Up on School been abandoned by her parents when working side by side was precious for My siblings and I had long been she was small, so she had no family me. It is when I built a relationship on a waiting list for public schools.

to turn to for support. We didn’t have with my mother. When our opportunity to enroll BY DAN BURR ILLUSTRATION

60 Ensign finally came, my mother told me A New Faith good things about school. She said Because my mother had suf- if I took education seriously, I would fered so much her entire life, she be someone someday. I will never didn’t believe there could be a God. forget her words: “I am sorry that I Throughout my childhood, neither am not able to provide a good life did I. But as I got a little older, I for you. I am sorry that you had to started asking questions about God. learn the hard way the importance I asked myself why my family never of work so early in your life, but had a chance to have a good life and now you will have the opportunity why I never had toys, enough food, to get an education. Whatever hap- or new clothes. Every time I asked pens, never give up school because these questions, I felt somehow in my it is the only thing that will take you heart that I wasn’t alone. This feeling away from this life.” comforted me for many years. Once I was in school, we had to When I was about 13 years old, be inventive to come up with school Latter-day Saint missionaries came supplies. I would find blank pieces to our home. They answered all of of paper in garbage cans and bring my questions and taught me about them home. My mother sewed them Jesus Christ. They told me there was together to make a notebook. She a church where I could learn more would buy a pencil to divide in three about the gospel in special classes for so my two sisters and I could each people my age. They taught me how take a section to write with at school. to pray. They told me about the Book Our other two siblings were not yet of Mormon. When I was baptized, old enough to come to school with us. none of my family came. I felt lonely, but I knew I was doing the right thing. I was introduced to a new life—a life of hope, happiness, My mother sent me faith, and love. My peers, I knew, were off to school with a seeking solace in drugs and immoral- homemade notebook ity. I found mine in a loving Heavenly and a third of Father and the gospel of His Son. After my baptism I knew that the Lord had a pencil. been aware of me my entire life. I learned a lot about the gospel. I met people who shared my beliefs. Some of the members got to know a little bit about my life when they visited me at home. They generously helped me buy clothes and shoes for

June 2011 61 OBTAIN TRAINING church and notebooks for school. I companion, I was able to go to the “The Lord wants you to babysat regularly for Church mem- United States to study. I knew this educate your minds and bers and made more money than I would indeed change my life forever. hands, whatever your chosen ever had before. Because I was so I knew my Heavenly Father was aware field. Whether it be repairing young, it might have been easy for of me and had a specific plan for me. refrigerators, or the work of a me to stray from the gospel. But with This opportunity to further my educa- skilled surgeon, you must train yourselves. . . . You will bring the support of Church members, I tion was an answer to my prayers. honor to the Church and you remained firm in my newfound faith. I knew that it would be challeng- will be generously blessed The gospel truly changed my life. ing to learn a second language, but I because of that training.” After I was baptized, I felt I had more also knew it was possible if I worked President Gordon B. Hinckley energy to learn in school. I learned hard enough. I studied at the Brigham (1910–2008), “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” ­Liahona, Apr. 2001, a lot and became a tutor. If I did not Young University English Language 34; ­Ensign, Jan. 2001, 8. Center and spent up to 10 hours a day in the library. One of my teach- ers suggested we pray for the gift of tongues, so every night I prayed and asked Heavenly Father for this gift. He certainly helped me. When I was After I completed my studies at accepted into the the English Language Center, I was nursing program, I knew it would accepted at several universities. I be hard, but I also decided to attend Brigham Young knew the Lord University–Idaho and apply for the would be with me. nursing program. I heard that it was very difficult to get into the program, know a subject, I would study until I especially for international students. INSTITUTE knew it so well I could teach it. I used So I studied my hardest. My friends o matter where you the money to help at home. teased me, saying I should move into Nobtain your education, I received my patriarchal blessing the library because I spent so much you can gather with other and was counseled to serve a mission time there. Even when it closed, I young adults at one of the because the Lord reserved a special went home and kept studying. more than 500 institutes of blessing in my mission that would When times were difficult, I remem- religion around the world. change my life forever. I didn’t know bered the words of President Gordon B. To find a location near you, what that meant, but I knew I would Hinckley (1910–2008): “You need all contact your local priest- understand in time if I was obedient. the education you can get. Sacrifice a hood leaders or visit www. car; sacrifice anything that is needed to lds.org/institutes. New Opportunities be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do I served in the Brazil Curitiba the work of the world.” 1 I knew those Mission from 2000 to 2002. Through were the words of a prophet of God,

my association with a particular and I took them seriously. PHOTOGRAPH OF PRESIDENT HINCKLEY BY DRAKE BUSATH

62 Ensign 

“Sacrifice anything that So my husband and I carefully PERPETUATING EDUCATION is needed to be sacrificed organized our time so we could prop- he Perpetual Education Fund erly balance our priorities and I could T(PEF) was established in 2001 to to qualify yourselves to do complete my education. I scheduled help members of the Church obtain the work of the world.” my study time so I could give my the education and training they need I knew those were the husband and our son the attention to be self-reliant. Members of the they needed. Sometimes my hus- Church who qualify for the program words of a prophet of God, band’s parents stayed with our son receive a loan to help pay for their and I took them seriously. while I was in class. Two great class- education. They repay the loan after mates helped me review class materi- gaining employment. In order to als. I felt that the Lord had sent all of qualify for a PEF loan, an applicant When I was accepted to the nurs- these people to support me through must do several things, including the ing program, my heart filled with this difficult time. following: gratitude and happiness. I knew it would be hard and I would have to A Better Life • Be a worthy, active member of continue to make sacrifices, but I After graduation I passed the state The Church of Jesus Christ of knew the Lord would be with me. certification exam and started work- Latter-day Saints. Single male While in school, I met my hus- ing as a nurse to help support our applicants between 19 and 26 band, and we were married in 2007. family while my husband completes must be returned missionaries or My mother also joined the Church his education. Even though I am not have an approved exemption. that year. She told me that she had planning on working once my hus- • Be endorsed by priesthood never known why I was so happy, band starts his career, if a tragedy leaders. even with all the terrible things that or economic hardship requires me • Enroll in an institute of religion, had happened to us. But once she to work in the future, my education unless married or over age 30. joined the Church, she understood. helps me feel prepared to do so. • Live, work, and attend school in a The gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed Mom was right: education does PEF–approved country. PEF loans my family, and I’m happy to see my have the capacity to change lives. It are available to members in over mother blessed after all the sacrifices has changed mine, and it will change 40 countries. she has made. I will always be grate- the lives of my children. I hope • Commit to pay as many school ful for her. they will realize that I am successful costs as possible with personal By the beginning of 2010, I was pre- because I followed the Lord’s plan for money, graduate and gain better paring for graduation—and was preg- me. He wanted me to get an educa- work, and fully repay the loan. nant with our first child. Two months tion, and He helped me every step before I was to graduate from the of the way. I hope my children learn If you are interested in applying nursing program, I had complications how to work like I did and that they for a loan through PEF, contact with my pregnancy, and our baby was come to value education as much as your local priesthood leader. Learn born via cesarean section. My teachers I do. ◼ more about the program by visiting pef.lds.org. told me I should take time off from NOTE school and graduate later. But I was so 1. Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” ­Liahona, Apr. 2001, close—only two months away! 34; New Era, Jan. 2001, 8.

June 2011 63 64 

Ensign Education O Spiritual Spiritual weeks, Irealizedwhathadbeen missingthepast found intheclassesItook. Over several thenext just aconvenience. The realblessingofinstitutewas enrolled inaclass. be nice!)Italked itover withmywife andthen schedule. (Besides, Ithought, freeparkingwould realized thatmaybe Icouldfitinstituteintomy but atthatmomentwhiletalkingtomyfriend, I time away fromthemby addingmoreclasses, my timeandattention. Ididnotwant totake more all, Iammarried,myfamilyneeded andcertainly was attendingschool andworking fulltime). After thisby sayingrationalized thatIdidn’thave time(I attended asingleinstituteclass. InthepastIusually four years atArizonaStateUniversity andhadnot he alsosaidthatwas reallyenjoying thecourse. free parkingtheinstituteoffered toitsstudents, but admitted thathehadinitiallysigneduptogetthe some businessclassesandaninstituteclass. He ule was like, andhementionedthatwas taking on eachother’s lives. Iasked himwhathissched- months. HeandItalked for awhileandcaughtup The parkingspot, I’ll admit, was great, butitwas I thoughtaboutthatfor amoment. Ihadspent friend whomIhadnotseenfor several a new semesterofcollege, Icalledagood ne Saturday atthebeginningof afternoon A PRIORITY MAKING MAKING

in making spiritual learning apriority.in makingspirituallearning ◼ ward. for Iamgrateful theblessingshave found I cantake advantage oftheonesIhave goingfor from theyears whenIdidnotattendinstitute, but tute hasrepaidmetenfold. short, theinvestment ofmytimespentatinsti- brought meclosertomyHeavenly Father. In more vigilantinkeeping mycovenants andhas ing tome. Institute hasalsohelpedmetobe 31:13) andfindingpassagesthathave new mean- “real intent” (seeMoroni10:4;seealso2Nephi myto-dolist,checking itoff Iamreadingwith better husbandandfatherwhenIamathome. at home. Inaddition, ithashelpedmetobea I amabletostudymoreeffectively atschooland classes—in somecases, well before theduedate. time tocompletemyassignmentsfor myother commitment,with theextra Istillhave plentyof ing collegeexperience, Ihave found thateven to save abitoftimetwo days aweek. fromsuchspiritualnourishmentjust cut myselfoff hymns, andfeel theSpirit. Icouldn’tbelieve Ihad I was abletostudythescriptures, singbeautiful four years—a regular, midweek spiritualuplift. I cannot get back the missed opportunities I cannotgetbackthemissedopportunities When Ireadthescriptures, instead ofjust As Ihave ofmyremain- madeinstitutepart By JoelChildress when Iamathome. be abetterhusbandandfather addition, ithas helped meto me study effectively. more In Attending institutehas helped -

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CASEY PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CASEY

June 2011

65  LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES

PRESIDENT MONSON find him, one of President Monson’s traveling companions reminded him WANTS TO SEE YOU that if they didn’t leave soon, they would not make it to the Edinburgh bout 15 years ago I was diagnosed intention of doing that, but a few airport on time. A with Parkinson’s disease. Four minutes later the man returned. President Monson smiled and, years later my health was steadily “Brother Sharkey,” he said, referring to himself and to me, declining, and I was using a wheel- “President Monson is waiting to responded, “When you’re our age, chair. I felt extremely frustrated by my see you.” you learn to prioritize. We’ll be there condition because for my entire life, I “But he doesn’t know me,” I in time.” had been very active. replied. When my bishop arrived, he and About that time I went to a confer- “Even so, he is waiting to see you. President Monson administered to ence in Dundee, Scotland, attended He has heard about your illness.” me. The blessing President Monson by President Thomas S. Monson, I agreed and went to see gave me was not a blessing of heal- then a counselor in the First President Monson. He ing; it was about managing my con- Presidency. Following the meet- greeted me warmly and dition and its accompanying ailments. ing, a member approached me. asked whether It was also a blessing for my family “Brother Sharkey?” I would like a to be able to help me in managing “Aye?” priesthood bless- my disease. “Come down to the front ing. I told him I Now, a decade later, I still have to see President Monson.” would. Parkinson’s, but at age 74 I am doing I had no We found well. I have indeed found ways to a room, and manage my illness. I feel good, and I President have not used a wheelchair since the Monson day I received the blessing. My doctor asked whom calls me his “star patient.” I would like I will always be grateful to to anoint me. President Monson for his kindness I asked if we in speaking to and blessing a man he could send for didn’t know. But I’ll also be grateful my bishop. When for what he taught me about using someone left to the priesthood. We hold different keys and offices in the Church, but we hold the same President Monson greeted me warmly and asked priesthood. President Monson’s kind whether I would like a act taught me that the priesthood isn’t priesthood blessing. about who holds it but about how we use it to bless the lives of Heavenly Father’s children. ◼

George Sharkey, Scotland BY BJORN THORKELSON ILLUSTRATIONS it was the only time during my three- BLESSED BY THE year battle that I felt such anxiety. The PRIESTHOOD peace from the priesthood blessings I received sustained me and enabled joined the Church as a single me to get through things I thought I I mother in 1996, several years after couldn’t endure. my twin sister, Theresa, joined. When The priesthood continued to Theresa was baptized, a mutual friend strengthen me through a postopera- said to me, “Why would she join that tive infection and a serious fever. One church? They make their women stay night during this time my brother-in- in the background.” law came to the hospital and gave me From association with members of a blessing. My temperature had been the Church, I knew that my friend’s rising all day, but after the blessing it understanding was inaccurate—the steadily declined. I was amazed but marriages I saw among members of not surprised. the Church were some of the stron- I saw the promise come to fruition gest and most equal I had ever seen. that my doctors would be guided. I knew that only men in the Church When I awoke after one of my opera- held the priesthood, but I sensed that tions, the surgeon came to see me. they used the priesthood to benefit all. “I was all done,” she explained, That truth was reinforced to me “but something told me to go deeper, Upon hearing the news that I had when I was diagnosed with breast and I found additional problem areas, breast cancer, I received a spiri- cancer 11 years after my baptism. Upon tual prompting that I should seek which I was able to remove. We’re hearing the news, I received a spiritual a priesthood blessing. fortunate to have found them.” prompting that I should seek a priest- She is not a member of the Church, hood blessing, which I did that evening. but the promise of the blessing I had In the blessing, I was promised that the received early on had come to pass. cancer would leave my body, that my The Spirit had guided her. body would be made whole, and that operation. I remember waking up in I am grateful for the worthy priest- the Spirit would guide my doctors. extreme pain. Just then this thought hood holders in my ward and family That blessing was the first of many entered my mind: “You know that who have reached out to me and I would receive over the next three you will get better. You have been used the priesthood to bless my life. I years of treatment and surgeries. It promised that your body will be am grateful for their wives who sup- gave me faith to know that healing made whole. You know you’re going port and sustain them as they honor would come physically if it was the to get through this.” their priesthood and use it to bless Lord’s will or that it would come On another occasion I woke up others. Most of all, I am grateful that spiritually—and I would be given in the middle of the night worried Heavenly Father has blessed us with strength to deal with my trial. about the future. “What is going to His power on earth, a power that I experienced the second kind happen to me?” I wondered. That blesses all of His children. ◼ of healing one night following an panic lasted for a couple of hours, but Virginia Gillis, Massachusetts, USA

June 2011 67 Latter-day Saint Voices

DAD, I NEED YOU didn’t. That made me feel even worse. I scrambled to the top of the bank, but my dad was nowhere in sight. was moving sprinkler pipes on a We were cruising along fairly fast I said a silent prayer to my Father I section of our farm in northern when I veered off the trail and hit a in Heaven, asking Him to send California, USA. This particular day clump of sagebrush with my right rear Dad back to get me. Then I started was a treat because Dad was there tire. The impact forced me to turn the walking. to help me. When we finished, we ATV sharply to the left toward the river Meanwhile, Dad was almost home jumped on our all-terrain vehicles and down the embankment. I tried when he thought he heard me call (ATVs) and headed for home with stopping, but the bank was too steep out to him. He looked back for the dinner on our minds. Dad led the and I was going too fast. I thought first time since we had left the field. way. for sure I was going in the river. Only then did he notice that I wasn’t Our farm was bordered on one Fortunately, there was a tree on the behind him. He knew something was side by the Pit River. We rode on the bank right in my path. The next thing wrong and came looking for me until edge of the field so we wouldn’t flat- I knew, I was looking down at the he found me. ten the alfalfa with the big tires on ATV—from the tree! I was as scared as Dad later told me that he had our ATVs. The field was on our right, I had ever been. heard me say, “Dad, I need you!” At and the river, at the bottom of a I felt that I had just had a brush with the time, he was more than two miles steep embankment, was on our left. death, but other than a few scratches (3 km) away. I knew then that a lov- We couldn’t see very well because it and bruises, I was unhurt. After I ing Father in Heaven had heard my was misty. calmed down and took a few breaths, I prayer and let my father know that I realized there was no way I was going needed his help. to get the ATV back up the bank by I am grateful for the Holy Ghost myself. I kept expecting my dad to and the whisperings of truth and poke his head over the edge of the guidance that we receive from Him. embankment, looking for me, but he I am also grateful for a loving father who had lived his life in such a way that the Holy Ghost could talk to him and be heard. ◼ Michael K. Hewett, Utah, USA

I said a silent prayer to my Father in Heaven, asking Him to send Dad back to get me. WOULD YOU LIKE A BLESSING?

ne morning I was walking up Oa steep hill on the south side of the Brigham Young University campus when I heard a crash behind me. I turned around and saw a young man lying facedown on the pave- ment, his bike several yards away in pieces. I stood in shock until he weakly tried to lift his head. Then I hurried toward him, along with four The injured young man groaned and feebly gestured toward his other people who had been walking pocket. The student next to him up the hill. reached inside it and pulled out The student who reached the a small vial of consecrated oil. biker first carefully turned him over, revealing severe cuts on the biker’s lips, nose, chin, and eye- the way and asked the young man brow. Another student called for his name. help on his cell phone. A young “David,” he said, sobbing softly. laid their hands on his head and gave mother standing next to me offered “Where am I?” he asked again. him a blessing. A feeling of calm a piece of cloth, and the first student An older man in a suit—likely a came over me too as the professor stanched the biker’s bleeding lip professor—approached and asked promised the young man that he with it. A second woman and I stood David if he wanted a blessing. He would recover, be at peace, and by, anxiously waiting for paramedics nodded gratefully. draw nearer to the Savior through to come. The professor paused. “I don’t this experience. The injured man’s eyes flickered have any oil, though,” he said, look- Soon the paramedics came and open, and he looked in confusion at ing around. Those nearby shook took the biker away. As I walked the faces around him. their heads. The injured young man to class, I realized that he carried “Where am I?” he said. “What groaned and feebly gestured toward consecrated oil with him so he happened?” his pocket. The student next to him could use the priesthood to bless The student holding the cloth to reached inside it and pulled out a someone in need. This day, however, his lips answered, “You’re on the large key ring with a small vial of he himself was blessed. I left with south side of campus. You crashed consecrated oil attached. a deep feeling of love for faithful your bike.” “He has some!” exclaimed the men who live ready to bless others The biker groaned. “It hurts,” he student. and for the Lord, who also blesses said. “Help me.” The biker calmed down as soon as them. ◼ The student said that help was on the professor and the male students Lia McClanahan, Utah, USA

June 2011 69 Small & Simple Things “Out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).

CHURCH HISTORY AROUND THE WORLD Germany

lthough missionary work After World War I, Germany country had been divided into A began in Germany in the experienced great growth in East Germany and West Germany. 1840s, it wasn’t until 1851 that two Church converts, particularly However, missionary work con- people who were likely the first from 1921 to 1925. The German tinued, and on June 19, 1985, the

converts there were baptized. The Mission was divided into the Freiberg Germany Temple was Karl G. Maeser emi- same year, President John Taylor, German-Austrian Mission and the dedicated in East Germany—the grated from his native then of the Quorum of the Twelve Swiss-German Mission. The East first temple in a communist coun- Germany to Utah, arriving in 1860. Apostles, went to Hamburg to help German Mission was created in try. Another temple was dedicated supervise the translation of the 1937. Missionaries were pulled out two years later, in Frankfurt, West Book of Mormon into German. A of Germany during World War II. Germany. The country was unified branch was organized in Hamburg When they returned in 1947, the in 1990. in 1852, but most of the early con- verts emigrated to Utah because of The Freiberg Germany Temple, dedicated in 1985. persecution. These included Karl G. Maeser, who later became presi- dent of Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah.

Y Berlin N A M R E G

Freiberg Frankfurt

Above: A view of Munich, Germany. Below: The Frankfurt Germany Temple, dedicated in 1987. THE CHURCH IN GERMANY Members 38,204 Missions 3 Stakes 14 Wards and Branches 173 Temples 2 PHOTOGRAPH OF MUNICH © GETTY IMAGES; MAP BY MOUNTAIN HIGH MAPS © 1993 DIGITAL WISDOM, INC. HIGH MAPS © 1993 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPH OF MUNICH © GETTY IMAGES; MAP BY MOUNTAIN 70 Ensign The Gospel Comes First Create a Profile on Mormon.org issionaries found and taught embers of the Church across the 3. When creating your profile, keep in my great-grandfather in M world can share the gospel by mind that you are talking to people who Samoa. In joining the Church, M creating a profile on Mormon.org. Visitors are not members of the Church. Avoid my grandfather had to forsake to the site use these profiles to learn about phrases they may not be familiar with. some of the traditional beliefs the Church directly from members. Create For example, you might say, “I teach and religious practices of his a profile and share your testimony by a class of adult women once a month people. Our family is proud of our following these steps: from the words of living prophets,” Samoan heritage, but because instead of, “I serve as the Teachings for of my grandfather’s example, 1. Visit mormon.org/create. Sign in Our Time instructor in Relief Society.” we have learned that the gospel using your LDS account. If you don’t comes first. have an LDS account, register for a 4. Provide your picture, first name, and When I was a young man, my user name and password by providing a short introduction. You can also link dad talked to me about the tribal your membership record number and your profile to your blog, Facebook band tattoos that are common date of birth. Find your membership account, or Twitter account, though and some of the popular foods record number on your temple recom- this isn’t required. Avoid including that wouldn’t necessarily be in mend or by contacting your ward or detailed personal information, such as harmony with the teachings of branch membership clerk. your last name or city of residence. the Church. Dad said, “Don’t 2. Provide information in the follow- Once your profile is complete, it will participate in any of that. You’re ing fields: “About Me,” “Why I Am be sent to moderators for approval. Once a child of God before you’re a Mormon,” “How I Live My Faith,” the profile is approved, visitors to the site Samoan, before you’re a big, “Frequently Asked Questions,” will be able to read your testimony and tough guy from the islands.” “Personal Stories,” and “Additional contact you for more information about That is something I have always Information.” the Church. remembered. Today my wife and I live in Costa Rica. There are traditions and cultural etiquette here, as there are everywhere, that do not align with what the Church teaches. Sometimes we have to have the courage to turn from these practices and to the teach- ings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Morgan Sa Mataalii, Costa Rica

June 2011 71 Small & Simple Things

Presidents of the Church Quiz

atch each item below to the President of Mthe Church with whom it is associated.

1. Sunglasses. Worn by this 9. Cane. This President used a cane President of the Church as in his later years, which he lovingly he traveled to visit settlements A. Joseph Smith Jr. (1805–44) waved in the air to greet groups of throughout the Utah territory. Latter-day Saints. B. Brigham Young (1801–77) 2. Top hat. This item is 1 0. Tithing slip. This President indicative of this proph- C. John Taylor (1808–87) emphasized Joseph Smith’s et’s renown for refined teachings on tithing. appearance and D. Wilford Woodruff (1807–98) Fiddler on the Roof. This President behavior. 11. E. Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901) loves literature and has quoted 3. Medal of Distinguished Service. this classic on more than This Church President received this F. Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918) one occasion. award for his service as Secretary of Typewriter. This Agriculture in the cabinet of U.S. pres- G. Heber J. Grant (1856–1945) 12. President was one ident Dwight D. Eisenhower. H. George Albert Smith (1870– of the Church’s most 4. Welfare commodity tokens. This 1951) prolific writers. President initiated and led the Sword. This Church Church welfare program during I. David O. McKay (1873–1970) 13. President served as commander the Great Depression. J. Joseph Fielding Smith of the Nauvoo Legion. Saddle. This prophet loved his (1876–1972) 5. Floral lei. This prophet horse named Sonny Boy. 14. K. Harold B. Lee (1899– went to Hawaii at age 15 6. Journal. This 1973) as one of the first prophet was commit- Latter-day Saint ted to preserving Church L. Spencer W. Kimball (1895– missionaries there. history, and his records are 1985) Pocket watch. among the most valuable 15. This item was worn by histories of the Church. M. Ezra Taft Benson (1899– 1994) this prophet on the day 7. Photo of BYU Jerusalem Center. This of the Martyrdom at Church President negotiated to obtain N. Howard W. Hunter (1907–95) Carthage Jail. land in Jerusalem to 16. Scouting Silver Buffalo build the center. O. Gordon B. Hinckley (1910– 2008) Award. This President 8. Miniature micro- was the first major phone. This P. Thomas S. Monson (1927–) promoter of Scouting President used this in the Church. device, mounted on his glasses, because several throat operations treating cancer affected his voice. BY JOHN LUKE; PHOTOGRAPH OF SILVER BUFFALO AWARD BY CHRISTINA SMITH AWARD BUFFALO BY JOHN LUKE; PHOTOGRAPH OF SILVER LEFT: PHOTOGRAPH OF BYU JERUSALEM CENTER BY D. KELLY OGDEN; PHOTOGRAPH OF CANE PHOTOGRAPH OF BYU JERUSALEM CENTER BY D. KELLY LEFT:

72 Ensign 16. H 15. C; 14. F; 13. A; 12. J; 11. P; 10. E; 9. O; 8. L; 7. N; 6. D; 5. I; 4. K; 3. M; 2. G; 1. B; Answers: FAMILY HOME EVENING IDEAS

Reinforcing Lessons from Primary

y children often bring previous day. Through recalling and and reflect upon the gospel Mhome handouts they This has been a fun teaching what they learned principles from Primary as have colored or assembled and valuable way to use in class and sharing time, our family learns together. in Primary. These drawings, the handouts my chil- my children have the Emily Cushing, Utah, USA finger puppets, popsicle dren receive and create. opportunity to internalize stick figures, and other crafts illustrate the stories and principles they learned in class. When we arrive home from church, I gather their handouts. The following night at family home eve- ning, I return the items to my children, and they use them to explain the Primary lessons from the ILLUSTRATION BY BETH WHITTAKER ILLUSTRATION HELPS FOR HOME EVENING

“The True Path to Happiness,” page 22: After all the education you can get. Sacrifice a car; sacrifice any- sharing the article with your family, discuss what President thing that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves Monson meant by “Decisions determine destiny.” Consider to do the work of the world.” As a family define sacrifice asking the following questions: How do the decisions we and discuss the blessings that come from it. Consider make now affect our happiness in the future? How can sharing your feelings about the importance of education we be sure we are making righteous decisions? Invite and preparing for the future.

family members to share examples of how making good

By Elder Quentin L. Cook decisions has brought them more happiness. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

scriptures that we are to honor our parents. which they would hope to bestow upon us. A proverb reads, “My son, keep thy father’s This is a step toward personal happiness. “The Heart and a Willing Mind,” page 30: Discuss The True PaTh To commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 6:20). The great Commit Yourself to the Family German philosopher Goethe put it this way: Second, commit yourself to the eternal institution of the family as the foundation for What from your fathers’ heritage is lent, happiness. In the world at large, many are Earn it anew, to really possess it! 5 with your family what it means to submit our will to God’s choosing not to get married or are delaying Happiness It is clear that we need to be grateful for our marriage. The family is an eternal institution will. Ask family members to think of examples of how the parents and take positive action to acquire that ordained of God from before the foundation As we pursue he recipe for “the good life” has been to spend less time “preparing students for the true path debated for centuries. When the careers” and more time “preparing them to Apostle Paul was in Athens on Mars make social decisions.” 3 to happiness in T Hill, he encountered “philosophers of the As I read these statements, I reflected Savior was the perfect example of submitting His will to our families and Epicureans, and of the Stoicks” (Acts 17:18). on what the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: professions, I pray The Stoics believed that the highest good was “Happiness is the object and design of our we will use our virtue, while the Epicureans believed that the existence; and will be the end thereof, if we knowledge and highest good was pleasure. Many Stoics had pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is become proud and used the philosophy as virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and God’s. Then consider making a list of the five ways we influence to bring 4 “a cloak for . . . ambition and iniquity.” Many keeping all the commandments of God.” greater righ- Epicureans had become hedonists who took In the spirit of the statement in the New teousness, peace, as their motto “Let us eat and drink, for York Times about marriage and the Prophet’s understanding, to-morrow we die.” 1 optimistic declaration, I am confident that we can give our heart and mind to the Lord, as outlined by and freedom to Many in the academic world have long can have the happiness that we desire and pointed to Aristotle’s advocacy of “intellec- that God wants for us. What must we do to people all over tual contemplation” as a blueprint for “the attain it? the world. good life.” A reviewer writing in the New York . andersen, and john luke Times Book Review asserted that modern phi- Be Grateful for Your Heritage Elder Hallstrom. losophers “have concluded that there is no Always be grateful for your blessings, espe- single right balance of elements that consti- cially your heritage. When we are blessed with 2 tutes ‘the good life for man.’” goodly parents, we should be grateful. This is welden C Casey, obert An article in the New York Times asserted, the debt each of us owes for our heritage. “Marital happiness is far more important An old Chinese proverb reads, “When “The Power of Education,” page 60: Share the quote than anything else in determining personal you drink the water, don’t forget the well

well-being.” The author challenged colleges from whence it sprung.” It is clear from the by r Photo illustrations

22 Ensign in the story from President Hinckley that says, “You need

June 2011 73 News of the Church

Building History, Building Testimonies By Heather Whittle Wrigley Church Magazines

he Lord commands us to remember (see D&C 21:1), but history, like a photograph Tbleached by time, often fades until it is lost—unless someone steps in and stops it from being lost. Steven L. Olsen, senior curator of the Church History Department and former member of the Church Historic Sites Committee, is one of those people. The Historic Sites Committee collaborates with several departments to help stop time in its tracks by preserving places of historical value to the Church. “We preserve sites to help provide an experi- ence that opens a person’s heart and soul to the message [of the gospel],” he said. “Many have found the beginnings of their testimonies when they have gone to the historic sites and had the Spirit bear witness to them.” In Missouri, Historic Sites The Church History Department stewards the Saints can Historic sites are places where events of great historical accuracy of the messages, furnishings, tour a replica significance to Church history occurred, such as and settings found at historic sites. of Liberty Jail, the Joseph Smith farm or historic Kirtland. About where Doctrine The Missionary Department takes care of man- two dozen historic sites dot the United States, with and Covenants aging the sites daily, welcoming visitors, giving one site outside the United States, Worcestershire’s 121 to 123 tours, and answering questions. orginated as Gadfield Elm Chapel, the first chapel of The Church The Temple and Special Projects Departments the Prophet of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England. are responsible for managing any maintenance Joseph Smith concerns for temples and for the construction of and others were Historic Landmarks major new projects. subjected to Historic landmarks, of which there are about The Meetinghouse Facilities Department many hardships. four dozen, comprise temples, tabernacles, and ensures that each site is properly constructed and meetinghouses that are distinctive in architectural maintained and that the site stays accurate, attrac- or aesthetic value. According to Brother Olsen, tive, and appropriate. these landmarks exist to celebrate the importance These departments work with historians, archi- of worship in the Church. tects, archaeologists, lawyers, artisans, contractors, “In our history, we have invested a lot of energy and groundskeepers to preserve historic sites, to create spaces that are appropriate for the nature landmarks, and markers. of that worship,” he said. “Temples do that in a way

74 Ensign Church to Restore Harmony Site n April 2011, the First Presidency announced Iplans to restore a historic site formerly known as Harmony (near present-day Susquehanna), Pennsylvania, USA, where the Prophet Joseph Smith translated much of the Book of Mormon and where John the Baptist restored the Aaronic The Importance of Historic Sites Priesthood in 1829. One of the qualifications for a place to become a The project will include construction of historic historic site is that the site communicate key gospel buildings and the farm setting at Harmony as well messages, which Brother Olsen explained are “the simple as monuments commemorating the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods in 1829. messages of the Restoration that anchor our identity . . . The groundbreaking is expected to take place in as Latter-day Saints—the reality of the First Vision, the 2012, and the project is estimated to take two years coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the organiza- to complete. tion of the Church, for example.” Church leaders have invited members who are Today in upstate New York, families walk along paths interested to make a small, one-time contribution through the Sacred Grove, imagining Joseph Smith kneel- to the project. This can be done by specifying “Priesthood Restoration Site” on the “Other” cate- ing among the low-lying ferns and sun-splashed leaves. In gory on the tithing slip that is available from bishops Missouri, Saints can tour a replica of Liberty Jail, where some and branch presidents. of the most beloved parts of the Doctrine and Covenants, “Our historic sites help us tell the unique story of sections 121 to 123, originated as the Prophet Joseph Smith the Latter-day Saints,” said Elder Marlin K. Jensen, and others were subjected to many hardships. Church historian and recorder. “Each site is filled “Places give people a really strong connection to the with historically accurate details and engaging events of the Restoration of the gospel,” Sister Lund said. exhibits to help people better understand who we are and what is important to us.” “There’s no substitute for being . . . in the very place and being able to imagine what happened there.” Part of the power of those experiences comes from the veracity of the structures and settings found at the Church’s historic sites. that . . . allows us all to receive those blessings. Tabernacles “We want to make it all as true to the experience as and meetinghouses provide another way to worship.” the message is,” Brother Olsen said. “A setting [often] can evoke a dimension of understanding about the First Vision Historic Markers or the Book of Mormon that can’t be achieved just by Finally, because not every important site can be restored, reading about it.” historic markers—more than 100 of them—identify other Each log home, frame house, brick building, land- places the Church desires to preserve in the hearts and scape, stone structure, and furnishing—including floor- minds of Latter-day Saints. Markers can also designate ing, appliances, curtains, and other knickknacks—is areas (such as the Far West Temple site) where there is not exhaustively researched and re-created to be as true to enough information to restore the site accurately. the original as possible. There are dozens of international historic markers; often Artisans strive to match time period, region, economic a marker being placed is the first step to a location becom- status, and cultural forces present at that place and time, ing a historic site. right down to the methods used historically to create each “People recognize that a place is important to them and to setting and object. the Church, and many work to get a marker in that location,” Brother Olsen said that he hopes that as people catch a Sister Lund said. For those who are interested in marking a glimpse of modern-day history, their knowledge of Church location, she said, “there’s a policy and a process; they just history will grow and their testimonies of the gospel will need to contact the Church History Department.” be strengthened. ◼

July 2010 75 News of the Church

DI Partners Employees interest. It’s a win-win-win situation: DI fulfills its mission to help people help themselves by paying with Success the associate’s wages, liability, and workers’ com- pensation; the company receives an employee riela had just immigrated to the United resource free of charge; and the associate receives States from Peru, and although she spoke pay and training. Many partnerships end with a A English and Spanish and had a college job offer or recommendation. degree, she was unfamiliar with the work environ- The program began in 2008; today, nearly 1,500 ment in the United States and felt unsure about people have been placed in business partnerships finding a job. Her bishop suggested she work with through DI. Roughly half of those have been hired Deseret Industries (DI), a nonprofit, vocational into full-time, benefit-paying jobs. Eight out of rehabilitation facility sponsored by the Church every 10 placements are done with companies that doubles as a thrift store. that have partnered with DI in the past. Soon after beginning work at her local DI, Ariela “At first businesses want people to come because enlisted in DI’s business partnership program, it means free help,” said Danny Brock, who helped where she was able to have an internship-type create the program. “But after a while, they . . . decide what they really like is being able to help someone.” Before entering the business partnership program, DI asso- ciates are rigorously screened and evaluated, cleared for work, and instructed in character, work habits, and business relation- ships to ensure they are capable and informed. “The beauty is that the asso- ciates get to do something they experience at a local government justice service Deseret actually want to do,” Brother Brock said. “Dog company that taught her basic business proce- Industries is grooming, contracting, bookkeeping, welding, dures. She soon felt comfortable with her career not just a thrift medical assisting—you name the occupation, skills and was able to find permanent employment. store; through its and we can make a partnership.” business partner- Ariela’s is just one of thousands of success Besides the increase in skills, the certifications, ship program, stories that have come out of the business part– and the financial benefits, he said, the program associates have nership program, which exists at each of DI’s the opportunity supplies the emotional benefits of fulfilling 43 locations as well as at 12 employment centers— to get on-the-job dreams and providing prayed-for opportunities for 3 of which are in Mexico, the Philippines, and training in their both those in the program and employers. Haiti. field of interest. “Every day I get to see [people] find hope and In this program, DI partners with local com- happiness,” Brother Brock said, “and I see the panies to allow associates to train in their field of Lord’s love for His children.” ◼

76 Ensign ON THE WEB

Young Single Adults, Mesa Easter Pageant Teaches of Christ Each year the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant Leaders See Benefits draws more than 100,000 people, who watch the of Reorganization story of Christ’s life, mission, and Resurrection unfold through speech, music, dance, and drama n an effort to improve the experience of single played out on a 9,600-square-foot (890 square Church members ages 18 to 30, the Church meter) stage. Iis reorganizing young single adult wards and Many who attended this year’s performances stakes throughout Utah. April 13–16 and 19–23, 2011, as well as the nearly YSA wards have been realigned geographi- cally and included in newly formed YSA stakes. Student wards have been discontinued. Some 40,000 young single adults have been affected by the change. Young single adults may choose to attend the YSA ward or the conventional ward in which they live. “This age group tends to drift a little bit, to dif- ferent units, different wards,” said Elder Steven E. Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy. “We hope [the change] will provide enhanced opportuni- ties for them to serve in leadership positions, to teach, and to lead. . . . We hope it enhances their opportunities to meet other people and to do meaningful service, and we want to deliver these opportunities in their geographic area.” Young single adults and their leaders in areas where the change has taken place are already experiencing a difference.

Wess R. Greene, president of the Logan Utah PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVE PORTER YSA Fourth Stake, said the change has created a Participants 1,000 cast and crew members, say that the pag- feeling of belonging. “In regards to what President in the Mesa eant brought them closer to the Savior. Monson has said about rescuing the one, it has Arizona Easter “I know that the people who come to our Pageant really facilitated that process,” he said. pageant leave with a peace and a hope in their portray the The transition began in Ogden in April 2010, heart that maybe wasn’t there when they came,” story of Jesus and stakes in Logan, Cedar City, St. George, and Christ’s life, said Nanci Wudel, who has directed the pageant Ephraim have also made the change. Utah’s Salt mission, and for nine years. “We want so much to bring to Lake, Davis, and Utah Counties will have made Resurrection. the heart of every person sitting in the audience the change by this month. At this time, there are no [the message that] there is peace, there is hope, plans to extend the changes into other areas. ◼ because Jesus lives and He loves them.”

June 2011 77 WORLD BRIEFS

Tabernacle Organists Share Talents Museum Exhibit online at mormonchannel.org/ to Bless Church, World Engages Children in Book of Mormon History Joseph. The pipes of the Tabernacle organ on Temple The original 2005 film focuses Square almost have become an icon for the A new exhibit, A Book on the role that Joseph Smith Church; they’re easily recognizable, both by their of Mormon Fiesta: A Latin played in restoring the Church sheer size and by their rich sound. American Celebration uses of Jesus Christ. But what of the people behind those pipes, the state-of-the-art technology to The new version stays true ones producing that sound? engage children and adults in to that purpose, using both In April, Church News and Events featured understanding and appreciating reedited footage from the a three-part series about the Temple Square the stories of Latin American original film and new foot- organists: Clay Christiansen, Richard Elliott, and members of the Church. age to create a product that Andrew Unsworth. To read the stories of how This exhibit is free of charge is more easily shared with a these three men came to be full-time organists and will run through January 6, wider audience, including non- on Temple Square, visit news.lds.org and use 2013. For more information, members. About 40 percent of the keyword “organist” in the search box. (Be including location and hours, the film is new. sure to use the search box for News and Events, visit lds.org/museum. located just above the Global Church Events Mormon Channel, Church Magazines box, rather than the LDS.org search box in the New Art Exhibit Invites Share Similar Messages top right corner.) Visitors to Seek the Savior The Church History Museum This month, two episodes on Orchestra at Temple Square Musicians has opened a new exhibit fea- the Mormon Channel program Dedicate Time, Talent turing works based on the life Mormon Identities will expand Anyone who has watched and listened to and teachings of Jesus Christ. on content previously published a professional orchestra would agree that a Seek My Face: Recent Artwork in the Ensign. performance is quite an undertaking. From the on Scriptural Themes features Kenneth W. Matheson, profes- harmony of the music itself to the unison of the work of 29 artists and is a sor in the school of social work movement among the strings to the aesthetics touring exhibition by the Artist at Brigham Young University, of the stage, orchestral concerts take a lot of Guild International, L.L.C. will speak about fidelity in mar- work. The exhibit will remain in riage. Brother Matheson wrote Which makes the Orchestra at Temple Square Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, until on the same subject for the all the more remarkable. June 20, 2011. For more infor- September 2009 Ensign. Church The orchestra—which was first assembled in mation, including location and magazines writer Joshua Perkey 1999—operates in a way that no professional hours, visit lds.org/museum. will also speak this month orchestra does, from the scheduling of events about the role of the Church to the dedication of performers. News and Joseph Smith Movie magazines in reaching a wide to Reach Wider Events includes an April article about all the Audience Online spectrum of members around people—musicians, librarians, staging crew, the world. and others—who devote their time and talent A new version of Joseph For information about Mormon to the orchestra and its mission. Find the story Smith: The Prophet of the Identities and other programming, at news.lds.org. ◼ Restoration is now available visit radio.lds.org. ◼

78 Ensign In Other Church Magazines

THE NEW ERA COMMENTS

A Testimony of Her Own Good Examples There comes a time for every young Elder Joseph W. Sitati tells about four THANKS FOR THE HARD person when they must decide for young people from Africa who are all WORK themselves if they have a testimony. For great examples of living the gospel. Read just want to thank you and Jennie, it came during family home eve- “Your Example Matters” on page 40 to Iyour staff for the changes ning when her parents and siblings took see how setting a good example not only you have been making. The turns sharing their testimonies. Read “A strengthens you, but it can strengthen pagination and column design Testimony of My Own” on page 6. others also. makes the magazine flow and easy to read. The artwork is On Being Shy amazing and the articles are so Do you have sons or daughters who well planned. I worked in the consider themselves shy? “From Shyness publishing industry for several to Strength” on page 30 tells about what years. I managed ad sales and causes shyness, the two main types of almost every issue, artwork shy people, what they can do about it, from advertisers was always and what others can do to help. last minute. So I watched our editors almost pull their hair out trying to make deadlines THE FRIEND with late ads and overdue articles. I’m glad you don’t Internet Safety have advertisers. On rare In “Crash and Tell” on pages 8–9,

“I will keep my mind and body sacred Crashand and pure.” occasions you might experience My Gospel Standards Connor learns what to do when he

By Danielle Kennington our leaders, maybe including Tell (Based on a true story) Be faithful, and yield to no temptation (D&C 9:13). Finally, Connor decided to talk to her. He went to onnor sat down at the family computer and typed Mom’s room and sat on her bed, where she was encounters inappropriate content on Cin the website address his friend had given him. reading. “You’ve got to check it out!” his friend had said. “Mom, can I talk to you?” he asked. But as soon as the website appeared, Connor felt “Sure, honey,” Mom said. “What is it?” awful. He quickly tried to close the page, but the more He blurted it all out. He told her about what his friend our beloved Prophet President he clicked, the more bad pictures popped up. In a said, and he told her about what he saw when he visited panic, Connor hit the off button on the computer and the site. Mom watched him closely, but she didn’t seem ran to his bedroom. angry. the Internet. An accompanying list of Connor felt sorry he had seen those pictures. Since “I didn’t know what to do,” Connor said. “So I just his baptism a few months ago, he had started to feel the turned off the computer and ran away. I’m so sorry, special peace of the Holy Ghost. But after seeing those Mom. I shouldn’t have typed in that address in the first pictures, Connor didn’t feel peace at all. He felt guilty place, but I didn’t know it was bad.” Monson (a publisher), creating and scared that someone would know what he had Mom gave Connor a hug. “Connor, I am so sorry you seen. saw those pictures,” she said. “Some people try to trick Connor was quiet during dinner. He tried to listen to children into seeing bad things. But you did the right Internet safety tips on page 10 gives his family’s conversation, but the pictures he had seen thing. If you see bad pictures on the computer, you need kept coming back into his mind. The sick feeling in his to ‘crash and tell.’ That means push the power button to stomach wouldn’t go away. turn off the computer and then come and tell me right When he said his prayer that night, Connor told away. You did exactly the right thing.” some interesting deadlines, but Heavenly Father about the pictures he had seen. He Connor felt so relieved! said he was sorry and wouldn’t do it again. After the “Connor, I want you to know it is not your fault,” prayer he felt a little more peace, but he also had a feel- Mom said. “It was a mistake, and you don’t need to feel helpful guidelines all children need ing that he should go talk to Mom. Connor really didn’t guilty about what happened.” want to tell her what had happened. What if she got “But, Mom, if I did the right thing, why did I feel so angry or was disappointed? bad inside?” their words on print and elec- to know. 8 Friend IllustratIons by bryan beach June 2011 9 tronic copy are so worth your late night efforts. Summer Reading Again, thank you for your The Friend summer reading program hard work. The Ensign has (pages 24–25) will keep children busy always been an important part and happy with a whole summer full of of my life. Every month there reading and activities from the pages of are articles that have helped the Friend. me to stay close to the Lord. Larry Willes California, USA

June 2011 79 UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

need for the Atonement, priesthood authority, BUILDING ON A and prophets. Indeed, my journey to conver- sion took me six long years of constantly chal- SURE FOUNDATION lenging and questioning who I was, what I believed, and whether there could, in fact, be a God who had established eternal principles of truth and error, sin and consequence. By Joshua J. Perkey Remarkably, I did receive a spiritual confir- Church Magazines mation, but it did not come until I was humble ot far from the vast expanse of the enough to accept it. Ohio River lies a small town on the First came a witness Noutskirts of Louisville, Kentucky, of baptism, then of called Anchorage. Once a farming commu- the Book of Mormon, nity where a riverboat captain established then of Joseph Smith his last portage, it has become home to as a true prophet. families of many diverse faiths. Additional witnesses It was there in church, at home, and followed, line upon while exploring the marvelous world line, regarding today’s beneath the woods of sycamore, oak, prophets and apostles. maple, chestnut, and willow trees that I learned Eventually, there came a point in my life one of the fundamentals of Christianity: that A testimony when I didn’t just believe the gospel was Jesus came as the master teacher, instructing us can become true—I knew it. The culmination of many little in the ways of goodness and integrity. unshakable. witnesses created a foundation upon which My parents were good folks, faithful in their my faith was sure, a bulwark against which church. They taught me how to be a good challenges to testimony break. person and that there are certain things that It is our divine right to seek answers are right, such as being kind to others, and from the Lord. And we must keep spiritually certain things that are wrong, such as steal- nourishing ourselves every day so our ing. On the other hand, they also taught that testimonies remain strong. But I also know what one person believes to be true is just that in the Lord’s program, it is not productive as valid as what someone else believes to be to keep questioning principles about which true, even if those beliefs differ in fundamental we have received a witness. In fact, it may ways. In this philosophy, as I understand it, lead to apostasy. there are no eternal principles true for every- I no longer struggle with the moral relativ- one, just personal viewpoints that intelligent ism of my youth. I know that when the prophet people have the right and obligation to deter- speaks, his words are from God. When circum- mine are true for themselves. stances arise that challenge my testimony, I Because of those underlying tenets of moral trust in the witness I have already received, and relativism, I had a difficult time believing what then I do my best to live by it. That is the road the Mormon missionaries taught me about the to peace; that is the way of happiness. ◼

80 Ensign The Church Welfare Plan CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF SELF-RELIANCE AND SERVICE

“Our primary purpose was to set up . . . a system under which the curse of idleness would be done away with, the evils of a dole abolished, and independence, industry, thrift and self respect be once more established amongst our people. The aim of the Church is to help the people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership.” President Heber J. Grant (1856–1945), in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 3; see also Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant (2002), 115.

CONTENTS 82 A Letter from the First Presidency 83 Providing in the Lord’s Way 84 Seventy-Five Years of Living Providently 85 Catching the Vision of Self-Reliance 92 Increasing Our Compassionate Service by Following the Savior 93 The Strength of Many 96 Making Principles of Welfare Part of

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NOEL MAGLAQUE; HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CHURCH HISTORY ARCHIVES OF CHURCH HISTORY BY NOEL MAGLAQUE; HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY PHOTO ILLUSTRATION Your Life June 1, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the welfare program of the Church. The pages that follow include a brief history of the origin of the program, will acquaint you with the Church’s international welfare efforts, and show welfare principles at work in the lives of Church members throughout the world.

This anniversary serves as a reminder for all of us to become more self-reliant and to help people help themselves. As you review this special section, we encourage you and your family to prayerfully consider and act upon self-reliance and other welfare principles.

Sincerely yours,

The First Presidency Providing in the Lord’s Way

t was a time when the stock market saw huge Ilosses. Banks and other financial institutions failed. Unemployment soared. People were losing their homes. Governments intervened with expensive pro- grams to try to reverse downward trends. More and more people were forced to turn to public institutions for food and other necessities. This description of the 1930s could also apply to more recent times. Then—as well as now—the Church’s welfare plan has been available to “help the people to help themselves,” 1 in times of disaster, in widespread economic depressions and recessions, becoming self-reliant, caring for the poor and needy, Saints in every and in the smaller, more personal challenges families and serving others. When we live these principles, we dispensation have followed and individuals can face at any time. are better able to alleviate suffering, build character, the Savior’s Although the welfare plan we know today wasn’t and foster unity. example in introduced until 1936, Saints in every dispensation caring for the NOTES poor and needy. have practiced principles of provident living because 1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant the Savior Jesus Christ is the architect of the welfare (2002), 115. plan. President Thomas S. Monson has said: “The 2. Thomas S. Monson, “The Way of the Lord,” ­Ensign, Nov. 1977, 7. Lord provided the way when he declared, ‘And the 3. Thomas S. Monson, ­Ensign, Nov. 1977, 7. storehouse shall be kept by the consecrations of the church; and widows and orphans shall be provided for, as also the poor.’ (D&C 83:6.) Then the reminder, “The real long term objective of Photographs on ‘But it must needs be done in mine own way.’ (D&C the welfare plan is the building of page 81–Top: 2 Members unload 104:16).” character in the members of the To provide in the Lord’s way, we must develop food at the Bishops’ Church, givers and receivers, rescuing Central Storehouse our own self-reliance and then seek to help oth- all that is finest down deep inside in Salt Lake City, ers become self-reliant. “Devoted men and women of them, and bringing to flower and 1937. Middle: help to operate this vast and inspired program,” said fruitage the latent richness of the Filipino youth plant seedlings in spirit, which after all is the mission President Monson. “In reality, the plan would never a garden. Bottom: succeed on effort alone, for this program operates and purpose and reason for being of Members work on a through faith after the way of the Lord.” 3 this Church.” stake welfare farm in Utah, 1948. The 75th anniversary of the welfare plan— President J. Reuben Clark Jr. (1871–1961), First Counselor in the First Presidency, in Glen L. Rudd, commemorated this year—gives Latter-day Saints Pure Religion: The Story of Church Welfare Since

BY CARL HEINRICH BLOCH, COURTESY OF BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY MUSEUM ART BETHESDA, BY CARL HEINRICH BLOCH, COURTESY FROM CHRIST HEALING THE SICK AT DETAIL the opportunity to reflect on basic principles such as 1930 (1995), 301.

June 2011 83 

Seventy-Five Years of Living Providently

lthough the Church welfare plan was not yet Many of the early Saints struggled to support A formalized, the early Saints recognized the themselves. To combat idleness, Church leaders and importance of living a self-reliant life, caring for the members united to find ways to create sustainable poor and needy, and serving others. The Prophet livelihoods. Some found work constructing Church Joseph Smith stated, “A man filled with the love of buildings and completing public works projects. God, is not content with blessing his family alone, Others farmed and sold goods to provide for them- but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless selves and their families. As they labored together, the the whole human race.” 1 Saints were blessed with enough to meet their needs. Not long after the Church was established, small While the challenges of our time are different, bishops’ storehouses and tithing offices were erected Latter-day Saints continue to provide for themselves to help the needy. Joseph Smith instituted the gath- and care for the poor and needy by following the ering of fast offerings in Kirtland, Ohio, during the teachings of the Savior and the example set by previ- 1830s.2 The principle of tithing was also introduced ous generations. during this period (see D&C 119). Tithing and fast NOTES offerings were paid in the form of labor, produce, and 1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), other commodities. Bishops and branch presidents 330–31. 2. See Howard W. Hunter, “Fast Day,” ­Ensign, Nov. 1985, 72. oversaw the distribution of these resources as they 3. See Glen L. Rudd, Pure Religion (1995), 2, 4. do today.3

Information in this time line comes from the following sources, unless otherwise noted: 1936 Susan Clayton Rather, Supporting the Rescue of All That Is Finest (2005); Glen L. Rudd, • April 6: President Heber J. Grant and Key Moments in Church Welfare Services (2008); Glen L. Rudd, Important Events his counselors announce the Church for Historical Church Welfare (1999); Glen L. Rudd, A Brief History of the Church security plan in general conference. Employment Program (1998); Glen L. Rudd, Pure Religion (1995). • October: The Church forms the General Welfare Committee.

84 Ensign Church Welfare | 75 Years of Self-Reliance and Service

“When we fast, . . . we feel The Saints in hunger. And for a short time, California’s Central Valley provide the we literally put ourselves in the labor for a Church- position of the hungry and needy. owned vineyard in As we do so, we have greater Madera, California, understanding of the deprivations USA. The vineyard they might feel. When we give to produces hundreds of tons of raisins the bishop an offering to relieve to be used by the the suffering of others, we not poor throughout only do something sublime for the world. others, but we do something wonderful for ourselves as well.”

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Law of the Fast,” Liahona, July 2001, 90; Ensign, May 2001, 73. Catching the Vision of Self-Reliance any members might think of welfare as a pro- Mgram to help members in temporarily difficult circumstances. But the intent of the Church’s welfare plan is much more vast; it also involves promoting self-reliance as a way of life. President Thomas S. Monson has taught that self-reliance—“the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the necessities of life for self and family” 1—is an essential element of our temporal and spiritual well-being.2 A mere desire to become self-reliant is not enough. We must make a conscious, active effort to provide for our own needs and those of our families. Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop, reminds us that when we have done all we can to be self-reliant, “we can turn to the Lord in confidence to ask for what we might yet lack.”3 Being self-reliant allows us to bless oth- ers. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says, “Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others.”4 Self-reliance involves several facets of a balanced Left, top: Dutch Saints harvest and load life, including (1) education, (2) health, (3) employ- potatoes for German Saints in 1947. ment, (4) family home production and storage, Above: Food-production training in (5) family finances, and (6) spiritual strength. Ecuador has helped members grow more productive gardens. ABOVE, FROM LEFT: PHOTOGRAPHS BY CORNELIUS ZAPPEY, COURTESY OF CHURCH HISTORY ARCHIVES; HOWARD COLLETT; AND PETER EVANS COLLETT; ARCHIVES; HOWARD OF CHURCH HISTORY COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHS BY CORNELIUS ZAPPEY, ABOVE, FROM LEFT:

1937 1938 • The Church establishes • Welfare Square property is purchased in the first Bishops’ Salt Lake City, and construction begins. Central Storehouse, • April: Church security plan is renamed in Salt Lake City. Church welfare plan. • August 12: The Church opens its first Deseret Industries thrift store, in Salt Lake City. June 2011 85 

1. Education known.” 6 Roberto applied for and was granted a PEF The Lord commands us to “seek learning, even loan, which allowed him to continue his studies. This by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). President opportunity not only helped with immediate finances, Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) taught: “We believe but it also helped Roberto have the faith to marry and in education. This Church encourages education. form an eternal family because he knew he would be There is incumbent upon every member of this able to provide for them. Church, as a mandate from the Lord, to get all the Roberto finished medical school while serving as education you can get. . . . There is incumbent upon a bishop and became the first Church member on the the Latter-day Saints a dictum from the Lord Himself National Board of Dominican Medical Schools. But the to educate our minds and our hands.”5 best results, he says, have been at home. “There have Gaining an education was the goal of Roberto been changes in my family as we are now further Flete Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic, who removed from the cycle of poverty,” he says. “I am enrolled in college shortly after returning from his grateful that my son won’t have to live the same way mission. His father agreed to cover his living expenses I did because we’ve stepped out of that cycle.” so that Roberto could focus on his studies, but a short For more information, visit the Education and Literacy section of providentliving.org and visit besmart.com, a website to help time later, Roberto’s father died, leaving the family in Latter-day Saint youth prepare for higher education. a dire financial situation. Roberto quit school and began working to support himself, his mother, and his sister. He wondered how “All we can learn that is true while we are in this life will rise with us in the he’d ever be able to finish school. Resurrection. And all that we can learn Weeks later President Hinckley announced the will enhance our capacity to serve.” Perpetual Education Fund, “a bold initiative” that President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the would help youth in developing areas “rise out of First Presidency, “Education for Real Life,” ­Ensign, the poverty they and generations before them have Oct. 2002, 21.

1939 1940 1941 • The first storehouse and • August 27: President David O. • April 20: Original cannery at Welfare Square McKay dedicates the Welfare Welfare Square begin operation. Square grain elevator. Church milk-processing members donated over 70,000 plant begins hours of labor to build it. operation. Far left: Latter-day Saint students pursue education to be better prepared to meet the rigors of today’s competitive world. Left: Exercise and good nutrition are an important part of treating our bodies with care and respect.

2. Health She knows that the blessings of adhering to the Because we are created in the image of God (see Word of Wisdom go beyond physical health: “I have Genesis 1:27), our bodies are temples and should found extra protection in the sense that I am able to be treated with care and respect (see 1 Corinthians make better choices because of the closeness of the 3:16–17). The Word of Wisdom, found in Doctrine Holy Spirit. I see clearly that standards do not restrict and Covenants 89, is the Lord’s code of health and our freedom; they protect us from consequences that was revealed to Joseph Smith in 1833. It teaches that lead to restricted freedom.” we should eat nutritious foods and avoid harmful For more information, see the Physical Health section of Sainimere substances. Apostles and prophets have since taught providentliving.org. Balenacagi knows both the physical that we should shun all substances or practices that and spiritual abuse our bodies or minds and that could lead to blessings of addiction.7 following the Word of Wisdom. Sainimere Balenacagi of Fiji learned this lesson “Our physical bodies indeed are temples of God. Consequently, you as a teenager when she was attending a wedding and I must carefully consider what with some friends who were not members of the we take into our temple, what we Church. Many people there, including Sainimere’s put on our temple, what we do to friends, were drinking and smoking and invited her our temple, and what we do with to drink. “I was taught my whole life to live the our temple.”

gospel standards, so I rejected the offer without Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the hesitation,” Sainimere says. Twelve Apostles, “Ye Are the Temple of God,” ­Ensign, Sept. 2001, 18. ABOVE, FROM LEFT: PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOHN LUKE, ISRAEL ANTUNES, AND CRAIG DIMOND PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS ABOVE, FROM LEFT:

1948 1960 1963 • March 1: The Church • March: New Welfare • Pasta manufacturing opens a regional Square milk- plant and new employment office in processing plant is Welfare Square Salt Lake City. completed. cannery begin operation.

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3. Employment established employment resource centers. Currently, In many wards and branches, finding employ- there are more than 300 centers in 56 countries that ment is the most pressing need members face as they offer services such as career workshops, networking strive to become self-reliant. Priesthood quorums and meetings, and individual job counseling. The new Relief Society sisters can help these members. They Church website LDSjobs.org also provides resources should work closely with these individuals, identi- for jobseekers, employers, and Church leaders. fying helpful community resources, mentors who After Oséias Portinari of Brazil was laid off at Top: A young woman is helped can personally assist those in need, and available work, he spent more than two months searching for at an employment job opportunities. The power of members working a new job. Unable to find a position, he volunteered resource center in together in faith to bless those in need will often lead at his local employment resource center in São Paulo. Mexico. Above: Oséias Portinari says to successful employment. Helping others in their job searches offered Oséias the employment In some areas of the world, the Church has an opportunity to improve his own interviewing and resource center in job search skills. He took the career workshop several São Paulo, Brazil, times and eventually became an instructor. To his “gives unemployed “Our Heavenly Father asks only members a better surprise, as he diligently served others, Oséias soon vision of life.” that we do the best we can— began to receive calls from prospective employers, that we work according to our which led to gainful employment. full capacity, however great or Oséias is grateful for Church resources that give small that may be.” unemployed members a better vision of life. He says, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Two “I know that as we put in effort, the Lord opens doors.” Principles for Any Economy,” ­Liahona For more information, visit LDSjobs.org, employment.lds.org, or and Ensign, Nov 2009, 56. your nearest employment resource center.

1973 1976 1978 • The Church creates LDS Social • Welfare facilities are • The Church forms the Services to help families. expanded throughout the Emergency Response United States and Canada. Committee to help • March 29: New Welfare millions of people Square bishops’ storehouse around the world is completed. affected by disasters.

88 Ensign Church Welfare | 75 Years of Self-Reliance and Service

4. Family Home Production and Storage In 2007 the Church introduced All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage, a pamphlet that provides a simplified approach to family home storage. The First Presidency encourages members worldwide to focus on having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings. Members can begin by producing or purchasing a few extra items and setting aside a little money each week as their circumstances allow. Following this pattern over time, members can establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve suitable for their needs.8 After learning of this counsel, the Lugo family of Valencia, Venezuela, felt inspired to begin their own home storage. Each week they began setting aside a Families in the small amount of food, water, and money. Even with Democratic Republic their limited resources, they were able to gather a of Congo work modest reserve after only a few months. Later that together to grow cassava as a food year a workers’ strike in Venezuela put many local staple and to process workers’ jobs in jeopardy. Brother Omar Lugo was the root into flour among those who eventually lost their jobs. for daily use and for longer-term storage. It took nearly two years for Brother Lugo to find new employment. During that time, Brother Lugo and his family lived on their savings and food storage. Despite the difficult challenges of unemployment, the “This new [home storage] program Lugos experienced peace and comfort because they is within everyone’s grasp. The first were prepared. They faced the uncertain future with step is to begin. The second is to confidence, knowing they had followed the counsel continue. It doesn’t matter how fast to gradually build their home storage.9 we get there so much as that we For more information, visit the Family Home Storage section of begin and continue according to our providentliving.org or refer to the pamphlet All Is Safely Gathered abilities.” In: Family Home Storage. Bishop H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop, in “Family Home Storage: A New Message,” ­Liahona, Mar. 2009, 14; ­Ensign, Mar. 2009, 60. TOP LEFT: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WELDEN C. ANDERSEN; TOP RIGHT: PHOTOGRAPHS BY HOWARD COLLETT PHOTOGRAPHS BY HOWARD BY WELDEN C. ANDERSEN; TOP RIGHT: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION TOP LEFT:

1980s 1981 1982 • First employment • The Church builds a • September 10: U.S. president centers outside Deseret Industries Ronald Reagan visits welfare the United States thrift store at facilities in Ogden, Utah. are established, in Welfare Square. Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

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5. Family Finances reserve, even though it be small, you and your family Another aspect of provident living is wisely man- will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your aging income and expenses. The First Presidency has hearts.” 10 counseled: Successful family finances begin with the payment “We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; of tithes and offerings. When members put the Lord discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid first, they are better able to care for themselves and Devon and Michaela debt. . . . others. Stephens say that “If you have paid your debts and have a financial Another part of successful financial management creating a budget involves knowing your income and expenses and helped them gain controlling money rather than letting it control you. “firm control” of their finances. When Devon and Michaela Stephens of Arizona, USA, created a budget, they had only a vague idea of how “All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both much money they spent each month. But making a temporal and spiritual ways. To provide budget with specific categories helped them “come providently, we must practice the out of the clouds and down to earth,” Michaela says. principles of provident living: joyfully “It was alarming to find we had less money than we living within our means, being content thought, but it was also intensely exhilarating to sud- with what we have, avoiding excessive denly feel that we had firm control of what we had.” debt, and diligently saving and For more information, visit the Family Finances section of preparing for rainy-day emergencies.” providentliving.org or refer to the pamphlet All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances. Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually,” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, May 2009, 8.

1983 1985 1990s 1996 • The Presiding • Church Humanitarian • The Church uses its Humanitarian • The Church establishes Latter-day Saint Charities Bishopric is Services program Service Center to sort surplus as a nongovernmental organization to facilitate designated to begins. clothing and other goods for humanitarian activities in select countries.1 direct the welfare shipment throughout the world in • Welfare Services builds its first bishops’ storehouses program. response to poverty and disasters. and home storage centers outside the United States, in Mexico. • Renovation of Welfare Square begins. 90 Ensign Church Welfare | 75 Years of Self-Reliance and Service

6. Spiritual Strength For more information on self-reliance and provident living, see Providing in the Lord’s Way: Summary of A Leader’s Guide to Welfare, Spirituality is essential to our temporal and eter- available in many languages at providentliving.org. nal well-being. We all experience trials. Striving to NOTES increase our spirituality will help us face these trials 1. Providing in the Lord’s Way: Summary of A Leader’s Guide well and give us hope for better days. to Welfare (booklet, 2009), 1. 2. See Thomas S. Monson, “Guiding Principles of Personal Nirina J-Randriamiharisoa of Madagascar currently and Family Welfare,” Tambuli, Feb. 1987, 3; ­Ensign, Sept. lives in France while she pursues her education. 1986, 3. Nirina 3. H. David Burton, “The Blessing of Work,” ­Liahona, Dec. When she first arrived, she struggled with loneli- J-Randriamiharisoa 2009, 37; ­Ensign, Dec. 2009, 43. has found that 4. Robert D. Hales, “A Gospel Vision of Welfare: Faith in ness and homesickness. “I sought for solace through consistent gospel Action,” in Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance prayer, scripture reading, and the gentle whisperings (booklet, 2009), 2. living can buoy us of the Holy Spirit,” says Nirina. “These things brought 5. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 724. up even through the 6. Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Perpetual Education Fund,” most difficult times. me closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior, and I ­Liahona, July 2001, 62; ­Ensign, May 2001, 52. felt peace.” 7. See, for example, Russell M. Nelson, “Addiction or In time Nirina made friends and participated in Freedom,” ­Ensign, Nov. 1988, 6; M. Russell Ballard, “O That Cunning Plan of the Evil One,” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, Nov. activities within and outside the Church and found 2010, 108. happiness. But then some tragic news from home 8. See All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage (pam- phlet, 2007). shook her world. “One morning I received a message 9. See “Family Home Storage: A New Message,” ­Liahona, Mar. telling me that my brother had died. I had no idea I 2009, 12–13; ­Ensign, Mar. 2009, 58–59. 10. All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances (pamphlet, could feel such sadness. In the days and weeks that 2007). followed, I struggled through moments of loneliness, anger, and despair. Doing even the most basic things became serious challenges.” “A strong testimony gives peace, A few months later, a close friend also passed comfort, and assurance. It generates away. The added sorrow increased Nirina’s already- the conviction that as the teachings heavy burden. For just a moment Nirina considered of the Savior are consistently obeyed, not attending church, but then she remembered that life will be beautiful, the future will the same things that had buoyed her in her earlier be secure, and there will be capacity difficulties could bolster her now. to overcome the challenges that cross “As I had when I first moved to France, I sought our path. A testimony grows from understanding truth distilled from comfort in prayer, scripture reading, and the Holy prayer and the pondering of scriptural Ghost. Through this I discovered more strongly doctrine. It is nurtured by living those that the Spirit and the doctrine of eternal families truths with faith anchored in the can bring us comfort and that the Atonement of secure confidence that the promised Jesus Christ has a real effect in our lives,” she says. results will be obtained.”

“Whatever trials we face, there are no ‘dead ends’ Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the with the Lord. His plan is a plan of happiness.” Twelve Apostles, “The Transforming Power of Faith and Character,” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, Nov. 2010, 46. TOP: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT CASEY BY ROBERT TOP: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

1997 1999 • LDS Social Services makes a • March: Welfare Services begins a major record number of adoption employment initiative to establish up to placements in one year with 50 new employment resource centers 629—the highest number the throughout the world. agency achieved in the 20th • LDS Social Services is renamed LDS Family century.2 Services, and programs are expanded.

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Increasing Our Compassionate Service by Following the Savior

hosoever will save his life shall lose it,” the Apostle Peter said that Jesus “went about doing good” WSavior taught, “but whosoever will lose his life (Acts 10:38). for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24). Jesus healed the sick and ministered to the Of this admonition President Thomas S. Monson afflicted (see Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 8:22–25). said: “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we Perhaps we will not perform the same mighty mira- lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose cles, but we can comfort and minister to the needs to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves of those who are dying, ill, or mourning. eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, The Savior miraculously fed those who had while those who lose themselves in service to others no food (see Matthew 14:15–21). We can give gener- grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.” 1 ous fast offerings, serve in Church welfare food- It can be difficult to find the necessary time and production projects, and contribute to community energy to help our family, neighbors, ward or branch efforts to feed the needy. members, community, and even strangers. When do Jesus was aware of and ministered to the we help and how, especially when each of us has a individual (see Luke 8:45–48). As we seek to follow finite amount of time? How do we serve when our His example, the Spirit will open our eyes to see the circumstances limit our abilities? suffering, the lonely, the estranged. And we can be Our Exemplar is, of course, the Savior Jesus Christ, guided to help meet their needs. who has invited us to follow Him (see Matthew 4:19). Jesus spent time with others, even when Although we do not share His divine calling, we can He hadn’t planned to (see Luke 24:29) and even share in His ministry. Describing that ministry, the when He was dealing with His own concerns

2001 2003 • A new career workshop is introduced at • January 25: The Provident Living website is launched, employment resource centers. Self-employment providentliving.org. workshop materials are introduced a year later. • A major proposal is approved to increase the number • September 5: Following the completion of the of bishops’ storehouses throughout the world. renovation of Welfare Square, a rededication • The Church begins four major humanitarian ceremony is held. initiatives: neonatal resuscitation training, clean water, wheelchair distribution, and vision treatment. 92 Ensign Far left: Brother Chiroque, a Young Men president in Chulucanas, Peru, works with Alex, a member of the teachers quorum, to build crutches for an injured man in their branch.

(see Matthew 14). We are counseled to give service in a wise and orderly way and not to “run faster than [we have] strength” (Mosiah 4:27). But sometimes our Fast offerings, greatest opportunities to serve and bless come when like those being collected by these it is least convenient. In the Savior’s parable, the good deacons, are vital Samaritan interrupted his journey, then and there, to helping the to minister to the stricken man’s needs (see Luke needy. 10:30–37). No one was beneath the Savior’s notice or too low for Him to reach out to (see Matthew 9:9–13). As the Savior did, so can we love and lift others, teaching them a better way and inviting them to join us in the abundant life the Savior offers. The Strength of Many Heavenly Father knows our unique abilities, cir- cumstances, and desires, and He knows how we can The Law of the Fast use them to bless others. As we draw closer to Him The Lord established the law of the fast to bless and seek His direction, He will help us know whom, His people and provide a way to care for those in where, and how to serve. need. He instructed the Saints “to impart of your Visit the Service section of LDS.org for ideas about serving in substance unto the poor, . . . and [it] shall be laid the Church, in your community, in missionary capacities, and in humanitarian service. before the bishop . . . to administer to the poor and needy” (D&C 42:31, 34). Fast offerings are a primary NOTE 1. Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone resource for the Lord’s storehouse. Church members Today?” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, Nov. 2009, 85. are encouraged to give an offering at least equal to the value of the two meals not eaten while fasting. President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) asked “Pure religion and undefiled members to give “much, much more—ten times 1 before God and the Father is more where we are in a position to do it.” this, To visit the fatherless and When we understand and live the law of the widows in their affliction, and fast, our love and compassion for the less fortunate to keep himself unspotted increase. Fasting, accompanied by prayer, is a form

TOP LEFT: PHOTOGRAPH BY HOWARD COLLETT; TOP RIGHT: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JERRY GARNS BY JERRY PHOTO ILLUSTRATION TOP RIGHT: COLLETT; PHOTOGRAPH BY HOWARD TOP LEFT: from the world” (James 1:27). of true worship. When we obey the law of the fast,

2009 2010 NOTES • June: A new adoption • April: A new employment 1. See “Humanitarian Activities Worldwide,” providentliving.org/content/ display/0,11666,4600-1-2323-1,00.html. website is launched, website is launched, 2. See C. Ross Clement, “LDS Family Services” (unpublished history pre- ItsAboutLove.org.3 LDSjobs.org, currently pared for LDS Family Services, May 10, 2000). available in English, 3. See Kimberly Bowen, “LDS Family Services Launches New Web Site,” Spanish, and Portuguese. ­Ensign, Sept. 2009, 78. • Food production is added to humanitarian initiatives. June 2011 93 

Symbolic of the added power that comes when we unite Projects like peach production provide a variety of to serve others, priesthood brethren in Louisiana, USA, help nutritious foods that both sustain and brighten the remove a fallen tree after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. lives of those who would otherwise suffer hunger.

we gain spiritual strength, temporal blessings, and a for the poor, and every one will abound for a long greater desire to serve others. time. . . . And so long as the saints will all live to this President Thomas S. Monson taught: “The con- principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances cept of fast offerings appears as early as the time of they will always have an abundance.’”2 Isaiah when, speaking of the true fast, he encour- aged people to fast and ‘to deal thy bread to the Food Production hungry, and . . . bring the poor that are cast out to The production and processing of food to feed the thy house’ [Isaiah 58:7]. The Prophet Joseph instituted hungry has been a cornerstone of the welfare plan since the practice of collecting fast offerings for the poor it was first introduced. What began as scattered gardens in Kirtland, Ohio; and later at Nauvoo, Illinois, the and work projects located throughout Utah became a Quorum of the Twelve Apostles sent a general letter vast network of over 1,000 farms and food-production to the Church defining ‘the principle of fasts,’ stat- projects run by the stakes and wards of the Church. ing: ‘Let this be an ensample to all saints, and there Welfare farms operated in North America, Europe, will never be any lack for bread: When the poor are Australia, and Polynesia. By the 1980s these farms and starving, let those who have, fast one day and give production facilities were consolidated, enlarged, and what they otherwise would have eaten to the bishops improved. Some smaller projects were sold. As in the past, these farms and facilities are sup- ported by members of the Church who provide most of the labor—all volunteer. Members contribute “If every member of this church observed the fast and contributed generously, the hundreds of thousands of days each year to produce, poor and the needy—not only of the process, and distribute food that will be used to sup- Church, but many others as well—would port the needy. Over 100 million pounds (45 million be blessed and provided for.” kg) of grain, beans, meat, fruit, vegetables, and other

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), “Rise to commodities are produced annually, ensuring that a Larger Vision of the Work,” ­Ensign, May 1990, 97. bishops have food available to support those in need.

94 Ensign Church Welfare | 75 Years of Self-Reliance and Service

As part of the ongoing effort to meet people’s most Projects to serve others strengthen the bonds between us and help us basic needs, young women in Hong Kong assemble develop Christlike attributes. Here, young Latter-day Saints in Mexico, soap and other hygiene items for victims of disaster. involved in neighborhood improvement, wash a home.

In areas of the Church where storehouses are not could furnish in the interest of the general welfare of available or readily accessible, bishops and branch the Church.”4 The Lord had already established the presidents use fast offerings to provide the needed organization needed to bless the poor and needy— commodities and services. priesthood quorums were in place, Relief Societies were organized, and the priesthood of God was on The Lord’s Storehouse the earth. Since the welfare program was introduced in The members of the Church, with their conse- 1936, members of the Church have labored together crated labor, their talents and abilities, become an to relieve the suffering of those who stand in need. integral part of the Lord’s storehouse. In addition to Economic downturns, natural disasters, unemploy- the fast offerings that are paid to the fast-offering fund ment, sickness and disability, or times of loss have of the Church, priesthood leaders can draw on the all required that the Saints work together under the time, talents, abilities, and energies of all the members direction of the priesthood to ensure that needs are in blessing those who stand in need. met and that individuals and families are blessed. By accepting the opportunity to assist others in Over the years millions of members have willingly their hour of need, we demonstrate our love for God given of their time and talents to bless others and and His children. This is welfare in its purest light, replace, as President Monson says, “the weakness and its faithful practice will exalt both the giver and of one person standing alone [with] the strength of the receiver, as envisioned by prophets in our day. many serving together.”3 NOTES When President Heber J. Grant spoke of the 1. Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, 184. welfare system in 1936, he envisioned that “no new 2. Thomas S. Monson, “Be Thou an Example,” ­Ensign, Nov. 1996, 44. Church machinery” would be required but that “stake 3. Thomas S. Monson, in “Messages of Inspiration from and ward organizations, the priesthood quorums, President Monson,” ­Church News, Feb. 6, 2010, 2. 4. Heber J. Grant, in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the the Relief Society, and the various auxiliary organi- First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

FROM LEFT: PHOTOGRAPHS BY JED CLARK, HOWARD COLLETT, NORMAN BURNINGHAM, AND CRAIG DIMOND COLLETT, PHOTOGRAPHS BY JED CLARK, HOWARD FROM LEFT: zations [would] render the maximum service [they] Saints, 6 vols. (1965–75), 6:19; capitalization standardized.

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“To all within the sound of my voice I declare that the welfare plan of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints is inspired of Almighty God. Indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ is its architect. He beckons to you and to me, ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him’ (Revelation 3:20). “May we hear His voice, may we open to His presence the doorways of our hearts, and may He be our constant companion as we strive to serve His children.”

President Thomas S. Monson, “The Way of the Lord,” in Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance (booklet, 2009), 13.

Making Principles of Welfare Part of Your Life

iving welfare principles is about putting our faith “Have I done any good in the world today? L in Jesus Christ into action—by eliminating Have I helped anyone in need? unnecessary debt, living within our means, and Have I cheered up the sad and made someone establishing family home storage and financial feel glad? reserves, for example. Our faith leads us to edu- If not, I have failed indeed. cate our minds and our hands and to work every Has anyone’s burden been lighter today day of our lives to be self-reliant. Having taken Because I was willing to share? care of our own needs, we are better able to Have the sick and the weary been helped on provide for ourselves and serve others. May we their way? follow the counsel not only to do good but strive When they needed my help was I there? to be good, not just to do better but to be better.1 Obedience to the Lord’s counsel brings temporal “That service to which all of us have been called is and spiritual blessings. It allows us to face the the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.”2 ◼ challenges of life armed with courage and confi- NOTES dence rather than fear and doubt. 1. See Robert D. Hales, “A Gospel Vision of Welfare: Faith in Action,” in Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance President Thomas S. Monson reminds us of (booklet, 2009), 1. our duty to lift and bless others: 2. Thomas S. Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Liahona and ­Ensign, Nov. 2009, 87. “My brothers and sisters, may we ask ourselves

the question . . . : ‘What have I done for someone ADDITIONAL RESOURCES today?’ May the words of a familiar hymn pen- Interested in learning more about the topics discussed in these pages? Several pamphlets, DVDs, websites, and other resources etrate our very souls and find lodgment in our may be useful to you. Visit 75yearsofwelfare.org for more hearts: information. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JERRY GARNS BY JERRY PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

96 Ensign WORDS OF CHRIST MAY NOT BE COPIED MAY In His Constant Care, by Greg Olsen “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value and not one of them is forgotten before God? than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6–7). “But even the very hairs of your head are all n 1829 the ancient Apostles Peter, James, and John appeared to Joseph ISmith and Oliver Cowdery and conferred upon them the Melchizedek Priesthood. Through the same process of ordination, all worthy male members of the Church are able to receive and then exercise the priesthood—the authority to act in God’s name. See pages 8, 19, and 44.