THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JULY 2013

Humble Giants of Our History, pp. 16, 62, 65 How to Experience True Freedom, p. 32 When Your Integrity Is on the Line, pp. 40, 48 Create Your Family’s Title of Liberty, p. 60 “Today’s modern-day Church pioneers . . . live in every nation and [their] stories of persever- ance, faith, and sacrifice add glorious new verses to the great chorus of the latter-day anthem of the kingdom of God.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Faith of Our Father,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2008, 70.

Left: Tiaray Madera Rasoamampianina was among the first members of the Church in Madagascar. Liahona, July 2013

16

MESSAGES FEATURE ARTICLES DEPARTMENTS 4 First Presidency Message: 14 With God Nothing Shall Be 8 April Conference Notebook The World Needs Pioneers Today Impossible By President Thomas S. Monson By Sang-Ick Han 10 What We Believe: Whom the Going to law school at the age of Lord Calls He Qualifies 7 Visiting Teaching Message: 53, I realized I could succeed only 12 Serving in the Church: Teaching and Learning if I relied totally on the Lord. the Gospel A Television and a Spirit Lifted By Kaci Cronin 16 Pioneer Faith and Fortitude— Then and Now 13 Teaching For the Strength By Elder M. Russell Ballard of Youth: Honesty and Integrity The pioneers of yesteryear survived insurmountable challenges— 28 Latter-day Saint Voices may the fire of our testimonies burn as brightly as theirs. 74 News of the Church 22 A God of Miracles: 80 Until We Meet Again: Walking The Slovak Saints in Sheffield the Trail of Hope—Together By Elder Erich W. Kopischke By LaRene Porter Gaunt The faith of these Saints in Sheffield, , brings about a modern-day miracle.

ON THE COVER Front: Favorite Stories, by Michael T. Malm. Back: Photograph by Craig Dimond © IRI. Inside front cover: Photograph by Richard M. Romney.

July 2013 1 YOUNG ADULTS YOUTH CHILDREN

40 Conviction with Compassion By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 70 When is it right to judge? How do we defend our standards while 36 respecting others’ agency? 44 Forgiving the One in the Mirror By David Dickson Some may believe that they can’t be forgiven, but the Savior’s Atonement is infinite and available to all. 47 Permanent Marker By Dani Dunaway Rowan I scrubbed my hands until they 57 Wheel hurt, but the lines from the marker You can make and use this wheel remained. to help plan family home evening. 48 For the Strength of Youth: 58 Save Her! 32 Living for the Eternities Honesty and Integrity By Heidi S. Swinton By Elder Keith K. Hilbig By Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. As a boy, President Thomas S. I plead with you to visualize your Monson learned that one of future celestial existence with 50 Returned with Honor the best feelings is being able to your family in eternity, a sta- By Valerie Best help others. tus of unfathomable glory and I looked at the bracelet that had advantage we cannot yet fully accidentally fallen into my bag— 60 Bringing Primary Home: comprehend. how long would I keep it if I put off Families Are Part of Heavenly taking it back? Father’s Plan 36 Experiences in Profound Trust By Melissa Zenteno 52 Power in Covenants 62 On the Trail: Challenges Young adults share how they A covenant is more than a two- in Missouri strengthened their faith despite way promise; it is a promise that By Jennifer Maddy struggling with relationships that contains power, strength, safety, didn’t work out. and peace. 64 Our Page Special Witness: Why is family Favorite Family Home Evenings 65 54 history work so important? Three youth from around the By Elder David A. Bednar world share some of their most memorable family home evenings. 66 The Story Rug By Kay Timpson My Summers by the Temple 56 Sharing stories as they worked By David Isaksen together, Katy and Nana created It was a 10-hour drive to the near- more than just a rug. est , in Stockholm, , See if you but I’m glad we went. 68 Family Story Swap can find the Use this activity to share and tell stories with your family. Liahona hidden 48 in this issue. 69 Hi, I’m Erika from Hint: Erika Erika shares stories about how she knows. has made family history fun. 70 For Young Children 81 Prophet Portrait: Joseph F. Smith JULY 2013 VOL. 37 NO. 7 LIAHONA 10787 International magazine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Family Home Evening Ideas Latter-day Saints The First Presidency: Thomas S. Monson, This issue contains articles and activities that could be used for family home evening. Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf The following are two examples. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen Editor: Craig A. Cardon IRI

Advisers: Shayne M. Bowen, Bradley D. Foster, © Christoffel Golden Jr., Anthony D. Perkins Managing Director: David T. Warner Director of Family and Member Support: Vincent A. Vaughn Director of Church Magazines: Allan R. Loyborg Business Manager: Garff Cannon Managing Editor: R. Val Johnson Assistant Managing Editors: Ryan Carr, LaRene Porter Gaunt Publications Assistant: Melissa Zenteno Writing and Editing: Susan Barrett, David Dickson, David A. Edwards, Matthew D. Flitton, Mindy Raye Friedman, Lori Fuller, Garry H. Garff, Eve Hart, Jennifer PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CRAIG DIMOND PHOTO ILLUSTRATION Grace Jones, Hikari Loftus, Michael R. Morris, Richard M. Romney, Paul VanDenBerghe, Julia Woodbury Managing Art Director: J. Scott Knudsen “Returned with Honor,” page 50: “The Story Rug,” page 66: In this story, Art Director: Tadd R. Peterson After reading the story, you and your Katy and Nana do things to nurture Design: Jeanette Andrews, Fay P. Andrus, C. Kimball Bott, Thomas Child, Kerry Lynn C. Herrin, Colleen family could watch the video “Honesty: their relationship. Consider reading the Hinckley, Eric P. Johnsen, Scott M. Mooy, Brad Teare You Better Believe It!” at youth​.lds​.org seventh paragraph of “The Family: A Intellectual Property Coordinator: Collette Nebeker Aune (available in English, Portuguese, and Proclamation to the World.” How does it Production Manager: Jane Ann Peters Spanish). Family members can share what say that successful marriages and families Production: Kevin C. Banks, Connie Bowthorpe Bridge, Julie Burdett, Bryan W. Gygi, Denise Kirby, Ginny J. Nilson, they learned from the story and video. are established? Pick one of these points, Gayle Tate Rafferty You could also read in For the Strength such as compassion, and discuss it as a Prepress: Jeff L. Martin Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick of Youth about honesty and integrity family. You could invite the family to list Distribution Director: Stephen R. Christiansen (page 19). For an activity, family members ways they can be compassionate to family For subscriptions and prices outside the and , go to store.lds​ .org​ or contact your local Church could brainstorm situations where their members and others. You could set goals distribution center or ward or branch leader. honesty might be tested. Write the situa- for the week to show more compassion Submit manuscripts and queries online at liahona.lds​ ​ tions on slips of paper, put the papers and discuss how well you met your goals .org; by email to liahona@ldschurch​ .org;​ or by mail to Liahona, Rm. 2420, 50 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, in a bowl, and have everyone pull out a during your next family home evening. UT 84150-0024, USA. paper. Taking turns, have everyone read You might finish your lesson by singing The Liahona (a term meaning “compass” or “director”) is published in Albanian, the situation and say what should be done “Families Can Be Together Forever” Armenian, Bislama, Bulgarian, Cambodian, Cebuano, in that situation to be honest. (Hymns, no. 300). Chinese, Chinese (simplified), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Fijian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kiribati, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Marshallese, Mongolian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Tahitian, Thai, Tongan, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. (Frequency varies by language.) © 2013 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. IN YOUR LANGUAGE Printed in the United States of America. Text and visual material in the Liahona may be copied for The Liahona and other Church materials are available in many languages at incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual material may not be copied if restrictions are indicated languages.lds​ .org.​ in the credit line with the artwork. Copyright questions should be addressed to Intellectual Property Office, 50 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA; email: TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE cor-intellectualproperty@​ldschurch​.org. For Readers in the United States and Canada: July Numbers represent the first page of the article. 2013 Vol. 37 No. 7. LIAHONA (USPS 311-480) English (ISSN 1080-9554) is published monthly by The Church Adversity, 4, 16, 80 Forgiveness, 44 Pioneers, 4, 16, 62, 80 of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150. USA subscription price is Church callings, 10 General conference, 8 Plan of salvation, 30 $10.00 per year; Canada, $12.00 plus applicable taxes. Church history, 4, 16, 62, Goals, 14 Repentance, 47 Periodicals Postage Paid at Salt Lake City, . Sixty days’ 80, 81 notice required for change of address. Include address Honesty, 13, 31, 48, 50 Sabbath, 28 label from a recent issue; old and new address must be Commandments, 40 Jesus Christ, 70 Service, 12 included. Send USA and Canadian subscriptions to Salt Covenants, 52 Lake Distribution Center at address below. Subscription Judging, 40 Smith, Joseph F., 81 help line: 1-800-537-5971. Credit card orders (American Example, 16 Marriage, 32, 36 Standards, 4 Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa) may be taken by phone or at store.lds​ .org.​ (Canada Post Information: Faith, 14, 36 Missionary Work, 22 Teaching, 7, 13 Publication Agreement #40017431) Family, 16, 29, 30, 60, 66 Obedience, 40 Temples, 29, 56 POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS (see DMM 707.4.12.5). Family history, 65, 69 NONPOSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES: Send address Ordinances, 29 changes to Distribution Services, Church Magazines, Family home evening, 3, Parenthood, 13, 32 P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. 54, 57 Perspective, 32

July 2013 3 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

By President Thomas S. Monson

THE WORLD NEEDS Pioneers Today

or many, the pioneer trek of 1847 didn’t begin Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear; at Nauvoo, Kirtland, Far West, or New York but But with joy wend your way. Frather in distant England, Scotland, Scandinavia, or Though hard to you this journey may appear, . Tiny children could not fully comprehend the Grace shall be as your day. . . . dynamic faith that motivated their parents to leave behind All is well! All is well! 1 family, friends, comfort, and security. A little one might ask, “Mommy, why are we leaving These pioneers remembered the words of the Lord: “My home? Where are we going?” people must be tried in all things, that they may be pre- “Come along, precious one; we’re going to Zion, the city pared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the of our God.” glory of Zion.” 2 Between the safety of home and the promise of Zion The passage of time dims our memories and diminishes stood the angry and treacherous waters of the mighty our appreciation for those who walked the path of pain, Atlantic. Who can recount the fear that gripped the human leaving behind a tear-marked trail of nameless graves. But heart during those perilous crossings? Prompted by the what of today’s challenges? Are there no rocky roads to travel, silent whisperings of the Spirit, sustained by a simple yet no rugged mountains to climb, no chasms to cross, no trails to abiding faith, those pioneer Saints trusted in God and set blaze, no rivers to ford? Or is there a very present need for that sail on their journey. pioneer spirit to guide us away from the dangers that threaten They finally reached Nauvoo only to set out again to to engulf us and to lead us to a Zion of safety? face hardships on the trail. Tombstones of sage and rock In the decades since the end of World War II, standards marked graves the entire route from Nauvoo to Salt Lake of morality have lowered again and again. Crime spirals City. Such was the price some pioneers paid. Their bodies upward; decency careens downward. Many are on a giant are buried in peace, but their names live on evermore. roller coaster of disaster, seeking the thrills of the moment Tired oxen lumbered, wagon wheels squeaked, brave while sacrificing the joys of eternity. Thus we forfeit peace. men toiled, war drums sounded, and coyotes howled. But We forget how the Greeks and Romans prevailed the faith-inspired and storm-driven pioneers pressed on. magnificently in a barbaric world and how that triumph Often they sang: ended—how a slackness and softness finally overcame

4 Liahona them to their ruin. In the end, more from the experiences of the past, we follow.” 3 Can we somehow muster the than they wanted freedom, they are doomed to repeat them with all courage and steadfastness of purpose wanted security and a comfortable their heartache, suffering, and anguish. that characterized the pioneers of a life; and they lost all—comfort and Haven’t we the wisdom to obey Him former generation? Can you and I, in security and freedom. who knows the beginning from the actual fact, be pioneers? Do not yield to Satan’s enticements; end—our Lord, who designed the plan I know we can be. Oh, how the rather, stand firm for truth. The unsat- of salvation—rather than that serpent, world needs pioneers today! ◼

isfied yearnings of the soul will not be who despised its beauty? NOTES met by a never-ending quest for joy A dictionary defines a pioneer as 1. “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” Hymns, no. 30. 2. 136:31. amidst the thrills of sensation and vice. “one who goes before to prepare 3. Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed. (1989), Vice never leads to virtue. Hate never or open up the way for others to “pioneer.” promotes love. Cowardice never gives courage. Doubt never inspires faith. Some find it difficult to withstand TEACHING FROM THIS MESSAGE the mockings and unsavory remarks he scriptures explain that home teachers are to “warn, expound, exhort, of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, Tand teach, and invite all to come unto Christ” (D&C 20:59). Consider honesty, and obedience to God’s pointing out the warnings and invitations contained in President Monson’s commands. But the world has ever message to those you visit. You may want to discuss with them ways to belittled adherence to principle. When recognize and follow righteous examples, avoid deceptions, and learn from Noah was instructed to build an ark, others’ mistakes. Ask those you teach how they can be pioneers today. the foolish populace looked at the Children may enjoy learning more about pioneers by reading the On the cloudless sky and then scoffed and Trail series on page 62 of this issue. jeered—until the rain came. Must we learn such costly lessons over and over again? Times change, but

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY WELDEN C. ANDERSEN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION truth persists. When we fail to profit

July 2013 5 YOUTH

Driven by Faith By Maggi Earl

will never forget walking the grounds at My experience at Winter Quarters helped me I Winter Quarters, Nebraska, USA, where realize that Heavenly Father gives the gospel to pioneers had lived years before. The ground His children and allows them the agency to felt sacred, almost as if I were visiting an do with it as they will. The parents of that outdoor temple. baby could have chosen to take an easier My eyes filled with tears, blurring my course. Following the prophet and living vision. I saw a statue but could not make the gospel required these pioneers to out the figures. When I wiped away my press forward even when it meant bury- tears, I saw a man and a woman whose faces ing their child. But they chose to take the were full of grief. As I looked closer, I saw gospel into their lives and accepted their the figure of an infant lying in a grave at challenges. I learned that the Saints’ their feet. dedication to the gospel and their This sight filled me with so many emotions: determination to press forward were sadness, anger, gratitude, and joy. I wanted to driven by faith and hope—hope for a take away the pain those Saints felt, but I was bright future and faith that the Lord grateful at the same time for what they had knew them and could ease their pain. sacrificed for the gospel. The author lives in North Carolina.

CHILDREN

Be a Pioneer resident Monson Psays that a pio- neer is someone who shows the way for others to follow. What can the chil- dren in these pictures do to stand up for what is right and be a pioneer for others? Write your answers in the space under

the pictures. BEACH BY BRYAN © IRI; ILLUSTRATIONS FAIRBANKS BY AVARD TRAGEDY AT WINTER QUARTERS, TRAGEDY AT

6 Liahona VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE

Prayerfully study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the Faith, Family, Relief questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make an active part of your own life. For more information, go to reliefsociety​.lds​.org.

Teaching and From Our History Our past prophets have Learning the reminded us as women that we Gospel have an important role as teach- ers in the home and Church. In September 1979, President esus Christ was a master teacher. He Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) set the example for us as He “taught J asked us to become “sister scrip- women in multitudes and as individu- torians.” He said: “Become schol- als, on the street and by the seashore, ars of the scriptures—not to put at the well and in their homes. He showed loving-kindness toward them others down, but to lift them up! and healed them and their family After all, who has any greater members.” 1 need to ‘treasure up’ the truths He taught Martha and Mary and of the gospel (on which they may “invited them to become His disciples call in their moments of need) and partake of salvation, ‘that good Ghost, who will carry our message than do women and mothers part’ [Luke 10:42] that would never be “unto the hearts of the children of who do so much nurturing and 2 taken from them.” men [and women]” (2 Nephi 33:1). teaching?” 4 In our latter-day scriptures, the From the Scriptures We are all teachers and learn- Lord commanded us to “teach one Alma 17:2–3; 31:5; Doctrine and ers. When we teach from the another the doctrine of the kingdom” Covenants 42:12–13; 84:85 scriptures and the words of our (D&C 88:77). Of teaching and learn- living prophets, we can help oth- ing doctrine, Cheryl A. Esplin, second ers come unto Christ. When we counselor in the Primary general engage in the learning process presidency, said, “Learning to fully NOTES 1. Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and by asking meaningful questions understand the doctrines of the gospel Work of Relief Society (2011), 3. is a process of a lifetime and comes 2. Daughters in My Kingdom, 4. and then listening, we can find 3. Cheryl A. Esplin, “Teaching Our Children ‘line upon line, precept upon precept, to Understand,” Liahona and Ensign, May answers that meet our personal 2012, 12. needs. here a little and there a little’ (2 Nephi 4. Spencer W. Kimball, in Daughters in My 28:30).” 3 Kingdom, 50. As we learn, study, and pray, we will teach with the power of the Holy

BY CARL HEINRICH BLOCH © HOPE GALLERY WHAT CAN I DO? 1. How am I preparing to be a better 2. Do I share my testimony with the teacher? sisters I watch over? JESUS, MARY, AND MARTHA, JESUS, MARY,

July 2013 7 APRIL 2013 CONFERENCE NOTEBOOK “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken; . . . whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).

As you review the April 2013 general conference, you can use these pages (and Conference Notebooks in future issues) to help you study and apply the recent teachings of the living prophets and apostles and other Church leaders.

STORIES FROM CONFERENCE

energy and enthusiasm were waning. And then what I thought was the perfect solution came into my eight- year-old mind. I said to Danny, “All we need is to set these weeds on fire. We’ll just burn a circle in the weeds!” He readily agreed, and I ran to our cabin to get a few matches. Lest any of you think that at the tender age of eight we were permitted to use matches, I want to make it clear that both Danny and I were forbidden to use them without adult supervi- sion. Both of us had been warned repeatedly of the dangers of fire. climbing, and simply enjoying each However, I knew where my family Learning to Be minute of each hour of each day. kept the matches, and we needed to Obedient One morning Danny and I decided clear that field. Without so much as a By President Thomas S. Monson we wanted to have a campfire that second thought, I ran to our cabin and evening with all our canyon friends. grabbed a few matchsticks, making hen I was growing up, each We just needed to clear an in certain no one was watching. I hid Wsummer from early July until a nearby field where we could all them quickly in one of my pockets. early September, my family stayed gather. The June grass which covered Back to Danny I ran, excited that at our cabin at Vivian Park in Provo the field had become dry and prickly, in my pocket I had the solution to our Canyon in Utah. making the field unsuitable for our problem. I recall thinking that the fire One of my best friends during those purposes. We began to pull at the tall would burn only as far as we wanted carefree days in the canyon was Danny grass, planning to clear a large, circu- and then would somehow magically Larsen, whose family also owned a lar area. We tugged and yanked with extinguish itself. cabin at Vivian Park. Each day he and all our might, but all we could get I struck a match on a rock and I roamed this boy’s paradise, fishing were small handfuls of the stubborn set the parched June grass ablaze. in the stream and the river, collect- weeds. We knew this task would It ignited as though it had been ing rocks and other treasures, hiking, take the entire day, and already our drenched in gasoline. At first Danny

8 Liahona and I were thrilled as we watched the QUESTIONS TO PONDER weeds disappear, but it soon became • Why do we have rules? apparent that the fire was not about to • Why is it important for us go out on its own. We panicked as we would eventually have reached. to choose to obey God’s realized there was nothing we could Danny and I learned several dif- commandments? do to stop it. The menacing flames ficult but important lessons that • In what ways was Jesus Christ an began to follow the wild grass up the day—not the least of which was the example to us of obedience? mountainside, endangering the pine importance of obedience. trees and everything else in their path. There are rules and laws to help Consider writing your thoughts in your Finally we had no option but to run ensure our physical safety. Likewise, journal or discussing them with others. for help. Soon all available men and the Lord has provided guidelines and Additional resources on this topic: Gospel women at Vivian Park were dashing commandments to help ensure our Principles (2009), “Obedience,” 200–206; “Obedience,” in Gospel Topics on LDS.org; and back and forth with wet burlap bags, spiritual safety so that we might suc- D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” beating at the flames in an attempt to cessfully navigate this often-treacherous Liahona and Ensign, May 2009, 19–23. extinguish them. After several hours mortal existence and return eventually the last remaining embers were smoth- to our Heavenly Father. ◼ ered. The ages-old pine trees had been From “Obedience Brings Blessings,” Liahona and saved, as were the homes the flames Ensign, May 2013, 89–90.

Prophetic Words to Member Missionaries

“I promise you, as you pray to know with whom to speak, names and faces will come into your mind. MISSIONARY STATISTICS AS OF APRIL GENERAL CONFERENCE Words to speak will be given in Number of missionaries currently serving missions 65,634 the very moment you need them. Number of and young women who Opportunities will open to you. have received their mission calls but have not Over 20,000 Faith will overcome doubt, and the yet entered a missionary training center Lord will bless you with your very Number of young men and young women currently in the Over 6,000 own miracles.” interview process with their bishops and stake presidents Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum Number of new missions created 58 of the Twelve Apostles, “It’s a Miracle,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2013, 78–79. From President Thomas S. Monson, “Welcome to Conference,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2013, 5. FROM LEFT: PHOTOGRAPH © CORBIS IMAGES; PHOTOGRAPH OF THOMAS S. MONSON AT VIVIAN PARK; PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG DIMOND VIVIAN PARK; PHOTOGRAPH © CORBIS IMAGES; OF THOMAS S. MONSON AT FROM LEFT:

July 2013 9 WHAT WE BELIEVE

WHOM THE LORD CALLS HE QUALIFIES

ost members of the Church will Eyring, First Counselor in the First inspiration and will bless us to serve Mhave many opportunities to Presidency. “The Lord knows you. He well. The Lord helps those who serve receive a “calling”—an assignment to knows whom He would have serve Him and will add His power to their serve. “The Lord expects each of us in every position in His Church. He efforts (see D&C 84:88). As President to have a calling in His Church so that chose you.” 2 Thomas S. Monson promised, “When others may be blessed by our talents In our callings we represent the we are on the Lord’s errand, we are and influence,” said President Ezra Savior, and the work we do—no entitled to the Lord’s help. Remember Taft Benson (1899–1994).1 matter how small it may seem—has that whom the Lord calls, the Lord Church leaders, who themselves eternal consequences. The influence qualifies.” 3 have been called to serve, rely on of a dedicated Primary teacher, for As we follow the Lord’s example other members to accept and fulfill example, could inspire a child to of service and obediently fulfill our the callings they are offered. Each serve a mission one day. Or an usher’s callings and Church responsibilities, new calling is an opportunity to serve friendly greeting could help a strug- our lives will be blessed and we can and grow and should be approached gling member feel welcome at church. become more like God (see Moroni humbly and prayerfully. Calls to serve The Lord will help us in our call- 7:48; D&C 106:3). ◼ in the Church are given by ings, especially when we feel over- For more information, see chapter 14 in leaders after they have sought inspira- whelmed by the responsibilities. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: tion from the Lord. “You are called of When we pray to Heavenly Father for Lorenzo Snow (2012). NOTES God,” explained President Henry B. guidance, He will direct us through 1. Ezra Taft Benson, in Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Lift Where You Stand,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2008, 54. 2. Henry B. Eyring, “Rise to Your Call,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76. GIVE YOUR BEST EFFORT 3. Thomas S. Monson, “Duty Calls,” Liahona, “Your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you July 1996, 42; Ensign, May 1996, 44. give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your com- panion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve.”

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Rise to Your Call,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76.

10 Liahona We can look to handbooks, manuals, the counsel of Church leaders, and other We do not seek callings, nor resources to teach us our responsibilities do we typically decline callings and to help answer our questions. that come through proper priesthood authority (see Moses 6:31–32).

When we are helping do the Lord’s work, we can pray for and receive His help (see D&C 84:88).

Fulfilling our callings brings blessings and joy (see Matthew 25:23).

ANSWERING QUESTIONS Why does your Church have unpaid clergy? From the beginning, the Lord has called His disciples from among ordinary people with diverse backgrounds. They served out of love for the Lord and for others. In the Book of Mormon, for instance, the prophet Alma chose priesthood leaders and “commanded them . . . [to] labor with their own hands for their support. . . . “And the priests were not to depend upon the people for All callings are equally important; the their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God” (Mosiah 18:24, 26; see also 2 Nephi 26:29–31; Articles Church needs nursery leaders as much as of Faith 1:5). Relief Society presidents (see 1 Corinthians Likewise in our day, a call to serve gives us the opportunity 12:14–18). How we serve is more to help others and to develop and share our talents and spiri-

ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID HABBEN BY DAVID ILLUSTRATION important than where we serve. tual gifts. We are amply repaid for our service by blessings from the Lord.

July 2013 11 SERVING IN THE CHURCH

A TELEVISION AND A SPIRIT LIFTED

By Kaci Cronin Because the broadcast was about wall. He grabbed one and sat down y husband is profoundly deaf to begin, everyone was apprehensive next to my husband. The two of them Mand deeply devoted to the gos- about disconnecting and adjusting sat side by side throughout the session. pel. However, years of struggling to anything. The cord my husband found Today my husband eagerly attends understand weekly Church meetings was too short to reach the television his meetings. The bishop’s simple act left him reluctant to attend additional on the rolling cart, so the TV had to of kindness lifted my husband’s spir- priesthood meetings and broadcasts. be moved to a lower table. He rolled its and allowed gratitude to enter his While members of our ward were the cart out of the chapel and into heart. While some problems still arise, friendly and encouraging, their lack a nearby room. He then began to he no longer feels alone or unwel- of understanding of the technical unstrap the television and wondered come. My husband’s perspective was assistance he needed in order to if anyone would come to help him lift changed forever through the inspired participate in meetings often left my it. At that moment, he felt someone actions of one of Christ’s shepherds. ◼ husband feeling lonely and frustrated. enter the room. It was the bishop. My The author lives in Mississippi, USA. We were new to our ward, and it husband’s heart was lightened as the was time for general conference. My two of them placed the TV on the husband grudgingly prepared to go to table. My husband got the TV working or information on resources general priesthood meeting, wonder- while the bishop grabbed a chair and Favailable for various disabilities, ing what problems he would encoun- placed it facing the screen. visit disabilities.lds​ .org.​ ter as he tried to watch the broadcast. My husband thanked him for his He arrived to find that no one knew help and shook his hand, how to put closed captions on the and the bishop turned large overhead projector, so a televi- and headed for the sion was rolled in and set up in the door. Much to corner. There was, however, a minor my husband’s problem. The cord needed to connect surprise, the the television had inadvertently been bishop passed used to set up the projector, rendering the door and the television useless. My husband, proceeded to who is accustomed to these situations, where chairs went to the library and started looking were leaning for the projector cord. After searching against a through several boxes and cabinets, he recovered the short cord intended for the projector. ILLUSTRATION BY J. BETH JEPSON ILLUSTRATION

12 Liahona TEACHING FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH

HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

onesty and integrity “require a quiz for family home evening. SCRIPTURES ABOUT person always to do or say the Use For the Strength of Youth as HONESTY AND H INTEGRITY right thing no matter the circum- a guide and list situations that stances or what others may think,” would give someone the oppor- Job 27:4–5 says Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. of the tunity to demonstrate honesty Proverbs 20:7 Seventy in an article on pages 48–49 and integrity. Take the quiz as a 1 Peter 2:12 of this month’s issue. family and discuss the results. Alma 53:20 The article tells about an event in • President Thomas S. Monson has Doctrine and Covenants the life of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin repeatedly spoken about hon- 124:15 (1917–2008) of the Quorum of the esty. Find one of his messages Articles of Faith 1:13 Twelve Apostles. When he was a and share it with your family. college student, Elder Wirthlin played Below are some possibilities: in a championship game of American “The Prophet : football. He was handed the ball, Teacher by Example,” Liahona plunged forward, but ended up two and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 67. inches (5 cm) short of the goal line. “Happiness—the Universal At the bottom of a pile of players, Quest,” Liahona, Mar. 1996, 2; rather than pushing the ball ahead, he Ensign, Oct. 1993, 2. remembered the words of his mother “In Quest of the Abundant just because I can’t see?” Talk that he should always do what is right. Life,” Ensign, Mar. 1988, 2; “In about righteous things they can He left the ball where it was. Search of an Abundant Life,” do when no one is watching, The following suggestions, along Tambuli, Aug. 1988, 2. such as personal prayer. Remind with your own example, can help you them that Heavenly Father can teach your children about these gos- Suggestions for Teaching Children always see them. pel principles. • Integrity includes being honest • Consider using the quiz created with yourself. To demonstrate with your teen (see above) or Suggestions for Teaching Youth this, consider having a family create a quiz adapted to young • Read with your teen the section home evening lesson where a children that helps them recog- on honesty and integrity in For treat is placed before the chil- nize what is honest or dishonest. the Strength of Youth. Discuss dren. Tell them they cannot Let them discuss their responses. the blessings of honesty and partake until you say so. Then If you have both teens and integrity. close your eyes or blindfold younger children, consider hav- • Consider asking your teen to help yourself and ask, “Is it all right ing the teens help the younger

ILLUSTRATION BY TAIA MORLEY BY TAIA ILLUSTRATION prepare a “What Would You Do?” for you to eat the treat now, children with the quiz. ◼

July 2013 13 WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE By Sang-Ick Han When I came home from school the first bout 12 years ago, I emigrated with my day, I had to consider seriously whether I wife and four sons from the Republic should continue or quit before I started. During A of Korea to . While work- that time of uncertainty, one thought stood out: ing as a vice principal at a Korean school in I could succeed if I relied totally on the Lord. New Zealand, I met many Koreans who strug- Because I know God lives and answers our gled to adjust to the new culture and to the prayers, I asked Him for help. I remembered new policies and procedures. I wanted to help one scripture in the that gave me great them as well as contribute to New Zealand, so relief: “For with God nothing shall be impos- I thought that becoming a lawyer would be sible” (Luke 1:37). That scripture gave me one way to bridge the two peoples and coun- strength to move forward. tries. So, after praying to confirm my decision, I The Lord blessed Whenever I faced difficulties during my decided at age 53 to attend law school. Brother Sang-Ick Han study, God always prepared a way or sent I knew it would be challenging. But when I in many ways to help angels—helpful people—to guide me through. received the course manuals, I realized that it him graduate from One day I was struggling to complete an would be much harder than I expected. Each law school at age 55. assignment. I did my best, but I could not course manual appeared too thick, and the con- figure out what the lecturer wanted us to do. tents seemed beyond my comprehension. Even When Sunday came, I put off all study to focus though I had helped interpret from English to on my Church assignments. As a stake high Korean for general conference for almost 10 councilor, I visited an assigned ward to give years and had finished a master’s degree in lin- a meeting talk. After the meeting a guistics in New Zealand, legal terms seemed to brother approached me and said that he had be a completely different kind of English. seen me in the classroom. I didn’t know he

14 Liahona was a law student as well. When he asked prepare for the exam. Without her help, I me how the assignment was going, I told don’t think I would have passed. him honestly that I was having difficulty. Along with the difficulties of being an He then offered to come over to my place older student and a nonnative English to help me. If I had not gone to that ward speaker, I had other responsibilities that and met him, I could not have submitted the made it challenging to complete the pro- assignment on time. He was an angel whom gram. My work, community obligations, STRUGGLES YIELD God had sent to answer my prayer. and Church callings took a lot of my time, GROWTH In one of my hardest classes, the lecturer and I also tried to give my most impor- “We may have to strug- taught for two hours without ceasing each tant responsibilities as a husband, father, gle to achieve our goals, but our struggles may time we had class. It was difficult to under- and grandfather the care and attention yield as much growth stand not only the content of the class but they needed. When one of my colleagues as our learning. The also the accent of the lecturer, so with per- learned all I had to do in addition to my strengths we develop in mission, I recorded his lectures for review. studies, he said it was crazy for me to study overcoming challenges One day I received an email from a woman law in view of all my other obligations. will be with us in the I did not know. She introduced herself as However, I had the conviction that “the eternities to come.” a classmate and asked if I could share my things which are impossible with men are Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve recordings because her work schedule some- possible with God” (Luke 18:27). Apostles and Kristen M. Oaks, “Learning and Latter-day times kept her from attending class. At the age of 55, I was admitted to the bar as Saints,” Liahona, Apr. 2009, 31; Of course I was happy to give her copies a solicitor and barrister at the High Court in New Ensign, Apr. 2009, 27. of my recordings. I thought I was helping Zealand. I am grateful that I not only became her, but I soon found that she was another a lawyer in spite of the language barrier but angel whom God had arranged to help me. also gained a stronger testimony that God lives To pass the class, we had to submit two and answers our righteous prayers. I know assignments and take a three-hour exam. She that nothing is impossible with His help. ◼

ILLUSTRATION BY DILLEEN MARSH; PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SANG-ICK HAN ILLUSTRATION helped me complete the assignments and The author lives in New Zealand.

July 2013 15 By Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Pioneer Faith Thenand Fortitude and Now We need to walk together as today’s pioneers, living Christlike lives, supporting good causes in our communities, and strengthening our families and homes.

he early years of the humble giants of in the history of the past. TThe Church of Speaking of our faith- Jesus Christ of Latter-day ful pioneers, President Saints were years of great Gordon B. Hinckley testing. Leaders who sur- (1910–2008) said: “It is vived these early days, good to look to the past such as , to gain appreciation for Heber C. Kimball, John the present and per- Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, spective for the future. Lorenzo Snow, and “We owe much to the pioneers and It is good to look upon Joseph F. Smith, were must never forget that the success the virtues of those who of today is built upon the shoulders perhaps thereby enabled and courage of the humble giants of have gone before, to gain to survive the almost the past,” says Elder Ballard, pictured strength for whatever BY LLOYD ELDREDGE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION RIGHT: above with young pioneer reenactors. insurmountable trials lies ahead. It is good

of crossing the plains and establishing the to reflect upon the work of those who CHURCH NEWS; 1997

Church in the Rocky Mountains. labored so hard and gained so little in this © I feel that the pioneers of yesteryear world, but out of whose dreams and early would be smiling to see what has been plans, so well nurtured, has come a great accomplished among the Latter-day Saints. harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. We owe much to the pioneers and must Their tremendous example can become a never forget that the success of today is compelling motivation for us all, for each 1 built upon the shoulders and courage of us is a pioneer in his [or her] own life.” ORDEN PHOTOGRAPH BY DEL VAN LEFT:

16 Liahona LEFT: PHOTOGRAPH BY DEL VAN ORDEN © 1997 CHURCH NEWS; RIGHT: PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LLOYD ELDREDGE Faith to Follow destitute, having been robbed and driven from our homes It wasn’t just those who were leaders who had faith and possessions so many times, and having had much enough to follow Brigham Young to the barren desert. Many sickness.” 5 ordinary but brave Church members came as well. From Phoebe Carter was similarly led 750 miles (1,200 km) Church history we learn of Oliver Huntington’s parents, who from Scarboro, Maine, to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1835. Phoebe in 1836 left affluent circumstances in Watertown, New York, was 28 years old when she determined to gather with including a 230-acre (93-ha) farm with a good stone house Church members, even though she had to make her trek and two frame barns, and with their family took their alone. As she later reported: “My friends marvelled at journey to join the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. my course, as did I, but something within impelled After they had left all behind, Oliver wrote, me on. My mother’s grief at my leaving home “It was a torment to each [of my parents], to was almost more than I could bear; and had see the other in want and still more [to] see it not been for the spirit within I should have their children cry for bread and have none faltered at the last. My mother told me she to give them nor know where the next was would rather see me buried than going thus coming from.” Oliver certified the faith of alone into the heartless world. . . . ‘Phoebe,’ this family by saying he never heard his she said, impressively, ‘will you come back to parents murmur or complain against any of me if you find false?’ I answered the authorities of the Church or express doubt thrice, ‘Yes, mother, I will.’ . . . When the time about the truthfulness of the work.2 came for my departure I dared not trust myself Phoebe Carter had Emily Partridge, daughter of the first bishop no idea that her to say farewell, so I wrote my good-bye to each, of the Church in this dispensation, remembered footsteps of faith and leaving them on my table, ran down stairs leaving their comfortable home in Painesville, would lead her on and jumped into the carriage. Thus I left my a journey much Ohio, to move to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1831 longer than the 750 beloved home of childhood to link my life with when she was just seven years old.3 Not long after, miles (1,200 km) the Saints of God.” 6 her family was driven from their home by the mob from her home in At that point Phoebe had no idea that her Scarboro, Maine, to and had to relocate in Clay County. She described Kirtland, Ohio. footsteps of faith would lead her on a journey how they eventually found an “old log cabin that much longer than the 750 miles (1,200 km) to had been used for a stable. . . . There was one large room, Kirtland. She would marry Wilford Woodruff and join with and a leanto, but that was not of much use, as the floor him in journeying through Missouri to Nauvoo and then on was nearly all torn up, and the rats and rattlesnakes were the 1,350-mile (2,170-km) trek through wilderness lands to too thick for comfort. There was a large fireplace in the the Great Salt Lake Valley. one habitable room, and blankets were hung up a few feet My great-grandfather Henry Ballard joined the Church back from the fire and the two families, fifteen or sixteen in February 1849 in Thatcham, England, as a 17-year-old. in number, were gathered inside of those blankets to keep To pay for his voyage to America, Henry contracted his from freezing for the weather was extremely cold, so cold services for two years to a company owned in part by that the ink would freeze in the pen as father sat writing Lorenzo and Erastus Snow. He was hired to drive a herd close to the fire.” 4 of sheep west to the Salt Lake Valley. Henry described his The family later moved to Illinois. Emily summarized entrance into the valley in the following words: their experience: “Times were hard and we were very “In October as I drove the sheep down little mountain

18 Liahona and through the mouth of Emigration such a noble and courageous forefather. Henry Ballard reached Canyon, I first beheld the Salt Lake Valley. My great-grandmother was a Scottish lass the Salt Lake Valley in rags. When it became While I rejoiced in viewing the ‘Promised named Margaret McNeil, who came to Utah dark, “I begged for Land,’ I lived in fear that someone might with her parents at the age of 13. She walked clothes to cover my see me. I hid myself behind bushes all day across the plains and drove a cow, carrying naked body so that I might continue my until after dark for the rags I had on did not her younger brother James much of the way journey and locate my cover my body and I was ashamed to be thus on her back. She and her family camped parents.” exposed. After dark I crossed over the field on the outskirts of Ogden, and she later to a house where a light was shining . . . and recorded this in her autobiography: timidly knocked on the door. Fortunately, “Across the field from where we were was a man answered the door and the candle a little house, and out in the yard was a big light did not expose me to the view of the pile of squash. We were all nearly starved to other members of his household. I begged death. My mother sent me over to this place for clothes to cover my naked body so that to beg a squash, for we did not have a cent I might continue my journey and locate my of money, and some of the children were parents. I was given some clothing and the very weak for the want of food. I knocked next day continued my journey and arrived at the door, and an old lady came and said, in Salt Lake City 16th October, 1852, feeling ‘Come in, come in, I knew you were coming very thankful to God that I had reached my and have been told to give you food.’ She future home in safety.” 7 gave me a large loaf of fresh bread and said With our abundant blessings today, my to tell my mother that she would come over

LEFT: PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY CHURCH HISTORY LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES; ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAN BURR AND ARCHIVES; ILLUSTRATIONS LIBRARY PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY CHURCH HISTORY LEFT: heart is filled with love and admiration for soon. It was not long until she came and

July 2013 19 brought us a nice cooked dinner, something we had not world—is the center of all Christian belief, and He rescued had for a long time.” 8 all mankind. Through His Atonement, He gives to all of us hope for today and assurance in eternity. Physical and Spiritual Rescue From the experiences of the pioneers, we learn what real Conquering Today’s Wilderness faith and courage it took to cross the plains 165 years ago. The suffering of the pioneers forged a strength in their Although the handcart pioneers represent fewer than 10 lives that has been passed on to us. Packing a few belong- percent of the Latter-day Saint immigrants from 1847 to ings into wagons or handcarts and walking 1,300 1868, they have become an important symbol in miles (2,090 km) isn’t the way most of us will be LDS culture, representing the faithfulness and asked to demonstrate our faith and courage. sacrifice of the pioneer generation. We face different challenges today—differ- As you remember, the Willie and ent mountains to climb, different rivers to Martin companies ran into early snows in ford, different valleys to make “blossom as Wyoming, and many of the Saints perished the rose” (Isaiah 35:1). But even though the in the cold. While on a trek a few years ago wilderness we have been given to conquer is retracing their footsteps, my family and I decidedly different from the rough and rocky stood looking down at the Sweetwater area trail to Utah and the barren landscape that our where the Willie company had been stranded, pioneer forebears encountered, it is no less chal- cold and starving. We read from their journals of lenging and trying for us than it was for them. their severe trials and the joy of their rescue. John “Times were hard Our struggle is found in living in a world and we were very Chislett wrote: destitute, hav- steeped in sin and spiritual indifference, where “Just as the sun was sinking beautifully behind ing been robbed self-indulgence, dishonesty, and greed seem to be and driven from the distant hills, . . . several covered wagons . . . our homes and present everywhere. Today’s wilderness is one of were seen coming towards us. The news ran possessions so confusion and conflicting messages. The pioneers through the camp like wildfire. . . . Shouts of joy many times, and had to battle the wilderness of rocky ridges and having had much rent the air; strong men wept till tears ran freely sickness,” recalled dust- or snow-covered mountain trails, with their down their furrowed and sun-burnt cheeks. . . . Emily Partridge. faith focused on Zion and the establishment of “. . . That evening, for the first time in quite a the Church in the Salt Lake Valley. period, the songs of Zion were to be heard in the camp. We need to commit to serve the Lord and our commu- . . . With the cravings of hunger satisfied, and with hearts nities with the same diligence and faith that the pioneers filled with gratitude to God and our good brethren, we all had. We must ever be on our guard that we do not become united in prayer, and then retired to rest.” 9 casual in keeping God’s commandments, in abiding by His As we stood on the hill now called “the Eminence,” I laws, and in being honest and trustworthy in all that we was impressed to bear my testimony to my family and do. We must avoid the entrapments of evil found on the the others who were with us. I said, “As grateful as these Internet, so readily accessible through our computers, tab- faithful pioneers were to see the rescue party, how much lets, and cell phones. If we become casual in these things, greater is the rescue through the Atonement of the Lord Lucifer will find a way to dull our commitment and destroy Jesus Christ.” I reminded our group that regardless of our faith and our love for the Lord and for one another, religious affiliation, the Lord Jesus Christ—the Savior of the and we will become lost in the wilderness of the world.

20 Liahona Avoiding the temptations and evils of the importance of honoring our parents, grand- “We were all nearly world requires the faith and fortitude of a parents, and forefathers, and may we find the starved to death,” said Margaret McNeil after real modern-day pioneer. We need to walk strength and courage to face our future as they her family arrived in together as today’s pioneers, living Christlike faced theirs. May the life and ministry of the Utah. “My mother sent lives, supporting good causes in our com- Lord Jesus Christ burn brightly in our hearts me over to this place to beg a squash, for we did munities, and strengthening our families and and minds. And may the fire of our testimo- not have a cent of money homes. nies burn in our bones—just as it did in the and some of the children were very weak for the When we truly believe, we don’t ask, lives of the Latter-day Saint pioneers. ◼ want of food.” “What do I have to do?” but rather, “What From an address delivered in Ogden, Utah, on July 15, 2012. more can I do?” When our belief is con- NOTES firmed upon our souls by the Spirit of God, 1. Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Faith of the Pioneers,” Ensign, July 1984, 3. faith becomes a causative force in our lives, 2. See Oliver B. Huntington, Oliver B. Huntington Diary driving every thought, word, and deed heav- and Reminiscences, 1843 June–1900 January, 26–28. 3. See Emily D. P. Young, “Autobiography,” Woman’s enward. We pray with trust for strength and Exponent, Dec. 1, 1884, 102. 4. Emily D. P. Young, “Autobiography,” Woman’s guidance—just as our forebears did. That’s Exponent, Feb. 15, 1885, 138. what it means to walk with faith in every 5. Emily D. P. Young, “Autobiography,” Woman’s Exponent, Aug. 1, 1885, 37. footstep. It was so for our pioneer ancestors, 6. Phoebe Carter Woodruff, in Augusta Joyce Crocheron, Representative Women of Deseret (1884), 35–36. and it must be so for us today. We must instill 7. Henry Ballard, in Douglas O. Crookston, ed., in our children and grandchildren the same Henry Ballard: The Story of a Courageous Pioneer, 1832–1908 (1994), 14–15. spirit that drove the footsteps of the pioneers. 8. Margaret McNeil Ballard, in Susan Arrington Madsen, I Walked to Zion: True Stories of Young Pioneers on May we stand together as pioneers of today, the Mormon Trail (1994), 127. always seeking the help of God to guide 9. John Chislett, in LeRoy R. Hafen and Ann W. Hafen, Handcarts to Zion: The Story of a Unique Western our families. May we learn from the past the Migration, 1856–1860 (1960), 106, 107.

July 2013 21

By Elder Erich W. Kopischke Of the Seventy A God of Miracles THE SLOVAK SAINTS IN SHEFFIELD As priesthood leaders, missionaries, the ward council, and members in Sheffield, England, united their efforts to increase real growth, they were blessed in remarkable ways.

uring a powerful sermon to a At the mission presidents’ Throughout the scriptures the congregation of believers, the seminar held in June, the First prophets remind us that God is the Presidency and Quorum of the Dprophet Mormon asked a sim- Twelve Apostles refocused atten- same yesterday, today, and forever (see ple question: “Have miracles ceased?” His tion on the fact that members of 3 Nephi 24:6; D&C 20:12). As we seek answer followed immediately: “Behold I the Church, as disciples of Jesus to fulfill the commandment to “go . . . Christ, have a fundamental say unto you, Nay” (Moroni 7:29). responsibility to share the gospel. into all the world, . . . baptizing in the Mormon then explained how the Full-time missionaries assist name of the Father, and of the Son, members in this responsibility. great work of salvation in the last days and of the Holy Ghost” (D&C 68:8), it Stake and ward councils help will be brought to pass, dwelling on organize and facilitate the work is important to study and to remember the relationship and interaction among of the missionaries and members. the following principles: the Holy Ghost, the work of angels, our As shown in this article about a ward in England, miracles of • God does not change. prayers, our faith, and the Lord’s miracles conversion can result as leaders, • God is a God of miracles. (see Moroni 7:33–37, 48). members, and ward councils • God’s greatest miracle is adopt these principles and adapt them to their local circumstances. bringing eternal salvation to Left: Elders Nicholas Pass and Joseph His children. McKay (lower inset) enjoyed a marvelous season of teaching Slovakian Saints and • God works miracles according investigators—a season that began to our faith, which we show in when missionaries contacted Ludovit our works. Kandrac (upper inset with his wife) near the Fargate pedestrian precinct of • The Holy Ghost plays a key role

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ABIGAIL PEGG Sheffield. in conversion.

July 2013 23 Willing to Sacrifice called Brother Nettleship to be the new ward mission While serving in the Europe Area, I was privileged leader and Brother McEwen to be the assistant ward to see these principles in action as a miracle unfolded mission leader. The members of the bishopric had been in Sheffield, England. At the end of 2008, Bishop Mark close, so this change was not easy for them. But Bishop Dundon of the Sheffield First Ward was pondering what Dundon knew that in this particular instance the decision he could do to help his ward grow. In leadership train- was correct, and both counselors humbly accepted their ing, his stake president had asked the bishops, “What new callings. are you willing to sacrifice to be successful in mission- The bishop, with his new ward mission leaders ary work?” From the teachings of his leaders, Bishop and ward council, prayerfully made plans and set Dundon knew that a good ward mission leader is key, a goals for growing the ward. As they implemented functioning ward council is essential, and a willingness their plans, they began to see significant success. to listen to the promptings of the Spirit is crucial. Convert baptisms increased substantially, and many After much pondering and prayer, Bishop Dundon people returned to activity in the Church. Little did exercised his priesthood keys and followed the prompt- the ward leadership know, however, that their faith ings of the Spirit to release his two counselors, Gregory and works were to be rewarded in ways they never Nettleship and Robert McEwen. Bishop Dundon then thought possible. Moved by Love On May 14, 2011, Ludovit, one of his daughters, and two In March 2011 a young missionary and his companion other relatives were baptized. were contacting people in the streets of Sheffield. Elder At his baptism, Brother Kandrac bore his testimony. Nicholas Pass saw a man and his wife walk by and had a Through an interpreter, he related his experience of meet- strong feeling that he should talk to them. Elder Pass and his ing the missionaries. When he walked past Elder Pass and companion ran to catch up with the couple. Communication his companion in the Sheffield city center, he had a warm was difficult—the couple was from Slovakia and did not feeling in his chest. He disregarded the feeling and contin- speak English—but an accompanying friend helped with ued walking, but as he glanced at the missionaries again, interpretation. In the discussion on the street, the mission- he was moved by the love they exhibited as they spoke aries used pictures to introduce the and the with people. Though he wanted to approach them, Brother message of the . The couple then accepted an Kandrac continued walking. He was startled a minute later appointment for the missionaries to begin teaching them. when the missionaries approached him. Ludovit Kandrac, the father of the family, started to Along with another Slovak family who had joined the read the Book of Mormon. Soon he quit smoking. In the Church a year earlier, these baptisms marked the beginning teaching process, the missionaries had to use multiple of a modern conversion miracle among the Slovak popu- interpreters and even learn a little Slovak themselves. lation in Sheffield, England. These new members came to church every week, bringing other family members and friends. They opened their homes to the missionaries and invited others in their community to listen to the gospel. Elder Pass and his new companion, Elder Joseph McKay, visited often with these families. They taught them, served them, ministered to them, and blessed them. It was a mar- velous time of teaching, learning, and receiving gifts of the Spirit for investigators, converts, missionaries, stake and ward leaders, and members alike.

“Be with and Strengthen Them” Throughout the summer and fall of 2011, more Slovaks joined the Church. The increas- ing numbers made it difficult for local mem- bers to continue to provide transportation to and from the meetinghouse. For several weeks the faith- ful Slovak Saints walked five miles (eight km) each way to attend Sunday services in a language they could not understand.

The missionary efforts of Bishop Mark Dundon (inset above), ward mission leaders, and the ward council were rewarded in ways they never thought possible after dozens of Slovaks joined the Church and began walking a five-mile (8-km) route, which included Darnell Road at left, to attend Sunday meetings.

July 2013 25 In September 2011 the Sheffield stake presidency Right: Faro Dunka, Slovak group leader in Sheffield, welcomes was reorganized, with Bishop Dundon called as the people to sacrament meeting. The group was organized into a branch in March 2013. Top inset: Sheffield First Ward leaders new stake president. A month later a fireside was held in ward council. Bottom inset: A sister speaks during sacra- for both English and Slovak Saints in which interpreters ment meeting. were present. While sitting on the stand, President Dundon felt feeling of joy, happiness, and excitement enveloped mem- impressed that a Slovak group needed to be formed that bers and investigators. would be attached to the Sheffield First Ward but would Over the next year this little group developed into a meet at a facility in the Slovak neighborhood. A suitable solid Church unit, with whole families being baptized meeting place was soon found and rooms rented. On and uniting with the Church. Fathers were ordained to December 11, 2011, the first block of meetings was held in the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods, sons were the new facility. Sheffield First Ward leaders optimistically ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood, a Primary with more hoped that 50 people would attend. Instead, 84 people— than 20 children was established, and Young Men and including 63 Slovaks—attended. Young Women programs were organized with more than Following the reorganization of the Sheffield stake, 25 youth attending weekly. The Lord provided a full-time Robert McEwen was called as bishop of the Sheffield First missionary from the Czech Republic who could speak the Ward. Brother Nettleship continued to serve as mission language and add support to the group. At the same time, leader. Under both bishops, the ward mission leader these families sent referrals to their homeland. and the ward council did a remarkable job of leading the ward to “be with and strengthen” the Slovak Saints A God of Miracles (D&C 20:53). Why did this happen? Because God has not ceased to be The ward council addressed issues such as how to a God of miracles. Because faithful missionaries diligently provide for the new members’ needs, how to help them sought those who were prepared to receive the gospel. fully participate in ward activities, how to nurture them Because the stake president and bishops acted in faith and in the gospel, and how to overcome language barriers. followed the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Because a ward Council members fasted and prayed for divine help and council took responsibility and worked in unity. Because then worked hard. They visited the new members and members learned the language of love and acted upon participated in teaching appointments with the full-time invitations from their leaders, having faith and confidence missionaries. They provided transportation. They ordered that God meant what He said: “I am a God of miracles; and Church materials in Slovak. They took newly baptized I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, members to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead. today, and forever” (2 Nephi 27:23). Ward leaders also organized a Christmas service proj- The success in Sheffield does not need to be a singu- ect. Ward members donated funds and collected toys, lar event. It reminds us of the promises given through clothes, and other gifts. Large Christmas gift bags that the prophets and can ignite our faith and our desire to included food for a Christmas dinner were distributed become instruments in the hands of God by inviting peo- on Christmas Eve to the Slovak Saints and other families ple around us to come unto Christ. If we do so, we will within the ward boundaries. place ourselves in a position where the Lord can bless us Longtime members and new members understood with opportunities to teach, activate, and nurture others. little of each other’s spoken language, but they all felt the And we will see evidences that He continues to be a God warmth of the language of genuine love. A remarkable of miracles. ◼

26 Liahona

LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES

WORKING FOR THE LORD

y husband, Cyrus, and I were Sometimes I went to church alone and 9:00 a.m. Suddenly a thought Mmarried in the temple on May because he was delayed at work. We came to me: “He might be promoted.” 23, 2006. Before we were married, always wished he didn’t have to work Cyrus finally arrived around 11:00 a.m. his work in a laboratory required Cyrus on the Sabbath. On the first Sunday As he entered our home, he said he to work on Sundays. He had a shifting of June 2006, we had our first fast as had good news and bad news. schedule, but he usually worked from a married couple. We prayed in faith I told him to tell me the bad news midnight to 8:00 a.m. After work he that Cyrus would be blessed with a first. He said we would soon leave would go home to change from his job that would not require him to Iligan, Philippines, and move to Panay, uniform to Sunday dress and then go work on Sundays. Philippines. I did not like the news at straight to church, which started at 9:00 A few days later at about 10:00 a.m., first because we loved the people in a.m. He continued this schedule after I wondered where Cyrus was because our stake. They were kind to us and we were married. he usually came home between 8:00 treated us as their own, knowing that Cyrus and I had no family nearby. When I asked him why we needed to move to Panay, he said it was because of the good news. His boss ometimes I went had interviewed him for another job to church alone S located in Panay. I immediately asked because my husband was delayed at work. him not about his salary but whether We always wished he the job would require him to work on didn’t have to work on Sundays. When he answered, “No!” I the Sabbath. was very happy. I hugged him and told him that his new job was the answer to our prayers and fasting. Two months later, Cyrus started his work in Panay. Heavenly Father is mindful of us, and He blesses us when we exercise faith and obey His commandments. I am grateful for the principles of prayer and fasting. My husband’s job is a blessing to us. Now he has time to magnify his calling in our ward, and the only work he does on Sunday is the Lord’s work. ◼ Mary Jane Lumibao Suya, Philippines A FOREVER FAMILY

hen I was 19, I made one at each other. We had both heard him I know that despite my grand- Wlast visit to my grandparents clearly. He then repeated a second father’s state of mind, he was able before leaving on a three-month time, “A forever family.” This time our to share one last time his strong humanitarian trip to Ecuador. My mother also heard him. conviction and knowledge that grandfather had moved to an assisted- I don’t recall anything else about families are forever. living center because his health was our visit that day. All I know is that as I soon left on my humanitarian trip. declining. He suffered from dementia we walked out of the care center, I When news came of my grandfather’s along with other physical ailments sobbed with sorrow and joy—sorrow passing a week before my return, I incident to old age. for the man we were leaving behind was at peace. I knew, and I still know, As my family and I entered the and whom I would not see again in that one day I will see him again. assisted-living facility, I was sullen, this life and joy for the tender mercy Thanks to temple ordinances, families knowing that this visit with my grand- of those simple words and the peace are forever. ◼ father would most likely be my last. they left in my heart. Kellee H. Mudrow, Utah, USA I knew he would pass away while I was gone, and I felt guilty leaving. Just before we entered his room, y grandfather a staff member had transferred my was not himself. grandfather to a wheelchair. We M The decline in his mental wheeled him into the facility’s state was evident, and common area. My mother was he seemed confused. talking to one of the staff mem- bers while my 16-year-old sister and I talked to our grandfather. He was not himself. The decline in his mental state was evident, and he seemed confused. When we asked him how many grandchildren he had, he answered incorrectly. Then we lovingly teased him as we made a big deal about how many he actually had. My heart ached for him. But then, amid his confusion and in the middle of answering our questions inaccu- rately, my grandfather suddenly said, “A forever family.” I was shocked. A nearby staff member didn’t understand what he

ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRADLEY CLARK ILLUSTRATIONS had said, but my sister and I looked

29 YOU CAN’T COME UP HERE

y husband, John, was a big man. we were delighted to find that there “I’m sorry,” she said pleasantly but MHe stood six feet four inches was one seat available in first class, so firmly, “you can’t come up here.” (1.9 m) tall and weighed more than we upgraded his ticket. He would be “But he’s my husband, and I just 200 pounds (90.9 kg). For him, air able to sit in a comfortable seat with want to see him for a minute.” travel in economy class was uncom- plenty of room for his long legs. Still barring the door, she again fortable at best, painful at worst. About midway through the flight, I stated, “I’m sorry, but you are not In August 2006 we were called to decided to go see how he was doing. allowed up here. I can give your serve a Church educational service As I approached the first-class area, a husband a message, and if he would mission at – flight attendant stood in the doorway like to, he can come visit you. But the Hawaii. When it came time to return to stop me. policy is that only first-class passen- home, we were dreading what he “Can I help you?” she asked. gers can be in this area.” would have to endure in the flight “Yes, I would like to see my hus- I was taken aback for a moment, back to the mainland. During check-in band for a moment,” I replied. but seeing her persistence, I quietly returned to my seat in economy class. I began to think about the three s I approached the degrees of glory mentioned in the first-class area, a A scriptures and by the prophets. We flight attendant stood in the doorway to stop me. read that Christ will visit those in the terrestrial kingdom (see D&C 76:77), and administering angels will visit those in the telestial kingdom (see D&C 76:88), but those who are in the lesser kingdoms can never go up to the celestial kingdom (see D&C 76:112; see also D&C 88:22–24). Reflecting upon my experience, I felt that I just had a glimpse of what it might be like for those in the lower kingdoms. How would they feel upon hearing the words “I’m sorry, you can’t come up here”? About five months later my husband passed away from cancer. My experi­ ence on the airplane gives me extra incentive to live so that I never have to hear those words again—at least not on the other side of the veil. ◼ Bonnie Marshall, Utah, USA HAPPINESS HAS NO PRICE

ecently I went to the bank to the money wasn’t mine; I had to I left the bank happy. That week I Rwithdraw some money to pay my return it. was preparing a lesson for the young employees. Before the teller gave me A few moments later the teller men in my ward on overcoming my withdrawal, I asked him to change called me to complete my transaction. temptation. It was wonderful to be some 200-sol bills for some 50-sol He counted my withdrawal, and as able to share with them my experi- bills. The teller changed the money he handed me the money, he asked, ence at the bank. for me, but I thought I saw him make “Anything else?” “You’ve got to be kidding,” some a mistake as he counted the bills. “Yes,” I told him. “I gave you 1,200 of them joked. “That was a thousand He gave me my 50-sol bills, and soles to change into smaller bills, but soles you gave back!” I stepped back to wait for my with- you gave me 2,200 in return.” “Happiness has no price,” I drawal. As I waited, I counted the I then handed him the 2,200 soles. responded with a smile. money. I had given the teller 1,200 With hands shaking, he counted How grateful I am for this experi­ soles, but he gave me 2,200 soles in the money twice. He could hardly ence, which strengthened both my return—an extra thousand soles. At believe what he saw. He looked at testimony and the testimonies of the that moment I was tempted. I told me and tried to speak, but he could young men regarding the importance myself that the bank had plenty of only manage to utter twice, “Thank of withstanding temptation. ◼ money. But I knew in my heart that you so much.” Abelino Grandez Castro, Peru

he bank teller gave Tme 2,200 soles—an extra thousand soles. At that moment I was tempted to keep the difference.

July 2013 31 By Elder Keith K. Hilbig Served as a member of the Seventy from 2001 to 2012

LIVING FOR THE Eternities I plead with you young adults to visualize frequently your future celestial existence with your family in eternity.

ow different and difficult is the world of young adults (married or single) today when compared to the young Hadult world of two or three generations ago. Many chal- lenges today did not even exist, or were much less intense, than when I was in college. But you are here now, in this moment. You are pressing forward as your elders are passing into the eternities. You are here at this time not by chance but as part of an eternal plan—designed, agreed upon, and implemented before the earth was ever created. How fortunate you are to be aware of the Restoration of the gospel! You know there was a premortal existence in the pres- ence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You were schooled and tested. You learned of the laws that would allow you to progress and advance. You followed those laws, and thus you were entitled to come to earth, placing you on a course lead- ing to exaltation, dominion, and godhood. You understand the purposes of mortality on earth, and you have been taught concerning postmortal opportunities. In short, you have the perspective of the eternities—you can look back, and you can gaze forward. The majority of your young adult peers who are not mem- bers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the

world in general, know little of these realities. They live as if STOKER BY DAVID PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS

32 Liahona YOUNG ADULTS

in a box defined by two events: birth and death. They make decisions and engage in behaviors circumscribed by a limited perspective. Essentially they live for the moment—the length of time between their births and their deaths, which is a mere nanosecond in the scheme of eter- nity. They likely know nothing of their premortal existence and little of eternity.

Your Eternal Potential You, however, know the promise of your personal potential in the eternities. To those couples sealed in the holy temple, the Lord promises: “Ye shall come forth in the first res- urrection . . . and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths . . . and if ye abide in my covenant, and commit no murder whereby to shed innocent blood, it shall be done unto them in all things whatsoever my servant hath put upon them, in time, and through all eternity; and shall be of full force when they are out of the world; and they shall pass by You dare not live for the angels, and the gods, which are set the moment; rather, you must live for the there, to their exaltation and glory in all eternities. Remember things, as hath been sealed upon their always that if you and your spouse, or future heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a spouse if not yet mar- continuation of the seeds forever and ever. ried, are obedient, you “Then shall they be gods, because they will “have glory added upon [your] heads for have no end; therefore shall they be from ever and ever.” everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they

July 2013 33 have all power, and the angels are subject unto them” (D&C 132:19–20). I plead with you to visualize fre- quently your future celestial existence with your family in eternity, a status of unfathomable glory and advantage God has given you not only we cannot yet fully comprehend. the right to choose between What we may be absolutely certain of, good and evil but also the however, is that each of you kept your power to choose good over evil! Ultimately, you decide, “first estate” (Abraham 3:26), each of not Satan. you passed all of the tests of premortal life, each of you exercised great faith, and thus, each of you received the privilege of obtaining a mortal body The Hebrew translation of the word He knows that mortality will provide and coming to this mortal sphere. devil is “spoiler.” 1 The devil seeks to them in abundance. He desires that Therefore, you dare not live for the spoil your journey into the eternities. while we are here on earth, we learn moment; rather, you must live for the He attempts to interfere with your to overcome our “natural” selves (see eternities. Remember always that if potential here and hereafter. He seeks Mosiah 3:19), deny ourselves of world- you and your spouse, or future spouse to have you exercise your agency liness, and prove ourselves worthy. if not yet married, are obedient, you unwisely. Some young people, eager Satan has other ideas. He will do any- will “have glory added upon [your] to assert their independence, feel that thing he can to thwart our progress. heads for ever and ever” (Abraham their independence is best demon- 3:26)—a magnificent personal prom- strated by choosing to do something The World’s Temptations ise from God to each of His children. wrong. Any fool can do that; any This world, with the clever and If you are faithful in keeping the crowd can do that. sinister assistance and encouragement commandments of God, His promises In fact, independence, real freedom, of Satan, offers you the temptation to will be fulfilled to the very letter. The is best exhibited and experienced by be accepted, to go with the crowd, trouble is, the adversary of men’s souls always choosing the right. God has to enjoy the thrill of the moment— strives to blind their minds. If they let given you not only the right to choose perhaps in the form of inappropriate him, Satan throws dust, so to speak, in between good and evil but also the movies or video games, moral indis- their eyes, and they are blinded with power to choose good over evil! cretions (including pornography), bad and by the things of the world. Thereby God has given you greater language, immodest apparel, or dishon- The theologians and scholars of power than Satan and his hosts. esty. Satan will seek to confuse your the Christian world do not know what Ultimately, you decide, not Satan. understanding of the divinely designed you know about the things of eternity, Heavenly Father designed this constellation of the family: that mar- but Satan knows! He knows of your mortal experience for an important riage is ordained of God between a premortal preparation, your purpose purpose: that we might be tried and man and a woman and that children on earth, and moreover your eternal overcome evil. He seldom specifically have the right to be nurtured by a potential. orchestrates trials and temptations, but mother and a father.2

34 Liahona YOUNG ADULTS

If, for the moment, you thoughtlessly of the traditional family all promote As you look back upon your accept Lucifer’s invitation, he may rob choices that will diminish the spiritual proper decision, what do you feel? you of the blessings of eternity. Satan life, even result in the spiritual death, Exhilaration? A sense of self-mastery has no personal prospect for eternity. of God’s sons and daughters. or empowerment? Increased confi- Remember, he lost the war in heaven, a Bear in mind that Satan laughs at dence before the Lord? Expanded war fought by testimony (see Revelation the misfortune of those who have been capacity to resist evil? That is power; 12:11) in which the faithful followers of duped by such enticements (see Moses that is freedom! Christ defeated him and his supporters. 7:26). His methods vary, but they have If you consistently resist temptation, The casualties were high: all Satan’s a common objective: disobedience and it becomes easier to do so—not that followers—one-third of the host of the associated loss of blessings. the nature of resisting has changed, but heaven—were cast out. They will never your power to do so has increased.3 receive a physical body or have the Blessings of Obedience You can overcome any temptation con- opportunity for eternal life. Obedience permits blessings and fronting you (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Lehi, speaking to his son Jacob, said: brings peace. Reflect upon a particular You have knowledge of your divine “And I, Lehi, according to the things conscious decision you made to do origin. You have full awareness of which I have read, must needs sup- what is right, even though the tempta- your divine destiny. I invite you “to pose that an angel of God, according tion to do wrong was strong. Perhaps it rise to the divinity within you” 4 and to to that which is written, had fallen was a decision to eliminate inappropri- live not for the moment but rather for from heaven; wherefore, he became ate thoughts or to tell the truth when a the eternities. a devil, having sought that which was lie would have been easier. Perhaps it You wonderful young adults, you evil before God. was a decision to get up and walk out future leaders in the kingdom of God “And because he had fallen from of a movie (or any other unholy place) and in society, must not become a heaven, and had become miserable that was advertised as acceptable but, casualty in this ageless battle. You sur- forever, he sought also the misery of in fact, proved to be inappropriate. vived the war in heaven; you can win all mankind” (2 Nephi 2:17–18). the war on earth. Do not live for the Lehi also taught: “Wherefore, men moment but rather for the eternities. are free according to the flesh. . . . And KEY DOCTRINAL POINTS Be assured, it is worth your efforts they are free to choose liberty and Through the Restoration, to heed the commandments, for your eternal life, through the great Mediator Latter-day Saints know that reward is to return to the presence of all men, or to choose captivity and • Heavenly Father promises of God in the highest degree of the death, according to the captivity and eternal glory to the celestial kingdom. ◼ power of the devil; for he seeketh that obedient. From a devotional address given at Brigham Young University–Idaho on March 20, 2007. all men might be miserable like unto • Satan seeks the misery of For the full text in English, visit web​ .byui​ .edu/​ ​ himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). all mankind. devotionalsandspeeches. In our time, drug dealers, distrib- • God’s children have the NOTES 1. Bible Dictionary, “Devil.” utors of pornography, promoters of power to overcome 2. See “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2010, 129. evil entertainment, supporters of lies, temptation. 3. See Teachings of Presidents of the Church: advertisers of inappropriate apparel, Heber J. Grant (2002), 35. 4. Gordon B. Hinckley, “Each a Better Person,” enticers of immorality, and critics Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 99.

July 2013 35 BY DAVID LINN © IRI, COURTESY OF CHURCH HISTORY MUSEUM LINN © IRI, COURTESY OF CHURCH HISTORY BY DAVID THE INITIAL ACT, Experiences in Profound Trust

By Melissa Zenteno Church Magazines

36 Liahona Y oung A dults

hen Claire (name has been testimonies, include our Heavenly become an elementary school teacher changed) was six years old, Father and our Savior in our lives, and work with children. She has Wher parents divorced. In and remember the undeniable truth traveled, attended general conference, the years that followed, she witnessed of the gospel.” and participated as a counselor in the many failed marriages as well as family For Claire, building trust in God Especially for Youth program. Some members struggling with addiction, began with a simple, sincere prayer. of her dearest friendships developed inactivity in the Church, and depres- But what else can we do to build trust through young single adult confer- sion. Saddened and confused, Claire in Heavenly Father? Young adults from ences that she has attended. lost her confidence in family. all over the world—each dealing with But the biggest blessing, she says, “I told myself that marriage was trials—share their experiences on how was being able to spend time with not for me,” she says. “But I was they have developed trust in the Lord her grandmother shortly before she just hiding my fear that my future and have learned to rely on His will, passed away, something that her would be the same as what I had His way, and His timing. siblings and cousins were not able to experienced.” do because they lived far away or had In addition to feeling distressed Maintain Gratitude families to care for. about her family situation, Claire felt Reflecting on her blessings helps Five years have passed since alone. One day as a teenager, she Stefanie Egly of Hesse, Germany, trust Stefanie started documenting her fell to her knees in desperation and in Heavenly Father’s plan and in His blessings. She still waits for the time prayed, pleading to know if Heavenly timeline. when she will have the opportunity to Father was there. “When I ceased Stefanie began writing down marry in the temple. She says, “I don’t crying and speaking, I was over- her blessings after a relationship know when I will meet my eternal whelmed with a burning feeling that with a good friend didn’t work out. companion, but I trust the time will was peaceful, strong, and so direct,” “Though we hadn’t been dating, I come. Until then, I know I will con- she says. “I knew Heavenly Father had always hoped our relationship tinue to have experiences that will was there and would always love me would develop into something more. help me learn and grow.” Heavenly and help me through my trials.” My hope was destroyed when he told Father has blessed her immensely, and The answer Claire received me he had a girlfriend.” she knows He will continue to do so sparked a desire to increase her testi- Heartbroken, Stefanie found comfort if she is faithful. mony and trust in God and His com- after reading an article on gratitude in mandments regarding the family. She the Liahona. She felt impressed to write Read the Word of God Daily not only continued to pray but also down how she had been blessed— Daniel Martuscello from Colorado, read her scriptures, attended semi- specifically how being single had been USA, had just finalized his divorce nary, and kept the commandments. a blessing. and found it hard to feel at peace Now Claire is married, and she Her list helped her recognize with his new circumstances. Not only is learning to face her challenges that just because she hadn’t had the was he no longer married but he was with faith. “I don’t worry whether it opportunity to get married, it did not also a new father and unemployed. will be impossible to raise a strong mean she had been denied blessings. He didn’t understand why this had family because my husband and I Stefanie recognizes that the Lord happened—especially since he had have decided to always nurture our has blessed her with the chance to always sought to be righteous.

July 2013 37 BY DAVID LINN, MAY NOT BE COPIED LINN, MAY BY DAVID REMEMBER THESE,

Feeling alone and lost, Daniel scriptures as he realized that every- with His help, something good would turned to the scriptures. “I remembered one experiences adversity. “The come from this experience.” the comfort I had felt in the past from prophets and others were righteous reading the scriptures, so I made it a but still had trials,” he says. “Reading Put God First focus each day,” he says. Making time their experiences helped me under- Po Nien of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for daily scripture study meant he stand that at some point in life, we experienced fears after he proposed limited entertainment such as televi- all suffer, but in that suffering we can to his girlfriend, Mei Wah. “I had dated sion and the Internet. But it wasn’t a draw closer to Christ.” other people before, and at least three sacrifice, he says. “As I read, I received Additionally, Daniel says that read- times prior, I had a serious relation- comfort and guidance. Other things ing daily lightened his burden because ship develop only to see it fall apart. became secondary in importance. I it was a way to include the Savior in Those experiences had shaken my didn’t just read to read, but I was look- his daily life. “As God spoke to me confidence in having a lasting rela- ing for answers. I read with a purpose.” through the verses I read, I trusted tionship that would lead to an eternal Daniel found comfort in the that things would get better and that one,” he confesses.

38 Liahona Y oung A dults

Although Po Nien felt at peace with Mei Wah was good, Heavenly Torn by indecision, Marta went to when he prayed about marrying Mei Father would help it work out. Moving her room and sought guidance from Wah, he began to doubt his answer. forward with trust, Po Nien married her patriarchal blessing. She read what Had he felt a confirmation from the Mei Wah in the Hong Kong China was promised her if she chose the Spirit? Or had his emotions confused Temple. “I have been richly blessed by right. Bursting into tears, she knew him? Would this engagement lead to placing my trust in the Lord,” he says. what she had to do. “The conse- the temple? Or would this relationship quences of the breakup didn’t matter fall apart? Seek to Do His Will to me anymore. I did not know what It was during this time that Po Another way of building trust in lay ahead, but I had conviction that Nien remembered a quotation by Heavenly Father is to do His will. as long as I was on the Lord’s side, President Ezra Taft Benson (1899– For Marta Fernández-Rebollos from it would undoubtedly be something 1994) he had heard in an institute Tarragona, , learning to trust good. I have discovered that when class: “We must put God in the fore- Heavenly Father came from choosing we raise our vision and follow the front of everything else in our lives. to maintain her standards. promptings of the Holy Ghost, we dis- . . . When we put God first, all other The young man she was dating was cover that the fruits of righteousness things fall into their proper place or not a member of the Church and was are ‘most sweet, above all that [we] drop out of our lives.” 1 not interested in joining. “My spirit ever before tasted’ (1 Nephi 8:11).” This counsel marked a turning began to struggle between what I had In Proverbs 3:5–6, we read: point in Po Nien’s life. “I knew that if I been taught about eternal marriage “Trust in the Lord with all thine put God first in my life and as long as and the hundreds of excuses that my heart; and lean not unto thine own

BY DAVID LINN, MAY NOT BE COPIED LINN, MAY BY DAVID I was faithful and true to Him, wrong heart gave me to give it all up and understanding. things would drop out and good marry that young man for this life “In all thy ways acknowledge him, things would fall into place,” he says. only,” she says. “Those were months and he shall direct thy paths.”

REMEMBER THESE, If he put God first and his relationship of confusion, pain, and many tears.” Building trust in God and in His plans is not always easy. We each face our own challenges. Perhaps you YOUR TRUST IN GOD MUST BE POWERFUL haven’t found a compatible person to AND ENDURING date in your ward or branch. Perhaps “This life is an experience in profound trust—trust in marriage has come, but children have Jesus Christ, trust in His teachings, trust in our capacity not. Perhaps you are dealing with as led by the Holy Spirit to obey those teachings for divorce. Or perhaps past experiences happiness now and for a purposeful, supremely happy eternal existence. To trust means to obey willingly have caused you to fear commitment. without knowing the end from the beginning (see Proverbs 3:5–7). To The Lord knows your struggles and produce fruit, your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring asks you to trust in Him. As you learn than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience. . . . to trust Heavenly Father, peace and “As you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you.” direction will come. ◼ Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Trust in the Lord,” Liahona, Jan. 1996, 15; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17. NOTE 1. Ezra Taft Benson, “The Great Commandment—Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 4.

July 2013 39

“What is the right thing to do here? And what is the right thing to say?”

40 Liahona Y outh

By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

CONVICTION WITH COMPASSION How we respond to people and situations has to reflect the full breadth of our religious beliefs and our gospel commitments.

ome time ago I was invited to speak in a stake single- we somehow completely disregard divinely mandated adult devotional. As I entered the rear door of the “thou shalts” and “thou shalt nots” in life. But it does mean Sstake center, a 30-something young woman entered we have to live those standards and defend those “thou the building at about the same time. Even in the crush of shalts” and “thou shalt nots” in a righteous way to the best people moving toward the chapel, it was hard not to notice of our ability, the way the Savior lived and defended them. her. As I recall, she had a couple of tattoos, a variety of And He always did what should have been done to make ear and nose rings, spiky hair reflecting all the colors now the situation better—from teaching the truth, to forgiving available in snow cones, a skirt that was too high, and a sinners, to cleansing the temple. It is no small gift to know blouse that was too low. how to do such things in the right way! Was this woman a struggling soul, not of our faith, So, regarding our new acquaintance of unusual dress who had been led—or even better, had been brought and grooming, we start, above all, by remembering she is a by someone—under the guidance of the Lord to this daughter of God and of eternal worth. We start by remem- devotional in an effort to help her find the peace and the bering that she is someone’s daughter here on earth as well direction of the gospel that she needed in her life? Or was and could, under other circumstances, be my daughter. We she a member who had strayed a bit from some of the start by being grateful that she is at a Church activity, not hopes and standards that the Church encourages for its avoiding one. In short, we try to be at our best in this situa- members but who, thank heaven, was still affiliating and tion in a desire to help her be at her best. We keep praying had chosen to attend this Church activity that night? silently: What is the right thing to do here? And what is the However one would respond to that young woman, the right thing to say? What ultimately will make this situation rule forever is that in all our associations and actions, we and her better? Asking these questions and really trying must reflect the full breadth of our religious beliefs and our to do what the Savior would do is what I think He meant gospel commitments. Therefore, how we respond in any when He said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but situation has to make things better, not worse. We can’t judge righteous judgment” ( John 7:24). act or react in such a way that we are guilty of a greater Having said that, I remind us all that while reaching out offense than, in this case, she is. That doesn’t mean that to and helping bring back a lamb who has strayed, we

ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVID MALAN BY DAVID ILLUSTRATIONS we don’t have opinions, that we don’t have standards, that also have a profound responsibility to the 99 who didn’t

July 2013 41 stray and to the wishes and will of the Shepherd. There is a sheepfold, and we are all supposed to be in it, to say noth- ing of the safety and blessings that come to us for being there. My young brothers and sisters, this Church can never “dumb down” its doctrine in response to social goodwill or political expediency or any other reason. It is only the high ground of revealed truth that gives us any footing on which to lift another who may feel troubled or forsaken. Our compassion and our love—fundamental characteristics and requirements of our Christianity—must never be inter- preted as compromising the commandments. As the mar- velous George MacDonald once said, in such situations “we are not bound to say all we [believe], but we are bound not even to look [like] what we do not [believe].” 1

When We Must Judge In this regard, there is sometimes a chance for a misunder­ standing, especially among young people who may think we are not supposed to judge anything, that we are never to make a value assessment of any kind. We have to help each other with that because the Savior makes it clear that in In some have some situations we have to judge, we are under obligation to situations we judge—as when He said, “Give not that which is holy unto to judge. We must the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine” (Matthew make “intermediate 7:6). That sounds like a judgment to me. The unacceptable judgments” for our alternative is to surrender to postmodern moral relativism, quoted earlier, that the own safety or for the which, pushed far enough, declares that ultimately nothing Savior said these are to be safety of others. is eternally true or especially sacred and, therefore, no one “righteous judgments,” not position on any given issue matters more than any other. self-righteous judgments, which And in the gospel of Jesus Christ that simply is not true. is a very different thing.) In this process of evaluation, we are not called on to For example, no one would fault a parent who restricts condemn others, but we are called upon to make decisions a child from running into a street roaring with traffic. So every day that reflect judgment—we hope good judgment. why should a parent be faulted who cares what time Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles those children, at a little later age, come home at night or once referred to these kinds of decisions as “intermediate at what age they date or whether or not they experiment judgments,” which we often have to make for our own with drugs or pornography or engage in sexual transgres- safety or for the safety of others, as opposed to what he sion? No, we are making decisions and taking stands and called “final judgments,” which can only be made by God, reaffirming our values—in short, making “intermediate who knows all the facts.2 (Remember, in the scripture judgments”—all the time, or at least we should be.

42 Liahona Y outh

“Don’t Others Have Their Agency?” moral agency. But never doubt there is danger all around Young people may wonder about the universal appli- if some choose not to obey. cability of this position taken or that policy made by the My young friends, there is a wide variety of beliefs in Church, saying, “Well, we know how we should behave, this world, and there is moral agency for all, but no one is but why do we have to make other people accept our entitled to act as if God is mute on these subjects or as if standards? Don’t they have their agency? Aren’t we being commandments only matter if there is public agreement self-righteous and judgmental, forcing our beliefs on others, over them. demanding that they, as well as ourselves, act in a certain I know of no more important ability and no greater way?” In those situations you are going to have to explain integrity for us to demonstrate than to walk that careful sensitively why some principles are defended and some path—taking a moral stand according to what God has sins opposed wherever they are found because the issues declared and the laws He has given but doing it compas- and the laws involved are not just social or political but eter- sionately, with understanding and great charity. Talk about nal in their consequence. And while not wishing to offend a hard thing to do—distinguishing perfectly between the those who believe differently from us, we are even more sin and the sinner! I know of few distinctions that are anxious not to offend God. harder to make and even harder sometimes to explain, It is a little like a teenager saying, “Now that I can drive, but we must lovingly try to do exactly that. ◼ I know I am supposed to stop at a red light, but do we Adapted from a CES devotional given on September 9, 2012. For the full address really have to be judgmental and try to get everyone else to in English, titled “Israel, Israel, God Is Calling,” visit cesdevotionals.lds​ .org.​ stop at red lights?” You then have to explain why, yes, we NOTES 1. George MacDonald, The Unspoken do hope all will stop at a red light. And you have to do this Sermons (2011), 264. without demeaning those who transgress or who believe 2. See Dallin H. Oaks, “‘Judge Not’ and Judging,” Ensign, Aug. differently than we believe because, yes, they do have their 1999, 6–13. “I know I am supposed to stop at a red light, but do we really have to be judgmental and try to get everyone else to stop at red lights?”

July 2013 43 By David Dickson Church Magazines Forgiving If we have repented and feel that the Lord THE ONE has forgiven us, why is it sometimes so hard IN THE to forgive ourselves? MIRROR

44 Liahona Y outh

Improving One Step at a Time preaching to King Lamoni, to helping For many people living in mod- bring the gospel to an entire nation, ern times, it’s difficult to imagine life Ammon’s life and ministry remain one without electric light. A dark room can of the great inspirational stories in all instantly become flooded with light of scripture. at the flick of a switch. Simple tasks And yet Ammon was not always that not so long ago needed to wait the righteous, faith-filled man who until dawn or had to be done by the preached in power to the Lamanites. low flicker of candlelight can now be He made mistakes—serious ones. As accomplished easily with the aid of an one of the sons of Mosiah, Ammon invention that was anything but easy was once numbered among those to perfect. next million-dollar invention without who went about “seeking to destroy Thomas Edison worked several ever needing to adjust an original the church, and to lead astray the peo- years and tried more than 1,000 dif- design concept or hoping to win a ple of the Lord, contrary to the com- ferent materials before he found a grand championship victory without mandments of God” (Mosiah 27:10). suitable filament (the thin wire at losing a single game during the sea- Ammon, along with his brothers the heart of a light bulb) that could son. When we sin and fall short, too and Alma the Younger, were so provide long-lasting, affordable light. often we fail to forgive ourselves and disruptive to the work of God that Ever the optimist, Edison viewed keep trying. an angel of the Lord appeared unto each material that didn’t work as a President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second them, speaking “as it were with a mere stepping-stone toward finding Counselor in the First Presidency, voice of thunder, which caused the one that would. And once he did, the taught: “When the Lord requires that earth to shake upon which they world was never the same. we forgive all men, that includes for- stood” (Mosiah 27:11), calling them giving ourselves. Sometimes, of all the to repentance. Looking Inward people in the world, the one who is Clearly, Ammon had serious trans- There are countless other inspiring the hardest to forgive—as well as per- gressions for which he needed to stories about athletes, thinkers, artists, haps the one who is most in need of repent, and he did. Yet what if he and more who knew how to learn our forgiveness—is the person looking had failed to forgive himself? What from their mistakes and keep trying. back at us in the mirror.” 1 if he had never gone on his mission, Try, try, try, and then succeed—it’s believing that it was too late for him? a storyline we seem never to tire of A Soul Transformed If he had not, then he wouldn’t have hearing. Unless, however, the hero But how can we do that? A study been able to rejoice with his brethren of that particular story happens to be of the life of Ammon, the Book of many years later over their success ourselves. Mormon prophet, can add perspective. among the Lamanites. “Now behold, In terms of keeping the command- Ammon’s missionary experi- we can look forth and see the fruits of ments, far too many of us demand ences among the Lamanites are as our labors; and are they few?” Ammon uninterrupted perfection of ourselves. miraculous as they are inspiring. asked his brothers. “I say unto you,

LEFT: PHOTOGRAPH © THINKSTOCK/ISTOCKPHOTO; RIGHT: PHOTOGRAPH © THINKSTOCK/HEMERA PHOTOGRAPH © THINKSTOCK/ISTOCKPHOTO; RIGHT: LEFT: This is like expecting to create the From defending the king’s sheep, to Nay, they are many; yea, and we can

July 2013 45 RECLAIMED Elder Shayne M. Bowen of the Seventy taught how the Atonement witness of their sincerity, because Atonement is infinite and available can reclaim of their love towards their brethren to all. “Come now, and let us reason and sanctify our lives. Watch the and also towards us” (Alma 26:31). together, saith the Lord: though your video “Reclaimed” at lds.org/​ pages/​ ​ Thousands came to the truth as a sins be as scarlet, they shall be as mormon-messages#reclaimed. result of their missionary efforts. white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” The Danger of Discouragement (Isaiah 1:18). We can succeed. We can Even with such clear counsel from try again. And we have the Lord’s help Church leaders and examples from every step of the way. scripture, some of us still believe we are an exception to the Atonement, It’s Never Too Late that we are past saving. We can’t Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the manage to drop the heavy burden Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has of our own guilt, even after sincere offered clear counsel against giving repentance. Some may even stop up on ourselves. “However many trying. chances you think you have missed, After all, why bother picking however many mistakes you feel you yourself off the ground if you’re have made or talents you think you only going to fall again? At least, don’t have, or however far from home that’s what the adversary would and family and God you feel you have have you think. Such a line traveled, I testify that you have not of thought is not only traveled beyond the reach of divine spiritually and emo- love. It is not possible for you to sink tionally crippling lower than the infinite light of Christ’s but utterly false. Atonement shines.” 2 NOT BE COPIED; PHOTOGRAPH © THINKSTOCK/ISTOCKPHOTO MAY BY DEL PARSON, The scrip- Elder Holland teaches us further

tures teach to keep an eye toward God’s good- THE LOST LAMB, us that the ness: “The formula of faith is to hold

Savior’s on, work on, see it through, and let FROM DETAIL Y outh

PERMANENT MARKER

By Dani Dunaway Rowan

the distress of earlier hours—real or The marks of our mistakes don’t have to be permanent. imagined—fall away in the abundance Having clean hands is worth it, even if it’s painful. of the final reward.” 3 week after graduating high hands the next day, and I desperately Filled with Hope Aschool, I moved to the other side wanted them to be clean. However, While sin can never be taken of the country to live with my older two faint black lines remained visible lightly, repentance is real. Forgiveness sister’s family for the summer before I on my raw, pink skin. is real. The Savior’s Atonement gives started college in the fall. Before I went to bed, in prayer I us a chance to start over with a clean I made a few friends, most of them asked forgiveness for not having the slate. Just as Ammon found forgive- older and in college. One Saturday courage to leave—and more appro- ness, you can too. night two of my new friends picked priately, for not having the courage We can indeed hope for brighter me up to go hear a good band that to never go inside in the first place. days. The Apostle Paul taught, “Now was playing at a local club. I promised Heavenly Father I would the God of hope fill you with all joy As we parked, I started feeling a lit- never allow myself to get in that kind and peace in believing, that ye may tle nervous, but I didn’t want to object of situation again. abound in hope, through the power and ruin the evening. We entered the The next morning I was able to of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13). club, and the man behind the counter remove most of the rest of the marker, Because of the gift of repentance, we looked at my driver’s license. Without and my hands were almost completely can all believe in ourselves again. ◼ warning he swiped a black permanent clean when I took the sacrament. I marker across the knuckles on both of thought of how sin is like those black my hands. marks. It takes effort and can even be I looked down in surprise. I real- painful, but we can repent and have ized he had marked my hands to our sins removed through the power show that I was too young to buy of the Atonement and be clean from BY DEL PARSON, MAY NOT BE COPIED; PHOTOGRAPH © THINKSTOCK/ISTOCKPHOTO MAY BY DEL PARSON, alcohol at the bar. the black marks in our lives. ◼ NOTES 1. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Merciful Obtain I was immediately uncomfortable. The author lives in Utah, USA. Mercy,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2012, 75. THE LOST LAMB, 2. Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the People were drinking and smoking. Vineyard,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2012, 33. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t have 3. Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Laborers in the

DETAIL FROM DETAIL Vineyard,” 32. the courage to leave right then. After about 30 minutes, one of my friends asked if I was feeling OK. I told him I had a headache from the music and smoke. He offered to take me home, and I grate- fully accepted. I rushed into the bathroom at my sister’s house and scrubbed at those black marks until it hurt. I would be taking the sacrament with these

July 2013 47 FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH

HONESTY & INTEGRITY As a disciple of Christ, t a conference championship “At that moment I was tempted to these personal attributes game of American football, push the ball forward. I could have Joseph B. Wirthlin had what done it. . . . But then I remembered are expressions of who A he called “a defining experience” the words of my mother. ‘Joseph,’ she you actually are. during a crucial play. had often said to me, ‘do what is right, “The play called for me to run the no matter the consequence. Do what ball up the middle to score the go- is right and things will turn out OK.’ ahead touchdown,” he said. “I took “I wanted so desperately to score that By Elder the handoff and plunged into the line. touchdown. But more than being a hero Christoffel Golden Jr. I knew I was close to the goal line, in the eyes of my friends, I wanted to be Of the Seventy but I didn’t know how close. Although a hero in the eyes of my mother. And so I was pinned at the bottom of the pile, I left the ball where it was—two inches I reached my fingers forward a couple from the goal line.” 1 Elder Wirthlin of inches and I could feel it. The goal (1917–2008) later served as a member line was two inches (5 cm) away. of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

48 Liahona Youth 49 - -

May 2007, 46. 2007, May , 19. , Ensign, For the Strength of the For Youth 3. and (booklet, 2011), 19. 2011), (booklet, For the Strength of Youth the For 2. Liahona

Our Savior has also given us has also given Our Savior 1. Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Life’s Lessons Learned,” Lessons Learned,” “Life’s Wirthlin, Joseph B. 1. unto you” (unto you” John 14:26). from daily that comes great power and reading scripture study, prayer, of the living prophets and the words daily prac These positive apostles. tices build honesty and integrity in as a disciple of Christ Remember, us. The Church of Jesusand a member of hon your Saints, Christ of Latter-day integrity of your esty is an expression ◼ actually are. and who you NOTES complete honesty is what you do what you complete honesty is what to know when no one is around As true disciples or do. say, think, you cannot be we of the Lord Jesus Christ, shown has Savior or do less than the the incomparable gift of have We us. taught, The Savior the Holy Ghost. which is the Holy “But the Comforter, send whom the Father will Ghost, all he shall teach you in my name, bring all things to your and things, said I have whatsoever remembrance, - reminds 3

“Dishonesty harms you and harms“Dishonesty harms you

For the Strength of Youth Strength of Youth the For The true measure of As a disciple of Christ you can you As a disciple of Christ sincere integrity and scripture Daily prayer, and applying the study, teachings of living prophets build honesty and integrity in us. Being Completely Honest us: shop steal, lie, If you others as well. spirit damage your you or cheat, lift, relationships with others. and your future Being honest will enhance your opportunities ability to be and your the Holy Ghost.” guided by discover how to speak and act how by discover “What Jesus do?” would asking yourself, act and as you Impressions will follow, a will receive you on these impressions, acted have that you yourself witness for it is also true that However, correctly. a for need to wait may sometimes you while to see the true and consequences honest actions. blessings of your evil; wherefore, I show unto you the unto you I show wherefore, evil; which thing every to judge; for way and to persuade inviteth to do good, is sent forth the by in Christ, to believe ye and gift of Christ; wherefore power with a perfect know knowledge may (Moroni 7:16). it is of God” ------For the the For 2 is honesty and integ The Book of Mormon teaches, Our purpose during this probation “Closely associated with honesty is One of the standards in One of the standards Elder Wirthlin’s decision is an excel Elder Wirthlin’s

“For behold, the Spirit of Christ behold, “For that man, to every is given good from know he may times this effort requires a great deal But it can be done. from us. probably already know how to do it. how probably already know and some effort, it does take However, nothing more or less than becoming This is not a true disciple of Christ. you suppose; you may as difficult as saint through the atonement of Christ” become a saint is To (Mosiah 3:19). Becoming a Disciple “a ary state of mortal is to become life your standards and beliefs even when and beliefs even standards your no one is watching.” ter what the consequences. When you ter what the consequences. by are willing to live you integrity, have integrity. Integrity means thinking and Integrity means thinking integrity. no mat doing what is right at all times, ing not to lie, steal, cheat, or deceive or deceive cheat, steal, ing not to lie, in any way. . . . of Christ, you are expected to “be hon are expected to you of Christ, and God at others, est with yourself, means choos Being honest all times. Strength of Youth Strength of Youth followers Saints and As Latter-day rity. the right thing no matter the circum the right thing no matter think. may stances or what others not compromise his integrity. Honesty integrity. not compromise his They character. and integrity test our to do or say require a person always lent example of someone who would lent example Doing What Is Right ILLUSTRATIONS BY BEN SOWARDS BEN BY ILLUSTRATIONS

RETURNEDWITH HONOR

I didn’t want to be a thief, even by accident.

By Valerie Best

fter my classes finished in the I tossed the bracelet on my bed late afternoon, I stopped by and plugged in my lamp. It created a A a tiny antique store just before warm glow in the gray afternoon. I made my way home—an errand I I looked out the window. It was rain- wanted to finish despite the increased ing even harder, and the snow on the intensity of the rain. I was the only ground was turning to dirty slush. person in the store, and the woman I looked at the bracelet. It was working there helped me with the cherry red. I slipped it on my wrist. lamp I’d had my eye on. The price tag swung—$20. Of course As she opened a shopping bag, I I would return it. It never entered my noticed a display of brightly colored mind not to. I pulled it off and put it on bracelets on the counter. I reached top of a pile of books I’d been mean- for one just as she placed the lamp ing to put away. I walked into the other into the bag. She brushed the display, room to make a cup of hot chocolate. and about half the bracelets clat- Then I walked back in. tered to the floor. She looked a little How long had I put off dealing flustered but finished ringing up my with those books anyway? A while. purchase. I left the store, umbrella How long would that bracelet be in one hand, bag with a lamp in it there if I put off taking it back? in the other. My intention was to return it. But I walked home, took off my when would that be? Would I wait wet boots, and put on some music. so long that I would feel awkward As I took the lamp out, I noticed returning it? Would I forget about it? something at the bottom of the bag. I hesitated a little more. I looked It was a red bracelet. It must have out the window again. I thought fallen from the display into my bag. about how my feet had just warmed I smiled, thinking how much this up. I thought about my delicious moment was beginning to resemble hot chocolate. a story from the old Young Women Then I grabbed the bracelet, manual: “Then Valerie thought of the pulled my boots back on, and

lesson they’d just had in Laurels class.” headed back out. BY GREG NEWBOLD ILLUSTRATION

50 Liahona Y outh

When I arrived at the store, the me a reward for my honesty. She an active attribute. However honor- woman was helping someone else. I wasn’t excessive in her thanks. And able and true my intentions, I only stood and waited. When she finished, no one else was around to see it. became an honest person when I put I pulled the bracelet out of my coat As I walked home, I thought about those rain boots back on and acted on pocket, explaining how it had come how I’d always considered myself an my intentions. to be there. She looked sort of sur- honest person. It is a quality I value I felt my bare wrist inside my coat prised, a little confused, said thank and look for in others. But real hon- and smiled a little. ◼ you, and that was it. She didn’t offer esty, like real love and real charity, is The author lives in New York, USA.

July 2013 51 A covenant is POWER IN a promise, and it’s also COVENANTS a whole lot more.

hen you hear the word covenant, what comes to mind? If you said, “Making covenants brings us and our “A two-way promise with God,” you’d be right. families so many blessings. For example, being W But a covenant with our Heavenly Father is also much more. In baptized brings us the ability to change, to be that sacred promise, there is power, strength, safety, and peace. When you take better. The covenants that we make with our time to think about the covenants you have made and will make in your life Heavenly Father build the faith we need to and when you keep your part, you begin to feel and live differently. Covenants remain true to the gospel.” influence the way you act and inspire you in your choices. Naomi A., age 15, Guadalajara, Here’s how covenants have made a difference in the lives of some youth. “This past summer I went “A covenant keeps you on our Heavenly Father help me stay strong in to the temple often to do bap- the strait and narrow path, the gospel and one day return to Him.” tisms for the dead. By keeping helps you live life better, Efraín V., age 14, New Zealand my covenants by going to and gives you a better the temple and doing what’s understanding.” “I remember when I was right, I was blessed. I was really stressed with Marcus A., age 17, Utah, USA baptized—that was the final exams. I went to the temple, and it just happiest I had ever felt made everything better. Keeping my covenants “The fact that I have made covenants with because that was my first makes life so much easier and a lot happier.” Heavenly Father has given me opportunities covenant. Next was when McKenna M., age 18, California, USA to grow spiritually and to be a more faithful I received the priesthood. It was the same member. Every time I’m going to do some- happiness. I had a huge smile on my face when “My first day as a deacon passing the thing, I think of the covenants I’ve made with I realized I had made a covenant with God. sacrament, I was very nervous. Then I remem- our Heavenly Father and ask myself if I am When I hear kids making fun of the Church, bered the day I was baptized, and I felt the keeping the promises made with Him when I remember the happiness and I remember it’s Holy Ghost. I automatically felt calmer and I was baptized and when I received the a covenant with God and not with people.” was able to do it well.” priesthood. The covenants I’ve made with Bradford A., age 16, Arizona, USA Seth A., age 12, Mexico City, Mexico

52 Liahona Y outh

SUNDAY LESSONS

This Month’s Topic: Ordinances and Covenants

A covenant is JOIN THE a promise, and it’s also CONVERSATION

a whole lot more. hroughout July you’ll be studying Tabout ordinances and covenants in your priesthood quorums and Young Women and Sunday School classes. Make a list of the covenants you have made and hope to make. What does that list tell you about how you want to live? Consider sharing your thoughts with others by testifying at home, at church, or through social media.

DIVINE COVENANTS MAKE STRONG CHRISTIANS “I urge each one to qualify for and receive all the priesthood ordinances you can and “I’ve received a lot of then faithfully keep the promises you have blessings from keeping my made by covenant. In times of distress, BY HARRY ANDERSON © IRI BY HARRY covenants. Because of my let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can baptismal covenants, the Holy ask in faith, nothing wavering, according Ghost has helped me make “You can’t just do anything you want and to your need, and God will answer. He will decisions. The covenant when you receive the expect God to uphold His side of the promise. sustain you.” priesthood is a commitment to use the priest- He expects so much out of you because He Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The CHRIST CALLING PETER AND ANDREW, hood to help others and serve. It helps your knows the potential you have. It really holds Power of Covenants,” Liahona and Ensign, testimony grow when you serve.” me to a higher level.” May 2009, 22.

FROM LEFT: PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHRISTINA SMITH AND CRAIG DIMOND © IRI; PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS FROM LEFT: FROM DETAIL Erik N., age 15, Alberta, Canada Jolee H., age 15, Colorado, USA

July 2013 53 Favorite FAMILY HOME EVENINGS

M CAUTION

! un f f t o lo d a an experie hese nces sh g— T ow ho iftin w fam e upl ily home evening can b

Y outh

SPIRITUAL SUPERHEROES a problem in our family, Heavenly ENLIGHTENED Favorite his year amazing superheroes Father inspired us with an idea to IN THE DARK Tcame to visit our house on teach one another more effectively. will never forget the family home FAMILY HOME Monday nights! Each superhero These are superhero memories we I evening lesson we had during resembled a member of the family, will cherish forever. ◼ a power outage. Without power had a special superpower, and taught Victor W., USA we could not read anything, and EVENINGS an important testimony-strengthening I thought that family home evening lesson that encouraged us to improve MY BROTHER’S was going to be a disaster. our relationships with one another. TESTIMONY “How will we have family home For example, one week Media Man y mother works every evening evening without being able to read taught us how to shield our eyes from Mfrom 3:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. a message from the Liahona, or inappropriate movies, TV shows, Even though she couldn’t be home how will we be able to sing from the and magazines. Another week Fit on Monday nights, my older brother hymnbooks without light?” I thought Miss explained how we could develop and I decided to hold family home to myself. superhuman strength by exercising evening by ourselves—just the two Fortunately my sister came to the regularly. Bee Still, a superhero of us. My brother was inactive for rescue. She had the great idea for dressed as a bumblebee, taught us eight years, but he had been attend- us to sing the hymns we knew by how to stop buzzing around and ing institute recently and decided heart and then share what we had bee reverent at church and at home. to give the message one Monday learned the Sunday before. We all Word Girl explained when and how night. He shared a spiritual thought shared a principle and learned from we could give more compliments from the Book of Mormon that I had one another. In my opinion, learn- to each other. Thankful Girl, Do It never considered, even though I had ing together is the purpose of family Yourself Dude, Scripture Scholar, taken four years of seminary and had home evening. I am certain that the No Sass Lass, Missionary Man, and worked on my Personal Progress. The Lord was very pleased that we kept other superheroes also attended our spirit I felt was just as I had hoped it the commandment to have family family home evening lessons. would be when the time came that home evening, even without lights. I am grateful that my family mem- I would have a worthy priesthood I know that the Lord doesn’t want bers thought deeply and carefully holder in my home. us to return to His presence alone. about what problem in the family they I’m grateful Heavenly Father gives He wants us to return with our wanted to address as a superhero. We me the opportunity to strengthen my families, and He wants us to do every- all looked forward to family home family every week through family thing possible so that this happens, evening, and we had a wonderful home evening. I love the gospel of including holding weekly family time during each superhero visit. I am Jesus Christ, and I’m glad that I had home evening. ◼ ! un Hérica S., f f grateful that each time we pondered this humbling family home evening o ot PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY LLOYD ELDREDGE PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS experience with my brother. ◼ l d a Isadora A., Brazil an experie hese nces sh g— T ow ho iftin w fam e upl ily home evening can b

55

MY SUMMERS BY THE TEMPLE

Great blessings came as my family used our vacation time to attend the temple each summer.

By David Isaksen grew up in . The nearest special occasion when we could go. his son. I felt I needed to repent of temple was in Stockholm, Sweden, And even though the car ride was my rebelliousness and try to see the an 8- to 10-hour drive away. Need­ long and tedious, the Lord blessed us wisdom and love of his admonitions. Iless to say, any trip to the temple took for our sacrifice. The spiritual experi- These many years later those sum- careful planning and deliberation. ences I had at the temple helped me mers by the temple still shine in my Our stake planned two visits to the develop my love for the temple and memory. The temple has become temple for the youth each year; sev- its ordinances. They also brought us one of the truly beautiful places of eral wards would rent a bus and go to closer together as a family. the world, like the Waters of Mormon the temple for a weekend. It was fun One special experience I remem- were for the people of Alma: “How to go with other youth, but my fam- ber was when I was going through beautiful are they to the eyes of them ily and I wanted to go to the temple a little rebellious period. It felt like who there came to the knowledge of together sometime. I could see so many of my parents’ their Redeemer” (Mosiah 18:30). ◼ So one year we decided to go flaws, and I felt that they had no right The author lives in Utah, USA. to Stockholm during our summer to counsel me how to live my life. vacation. It was a great experience, Although I lived worthy to go to the and it soon became a pattern for temple, I was questioning my father’s

our summers. We would camp at role as the head of our family. But NOT BE COPIED; BACKGROUND AND BORDER © THINKSTOCK/ISTOCKPHOTO HALLBERG, MAY PHOTOGRAPH OF STOCKHOLM SWEDEN TEMPLE BY STEFAN a campground close to the temple. when we went to the temple together Each morning we would get up early to do baptisms and confirmations, I BLESSINGS OF THE TEMPLE for a baptismal session with other felt the presence of a sweet spirit. As hat blessings have you experienced families from Norway who had come my father laid his hands on my head Was you’ve gone to the temple? to the temple. Afterward we would to confirm me on behalf of people Consider sharing your feelings with a family play football and go swimming at the who had passed away, I felt the Spirit member or writing about them in your campground. confirm to me that he was acting by journal. These summers are sacred memo- the true authority of the priesthood. ries for me now. Although we didn’t This made me realize that although live close enough to the temple to my father was not perfect, he was still go there each month, it was always a a good father and I was blessed to be

56 Liahona Children y Home Evening W amil hee F L l es son at re T ou can make an assignment wheel to help with family Y home evening planning. Mount these circles on heavy paper

S and attach them in the middle with

c r a metal fastener. Write each family i

p

t y member’s name around the outside

u t

i

r

v

e of the circle. Turn the wheel to

i t

c change assignments each week.

A

P

r

a

y

e

r

g

n o S

Write the names of your family members around the outside edge. ILLUSTRATIONS BY SCOTT GREER ILLUSTRATIONS

July 2013 57 FOLLOW THE PROPHET

SAVEBy Heidi S. Swinton HER!

very summer the Monson family spent two months and then lifted her over the side of the inner tube. Eat the family cabin on the Provo River. Tommy Then Tommy paddled to the riverbank. First, the family Monson learned to swim in the river’s swift currents. One threw their arms around the girl, kissing her and cry- warm afternoon when Tommy was about 13, he grabbed ing. Then they began hugging and kissing Tommy. He a big, inflated inner tube and floated down the river. felt embarrassed by all the attention, and he quickly That day a large group of people had gathered at a returned to his inner tube. picnic area by the river to eat and play games. Tommy As Tommy continued his float down the river, he was about to float through the fastest part of the river was filled with a warm feeling. He realized that he had when he heard the frantic cries, “Save her! Save her!” A helped save a life. Heavenly Father had heard the cries, young girl had fallen into the treacherous whirlpools. “Save her! Save her!” He made it possible for Tommy None of the people on shore could swim to save her. to float by at exactly the time he was needed. That day That’s when Tommy appeared on the scene and Tommy learned that the sweetest feeling is to realize that saw the girl’s head disappear under the water. Tommy God, our Heavenly Father, knows each one of us and

stretched out his hand, grasped the girl by her hair, allows us to help Him save others. ◼ BY HOLLIE HIBBERT BY JENNIFER TOLMAN; INSET ILLUSTRATIONS ILLUSTRATION

58 Liahona Children

Do Your Duty When Tommy was 11 years old, he had a special duty to help his classmates cross the street. Look at the picture below. Can you find two things Tommy used to help him with his duty?

Safety Circle As Tommy learned how to swim in the Provo River, his family surrounded him so if he needed help, someone would always be close by. You can be like Tommy and play the Safety Circle game. You Will Need: Four or more players ILLUSTRATION BY JENNIFER TOLMAN; INSET ILLUSTRATIONS BY HOLLIE HIBBERT BY JENNIFER TOLMAN; INSET ILLUSTRATIONS ILLUSTRATION An open area How to Play: Make a circle and hold hands. One player stands in the mid- dle of the circle. The player in the middle wears a blindfold and slowly walks around in different directions—wherever he or she wants to go. The players in the circle need to keep holding hands but try not to get touched by the player in the middle. Take turns standing in the middle.

WORDS FROM PRESIDENT MONSON “Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless. . . . There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.” From “First Presidency Christmas Devotional,” Ensign, Feb. 2001, 73.

July 2013 59 BRINGING PRIMARY HOME Families Are Part of Heavenly Father’s Plan

You can use this lesson and activity to learn more about this month’s Primary theme. he Book of Mormon tells He called his banner about a wicked man named “the title of liberty,” and TAmalickiah. He wanted to he fastened it on the end destroy the Church and rule over the of a pole. Then he knelt and Nephites as their king. prayed that the people could stay Captain Moroni was a strong free so they could still worship God and righteous leader of the Nephite and receive His blessings. (See Alma armies. Captain Moroni wanted to 46:3–18.) remind the people how important it Today we have something to was to defend their families and their remind us how important our fam- faith. He tore his coat and made it ilies and our faith are. It is “The into a flag, or banner. On it he wrote Family: A Proclamation to the these words: World.” Here are some of its “In memory of our God, our words: religion, and freedom, and our peace, “The family is central to the our wives, and our children.” Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . . . The family is ordained of God.” ◼ Ideas for Family Talk Together with your family, you could read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” You could also talk about some ways you can all work together to make your family strong. Then you could choose one of those ways and make a plan for working on it.

60 Liahona C hildren

LEFT: ILLUSTRATION BY BRANDON DORMAN; ILLUSTRATION LEFT: BY RACHEL ILLUSTRATION RIGHT: HOFFMAN-BAYLES

Song and Scripture • “Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook, 188 • Alma 46:3–18

Family Banner Activity Use a piece of paper or fabric to make a banner that represents your family. Use markers or crayons to draw things that are important to your family. Add a quote or a saying that expresses how your family members feel about their faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father or about the blessings of being a family.

July 2013 61 ON THE TRAIL Challenges in Missouri By Jennifer Maddy

Come along to explore an important place in Church history!

or Joseph Smith it was a long, Other Church members began arriv- hard trip from Kirtland, Ohio, ing in Missouri in 1831. They plowed the F to Independence, Missouri. He land, built houses, and harvested crops. This display at the Independence traveled by wagon, by canal boat, and As more and more Church members visitors’ center shows Saints busily by stagecoach. For the last 250 miles moved to Independence, Missouri, some working at their log-cabin home. (402 km), he had to walk! But the Lord of the people who already lived there had told him to go to Missouri to estab- became suspicious and angry. Mobs lish the city of Zion, so Joseph Smith attacked the Saints’ homes and ordered obeyed. them to leave. ◼ PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIFER MADDY; ILLUSTRATIONS BY PAUL MANN BY PAUL ILLUSTRATIONS PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIFER MADDY;

62 Liahona Children The Church rebuilt some of the jail The While the Prophet was in jail, the in jail, While the Prophet was out of some original and some remade stones and then built a visitors’ center many visitors come to Today around it. see the place where a prophet of God received comforting revelations while in jail. he was LIBERTY JAIL LIBERTY In of 1838 Joseph Smith the winter and five other Church leaders were to arrested on false charges and taken and dirty, dark, jail was The Liberty Jail. and the prisoners didn’t bitterly cold, or good enough blankets have warm had thick stone walls. Liberty Jail food. for the jailer and upper room was The and the lower room—the his family, A for prisoners. “dungeon”—was in and out the only way trapdoor was of the lower floor. not what man can “Fear Lord told him, for God shall be with you forever do, (D&Cand ever” 122:9). some of the Lord’s revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Today these revelations revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Today some of the Lord’s are in the Doctrine and Covenants. William W. Phelps set up a printing shop in Independence, where he published a Phelps set up a printing shop in Independence, where he published William W. also printed pages for the Book of Commandments, which contained He newspaper. OUR PAGE

The children of the Junction Branch Primary, Mandeville District, Jamaica, West Indies, are learning about the Savior and trying to follow His example by being baptized and Ricardo O., age 3, from Mexico, likes preparing to attend the to serve. Each Saturday, along with his temple. little sister, Olea, he helps his parents sweep the building where his branch meets for sacrament meeting. He serves with a smile—not only at church but also at home.

Maria C., age 4, from Brazil, gave a talk in sacrament meet- ing in which she amazed everyone by reciting the 13 Articles of Faith without missing a single word. Maria’s Loi P., age 7, Cambodia Nguyen L., age 7, Cambodia Primary president says that Maria prays fervently and testifies of Jesus Christ. One day our Primary visited the São Paulo Brazil Temple. The gardens were more beautiful than any I had ever seen. We learned that through the covenants we Renato and his I like to go to church and to my Primary class. make in the temple, family at his I am learning to read, and I love the stories of baptism we can live with our the Book of Mormon. My younger sister and families for all eternity. I like to help our mother. We love to read the The president of the temple spoke to us in The temple is very beauti- children’s section of the Liahona. We both the waiting room, where we saw beautiful ful on the outside—it has pray for President Monson and Sister Monson. paintings. I had a very warm and happy many flowers. But when I Alison A., age 6, and Juana A., age 3, feeling, and my mother told me it was the was sealed to my family, Holy Ghost testifying to me that what I was I saw that it is even more learning was true. I gained a testimony that beautiful inside. Nicolas M., age 5, the temple is the house of the Lord. Colombia Renato B., age 8, Brazil

64 Liahona C SPECIAL WITNESS hildren Why is family history work so important? By Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ.

he Prophet Joseph Smith declared that our “greatest responsibility in this world . . . is to seek after T 1 our dead.” Family history is a vital part of the work of salvation and exaltation. We have the covenant responsibility to search out our ancestors and provide for them the saving ordinances of the gospel. I invite the youth of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah.2 I encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the temple for your kindred dead. As you respond in faith to this invita- tion, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. Your love and gratitude for your ances- tors will increase. You will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. ◼ Adapted from “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2011, 24–27. NOTES 1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 475.

ILLUSTRATION BY ADAM KOFORD ILLUSTRATION 2. See Doctrine and Covenants 2:1–2.

July 2013 65 The Story Rug 66 Liahona C hildren Who knew so many stories could be wrapped up in one rug?

By Kay Timpson Based on a true story Sometimes we’d sing ourselves Nana smiled. “You bet I do! This “We as the children can seek out hoarse! It was such a fun time.” red piece is from the dress I wore our loved ones, preserving their Nana looked off into the yard when you were born. I remember names and their memory” (“Truth like she could rewind the years and pressing my nose to the glass win- from Elijah,” Children’s Songbook, watch them over again. dow in the nursery to get a closer 90–91). Katy sat next to the coiled rug look at you. You were still all pink that spilled off of Nana’s lap. She and wrinkly.” aty skipped along the traced the careful stitches with her Katy and Nana laughed together sidewalk toward the big fingers. as Nana continued to tell Katy sto- Koak tree at the corner of “I’ve been thinking,” Nana said ries from the rug. As soon as Katy her street. The old tree made Nana’s slowly, “how would you like to got home that night, she and Mama house easy to find. make your very own braided rug?” set aside old clothes that Katy could As usual, Nana was sitting in her Katy jumped up and clapped her use. living room, quietly braiding and hands. The next day, Katy took the cloth sewing strips of bright cloth. The “I would love to, Nana! Can we to Nana’s house. Nana showed Katy polished wooden floors of Nana’s start today?” how to cut the fabric into long strips, house were decorated with beautiful Nana chuckled. “Well, there’s braid them, and sew the braids rugs that Nana made herself. something you need to do first. Go together. “Hello, honey,” Nana said as Katy home and gather up old clothes that Every day after school, Katy went came in. Soon they were talking we can cut into strips.” to work on the rug at Nana’s house. about what Nana called the “old Her eyes twinkled as she leaned Little by little, the rug grew. As the days.” They looked at black-and- toward Katy, her voice quiet as if she days went by, Katy learned many of white photos together. Katy espe- were sharing a secret. Nana’s stories by heart. Some days cially liked seeing the clothes and “That’s what makes the rug spe- she was the one who told lots of hairstyles her relatives wore when cial. Because it’s made of clothes, stories to Nana. they were younger. the rug can tell the story of your One day, after adding a blue “Things were very different then,” life. Each braid is like a chapter in section to the rug that used to be a Nana said with a sigh. “You know, a book about you. Looking at the favorite pair of jeans, Katy rubbed we didn’t have cars or TV or cell fabric of an old dress can help you the palm of her hand against the phones.” remember the places you wore it colorful braids. Katy couldn’t even imagine hav- and what you did when you had it “Don’t you think that rug is about ing to walk everywhere. “What did on.” done?” Nana asked, looking up from you do for fun, Nana?” Katy asked. Katy’s eyes widened. She pointed her work. “We loved to sing together. We to the rug Nana was braiding. “Not yet,” Katy said with a smile. would gather around the piano in the “Do you remember all about the She never wanted this time with

ILLUSTRATION BY G. BJORN THORKELSON ILLUSTRATION evening and sing our favorite songs. cloth in this rug?” Nana to end. ◼

July 2013 67 FAMILY STORY SWAP

ana’s colorful rug helped her share stories with Katy (see pages 66–67). Here’s a Ngame that can help your family members share stories with each other! You will need: What to do: 3. Pass the bag around the • Several small, solid-colored 1. Fill out the chart at the bottom circle. Have everyone take items. Try to find at least six of this page by writing the color turns pulling out an item different colors. You could use of an item by each prompt. and answering the prompt buttons, painted pebbles, or 2. Have family members sit in a that matches the color of the colored candies. circle. Put the small items into item they chose. Keep going • A bag to hold the items. the bag. until there are no more items to choose.

FAMILY STORY SWAP CHART

Can you remember the different stories people shared for each color?

Color: Prompt:

Tell us about your best friend.

When was a time you had to be brave?

Tell us about something silly or embarrassing you once did.

What is your favorite scripture story? Why?

Tell us about a school project that was fun to work on.

If you could change into any animal, what animal and why? 

68 Liahona C hildren Hi, I’m Erika from El Salvador

My name is Erika Z., and I live in the city of San Salvador in El Salvador, and The Relief Society sisters I love to prepare in my branch asked if I could learn to index names using names for temple the FamilySearch program. I ordinances. wanted to help. My mother also wanted me to help, so we began learning how to index together. When I first started, it took me a whole day to index nine names. But now after working hard and practicing, I can index 300 names in a day.

After finishing my homework, I spend time indexing names. For me, indexing is as fun as playing or watching TV. But I know that it has a greater purpose.

I know that Heavenly Father blessed me with the opportunity to help prepare names for temple ordi- nances for more than 2,000 Salvadorian ancestors in the spirit world. PHOTOGRAPHS OF ERIKA AND RELIEF SOCIETY COURTESY OF ERIKA’S FAMILY; FAMILY; PHOTOGRAPHS OF ERIKA AND RELIEF SOCIETY COURTESY OF ERIKA’S REIER © IRI TEMPLE BY MATTHEW EL SALVADOR PHOTOGRAPH OF SAN SALVADOR

July 2013 69 FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Jesus Calls His Disciples By Margo Mae From Luke 5:1–11.

Simon and Andrew were two brothers who were fishermen. One night, Simon and Andrew fished all night long but couldn’t catch any fish.

Jesus was on Simon’s boat. He told the brothers to put their nets into the sea one more time. When they pulled up their nets, they were full of fish! ILLUSTRATIONS BY APRYL STOTT BY APRYL ILLUSTRATIONS

70 Liahona C hildren

Simon and Andrew called their friends James and John to help empty their nets into their boat. There were so many fish that they filled up two boats! Jesus told the men that if they followed Him, they would fish for something even better than fish. They would be fishers of men.

Simon, Andrew, James, and John left everything, including their boats. They became Jesus’s disciples. They followed Jesus and helped Him preach the gospel to everyone. ILLUSTRATIONS BY APRYL STOTT BY APRYL ILLUSTRATIONS

July 2013 71 Just like a fisherman who brings fish into a net, we can help bring people to the gospel by being good examples and teaching them about Jesus. We can be fishers of men too! ◼

72 Liahona C COLORING PAGE hildren

JESUS CALLS HIS DISCIPLES “And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

ILLUSTRATION BY JARED BECKSTRAND ILLUSTRATION “And . . . they forsook all, and followed him” (Luke 5:10–11).

July 2013 73 NEWS OF THE CHURCH Visit news​.lds​.org for more Church news and events.

New Mission Presidents MISSION NEW PRESIDENT Brazil Ribeirão Preto Mauro T. Brum Called to Serve Brazil Santa Maria Adalton P. Parrela Brazil Santos Celso B. Cabral he Church has called the following new mission presi- Brazil São Paulo West José Luiz Del Guerso Tdents, who will begin serving in their assigned areas California Bakersfield James M. Wilson this month. California Carlsbad Hal C. Kendrick California Irvine Von D. Orgill MISSION NEW PRESIDENT California Long Beach Ryan M. Tew Alabama Birmingham Richard D. Hanks California Los Angeles David N Weidman Angola Luanda Danny L. Merrill California Rancho Bruce E. Hobbs Argentina Buenos Aires North David S. Ayre Cucamonga Argentina Buenos Aires South Larry L Thurgood California Redlands Daniel J. Van Cott Argentina Comodoro Mark F. Rogers Canada Edmonton Larry G. Manion Rivadavia Canada Montreal Victor P. Patrick Argentina Córdoba Rubén V. Alliaud Chile Antofagasta Craig L. Dalton Argentina Posadas Lee R. LaPierre Chile Concepción Kent J. Arrington Arizona Gilbert K. Brett Nattress Chile Rancagua Thomas R. Warne Arizona Mesa Kirk L. Jenkins Chile Santiago South David L. Cook Arizona Scottsdale Karl R. Sweeney Chile Santiago West José A. Barreiros Arizona Tempe James L. Toone Colombia Barranquilla Kent R. Searle Armenia Yerevan J. Steven Carlson Colorado Denver South J Blake Murdock Brisbane Lon E. Henderson Colorado Fort Collins Kelly W. Brown Australia Melbourne Cory H. Maxwell Czech/Slovak James W. McConkie III Australia Sydney North Philip F. Howes Democratic Republic of W. Bryce Cook Australia Sydney South Larry J. Lew the Congo Kinshasa Bolivia La Paz Julián A. Palacio Ecuador Guayaquil South Maxsimo C Torres Bolivia Santa Cruz Jason A. Willard Ecuador Guayaquil West Jorge Dennis Bolivia Santa Cruz North Richard C. Zambrano Ecuador Quito North Brian A. Richardson Botswana Gaborone Merrill A. Wilson El Salvador San Salvador East David L. Glazier Brazil Curitiba Anderson M. Monteiro El Salvador San Salvador Kai D. Hintze Brazil Curitiba South Leonel R. Fernandes West/Belize Brazil Fortaleza East Carlos Fusco England Leeds Graham Pilkington Brazil Goiânia David Kuceki Florida Jacksonville Paul W. Craig Brazil João Pessoa Izaias P. Nogueira Florida Orlando Michael J. Berry Brazil Juiz de Fora Luciano Cascardi Florida Tallahassee Bradley J. Smith Brazil Londrina C. Alberto de Genaro Florida Tampa Mark D. Cusick Brazil Natal Saulo Soares Georgia Macon Brent T. Cottle Brazil Piracicaba Kennedy F. Canuto Ghana Accra West Norman C. Hill

74 Liahona MISSION NEW PRESIDENT MISSION NEW PRESIDENT Cobán John F. Curtiss Mexico Monterrey East Larry C. Bird Guatemala Retalhuleu Johnny F. Ruiz Mexico Pachuca Andrew E. Egbert Hawaii Honolulu Stephen R. Warner Mexico Querétaro Javier L. Mejorada San Pedro Sula East Norman S. Klein Mexico Reynosa Abelardo Morales Honduras San Pedro Mexico Saltillo L. Fernando Rodriguez James M. Dester Sula West Mexico Villahermosa Israel G. Morales Idaho Boise John Winder Michigan Detroit Nolan D. Gerber Idaho Nampa Stuart B. Cannon Missouri St. Louis Thomas W. Morgan Idaho Twin Falls Glen R. Curtis Mongolia Ulaanbaatar Joseph P. Benson Illinois Chicago Paul S. Woodbury Nevada Las Vegas West Michael B. Ahlander Illinois Chicago West Jerry D. Fenn New Hampshire Manchester Philip M. Stoker India Bangalore David M. Berrett New Mexico Albuquerque Steven J. Miller Indiana Indianapolis Steven C. Cleveland New York Rochester Arthur R. Francis Indonesia Jakarta Christopher L. Donald New Zealand Hamilton Charles A. Rudd Iowa Des Moines John R. Jensen Nicaragua Managua North Monsop Collado Milan Bruce L. Dibb Nicaragua Managua South Bryan G. Russell Italy Rome Michael Waddoups Nigeria Benin City Akingbade A. Ojo Jamaica Kingston Kevin G. Brown Nigeria Enugu Freebody A. Mensah Japan Nagoya Kazuhiko Yamashita Nigeria Lagos Richard K. Ahadjie Japan Tokyo South Takashi Wada Ohio Cincinnati John P. Porter Kansas Wichita Michael L. Bell Oklahoma Oklahoma City Stewart R. Walkenhorst Kenya Nairobi Gary C. Hicken Oregon Salem Michael R. Samuelian Korea Daejeon Yong-In S. Shin Panama Panama City Curtis Carmack Korea Seoul South Marshall R. Morrise Papua New Guinea Lae Mark P. Peteru Liberia Monrovia Roger L. Kirkham Paraguay Asunción North Garn H. McMullin Marshall Islands Majuro Thomas L. Weir Pennsylvania Philadelphia T. Gary Anderson Mexico Aguascalientes Juan Villarreal Peru Arequipa Richard Zobrist Mexico Cancún Dale B. Kirkham Jr. Peru Cusco Robert C. Harbertson Mexico Chihuahua Ulises Chávez Peru Huancayo David Y. Henderson Mexico Ciudad Juarez Rodolfo Derbez Peru Iquitos Alejandro Gómez Mexico Ciudad Obregón Mauricio Munive Peru Lima North John R. Erickson Mexico Culiacán Jesús Velez Peru Lima West Blake D. Archibald Mexico Mérida Sergio A. Garcia Peru Trujillo D. Kurt Marler Mexico Mexico City Chalco Jerald D. Crickmore Philippines Baguio Anthony John Balledos Mexico Mexico City East Sergio M. Anaya Philippines Butuan Pastor B. Torres Mexico Mexico City Northwest Brad H Hall Philippines Cagayan de Oro Alberto C. Bulseco Mexico Mexico City West George F. Whitehead Philippines Cauayan George R. Rahlf

July 2013 75 MISSION NEW PRESIDENT Elder Cook Addresses Philippines Cavite Douglas C. Tye Philippines Cebu East Richard L. Tanner Members and Investigators Philippines Iloilo Jaime R. Aquino Philippines Legaspi Jovencio A. Guanzon in Ivory Coast Philippines Naga L. Barry Reeder By R. Scott Lloyd Philippines Quezon City Carlos Revillo Church News Philippines Urdaneta William J. Monahan Poland Warsaw Steven C Edgren San Juan P. Knox Smartt III lder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Russia Moscow Garry E. Borders EApostles traveled to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Russia Samara Michael L. Schwab Coast), in February 2013. During the visit he presided Russia Yekaterinburg Val J. Christensen at a priesthood leadership conference, held a special Sierra Leone Freetown David B. Ostler meeting with members and investigators, and visited South Africa Durban John A. Zackrison key government officials. Taiwan Taichung Kurt L. Blickenstaff Elder Cook was accompanied on the trip by Elder Texas Fort Worth Rodney A. Ames L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder

Texas McAllen Fernando Maluenda John B. Dickson of the Seventy, President of the Africa © IRI Texas San Antonio James E. Slaughter West Area; and Elder Joseph W. Sitati of the Seventy, First

Tonga Nuku’alofa Leitoni M. Tupou Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency. CHURCH NEWS Uganda Kampala Robert F. Chatfield Total attendance at the priesthood leadership con- Ukraine L’viv Daniel E. Lattin ference and the member and investigator meeting was Uruguay Montevideo West Thomas A. Smith 9,693, which included 619 investigators. Many members

Utah Salt Lake City Stephen W. Hansen sacrificed greatly to attend. Virginie Oulai Tongo of the PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF Utah Salt Lake City East John C. Eberhardt Meagui Branch, Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan Mission, said her Utah Salt Lake City South Robert E. Chambers family saved their money to come and see an Apostle. Utah St. George John R. Center “We traveled for 12 hours, but I am happy,” she said. Venezuela Valencia Guillermo I. Guardia Many who attended the conference reported on the Virginia Chesapeake Alan J. Baker remarkable richness of the Spirit they enjoyed. Bishop Virginia Richmond E. Bradley Wilson Leon Kouadio of the Dokui Ward, Cocody Stake, said, Washington DC North Peter S. Cooke “I know that we had the presence of a distinguished ser- Washington Everett Mark Bonham vant of our Savior among us.” Washington Federal Way Robert I. Eaton Church membership in Cote d’Ivoire has grown from Washington Kennewick Boyd S. Ware one family in 1984 to five stakes and one district today. Washington Seattle Yoon Hwan Choi In recent years the Ivorian Saints’ faithfulness has Washington Vancouver Derlin C Taylor been particularly manifest in their family history and Wisconsin Milwaukee Raymond A. Cutler temple work. Three of the five Cote d’Ivoire stakes are Zambia Lusaka Leif J. Erickson among the top 25 in the Church in the percentage of

76 Liahona © IRI CHURCH NEWS PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks to thousands gathered in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in February.

adults who submitted family names for temple ordi- Members have been taught that family history work nances during 2012. Of all the stakes in the Church, is an essential part of living the gospel. They work hard the Cocody Stake has the highest percentage of adults to have family names ready before they board the bus for who have, at one time or another, submitted names for the long ride to the Accra Ghana Temple—and typically temple work. take not just a few names, but many. The youth are doing their part too. The percentage of Elder Cook and Elder Clayton encouraged the Saints Ivorian young people doing indexing work is more than to move forward in four main areas: increasing their twice as high as the Church average, in spite of the fact faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, strengthening their that virtually none of them has personal access to a com- families, actively sharing the gospel with others, and puter and the Internet but must go to a stake family his- continuing their incredible family history and temple tory center to do the work. work efforts. ◼

July 2013 77 © IRI

Recent Passing of Frances J. Monson “ he first day I saw Frances, I knew I’d found the right Tone,” said President Thomas S. Monson in describing their courtship.1 That knowledge was confirmed over and over during Frances Beverly Johnson Monson’s lifetime of service with and support for her husband. Her mortal life ended on May 17, 2013, when Sister Monson, 85, passed away peacefully of causes incident to age. Although she never called attention to herself, Sister Monson often accompanied President Monson on visits to the elderly and to those with poor health. She was a source of strength to him when he was called as a bishop at a young age, and she served alongside him when he presided over the Canadian Mission from 1959 to 1962. Her sustaining service continued as her beloved “Tommy” was called as a and as he served in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in the First Presidency, President and Sister Monson following a session of the April and as President of the Church. 2010 general conference. “She dearly loved my father and recognized his talents and the gifts that he’d been given and took pleasure in sup- porting him and helping him magnify the talents that were what she would do, what she expected others to do. She his,” said Ann Monson Dibb, their daughter.2 exemplified what you should be as a Latter-day Saint, as a Born on October 27, 1927, Frances was the daughter of Christian.” 3 Franz E. Johnson and Hildur Booth Johnson. She married “I have never known Frances to complain once of Thomas S. Monson in the Salt Lake Temple on October my Church responsibilities,” President Monson said. He 7, 1948. She served in Relief Society and Primary callings, described her as “a woman of quiet and profoundly pow- was a gifted musician, had a great sense of humor, and erful faith.” 4 ◼ most of all loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, and NOTES great-grandmother. 1. Thomas S. Monson, “Abundantly Blessed,” Liahona and Ensign, Sister Dibb described her mother as “always one to May 2008, 111. 2. Ann M. Dibb, in “Frances J. Monson, Wife of President Thomas S. listen and to maybe just offer a few words of what she Monson, Passes Away” (May 17, 2013), mormonnewsroom.org. 3. Ann M. Dibb, in “Frances Monson: Through the Eyes of Daughter, would do if she were in that same situation. . . . Her con- Ann Monson Dibb” (Mormon Times video, May 12, 2013), ksl.com. stant example . . . became the greatest influence in my 4. Thomas S. Monson, quoted in Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Thomas S. Monson: In the Footsteps of the Master,” supplement to the Liahona, life. There was never a question as to what she believed, June 2008, 8.

78 Liahona AROUND THE CHURCH COMMENT CHURCH NEWS

It Helps Me Try Harder I love the Liahona! I feel so good when I read it. I like to take it to college with me and give it to my friends. The articles help me be a better person, do missionary work,

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CARIBBEAN AREA AND and choose the right. When I study Elder Neil L. Andersen (center) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles the magazine, I find that I try to be presides over the unveiling of a plaque that commemorates 30 years of better each day and try harder to the Church in Haiti. follow Jesus Christ.

Anastacia Naprasnikova, Ukraine

Haiti Celebrates 30 Years hygiene kits, and other relief items. In Spiritual and Temporal of the Church addition, thousands of member volun- Compass Three decades ago President Thomas S. teers donated over 1.3 million hours of The Liahona strengthens my tes- Monson—then a member of the Quorum service. timony. It is a compass—spiritual as of the Twelve Apostles—visited Haiti and The Church’s largest disaster relief well as temporal. Reading the words dedicated the land for the preaching of the effort in 2012 was to victims of Hurricane of the General Authorities helps me restored gospel. Sandy on the East Coast of the United come closer to Jesus Christ. And as Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum States. In addition to Sandy, the Church’s of the Twelve Apostles recently visited largest disaster responses in 2012 occurred a missionary, reading the testimonies Haiti to commemorate the anniversary. in Japan, the Philippines, other areas of the of many converted Saints comforts Elder Andersen presided over the unveil- United States, and Syria. me and helps me be an effective ing of a commemorative plaque that will worker in the Master’s vineyard. serve as a permanent reminder of the FamilyTree Available Elder Gomun, Benin Cotonou Mission beginnings of the Church in Haiti. The to General Public members who gathered for the unveiling FamilyTree, a long-awaited enhance- ceremony viewed a televised message ment to the Church’s FamilySearch.org Correction from President Monson that was recorded Internet site, went live to the general Page 27 of the February Liahona prior to the event. public in March 2013. It is accessible free indicates that Dima Ivanov lives in of charge at FamilySearch​.org. Vladivostok, Russia, but he actually Church Responds to Over FamilyTree is the successor to New lives in Ulan-Ude, Russia. 100 Disasters in 2012 FamilySearch, which up to now has been Every year, The Church of Jesus Christ accessible only with a Church member- of Latter-day Saints provides emergency ship login and password. assistance to people all over the world Now other visitors to FamilySearch.org affected by natural disasters, war, and “will be able to start building their family famine. During 2012 the Church provided tree entirely online, starting with them- victims of 104 disasters in 52 countries selves and then expanding to past gener- with hundreds of thousands of pounds of ations,” said Paul M. Nauta, FamilySearch food, water, clothing, medical supplies, marketing manager.

July 2013 79 UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

WALKING THE TRAIL OF HOPE—TOGETHER

By LaRene Porter Gaunt Church Magazines t was early spring in Nauvoo when I first In February 1846 Latter- also. We walked together amid the light and Iwalked the Trail of Hope. The light was day Saint pioneers were shadow, past and present merging on this golden and the shadows warm as I walked trail—this trail of hope, this trail of tears. In a driven from Nauvoo. the tree-lined path. As a photographer, I was way I can’t explain, they were with me and focused only on shutter speed, aperture, and Filled with hope that awakened in me our shared love of the gospel the amazing light that filled my lens. they would find peace of Jesus Christ. I realized that my testimony Then gradually the thoughts of my ances- in Zion, they walked burns in me because it had burned in them— tors who had walked this trail began to fill my down Parley Street— passed from generation to generation—each heart. First it was Jared and Cornelia with their laying the foundation for the next. I wept with now called the Trail of two-year-old son. I felt the chill in the air, but gratitude. that chill was nothing compared to the freez- Hope—and crossed the Soon my husband, who had been photo- ing conditions Jared and his little family had Mississippi River. graphing elsewhere, caught up with me. I experienced during their exodus. Cornelia died stood close to him as I told him of my expe- somewhere between Nauvoo and Salt Lake. I rience. He, like those Nauvoo Saints, was imagined Jared weeping as he picked up his the first in his family to believe the gospel. son and continued on. And he, like those who had walked this trail Afraid the feeling of their presence would more than 150 years before, would not be leave, I didn’t stop photographing as tears the last to believe. His testimony and mine blurred my view. Then I remembered young nurtured the testimonies that now burn in Sarah, who had left with her loving stepmother the hearts of our children, just as the testimo- in the last group of Saints to leave Nauvoo. At nies of Jared and Cornelia and Sarah nur- one point, a loving Heavenly Father filled their tured the testimonies of thousands of their camp with quail to feed them. Then they strug- descendants. gled forward with grateful hearts. Forgetting about our photography, my hus- My heart began to swell with emotion; it band and I slowly walked the rest of the Trail NOT BE COPIED BY JED B. THOMAS, MAY felt as though Sarah had joined me. Jared and of Hope together, quietly remembering those

Cornelia with their little son were with me who had gone before. ◼ OF FAITH, WALK

80 Liahona ILLUSTRATION BY ROBERT T. BARRETT BY ROBERT T. ILLUSTRATION JOSEPH F. SMITH Joseph F. Smith was seven years old when he drove his family’s team of oxen from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah. When he was 15, he served a mission in Hawaii. Later, as President of the Church, he dedicated the place where the Laie Hawaii Temple was built. Joseph believed people would perse- cute the Church less if they understood the Latter-day Saint faith. Some of his teachings that explained the Church’s beliefs were compiled in a book called Gospel Doctrine. hen our belief is confirmed upon our souls by the Spirit of WGod,” writes Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “faith becomes a causative force in our lives, driving every thought, word, and deed heavenward. We pray with trust for strength and guidance—just as [the pioneers] did. That’s what it means to walk with faith in every footstep. It was so for our pioneer ancestors, and it must be so for us today.” See “Pioneer Faith and Fortitude—Then and Now,” page 16.