THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • NOVEMBER 2006

General Conference Addresses Joseph Smith Jr., by Grant Romney Clawson, after William Rogers, who is believed to be the original artist President John Taylor (1808–87) wrote of the Prophet Joseph Smith: “The Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. . . . He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people” (D&C 135:3). NOVEMBER 2006 • VOLUME 36, NUMBER 11

2 Conference Summary for the 53 Spiritual Nutrients 102 Wherefore, Settle This in Your 176th Semiannual General President James E. Faust Hearts Conference 56 True to Our Priesthood Trust Elder Larry W. Gibbons President Thomas S. Monson 104 Prophets in the Land Again SATURDAY MORNING SESSION 59 Rise Up, O Men of God Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 4 We Bear Testimony to the World President Gordon B. Hinckley 107 Closing Remarks President Gordon B. Hinckley President Gordon B. Hinckley 6 He Heals the Heavy Laden SUNDAY MORNING SESSION Elder Dallin H. Oaks 62 How Firm a Foundation GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING 9 The Temple Is about Families President Thomas S. Monson 108 Eternally Encircled in His Love Elder Richard H. Winkel 69 The Plan of Salvation Bonnie D. Parkin 11 The First Generation Elder L. Tom Perry 111 Remembering the Lord’s Love Elder Paul B. Pieper 72 Three Towels and a 25-Cent Kathleen H. Hughes 13 Faith, Service, Constancy Newspaper 113 To Look, Reach, and Come Elder David S. Baxter Bishop Richard C. Edgley unto Christ 15 The Power of Patience 74 Behold Your Little Ones Anne C. Pingree Elder Robert C. Oaks Margaret S. Lifferth 115 In the Arms of His Love 17 O Be Wise 76 “The Great and Wonderful Love” President Gordon B. Hinckley Elder M. Russell Ballard Elder Anthony D. Perkins 64 General Authorities of The Church 20 Discipleship 79 The Gathering of Scattered Israel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President James E. Faust Elder Russell M. Nelson 119 Teachings for Our Time 82 The Faith to Move Mountains SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION President Gordon B. Hinckley 120 They Spoke to Us: Making 23 The Sustaining of Church Officers Conference Part of Our Lives President Thomas S. Monson SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 122 Aaronic Priesthood and Young 24 Holy Scriptures: The Power of God 85 A Defense and a Refuge Women Resource Guides unto Our Salvation President Boyd K. Packer 125 General Auxiliary Presidencies Elder Robert D. Hales 89 And Nothing Shall Offend Them 126 News of the Church 28 Sunday Will Come Elder David A. Bednar Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin 92 Receiving by the Spirit 31 Look toward Eternity! A. Roger Merrill Elaine S. Dalton 94 Moving Closer to Him 33 The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, Elder Craig A. Cardon and Sanctify Our Lives 97 Becoming Instruments Elder Shayne M. Bowen in the Hands of God 35 The Law of Tithing Elder Don R. Clarke Elder Daniel L. Johnson 99 That They Might 37 The Power of a Personal Testimony Know Thee Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Elder Keith R. 40 The Atonement Can Secure Your Edwards Peace and Happiness Elder Richard G. Scott

PRIESTHOOD SESSION 43 A Priesthood Quorum Elder Henry B. Eyring 46 Let Us Be Men Elder D. Todd Christofferson 49 The Great Plan of Happiness Elder Marcus B. Nash 51 He Trusts Us! Elder Stanley G. Ellis Hymns, no. 58; “We Thank Thee, O God, Conference Summary for the 176th for a Prophet,” Hymns, no. 19, arr. Wilberg, Semiannual General Conference unpublished. SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 23, 2006, SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30, 2006, by a Melchizedek Priesthood choir from GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING GENERAL SESSION Brigham City, Utah; N. Geoffrey Anderson, Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. director; Clay Christiansen, organist: “See, Conducting: Bonnie D. Parkin. Invocation: Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. the Mighty Angel Flying,” Hymns, no. 330; Julie Hales. Benediction: Denise I. Hales. Invocation: Elder Merrill J. Bateman. “Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah,” Hymns, Music by a Relief Society choir from stakes Benediction: Elder Richard J. Maynes. Music no. 83, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; “Rejoice, in Salt Lake City, Utah; Elizabeth Ballantyne, by the Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop and the Lord Is King!” Hymns, no. 66; “Lead, director; Bonnie Goodliffe, organist: “Sing Mack Wilberg, directors; Richard Elliott and Kindly Light,” Hymns, no. 97, arr. Wilberg, Praise to Him,” Hymns, no. 70, arr. Wilberg, John Longhurst, organists: “Arise, O God, unpublished. unpublished; “When I Feel His Love,” Perry, and Shine,” Hymns, no. 265; “We Ever Pray pub. Prime Recordings (solo: Melinda for Thee,” Hymns, no. 23, arr. Wilberg, SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 1, 2006, Lockwood); “Beautiful Savior,” Children’s unpublished; “Each Life That Touches Ours GENERAL SESSION Songbook, 62, arr. Wilberg, unpublished for Good,” Hymns, no. 293, arr. Cundick, Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. (flute: Jeannine Goeckeritz; English horn: pub. Jackman; “Redeemer of Israel,” Conducting: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Bonnie Schroeder); “O Holy Jesus,” Hymns, no. 6; “Love at Home,” Hymns, Invocation: Elder Carl B. Pratt. Benediction: Willcocks, pub. Sacred Music Press (harp: no. 294, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; “Israel, Elder W. Douglas Shumway. Music by the Tamara Oswald). Israel, God Is Calling,” Hymns, no. 7, arr. Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg, unpublished. Wilberg, directors; John Longhurst, organist: CONFERENCE RECORDINGS AVAILABLE “How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, no. 85; Recordings of conference sessions are avail- SATURDAY AFTERNOON, SEPTEMBER 30, “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire,” Hymns, able at www.lds.org. Generally within two 2006, GENERAL SESSION no. 145; “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” months following conference, recordings Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Children’s Songbook, 228; “Now Let Us are also available at distribution centers on Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. Rejoice,” Hymns, no. 3; “How Lovely Is Thy audiocassette, CD, and DVD. Recordings for Invocation: Elder Dale E. Miller. Benediction: Dwelling Place,” Brahms, edited Jessop; individuals who are deaf are available at Elder Gene R. Cook. Music by a combined “Come, Ye Thankful People,” Hymns, no. 94, www.lds.org/asl and generally within two choir from the Provo Missionary Training arr. Wilberg, unpublished. months following conference from distribu- Center; Douglas Brenchley, director; Linda tion centers (three DVDs with a signing Margetts, organist: “Faith in Every Footstep,” SUNDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 1, 2006, inset; item no. 01358 010—$7.00 per set). Dayley, arr. Nally, unpublished; “Jesus, Once GENERAL SESSION For more information, call 1-800-537-5971 of Humble Birth,” Hymns, no. 196, arr. Kasen, Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. or log on to www.ldscatalog.com. pub. Jackman; “High on the Mountain Top,” Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. Hymns, no. 5; “Hark, All Ye Nations!” Hymns, Invocation: Elder Jay E. Jensen. Benediction: CONFERENCE TALKS ON INTERNET no. 264, arr. Duffin, unpublished. Elder Donald L. Staheli. Music by the To access general conference talks on the Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop and Mack Internet in many languages, visit www.lds.org. SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 30, 2006, Wilberg, directors; Bonnie Goodliffe and Click on “Gospel Library” and “General PRIESTHOOD SESSION Linda Margetts, organists: “I Saw a Mighty Conference.” Then select a language. Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Angel Fly,” Hymns, no. 15, arr. Wilberg, Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. unpublished; “Jesus, the Very Thought of HOME AND VISITING TEACHING MESSAGES Invocation: Elder Clate W. Mask Jr. Thee,” Hymns, no. 141, arr. Wilberg, unpub- For home and visiting teaching messages, Benediction: Elder W. Craig Zwick. Music lished; “Come, Ye Children of the Lord,” please select an address that best meets the needs of those you visit.

ON THE COVER Christ with Boy, by Carl Heinrich Bloch.

CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHY Scenes of general conference in Salt Lake City were taken by Craig Dimond, Welden C. Andersen, John Luke, Matthew Reier, Christina Smith, Les Nilsson, Scott Davis, Amber Clawson, Rod Boam, Emily Leishman, Geoffrey McAllister, and Dustin Fife; in Bahamas by Bookie Joseph; in Brazil by Laureni Fochetto; in Cambodia by Trevor Wright; in Mexico by Cristian Barragan and Israel Gutiérrez; in Philippines by Danny Soleta and L. Carvel Whiting; in Russia by Vladimir Egorov; in Scotland by Mark Finch Hedengren; and in Tonga by Mele Nau.

2 NOVEMBER 2006 • VOLUME 36 NUMBER 11

AN OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS THE FIRST PRESIDENCY: Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust QUORUM OF THE TWELVE: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar EDITOR: Jay E. Jensen ADVISERS: Gary J. Coleman, Yoshihiko Kikuchi, Gerald N. Lund, W. Douglas Shumway MANAGING DIRECTOR: David L. Frischknecht EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Victor D. Cave SENIOR EDITOR: Larry Hiller GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Allan R. Loyborg MANAGING EDITOR: Don L. Searle ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR: LaRene Porter Gaunt SENIOR EDITORS: Linda Stahle Cooper, Michael R. Morris, SPEAKERS LISTED IN TOPIC INDEX Judith M. Paller Morality, 102 ASSISTANT EDITOR: Melissa Merrill ALPHABETICAL ORDER Adversity, 6, 13, 85, 99 Obedience, 11, 20, 40, 97 EDITORIAL STAFF: Susan Barrett, Ryan Carr, Ballard, M. Russell, 17 Agency, 89 Offense, 89 Monica L. Dickinson, Jenifer L. Greenwood, R. Val Johnson, Adam C. Olson, Marla Sowards Baxter, David S., 13 Apostasy, 79 Ordinances, 11, 94 SENIOR SECRETARY: Christy Banz Bednar, David A., 89 Atonement, 6, 33, 40, 99 Patience, 15, 89 PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANT: Sally J. Odekirk Bowen, Shayne M., 33 Blessings, 35 Peace, 40, 107, 111 MARKETING MANAGER: Larry Hiller Cardon, Craig A., 94 Book of Mormon, 24 Pioneers, 82, 104 MANAGING ART DIRECTOR: M. M. Kawasaki Christofferson, D. Todd, 46 Callings, 17 ART DIRECTOR: J. Scott Knudsen Plan of salvation, 49, 69 SENIOR DESIGNERS: C. Kimball Bott, Colleen Hinckley Clarke, Don R., 97 Charity, 15, 97, 113 Pornography, 6, 59 DESIGN AND PRODUCTION STAFF: Cali R. Arroyo, Collette Dalton, Elaine S., 31 Children, 74 Prayer, 62, 82 Nebeker Aune, Thomas S. Child, Eric P. Johnsen, Jane Ann Peters, Randall J. Pixton, Scott Van Kampen Edgley, Richard C., 72 Church growth, 4 Priesthood, 43, 51, 53, 56, Edwards, Keith R., 99 Commandments, 102 PRINTING DIRECTOR: Craig K. Sedgwick 59, 94 DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR: Randy Benson Ellis, Stanley G., 51 Compassion, 108 Prophets, 104 © 2006 BY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Eyring, Henry B., 43 Constancy, 13 Protection, 74 The Ensign (ISSN 0884-1136) is published monthly Faust, James E., 20, 53 Covenants, 51, 79 Purity, 31 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Death, 28 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Gibbons, Larry W., 102 Relief Society, 115 UT 84150-3220, USA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Hales, Robert D., 24 Discipleship, 20 Repentance, 31, 33, 40, Salt Lake City, Utah. Hinckley, Gordon B., 4, 59, Divine nature, 76 49, 113 TO SUBSCRIBE: By phone, call 1-800-537-5971 to order 82, 107, 115 Duty, 56 Responsibility, 46 using Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Holland, Jeffrey R., 104 Education, 59, 115 Express. Online, go to ldscatalog.com. By mail, send Restoration, 79 $10 U.S. check or money order to Distribution Services, Hughes, Kathleen H., 111 Endurance, 99 Resurrection, 28 P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368. Johnson, Daniel L., 35 Example, 11 Righteousness, 94 TO CHANGE ADDRESS: Send both old and new address Lifferth, Margaret S., 74 Faith, 13, 35, 53, 62, 82, 115 Sacrifice, 20, 82 information to Distribution Services at the above address. Merrill, A. Roger, 92 Family, 9, 85 Please allow 60 days for changes to take effect. Same-gender attraction, 6 Monson, Thomas S., 23, Forgiveness, 33, 76, 89 Scriptures, 24, 53, 62, 92, 111 SUBMIT MANUSCRIPTS OR ART TO: [email protected] (e-mail) or Ensign Editorial, 50 E. North Temple St., Rm. 56, 62 Gathering of Israel, 79 Self-reliance, 115 2420, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, USA. Unsolicited Nash, Marcus B., 49 General conference, 104, 107 Service, 13, 17, 43, 53, 56, 62 material is welcome, but no responsibility is assumed. Nelson, Russell M., 79 Happiness, 40, 49 Sisterhood, 108 For return, include self-addressed, stamped envelope. Oaks, Dallin H., 6 Healing, 6, 51, 53 Spirituality, 53 The Ensign can be found on the Internet at www.lds.org. Click on “Gospel Library.” Oaks, Robert C., 15 Holy Ghost, 37, 92, 97, 111 Standards, 85, 102 Packer, Boyd K., 85 Honesty, 72 Text and visual material in the Ensign may be copied for Temples, 4, 9, 31 incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual Parkin, Bonnie D., 108 Hope, 28, 76 Temptation, 49 material may not be copied if restrictions are indicated Perkins, Anthony D., 76 Individual worth, 76 Testimony, 37, 62, 104 in the credit line with the artwork. Copyright questions should be addressed to Intellectual Property Office, Perry, L. Tom, 69 Integrity, 46, 72 Tithing, 35 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3011; Pieper, Paul B., 11 Jesus Christ, 6, 15, 24, 28, Trust, 56 e-mail: [email protected]. Pingree, Anne C., 113 46, 69, 76, 113 Unity, 43 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Distribution Scott, Richard G., 40 Learning, 92 Wisdom, 17 Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT Love, 9, 74, 108, 115 84126-0368, USA. Uchtdorf, Dieter F., 37 Worthiness, 31, 51, 53, 56, 59 Winkel, Richard H., 9 Manhood, 46 CANADA POST INFORMATION: Publication Agreement #40017431 Wirthlin, Joseph B., 28 Missionary work, 4, 69

NOVEMBER 2006 3 SATURDAY MORNING SESSION September 30, 2006 We Bear Testimony to the World PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY

The Lord is richly blessing His Church, and our duty is to do all we can to move it forward.

and communicate with the Latter-day Saints throughout the world. Now, we could wish for more bap- tisms in the United States and Canada, but that could be said of everywhere throughout the world. Nevertheless, the harvest is great, with members in some 160 nations. Where not long ago there were very few Latter-day Saints, today there are strong wards and stakes, with faithful and capable men and women in leadership. Though there are limitations on our ability to travel where we might, there is compensation in the ability of the First Presidency, members of the Twelve, and the Seventy to speak by y brothers and sisters, as we satellite to large numbers of stakes gather in another general throughout the world. Mconference, I am pleased to Circumstances change, but our report that the Church continues to message does not change. We bear grow in strength and influence. In testimony to the world that the heav- 1982, some 24 years ago, I noted this ens have been opened, that God, our in my journal: “There will be in place Eternal Father, and His Son, the risen for the October general conference Lord, have appeared and spoken. We more than 300 downlinks in our satel- offer our solemn witness that the lite service. This means that we will priesthood has been restored with have more than 300 stake centers, the keys and authority of eternal where our people may gather across blessings. the nation and participate in the We recently dedicated the new Tabernacle is proceeding on schedule conference.” Sacramento California Temple, the and that this unique and wonderful I am now advised that there are 7th in that state and the 123rd in the facility will next spring again accom- 6,066 Church-owned satellite receiving world. We also broke ground for modate the Tabernacle Choir in its sites in 83 countries. How grateful I am another temple in the Salt Lake area. weekly broadcasts. that with our growth in numbers there We are pleased to announce that The Church is undertaking a huge is also an increased ability to reach out the renovation of the Salt Lake development project in the interest of

4 protecting the environment of Altogether, I can only report that and sisters. And as we proceed with Temple Square. While the costs will the Lord is richly blessing His Church, this great conference, may the Spirit be great, it will not involve the expen- and our duty is to do all we can to of the Lord dictate all that is done diture of tithing funds. move it forward. and said, and may our hearts and However, the faithfulness of our Now, brothers and sisters, after minds be filled to overflowing is my people continues to be demonstrated the singing of the choir, we shall prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, in the payment of tithes and offerings. hear the remarks of our brethren amen. ■

NOVEMBER 2006 5 In His early sermon in the syna- gogue, Jesus read aloud from this He Heals prophecy of Isaiah: “He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken- hearted, to preach deliverance to the the Heavy Laden captives, and recovering of sight to ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). As Jesus Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared that He was come to fulfill that prophecy, He expressly affirmed The healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ . . . is available that He would heal those with physi- for every affliction in mortality. cal ailments and He would also deliver the captive, liberate the bruised, and heal the brokenhearted. The Gospel of Luke contains many examples of that ministry. It tells of To each of us our Savior gives this the time when “great multitudes loving invitation: came together to hear [Jesus], and to “Come unto me, all ye that labour be healed by him of their infirmities” and are heavy laden, and I will give (Luke 5:15). On other occasions it you rest. records that Jesus “cured many of “Take my yoke upon you, and learn their infirmities” (Luke 7:21) and that of me; for I am meek and lowly in He “healed them that had need of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your healing” (Luke 9:11). It also describes souls. how a great multitude of people out “For my yoke is easy, and my bur- of Judea and Jerusalem and the sea- den is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). coast of Sidon came down to the The scriptures contain many plain “to hear him, and to be healed” accounts of the Savior’s healing the (Luke 6:17). heavy laden. He caused the blind to When the Savior appeared to the see; the deaf to hear; the palsied, righteous in the New World, He withered, or maimed to be restored; called for persons to come forward lepers to be cleansed; and unclean who were lame or blind or had other he Savior said, “Come unto me, spirits to be cast out. Often we read physical ailments. He extended the all ye that labour and are heavy that the person healed of these physi- same invitation to those “that are Tladen, and I will give you rest” cal ailments was “made whole” (see afflicted in any manner” (3 Nephi (Matthew 11:28). Matthew 14:36; 15:28; Mark 6:56; 17:7). “Bring them hither,” He said, Many carry heavy burdens. Some 10:52; Luke 17:19; John 5:9). “and I will heal them” (v. 7). The have lost a loved one to death or care Jesus healed many from physical Book of Mormon tells how the multi- for one who is disabled. Some have diseases, but He did not withhold tude brought forward “all them that been wounded by divorce. Others healing from those who sought to be were afflicted in any manner” (v. 9). yearn for an eternal marriage. Some “made whole” from other ailments. This must have included persons are caught in the grip of addictive Matthew writes that He healed every with every kind of physical or emo- substances or practices like alcohol, sickness and every disease among the tional or mental affliction, and the tobacco, drugs, or pornography. people (see Matthew 4:23; 9:35). scripture testifies that Jesus “did heal Others have crippling physical or Great multitudes followed Him, and them every one” (v. 9). mental impairments. Some are chal- He “healed them all” (Matthew The Savior teaches that we will have lenged by same-gender attraction. 12:15). Surely these healings included tribulation in the world, but we should Some have terrible feelings of depres- those whose sicknesses were emo- “be of good cheer” because He has sion or inadequacy. In one way or tional, mental, or spiritual. He healed “overcome the world” (John 16:33). another, many are heavy laden. them all. His Atonement reaches and is

6 powerful enough not only to pay the The depths of my sad heart are authority are limited by the will price for sin but also to heal every troubled. of Him whose priesthood it is. mortal affliction. The Book of Mormon Oh, waken and save, I pray! Consequently, we are told that some teaches that “He shall go forth, suffer- Torrents of sin and of anguish whom the elders bless are not healed ing pains and afflictions and tempta- Sweep o’er my sinking soul, because they are “appointed unto tions of every kind; and this that the And I perish! I perish! dear Master. death” (D&C 42:48). Similarly, when word might be fulfilled which saith he Oh, hasten and take control! the Apostle Paul sought to be healed will take upon him the pains and the (Hymns, no. 105) from the “thorn in the flesh” that buf- sicknesses of his people” (Alma 7:11; feted him (2 Corinthians 12:7), the see also 2 Nephi 9:21). We can be healed through the Lord declined to heal him. Paul later He knows of our anguish, and He is authority of the Melchizedek wrote that the Lord explained, “My there for us. Like the good Samaritan Priesthood. Jesus gave His Apostles grace is sufficient for thee: for my in His parable, when He finds us power “to heal all manner of sickness strength is made perfect in weakness” wounded at the wayside, He binds up and all manner of disease” (Matthew (v. 9). Paul obediently responded that our wounds and cares for us (see Luke 10:1; see also Mark 3:15; Luke 9:1–2), he would “rather glory in my infirmi- 10:34). Brothers and sisters, the heal- and they went forth “preaching the ties, that the power of Christ may rest ing power of His Atonement is for gospel, and healing every where” upon me . . . for when I am weak, you, for us, for all. (Luke 9:6; see also Mark 6:13; Acts then am I strong” (vv. 9–10). His all-encompassing healing 5:16). The Seventy were also sent Healing blessings come in many power is sought in the prayerful forth with power and direction to heal ways, each suited to our individual words of our hymn “Master, the the sick (see Luke 10:9; Acts 8:6–7). needs, as known to Him who loves us Tempest Is Raging”: Although the Savior could heal all best. Sometimes a “healing” cures our whom He would heal, this is not true illness or lifts our burden. But some- Master, with anguish of spirit of those who hold His priesthood times we are “healed” by being given I bow in my grief today. authority. Mortal exercises of that strength or understanding or patience

NOVEMBER 2006 7 to bear the burdens placed upon us. Atonement and what He taught me The people who followed Alma about forgiveness, [my husband] were in bondage to wicked oppres- finally is free—and so am I.” As one sors. When they prayed for relief, the who needed no cleansing from sin, Lord told them He would deliver them but only sought a loved one’s deliver- eventually, but in the meantime He ance from captivity, she wrote this would ease their burdens “that even advice: you cannot feel them upon your “Commune with the Lord. . . . He backs, even while you are in bondage; is your best friend! He knows your and this will I do that ye may stand as pain because He has felt it for you witnesses . . . that I, the Lord God, do already. He is ready to carry that bur- visit my people in their afflictions” den. Trust Him enough to place it at (Mosiah 24:14). In that case the people His feet and allow Him to carry it for did not have their burdens removed, you. Then you can have your anguish but the Lord strengthened them so replaced with His peace, in the very that “they could bear up their burdens depths of your soul” (letter dated with ease, and they did submit cheer- Apr. 18, 2005). fully and with patience to all the will of A man wrote a General Authority the Lord” (v. 15). about how the power of the Atone- This same promise and effect ment helped him with his problem of applies to you mothers who are wid- “There are several lessons I’ve same-gender attraction. He had been owed or divorced, to you singles who gleaned from my experience coming excommunicated for serious trans- are lonely, to you caregivers who are out of the darkness of a sin that so gressions that violated his temple burdened, to you persons who are thoroughly dominates the lives of the covenants and his responsibilities addicted, and to all of us whatever people it ensnares: (1) This is a major to his children. He had to choose our burden. “Come unto Christ,” the problem that is unbelievably difficult to whether to attempt to live the gospel prophet says, “and be perfected in overcome. . . . (2) The most important or whether to continue a course con- him” (Moroni 10:32). source of support and strength in the trary to its teachings. At times we may despair that our repentance process is the Savior. . . . “I knew it would be difficult,” he burdens are too great. When it seems (3) Intense, daily scripture study, regu- wrote, “but I didn’t realize what I that a tempest is raging in our lives, lar temple worship, and serious, would have to go through.” His letter we may feel abandoned and cry out contemplative participation in the describes the emptiness and loneli- like the disciples in the storm, “Master, ordinance of the sacrament are all ness and the incredible pain he expe- carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark indispensable parts of a true repen- rienced from deep within his soul as 4:38). At such times we should tance process. This, I assume, is he sought to return. He prayed might- remember His reply: “Why are ye because all of these activities serve to ily for forgiveness, sometimes for so fearful? how is it that ye have no deepen and strengthen one’s relation- hours at a time. He was sustained by faith?” (v. 40). ship with the Savior, one’s understand- reading the scriptures, by the compan- The healing power of the Lord ing of His atoning sacrifice, and one’s ionship of a loving bishop, and by Jesus Christ—whether it removes our faith in His healing power” (letter priesthood blessings. But what finally burdens or strengthens us to endure dated Oct. 24, 2005). made the difference was the help of and live with them like the Apostle “Come unto me,” the Savior said, the Savior. He explained: Paul—is available for every affliction “and ye shall find rest unto your “It [was] only through Him and in mortality. souls” (Matthew 11:28–29). That His Atonement. . . . I now feel an After I gave a general conference heavy-laden man turned to the Savior, overwhelming gratitude. My pains talk on the evils of pornography (see and so can each of us. have been almost more than I could “Pornography,” Liahona and Ensign, A woman whose marriage was bear at times, and yet they were so May 2005, 87–90), I received many threatened by her husband’s addic- small compared to what He suffered. letters from persons burdened with tion to pornography wrote how she Where there once was darkness in my this addiction. Some of these letters stood beside him for five pain-filled life, there is now love and gratitude.” were from men who had overcome years until, as she said, “through the He continues: “Some profess that pornography. One man wrote: gift of our precious Savior’s glorious change is possible and therapy is the

8 only answer. They are very learned on the subject and have so much to offer those who struggle... , but I worry The Temple that they forget to involve Heavenly Father in the process. If change is to happen, it will happen according to the will of God. I also worry that Is about Families many people focus on the causes of ELDER RICHARD H. WINKEL [same-gender attraction]. . . . There is no need to determine why I have Of the Seventy [this challenge]. I don’t know if I was born with it, or if environmental fac- When you come to the temple you will love your family tors contributed to it. The fact of the with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. matter is that I have this struggle in my life and what I do with it from this point forward is what matters” (letter dated Mar. 25, 2006). The persons who wrote these let- families in today’s troubled world. ters know that the Atonement of Jesus When you come to the temple you Christ and the healing it offers do will love your family with a deeper much more than provide the opportu- love than you have ever felt before. nity for repentance from sins. The The temple is about families. As my Atonement also gives us the strength wife, Karen, and I have increased our to endure “pains and afflictions and temple service, our love for each temptations of every kind,” because other and for our children has our Savior also took upon Him “the increased. And it doesn’t stop there. pains and the sicknesses of his peo- It extends to parents, brothers and ple” (Alma 7:11). Brothers and sisters, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, fore- if your faith and prayers and the bears, and especially our grandchil- power of the priesthood do not heal dren! This is the Spirit of Elijah, which you from an affliction, the power of is the spirit of family history work; the Atonement will surely give you the and when inspired by the Holy Ghost, strength to bear the burden. it prompts the turning of the hearts of “Come unto me, all ye that labour the fathers to the children and the and are heavy laden,” the Savior said, s President Hinckley just men- hearts of the children to the fathers. “and I will give you rest . . . unto your tioned, the 123rd temple of Because of the priesthood, husbands souls” (Matthew 11:28–29). A The Church of Jesus Christ and wives are sealed together, chil- As we struggle with the challenges of Latter-day Saints was recently dren are sealed to their parents for of mortality, I pray for each of us, as dedicated by President Hinckley in eternity so the family is eternal and the prophet Mormon prayed for his Sacramento, California. This beautiful will not be separated at death. son, Moroni: “May Christ lift thee up, temple serves more than 80,000 won- When my wife and I were young and may his sufferings and death, . . . derful and excited members of the parents with little children at home, we and his mercy and long-suffering, Church in Sacramento and surround- challenged our children to memorize and the hope of his glory and of eter- ing areas. Over 168,000 visitors the Articles of Faith. The prize, or nal life, rest in your mind forever” toured the temple during the open reward, for completing them was a (Moroni 9:25). house. They were told that members night out with Dad. We were pleased I testify of Jesus Christ, our Savior, can draw closer to the Savior Jesus that our three oldest completed the who invites us all to come unto Him Christ in these magnificent edifices challenge. When our seven-year-old and be perfected in Him. He will bind than anywhere else in the world. Our son first memorized all 13 Articles up our wounds and He will heal the members know that through Him of Faith, we sat down to pick out a heavy laden. In the name of Jesus they can find the peace and hope night and activity that we could do Christ, amen. ■ that will sustain them and their together. I was so busy with work,

NOVEMBER 2006 9 forever with all of my family. The temple gives all of us extra hope of continuing and improving these rela- tionships, even after this life. Sealings bestowed in the temple promise additional blessings. “The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tenta- cles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain.”1 Isn’t this statement encouraging news for parents whose children are sealed to them? Let’s look at a few other blessings the temple brings. The house of the Lord is a refuge from the world. The Sacramento members shared the fol- social activities, and Church responsi- “It’s not time yet.” lowing comment with their open bilities that I couldn’t give my son a An hour later the same thing hap- house guests: “Sometimes our minds night out for about two weeks. He was pened. “Dad, Dad, is it time to go?” are so beset with problems, and there sorely disappointed. However, I found After sending him to bed for a second are so many things clamoring for that in the city where we lived there time, I couldn’t help but feel his [our] attention at once that we just was an all-night bowling alley. We excitement. cannot think clearly. At the temple the immediately picked a date and chose Then at 4:00 a.m. we got up, had dust of distraction seems to settle out, to start our activity at 5:00 in the morn- something to eat, and left for the bowl- the fog and the haze seem to lift, and ing. Our plan was to get up at 4:00, ing alley. We had a wonderful time. we can ‘see’ things that we were not have breakfast, and then go downtown. I wish I could say I had regular able to see before.”2 When that day arrived, I felt some- and memorable activities like that The celestial room in the temple is one shaking my shoulder very early in with all my children, but I can’t. I’m especially a place of peace, tranquillity, the morning. As I tried to open my one of those parents who ofttimes and beauty. It is a quiet haven where eyes I heard my son say, “Is it time, wishes he could go back and do one can reflect, ponder, pray, meditate, Dad?” I looked at my alarm clock; it some things over. and feel the love of Heavenly Father and was only 2:00 a.m.! Like you, I don’t want to lose any the Savior. As we ponder and meditate “Go to sleep, Son,” I said. of my children. I want to be together in the temple, our thoughts naturally

10 focus on members of our family. In 2 Samuel 22:7 we read the words of David: “In my distress I The First called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.” The temple is a place of per- Generation sonal revelation that will bless us in ELDER PAUL B. PIEPER our stewardships. President Hinckley has told us that Of the Seventy “just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and By being the first in your family to accept the gospel, you in so doing became our Savior, even become the first generation, a chosen generation through so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, which generations past, present, and future may be blessed. become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth.”3 generation members of The Church This is such meaningful service we of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. give because our departed brothers You are those who are the first in and sisters literally become more your family to hear and embrace the connected to us. message that the gospel of Jesus The temple is a place to know Christ has been restored to the earth the Father and the Son. It is a place in our day with living prophets, seers, where we experience the divine and revelators. You humbled your- presence. The Prophet Joseph Smith selves, exercised faith, and repented made this plea: “I advise all to . . . of all your sins, taking upon you the search deeper and deeper into the name of Jesus Christ through baptism mysteries of Godliness.”4 And where by immersion, and received the Holy shall we search? In the house of God. Ghost.1 By being the first in your fam- Let’s become a temple-attending ily to accept the gospel, you become and temple-loving people. I bear testi- the first generation, a chosen genera- mony that the temple is about families. tion through which generations past, I also testify that everything in the tem- present, and future may be blessed.2 ple testifies of Jesus Christ. His exam- everal days ago, we were dis- Being a first-generation member of ple of love and service is felt there. The cussing talks during a family the Church is not always easy. You will temple is His holy house. I know that Smeal. Clarissa, our 13-year-old walk where no one in your family has He is the Son of God, our Savior, our daughter, was preparing a sacrament walked before. Conditions around Redeemer, our Mediator, and our meeting talk for our branch in Moscow you may be challenging. You may Advocate with the Father. He loves us and felt some anxiety. I reassured her have few, or no, friends or relatives to and wants our families to be happy that all would be well and released a understand and support you. At times and to be together forever. He wants little anxiety of my own by saying you may become discouraged, won- all of us to be active in His temple. that at least she didn’t have to speak dering if it is all worth it. My purpose In the name of Jesus Christ, in front of thousands of people in this morning is to assure you that it is. amen. ■ general conference. Clarissa gave me First-generation members occupy a NOTES some advice of her own: “It will be OK, special and important place in the 1. Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110. Dad. Just pretend it’s a big branch.” Church and their families. Did you 2. Boyd K. Packer, “The Holy Temple,” Tambuli, Brothers and sisters, you are indeed know that first-generation members June 1992, 23; Ensign, Feb. 1995, 36. a very large branch. constitute more than half of the mem- 3. Discourses of President Gordon B. Hinckley, 3 Volume 2: 2000–2004 (2005), 265. I have chosen to address my bership of the Church? Perhaps not 4. History of the Church, 6:363. remarks this morning to first- since the early days of the Church has

NOVEMBER 2006 11 As the first generation, you are also the key to opening the Lord’s blessings to family members who died without hearing the gospel and receiving sav- ing ordinances. Yours is the unique opportunity and privilege to begin this work on their behalf. They are anxious for you to identify them and will help you in your search for their records. Once they are identified, your worthy life will permit you to attend the tem- ple and perform essential ordinances for them. These ordinances will bind you to your ancestors and bring great spiritual power into your life. Because you are a first-generation member, each choice you make is important. Seemingly small, insignifi- cant decisions will impact past and future generations, as well as your own life. One young first-generation mem- ber, Chris, was offered a drink of alco- hol at work the day after his baptism. His friends were all there and were drinking. There was considerable pres- sure. No one else knew that the day before, he had been baptized and made promises to the Lord. He made the decision not to drink and was A family arrives at a meetinghouse in the Philippines. treated poorly. Reflecting on that event later, he wrote: “It is now forty years the first generation constituted such a More importantly, as a first- since I made those [baptismal] prom- large percentage of total Church mem- generation member, you occupy an ises and I can truthfully say that I have bership as it does today. Your faith and important place in your family. You are . . . kept the Word of Wisdom. . . . I testimonies are a great strength and an example to your family of a true dis- believe if I had accepted [that] drink blessing to others. Through you, we ciple of Jesus Christ. Whether they are that I would, perhaps, never have been gain a deeper understanding of gospel members of the Church or not, as you able to keep the Word of Wisdom.”4 principles and our testimonies are live the gospel at home, those around But Chris kept his baptismal prom- strengthened. you will feel the Savior’s love through ises. Later he met and married a faith- You add great strength to the you. They know that you are engaged ful member. Together they raised Church when you use your testimony, in something good, even if they do not eight children in the gospel. Now in talents, abilities, and energy to build understand it or have enough faith to the sixth generation, his faithful the kingdom in your wards and accept it. Be patient and kind, pray descendants number in the hun- branches. You are great examples of each day to know how you can serve dreds. Dozens have served missions sharing the gospel, serving missions, them, and the Lord will help you and and introduced the gospel to others. sending children on missions, and bless you to influence your family for His efforts in family history opened welcoming new members. You reach good. By being consistently good and the blessings of the gospel to hun- out in kindness to those around you, upright, you will establish patterns of dreds more. One small decision by a lifting and blessing them through faithfulness and righteousness. Those first-generation member made a dif- inspired service. So much of what is patterns will shape your life, but more ference for thousands. done in the Church today could not importantly, they will become a stan- Can you see now why the first be done without your efforts. dard for your family and posterity. generation is so important? Can you

12 understand the position you occupy and the influence you can have for good? Please never underestimate Faith, Service, who you are and the power that you have to affect others. Satan understands who you are and will do all possible to entice you to make Constancy wrong choices. At times, despite our ELDER DAVID S. BAXTER best efforts, we all make mistakes. Fortunately, Heavenly Father has pre- Of the Seventy pared a way for us to overcome them through repentance and reliance on As we cultivate our faith, grow through service, and stay the Atonement of His Son. Do not constant and true come what may, so we feel the Savior’s love. be discouraged if you make a mis- take. Repenting and continuing to press forward are perhaps the most important patterns to develop in the first generation. Be patient and move of our lives, bringing a deep, abiding, forward in obedience. calming sense of purpose and direc- In the Church we read and speak tion. In the hope that it may prove much about pioneers in early Church helpful to those new to Church mem- history. They were first-generation bership, I will share today just three members just like you. They lived gospel fundamentals learned along each day meeting the challenges of the way. family, work, and faith. They lived First is the motivating, transform- good, ordinary lives and were faithful, ing power of faith in Jesus Christ. serving in the Church and blessing Such faith is like spiritual oxygen. As their families. When they fell down, we allow faith to freely flow within they got back up and moved on. Now, us, it awakens and enlivens our spiri- those of us who are their descendants tual senses. It breathes life into our look back with reverence and grati- very souls. tude for their faithfulness. As faith flows, we become sensi- Their legacy can be yours as fellow tively attuned to the whisperings of members of the first generation. Be the Spirit. Our minds are enlightened, faithful, serve your fellowman, bless hirty-nine years ago two of our spiritual pulse quickens, our your family, and make proper choices. the Lord’s missionaries hearts are touched. You are the first generation, a chosen T knocked on my family’s door Faith fuels hope. Our perspective generation to bless past, present, and in Glasgow, Scotland. We were deeply changes; our vision becomes clearer. future generations. We honor you. touched by their brightness, their We begin to look for the best, not the Past and future generations will honor humility, and their faith. Whenever worst, in life and in others. We gain a you. But most importantly, God will they were in our home, we felt love deeper sense of life’s purpose and honor you for being faithful in the and peace. It was a feeling of sheer meaning. Despair gives way to joy. first generation. In the name of Jesus goodness. Faith such as this is a heavenly gift, Christ, amen. ■ Their teaching was personal, but it can be sought and cultivated. As

NOTES sincere, familiar. We simply felt that it our Bible Dictionary suggests, often 1. See Articles of Faith 1:4; D&C 20:37. was true. A few weeks later we were “faith is kindled by hearing the testi- 2. See 1 Peter 2:9. baptized and confirmed and were mony of those who have faith.”1 Faith 3. According to the Church’s Member and Statistical Records Division, first-generation immediately embraced with friend- is then nurtured as we allow ourselves members made up 64 percent of total ship and kindness from members and to believe. Like all other virtues, faith Church membership as of July 2006. leaders in our new Church family. is strengthened as we practice it, as we 4. History of Heinrich Friedrich Christian Pieper and Emma Frieda Alber and Their So began a gospel journey which live and act as if our faith were already Family (1987), 29. has enriched and blessed every aspect deep. Faith is the product of righteous

NOVEMBER 2006 13 desire, belief, and obedience. the problems of those around us steadfast, constant, and true. The Thus the Book of Mormon exam- rather than worrying about our own, real tragedy in the whirlwinds of life ple of the father of King Lamoni, who living to lift burdens even when we comes only when we allow them to heard the testimony of Aaron and was ourselves feel weighed down, putting blow us off our true course. willing to believe and to act so that he our shoulder to the wheel instead of At these moments of crisis and was led to say in humble prayer, “If complaining that the wagons of life challenge, some choose to abandon there is a God, and if thou art God, seem to be passing us by. faith just at the time when it most wilt thou make thyself known unto Stretching our souls in service needs to be embraced. Prayer is me, and I will give away all my sins to helps us to rise above our cares, con- ignored at the very hour when it know thee.”2 cerns, and challenges. As we focus needs to be intensified. Virtue is care- So it can be for us as we allow our- our energies on lifting the burdens of lessly tossed aside when it needs to selves to be touched by the spirit of others, something miraculous hap- be cherished. God is forsaken in the testimony, as we exercise belief, as we pens. Our own burdens diminish. We all-too-human yet mistaken fear that desire, ponder, seek—as we cultivate become happier. There is more sub- He has forsaken us. our faith. stance to our lives. The truth is that our only safety, our Second, as we serve we grow. Third, discipleship does not guar- only security, our only hope is to hold President George Albert Smith taught, antee freedom from the storms of life. fast to that which is good. As the mists “It is not what we receive that enriches Even as we are wending our way care- of darkness gather around us, we are our lives, it is what we give.”3 fully and faithfully along the strait and only lost if we choose to let go of the Selfless service is a wonderful narrow path, we encounter obstacle iron rod, which is the word of God. antidote to the ills that flow from and challenge. There are days, per- The Savior’s parable of the wise the worldwide epidemic of self- haps even months and years, when man who built his house upon a rock indulgence. Some grow bitter or life is just hard. We experience our fair has power precisely because it illus- anxious when it seems that not share of adversity, heartache, loneli- trates that life’s challenges befell the enough attention is being paid to ness, pain, grief—sometimes, it wise man too. The rains fell, the winds them, when their lives would be seems, more than our fair share. blew, the floods rose up. Yet he sur- so enriched if only they paid more What to do when adversity strikes? vived it all because he had built upon attention to the needs of others. There is only one thing to do. Stand a sure foundation and, crucially, he The answer lies in helping to solve steady and see it through. Stay stayed there when the storm came.

14 In his description of a pilgrim’s, or disciple’s, progress, John Bunyan wrote: The Power Who would true valour see, Let him come hither! One here will constant be, of Patience Come wind, come weather; ELDER ROBERT C. OAKS There’s no discouragement Shall make him once relent Of the Presidency of the Seventy His first avowed intent To be a pilgrim.4 Patience may well be thought of as a gateway virtue, contributing to the growth and strength of its fellow virtues The Apostle Paul urged the Colossians to “continue in the faith of forgiveness, tolerance, and faith. grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard.”5 To the people of Corinth came this aspect of this quality, as is charity powerful testimony: “beareth all things.” And finally, charity “We are troubled on every side, yet “endureth all things” is certainly an not distressed; we are perplexed, but expression of patience (Moroni 7:45). not in despair; From these defining elements it is evi- “Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast dent that without patience gracing our down, but not destroyed.”6 soul, we would be seriously lacking What made such a perspective pos- with respect to a Christlike character. sible? Paul gave the reason: “For God, In the Bible Job offers the classic who commanded the light to shine portrait of patience. In the face of los- out of darkness, hath shined in our ing his vast empire, including his chil- hearts, to give the light of the knowl- dren, Job was able, because of his edge of the glory of God in the face of unfailing faith, to proclaim, “The Lord Jesus Christ.”7 gave, and the Lord hath taken away; It is my witness that as we cultivate blessed be the name of the Lord.” our faith, grow through service, and Through all of his tribulation and stay constant and true come what pain, “Job sinned not, nor charged may, so we feel the Savior’s love. We ow thankful I am for latter-day God foolishly” (Job 1:21–22). place ourselves in the position where scriptures regarding core How often do we hear oppressed we can access the breadth and depth HChristian virtues. souls ask foolishly, “How could God of the blessings of the Atonement. The Book of Mormon provides do this to me?” when really they Our membership is transformed into insight into the relationship between should be praying for strength to discipleship. We are strengthened, patience and charity. Mormon, after “beareth” and “endureth all things.” cleansed, refreshed, spiritually and pointing out that if a man “have not The greatest scriptural examples emotionally healed. charity he is nothing; wherefore he of patience are found in the life of Of this I testify in the name of must needs have charity,” goes on to Jesus Christ. His long-suffering and Jesus Christ, amen. ■ name the 13 elements of charity, or endurance are best demonstrated on the pure love of Christ. I find it most that excruciating night in Gethsemane NOTES interesting that 4 of the 13 elements as He uttered, in His atoning agony, 1. Bible Dictionary, “Faith,” 669. 2. Alma 22:18. of this must-have virtue relate to “O my Father, if it be possible, let this 3. In Conference Report, Apr. 1935, 46. patience (see Moroni 7:44–45). cup pass from me: nevertheless not 4. The Pilgrim’s Progress (1997), 295. First, “charity suffereth long.” That as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 5. Colossians 1:23. 6. 2 Corinthians 4:8–9. is what patience is all about. Charity 26:39). He truly suffered and bore and 7. 2 Corinthians 4:6. “is not easily provoked” is another endured all things.

NOVEMBER 2006 15 harsh words uttered in response to slow-moving customer lines, never- ending telephone solicitation calls, or children reluctant to respond to our instructions. Do any of these sound familiar? Fortunately, there are seldom- reported but marvelous-to-consider stories of great patience. Recently I attended the funeral of a lifelong friend. His son told a beautiful story of parental patience. When the son was in his youth, his dad owned a motorcy- cle dealership. One day they received a shipment of shiny new motorcycles, and they lined them all up in the store. The boy did what every boy would like to do, and he climbed up on the clos- est one. He even started it up. Then, when he figured he had pushed his luck far enough, he jumped off. To his dismay, his dismount knocked the first bike down. Then, like a string of domi- noes, they all went down, one after another. His dad heard the commotion and looked out from behind the parti- tion where he was working. Slowly, smiling, he said, “Well, son, we had While nailed to the cross on the enticings of the Holy Ghost better fix one up and sell it, so we can Calvary, Christ continued in His through our patience, plus other pay for the rest of them.” perfect example of patience as He virtues (see Mosiah 3:19). I think my friend’s response per- uttered the singular words, “Father, Joseph Smith stated, “Patience is sonifies parental patience. forgive them; for they know not what heavenly” (History of the Church, Patience may well be thought of as they do” (Luke 23:34). 6:427). a gateway virtue, contributing to the These examples of patience have Is patience important and worthy growth and strength of its fellow greater meaning for us when we of our pondering and pursuit? It virtues of forgiveness, tolerance, and consider the admonition found in certainly is if we would avoid the faith. When Peter asked Christ how 3 Nephi: “Therefore, what manner of demeaning classification of “nothing” many times he should forgive his men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto used to label those without charity. It brother, Christ replied, “Seventy times you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). is if we desire to be less a natural-man seven,” rather than the mere seven Several scriptures highlight the enemy of God. It is if we would be times that Peter had offered (see importance of patience. Let me men- heavenly. It is if we would seek to Matthew 18:21–22). To forgive sev- tion a few: become after the manner of Christ. enty times seven certainly takes a “Let every man be swift to hear, slow The impatient, natural man is all large measure of patience. to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). about us. We see it manifest in news Elder Neal A. Maxwell linked “Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit reports of parents, in a fit of rage, abus- patience and faith together when he to chasten his people; yea, he trieth ing a child, even unto death. On our taught: “Patience is tied very closely their patience and their faith” highways, incidents of mobile impa- to faith in our Heavenly Father. (Mosiah 23:21). tience, or road rage, result in violent Actually, when we are unduly impa- In Mosiah, King Benjamin accidents and sometimes fatalities. tient, we are suggesting that we know instructs us that we will be a natural- On a less dramatic but much more what is best—better than does God. man enemy of God until we yield to common level are flared tempers and Or, at least, we are asserting that our

16 timetable is better than His” (“Patience,” Ensign, Oct. 1980, 28). We can grow in faith only if we are O Be Wise willing to wait patiently for God’s pur- poses and patterns to unfold in our ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD lives, on His timetable. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Since impatience is so natural, how do we develop the divine virtue of patience? How do we move our May we focus on the simple ways we can serve in the behavior from that of the natural kingdom of God, always striving to change lives, including man to that of our patient, perfect our own. example, Jesus Christ? First, we must understand that to do so is necessary, if we desire to fully enjoy the blessings of the restored Christ and “deny . . . the power of gospel. Such an understanding might God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, motivate us to: . . . and make a mock of the great plan 1. Read each of the scriptures in of redemption” (Jacob 6:8). the Topical Guide listed under the And then, just before he bids topic “patience” and then ponder farewell, he speaks eight simple Christ’s patient examples. words that are the basic text of my 2. Evaluate ourselves to determine message this morning. Jacob’s plea where we stand on the patience con- was “O be wise; what can I say more?” tinuum. How much more patience do (Jacob 6:12). we need to become more Christlike? Those of you who are parents and This self-assessment is difficult. We grandparents have a sense of what might ask our spouse or another fam- Jacob must have been feeling at the ily member to help us. time. He loved his people, partly 3. Become sensitive to the exam- because they were also his family. He ples of patience and of impatience had taught them as clearly as he could that occur around us every day. We and with all the energy of his soul. He should strive to emulate those indi- rothers and sisters, while I was warned them in no uncertain terms viduals we consider to be patient. studying the Book of Mormon what would happen if they chose not 4. Recommit each day to become Brecently, one of the teachings to “enter in at the strait gate, and con- more patient, and be certain to keep of the prophet Jacob caught my atten- tinue in the way which is narrow” our selected family member involved tion. As you remember, Jacob was (Jacob 6:11). He couldn’t think of in our patience project. one of Father Lehi’s two sons born anything else to say to warn, to urge, This sounds like a great deal of in the wilderness after the family left to inspire, to motivate. And so he, work, but to achieve any worthwhile Jerusalem. He was an eyewitness to simply and profoundly, said, “O be goal requires hard work. And overcom- miracles, and he also watched as his wise; what can I say more?” ing the natural man and working to family was torn apart by disobedience I have met with members of the become more Christlike in our and rebellion. Jacob knew and loved Church in many nations of the world. patience is a most appropriate objec- Laman and Lemuel as he knew and I’m impressed with the spirit and tive. I pray that we will pursue this loved Nephi, and the dissension energy of so many of our members. path with diligence and dedication. between them was intimate and per- Hearts are being touched and lives I testify that Jesus is the Christ and sonal. As far as Jacob was concerned, are being blessed. The work is mov- that He stands at the head of this it wasn’t about ideology, philosophy, ing forward in dynamic ways, and for Church, guiding us through a living or even theology. It was about family. that I am profoundly grateful. But I prophet and blessing our every effort The tender anguish of Jacob’s soul see many ways that Church members to become more Christlike. And I so is evident as he expresses grave con- must be so very wise in all that we do. testify in the holy name of Jesus cern that his people will “reject the The Lord in His infinite wisdom Christ, amen. ■ words of the prophets” concerning has designed His Church to operate

NOVEMBER 2006 17 Members of the First Presidency await the beginning of a conference session: President Gordon B. Hinckley (center); President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor (right); and President James E. Faust, Second Counselor (left).

with a lay ministry. That means we Church service, eternal family relation- truly serve people. The primary pur- have been charged to watch over one ships can deteriorate. Employment pose of Church leadership meetings another and to serve one another. We performance can suffer. This is not should be to discuss how to minister are to love one another as our Father healthy, spiritually or otherwise. While to people. Most routine information in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ there may be times when our Church and coordination can now be handled love us. Our callings and circum- callings require more intense effort through phone calls, e-mails, or regu- stances change from time to time, and unusual focus, we need to strive lar mail so that agendas for council providing us with different and to keep things in proper balance. meetings and presidency meetings unique opportunities to serve and We should never allow our service can focus on needs of the people. to grow. Most of the leaders and to replace the attention needed by Our goal should always be to use teachers in the Church are anxiously other important priorities in our lives. the programs of the Church as a engaged in fulfilling their responsibili- Remember King Benjamin’s counsel: means to lift, encourage, assist, teach, ties. Some are less effective than “And see that all these things are done love, and perfect people. “Remember others—it is true; but almost always in wisdom and order; for it is not req- the worth of souls is great in the sight there is sincere effort to provide uisite that a man should run faster of God” (D&C 18:10). Programs are meaningful gospel service. than he has strength” (Mosiah 4:27). tools. Their management and staffing Occasionally we find some who May I suggest six ways in which we must not take priority over the needs become so energetic in their Church can serve both wisely and well? of the people they are designed to service that their lives become unbal- First, focus on people and princi- bless and to serve. anced. They start believing that the ples—not on programs. One of the Second, be innovative. As we work programs they administer are more most important things we do through to magnify our callings, we should important than the people they serve. the gospel of Jesus Christ is to build seek the inspiration of the Spirit to They complicate their service with people. Properly serving others solve problems in ways that will best needless frills and embellishments that requires effort to understand them as help the people we serve. We have occupy too much time, cost too much individuals—their personalities, their handbooks of instruction, and their money, and sap too much energy. They strengths, their concerns, their hopes guidelines should be followed. But refuse to delegate or to allow others to and dreams—so that the correct help within that framework are substantial grow in their respective responsibilities. and support can be provided. Frankly, opportunities to think, to be creative, As a result of their focusing too it’s much easier to just manage pro- and to make use of individual talents. much time and energy on their grams than it is to understand and The instruction to magnify our callings

18 is not a command to embellish and not procrastinating our preparation complicate them. To innovate does or waiting to fulfill our responsibilities not necessarily mean to expand; very until the last minute. often it means to simplify. Beyond that we need to remember Because the eternal principle of that Christ came to remove guilt by agency gives us the freedom to forgiving those who repent (see Alma choose and think for ourselves, we 24:10). He came to bring peace to the should become increasingly able to troubled soul. “Peace I leave with solve problems. We may make the you,” He said. “My peace I give unto occasional mistake, but as long as we you: not as the world giveth, give I are following gospel principles and unto you. Let not your heart be trou- guidelines, we can learn from those bled, neither let it be afraid” (John mistakes and become more under- 14:27). Through the miraculous standing of others and more effective Atonement He urges us to “take my in serving them. yoke upon you, . . . and ye shall find Being innovative also means that rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29). we do not have to be told everything As the power of the Atonement we should do. The Lord said, “It is not begins to work in our lives, we come meet that I should command in all to understand that the Savior has things; for he that is compelled in all already born the burden of our guilt. things, the same is a slothful and not Counsel, advise, persuade, motivate— O that we may be wise enough to a wise servant” (D&C 58:26). We trust but don’t do the work for them. Allow understand, to repent as necessary, you, brothers and sisters, to use inspi- others to progress and grow, even if it and to let go of our guilt. ration. We trust that you will do so means sometimes getting less-than- Fifth, we need to thoughtfully allo- within the framework of Church poli- perfect results on the reports. cate our resources of time, income, cies and principles. We trust that you Fourth, eliminate guilt. I hope it and energy. I would like to let you in will be wise in counseling together to goes without saying that guilt is not on a little secret. Some of you have help build faith and testimony in the a proper motivational technique for already learned it. If you haven’t, it’s lives of those whom you serve. leaders and teachers of the gospel of time you knew. No matter what your Third, divide the work and dele- Jesus Christ. We must always motivate family needs are or your responsibili- gate responsibility. There is a differ- through love and sincere appreciation, ties in the Church, there is no such ence between being responsible for not by creating guilt. I like the thought thing as “done.” There will always be getting the work done and doing the “Catch others doing something right.” more we can do. There is always work yourself. For example, gone Still there are those who experi- another family matter that needs should be the days when the elders ence some feelings of guilt as a conse- attention, another lesson to prepare, quorum president feels he needs to quence of their service in the Church. another interview to conduct, another personally finish the home teaching These feelings can come when our meeting to attend. We just need to be visits that others have missed. The time and attention are being torn wise in protecting our health and in same is true for Relief Society presi- between competing demands and pri- following the counsel that President dents with respect to visiting teach- orities. As mortals, we simply cannot Hinckley has given often to just do ing. Not only is this unwise; it isn’t do everything at once. Therefore we the best that we can. home or visiting teaching. Home must do all things “in wisdom and The key, it seems to me, is to know teaching isn’t about numbers or order” (Mosiah 4:27). Often that will and understand your own capabilities reporting visits to a home; visits and mean temporarily postponing atten- and limitations and then to pace your- numbers are just a measuring stick. tion to one priority in order to take self, allocating and prioritizing your Home teaching is about love of peo- care of another. Sometimes family time, your attention, and your ple and service to and watchcare over demands will require your full atten- resources to wisely help others, our Heavenly Father’s children. tion. Other times professional respon- including your family, in their quest Assignments should be made, sibilities will come first. And there will for eternal life. responsibilities should be delegated, be times when Church callings will Sixth, a word to you leaders about and members should be allowed to ful- come first. Good balance comes in extending responsibilities to mem- fill their stewardship as best they can. doing things in a timely way and in bers and especially to recent converts.

NOVEMBER 2006 19 President Hinckley said that every new member of the Church needs a responsibility. Whatever responsibil- Discipleship ity may be extended should not over- whelm new members but should PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST give them ample opportunity to Second Counselor in the First Presidency become comfortable in the Church by learning its doctrine and by rub- bing shoulders with friendly mem- One of the greatest blessings of life and eternity is to be counted bers. It should anchor them to the as one of the devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. restored gospel through increasing their testimony and giving meaning- ful service. Brothers and sisters, may we focus The word for disciple and the on the simple ways we can serve word for discipline both come from in the kingdom of God, always striv- the same Latin root—discipulus, ing to change lives, including our which means pupil. It emphasizes own. What is most important in our practice or exercise. Self-discipline Church responsibilities is not the sta- and self-control are consistent and tistics that are reported or the meet- permanent characteristics of the fol- ings that are held but whether or not lowers of Jesus, as exemplified by individual people—ministered to one Peter, James, and John, who indeed at a time just as the Savior did—have “forsook all, and followed him.” been lifted and encouraged and ulti- What is discipleship? It is primarily mately changed. Our task is to help obedience to the Savior. Discipleship others find the peace and the joy includes many things. It is chastity. It that only the gospel can give them. is tithing. It is family home evening. In seven words, Jesus summarized It is keeping all the commandments. how we can accomplish this. He said, It is forsaking anything that is not “If ye love me, keep my command- good for us. Everything in life has a ments” (John 14:15). large crowd followed the price. Considering the Savior’s great Today is in many ways like Jacob’s Savior as He ministered by promise for peace in this life and eter- day. My counsel is like unto his: A the shore of the Sea of nal life in the life to come, disciple- “Repent, and come with full purpose Galilee. So that more could hear ship is a price worth paying. It is a of heart, and cleave unto God as he Him, He got into Peter’s fishing boat price we cannot afford not to pay. By cleaveth unto you” (Jacob 6:5). and asked to be taken a little way out measure, the requirements of disci- Brothers and sisters, be wise with from the shore. After He had fin- pleship are much, much less than the your families. Be wise in fulfilling ished speaking, He told Peter, who promised blessings. your Church callings. Be wise with had fished all night without success, The disciples of Christ receive a your time. Be wise in balancing all of to go out in the lake and let down his call to not only forsake the pursuit of your responsibilities. O be wise, my nets in the deep water. Peter obeyed, worldly things but to carry the cross beloved brothers and sisters. What and he caught so many fish that the daily. To carry the cross means to fol- can I say more? nets broke. Peter called to his part- low His commandments and to build May God bless us with wisdom to ners, James and John, to come and up His Church on the earth. It also love His Son, Jesus Christ, and wisely help. All were amazed at the number means self-mastery.2 As Jesus of help accomplish His work. I bear my of fish that were caught. Jesus said to Nazareth instructed us, “If any man witness and testimony that He lives. Peter, “Fear not; from henceforth will come after me, let him deny him- This is His Church. We are about His thou shalt catch men.” Luke then self, and take up his cross daily, and work. May the peace of the Lord be tells us, “When they had brought follow me.”3 “And whosoever doth with us. And may we wisely carry on their ships to land, they forsook all, not bear his cross, and come after our responsibilities, I humbly pray, in and followed him.”1 They became me, cannot be my disciple.”4 the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ the Lord’s disciples. The words of a beloved Primary

20 need our attention and love as well as our care. True followers of the Savior should be prepared to lay down their lives, and some have been privileged to do so. The Doctrine and Covenants counsels us: “Let no man be afraid to lay down his life for my sake; for whoso layeth down his life for my sake shall find it again. “And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple.”12 We read in the book of Acts the account of the disciple Stephen, who was “full of faith and power, [and] did great wonders and miracles among the people.”13 Stephen encountered a hostile audience in Jerusalem who falsely accused him of blasphemy even though he was transfigured before them. Stephen testified of the divinity of the Savior, and when he called them to repentance, several in the crowd turned on him. “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.”14 Even as he was stoned to death, the last words on Stephen’s lips were “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”15 In the early days of the Church in Mexico, two faithful leaders who were disciples of Christ became martyrs song resonate with all who follow the who watched over His sheep and because of their belief. The two Master: had concern for those that were whose lives were taken were Rafael lost.7 We can seek out the lonely Monroy and Vicente Morales. I’m trying to be like Jesus; or those who are less active and During the Mexican Revolution, I’m following in his ways. befriend them. Rafael Monroy was the president of I’m trying to love as he did, in all 3. Jesus had compassion on many, the small San Marcos Mexico Branch, that I do and say.5 including a poor leper.8 We too can and Vicente Morales was his first have compassion. We are reminded in counselor. On July 17, 1915, they Let us consider some of the things the Book of Mormon that we are “to were apprehended by the Zapatistas. Jesus did that we can all emulate. mourn with those that mourn.”9 They were told they would be spared 1. Jesus “went about doing good.”6 4. Jesus bore witness of His divine if they would give up their weapons We can all do something good every mission and of His Father’s great and renounce their strange religion. day—for a family member, a friend, or work. For our part, we can all “stand Brother Monroy told his captors that even a stranger—if we will look for as witnesses of God at all times.”10 he did not have any weapons and sim- those opportunities. 5. Jesus invited “the little children ply drew from his pocket his Bible 2. Jesus was the Good Shepherd to come unto [Him].”11 Our children and Book of Mormon. He said,

NOVEMBER 2006 21 “Gentlemen, these are the only arms I Edward Partridge, the first bishop of new in the Church. My talents and ever carry; they are the arms of truth the Church, is noted in the Doctrine abilities are limited. My contribution is against error.” and Covenants.18 On July 20, 1833, little.” Or they may say: “I am too old When no arms were found, the Edward was sitting at home with his to change. I have already lived my life. brethren were cruelly tortured to frail wife, who had just given birth. Why should I try?” It is never too late make them divulge where arms were Three mobsters burst in and dragged to change. Discipleship does not hidden. But there were no arms. They him into the bedlam of the street and come from positions of prominence, were then taken under guard to the then into the square, where they had wealth, or advanced learning. The outskirts of the little town, where already taken Charles Allen. A mob of disciples of Jesus came from all walks their captors stood them up by a large about 300 demanded through their of life. However, discipleship does ash tree in front of a firing squad. The spokesman that Edward and Charles require us to forsake evil transgression officer in charge offered them free- either renounce their faith in the and enjoy what President Spencer W. dom if they would forsake their reli- Book of Mormon or leave the county. Kimball has called “the miracle of gion and join the Zapatistas, but Edward Partridge responded: “If I forgiveness.”21 This can come only Brother Monroy replied, “My religion must suffer for my religion, it is no through repentance, which means is dearer to me than my life, and I more than others have done before that we forsake sin and resolve each cannot forsake it.” me. I am not conscious of having day to be followers of truth and righ- They were then told that they were injured anyone in the county and teousness. As Jesus taught, “What to be shot and asked if they had any therefore will not consent to leave. I manner of men ought ye to be? Verily request to make. Brother Rafael have done nothing to offend anyone. I say unto you, even as I am.”22 requested that he be permitted to pray If you abuse me, you are injuring an Many think that the price of disci- before he was executed. There, in the innocent man.” The mob then daubed pleship is too costly and too burden- presence of his executioners, he Edward and Charles from head to foot some. For some, it involves giving up kneeled down and, in a voice that all with hot tar containing pearl ash, a too much. But the cross is not as could hear, prayed that God would flesh-eating acid, and then they threw heavy as it appears to be. Through bless and protect his loved ones and feathers that stuck to the burning tar.19 obedience we acquire much greater care for the little struggling branch that The Prophet Joseph Smith charac- strength to carry it. would be left without a leader. As he terized Edward’s death a few years “Come unto me, all ye that labour finished his prayer, he used the words later at age 46 in these words: “He and are heavy laden, and I will give of the Savior when He hung upon the lost his life in consequence of the you rest. cross and prayed for his executioners: Missouri persecutions, and he is one “Take my yoke upon you, and learn “Father, forgive them; for they know of that number whose blood will be of me; for I am meek and lowly in not what they do.”16 With that the fir- required at their hands.”20 Edward heart: and ye shall find rest unto your ing squad shot both Brother Monroy Partridge left a legacy that lives on souls. and Brother Morales.17 in a large and righteous posterity. “For my yoke is easy, and my bur- Some years ago I went to Mexico to For most of us, however, what is den is light.”23 reorganize a stake presidency. As I con- required is not to die for the Church Our true claim as disciples comes ducted the interviews, I was privileged but to live for it. For many, living a when we can say with certainty that to become acquainted with one of the Christlike life every day may be even His ways have become our ways. descendants of Rafael Monroy. I was more difficult than laying down one’s The blessings of discipleship are very impressed with the depth of this life. I learned during a time of war that readily available to all who are willing man’s testimony and his commitment many men were capable of great acts to pay the price. Discipleship brings to the gospel. When I asked him what of selflessness, heroism, and nobility purpose to our lives so that rather had happened to the rest of Brother without regard to life. But when the than wandering aimlessly, we walk Monroy’s descendants, he said that war was over and they came home, steadily on that strait and narrow way many of them have been on missions they could not bear up under the that leads us back to our Heavenly and continue faithful in the Church. ordinary daily burdens of living and Father. Discipleship brings us comfort In the early days of the Church, became enslaved by tobacco, alcohol, in times of sorrow, peace of con- other disciples in addition to Joseph drugs, and debauchery, which in the science, and joy in service—all of Smith and Hyrum Smith also laid end caused them to forfeit their lives. which help us to be more like Jesus. down their lives for the gospel of Some may say: “I am a simple per- Through discipleship of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The faithfulness of son. I have no stature or position. I am we come to know and believe in our

22 SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION September 30, 2006 hearts and minds the saving princi- ples and ordinances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Sustaining Through our discipleship, we come to appreciate the profound mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith in restoring those saving principles in of Church Officers our time. We rejoice that the keys of PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON the priesthood and its authority have been passed down through the First Counselor in the First Presidency Presidents of the Church, from the Prophet Joseph Smith to our present prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. their assignments all over the world. We are grateful that in our disciple- My brothers and sisters, President ship of the Savior we come to enjoy Hinckley has requested that I now His promise of “peace in this world,”24 present to you the General Authorities, with contentment, happiness, and Area Seventies, and general auxiliary fulfillment. Through our discipleship, presidencies of the Church for your we are able to receive the spiritual sustaining vote. strength that we need to deal with It is proposed that we sustain the challenges of life. Gordon Bitner Hinckley as prophet, One of the greatest blessings of life seer, and revelator and President of and eternity is to be counted as one The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- of the devoted disciples of the Lord day Saints; Thomas Spencer Monson Jesus Christ. I have a profound testi- as First Counselor in the First mony of this truth, to which I bear Presidency; and James Esdras Faust witness, in the name of Jesus Christ, as Second Counselor in the First amen. ■ Presidency. Those in favor may manifest it. NOTES uch beautiful singing. I hope you Those opposed, if any, by the 1. See Luke 5:1–11. 2. See Alma 39:9, footnote b. noted the missionary badge on same sign. 3. Luke 9:23. each one, soon to be departing It is proposed that we sustain 4. Luke 14:27. S 5. “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus,” Children’s the Missionary Training Center for Thomas Spencer Monson as President Songbook, 78–79. 6. Acts 10:38. 7. See Matthew 15:24; John 10:1–12. 8. See Mark 1:40–42. 9. Mosiah 18:9. 10. Mosiah 18:9. 11. Mark 10:14. 12. D&C 103:27–28. 13. Acts 6:8. 14. Acts 7:55. 15. Acts 7:60. 16. Luke 23:34. 17. See Rey L. Pratt, “A Latter-day Martyr,” Improvement Era, June 1918, 720–26. 18. See D&C 124:19. 19. See B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church, 1:333; Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 4 vols. (1901–36), 1:220. 20. History of the Church, 4:132. 21. See The Miracle of Forgiveness (1969), 362. 22. 3 Nephi 27:27. 23. Matthew 11:28–30. 24. D&C 59:23.

NOVEMBER 2006 23 of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Boyd Kenneth Packer as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Holy Scriptures: Apostles; and the following as mem- bers of that quorum: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, The Power of God Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and David A. Bednar. unto Our Salvation Those in favor please manifest it. ELDER ROBERT D. HALES Any opposed. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, Sacred records bear testimony of the Savior seers, and revelators. and lead us to Him. All in favor may manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign. We extend a release to Elders the Book of Mormon? Look on the Ronald T. Halverson, Dale E. Miller, title page. We read that it is “written H. Bryan Richards, Donald L. Staheli, by way of commandment, . . . by the David R. Stone, H. Bruce Stucki, spirit of prophecy and of revelation.” Robert J. Whetten, and Richard H. It has “come forth by the gift and Winkel as members of the Second power of God,” and its interpretation Quorum of the Seventy. is “by the gift of God”—by the Holy Those who wish to join with us Ghost. It shows “what great things the in expressing appreciation to these Lord [has] done” and has given to us Brethren, please manifest it. “that [we] may know the covenants of With similar appreciation we also the Lord,” that we might not be “cast extend a release to César A. S. Milder, off forever.” Most importantly, it has Hyae-Kee Min, and Masayuki Nakano been written to convince us “that as Area Seventies. Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.” Those who wish to join with us in Turn the page again, to the intro- doing so, please manifest it. duction. Here we learn that this It is proposed that we sustain prophetic record is “holy scripture Erich W. Kopischke as a new Area he holy scriptures are the word comparable to the Bible.” It contains Seventy. of God given to us for our salva- “the fulness of the everlasting gospel, All in favor please manifest. Ttion. The scriptures are essential . . . outlines the plan of salvation, and Any opposed by the same sign. in receiving a testimony of Jesus Christ tells [us] what [we] must do to gain It is proposed that we sustain the and His gospel. The scriptures given to peace in this life and eternal salvation other General Authorities, Area us by God in these latter days are the in the life to come.” It promises each Seventies, and general auxiliary presi- Old Testament, the New Testament, of us that “all who will come unto [the dencies as presently constituted. the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine Savior] and obey the laws and ordi- Those in favor please manifest it. and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great nances of his gospel may be saved.” Any opposed may manifest it. Price. These sacred records bear testi- What is the vital role of this sacred It appears that the sustaining has mony of the Savior and lead us to Him. book in our day? What is its message been unanimous in the affirmative, That is why great prophets like Enos regarding the purpose of all scripture? President Hinckley. cried unto the Lord in faith to preserve On page one of the book of Thank you, brothers and sisters, for the scriptures. 1 Nephi—the very first book in the your continued faith and prayers. ■ Will you open with me the cover of Book of Mormon—we learn that Lehi,

24 Missionaries in São Paulo, Brazil, show their copies of the Book of Mormon. in about 600 B.C., was directed by God importantly, the gospel taught by Several chapters of the Book of to take his family and flee into the God’s holy prophets. As Lehi searched Mormon are devoted to Lehi and wilderness. But Lehi didn’t get very far the plates, he learned what all of us Nephi applying this lesson—searching before the Lord commanded him to learn by studying the scriptures: the scriptures and quoting from them. send his sons back. Why? To retrieve • Who we are. Clearly they wanted their families the scriptures, the brass plates, which • What we can become. and us to understand the importance were so important that Lehi’s sons • Prophecies for us and for our of the scriptures, especially Isaiah’s risked their lives and lost all their posterity. prophecies about the Restoration of worldly possessions to recover them! • The commandments, laws, ordi- the gospel and the coming forth of Ultimately, it was the Lord’s help and nances, and covenants we must live their record—the Book of Mormon— Nephi’s faith that miraculously deliv- by to obtain eternal life. in our day. ered the plates into his hands. When • And how we must live in order to The Book of Mormon records how Nephi and his brothers returned, Lehi, endure to the end and return to our a number of civilizations regarded or their father, rejoiced. He began to Heavenly Father with honor. disregarded the scriptures, beginning search the holy scriptures “from the So essential are these truths that with Lehi’s own family. The Lord had beginning,” and “found that they were Heavenly Father gave both Lehi and commanded Lehi to flee Jerusalem desirable; yea, even of great worth . . . Nephi visions vividly representing the because it was going to be captured by insomuch that [Lehi and his posterity] word of God as a rod of iron. Both the Babylonians and to journey across could preserve the commandments of father and son learned that holding to the sea to the promised land in a the Lord unto [their] children.”1 this strong, unbending, utterly reli- divinely designed ship. But Lehi’s chil- Indeed, the brass plates were a able guide is the only way to stay on dren were bitterly divided into two fac- record of Lehi’s fathers, including that strait and narrow path that leads tions. Those who followed righteous their language, genealogy, and, more to our Savior. Nephi—the Nephites—retained the

NOVEMBER 2006 25 earth today: take hold of the scrip- tures! Cling to them, walk by them, live by them, rejoice in them, feast on them. Don’t nibble. They are “the power of God unto salvation”3 that lead us back to our Savior Jesus Christ. If the Savior were among us in the flesh today, He would teach us from the scriptures as He taught when He walked upon the earth. In the syna- gogue at Nazareth, “there was deliv- ered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. . . . And he began to say unto them, This day is this scrip- ture fulfilled in your ears.”4 Later when the Sadducees and Pharisees posed a difficult question, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”5 And after His Resurrection, on the road to Emmaus, His disciples “said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked scriptures when they departed the Lehi arrived in the promised land with us by the way, and while he Lamanites, and “their souls were illu- about the time of the destruction of opened to us the scriptures?”6 To His minated by the light of [God’s] ever- the Jaredites. A few years later, still disciples then and now, His words ring lasting word.”2 another civilization, Mulek and his out: “Search the scriptures; for . . . But Laman and Lemuel—and their followers, also came to the promised they are they which testify of me”7— descendants the Lamanites—rejected land. They discovered the last re- a testimony borne by the Holy Ghost, the scriptures and walked in the dark- corded survivor of the Jaredites, for “by the power of the Holy Ghost ness of ignorance, contention, and a king named Coriantumr. The ye may know the truth of all things.”8 destruction. In about A.D. 400, the Mulekites brought no scriptures with Brothers and sisters, I testify that Nephites also rejected the word of them; so about 400 years later, when the scriptures have been “kept and God, dwindled in unbelief, and were Mosiah and the Nephites found them, preserved [for us] by the hand of the destroyed, thus ending approximately the Mulekites’ language was cor- Lord . . . for a wise purpose in him.”9 1,000 years of Nephite civilization. rupted, and they had lost their belief Lehi prophesied, “These plates of The book of Ether gives a history of in their Creator. They did not know brass should never perish; neither a civilization, the Jaredites, who left who they were. When the Mulekites should they be dimmed any more by the Old World at the time of the Tower learned that the Lord had sent the time.”10 The Lord covenanted with of Babel, approximately 2200 B.C. The Nephites with the plates of brass, Enos to preserve and bring forth the Lord directed them to journey across which contained the scriptural record scriptures “in his . . . due time.”11 Of the sea to the promised land in of the Jews, they rejoiced and joined the Book of Mormon, the prophet divinely designed barges. When the themselves to the Nephite civilization. Moroni recorded, it was “written and Jaredites were righteous, they were The fate of these civilizations, as sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, blessed; and when they rejected the recorded in scripture, is a testimony that they might not be destroyed.”12 word of the Lord and refused to to all the world: if we don’t have the The scriptures which we have give repent, the Spirit of the Lord ceased word of God or don’t cling to and prophecies and promises, and they striving with them. Eventually they heed the word of God, we will wan- have been fulfilled in our day. departed from the Lord’s ways and der off in strange paths and be lost as What a glorious blessing! For destroyed one another in about individuals, as families, and as nations. when we want to speak to God, 600 B.C., thus ending approximately As with voices from the dust, the we pray. And when we want Him 1,600 years of Jaredite civilization. prophets of the Lord cry out to us on to speak to us, we search the

26 scriptures; for His words are spoken their extinction could have been through His prophets. He will then avoided if they had not forgotten teach us as we listen to the prompt- God’s holy word and lost the Spirit of ings of the Holy Spirit. the Lord. Is it any wonder that Moroni If you have not heard His voice writes personally to us, to you and to speaking to you lately, return with new me, pleading for us to claim the bless- eyes and new ears to the scriptures. ings of the scriptures? They are our spiritual lifeline. Behind “And when ye shall receive these the darkness of the Iron Curtain, the things, I would exhort you that ye Saints survived because they heard His would ask God, the Eternal Father, voice through the scriptures. In other in the name of Christ, if these things parts of the world, when members are not true; and if ye shall ask with a couldn’t attend Church for a time, they sincere heart, with real intent, having continued to worship God because faith in Christ, he will manifest the they heard His voice through the scrip- truth of it unto you, by the power of tures. Throughout all the wars of the the Holy Ghost. past century and the conflicts that rage “And by the power of the Holy today, Latter-day Saints survive because Ghost ye may know the truth of all they hear His voice through the scrip- things.”21 tures. For the Lord has said, “The scrip- We are living in the latter days, tures shall be given . . . to the salvation brothers and sisters, in the fulness of mine own elect; for they will hear of times. We must remember that we my voice, and shall see me, and shall have control over who we are no mat- not be asleep, and shall abide the day From Genesis to Malachi and ter how difficult the world becomes. of my coming; for they shall be puri- from Moses to Abraham, it was Like those in 1 Nephi, the true and fied, even as I am pure.”13 prophesied the Savior would come. faithful will be able to withstand the Over two millennia ago, Isaiah From the books of Matthew to fiery darts of the adversary when he is wrote of the word of God, “Now Revelation, from Nephi to Moroni, loosed upon this earth.22 Despite all go, write it before them in a table, and from Joseph Smith to our the turmoil in the world, when the and note it in a book, that it may be beloved living prophet, President Savior comes to His temple, as He did for the time to come for ever and Gordon B. Hinckley, the prophets all in the Book of Mormon, those who ever.”14 That time is now. This world testify that Jesus Christ, the long- are true and faithful will be there. May needs the scriptures today. Before awaited Messiah, has come and will we be among them, I so pray, in the the coming of the Savior, it was come again. In Him “old things are name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ necessary that all God’s children done away, and all things have NOTES be tutored in the preparatory law become new.”16 Through the holy 1. 1 Nephi 5:10, 21. 2. Alma 5:7. of Moses, which allowed “an eye for scriptures, His new and everlasting 3. D&C 68:4. an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”15 gospel proclaims: “Love thy neigh- 4. Luke 4:17, 21. Many in this world still live by that bour as thyself.”17 “Love your ene- 5. Matthew 22:29. 6. Luke 24:32. fearsome code, and the evidence mies, bless them that curse you, do 7. John 5:39. of it is around us. good to them that hate you, and 8. Moroni 10:5. We boldly declare that the answer pray for them which despitefully use 9. Alma 37:4, 14; see also 1 Nephi 9:5; Words 18 of Mormon 1:7. to the terror, destruction, and even you.” “Of you it is required to for- 10. 1 Nephi 5:19. genocide of these last days is found give all men.”19 For this is the gospel 11. Enos 1:16. in the scriptures. The gospel in the of our Savior, who is anointed “to 12. Book of Mormon title page. 13. D&C 35:20–21. Old Testament is fulfilled in the heal the brokenhearted, to preach 14. Isaiah 30:8. New Testament. The prophecies deliverance to the captives, and . . . 15. Matthew 5:38; see also 3 Nephi 12:38. 16. 3 Nephi 12:47. in the Bible came to pass in the to set at liberty them that are 17. Matthew 22:39. Book of Mormon. The Doctrine and bruised.”20 18. Matthew 5:44; see also 3 Nephi 12:44. Covenants and Pearl of Great Price At the end of the Book of Mormon, 19. D&C 64:10. 20. Luke 4:18. bear witness of the fulness of the Moroni figuratively looks out over the 21. Moroni 10:4–5; emphasis added. gospel which is now upon the earth. last remnant of his people. He knew 22. See 1 Nephi 15:24.

NOVEMBER 2006 27 best from them. I can still remember her saying, “Don’t be a scrub. You Sunday Will Come must do better.” Scrub was her word for someone who was lazy and not liv- ELDER JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN ing up to his potential. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles My mother passed away when she was 87 years old, and I think about her often and miss her more than I Because of the life and eternal sacrifice of the Savior of can say. the world, we will be reunited with those we have cherished. My younger sister Judith was an author, composer, and educator. She loved many things, including the gospel, music, and archaeology. told me that he could do the work of Judith’s birthday was a few days three men. He rarely slowed down. before mine. Every year I would give In 1938 he was operating a successful her a crisp one-dollar bill as my birth- business when he received a call day present to her. Three days later from the President of the Church, she would give me 50 cents as her Heber J. Grant. birthday present to me. President Grant told him they were Judith passed away a few years ago. reorganizing the Presiding Bishopric I miss her and think of her often. that day and wanted my father to And that brings me to my wife, serve as counselor to LeGrand Elisa. I remember the first time I met Richards. This caught my father by her. As a favor to a friend, I had gone surprise, and he asked if he could to her home to pick up her sister, pray about it first. Frances. Elisa opened the door, and at President Grant said, “Brother least for me, it was love at first sight. Wirthlin, there are only 30 minutes I think she must have felt some- before the next session of conference, thing too, for the first words I ever and I want to have some rest. What remember her saying were, “I knew am grateful to be with you today do you say?” who you was.” and to draw strength from your Of course, my father said yes. Elisa was an English major. I testimonies. More than words can He served 23 years, 9 of them as To this day I still cherish those five express, I am grateful for your kind Presiding Bishop of the Church. words as some of the most beautiful words of support, your expressions of My father was 69 years old when in human language. love, and your prayers. he passed away. I happened to be She loved to play tennis and had a Today I would like to indulge in a with him when he suddenly col- lightning serve. I tried to play tennis few personal memories. lapsed. Soon after, he was gone. with her, but I finally quit after com- I was born of goodly parents. From I often think about my father. ing to the realization that I couldn’t my father, Joseph L. Wirthlin, I learned I miss him. hit what I couldn’t see. the values of hard work and compas- My mother, Madeline Bitner, was She was my strength and my joy. sion. He was bishop of our ward another great influence in my life. In Because of her, I am a better man, during the Great Depression. He pos- her youth she was a fine athlete and husband, and father. We married, had sessed a genuine concern for those in a champion sprinter. She was always eight children, and walked together distress. He reached out to those in kind and loving, but her pace was through 65 years of life. need not because it was his duty but exhausting. Often she would say, I owe more to my wife than I can because it was his sincere desire. “Hurry up.” And when she did, we possibly express. I don’t know if there He tirelessly cared for and blessed picked up the pace. Perhaps that was ever was a perfect marriage, but, from the lives of many who suffered. In my one of the reasons I had quick accel- my perspective, I think ours was. mind, he was an ideal bishop. eration when I played football. When President Hinckley spoke at Those who knew my father knew My mother had great expectations Sister Wirthlin’s funeral, he said that it how active he was. Someone once for her children and expected the is a devastating, consuming thing to

28 lose someone you love. It gnaws at that is the way we will come back.”3 souls of those who have lost precious your soul. When we are resurrected, “this loved ones. He was right. As Elisa was my great- mortal body is raised to an immortal I think of how dark that Friday was est joy, now her passing is my greatest body. . . . [We] can die no more.”4 when Christ was lifted up on the cross. sorrow. Can you imagine that? Life at our On that terrible Friday the earth In the lonely hours I have spent a prime? Never sick, never in pain, shook and grew dark. Frightful storms great deal of time thinking about eter- never burdened by the ills that so lashed at the earth. nal things. I have contemplated the often beset us in mortality? Those evil men who sought His comforting doctrines of eternal life. The Resurrection is at the core of life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no During my life I have heard many our beliefs as Christians. Without it, more, surely those who followed Him sermons on the Resurrection. Like our faith is meaningless. The Apostle would disperse. On that day they you, I can recite the events of that Paul said, “If Christ be not risen, then stood triumphant. first Easter Sunday. I have marked in is our preaching vain, and [our] faith On that day the veil of the temple my scriptures passages regarding the is also vain.”5 was rent in twain. Resurrection and have close at hand In all the history of the world there Mary Magdalene and Mary, the many of the key statements uttered have been many great and wise souls, mother of Jesus, were both overcome by latter-day prophets on this subject. many of whom claimed special knowl- with grief and despair. The superb We know what the Resurrection edge of God. But when the Savior man they had loved and honored is—the reuniting of the spirit and rose from the tomb, He did some- hung lifeless upon the cross. body in its perfect form.1 thing no one had ever done. He did On that Friday the Apostles were President Joseph F. Smith said something no one else could do. He devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the “that those from whom we have to broke the bonds of death, not only man who had walked on water and part here, we will meet again and see for Himself but for all who have ever raised the dead—was Himself at the as they are. We will meet the same lived—the just and the unjust.6 mercy of wicked men. They watched identical being that we associated When Christ rose from the grave, helplessly as He was overcome by His with here in the flesh.”2 becoming the firstfruits of the enemies. President Spencer W. Kimball ampli- Resurrection, He made that gift avail- On that Friday the Savior of fied this when he said, “I am sure that able to all. And with that sublime act, mankind was humiliated and bruised, if we can imagine ourselves at our very He softened the devastating, con- abused and reviled. best, physically, mentally, spiritually, suming sorrow that gnaws at the It was a Friday filled with

NOVEMBER 2006 29 devastating, consuming sorrow that death is not the end of existence. gnawed at the souls of those who “If in this life only we have hope in loved and honored the Son of God. Christ, we are of all men most miser- I think that of all the days since the able.”7 Because of the risen Christ, beginning of this world’s history, that “death is swallowed up in victory.”8 Friday was the darkest. Because of our beloved Redeemer, But the doom of that day did not we can lift up our voices, even in the endure. midst of our darkest Fridays, and pro- The despair did not linger because claim, “O death, where is thy sting? on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst O grave, where is thy victory?”9 the bonds of death. He ascended from When President Hinckley spoke of the grave and appeared gloriously tri- the terrible loneliness that comes to umphant as the Savior of all mankind. those who lose the ones they love, he And in an instant the eyes that had also promised that in the quiet of the been filled with ever-flowing tears night a still, unheard voice whispers dried. The lips that had whispered former lives and occupations. In peace to our soul: “All is well.” prayers of distress and grief now filled time, their association with Him I am grateful beyond measure for the air with wondrous praise, for would have been forgotten. the sublime true doctrines of the Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living They could have denied the divin- gospel and for the gift of the Holy God, stood before them as the first- ity of Christ. Yet they did not. In the Ghost, which has whispered to my fruits of the Resurrection, the proof face of danger, ridicule, and threat of soul the comforting and peaceful that death is merely the beginning of death, they entered palaces, temples, words promised by our beloved a new and wondrous existence. and synagogues boldly proclaiming prophet. Each of us will have our own Jesus the Christ, the resurrected Son From the depths of my sorrow, Fridays—those days when the uni- of the living God. I have rejoiced in the glory of the verse itself seems shattered and the Many of them offered as a final gospel. I rejoice that the Prophet shards of our world lie littered about testimony their own precious lives. Joseph Smith was chosen to restore us in pieces. We all will experience They died as martyrs, the testimony the gospel to the earth in this last those broken times when it seems we of the risen Christ on their lips as dispensation. I rejoice that we have can never be put together again. We they perished. a prophet, President Gordon B. will all have our Fridays. The Resurrection transformed Hinckley, who directs the Lord’s But I testify to you in the name of the lives of those who witnessed it. Church in our day. the One who conquered death— Should it not transform ours? May we understand and live in Sunday will come. In the darkness of We will all rise from the grave. And thanksgiving for the priceless gifts our sorrow, Sunday will come. on that day my father will embrace my that come to us as sons and daugh- No matter our desperation, no mother. On that day I will once again ters of a loving Heavenly Father and matter our grief, Sunday will come. In hold in my arms my beloved Elisa. for the promise of that bright day this life or the next, Sunday will come. Because of the life and eternal sac- when we shall all rise triumphant I testify to you that the Resurrection rifice of the Savior of the world, we from the grave. is not a fable. We have the personal will be reunited with those we have That we may always know that no testimonies of those who saw Him. cherished. matter how dark our Friday, Sunday Thousands in the Old and New Worlds On that day we will know the love will come is my prayer, in the name witnessed the risen Savior. They felt of our Heavenly Father. On that day of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ the wounds in His hands, feet, and we will rejoice that the Messiah over- NOTES side. They shed tears of unrestrained came all that we could live forever. 1. See Alma 11:43. 2. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: joy as they embraced Him. Because of the sacred ordinances Joseph F. Smith (1998), 91. After the Resurrection, the disci- we receive in holy temples, our depar- 3. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball (1982), 45. ples became renewed. They traveled ture from this brief mortality cannot 4. Alma 11:45. throughout the world proclaiming the long separate relationships that have 5. 1 Corinthians 15:14. glorious news of the gospel. been fastened together with cords 6. See John 5:28–29. 7. 1 Corinthians 15:19. Had they chosen, they could have made of eternal ties. 8. 1 Corinthians 15:54. disappeared and returned to their It is my solemn testimony that 9. 1 Corinthians 15:55.

30 saying, “I will give away all my sins to know thee.”3 Once Lamoni’s father Look toward understood who he was and the great plan of which he was a part, worthi- ness became his heart’s desire. To become worthy, we make Eternity! choices that will enable us to return to ELAINE S. DALTON our Heavenly Father’s presence. We do those things which will qualify us Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency to claim all the blessings that He has in store for us. This is the reason we Do you understand why it is so important to remain are here on the earth—“to see if [we] clean and pure? will do all things whatsoever the Lord . . . shall command.”4 It is through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that we can resist temptation.5 Our faith will enable us to shun evil. It will be repul- That moment was so powerful sive to us because “light cleaveth unto that I desire for every young man and light” and “virtue loveth virtue.”6 woman, every young adult, and To become unspotted from the indeed each one of us to feel and world requires not only faith but know the importance of living a wor- repentance and obedience. We must thy and pure life. It is our personal live the standards and do those things worthiness that will qualify us to fulfill which will entitle us to the constant our individual earthly missions. companionship and guidance of the Our personal mission began long Holy Ghost—for the Spirit cannot before we arrived on the earth. In the dwell in unholy temples.7 premortal life, we were “called and One young man I know said: “It’s prepared” to live on the earth at a just too hard. Living the standards in time when temptations and chal- my world is not realistic. It’s just too lenges would be the greatest. This hard.” Yet knowing that we are sons was “on account of [our] exceeding and daughters of God, we must strive faith and good works” and because of for worthiness. Another group of our “having chosen good.”1 We under- youth adopted the motto “I Can Do hen our first grandson was stood our Father’s plan and knew that Hard Things.” They understand their born, the entire family it was good. We not only chose it, but identity, their mission, their source of W rushed to the hospital. It was we defended it. We knew that our guidance, and they receive strength an amazing experience for me to see earthly missions would be fraught through keeping their covenants. They our oldest son, Matthew, holding this with temptation, challenges, and also understand that when they make precious new baby boy. While stand- hardship, but we also knew that we a mistake, they can change! Satan ing at the nursery window with our would be blessed by the fulness of the wants all of us to think that repentance youngest son, Chad, we gazed into the gospel, living prophets, and the guid- is not possible. This is absolutely not eyes of this new little spirit—so clean, ance of the Holy Ghost. We knew and true. The Savior has promised forgive- so pure, so recently from heaven. It understood that our success on this ness.8 Each week, worthily partaking of seemed that all time stood still, and earth would be determined by our the sacrament makes it possible for for an instant, we could see the great worthiness and purity. each of us to become clean and pure eternal plan. The sacredness of life What does it mean to be worthy? as we covenant to “always remember was crystal clear, and I whispered to In the Book of Mormon, Lamoni’s [the Savior], and keep his command- Chad, “Do you understand why it is so father implored, “What shall I do that ments.”9 The gospel of Jesus Christ is important to remain clean and pure?” I may have this eternal life of which one of simplicity, and we are given the He responded reverently, “Oh yes, thou hast spoken?”2 Then the king tools that make the pathway straight Mom, I get it.” made a commitment to the Lord by and narrow. The way is clear: “For my

NOVEMBER 2006 31 enter His holy temples and to ulti- mately become heirs to “all [the] Father hath.”12 The Lord has said, “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceas- ingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God.”13 When we do this, we can confidently enter the holy temples of God with a knowledge that we are worthy to go where the Lord Himself goes. When we are worthy, we can not only enter the temple, the temple can enter us. The Lord’s promises of salvation and happiness become ours—and our earthly mission becomes His. Just last month our youngest son, Chad, went to the temple with a beau- tiful, worthy young woman to be mar- ried for time and all eternity. As he took her hand and knelt at the altar, I looked into the mirrors on either side and again I wanted to whisper, “Do you understand why it is so important to be clean and pure?” But this time I didn’t have to remind him because the Spirit did the whispering. To the youth of the noble birth- right, look into the windows of eter- nity! See yourselves in the Lord’s holy temples. See yourselves living worthy and pure lives. Generations are depending on you! I testify that yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”10 you need the Lord’s blessings, you worthiness is possible because of the Thirty-eight years ago my husband can call upon Him and receive them redeeming and enabling power of and I were married in the Salt Lake because you are worthy.” He said: the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I pray Temple by President Gordon B. “There will come times in your life that it may be said of each one of us, Hinckley. The counsel and direction when you will need immediate bless- “They shall walk with me in white: for he gave us that day have become a ings. You will need to live in such a they are worthy.”14 In the name of beacon for our lives. When we left the way that they will be granted—not Jesus Christ, amen. ■ temple as husband and wife, we went out of mercy but because you are to a park near the temple grounds worthy.” I didn’t comprehend then NOTES and recorded in a journal the words what that meant, but in the 38 years 1. See Alma 13:3. 2. Alma 22:15. of wisdom we had received. He coun- that have followed, we have called 3. Alma 22:18. seled us to always remember our upon our Father in Heaven for many 4. Abraham 3:25. prayers night and morning, to pray as “immediate blessings.” Daily, these 5. See Alma 37:33; 3 Nephi 7:18. 6. See D&C 88:40. a couple and as a family. He coun- holy habits and righteous routines 7. See Helaman 4:24. seled us to always pay a full and hon- have helped steady us on the path 8. See For the Strength of Youth (2001), 30. 9. Moroni 4:3. est tithing. He counseled us to read that leads back into our Father’s pres- 10. Matthew 11:30. the scriptures daily and to apply the ence. And today I say, “We thank thee, 11. “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” principles in our lives. And he coun- O God, for a prophet to guide us in Hymns, no. 19. 11 12. D&C 84:38; see also vv. 35–37. seled us to remain worthy. He said, these latter days.” 13. D&C 121:45. “Always live in such a way that when Personal worthiness is essential to 14. Revelation 3:4; see also v. 5.

32 disposal in which the waste is buried between layers of earth to build up The Atonement Can low-lying land” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed. [2003], 699). Another definition of a landfill is “a Clean, Reclaim, and place where garbage is buried and the land is reclaimed.” The definition of reclaim is “to recall from wrong or Sanctify Our Lives improper conduct . . . to rescue from an undesirable state” (1039). ELDER SHAYNE M. BOWEN I have lived in Idaho Falls nearly Of the Seventy my whole life. I have contributed a lot of garbage to those landfills over the course of more than 50 years. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is available to each of us. What would the city fathers think if His Atonement is infinite. on a given day I showed up on one of the runways of the Idaho Falls airport or the middle of one of the grassy fields in Freeman Park with a backhoe Freeman Park. The Snake River runs and started digging large holes? When along this park for about two miles. they asked me what I was doing, I There is a walking path that goes would respond that I wanted to dig through the park and follows on up the old garbage that I had made around the river for miles. over the years. Freeman Park has acres and acres I suspect they would tell me that of green grass filled with baseball there was no way to identify my per- and softball diamonds, swing sets for sonal garbage, that it had been children, picnic shelters for family reclaimed and buried long ago. I’m reunions, beautiful lanes filled with sure that they would tell me that I had trees and bushes for strolling sweet- no right to dig up the garbage and hearts. Looking down the river from that I was destroying something very the park, one can see the majestic beautiful and useful that they had Idaho Falls temple, white and clean, made out of my garbage. In short, I standing on high ground. The sound don’t think they would be very of the rushing waters of the Snake pleased with me. I suppose that they River as it works its way through natu- would wonder why anyone would n Idaho Falls, Idaho, there is a ral lava outcroppings makes this park want to destroy something so beauti- beautiful airport. One of the very desirable. It is one of my favorite ful and useful in an attempt to dig up Ilargest in the region, this airport places to walk with my sweetheart, old garbage. allows easy access to the Upper Snake Lynette; relax; contemplate; and med- Is it possible to reclaim a life River Valley. I remember as a young itate. It is very peaceful and inspiring. that through reckless abandon has man returning from Chile to this very Why do I talk about the regional become so strewn with garbage that airport and greeting my family after airport and Freeman Park in Idaho it appears that the person is unforgiv- two years of missionary service. Falls? Because they are both built on able? Or what about the one who is Similar scenes have taken place thou- the same kind of ground; both of making an honest effort but has fallen sands of times in this airport as the these beautiful, useful places used to back into sin so many times that he faithful Saints answer the call to serve. be sanitary landfills. feels that there is no possible way to It is a very useful, integral part of the A sanitary landfill is where garbage break the seemingly endless pattern? city and region. is buried between layers of earth. Or what about the person who has Near the airport is another very Webster’s dictionary defines a landfill changed his life but just can’t forgive useful and beautiful part of the city— as “a system of trash and garbage himself?

NOVEMBER 2006 33 Referring to the Atonement of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught: applying layer after layer of fill to Jesus Christ, the prophet Alma taught “Wherefore, it must needs be an infi- reclaim the low-lying ground, our the people in Gideon: nite atonement—save it should be an lives also require the same vigilance, “And he shall go forth, suffering infinite atonement this corruption continually applying layer after layer pains and afflictions and temptations could not put on incorruption. of the healing gift of repentance. of every kind; and this that the word Wherefore, the first judgment which Just as the city fathers in Idaho might be fulfilled which saith he will came upon man must needs have Falls would feel bad about a person take upon him the pains and the sick- remained to an endless duration. And trying to dig up his old garbage, our nesses of his people. if so, this flesh must have laid down to Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus “And he will take upon him death, rot and to crumble to its mother Christ, feel sorrow when we choose that he may loose the bands of death earth, to rise no more” (2 Nephi 9:7). to remain in sin, when the gift of which bind his people; and he will The Atonement of Jesus Christ repentance made possible through take upon him their infirmities, that is available to each of us. His the Atonement can clean, reclaim, his bowels may be filled with mercy, Atonement is infinite. It applies to and sanctify our lives. according to the flesh, that he may everyone, even you. It can clean, When we gratefully accept and know according to the flesh how to reclaim, and sanctify even you. That use this precious gift, we can enjoy succor his people according to their is what infinite means—total, com- the beauty and usefulness of our infirmities. plete, all, forever. President Boyd K. lives that God has reclaimed through “Now the Spirit knoweth all things; Packer has taught: “There is no habit, His infinite love and the Atonement nevertheless the Son of God suffereth no addiction, no rebellion, no trans- of His Son and our brother, Jesus according to the flesh that he might gression, no apostasy, no crime Christ. take upon him the sins of his people, exempted from the promise of com- I testify that Jesus is the Christ, that he might blot out their transgres- plete forgiveness. That is the prom- the Son of the living God, that His sions according to the power of his ise of the atonement of Christ” (“The Atonement is real, and that through deliverance; and now behold, this Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” the miracle of forgiveness, He can is the testimony which is in me” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 20). make each of us clean again, even (Alma 7:11–13). Just as the landfill requires dedi- you. In the name of Jesus Christ, Also speaking of the Atonement, cated work and attention, laboriously amen. ■

34 funds are then gathered and used to fund the growth and development of The Law of Tithing the Church throughout the world. Examples of the use of tithing funds ELDER DANIEL L. JOHNSON are the construction of temples, the Of the Seventy financing of the worldwide missionary effort, the building and maintenance of meetinghouses, and other worthy I invite you to put your trust in the Lord and, as He Himself purposes. said, “Prove me now herewith.” Why does the Lord require His people to pay tithing? The Lord is our Father, and as our Father, He loves us. Because He loves us, He wants to that we could otherwise enjoy. bless us both temporally and spiritu- As President Spencer W. Kimball ally. Listen to some of His statements once said: “The Lord herein makes as written in the scriptures: “Hearken clear that tithing is his law and is and hear, O ye my people, saith the required of all his followers. It is our Lord and your God, ye whom I delight honor and privilege, our safety and to bless with the greatest of all bless- promise, our great blessing to live this ings.”4 And another: “For thus saith law of God. To fail to meet this obliga- the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful tion in full is to deny ourselves the and gracious unto those who fear me, promises and is to omit a weighty and delight to honor those who serve matter. It is a transgression, not an me in righteousness and in truth unto inconsequential oversight.”1 the end.”5 So what is a tithing? The Lord has In order to bestow His blessings on given us His definition: “And this shall His children in a just and equitable be the beginning of the tithing of my manner, the Lord has instituted laws people. And after that, those who that govern those blessings that He have thus been tithed shall pay one- wants all of us to enjoy. He has y remarks this afternoon are tenth of all their interest annually; and revealed this principle of laws to His intended as an invitation to this shall be a standing law unto them prophet of the Restoration: “There is Mthose who have not yet forever.”2 Please note that the tithe is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven gained a personal testimony of the not just any freewill offering, nor is it before the foundations of this world, full payment of tithing. There are a 20th or some other fraction of our upon which all blessings are predi- many reasons that are used to not pay annual interest or income. cated—and when we obtain any bless- tithing, such as medical emergencies, President Howard W. Hunter stated ing from God, it is by obedience to debts, car or home repairs, educa- it this way: “The law is simply stated as that law upon which it is predicated.”6 tional expenses, and insurance. These ‘one-tenth of all their interest.’ Interest And again: “I, the Lord, am bound reasons and others like them are very means profit, compensation, increase. when ye do what I say; but when ye do real and are lived and dealt with every It is the wage of one employed, the not what I say, ye have no promise.”7 day by many, if not most, of us. These profit from the operation of a business, The Lord knew from the beginning tax our limited financial resources the increase of one who grows or pro- that we, His children, would be faced and, if we are not wise stewards of duces, or the income to a person from with temporal and spiritual adversities these resources, may result in the any other source. The Lord said it is a during this mortal life. Indeed, these inability to meet our tithing obli- standing law ‘forever’ as it has been in adversities are a vital part of this gation to the Lord. A lack of compli- the past.”3 mortal probation. He knew that we ance with this eternal law is not to be How is tithing used? Faithful mem- would stand in need of His blessings taken lightly and can not only seri- bers of the Church pay their tithing to throughout our lives in order to not ously impair our spiritual growth and a member of their branch presidency only survive our individual trials, but development, but it can also limit or ward bishopric. Under the direc- also to enjoy a degree of comfort and the physical and temporal blessings tion of the Lord’s prophet, these even prosperity.

NOVEMBER 2006 35 Thus the law of tithing, which was to pay tithing, but the Lord has prom- obedience to this law, it will draw instituted from the beginning. We ised that He would prepare a way for you ever closer to the Lord. know from the scriptures that us to keep all of His commandments. To those of you who are already Abraham was blessed through his To pay tithing takes a leap of faith in tithe payers, I commend you for your obedience to this law, and we now the beginning. . . . We learn about faithfulness. You are already wit- have that same law as it was reiterated tithing by paying it. Indeed, I believe it nesses and have your own personal by the Savior during His visit to the is possible to break out of poverty by testimonies as to the fulfillment of inhabitants of the American continent having the faith to give back to the the Lord’s promises to those who almost 2,000 years ago: Lord part of what little we have.”9 My obey this commandment, and each “Bring ye all the tithes into the brothers and sisters, we have but to time you pay your tithing, your per- storehouse, that there may be meat in obey the law. sonal commitment to the Lord my house; and prove me now here- Now the invitation: To those who increases. with, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will are not yet full-tithe payers, I invite I bear you my own personal wit- not open you the windows of heaven, you to begin today to pay your full ness of the law of tithing and of the and pour you out a blessing that there tithing to the Lord through your reality of the promises that the Lord shall not be room enough to receive it. local priesthood leader. I invite you has given regarding this law. I know “And I will rebuke the devourer for to pay your tithing to the Lord first, from personal experience that the your sakes, and he shall not destroy before you meet any other financial blessings do indeed come, and for the fruits of your ground; neither shall obligations. I invite you to put your that I am most grateful. In the name your vine cast her fruit before the time trust in the Lord and, as He Himself of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ 10 in the fields, saith the Lord of Hosts. said, “Prove me now herewith.” As NOTES “And all nations shall call you you do so and as you place your 1. “He Did It with All His Heart, and blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome tithing obligation to the Lord as the Prospered,” Tambuli, Aug. 1981, 3; 8 “President Kimball Speaks Out on Tithing,” land, saith the Lord of Hosts.” first priority of all of your other finan- New Era, Apr. 1981, 6. What a marvelous law! He who has cial obligations, you will indeed 2. D&C 119:3–4. not only the power and the means to become a witness to the matchless 3. In Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 35. 4. D&C 41:1. bless His children temporally and spiri- power of the Lord as He opens the 5. D&C 76:5. tually but also the desire to do so, has windows of heaven and pours out 6. D&C 130:20–21. 7. D&C 82:10. provided to us the key to those bless- a blessing “that there shall not be 8. 3 Nephi 24:10–12; see also Malachi ings that we both need and desire. room enough to receive it.”11 You will 3:10–12. This key is the law of tithing. Indeed, then have gained your own personal 9. “Opening the Windows of Heaven,” Liahona, Jan. 1999, 67; Ensign, Nov. 1998, 59. as stated by President James E. Faust: testimony of this very sacred law of 10. 3 Nephi 24:10; see also Malachi 3:10. “Some may feel that they cannot afford tithing, and as you continue your 11. 3 Nephi 24:10; see also Malachi 3:10.

36 find about aviation. It was my greatest desire to become a pilot. I could The Power of a already picture myself in the cockpit of an airliner or in a military fighter plane. I felt deep in my heart this was my thing! Personal Testimony Then I learned that to become ELDER DIETER F. UCHTDORF a pilot I needed to speak English. Overnight, to the total surprise of Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles everybody, it appeared as if my mouth had changed. I was able to Our firm personal testimony will motivate us to change learn English. It still took a lot of ourselves and then bless the world. work, persistence, and patience, but I was able to learn English! Why? Because of a righteous and strong motive! Our motives and thoughts ulti- With this powerful testimony and mately influence our actions. The motivation in his heart, Nephi built a testimony of the truthfulness of the ship in which they crossed the great restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the waters, despite the strong opposition most powerful motivating force in our expressed by his faithless brothers. lives. Jesus repeatedly emphasized Let me share with you a personal the power of good thoughts and experience from my own youth about proper motives: “Look unto me in the power of righteous motives. every thought; doubt not, fear not” After the turmoil of the Second (D&C 6:36). World War, my family ended up in The testimony of Jesus Christ and Russian-occupied East Germany. When the restored gospel will help us in our I attended fourth grade I had to learn lives to learn of God’s specific plan for Russian as my first foreign language in us and then to act accordingly. It gives school. I found this quite difficult us assurance of the reality, truth, and because of the Cyrillic alphabet, but as goodness of God, of the teachings and time went on I seemed to do all right. Atonement of Jesus Christ, and of the When I turned 11 we had to leave divine calling of latter-day prophets. n the Book of Mormon, we read of East Germany overnight because of Our testimony motivates us to live young Nephi who was commanded the political orientation of my father. righteously, and righteous living will Iby the Lord to build a ship. He was Now I was going to school in West cause our testimony to grow stronger. quick to obey this commandment, but Germany, which was American- his brothers were skeptical. “When my occupied at that time. There in What Is a Testimony? brethren saw that I was about to build school all children were required to One definition of testimony is “a a ship,” he wrote, “they began to mur- learn English and not Russian. To learn solemn attestation as to the truth of a mur against me, saying: Our brother Russian had been difficult, but English matter,” originating from the Latin is a fool, for he thinketh that he can was impossible for me. I thought my word testimonium and the word testis, build a ship; yea, and he also thinketh mouth was not made for speaking meaning “witness” (“Testimony,” that he can cross these great waters” English. My teachers struggled. My http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki (1 Nephi 17:17). parents suffered. And I knew English /Testimony; Merriam-Webster’s But Nephi was not discouraged. He was definitely not my language. Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed. [2003], had no experience building ships, but But then something changed in “testimony,” 1291). he had a strong personal testimony my young life. Almost daily I rode my For members of The Church of “that the Lord . . . [would] prepare a bicycle to the airport and watched air- Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the way . . . [to] accomplish the thing planes take off and land. I read, stud- term testimony is a warm and familiar which he commandeth” (1 Nephi 3:7). ied, and learned everything I could word in our religious expressions. It is

NOVEMBER 2006 37 tender and sweet. It has always a cer- the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles The core of this testimony will tain sacredness about it. When we talk are the prophets, seers, and revela- always be the faith in and the knowl- about testimony, we refer to feelings tors in our day. edge of Jesus Christ and His divine of our heart and mind rather than an As we acquire a deeper knowledge mission, who in the scriptures says of accumulation of logical, sterile facts. It of these truths and of the plan of sal- Himself, “I am the way, the truth, and is a gift of the Spirit, a witness from vation by the power and the gift of the the life” (John 14:6). the Holy Ghost that certain concepts Holy Ghost, we can come to “know So how do we receive a personal are true. the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). testimony rooted in the witness of the A testimony is the sure knowledge Holy Ghost? The pattern is outlined or assurance from the Holy Ghost of How Do We Get a Testimony? in the scriptures: the truth and divinity of the Lord’s We all know that it is easier to talk First: Desire to believe. The Book work in these latter days. A testimony about a testimony than to acquire of Mormon encourages us: “If [you] is the “abiding, living, [and] moving one. The process to receive one is will awake and arouse your faculties, conviction of the truths revealed in based on the law of the harvest: “For even to an experiment upon my the gospel of Jesus Christ” (Marion G. whatsoever a man soweth, that shall words, and exercise a particle of faith, Romney, “How to Gain a Testimony,” he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). No good . . . even if [you] can no more than New Era, May 1976, 8; emphasis thing comes without effort and sacri- desire to believe” (Alma 32:27). added). fice. If we have to work hard to obtain Some may say, “I cannot believe; I When we bear testimony, we a testimony, it will make us and our am not a religious person.” Just con- declare the absolute truth of the testimony even stronger. And if we sider, God promises us divine help gospel message. In a time when many share our testimony, it will grow. even if we have only a desire to perceive truth as relative, a declara- A testimony is a most precious pos- believe, but it has to be a true and not tion of absolute truth is not very session because it is not acquired by a pretended desire. popular, nor does it seem politically logic or reason alone, it cannot be Second: Search the scriptures. Have correct or opportune. Testimonies of purchased with earthly possessions, questions; study them out; search in things how “they really are” (Jacob and it cannot be given as a present or the scriptures for answers. Again, the 4:13) are bold, true, and vital because inherited from our ancestors. We can- Book of Mormon has good advice for they have eternal consequences for not depend on the testimonies of us: “If [you] give place, that a seed may mankind. Satan wouldn’t mind if we other people. We need to know for be planted in your heart” through dili- declared the message of our faith and ourselves. President Gordon B. gent study of the word of God, the gospel doctrine as negotiable accord- Hinckley said, “Every Latter-day Saint good seed “will begin to swell within ing to circumstances. Our firm convic- has the responsibility to know for your breasts” if you will not resist with tion of gospel truth is an anchor in himself or herself with a certainty unbelief. This good seed will “enlarge our lives; it is steady and reliable as beyond doubt that Jesus is the resur- [your] soul” and “enlighten [your] the North Star. A testimony is very rected, living Son of the living God” understanding” (Alma 32:28). personal and may be a little different (“Fear Not to Do Good,” Ensign, Third: Do the will of God; keep for each of us, because everyone is a May 1983, 80). the commandments. It is not enough unique person. However, a testimony The source of this sure knowledge to enter into a scholarly debate if we of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and firm conviction is divine revela- want to know for ourselves that the will always include these clear and tion, “for the testimony of Jesus is the kingdom of God has been restored simple truths: spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). upon the earth. Casual study is • God lives. He is our loving Father We receive this testimony when also not enough. We have to get in in Heaven, and we are His children. the Holy Spirit speaks to the spirit on the action ourselves, and that • Jesus Christ is the Son of the liv- within us. We will receive a calm and means learning and then doing ing God and the Savior of the world. unwavering certainty that will be the God’s will. • Joseph Smith is the prophet of source of our testimony and convic- We need to come to Christ and God through whom the gospel of Jesus tion irrespective of our culture, race, follow His teachings. The Savior Christ was restored in the latter days. language, or socioeconomic back- taught: “My doctrine is not mine, but • The Book of Mormon is the ground. These promptings of the his that sent me. If any man will do his word of God. Spirit, rather than human logic alone, will, he shall know of the doctrine, • President Gordon B. Hinckley, will be the true foundation upon whether it be of God, or whether I his counselors, and the members of which our testimony will be built. speak of myself” (John 7:16–17;

38 After a conference session, members and missionaries in the Chihuahua Mexico Tecnológico Stake pose for a photograph. emphasis added). And He said, “If ye how do [you] suppose that I know of the right at all times and in all circum- love me, keep my commandments” their surety? stances. It motivates us to draw (John 14:15). “. . . Behold, I have fasted and nearer to God, allowing Him to draw Fourth: Ponder, fast, and pray. prayed . . . that I might know these nearer to us (see James 4:8). To receive knowledge from the Holy things of myself. And . . . the Lord Our personal testimony is a protec- Ghost, we must ask Heavenly Father God hath made them manifest unto tive shield, and like an iron rod it is for it. We must trust that God loves us me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the guiding us safely through darkness and that He will help us to recognize spirit of revelation” (Alma 5:45–46). and confusion. the promptings of the Holy Ghost. My dear brothers and sisters, Alma Nephi’s testimony gave him the The Book of Mormon reminds us: received his witness by fasting and courage to stand up and be counted “When [you] . . . read these things, prayer more than 2,000 years ago, and as one who obeys the Lord. He did . . . remember how merciful the Lord we may have the same sacred experi- not murmur, doubt, or fear no matter [has] been unto the children of men, ence today. what the circumstances. When times from the creation of Adam even down got tough he said, “I will go and do until the time that [you] shall receive What Is a Testimony Good For? [what] the Lord [has] commanded, these things, and ponder it in your A testimony provides proper per- for I know that the Lord . . . shall pre- hearts. spective, motivation, and a solid foun- pare a way . . . [to] accomplish [it]” “. . . Ask God, the Eternal Father, in dation on which to build a life of (1 Nephi 3:7). the name of Christ, if these things are purpose and personal growth. It is a Just as the Lord knew Nephi, God . . . true; and if [you] . . . ask with a constant source of confidence, a true knows us and loves us. This is our sincere heart, with real intent, having and faithful companion during good time; these are our days. We are faith in Christ, he will manifest the times and bad. A testimony provides where the action is. Our firm personal truth of it unto you, by the power of us with a reason for hope and glad- testimony will motivate us to change the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:3–4). ness. It helps us cultivate a spirit of ourselves and then bless the world. And the prophet Alma said: optimism and happiness and enables Of this I testify and leave you my “I testify unto you that I do know us to rejoice in the beauties of nature. blessing as an Apostle of the Lord, in that these things . . . are true. And A testimony motivates us to choose the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

NOVEMBER 2006 39 is assured protection while ascending. Should there be an inadvertent mis- The Atonement Can step, the anchor will safely limit the fall. The second not only secures the lead but gives encouragement with comments and signals as they com- Secure Your Peace municate back and forth. Their goal is a safe, exhilarating experience by overcoming a significant challenge. and Happiness They employ techniques and equip- ment that are tried and proven. The ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT essential equipment includes a secure Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles harness, a reliable rope, a variety of anchors to be fixed to the rock face, a chalk bag to improve grip, and proper True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, boots or special shoes that a leader courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, can use to grip the surface of the will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. steep wall. The companionship has studied the rules and techniques of rock climbing. They have received instruc- tion from experienced climbers and attempt to scale a difficult rock cliff have practiced to become comfort- by a method called “soloing.” They able with the proper moves and the ascend alone, without equipment, use of equipment. They have planned companions, or any secure protection. a route and determined how they They depend on their own skill and will work together. When the leader capacity. They do it for the thrill of liv- scales far enough and finds a conven- ing on the edge with high risk. It is ient place that is very safe, he or she done despite the probability that in belays while taking up the rope as the time they will fall and be seriously second follows the “pitch” or length injured or lose their life. They are like of rope that has been extended. many who face the challenges and When the leader is reached, the temptations of life without the secu- process is then repeated. One belays rity of following the commandments while the other climbs, inserting of God, guided by the Holy Spirit. anchors every few feet as protection In today’s difficult world they will should there be an inadvertent fall. almost surely violate critical laws, with While technical rock climbing appears painful, destructive consequences. to be risky and dangerous, these ur Father in Heaven wants Do not “solo” in life. You will almost precautions assure an exhilarating each of us to enjoy peace and certainly fall into transgression. experience, safely accomplished by Ohappiness in mortal life. Our There is a safer way to rock climb. following correct principles. Master, Jesus Christ, and His prophets When a pair of climbers tackle a diffi- In real life, the anchors are the have taught how to have that peace cult ascent, the leader scales a wall, laws of God that provide protection and happiness, even in a world that is placing anchors a few feet apart. His under all of the challenges that you ever more challenging, with increas- or her rope is linked to the anchor by will face. The rope and carabiners that ing conflict and an intense concentra- a carabiner. Safety is assured by a secure the rope to the anchors repre- tion of alluring temptations. companion, called the second, sta- sent obedience to those command- I will illustrate the wrong way to tioned in a very solid position. The ments. When you learn those find peace and happiness, and then lead is protected as the second belays, commandments, continue to practice the proper way, by using an analogy to that is, carefully controls how the them, and have a plan to avoid dan- rock climbing. There are those who rope is payed out. In this way the lead ger, you will have a secure means of

40 obtaining protection against Satan’s teachings provides a secure ascent in that will give your life glorious pur- temptations. You will develop the journey of life. That takes effort. pose as you ascend and conquer the strength of character that will fortify While there is no guarantee of difficulties of life. That perspective you against transgression. Should you overnight results, there is the assur- keeps challenges confined to their make a wrong move, there need be ance that, in the Lord’s time, solu- proper place—stepping-stones to fur- no enduring problem because of the tions will come, peace will prevail, ther growth and attainment. belaying or help that is available and happiness will be yours. The Lord is intent on your per- through your repentance. The challenges you face, the sonal growth and development. Let the Savior be your “lead” in life. growth experiences you encounter, Your progress is accelerated when He has said, “I am . . . the Rock of are intended to be temporary scenes you willingly allow Him to lead you Heaven . . . ; whoso cometh in at the played out on the stage of a life of through every growth experience you gate and climbeth up by me shall continuing peace and happiness. encounter, whether you welcome the never fall.”1 The Redeemer will safely Sadness, heartache, and disappoint- experience or not. Trust in the Lord. lead you over the most difficult obsta- ment are events in life. It is not Ask to be led by the Spirit to know cles of life. His laws are absolutely intended that they be the substance His will. Be willing to accept it. You secure anchors of protection that dis- of life. I do not minimize how hard will then qualify for the greatest hap- pel fear and assure success in an oth- some of these events can be. When piness and the heights of attainment erwise dangerous world. Such a life the lesson you are to learn is very from this mortal experience. will certainly provide you peace and important, trials can extend over a Peace and happiness are the pre- happiness. long period of time, but they should cious fruits of a righteous life. They True, enduring happiness, with the not be allowed to become the confin- are only possible because of the accompanying strength, courage, and ing focus of everything you do. Your Atonement of Jesus Christ. I will capacity to overcome the greatest dif- life can and should be wondrously explain. ficulties, will come as you center your rewarding. It is your understanding Each of us makes mistakes in life. life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His and application of the laws of God They result in broken eternal laws.

NOVEMBER 2006 41 experience the incomparable chal- lenge of His Atonement. Even so, you should conscientiously study the Atonement to understand it as well as you can. You can learn what is need- ful to live His commandments, to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. You can qualify, with obedient family members, to live with Him and your Father in Heaven forever. Lehi taught his son Jacob, “No flesh . . . can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.”3 Jesus Christ possessed merits that no other being could possibly have. He was a God, Jehovah, before His birth in Bethlehem. His beloved Justice is that part of Father in where justice assures that you will Father not only gave Him His spirit Heaven’s plan of happiness that main- retain what you earn by obedience. body, but Jesus was His Only Begotten tains order. It is like gravity to a rock Through His mercy you can resolve Son in the flesh. Our Master lived a climber, ever present. It is a friend if the consequences of broken laws. perfect, sinless life and therefore was eternal laws are observed. It responds The Atonement was a selfless act free from the demands of justice. He to your detriment if they are ignored. of infinite, eternal consequence, ardu- is perfect in every attribute, including Justice guarantees that you will receive ously earned alone, by the Son of love, compassion, patience, obedi- the blessings you earn for obeying the God.2 Through it the Savior broke the ence, forgiveness, and humility. His laws of God. Justice also requires that bonds of death. It justifies our finally mercy pays our debt to justice when every broken law be satisfied. When being judged by the Redeemer. It can we repent and obey Him. Since with you obey the laws of God, you are prevent an eternity under the domin- even our best efforts to obey His blessed, but there is no additional ion of Satan. It opens the gates to teachings we will still fall short, credit earned that can be saved to exaltation for all who qualify for for- because of His grace we will be satisfy the laws that you break. If not giveness through repentance and “saved, after all we can do.”4 resolved, broken laws can cause your obedience. I testify that with unimaginable suf- life to be miserable and would keep Pondering the grandeur of the fering and agony at an incalculable you from returning to God. Only the Atonement evokes the most profound price, the Savior earned His right to life, teachings, and particularly the feelings of awe, immense gratitude, be our Redeemer, our Intermediary, Atonement of Jesus Christ can release and deep humility. Those impressions our Final Judge. I know that He lives you from this otherwise impossible can provide you powerful motivation and that He loves you. Consistently predicament. to keep His commandments and con- make Him your “lead” in life. The The demands of justice for broken sistently repent of errors for greater secure anchors of His laws will assure law can be satisfied through mercy, peace and happiness. safety and success as you scale the earned by your continual repentance I believe that no matter how dili- challenges you will face. You will not and obedience to the laws of God. gently you try, you cannot with your fall into serious transgression. Yours Such repentance and obedience are human mind fully comprehend the will be a life of peace and happiness absolutely essential for the Atonement eternal significance of the Atonement crowned with exaltation in the celes- to work its complete miracle in your nor fully understand how it was tial kingdom. In the name of Jesus life. The Redeemer can settle your accomplished. We can only appreci- Christ, amen. ■ individual account with justice and ate in the smallest measure what it NOTES grant forgiveness through the merciful cost the Savior in pain, anguish, and 1. Moses 7:53. 2. See D&C 133:50, 52–53. path of your repentance. Through the suffering or how difficult it was for 3. 2 Nephi 2:8; emphasis added. Atonement you can live in a world our Father in Heaven to see His Son 4. 2 Nephi 25:23.

42 PRIESTHOOD SESSION September 30, 2006

hearts are being changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That is A Priesthood how their hearts become knit together. You can see then why the Lord charges the presidents of quorums to Quorum lead in the way that He does. In the ELDER HENRY B. EYRING 107th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, He uses almost the same Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles words describing the duties of the president in each quorum. The dea- The strength of a quorum comes in large measure from cons quorum president is to teach the how completely its members are united in righteousness. quorum members their duty “as it is given according to the covenants.”3 The president of the teachers quorum is to teach its members their duties as “given in the covenants.”4 The presi- moved across a continent to where dent of the priests quorum, who is there were many priesthood holders the bishop, is commanded “to preside and strong quorums. over forty-eight priests, and sit in I have learned over the years that council with them, to teach them the strength in a quorum doesn’t the duties of their office, as is given come from the number of priesthood in the covenants.”5 holders in it. Nor does it come auto- The elders quorum president is matically from the age and maturity charged this way: of the members. Rather, the strength “Again, the duty of the president of a quorum comes in large measure over the office of elders is to preside from how completely its members are over ninety-six elders, and to sit in united in righteousness. That unity in council with them, and to teach them a strong quorum of the priesthood is according to the covenants.”6 not like anything I have experienced It is easy to understand why God in an athletic team or club or any wants His quorums taught “according other organization in the world. to the covenants.” Covenants are The words of Alma, recorded in solemn promises. Heavenly Father am grateful to be with you in this the book of Mosiah, come closest to has promised us all eternal life if we great priesthood meeting. All of describing the unity I have felt in the will make and keep covenants. For I us are members of a quorum in strongest priesthood quorums: instance, we receive the priesthood the priesthood. That may not seem “And he commanded them that with a covenant to be faithful in help- remarkable to you, but it does to there should be no contention one ing Him in His work. The people we me. I was ordained a deacon in the with another, but that they should baptize into His Church promise to Aaronic Priesthood in a tiny branch look forward with one eye, having have faith in Jesus Christ and to of the Church. There was only one one faith and one baptism, having repent and to keep His command- family in the branch. We had no their hearts knit together in unity and ments. Every covenant requires faith chapel. We met in our house. I was in love one towards another.”1 in Jesus Christ and obedience to His the only deacon and my brother the Alma even told his people how to commandments to qualify for the for- only teacher. qualify for that unity. He told them giveness and purified hearts neces- So I know what it is like to exercise that they should preach nothing save sary to inherit eternal life, the greatest the priesthood alone, without serving it were repentance and faith on the of all the gifts of God. with others in a quorum. I was con- Lord, who had redeemed his people.2 You might ask, “Does that mean tent in that small branch without a What Alma was teaching, and what that every lesson in the quorum must quorum. I had no way to know what is true in any unified priesthood quo- only be about faith and repentance?” I was missing. And then my family rum I have seen, is that the members’ Of course not. But it does mean that

NOVEMBER 2006 43 the teacher and those who participate prayerful consideration in council, he must always desire to bring the Spirit felt inspired to call a deacon to invite of the Lord into the hearts of the to the next quorum meeting another members in the room to produce deacon who had never attended. He faith and a determination to repent knew that the deacon who had never and to be clean. attended had a father who was not a And that desire goes beyond the member of the Church and that his walls of the room where the quorum mother had little interest in the meets. In a truly united quorum, that Church. desire extends to the members wher- The designated deacon accepted ever they are. the call from his president to contact I saw that a few years ago in a dea- the boy. He went. I watched him go. cons quorum where I had been called He went a little reluctantly, as if it to teach the lessons. A few of the dea- might be a hard task. The boy he cons failed to come to the quorum invited to come with him to quorum meetings from time to time. I knew came only a few times before his fam- that the teaching in that quorum— ily moved away. Many years later I was and in every quorum—was the charge in a stake conference thousands of of the president, who had keys. He according to the covenants, and he miles away from where that deacons was to sit in council with all of them. reached out to help his friend and fel- quorum had met. Between confer- And so I have made a habit of seeking low member in the quorum. ence meetings, a man I did not know the counsel of the one with the Priesthood quorum members are came up to me and asked if I knew charge from God by asking him, taught in more ways than by lessons someone. He gave me a name. It was “What do you think I should teach? in a class. The quorum is a service the boy who was called by his deacons What should I try to accomplish?” unit, and the members learn in their quorum president to go after and care I learned to follow his counsel service. A quorum can give greater for one lost sheep. The man said to because I knew God had given him service than the members could give me, “Will you thank him for me? I am responsibility for the teaching of his alone. And that power is multiplied by the grandfather of the boy he invited quorum members. I knew one more than their numbers. Every quo- to a deacons quorum years ago. He is Sunday that God had honored the rum has a leader with authority and grown now. But he still talks with me charge to a young quorum president. responsibility to direct priesthood about the deacon who invited him to I was teaching the deacons. I noticed service. I have seen the power that go with him to church.” an empty chair. There was a recording comes when quorums are called to He had tears in his eyes, and so did device sitting on the chair, and I could move out to help in times of disaster. I. A young quorum president had see that it was running. After the Time and again I have had people been inspired to reach out to a lost class, a boy sitting next to the empty outside the Church express surprise member of his quorum. He was chair picked up the recorder. As he and admiration for the effectiveness inspired to send a boy on the errand started to leave the room, I asked him of the Church in organizing to give to serve. That president had done why he had recorded our discussion. help. It seems to them like a miracle. what the Master would have done. He smiled and said that another dea- In all priesthood service the miracle And in the process a young president con had told him that he wouldn’t be of power comes because leaders and trained a new priesthood holder in in the quorum that day. He was taking members honor the authority of his duty to serve others according the recorder to his friend at home so those who direct the service in priest- to the covenants. Hearts were knit that he could listen to our lesson. hood quorums across the earth. which were still connected after more I had trusted in the responsibility Miracles of power can come as than 20 years and across thousands of given to a young quorum president, quorums reach out to serve others. miles. Quorum unity lasts when it is so help from heaven came. The Spirit They come as well when the priest- forged in the Lord’s service and in the came to touch the members in that hood service is to members within Lord’s way. room and sent one of them to a the quorum. A deacons quorum presi- One of the hallmarks of a strong friend to try to strengthen his faith dent met early one Sunday, before the quorum is the feeling of fellowship and lead him to repentance. The dea- quorum meeting, with his counselors among its members. They care for con carrying the recorder had learned and with the quorum secretary. After each other. They help each other.

44 Quorum presidents can build that fellowship best if they remember the Lord’s purpose for unity in the quo- rum. It is of course so that they will help each other. But it is more, much more. It is so that they will lift and encourage each other to serve in righteousness with the Master in His work to offer eternal life to Heavenly Father’s children. Understanding that will change the way we try to build fellowship in the quorum. For instance, it might even change the way a teachers quorum plays basketball. The members might hope to build fellowship, more than just to win a game. They could choose to invite a boy who is always left out because he doesn’t play very well. If he accepts and comes, the members of the quorum are likely to pass the ball a little more, looking for the open man, especially the boy who isn’t likely to score. Twenty years later I was blessed with that same feel- the children of our Heavenly Father, they may not remember whether they ing of fellowship by a priesthood according to the covenants. I have won that night, but they will always leader when I was in the Aaronic faith that He will. remember how they played together Priesthood. He understood how to I know that our Heavenly Father and why—and whose team it was. It build priesthood fellowship that can lives. I know that His Son, Jesus Christ, was the Lord who said, “If ye are not last. He arranged with the owner of a atoned for our sins and those of every- one ye are not mine.”7 woodlot for us to spend an afternoon one we will ever meet. He was resur- Understanding why the Lord chopping wood and putting it in bun- rected. He lives. He leads His Church. wants fellowship can change the way dles. The bundles were for widows so He holds the keys of the priesthood. an elders quorum party is planned. that they could have a fire in the cold Through inspiration to those who hold I’ve been to a party where the man of winter. I still remember the warmth keys in the Church, He calls every who planned it was a convert to the of fellowship I felt with my priesthood president of every priesthood quorum. Church. Finding the gospel was the brethren. But even more I remember I testify that the priesthood was sweetest thing that had ever happened feeling that I was doing what the restored with all its keys to Joseph to him. So neighbors and friends not Savior would do. And so I felt fellow- Smith. And I bear solemn witness that yet members of the Church were ship with Him. We can build that pre- those keys have been passed to the invited to the party. I still remember cious fellowship in our quorums in present day to the President of The the feeling of fellowship as we visited this life and then we can have it for- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day with them about what the Church ever, in glory and in families, if we live Saints, who is the president of the meant to us. I felt in that party more according to the covenants. priesthood in all the earth. than fellowship with brothers in the My prayer is that you will accept I so testify, in the sacred name of priesthood. The Master invited His the Lord’s invitation to become Jesus Christ, amen. ■ disciples to His first Quorum of the united, as one, in our quorums of NOTES Twelve in His mortal ministry this way: the priesthood. He has marked the 1. Mosiah 18:21. 2. See Mosiah 18:20. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers way. And He has promised us that 3. D&C 107:85. of men.”8 And so that night at a party, with His help good quorums can 4. D&C 107:86. I felt that I was in the fellowship of the become great quorums. He wants 5. D&C 107:87. 6. D&C 107:89. Master and His disciples, becoming that for us. And I know that He 7. D&C 38:27. what He wants us to be. needs stronger quorums to bless 8. Matthew 4:19.

NOVEMBER 2006 45 goal should be his own pleasure. Permissive social mores have “let men Let Us Be Men off the hook” as it were, so that many think it acceptable to father children ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON out of wedlock and to cohabit rather Of the Presidency of the Seventy than marry.1 Dodging commitments is considered smart, but sacrificing for the good of others, naive. For some, We who hold the priesthood of God . . . must arise a life of work and achievement is from the dust of self-indulgence and be men! optional. A psychologist studying the growing phenomenon of what he calls “young men stuck in neutral” describes this scenario: woman with limited use of her arm. “Justin goes off to college for a Mother was shocked when Dad told year or two, wastes thousands of dol- the manager they would buy the lars of his parents’ money, then gets machine and then paid cash for it. bored and comes home to take up Despite my father’s good income as residence in his old room, the same a veterinarian, Mother’s surgery and bedroom where he lived when he was medications had left them in a difficult in high school. Now he’s working 16 financial situation. hours a week at Kinko’s or part time On the way home, my mother was at Starbucks. upset: “How can we afford it? Where “His parents are pulling their hair did the money come from? How will out. ‘Justin, you’re 26 years old. we get along now?” Finally Dad told You’re not in school. You don’t have her that he had gone without lunches a career. You don’t even have a girl- for nearly a year to save enough friend. What’s the plan? When are you money. “Now when you iron,” he going to get a life?’ said, “you won’t have to stop and go “ ‘What’s the problem?’ Justin asks. into the bedroom and cry until the ‘I haven’t gotten arrested for any- ears ago, when my brothers and pain in your arm stops.” She didn’t thing, I haven’t asked you guys for I were boys, our mother had know he knew about that. I was not money. Why can’t you just chill?’”2 Yradical cancer surgery. She came aware of my father’s sacrifice and act How’s that for ambition? very close to death. Much of the tis- of love for my mother at the time, but We who hold the priesthood of sue in her neck and shoulder had to now that I know, I say to myself, God cannot afford to drift. We have be removed, and for a long time it “There is a man.” work to do (see Moroni 9:6). We must was very painful for her to use her The prophet Lehi pled with his arise from the dust of self-indulgence right arm. rebellious sons, saying, “Arise from and be men! It is a wonderful aspira- One morning about a year after the the dust, my sons, and be men” tion for a boy to become a man— surgery, my father took Mother to an (2 Nephi 1:21; emphasis added). By strong and capable; someone who can appliance store and asked the manager age, Laman and Lemuel were men, build and create things, run things; to show her how to use a machine he but in terms of character and spiritual someone who makes a difference in had for ironing clothes. The machine maturity they were still as children. the world. It is a wonderful aspiration was called an Ironrite. It was operated They murmured and complained for those of us who are older to make from a chair by pressing pedals with if asked to do anything hard. They the vision of true manhood a reality in one’s knees to lower a padded roller didn’t accept anyone’s authority to our lives and be models for those who against a heated metal surface and correct them. They didn’t value spiri- look to us for an example. turn the roller, feeding in shirts, pants, tual things. They easily resorted to In large measure, true manhood is dresses, and other articles. You can see violence, and they were good at defined in our relationship to women. that this would make ironing (of which playing the victim. The First Presidency and Quorum of there was a great deal in our family of We see some of the same attitudes the Twelve Apostles have given us the five boys) much easier, especially for a today. Some act as if a man’s highest ideal to pursue in these words:

46 “The family is ordained of God. President Gordon B. Hinckley, with a man that requires me to make Marriage between man and woman is speaking in this meeting in April 1998, certain payments each year. I am essential to His eternal plan. Children gave specific counsel for young men: in arrears, and I can’t make those are entitled to birth within the bonds “The girl you marry will take a ter- payments, for if I do, it is going to of matrimony, and to be reared by a rible chance on you. . . . [You] will cause me to lose my home. What father and a mother who honor mari- largely determine the remainder of shall I do?’ tal vows with complete fidelity. . . . By her life. . . . “I looked at him and said, ‘Keep divine design, fathers are to preside “Work for an education. Get all the your agreement.’ over their families in love and righ- training that you can. The world will “ ‘Even if it costs me my home?’ teousness and are responsible to pro- largely pay you what it thinks you are “I said, ‘I am not talking about vide the necessities of life and worth. Paul did not mince words your home. I am talking about your protection for their families.”3 when he wrote to Timothy, ‘But if any agreement; and I think your wife Over the years, I have visited mem- provide not for his own, and specially would rather have a husband who bers of the Church in many countries, for those of his own house, he hath would keep his word, meet his obli- and despite differences in circum- denied the faith, and is worse than an gations, . . . and have to rent a home stances and cultures, everywhere I infidel’ (1 Tim. 5:8).”4 than to have a home with a husband have been impressed with the faith Integrity is fundamental to being who will not keep his covenants and and capacity of our women, including men. Integrity means being truthful, his pledges.’ ”5 some of the very young. So many of but it also means accepting responsi- Good men sometimes make mis- them possess a remarkable faith and bility and honoring commitments takes. A man of integrity will hon- goodness. They know the scriptures. and covenants. President N. Eldon estly face and correct his mistakes, They are poised and confident. I ask Tanner, a former counselor in the and that is an example we can myself, Do we have men to match First Presidency and a man of respect. Sometimes men try but these women? Are our young men integrity, told of someone who fail. Not all worthy objectives are developing into worthy companions sought his advice: realized despite one’s honest and that such women can look up to and “A young man came to me not long best efforts. True manhood is not respect? ago and said, ‘I made an agreement always measured by the fruits

NOVEMBER 2006 47 great in His kingdom through love and service. The Savior was fearless in oppos- ing evil and error. “Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple . . . and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12–13). He called upon all to repent (see Matthew 4:17) and be forgiven (see John 8:11; Alma 5:33). So might we stand firm in defending sacred things and in raising the warn- ing voice. He gave His life to redeem mankind. Surely we can accept responsibility for those He entrusts to our care. of one’s labors but by the labors with scripture: “Man shall not live by Brethren, let us be men, even as themselves—by one’s striving.6 bread alone, but by every word that He is. In the name of Jesus Christ, Though he will make some sacri- proceedeth out of the mouth of God” amen. ■

fices and deny himself some pleasures (Matthew 4:4). Gospel command- NOTES in the course of honoring his commit- ments and standards are our protec- 1. See, for example, James E. Faust, ments, the true man leads a rewarding tion also, and like the Savior, we may “Challenges Facing the Family,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, life. He gives much, but he receives draw strength from the scriptures to 1–2; Eduardo Porter and Michelle more, and he lives content in the resist temptation. O’Donnell, “Middle-Aged, No Degree, approval of his Heavenly Father. The The Savior was obedient. He for- No Wife,” New York Times, published in Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Aug. 6, 2006, life of true manhood is the good life. sook completely the “natural man” p. A7; Peg Tyre, “The Trouble with Boys,” Most importantly, when we con- (Mosiah 3:19) and yielded His will to Newsweek, Jan. 30, 2006, 44–51. sider the admonition to be men, we the Father (see Mosiah 15:7). He was 2. Leonard Sax, “Project Aims to Study Young Men Stuck in Neutral,” Washington Post, must think of Jesus Christ. When baptized to show “that, according to published in Deseret Morning News, Apr. 3, Pilate brought Jesus forth wearing the flesh he humbleth himself before 2006, p. A13. “According to the Census Bureau, fully one-third of young men ages a crown of thorns, he declared, the Father, and witnesseth unto the 22 to 34 [in the U.S.] are still living at “Behold the man!” (see John 19:4–5). Father that he would be obedient home with their parents—a roughly 100 Pilate may not have fully understood unto him in keeping his command- percent increase in the past 20 years.” 3. “The Family: A Proclamation to the the significance of his own words, ments” (2 Nephi 31:7). World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, but the Lord indeed stood before the Jesus “went about doing good” Nov. 1995, 102. people then as He stands today—the (Acts 10:38). He employed the divine 4. “Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry,” Ensign, May 1998, 49–50. highest ideal of manhood. Behold powers of the holy priesthood to bless 5. In Conference Report, Oct. 1966, 99; or the man! those in need, “such as healing the Improvement Era, Dec. 1966, 1137. The Lord asked His disciples what sick, raising the dead, causing the 6. In the late 1830s, after the Saints had aban- doned Kirtland, the Lord called a man manner of men they should be and lame to walk, the blind to receive their named Oliver Granger to go back and try to then answered, “Verily I say unto you, sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing settle some unfinished matters for the First even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27; see also Presidency. In a revelation to the Prophet all manner of diseases” (Mosiah 3:5). Joseph Smith, the Lord said: “Therefore, let 3 Nephi 18:24). That is our ultimate Jesus told His Apostles: “Whosoever [Oliver Granger] contend earnestly for the quest. What did He do that we can of you will be the chiefest, shall be ser- redemption of the First Presidency of my Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he emulate as men? vant of all. For even the Son of man shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more Jesus rejected temptation. When came not to be ministered unto, but sacred unto me than his increase, saith the confronted by the great tempter him- to minister, and to give his life a ran- Lord. . . . Therefore let no man despise my servant Oliver Granger, but let the blessings self, Jesus “[yielded] not to the temp- som for many” (Mark 10:44–45). As of my people be on him forever and ever” tation” (Mosiah 15:5). He countered His fellow servants, we may become (D&C 117:13, 15; emphasis added).

48 a fish needs water, you need the gospel and the companionship of the The Great Plan Holy Ghost to be truly, deeply happy. Because you are the offspring of God (see Acts 17:28), it is incompatible with your eternal nature to do wrong and of Happiness feel right. It cannot be done. It is part ELDER MARCUS B. NASH of your spiritual DNA, as it were, that peace, joy, and happiness will be yours Of the Seventy only to the degree you live the gospel. In contrast, to the degree that you Just like a fish needs water, you need the gospel and the choose not to live the gospel, you will companionship of the Holy Ghost to be truly, deeply happy. be as miserable as a fish out of water (see Mosiah 4:30). As Alma stated to his son Corianton: “Behold, I say unto you, wicked- ness never was happiness. on the bank of that mountain stream “And now, my son, all men that are like a coiled spring, every muscle taut, . . . in a carnal state . . . are without waiting for the telltale movement at God in the world, and they have gone the end of my pole which would signal contrary to the nature of God; there- that the fish was trying to take the bait. fore, they are in a state contrary to the After a few minutes I noticed move- nature of happiness” (Alma 41:10–11). ment at the end of my pole, and in that Note that to be without God in the instant I jerked back on the pole with world—in other words, to refuse to all of my strength, expecting a big fight live His gospel and therefore lack the with the fish. To my surprise, I watched companionship of the Spirit—is to be as that poor trout—with the hook now in a state contrary to the nature of set very firmly in his mouth—was happiness. The gospel of Jesus Christ launched from the water into the air is, in fact, the—note that this is singu- over my head and landed on the lar, meaning it is the only—“great ground flopping behind me. plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). If you I have two observations from that opt for any other way of life or try to experience: First, a fish out of water is live only the parts of the gospel that hen I was a deacon like many miserable. Although its gills, fins, and seem convenient, such a choice will of you young men, my father tail work very well in water, they are cheat you of the full, resplendent joy Wand I hiked to a mountain all but useless on land. Second, the and happiness for which you were stream to fish for trout. As my dad unfortunate fish I caught that day per- designed by our loving Father in attached the bait to the hook on the ished because it was deceived into Heaven and His Son. end of my fishing line, he told me treating something very dangerous— Now to the second lesson from my that I would need to set the hook even fatal—as worthwhile or at least fishing experience: just as a fish in a in the fish’s mouth when it tried to as sufficiently intriguing to warrant a mountain stream must be careful of take the bait, or it would get away. I closer look and perhaps a nibble. the lures placed in its path to avoid did not understand what it meant to My dear brethren of the Aaronic being pulled away from the water, so set the hook, so he explained to me Priesthood, there are a couple of les- must you and I be wise in order to that the hook needed to be embedded sons to be learned from this: First, a avoid being pulled away from a happy, in the fish’s mouth when it struck at basic purpose of your life, as Lehi gospel-centered life. Remember that, the bait so it could not shake the hook taught, is “[to] have joy” (2 Nephi as Lehi observed, the devil “seeketh loose and that the hook would be set if 2:25). In order to have joy, you need that all men might be miserable like I quickly pulled back on the pole when to understand that, as a child of your unto himself” and obtains “power to the fish tried to take the bait. Now, I Heavenly Father, you inherited divine captivate” (2 Nephi 2:27, 29) us when really wanted to catch a fish, so I stood traits and spiritual needs—and just like we involve ourselves in unclean and

NOVEMBER 2006 49 lost the 116 pages of the manuscript of the Book of Mormon translation by giving in to the persuasions of men, Joseph was miserable. The Lord told him: “You should have been faithful; and [God] would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble” (D&C 3:8). Such is the case for each of you young men: be faithful, and you will be supported by the hand of God. The Prophet was then reminded that—as with each of us—he would be forgiven if he repented. Imagine what joy he felt when he heard the Lord state, “But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the command- evil things. Thus, do not be deceived and as a direct result of his repen- ment which I gave you, and thou art into even nibbling at unworthy things, tance he experienced such happiness still chosen” (D&C 3:10). for Satan stands ready to set the through the power of the Atonement My invitation to each of you tonight hook. It was the very real risk of the of Christ that, in his words, “there can is to live the gospel to be truly happy, hook being set subtly or suddenly be nothing so exquisite and sweet as avoid evil and the misery it brings, and that led the ancient prophet was my joy” (Alma 36:21). Such will if you have become involved with the Moroni—who actually saw our day be your experience as you seek the evil or unclean thing, make the (see Mormon 8:35)—to pointedly Lord through repentance. changes the Lord desires of you for warn you and me to “touch not the Each of us needs to repent to your own happiness—and I witness evil gift, nor the unclean thing” some degree or another. To repent that He will enable you to succeed (Moroni 10:30; emphasis added). means to make the real changes in through His matchless power. There is much that is evil and your life the Savior desires you to As you accept this invitation, you unclean in music, the Internet, make for your happiness. Repentance will reap lasting happiness and build movies, magazines, and in alcohol, is the great enabling principle of the the foundation of your life upon “the drugs, and tobacco. As to any evil and gospel: when your faith in the Lord rock of our Redeemer,” such that unclean thing, my young friends, do causes personal change, such action when the shafts of the evil one and not even touch it! Disguised in such on your part, as Helaman states, the storms of the world assail you, things is a hook that sets subtly and “bringeth [you] unto the power of they will, as Helaman taught, have “no much more suddenly than you dare the Redeemer, unto the salvation power over you to drag you down to think—and it can be an excruciatingly of [your] souls” (Helaman 5:11). As the gulf of misery and endless wo, painful process to extract the hook. you seek to change, remember that because of the rock upon which ye Alma described that for him the our loving Savior, as Alma states, has are built, which is a sure foundation, process of repentance was “nigh unto “all power to save every man that a foundation whereon if men build death” (Mosiah 27:28); indeed, he believeth on his name and bringeth they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12; stated that “nothing [could be] so forth fruit meet for repentance” emphasis added). Of the Lord Jesus exquisite and so bitter as were my (Alma 12:15). This is powerful, Christ I bear my ardent witness: He is pains” (Alma 36:21). liberating, hope-filled doctrine! the Rock, the one sure foundation for There may be some of you who The Prophet Joseph Smith learned happiness and healing. He lives, has have been involved with that which is from firsthand experience that the all power in heaven and earth, knows evil or unclean. Take hope in the doc- Lord expects us to avoid misery by liv- your name, and He loves you. In trinal and historical fact that Alma’s ing His gospel and wants us to under- the sacred name of the Lord Jesus faith in the Lord led him to repent, stand that we can repent. When he Christ, amen. ■

50 priesthood. To exercise His power and authority is a sacred trust. He Trusts Us! How wonderful that we have earned the trust of God! He trusts ELDER STANLEY G. ELLIS you! He trusts me! Of the Seventy When we receive the priesthood, we do so by covenant. A covenant is a mutual promise. He promises to bless Each of us will one day stand before God us on certain conditions. We promise and give an accounting of our priesthood service. to fulfill those conditions. As we do so, the Lord always keeps His word and gives us the blessing. Usually He gives us more than agreed. He is very We decided to give our power of generous. attorney to a person we trusted, a When we receive the Melchizedek good friend and partner, who exer- Priesthood, we receive what is called cised that power and authority very “the oath and covenant” of the priest- well. He did what we would have hood. We promise the Lord two done if we were there. things, and He promises us two things. Brethren, think of what the Lord has We promise to be “faithful unto the given us—His power and authority! obtaining these two priesthoods” and The power and authority to act for Him faithful in “magnifying [our] calling.” in all things pertaining to His work! He promises that we will be “sanctified With this priesthood power and, by the Spirit.” Then after we are faith- when necessary, the authorization of ful in all things to the end, He prom- those with appropriate keys, we can ises that “all that my Father hath shall perform the ordinances of salvation in be given [us]” (see D&C 84:33–41). His name: baptize for the remission of The Lord blesses His children sins, confirm and confer the Holy through our priesthood service. To Ghost, confer the priesthood and help us be successful in faithfully ren- everal years ago Sister Ellis and ordain others to priesthood offices, dering priesthood service, He gives us I were called to preside over and perform temple ordinances. In directions and warnings. He has done Sthe Brazil São Paulo North His name we can administer His that in the scriptures and continues to Mission. The call meant that we Church. In His name we can bless, guide us through our leaders and would be away for three years. Given home teach, and even heal the sick. through the promptings of the Holy our family and business situation, we What a trust the Lord has placed in Ghost. were impressed to keep our home us! Think of it, brethren. He trusts us! The scriptures contain many pas- and business in Houston rather than Before we received the priesthood, sages of direction and warning to sell them. we had already been prepared and holders of the priesthood. One of the As we began to make the necessary proven. We had exercised faith in best is section 121 of the Doctrine and arrangements, it became clear we Jesus Christ, repented, been baptized, Covenants. In those few verses the would need to have our lawyer pre- and received the gift of the Holy Lord teaches us that the priesthood pare a power of attorney. That is a Ghost. The level of experience we can only be exercised in righteous- legal document that gives someone brought to our ordination varied. But ness. We should treat others with per- else the authority to do anything in the divine procedure was the same. suasion, patience, and kindness. He our name. The person with this docu- We had been prayed about and inter- reminds us of the importance of char- ment could sell our home or other viewed by those exercising priest- ity and virtue in having the constant assets, borrow money in our name, hood keys. We had been sustained by companionship of the Holy Ghost. spend our money, or even sell our a vote of the Church members of our That section also warns us of those business. The thought of giving some- unit. We were ordained by one with attitudes and actions that will cause one that much power and authority authority and authorization to do so. us to lose our priesthood power. If over our affairs was scary. The Lord is careful with His we “aspire to the honors of men,”

NOVEMBER 2006 51 another two, and the last received one. Upon his return, he asked for an accounting. The servant who received five and returned ten, as well as the one who took two and returned four, were declared good and faithful servants. But what caught my attention was the servant who received one, took care of it, and returned it safely back to his lord. I was surprised by the response of the master: “Thou wicked and slothful servant, . . . take therefore the talent from him, . . . and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer dark- ness”! (See Matthew 25:14–30.) This seemed to be a harsh reaction to one who seemed to be trying to take care of what he was given. But attempt to “cover our sins,” try to helped give Matthew a blessing, and the Spirit taught me this truth—the “gratify our pride” or “vain ambition,” he completely recovered. Lord expects a difference! I knew in or seek to “exercise control” over We must be ready at any time. As that moment that each of us will one others, we lose the priesthood power we say in Scouting, “Be prepared.” day stand before God and give an (see vv. 35–37). From that point we Surely we want to avoid priestcraft. accounting of our priesthood service would be practicing priestcraft. We But the Apostle Paul warned us of and stewardships. Did we make a dif- would have left the service of God another danger. He warned that in ference? In my case, was the Houston and would be putting ourselves in the our day there will be those “having a Texas North Stake better when I was service of Satan. form of godliness; but denying the released than when I was called? It would be good for priesthood power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). Thankfully, the Lord teaches us holders to restudy Doctrine and How can we as priesthood holders how to be fruitful, how to make a dif- Covenants section 121 regularly. It is have a form of godliness but deny the ference. “He that abideth in me, and I easy to understand why our modern power thereof? Could it be that we in him, the same bringeth forth much prophets have emphasized the need hold the priesthood but do not exer- fruit” (John 15:5). If we exercise His for us to maintain our worthiness and cise it? visit our families rather than priesthood in His way, following the have given us For the Strength of home teach them? pray for someone direction that we receive from His ser- Youth as a guide to help us. in an ordinance or ordination instead vants and His Spirit, we will be good One reason we must maintain our of blessing them? do the Lord’s work and faithful servants! worthiness is that we never know the best way we know how without My dear brethren of the priesthood, when we will be called upon to use first pleading to know and do His will the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior and the priesthood. in His way? Redeemer, lives! He knows us; He When our son Matthew was five, Remember the Lord’s counsel to loves us. He placed His trust in us by he fell from the top of the high diving us through Nephi that we “must not giving us His priesthood power and board at our neighborhood pool. He perform any thing unto the Lord authority. I am a witness of this truth. hit the concrete deck and suffered a save in the first place [we] shall pray” May we use His power and authority to fractured skull and a brain concus- (2 Nephi 32:9). do His will in His way is my prayer. sion. He was rushed by a Life Flight Years ago I was called to serve as a As we hear from President helicopter to the Houston Medical counselor in the Houston Texas North Hinckley, President Monson, and Center for emergency treatment. I Stake presidency. I was studying the President Faust, I bear my personal needed priesthood assistance imme- parable of the talents. You remember witness that each is a prophet, seer, diately. Our home teacher and our the story. A man needed to go away, so and revelator. I am anxious to hear priesthood leader were both worthy he entrusted his servants with his their counsel. In the name of Jesus and prepared at that moment. They goods. One received five talents, Christ, amen. ■

52 “willing to take upon [us] the name of Jesus Christ,” and manifesting “by [our] works that [we] have received Spiritual Nutrients 4 of the Spirit of Christ.” PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST Our most important spiritual Second Counselor in the First Presidency nutrient is a testimony that God is our Eternal Father, that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, and that the We need to increase our spiritual nutrients—nutrients Holy Ghost is our Comforter. This that come from the knowledge of the fulness of the gospel testimony is confirmed to us by the and the powers of the holy priesthood. gift of the Holy Ghost. From this testimony we derive the spiritual nutrients of faith and trust in God, which bring forth the blessings of ride up the mountain to the salt licks heaven. Spiritual nutrients come to and to unload the rock salt from the us from various sources, but because pack animal. As the day got warmer, of time constraints I would like to my sweaty legs would sting as they mention just three. rubbed against the lumps of rock salt A few years ago, a young man who in the packsaddle. It was a joy when was starting his senior year in high we crossed a stream and I could get school resolved to nourish himself by off the horse and get rid of the sting studying the scriptures for half an by washing and drying my legs. hour each day. As he began reading Grandfather would sing most of the New Testament, he hit a stumbling the day. Mostly he sang the songs block. He didn’t feel the anticipated of Zion. But one song he sang that spiritual high, and he wasn’t getting impressed me greatly was “Show me any insight. So he asked himself, your companions, and I will tell you “What am I doing wrong?” Then an what you are.” Looking back on it, episode at school came into his mind. taking salt to the mountain valley was He and some friends had been sharing an enjoyable experience, while the jokes—some of which were not so y grandfather used to graze additional nutrients from the rock salt funny, and downright shameful. He his cattle each summer in the fortified the cattle. not only had joined in but had even Mbeautiful, lush, high moun- A nutrient furnishes nourish- added some off-color comments of his tain valleys east of our town in central ment that promotes growth and own. Just as he thought this, his eye Utah. However, the cattle craved and healing both in animals and humans. fell on these words in Matthew: “But I needed supplemental nutrients from Grandfather’s cattle craved the nutri- say unto you, That every idle word licking rock salt. The rock salt came ents in the rock salt, but human that men shall speak, they shall give from a salt mine some distance away. beings need something more. They account thereof in the day of judg- Grandfather replenished the salt at need to be replenished spiritually ment.”5 He knew that the Spirit had the salt licks by putting a packsaddle because “life is more than meat”1 and directed him to these words at this on a sturdy horse and filling the pack- “there is a spirit in man: and the inspi- time. He turned from his Bible and saddle with rock salt. I called the ration of the Almighty giveth them offered up a prayer of repentance. packhorse Slowpoke for good reason. understanding.”2 The human spirit The answer to his question “What Grandfather put me on Slowpoke needs love. It also needs to be “nour- am I doing wrong?” was simple. He with the saddle loaded with rock salt. ished up in the words of faith and of was reading the scriptures, marking He gave me the reins so I could guide good doctrine.”3 the scriptures, and even enjoying the the horse up the mountain following Spiritual nourishment prepares us scriptures, but he was not living the Grandfather on his horse. for baptism. This preparation includes counsel given in the scriptures. As he My horse Slowpoke was slow, but I humbling ourselves before God, hav- renewed his scripture reading and didn’t push him because he carried ing “broken hearts and contrite spir- tried to live by Christ’s example, he such a heavy load. It took a full day to its,” repenting of all our sins, being soon noticed how different areas of his

NOVEMBER 2006 53 look for something to give me. She opened the refrigerator, and I could see there was hardly anything in it. The cupboards were bare. Finally, she found a small can of peaches. “I could hardly believe it. There were all these little kids running around that needed to be fed, and she handed me this can of peaches. I took it and put it in my cart and went on up the street. I got about halfway up the block when I just felt warm all over and knew I needed to go back to that house. I gave her all the food.” The adviser said, “Jim, don’t you ever forget the way you feel tonight, because that’s what it is all about.”7 Jim had tasted the nutrient of selfless service. Many spiritual nutrients come while serving on a mission—from being totally involved in the work of the Master. They come from helping people become spiritually awake so that they can accept the gospel. Over a century ago when Elder J. Golden Kimball presided over the Southern States Mission, he called for a meeting of the elders. They were to meet in a secluded spot in the woods so they would have privacy. One of the elders had a problem with one of his legs. It life began to blossom.6 By incorporat- and returned at a specified time later was raw and swollen to at least twice ing the scriptures into his life, he had in the evening. To everyone’s sur- the size of his other leg. But the elder added an important spiritual nutrient. prise, Jim’s cart was empty. He insisted on attending this special In our uncertain physical environ- seemed rather sober, and some of priesthood meeting in the woods. So ment, we need to increase our spiri- the boys made fun of him. Seeing this two of the elders carried him to this tual nutrients—nutrients that come and knowing that Jim had an interest meeting place. from the knowledge of the fulness of in cars, the adviser said, “Come out- Elder Kimball asked the mission- the gospel and the powers of the holy side, Jim. I want you to look at my aries, “Brethren, what are you priesthood. When such knowledge car. It’s giving me some trouble.” preaching?” penetrates our souls, we not only When they got outside, the adviser They said, “We are preaching the draw closer to God but we also want asked Jim if he was upset. Jim said, gospel of Jesus Christ.” to serve Him and our fellowmen. “No, not really. But when I went out “Are you telling these people Some years ago a priests quorum to collect the food, I really got a lot. that you have the power and author- decided to gather food for the needy My cart was full. As I was returning ity, through faith, to heal the sick?” as a service project. Jim, one of the to the chapel, I stopped at the home he asked. priests, was excited to participate and of a nonmember woman who is They said, “Yes.” was determined to collect more food divorced and lives within our ward “Well then,” he continued, “why than anyone else. The time arrived boundaries. I knocked on the door don’t you believe it?” when the priests met at the chapel. and explained what we were doing, The young man with the swollen They all went out at the same time and she invited me in. She began to leg spoke up and said, “I believe it.”

54 Here is the rest of the story told in Elder Kimball’s words: “[The elder] sat down on a stump and the elders gath- ered around him. He was anointed and I administered to him, and he was healed right in their presence. It was quite a shock; and every other elder that was sick was administered to, and they were all healed. We went out of that priesthood meeting and the el- ders received their appointments, and there was a joy and happiness that cannot be described.”8 Their nutrient of faith had been replenished and their zeal for missionary work revived. Young Filipinos gather for conference. Spiritual nutrients, which keep us spiritually healthy, can lose their priesthood of God in this vast congre- the world. Through your priesthood potency and strength if we do not live gation, both seen and unseen, hope- you are able to bless in the name of worthy of the divine guidance we fully because we want to be spiritually the Lord your families and others you need. The Savior has told us: “Ye are nourished. I hope that we will always may be called upon or assigned to the salt of the earth: but if the salt hunger and thirst for the word of the bless. This comes from the divine have lost his savour, wherewith shall it Lord through His servants, the agency entrusted to us by the Lord, for be salted? it is thenceforth good for prophets, and that we may be filled He has promised, “Whomsoever you nothing, but to be cast out, and to be each week as we attend our sacrament bless I will bless.”13 trodden under foot of men.”9 We meetings and renew our covenants. Brethren, I hope we will be faithful need to keep our minds and bodies Each of you young men of the and true to all of our covenants. I clean from all forms of addiction and Aaronic Priesthood has inside of you pray that we can be totally committed pollution. We would never choose to all of the essential elements for your in all of our family relationships, eat spoiled or contaminated food. In eternal destiny. These elements, some especially to our spouses, but also to the same selective way, we should be of them dormant, need to be strength- our parents, our children, and grand- careful not to read or view anything ened and nourished from the outside. children. May we be found bearing that is not in good taste. Much of the Some of them are physical; some of our personal testimonies of the truth- spiritual pollution that comes into our them are spiritual. The human spirit fulness of this work all the days of lives comes through the Internet, needs to know about its eternal jour- our lives. May we go forward in righ- computer games, television shows ney—to know where it came from, teousness as the humble servants of and movies that are highly suggestive why it is here in mortality, and where the Lord, I pray in the name of Jesus of or graphically portray humanity’s it must ultimately go to receive joy Christ, amen. ■ baser attributes. Because we live in and happiness and fulfill its destiny. such an environment, we need to Replenishing our spirits with spiritual NOTES 1. Luke 12:23. increase our spiritual strength. nutrients can be everlasting and will 2. Job 32:8. Enos speaks of his soul hungering go with us into the eternities. As 3. 1 Timothy 4:6. and crying all day and also into night in Amulek taught, “That same spirit 4. D&C 20:37. 10 5. Matthew 12:36. supplication for his soul. He craved which doth possess your bodies at the 6. Carl Houghton, “What Am I Doing Wrong?” the spiritual nutrients that quench the time that ye go out of this life, that Tambuli, May 1988, 42–43; New Era, Sept. 1987, 12. thirst for spiritual truth. As the Savior same spirit will have power to possess 7. Robert B. Harbertson, “The Aaronic 12 of the world told the woman at the your body in that eternal world.” Priesthood: What’s So Great about It,” New well in Samaria, “Whosoever drinketh Brethren, we appreciate your devo- Era, May 1990, 49. 8. In Max Nolan, “J. Golden Kimball in the of the water that I shall give him shall tion and righteousness. You carry South,” New Era, July 1985, 10. never thirst; but the water that I shall out your callings in the quorums, 9. Matthew 5:13. give him shall be in him a well of water branches, wards, and stakes so well 10. See Enos 1:4. 11 11. John 4:14. springing up into everlasting life.” that the Church grows, and the whole 12. Alma 34:34. This evening we have met as the work of God goes forward throughout 13. D&C 132:47.

NOVEMBER 2006 55 Fifty-one years ago I heard William J. Critchlow Jr., then president of the True to Our South Ogden Stake who would later become an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve, speak to the brethren of the general priesthood session of Priesthood Trust conference and retell a story concern- PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON ing trust, honor, and duty. May I share the story with you. Its simple lesson First Counselor in the First Presidency applies to us today, as it did then. “[Young] Rupert stood by the side It is in doing—not just dreaming—that lives are blessed, of the road watching an unusual num- others are guided, and souls are saved. ber of people hurry past. At length he recognized a friend. ‘Where are all of you going in such a hurry?’ he asked. “The friend paused. ‘Haven’t you heard?’ he said. of those listening in and could “ ‘I’ve heard nothing,’ Rupert appreciate more fully the actions answered. of that little boy. “ ‘Well,’ continued [the] friend, My brethren, I am honored by the ‘the King has lost his royal emerald! privilege to speak to you this evening. Yesterday he attended a wedding of I have contemplated what I might say the nobility and wore the emerald on to you. There has come to my mind a the slender golden chain around his favorite scripture from Ecclesiastes: neck. In some way the emerald “Fear God, and keep his command- became loosened from the chain. ments: for this is the whole duty of Everyone is searching, for the King man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). I love, I has offered a reward . . . to the one cherish the noble word duty. who finds it. Come, we must hurry.’ The legendary General Robert E. “ ‘But I cannot go without asking Lee of American Civil War fame Grandmother,’ faltered Rupert. declared: “Duty is the sublimest word “ ‘Then I cannot wait. I want to find in our language. . . . You cannot do the emerald,’ replied his friend. more. You should never wish to do “Rupert hurried back to the cabin few weeks ago at a fast and less” (in John Bartlett, Familiar at the edge of the woods to seek his testimony meeting at our Quotations [1968], 620). grandmother’s permission. ‘If I could A ward, I watched a little boy Each of us has duties associated find it we could leave this hut with its on the back row mustering up with the sacred priesthood which we dampness and buy a piece of land up courage to bear his testimony. He bear. Whether we bear the Aaronic or on the hillside,’ he pleaded with made three or four false starts and the Melchizedek Priesthood, much is Grandmother. then sat down. Finally it was his expected of each of us. The Lord “But his grandmother shook her turn. He squared his little shoulders, Himself summed up our responsibility head. ‘What would the sheep do?’ she walked bravely up the aisle to the when He, in the revelation on the asked. ‘Already they are restless in the stand, took the two steps up to the priesthood, urged, “Wherefore, now pen, waiting to be taken to the pas- level of the pulpit, stepped over and let every man learn his duty, and to act ture, and please do not forget to take put his hands on the pulpit, gazed in the office in which he is appointed, them to water when the sun shines into the congregation, smiled—and in all diligence” (D&C 107:99). high in the heavens.’ then turned around, went back off I hope with all my heart and soul “Sorrowfully, Rupert took the those two steps and down the same that every young man who receives sheep to the pasture, and at noon he aisle to his mother and father. I the priesthood will honor that priest- led them to the brook in the woods. looked at you tonight in this vast hood and be true to the trust which is There he sat on a large stone by the Conference Center and thought conveyed when it is conferred. stream. ‘If I could only have had a

56 chance to look for the King’s emer- ald!’ he thought. Turning his head to gaze down at the sandy bottom of the brook, suddenly he stared into the water. What was it? It could not be! He leaped into the water, and his gripping fingers held something that was green with a slender bit of gold chain [that had been broken]. ‘The King’s emerald!’ he shouted. ‘It must have been flung from the chain when the King [astride his horse galloped across the bridge spanning the stream and the current carried] it here.’ “With shining eyes Rupert ran to his grandmother’s hut to tell her of his great find. ‘Bless you, my boy,’ she said, ‘but you never would have found it if you had not been doing your duty, herding the sheep.’ And Rupert knew that this was the truth.” (In employment, each of them drifted at different times. By the time I was Conference Report, Oct. 1955, 86; back into inactivity. born, Max and his parents had moved paragraphing, capitalization, and Over the years I have seen each of from the ward. punctuation altered.) these two dear friends at various func- That Halloween night, I drove into The lesson to be learned from this tions. Whenever I do, I place a hand the parking lot and entered the hos- story is found in the familiar couplet: on their shoulder and remind them, pital. As I stopped at the desk to “Do [your] duty; that is best; Leave “I’m still your quorum president, and inquire as to his room number, I was unto [the] Lord the rest!” (Henry I won’t let go. You mean so much to informed that when Max had regis- Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Legend me, and I want you to enjoy the bless- tered at the hospital, he had listed as Beautiful,” in The Complete Poetical ings which come with activity in the his religious preference not LDS but Works of Longfellow [1893], 258). Church.” They know I love them and rather another church. To you who are or have been presi- that I’ll never ever give up on them. I entered Max’s room and greeted dents of your quorums, may I suggest For those of us who hold the him. I told him how proud I was to that your duty does not end when Melchizedek Priesthood, our privilege be his friend and how much I cared your term of office concludes. That to magnify our callings is ever pres- about him. I talked about his career relationship with your quorum mem- ent. We are shepherds watching over in banking and as an orchestra leader bers, your duty to them, continues Israel. The hungry sheep look up, on the side. I discovered that he had throughout your life. ready to be fed the bread of life. been offended by a comment or two During the time I was a teacher in Many years ago, on a Halloween from others and so had decided to the Aaronic Priesthood, I was called night, it was my privilege to be of attend another church. I said to him, to be president of the quorum. With assistance to one who had temporar- “Max, you hold the Melchizedek the urging and assistance of a dedi- ily lost his way and needed a helping Priesthood. I would like to give you a cated and inspired quorum adviser, I hand to return. I was driving home blessing tonight.” He agreed, and the worked diligently to ensure that each from the office rather late. I had been blessing was provided. He then of the young men attended our meet- stalling on Halloween, letting my wife informed me that his wife, Bernice, ings regularly. Two of them were a handle the trick-or-treat visitors. As I was also very ill and was, in fact, in an particular challenge, but with our per- passed St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake adjoining room. At my invitation, Max severance and love and a little persua- City, I remembered that a dear friend, joined me in giving a blessing to her. sion, they began to attend meetings Max, lay ill in that very hospital. As he He asked me to help him. I coached and participate in quorum activities. and I had become acquainted years him. He anointed his wife. There However, as time passed and they left before, we discovered that we had were tears and embraces all around as the ward to pursue education and grown up in the same ward, although I sealed the anointing with Max, his

NOVEMBER 2006 57 Church, declared, “It is your duty first of all to learn what the Lord wants and then by the power and strength of His holy Priesthood to magnify your calling in the presence of your fellows in such a way that the people will be glad to follow you” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1942, 14). And how does one magnify a call- ing? Simply by performing the service that pertains to it. Brethren, it is in doing—not just dreaming—that lives are blessed, others are guided, and souls are saved. “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves,” declared James (James 1:22). Missionaries pose outside a Church building in Cambodia. May all of us assembled tonight in this priesthood meeting make a hands on his wife’s head with mine, truly we cannot escape the effect of renewed effort to qualify for the making that Halloween evening one our personal influence. We must be Lord’s guidance in our lives. There are ever to be remembered. certain that our influence is positive so many out there who plead and pray As I left the hospital that night, and uplifting. for help. There are those who are dis- I stopped at the desk and told the Are our hands clean? Are our couraged, those who long to return receptionist that with the permission hearts pure? Looking backward in time but who don’t know how to begin. of Max and his wife the record should through the pages of history, we find I’ve always believed in the truth of be changed to reflect their member- a lesson on worthiness gleaned from the words “God’s sweetest blessings ship in The Church of Jesus Christ the words of the dying King Darius. always go by hands that serve him of Latter-day Saints. I waited and I Through the proper rites, Darius had here below” (Whitney Montgomery, watched until it was changed. been recognized as legitimate king of “Revelation,” in Best-Loved Poems of My friends Max and Bernice are Egypt. His rival, Alexander the Great, the LDS People, ed. Jack M. Lyon and now both on the other side of the had been declared legitimate son of others [1996], 283). Let us have ready veil, but they spent the last period Amon. He too was Pharaoh. Alexander, hands, clean hands, and willing of their lives active and happy and finding the defeated Darius on the hearts, that we may participate in pro- receiving the blessings which come point of death, laid his hands upon his viding what our Heavenly Father with testimonies of the gospel and head to heal him, commanding him to would have others receive from Him. attendance at church. arise and resume his kingly power, I conclude with an example from Brethren, our task is to reach out concluding, “I swear unto thee, Darius, my own life. I once had a treasured to those who, for whatever reason, are by all the gods, that I do these things friend who seemed to experience in need of our help. Our challenge is truly and without fakery.” more of life’s troubles and frustra- not insurmountable. We are on the Darius replied with a gentle tions than he could bear. Finally he Lord’s errand, and therefore we are rebuke: “Alexander, my boy,... do lay in the hospital terminally ill. I entitled to the Lord’s help. But we you think you can touch heaven with knew not that he was there. must try. From the play Shenandoah those hands of yours?” (Adapted from Sister Monson and I had gone to comes the spoken line which inspires: Hugh Nibley, Abraham in Egypt that same hospital to visit another “If we don’t try, then we don’t do; and [1981], 192.) person who was very ill. As we exited if we don’t do, then why are we here?” The call of duty can come quietly the hospital and proceeded to where Ours is the responsibility to so as we who hold the priesthood our car was parked, I felt the distinct conduct our lives that when the call respond to the assignments we impression to return and make comes to provide a priesthood bless- receive. President George Albert inquiry concerning whether my friend ing or to assist in any way, we are wor- Smith, that modest yet effective Hyrum might still be a patient there. thy to do so. We have been told that leader and eighth President of the A check with the clerk at the desk

58 confirmed that Hyrum was indeed a patient there after many weeks. We proceeded to his room, Rise Up, O Men knocked on the door, and opened it. We were not prepared for the sight that awaited us. Balloon bouquets were everywhere. Prominently dis- of God played on the wall was a poster with PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY the words “Happy Birthday, Daddy” written on it. Hyrum was sitting up in his hospital bed, his family members With this priesthood comes a great obligation to be worthy of it. by his side. When he saw us, he said, “Brother Monson, how in the world did you know that today is my birth- day?” I smiled, but I left the question unanswered. The words carry the spirit of the Those in the room who held the old English hymns written by Charles Melchizedek Priesthood surrounded Wesley and others. The text reads: this, their father and grandfather and my friend, and a priesthood blessing Rise up, O men of God! was given. Have done with lesser things. After tears were shed, smiles of Give heart and soul and mind gratitude exchanged, and tender hugs and strength received and given, I leaned over to To serve the King of Kings. Hyrum and spoke softly to him: “Remember the words of the Lord, Rise up, O men of God, for they will sustain you. He promised In one united throng. you, ‘I will not leave you comfortless: Bring in the day of brotherhood I will come to you’ (John 14:18).” And end the night of wrong. Time marches on. Duty keeps cadence with that march. Duty does Rise up, O men of God! not dim nor diminish. Catastrophic The church for you doth wait, conflicts come and go, but the war rethren, you look like a shirt- Her strength unequal to her task; waged for the souls of men continues sleeve priesthood. You look all Rise up, and make her great! without abatement. Like a clarion Bdressed in white, ready to go call comes the word of the Lord to to work. And the time has come to Rise up, O men of God! you and to me, and to priesthood go to work. Tread where his feet have trod. holders everywhere. I reiterate that What a remarkable sight this is. As brothers of the Son of Man, word: “Wherefore, now let every This great Conference Center is filled Rise up, O men of God! man learn his duty, and to act in the to capacity, and our words are flung (Hymns, no. 324; third verse in The office in which he is appointed, in across the world. This is probably the Oxford American Hymnal, ed. Carl F. all diligence” (D&C 107:99). largest gathering of priesthood men Pfatteicher [1930], no. 256) Brethren, let us learn our duties. that has ever occurred. I congratulate Let us ever be worthy to perform you on your presence tonight. The scriptures are very plain in those duties and, in so doing, follow I recently listened on television to their application to each of us, my in the footsteps of the Master. When a concert by the BYU Men’s Chorus. brethren. For instance, Nephi quotes to Him came the call of duty, He They sang a stirring number entitled from Isaiah saying, “O that thou hadst answered, “Father, thy will be done, “Rise Up, O Men of God.” It was writ- hearkened to my commandments— and the glory be thine forever” ten in 1911 by William P. Merrill, and I then had thy peace been as a river, (Moses 4:2). May we do likewise, I discovered a version of it is found in and thy righteousness as the waves of pray humbly, in the name of Jesus our hymnbook, although I never the sea” (1 Nephi 20:18; see also Christ the Lord, amen. ■ remember singing it. Isaiah 48:18).

NOVEMBER 2006 59 The words of Lehi are a clarion call cannot indulge in unclean thoughts. He had undergone surgery in the to all men and boys of the priesthood. We must not partake of pornography. hospital. A young male nurse had Said he with great conviction: “Awake, We must never be guilty of abuse of placed him on a gurney and was my sons; put on the armor of righ- any kind. We must rise up above such transporting him. When getting on teousness. Shake off the chains with things. “Rise up, O men of God!” and the elevator, the nurse bumped the which ye are bound, and come forth put these things behind you, and the gurney and let out an oath using the out of obscurity, and arise from the Lord will be your guide and stay. name of the Lord. dust” (2 Nephi 1:23). Said the prophet Isaiah, “Fear President Kimball, only half con- There is not a man or boy in this thou not; for I am with thee: be not scious, said, “Please, Please! That is vast congregation tonight who cannot dismayed; for I am thy God: I will my Lord whose name you revile.” improve his life. And that needs to strengthen thee; yea, I will help There was a deathly silence; then happen. After all, we hold the priest- thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the young man whispered with a sub- hood of God. If we are boys who have the right hand of my righteousness” dued voice, “I am sorry.” (See The received the Aaronic Priesthood, we (Isaiah 41:10). Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. are entitled to the ministering of Some of you young men seem to Edward L. Kimball [1982], 198.) angels to guide and direct, to bless delight in dressing in a slouchy man- I call your attention to another and protect us. What a remarkable ner. I know that it is a sensitive sub- matter that gives me great concern. and wonderful thing that is. If we ject, but I believe it is unbecoming to In revelation the Lord has mandated have had conferred upon us the young men who have been ordained that this people get all the education Melchizedek Priesthood, we have to the holy priesthood of God. Our they can. He has been very clear been given the keys of the kingdom language at times matches our dress. about this. But there is a troubling that carry with them eternal powers. We indulge in profanity, taking the trend taking place. Elder Rolfe Kerr, These were spoken of by the Lord name of the Lord in vain. God has Commissioner of Church Education, when He laid His hands upon the spoken plainly against this. advises me that in the United States heads of His disciples. I am confident you have heard this nearly 73 percent of young women With this priesthood comes a great story of President Spencer W. Kimball, graduate from high school, compared obligation to be worthy of it. We but I take the liberty of repeating it. to 65 percent of young men. Young

60 men are more likely to drop out of courage and strength to overcome school than young women. this terrible affliction. Approximately 61 percent of young “I am unable to sign my name, and men enroll in college immediately I hope that you will understand.” following high school, compared to The computer is a wonderful 72 percent for young women. instrument when it is properly used. In 1950, 70 percent of those But when it is used to deal with enrolled in college were males, and pornography or so-called chat rooms 30 percent were females; by 2010 pro- or for any other purpose that leads to jections estimate 40 percent will be evil practices or evil thoughts, then males, and 60 percent will be females. there must be self-discipline enough Women have earned more bache- to turn it off. lor’s degrees than men every year The Lord has declared, “Purge ye since 1982 and more master’s degrees out the iniquity which is among you; since 1986. sanctify yourselves before me” (D&C It is plainly evident from these 43:11). No one can mistake the mean- statistics that young women are ing of those words. exceeding young men in pursuing my interest. I am convinced that this He says further, “The elements are educational programs. And so I say to exposure at an early age to sex and the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the you young men, rise up and discipline pornography is at the root of my tabernacle of God, even temples; and yourself to take advantage of educa- addiction today. whatsoever temple is defiled, God tional opportunities. Do you wish to “I think it is ironic that those who shall destroy that temple” (D&C marry a girl whose education has been support the business of pornography 93:35). There is no equivocation there. far superior to your own? We speak of say that it is a matter of freedom of The Lord has spoken plainly that we being “equally yoked.” That applies, I expression. I have no freedom. I have must take care of our mortal body and think, to the matter of education. lost my free agency because I have avoid that which would do it harm. In addition, your education will been unable to overcome this. It is a He has made to each of us a great strengthen your service in the Church. trap for me, and I can’t seem to get promise. Said He, “Be thou humble; A study was made some years ago that out of it. Please, please, please plead and the Lord thy God shall lead thee indicated the higher the education, with the brethren of the Church not by the hand, and give thee answer to the greater the faith and participation only to avoid but eliminate the thy prayers” (D&C 112:10). in religious activity. sources of pornographic material in And further: “God shall give unto I previously mentioned pornogra- their lives. Besides the obvious things you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, phy. It easily becomes an addiction of like books and magazines, they need yea, by the unspeakable gift of the the worst kind. Let me read to you to turn off cable movie channels in Holy Ghost, that has not been from a letter I received from a victim: their homes. I know many who have revealed since the world was until “I would like to share something these services and claim that they are now” (D&C 121:26). with you that I have not been able to able to screen the bad things out, but All of us would do well to study the share with anyone else. I am a 35- this is not true. . . . life of the Master and try to emulate year-old male. For most of my adult “Pornography and perversion have His words and doings. We would like- life I have been addicted to pornogra- become so commonplace in our lives wise do well to study the life of the phy. I am very ashamed to admit this, that the sources of this material are Prophet Joseph. From his example, . . . but for the most part, my addic- everywhere. I have found porno- each of us could learn much concern- tion is as real as that of an alcoholic or graphic magazines by the roadside ing our own behavior. a drug addict. . . . and in dumps. We need to talk to our My brethren, I testify of the truth “The main reason for my writing is children and explain how evil these of these eternal qualities. I testify that to tell you that the Church can’t do things are and encourage them to if we will make an effort to improve enough to counsel the members to avoid looking at them when they our lives, the result will become evi- avoid pornography. I was first intro- come across them. . . . dent. God bless you, each of you, my duced to this material as a child. I was “Finally, President Hinckley, please dear brethren. Of these things I tes- molested by an older male cousin, pray for me and others in the Church tify, humbly and gratefully, in the and pornography was used to attract who may be like me to have the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

NOVEMBER 2006 61 SUNDAY MORNING SESSION October 1, 2006

winds of adversity which inevitably come to each of us. How Firm Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order for us to be a Foundation tested, we must face challenges and PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON difficulties. These can break us, and the surface of our souls may crack First Counselor in the First Presidency and crumble—that is, if our founda- tions of faith, our testimonies of truth We can fortify our foundations of faith, our testimonies are not deeply embedded within us. of truth, so that we will not falter, we will not fail. We can rely on the faith and testimony of others only so long. Eventually we must have our own strong and deeply placed foundation, or we will be unable to withstand the Trans-Canada Pipelines, Ltd., and pres- storms of life, which will come. Such ident of the Canada Calgary Stake. storms come in a variety of forms. We He was known as “Mr. Integrity” in may be faced with the sorrow and Canada. During that first meeting, we heartbreak of a wayward child who discussed, among other subjects, the chooses to turn from the pathway cold Canadian winters, where storms leading to eternal truth and rather rage, temperatures can linger well travel the slippery slopes of error and below freezing for weeks at a time, disillusionment. Sickness may strike and where icy winds lower those us or a loved one, bringing suffering temperatures even further. I asked and sometimes death. Accidents may President Tanner why the roads and leave their cruel marks of remem- highways in western Canada basically brance or may snuff out life. Death remained intact during such winters, comes to the aged as they walk on showing little or no signs of cracking faltering feet. Its summons is heard or breaking, while the road surfaces by those who have scarcely reached in many areas where winters are less midway in life’s journey, and often it cold and less severe developed cracks hushes the laughter of little children. y dear brothers and sisters, and breaks and potholes. At times there appears to be no both within my view and Said he, “The answer is in the depth light at the tunnel’s end, no dawn to Massembled throughout the of the base of the paving materials. break the night’s darkness. We feel world, I seek an interest in your faith In order for them to remain strong surrounded by the pain of broken and prayers as I respond to the assign- and unbroken, it is necessary to go hearts, the disappointment of shat- ment and privilege to address you. very deep with the foundation layers. tered dreams, and the despair of van- In 1959, not long after I began my When the foundations are not deep ished hopes. We join in uttering the service as president of the Canadian enough, the surfaces cannot with- biblical plea, “Is there no balm in Mission, headquartered in Toronto, stand the extremes of weather.” Gilead?” (Jeremiah 8:22). We are Ontario, Canada, I met N. Eldon Over the years I have thought inclined to view our own personal Tanner, a prominent Canadian who often of this conversation and of misfortunes through the distorted just months later would be called as President Tanner’s explanation, for prism of pessimism. We feel aban- an Assistant to the Quorum of the I recognize in his words a profound doned, heartbroken, alone. Twelve Apostles, then to the Quorum application for our lives. Stated sim- How can we build a foundation of the Twelve, and then as a counselor ply, if we do not have a deep founda- strong enough to withstand such vicis- to four Presidents of the Church. tion of faith and a solid testimony of situdes of life? How can we maintain At the time I met him, President truth, we may have difficulty with- the faith and testimony which will be Tanner was president of the vast standing the harsh storms and icy required, that we might experience

62 NOVEMBER 2006 63 GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY October 2006

Thomas S. Monson Gordon B. Hinckley James E. Faust First Counselor President Second Counselor THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES

Boyd K. Packer L. Tom Perry Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks M. Russell Ballard Joseph B. Wirthlin

Richard G. Scott Robert D. Hales Jeffrey R. Holland Henry B. Eyring Dieter F. Uchtdorf David A. Bednar

THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY

Earl C. Tingey D. Todd Christofferson Charles Didier Merrill J. Bateman Robert C. Oaks Neil L. Andersen Ronald A. Rasband THE FIRST QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY THE SECOND QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY

Carlos H. Amado David S. Baxter Shayne M. Bowen Monte J. Brough Sheldon F. Child L. Whitney Clayton Gary J. Coleman Spencer J. Condie Mervyn B. Arnold Douglas L. Callister Craig A. Cardon Craig C. Christensen Shirley D. Christensen Don R. Clarke

Gene R. Cook Quentin L. Cook Claudio R. M. Costa Benjamín De Hoyos Robert K. Dellenbach John B. Dickson David F. Evans Christoffel Golden Jr. James M. Dunn Keith R. Edwards Stanley G. Ellis Daryl H. Garn D. Rex Gerratt Larry W. Gibbons

Walter F. González C. Scott Grow Bruce C. Hafen Donald L. Hallstrom Keith K. Hilbig Richard G. Hinckley Jay E. Jensen Marlin K. Jensen Spencer V. Jones Won Yong Ko Gerald N. Lund Clate W. Mask Jr. Robert F. Orton William W. Parmley

Daniel L. Johnson Kenneth Johnson Paul V. Johnson W. Rolfe Kerr Yoshihiko Kikuchi Paul E. Koelliker John M. Madsen Richard J. Maynes Wolfgang H. Paul Wayne S. Peterson R. Conrad Schultz W. Douglas Shumway Lowell M. Snow Robert R. Steuer

Lynn A. Mickelsen Marcus B. Nash Dennis B. Glenn L. Pace Anthony D. Perkins Paul B. Pieper Bruce D. Porter Carl B. Pratt Paul K. Sybrowsky William R. Walker Robert S. Wood H. Ross Workman Neuenschwander

Lynn G. Robbins Cecil O. Samuelson Jr. Steven E. Snow Ulisses Soares Francisco J. Viñas Lance B. Wickman W. Craig Zwick THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC

Richard C. Edgley H. David Burton Keith B. McMullin First Counselor Presiding Bishop Second Counselor Clockwise from top: Members in the Philippines; Tongan members arrive by boat to attend a conference session; young member, St. Petersburg, Russia; shoes outside a meetinghouse in Cambodia.

66 the joy promised to the faithful? May I offer three guidelines to help finer hour to begin than now. William Constant, steady effort is necessary. us in our quest. Cowper declared, “Satan trembles Most of us have experienced inspira- First, fortify your foundation when he sees the weakest saint upon tion so strong that it brings tears to through prayer. “Prayer is the soul’s his knees” (in William Neil, comp., our eyes and a determination to ever sincere desire, uttered or unex- Concise Dictionary of Religious remain faithful. I have heard the state- pressed” (“Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Quotations [1974], 144). ment, “If I could just keep these feel- Desire,” Hymns, no. 145). Let us not neglect our family ings with me always, I would never As we pray, let us really communi- prayers. Such is an effective deterrent have trouble doing what I should.” cate with our Father in Heaven. It is to sin, and thence a most beneficent Such feelings, however, can be fleet- easy to let our prayers become repeti- provider of joy and happiness. That ing. The inspiration we feel during tious, expressing words with little or old saying is yet true: “The family that these conference sessions may dimin- no thought behind them. When we prays together stays together.” By pro- ish and fade as Monday comes and we remember that each of us is literally a viding an example of prayer to our face the routines of work, of school, spirit son or daughter of God, we will children, we will also be helping them of managing our homes and families. not find it difficult to approach Him in to begin their own deep foundations Such can easily take our minds from prayer. He knows us; He loves us; He of faith and testimonies which they the holy to the mundane, from that wants what is best for us. Let us pray will need throughout their lives. which uplifts to that which, if we allow with sincerity and meaning, offering My second guideline: Let us study it, will chip away at our testimonies, our thanks and asking for those the scriptures and “meditate therein our strong foundations. things we feel we need. Let us listen day and night,” as counseled by the Of course we do not live in a world for His answers, that we may recog- Lord in the book of Joshua (1:8). where we experience nothing but the nize them when they come. As we do, In 2005, hundreds of thousands of spiritual, but we can fortify our foun- we will be strengthened and blessed. Latter-day Saints accepted President dations of faith, our testimonies of We will come to know Him and His Gordon B. Hinckley’s challenge to truth, so that we will not falter, we will desires for our lives. By knowing Him, read the Book of Mormon by the end not fail. How, you may ask, can we by trusting His will, our foundations of the year. I do believe December of most effectively gain and maintain the of faith will be strengthened. If any 2005 would set an all-time record for foundation needed to survive spiritu- one of us has been slow to hearken to hours devoted to meeting the chal- ally in the world in which we live? the counsel to pray always, there is no lenge on time. We were blessed when

NOVEMBER 2006 67 we completed the task; our testi- were men of a sound understanding that ye may learn wisdom; that ye monies were strengthened, our knowl- and they had searched the scriptures may learn that when ye are in the edge increased. I would encourage all diligently, that they might know the service of your fellow beings ye are of us to continue to read and study the word of God” (see Alma 17:1–2). only in the service of your God” scriptures, that we might understand May we also know the word of God (Mosiah 2:16–17). them and apply in our lives the lessons and conduct our lives accordingly. This is the service that counts, the we find there. I paraphrase the poet My third guideline for building a service to which all of us have been James Phinney Baxter: strong foundation of faith and testi- called: the service of the Lord Jesus mony involves service. Christ. Who learns and learns but never While driving to the office one Along your pathway of life you will knows morning, I passed a dry-cleaning observe that you are not the only trav- Is like the one who plows and plows establishment which had a sign in the eler. There are others who need your but never sows. window. It read, “It’s the Service That help. There are feet to steady, hands (“The Baxter Collection,” Baxter Counts.” The sign’s message simply to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts Memorial Library, Gorham, Maine) would not leave my mind. Suddenly to inspire, and souls to save. I realized why. In actual fact it is the Thirteen years ago it was my Spending time each day in scrip- service that counts—the Lord’s privilege to provide a blessing to a ture study will, without doubt, service. beautiful 12-year-old young lady, Jami strengthen our foundations of faith In the Book of Mormon we read Palmer. She had just been diagnosed and our testimonies of truth. of noble King Benjamin. In the true with cancer and was frightened and Recall with me the joy Alma experi- humility of an inspired leader, he bewildered. She subsequently under- enced as he was journeying from the recounted his desire to serve his peo- went surgery and painful chemother- land of Gideon southward to the land ple and lead them in paths of righ- apy. Today she is cancer-free and is a of Manti and met the sons of Mosiah. teousness. He then declared to them: bright, beautiful 26-year-old who has Alma had not seen them for some “Because I said unto you that I had accomplished much in her life. Some time, and he was overjoyed to discover spent my days in your service, I do time ago, I learned that in her darkest that they were “still his brethren in the not desire to boast, for I have only hour, when any future appeared Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong been in the service of God. somewhat grim, she learned that her in the knowledge of the truth; for they “And behold, I tell you these things leg where the cancer was situated

68 would require multiple surgeries. A long-planned hike with her Young Women class up a rugged trail to The Plan Timpanogos Cave—located in the Wasatch Mountains about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah—was out of the question, she thought. Jami of Salvation told her friends they would have to ELDER L. TOM PERRY undertake the hike without her. I’m confident there was a catch in her Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles voice and disappointment in her heart. But then the other young We are not left alone to wander through mortality without women responded emphatically, knowing of the master plan which the Lord has designed “No, Jami, you are going with us!” “But I can’t walk,” came the for His children. anguished reply. “Then, Jami, we’ll carry you to the top!” And they did. Today, the hike is a memory, but in to return to school in the fall. His next reality it is much more. James Barrie, question was, “Where do you attend the Scottish poet, declared, “God school?” Her answer with pride: gave us memories, that we might have “BYU–Idaho.” He wanted to know June roses in the December of our more about the school, which led to a lives” (paraphrasing James Barrie, in gospel discussion. Her first approach Laurence J. Peter, comp., Peter’s was to teach him about the Word of Quotations: Ideas for Our Time [1977], Wisdom. She was successful. She con- 335). None of those precious young vinced him to give up smoking. women will ever forget that memorable Then her shift was changed, and day when a loving Heavenly Father she no longer had the opportunity to looked down with a smile of approval serve him, so she wrote him a note and was well pleased. and enclosed a Church missionary As He enlists us to His cause, He tract about the plan of salvation. After invites us to draw close to Him, and several days she received a note from we feel His spirit in our lives. the driver. It simply stated, “You’ve As we establish a firm foundation created a monster.” Thanks to this for our lives, let us each one remem- hile attending a sacrament young woman he had found informa- ber His precious promise: meeting during the summer tion which caused him to think about Wmonths, I was fortunate to the changes he must make in his life. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not hear messages from three students I do not know the full outcome of this dismayed, who were home from school for the little encounter between a waitress For I am thy God and will still give summer. One of the talks especially and a truck driver, but clearly his life thee aid. interested me. was affected. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and She had been working during the She then went on to explain how cause thee to stand, summer recess in a restaurant fre- easy it is to let others know about the Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent quented by truck drivers. One driver beauties of the gospel. Opportunities hand. who had a regular run stopped at the are there every day in our normal pur- (“How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, restaurant on the same day each week suits of life to open our mouths to let no. 85) to eat. The regularity of the stop cre- people know of the gospel truths that ated an opportunity for short visits. will bless them here and now and into May each of us qualify for this He asked the young lady where she the eternities to come. blessing, I humbly pray, in the name lived. She reported that she was Many people wonder, “Where did of Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen. ■ home for the summer to earn money we come from? Why are we here?

NOVEMBER 2006 69 “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3–4). We need not be confused. The answers to the puzzling questions regarding the purpose of life have again been given to mankind for our guidance. We first heard about the plan of sal- vation before we were born, in what the scriptures call our first estate (see Abraham 3:26). What occurred in this first estate is dimly understood, but we do know that we lived there as spirits, children of our Heavenly Father, and we made certain steps of advancement to prepare for the opportunity of housing our eternal spirits in earthly bodies. We also know that our Father held a great council to explain the purpose of earth life. We had the opportunity of accepting or rejecting the plan of salvation. It was not forced upon us. The essence of the plan was that man would have an opportunity of working out his own salvation on earth, with God’s help. A Where are we going?” Our Eternal to enjoy all His blessings. He has pro- leader was selected to teach us how to Father did not send us to earth on an vided a perfect plan to accomplish follow the plan and to redeem us from aimless, meaningless journey. He pro- His purpose. We understood and sin and death. As the Lord explained vided for us a plan to follow. He is the accepted this plan before we came to to Moses, “Behold, my Beloved Son, author of that plan. It is designed for the earth” ([2004], 48). which was my Beloved and Chosen man’s progress and ultimate salvation Yet many people in the world from the beginning, said unto me— and exaltation. Quoting from the mis- today continue to struggle to find Father, thy will be done, and the glory sionary guide Preach My Gospel: answers to life’s most basic questions. be thine forever” (Moses 4:2). “God is the Father of our spirits. The cries of “Lo, here” and “Lo, there” Jesus Christ, our Elder Brother, We are literally His children, and He only grow louder and many, many became the leader in advocating the loves us. We lived as spirit children of times more confusing. Technology plan designed by the Father, and we our Father in Heaven before we were has multiplied the confusion by accepted the plan and its conditions. born on this earth. We were not, how- spreading these messages throughout With that choice we earned the right ever, like our Heavenly Father, nor the airwaves and across the massive to come to earth and enter our sec- could we ever become like Him and amounts of cable lines that now cover ond estate. enjoy all the blessings that He enjoys the earth. There are so many avenues God created Adam and Eve in His without the experience of living in to broadcast more and more different own image, with bodies of flesh and mortality with a physical body. messages, I guess it should not be bones, and placed them in the Garden “God’s whole purpose—His work surprising that people are confused. of Eden. They were given the choice and His glory—is to enable each of us Centuries ago Paul predicted: either to remain in the garden or to

70 partake of the fruit of the tree of life. Only through the gift of the knowledge of good and evil and have Atonement and our obedience to the the opportunity of experiencing mor- gospel can we return and live with tality. They accepted the challenge, God once again. partook of the fruit, and thus became After the Resurrection of the mortal and subject to physical death. Savior, His Apostles went forth to Because of their choice, they would preach this glorious message to the experience all of the trials and difficul- nations of the earth. They traveled ties of mortality. extensively as they taught of the mis- There are two purposes for life in sion of our Savior. A great movement mortality. The first is that we might of Christianity started to spread gain experiences that we could not throughout many lands. But the obtain in any other way. The second Church gradually drifted into a gen- is to obtain tabernacles of flesh and eral apostasy in which the succession bones. Both of these purposes are of the priesthood was broken. The vital to the existence of man. We are authority to officiate in spiritual ordi- now being tried and tested to see if nances ceased to exist on earth. we will do all the things the Lord has Gradually, inspired men started to commanded us to do. These com- Lake Institute of Religion, Jan. 10, bring forth a reformation. President mandments are the principles and 1982, 8–9). Gordon B. Hinckley has described it ordinances of the gospel, and they All of this is made possible by Jesus as the dawn of a brighter day. He said: constitute the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ. He is the centerpiece of the “Somehow, in that long season of Every principle and ordinance has a eternal plan of the Father, the Savior darkness, a candle was lighted. The bearing upon the whole purpose of who was provided as a ransom for age of Renaissance brought with it a our testing, which is to prepare us to mankind. God sent His Beloved Son flowering of learning, art, and science. return to our Heavenly Father and to overcome the Fall of Adam and There came a movement of bold and become more like Him. Elder Bruce R. Eve. He came to earth as our Savior courageous men and women who McConkie has said this about follow- and Redeemer. He overcame the looked heavenward in acknowledg- ing the straight and narrow path: obstacle of physical death for us by ment of God and His divine Son. We “What I think all of us need to do is giving up His own life. When He died speak of it as the Reformation. to determine where we stand in every on the cross, His spirit became sepa- “And then, after many generations field of mortal endeavor. Then, based rated from His body. On the third day had walked the earth—so many of on the general overall concepts that His spirit and His body were reunited them in conflict, hatred, darkness, are clear and plain, we make a deter- eternally, never to be separated again. and evil—there arrived the great, new mination on how we will live in this Life on earth is of limited dur- day of the Restoration. This glorious field or in that field in order to pass ation. There comes a time for all of gospel was ushered in with the the probationary estate in order to us when the spirit and the body are appearance of the Father and the Son succeed in the test of mortality. If we separated in death. But because of to the boy Joseph. The dawn of the make the right choices, we’ll go on to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we dispensation of the fulness of times eternal reward, and if we do not, then will all be resurrected, regardless of rose upon the world. All of the good, we’ll get some lower and lesser place whether we have accomplished the beautiful, the divine of all previ- in the kingdoms that are prepared. good or evil in this life. Immortality ous dispensations was restored in this “. . . Everyone in the Church who is is the gift to every mortal child of most remarkable season” (“The on the straight and narrow path, who our Father in Heaven. Death must be Dawning of a Brighter Day,” Liahona is striving and struggling and desiring viewed as a portal to a new and better and Ensign, May 2004, 82–83). to do what is right, though [he] is far life. Through the glorious resurrec- Following the glorious event of the from perfect in this life; if he passes tion, body and spirit will be reunited. First Vision, the sacred record of the out of this life while he’s on the We will have a perfect, immortal body Book of Mormon was delivered to straight and narrow, he’s going to go of flesh and bones that will never be the Prophet Joseph Smith. This on to eternal reward in his Father’s subjected to pain or death. But the brought a new witness of our Lord kingdom” (The Probationary Test of glory we attain to in the next life will and Savior and His mission to the Mortality, devotional address, Salt depend on our performance in this peoples of the earth.

NOVEMBER 2006 71 Thus we see in the eternal plan of our Father that His love has no bounds. Every one of His children is Three Towels included. All men have the same ori- gin and equal possibility to fulfill their eternal destiny. The Book of Mormon prophet and a 25-Cent Amulek, testifying that the words of Christ will bring us our salvation, said: “And now, my brethren, I would that, after ye have received so many Newspaper witnesses, seeing that the holy scrip- BISHOP RICHARD C. EDGLEY tures testify of these things, ye come First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric forth and bring fruit unto repentance. “Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any When we are true to the sacred principles of honesty and longer; for behold, now is the time integrity, we are true to our faith, and we are true to ourselves. and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought badly that, if not for a piece of ply- about unto you. wood, I could have literally dragged “For behold, this life is the time for my feet on the highway. The positive men to prepare to meet God; yea, is that unlike most 14-year-old cars in behold the day of this life is the day this time period, it used no oil—lots for men to perform their labors” of water in the radiator, but no oil. I (Alma 34:30–32). could never figure out where the Let us be no more tossed to and fro water went and why the oil continu- by every worldly wind and doctrine of ally got thinner and thinner and man (see Ephesians 4:14). We declare clearer and clearer. to the world that the heavens are In preparation for the 185-mile open and the truth of God’s eternal (298-km) drive home at the end of plan has again been made known to the summer, I took the car to the only mankind. We live in the dispensation mechanic in Moran. After a quick of the fulness of times. We live in a day analysis, the mechanic explained that when we have the witness through the engine block was cracked and the scriptures of the great plan the was leaking water into the oil. That Lord has given to His children from n front of this vast worldwide audi- explained the water and oil mystery. the beginning of time down to this ence and with some reservation, I I wondered if I could get the water to present and last dispensation. The evi- Imake a personal confession. I do leak into the gas tank; I would get dence is well documented; we are not this as an introduction to a subject better gasoline mileage. left alone to wander through mortality that has weighed heavily on my mind Now the confession: after the mira- without knowing of the master plan for some time. In 1955, after my fresh- cle of arriving home, my father came which the Lord has designed for His man year of college, I spent the sum- out and happily greeted me. After a children. He has bound Himself by mer working at the newly opened hug and a few pleasantries, he looked solemn covenant to give us the bless- Jackson Lake Lodge, located in into the backseat of the car and saw ings of heaven according to our obedi- Moran, Wyoming. My mode of trans- three Jackson Lake Lodge towels— ence to His law. Oh, remember, re- portation was a 14-year-old 1941 the kind you cannot buy. With a member that these things are true, Hudson automobile that should have disappointed look he merely said, for the Lord God has revealed these received its burial 10 years earlier. “I expected more of you.” I hadn’t eternal truths unto us. In the name Among the car’s other identifying thought that what I had done was all of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ traits, the floorboards had rusted so that wrong. To me these towels were

72 but a symbol of a full summer’s work at a luxury hotel, a rite of passage. Nevertheless, by taking them I felt I had lost the trust and confidence of my father, and I was devastated. The following weekend I adjusted the plywood floorboard in my car, filled the radiator with water, and began the 370-mile (595-km) round trip back to Jackson Lake Lodge to return three towels. My father never asked why I was returning to the lodge, and I never explained. It just didn’t need to be said. This was an expensive and painful lesson on honesty that has stayed with me throughout my life. Sadly, some of the greatest missing values in today’s world are honesty and integrity. In the past few years an increasing number of business leaders have been exposed for dishonesty and other forms of bad behavior. As a result, tens of thousands of loyal, long- term employees have lost their liveli- hoods and pensions. For some this has resulted in loss of homes, change of education and other life plans. We read and hear of widespread cheating in our schools, with more concern about receiving a grade or degree than learn- ing and preparation. We hear of stu- dents who have cheated their way through medical school and are now distinguished for their zeal towards When he handed me a newspaper, I performing complicated procedures God, and also towards men; for they put a quarter in the machine and, try- on their patients. The elderly and oth- were perfectly honest and upright in ing not to offend but to make a point, ers are victims of scam artists, often all things; and they were firm in the jokingly said, “Jim, for 25 cents I can resulting in the loss of homes or life faith of Christ, even unto the end” maintain my integrity. A dollar, ques- savings. Always this dishonesty and (Alma 27:27; emphasis added). tionable, but 25 cents—no, not for 25 lack of integrity are based on greed, Some 30 years ago, while working cents.” You see, I remembered well arrogance, and disrespect. in the corporate world, some business the experience of three towels and a In Proverbs we read, “Lying lips associates and I were passing through broken-down 1941 Hudson. A few are abomination to the Lord: but O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois. One minutes later we passed the same they that deal truly are his delight” of these men had just sold his com- newspaper vending machine. I (Proverbs 12:22). pany for tens of millions of dollars— noticed that Jim had broken away Mormon, speaking of the con- in other words, he was not poor. from our group and was stuffing quar- verted Lamanites who were known As we were passing a newspaper ters in the vending machine. I tell you as the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, vending machine, this individual put this incident not to portray myself as wrote: “And they were among the a quarter in the machine, opened the an unusual example of honesty, but people of Nephi, and also numbered door to the stack of papers inside only to emphasize the lessons of three among the people who were of the the machine, and began dispensing towels and a 25-cent newspaper. church of God. And they were also unpaid-for newspapers to each of us. There will never be honesty in the

NOVEMBER 2006 73 business world, in the schools, in the home, or anyplace else until there is honesty in the heart. Behold Your Important and lasting lessons are often taught through simple examples—perhaps as simple as three towels or a 25-cent newspaper. I won- Little Ones der how the world would be if simple MARGARET S. LIFFERTH lessons of honesty were taught in the home at an early age, simple lessons First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency such as “Love your neighbor as your- self” (see Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31) In today’s world, children will need . . . each of us to protect, and “Do unto others as you would teach, and love them. have others do unto you” (see Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31). I wonder where thousands of displaced employ- ees would be today with their lost pensions if some businesspeople in come to us, they face the challenges high places had early experiences of of a fallen world. What does it take to three towels or a 25-cent newspaper. help these children keep the light of Honesty is the basis of a true faith in their eyes? We know that Christian life. For Latter-day Saints, nothing can replace a righteous family honesty is an important requirement in the life of a child. But in today’s for entering the Lord’s holy temple. world, children will need not only a Honesty is embedded in the covenants devoted mother and father, but they that we make in the temple. Each will need each of us to protect, teach, Sunday as we partake of the holy and love them. emblems of the Savior’s flesh and Brothers and sisters, protecting blood, we again renew our basic and children means that we provide an sacred covenants—which encompass environment that invites the Spirit honesty. As Latter-day Saints we have into their lives and validates it in their a sacred obligation to not only teach hearts. That automatically eliminates the principles of honesty, but also to any form of indifference, neglect, live them, perhaps with examples as abuse, violence, or exploitation. simple as three towels or a 25-cent hile I have been serving in And while conditions of depravity newspaper. Honesty should be this calling, I have made are more serious, we also protect among the most fundamental values Wsome new friends. Eliza children from other detrimental that govern our everyday living. can sing many Primary songs. Lucas conditions, such as expectations that When we are true to the sacred is learning the Articles of Faith in are too high or too low, overindul- principles of honesty and integrity, we Spanish. Caitlyn is shy but curious. gence, over scheduling, and self- are true to our faith, and we are true I sat by Martha in Primary, and she centeredness. Either extreme dulls to ourselves. wrapped her arm through mine. a child’s ability to identify, trust, and My prayer is that as Latter-day These children reflect the light of be guided by the Holy Ghost. Saints we will be known as among the the gospel in their faces. Children are open to gospel most honest people in the world. And Who are the children in your home truths more than at any other time, it might be said of us as it was of the or in your neighborhood? Look at and protected childhood is literally people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi that we are them. Think of them. The Savior a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to “perfectly honest and upright in all teaches us that to enter the kingdom teach and strengthen children to things; and . . . firm in the faith of of God, we must become as a child, choose the right. Christ, even unto the end” (Alma “submissive, meek, humble, patient, It’s easy to know what to teach. 27:27). In the name of Jesus Christ, [and] full of love” (Mosiah 3:19). The scriptures and our prophets amen. ■ But however full of faith children are clear about what to teach our

74 children. Nephi summarizes it in our heart are discerned by children the largest Primary in that area was this verse, “And we talk of Christ, we more quickly than we think. made up of these little boys who are rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, So love the children. I remember not members of the Church. They we prophesy of Christ . . . that our feeling loved as a child, and because were drawn to the truth, and the light children may know to what source of that, it was easy for me to believe of the gospel began to be reflected in they may look for a remission of their that the Savior loved me too. Chil- their faces. They were welcomed, pro- sins” (2 Nephi 25:26). dren thrive in a home where parents tected, taught, and loved by all the Knowing that we teach of Christ understand their “sacred duty to rear members of that little branch, includ- and His gospel, how do we do it? their children in love and righteous- ing youth, young adults, missionaries, Begin by following the counsel of ness” (“The Family: A Proclamation to teachers, and priesthood leaders. our prophets and making time in our the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Think of the children in your neigh- homes for family prayer, scripture Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). borhood or Primary class. Who are the study, and family home evening. Have But all of us can help. Notice the children in your branch or ward? Is we heard that counsel so often that it children around you, and learn their there one, like Vasily, who needs you? seems too simple? Or are we so busy names. And then invite, listen, affirm, When I think of these little boys that adding one more thing feels too guide, build, serve, and share testi- and children like them, I take great complex? I testify that even when our mony. Your love can help bring a child hope from the account of the Savior’s family worship seems less than effec- to the love of the Savior. visit to the American continent. tive, obedience alone invites the Vasily is a child who spends much Remember that before the Savior’s blessings of the Lord. of his time in the streets and is not appearance, there were tempests, In fact, personal obedience and supported by his parents in his search earthquakes, fires, and three days of example in every part of our lives are for truth. He found a small branch of profound darkness (see 3 Nephi 8). the ultimate gospel lessons for chil- the Church in his town, and he came I have often thought about the chil- dren. So study, learn, and apply the to every event held at the church. He dren who experienced these events. gospel. We cannot teach principles also brought his three younger broth- And I can only imagine the fear and that we do not know and that we do ers to church, and other friends joined concern in the hearts of the parents. not live. Who we are and what is in him in Primary. In fact, at one time, And then the Savior appeared and

NOVEMBER 2006 75 commanded the multitude “that their little children should be brought” to Him (3 Nephi 17:11). How eager “The Great and those parents must have been to bring their children to the Savior. And then they watched as the Savior wept over their children, blessed them one Wonderful Love” by one, prayed unto the Father for ELDER ANTHONY D. PERKINS them, and called down angels to min- ister unto them (see 3 Nephi 17:21, Of the Seventy 24). This account reminds us that it is the Savior who is the great protector, Childlike faith in the perfect love of Heavenly Father the ultimate teacher, and the eternal and Jesus Christ will “divide asunder” Satan’s snares source of love and healing. As the darkness of this day sur- of inadequacy, imperfection, and guilt. rounds us, we are also commanded to bring our children to the Savior, and as Elder Ballard has reminded us, “we are the ones God has appointed to The snare of false inadequacy. encircle today’s children with love A faithful young person feels unable and the fire of faith and an under- to meet the expectations of others. standing of who they are” (“Behold At home and school, she is rarely Your Little Ones,” Tambuli, Oct. 1994, praised and often criticized. The pop- 40; “Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy ular media tells her she is not beauti- Children,” Ensign, Apr. 1994, 60). ful enough or smart enough. Every Brothers and sisters, as a mother day this righteous sister questions and a Primary leader, I know this whether she is an individual worthy work with children is not easy. of Heavenly Father’s love, the Savior’s Protecting, teaching, and loving chil- atoning sacrifice, or the Spirit’s con- dren can be demanding, often dis- stant guidance. couraging, sometimes exhausting, The snare of exaggerated imper- and occasionally the fruits of our fection. An outstanding missionary efforts are long delayed. But it is pre- feels incapable of meeting the expec- cisely because it is not easy to bring tations of God. In his mind, this wor- children to the Savior that we must thy elder imagines a stern Heavenly come to Him ourselves. hildren in pure faith pro- Father bound to irrevocable justice, As we seek Him and His Spirit to claim, “We believe in God, the a Savior capable of cleansing others’ help us, we will see a miracle. We will Eternal Father, and in His Son, transgressions but not this elder’s C 1 recognize that our own hearts are Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.” own, and a Holy Ghost unwilling to changing and we too are becoming But sometimes youth and adults accompany an imperfect person. “submissive, meek, humble, patient, do not feel the power of this simple The snare of needless guilt. A [and] full of love” (Mosiah 3:19). We declaration. middle-aged woman is a devoted too will reflect the light of the gospel Satan is the “enemy to all righ- mother, a loving friend, a faithful in our own countenance. We will teousness”;2 thus he plants doubts Church servant, and a frequent come to understand these words of about the nature of the Godhead and temple patron. But in her heart, the Savior: “And whoso shall receive our relationship with Them. Jesus this sister cannot forgive herself of one such little child in my name Christ prophesied that in the last sins committed years ago that she receiveth me” (Matthew 18:5). days even the very elect would be has repented of and fully resolved I love the Savior and testify of His deceived.3 Consider three examples with priesthood leaders. She doubts redeeming power for me and you and of how Lucifer is “laying traps that her life will ever be acceptable to for our children, in the name of Jesus and snares to catch the holy ones the Lord and has lost hope of eternal Christ, amen. ■ of God.”4 life in Heavenly Father’s presence.

76 If you have any thoughts and feel- feel “godly sorrow”10 unto repentance “cast [your] burden upon the Lord,”16 ings similar to these good Saints, I in a manner that fills you with hope of you will feel the peace of the Spirit.17 invite you to become as a little child positive change. Third, forgive yourself of sins and and feel again “the great and wonder- When you feel worthless, “remem- imperfections. Heavenly Father is not ful love made manifest by the Father ber the worth of souls is great in the expecting you to become completely and the Son in the coming of the sight of God.”11 Refrain from repeat- perfect in this life. He knew His chil- Redeemer into the world.”5 Childlike edly thinking or saying negative dren would make mistakes as they faith in the perfect love of Heavenly words about yourself—there is a clear learned from experience in mortality. Father and Jesus Christ will “divide difference between humility and But “God so loved the world”18 that asunder”6 Satan’s snares of inade- humiliation. Identify and use your His plan of happiness provided a quacy, imperfection, and guilt. unique talents rather than dwelling merciful Savior. Proverbs teaches, “For as he think- on your weaknesses. Jesus said, “I, the Lord, will forgive eth in his heart, so is he.”7 May I Second, place your burdens on whom I will forgive, but of you it is suggest—in addition to consistent Jesus Christ. When you feel over- required to forgive all men.”19 Start prayers, scripture study, and Church whelmed by expectations and chal- with yourself, and forgive others as and temple attendance—five changes lenges, do not fight the battle alone. well. If God will not remember our to your thoughts and heart to more Follow the example of small children, repented-of sins,20 then why should fully feel the tender love of God. and drop to your knees in prayer. we? Avoid wasting time and energy First, see yourself as a precious Jesus Christ has commanded us, reliving the past. child of a loving Father in Heaven. “Look unto me in every thought; To forgive yourself and others, you Our children with confidence sing, doubt not, fear not.”12 Doubt, fear, must trust the Atonement of Jesus “I am a child of God, and he has sent and worry indicate we have taken all Christ. The prophet Zenock prayed, me here.”8 Little children feel and of life’s burdens and anxieties on our- “Thou art angry, O Lord, with this know what perhaps you have forgot- selves. When plagued by thoughts people, because they will not under- ten. You are the beloved son or that you are inadequate, confidently stand thy mercies which thou hast daughter of Heavenly Father, created say, “I can do all things through Christ bestowed upon them because of thy “in his own image,”9 and of immense which strengtheneth me.”13 Then as Son.”21 Our Father in Heaven is sad- value—so much so that Jesus Christ you “cheerfully do all things that lie in dened when we limit the power of gave His life for you. [your] power,”14 you can rest assured His Son’s atoning sacrifice. As you God the Father is merciful and has that the Lord will do the remainder exercise faith in Jesus Christ, you can infinite love for you despite your and things will work out all right. have your guilt “swept away.”22 If guilt faults. Only the voice of Satan will The Savior promised, “Come unto remains after sincere repentance, cause you to feel of no value. In con- me, all ye that labour and are heavy believe your priesthood leaders when trast, the Holy Ghost will cause you to laden, and I will give you rest.”15 As you they declare you to be worthy.23

NOVEMBER 2006 77 Fourth, sustain hope of eternal life. You will experience greater joy 5. D&C 138:3. If you imagine that your prior sins, in life as you eradicate adult-onset 6. Helaman 3:29. 7. Proverbs 23:7. character flaws, and poor decisions pessimism and substitute childlike 8. “I Am a Child of God,” Hymns, no. 301. prevent you from receiving all of optimism. Optimism is a virtue that 9. Genesis 1:27; see also Alma 22:12; Ether God’s blessings, consider the experi- allows us to see God’s loving hand in 3:15–16; D&C 20:17–18; Moses 6:8–10; Abraham 4:26–27. ence of Alma the Elder. Referring to the details of our life. A favorite hymn 10. 2 Corinthians 7:10. his younger years as an immoral priest counsels, “Count your many bless- 11. D&C 18:10. for the wicked King Noah, Alma admit- ings; see what God hath done.”28 12. D&C 6:36; see also Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 10:31; Luke 8:50; D&C 50:41; 122:9. ted, “I myself was caught in a snare, I testify of Heavenly Father, who 13. Philippians 4:13; see also 2 Corinthians and did many things which were in great and wonderful love reaches 12:7–10; Hebrews 11:33–34; 1 Nephi 7:12; 17:3; Jacob 4:7; Alma 26:12; Ether 12:27. abominable in the sight of the Lord, out to each of His children. I bear 14. D&C 123:17. which caused me sore repentance.”24 witness of Jesus Christ, who is 15. Matthew 11:28. Yet Alma’s repentance was so com- “mighty to save”29 us from our inade- 16. Psalm 55:22. 17. See Galatians 5:22; see also D&C 19:23. plete and Christ’s Atonement so infi- quacies, imperfections, and sins. I 18. John 3:16. nite that Alma became a prophet and bear testimony of the Holy Ghost, 19. D&C 64:10. was promised eternal life.25 As you do who will accompany the imperfect 20. See D&C 58:42; see also Psalm 25:7; Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12; your best to be obedient and repen- yet penitent soul. To you faithful and 10:17; Alma 36:19. tant, you too can receive a place in worthy Saints who struggle with lat- 21. Alma 33:16. the celestial kingdom through the ter-day snares of the devil,30 “may 22. See Enos 1:3–8; see also Alma 24:10; 26 36:16–19. Atonement and grace of Jesus Christ. God grant unto you that your bur- 23. See Marvin J. Ashton, “On Being Worthy,” Fifth, find joy each day. One dens may be light, through the joy Ensign, May 1989, 20–22. source of joy is service, for when you of his Son.”31 In the sacred name of 24. Mosiah 23:9. 25. See Mosiah 26:20. are busy helping others, you will have Jesus Christ, amen. ■ 26. See Titus 3:7; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Nephi 2:6–8; less capacity to agonize over your 10:24–25; 25:23; Enos 1:27; Moroni 7:41; NOTES D&C 138:14. own shortcomings. The Savior wisely 1. Articles of Faith 1:1. 27. Mark 8:35; see also Alma 36:24–25. taught, “For whosoever will save his 2. Alma 34:23; see also Acts 13:10; Mosiah 28. “Count Your Blessings,” Hymns, no. 241. life shall lose it; but whosoever shall 4:14; Moroni 9:6. 29. 2 Nephi 31:19; see also Isaiah 63:1; Alma 3. See Matthew 24:24; see also Joseph 7:14; 34:18; D&C 133:47. lose his life for my sake and the Smith—Matthew 1:22, 37. 30. See 2 Timothy 2:26. gospel’s, the same shall save it.”27 4. Alma 10:17. 31. Alma 33:23.

78 Israel to Be Gathered God’s promise for the gather- ing of scattered Israel was equally The Gathering 7 emphatic. Isaiah, for example, fore- saw that in the latter days the Lord would send “swift messengers” to of Scattered Israel these people who were so “scattered 8 ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON and peeled.” This promise of the gathering, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles woven all through the fabric of the scriptures, will be fulfilled just as We help to gather the elect of the Lord on both sides of the veil. surely as were the prophecies of the scattering of Israel.9

The Church of Jesus Christ in the Meridian of Time and the Apostasy lineage, that certain lands would be Prior to His Crucifixion, the Lord inherited, that nations and kindreds Jesus Christ had established His of the earth would be blessed Church. It included apostles, prophets, through his seed, and more.2 While seventies, teachers, and so forth.10 And some aspects of that covenant have the Master sent His disciples into the already been fulfilled, the Book of world to preach His gospel.11 Mormon teaches that this Abrahamic After a time the Church as estab- covenant will be fulfilled only in lished by the Lord fell into spiritual these latter days!3 It also emphasizes decay. His teachings were altered; His that we are among the covenant peo- ordinances were changed. The Great ple of the Lord.4 Ours is the privilege Apostasy came as had been foretold to participate personally in the fulfill- by Paul, who knew that the Lord ment of these promises. What an would not come again “except there exciting time to live! come a falling away first.”12 This Great Apostasy followed the Israel Became Scattered pattern that had ended each previous As descendants of Abraham, the dispensation. The very first was in y beloved brothers and sis- tribes of ancient Israel had access to the time of Adam. Then came dispen- ters, thank you for your faith, priesthood authority and blessings of sations of Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Myour devotion, and your love. the gospel, but eventually the people Moses, and others. Each prophet had We share an enormous responsibility rebelled. They killed the prophets and a divine commission to teach of the to be who the Lord wants us to be and were punished by the Lord. Ten tribes divinity and the doctrine of the Lord to do what He wants us to do. We are were carried captive into Assyria. From Jesus Christ. In each age these teach- part of a great movement—the gather- there they became lost to the records ings were meant to help the people. ing of scattered Israel. I speak of this of mankind. (Obviously, the ten tribes But their disobedience resulted in doctrine today because of its unique are not lost to the Lord.) Two remain- apostasy. Thus, all previous dispensa- importance in God’s eternal plan. ing tribes continued a short time and tions were limited in time and loca- then, because of their rebellion, were tion. They were limited in time Abrahamic Covenant taken captive into Babylon.5 When because each ended in apostasy. They Anciently, the Lord blessed Father they returned, they were favored were limited in location to a relatively Abraham with a promise to make of the Lord, but again they honored small segment of planet earth. his posterity a chosen people.1 Him not. They rejected and vilified References to this covenant occur Him. A loving but grieving Father The Restoration of All Things throughout the scriptures. Included vowed, “I will scatter you among the Thus a complete restoration was were promises that the Son of God heathen,”6 and that He did—into required. God the Father and Jesus would come through Abraham’s all nations. Christ called upon the Prophet Joseph

NOVEMBER 2006 79 mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”25 In modern times the Apostles Peter, James, and John were sent by the Lord with “the keys of [His] kingdom, and a dispensation of the gospel for the last times; and for the fulness of times,” in which He would “gather together in one all things, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth.”26 In the year 1830 the Prophet Joseph Smith learned of a heavenly messenger named Elias, who pos- sessed keys to bring to pass “the Members and missionaries at their meetinghouse in Nassau, Bahamas. restoration of all things.”27 Six years later the Kirtland Temple Smith to be the prophet of this dispen- the gathering.19 It causes people to was dedicated. After the Lord sation. All divine powers of previous learn about Jesus Christ, to believe His accepted that holy house, heavenly dispensations were to be restored gospel, and to join His Church. In fact, messengers came with priesthood through him.13 This dispensation of the if there were no Book of Mormon, the keys. Moses appeared28 “and commit- fulness of times would not be limited in promised gathering of Israel would ted . . . the keys of the gathering of time or in location. It would not end in not occur.20 Israel from the four parts of the earth, apostasy, and it would fill the world.14 To us the honored name of and the leading of the ten tribes from Abraham is important. It is men- the land of the north. The Gathering of Israel—an Integral tioned in more verses of scriptures of “After this, Elias appeared, and Part of the Restoration of All Things the Restoration than in all verses of committed the dispensation of the As prophesied by Peter and Paul, the Bible.21 Abraham is linked to all gospel of Abraham, saying that in us all things were to be restored in this members of The Church of Jesus and our seed all generations after us dispensation. Therefore, there must Christ of Latter-day Saints.22 The Lord should be blessed.”29 come, as part of that restoration, the reaffirmed the Abrahamic covenant in Then Elijah the prophet came and long-awaited gathering of scattered our day through the Prophet Joseph proclaimed, “Behold, the time has Israel.15 It is a necessary prelude to Smith.23 In the temple we receive our fully come, which was spoken of by the Second Coming of the Lord.16 ultimate blessings, as the seed of the mouth of Malachi—testifying that This doctrine of the gathering is Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.24 he [Elijah] should be sent, before the one of the important teachings of The great and dreadful day of the Lord Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day The Dispensation come—to turn the hearts of the Saints. The Lord has declared: “I give of the Fulness of Times fathers to the children, and the chil- unto you a sign . . . that I shall gather This dispensation of the fulness of dren to the fathers, lest the whole in, from their long dispersion, my times was foreseen by God as the time earth be smitten with a curse.”30 people, O house of Israel, and shall to gather, both in heaven and on earth. These events occurred on April 3, establish again among them my Peter knew that after a period of apos- 1836,31 and thus fulfilled Malachi’s Zion.”17 The coming forth of the Book tasy, a restoration would come. He, prophecy.32 Sacred keys of this dis- of Mormon is a sign to the entire who had been with the Lord on the pensation were restored.33 world that the Lord has commenced Mount of Transfiguration, declared: to gather Israel and fulfill covenants “Repent ye therefore, and be con- Gathering of Souls He made to Abraham, Isaac, and verted, that your sins may be blotted on the Other Side of the Veil Jacob.18 We not only teach this doc- out, when the times of refreshing Mercifully, the invitation to “come trine, but we participate in it. We do shall come from the presence of the unto Christ”34 can also be extended so as we help to gather the elect of Lord; . . . to those who died without a knowl- the Lord on both sides of the veil. “Whom the heaven must receive edge of the gospel.35 Part of their The Book of Mormon is central to until the times of restitution of all preparation requires earthly efforts of this work. It declares the doctrine of things, which God hath spoken by the others. We gather pedigree charts,

80 create family group sheets, and do temple work vicariously to gather individuals unto the Lord and into their families.36

To Participate in the Gathering: A Commitment by Covenant Here on earth, missionary work is crucial to the gathering of Israel. The gospel was to be taken first to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.”37 Consequently, servants of the Lord have gone forth proclaiming the Restoration. In many nations our mis- sionaries have searched for those of scattered Israel; they have hunted for them “out of the holes of the rocks”; and they have fished for them as in ancient days.38 The choice to come unto Christ is not a matter of physical location; it is a matter of individual commitment. People can be “brought to the knowl- edge of the Lord”39 without leaving their homelands. True, in the early days of the Church, conversion often meant emigration as well. But now the gathering takes place in each nation. The Lord has decreed the establish- ment of Zion40 in each realm where He has given His Saints their birth and nationality. Scripture foretells that the have equal claim upon the blessings sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, people “shall be gathered home to the of the Lord. were given land inheritances. They were numbered among the tribes, in the stead of lands of their inheritance, and shall be This work of Almighty God is true. their father, Joseph. The number of twelve established in all their lands of prom- He lives. Jesus is the Christ. This is tribes was thus maintained. ise.”41 “Every nation is the gathering His Church, restored to accomplish 6. Leviticus 26:33; see also Jeremiah 9:16. 7. See Genesis 22:16–18; 3 Nephi 20–22; 42 place for its own people.” The place its divine destiny, including the prom- Abraham 2:10–11. of gathering for Brazilian Saints is in ised gathering of Israel. President 8. Isaiah 18:2, 7. 9. See Leviticus 26:44; Deuteronomy 4:27–31; Brazil; the place of gathering for Gordon B. Hinckley is God’s prophet 28; 29; 30:2–5; Nehemiah 1:9; Isaiah Nigerian Saints is in Nigeria; the place today. I so testify in the name of Jesus 11:11–12; Jeremiah 31:7–8, 10–12; Ezekiel of gathering for Korean Saints is in Christ, amen. ■ 37:21–22; Amos 9:14–15; Matthew 24:31; Jacob 6:2; see also Russell M. Nelson, “The Korea; and so forth. Zion is “the pure NOTES Exodus Repeated,” Liahona, Apr. 2002, 43 in heart.” Zion is wherever righteous 1. See Genesis 12:1–2; D&C 132:29–32; 30–39; Ensign, July 1999, 6–13. Saints are. Publications, communica- Abraham 2:6–11. 10. See Luke 10:1, 17; Ephesians 4:11; Articles 2. See Genesis 26:1–4, 24, 28; 35:9–13; of Faith 1:6. tions, and congregations are now such 48:3–4; John 8:33, 39; Acts 3:25; 1 Nephi 11. See Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15. that nearly all members have access to 17:40; 2 Nephi 29:14; Jacob 5; Ether 12. 2 Thessalonians 2:3. “Falling away” is trans- the doctrines, keys, ordinances, and 13:7–8; D&C 52:2. lated from the Greek apostasia, meaning 3. See, for example, 1 Nephi 15:12–18. “apostasy.” blessings of the gospel, regardless of 4. See 1 Nephi 14:14; 15:14; 2 Nephi 30:2; 13. See D&C 128:18; 132:45. their location. Mosiah 24:13; 3 Nephi 29:3; Mormon 8:15; 14. See Isaiah 27:6. Spiritual security will always D&C 133:26–34. 15. See 1 Nephi 15:18; see also Book of 5. The tribe of Levi provided priests among Mormon title page, paragraph 2. depend upon how one lives, not the people and was not to be numbered as 16. See D&C 133:17. where one lives. Saints in every land a tribe or to receive tribal inheritance. Two 17. 3 Nephi 21:1.

NOVEMBER 2006 81 18. See Genesis 12:2–3; 26:3–4; 35:11–12; and chapter headings for 3 Nephi 21; 29. 19. Doctrines relating to the scattering and gathering of the house of Israel are among The Faith the earliest lessons taught in the Book of Mormon: “After the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; . . . the natural branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the to Move Mountains house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer” (1 Nephi 10:14). 20. See Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith (1985), 554. Increased faith is what we most need. Without it, 21. Abraham is mentioned in 506 verses of scripture: 216 are in the Bible; 290 are in the work would stagnate. With it, no one can stop its progress. the scriptures of the Restoration. 22. The covenant may also be received by adoption (see Matthew 3:9; Luke 3:8; Galatians 3:26–29; 4:5–7; Abraham 2:9–10). 23. See D&C 124:58; 132:31–32. 24. See D&C 84:33–40; 132:19; Abraham 2:11. previously been a patient in a hospi- 25. Acts 3:19, 21. tal. Following this was the question as 26. D&C 27:13. Paul also prophesied of our to whether I should undergo further day “that in the dispensation of the fulness of times [the Lord] might gather together treatment. I chose to do so. My doc- in one all things in Christ, both which are tors have called the results miracu- in heaven, and which are on earth” lous. I know that the favorable results (Ephesians 1:10). 27. D&C 27:6. come from your many prayers in my 28. It is appropriate that Moses, who first led behalf. I am deeply grateful to you. God’s children to the land of their inheri- The Lord has permitted me to live; tance, would be the one to commit the keys of the gathering of Israel to the restored I do not know for how long. But what- Church. Moses had come to Peter, James, ever the time, I shall continue to give and John on the Mount of Transfiguration my best to the task at hand. It is not an and there had bestowed upon them the same priesthood keys in their day. At the easy thing to preside over this large, conference of the Church in April 1840, the complex Church. Nothing escapes the Prophet Joseph Smith appointed Orson Hyde to go to Jerusalem and there dedicate attention of the First Presidency. No the land for the return of the Jews and scat- major decision, no expenditure of tered Israel.44 On Sunday, October 24, 1841, funds is made without their approval. Elder Hyde knelt on the Mount of Olives and dedicated that land for the gathering y brothers and sisters, let The responsibility and stress are great. of the Jews and of Israel to their ancient me first deal with a personal But we shall carry on as long as the inheritance. matter. Lord wishes. As I said last April, we 29. D&C 110:11–12. M 30. D&C 110:14–15. The President of the Church are in His hands. I feel well; my health 31. Significant is the fact that Moses, Elias, and belongs to the entire Church. His life is reasonably good. But when it is Elijah came on Easter Sunday, at the begin- is not his own. His mission is to serve. time for a successor, the transition ning of Passover. 32. See Malachi 4:5–6. Now, as all of you know, I am will be smooth and according to the 33. See D&C 110:16. somewhat old in years. I had my 96th will of Him whose Church this is. And 34. Jacob 1:7; Omni 1:26; Moroni 10:30, 32; birthday last June. I have learned so, we go forward in faith—and faith D&C 20:59. 35. See D&C 137:6–8. from many sources that there is con- is the theme I wish to discuss this 36. See 1 Corinthians 15:29; 1 Peter 4:6. siderable speculation concerning my morning. 37. Matthew 10:6; 15:24. health. I wish to put the record From the beginning this Church 38. See Jeremiah 16:16. 39. 3 Nephi 20:13. straight. If I last a few months longer, has moved forward with faith. Faith 40. See D&C 6:6; 11:6; 12:6; 14:6. I will have served to an older age than was the strength of the Prophet 41. 2 Nephi 9:2. any previous President. I do not say Joseph. 42. Bruce R. McConkie, in Conference Report, Mexico City Mexico Area Conference this to be boastful but rather grateful. I am grateful for the faith that took 1972, 45. Last January I underwent major sur- him into the grove to pray. I am grate- 43. D&C 97:21. gery. It was a miserable experience, ful for his faith to translate and pub- 44. See 2 Nephi 9:2; 10:7–9; 25:16–17, 20; 3 Nephi 21:22–28; D&C 29:7–8. particularly for one who had never lish the Book of Mormon. I am

82 grateful that he went to the Lord in prayer that was answered with the bestowal of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods. I am grate- ful that in faith he organized the Church and set it on its course. I thank him for the gift of his life as a testimony to the truth of this work. Faith was also the moving power behind Brigham Young. I often reflect on the tremendous faith he exercised in bringing a very large number of people to settle this Salt Lake Valley. He knew very little of the area. He had never seen it, except in vision. I suppose he had studied what meager information there was, but he knew almost nothing of the soil or the water or the climate. And yet when he looked upon it, he said without hesitation, “This is the right place, drive on” (B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church, 3:224). And so it has been with each of the Presidents of the Church. In the face of terrible opposition, they have moved forward with faith. Whether it was crickets destroying their crops. Whether it was drought or late frost. Whether it was persecution by the fed- eral government. Or, more recently, whether it was an urgent need to extend humanitarian aid to victims of Isles to the valley of the Great Salt Lake Fortunately, they were passed by the tsunami, or earthquakes, or floods began their travel in faith. They had lit- Franklin D. Richards on his way in divers places, it has all been the tle or no knowledge of what they were from England. He had a lightweight same. Welfare shelves have been emp- getting into. But they moved forward. conveyance with horses and was tied. Cash by the millions has been dis- They began their journey with great able to travel much faster. He came patched to those in need, regardless of expectation. That expectation gradu- on to this valley. It was this very sea- Church membership—all in faith. ally failed them as they moved west. As son of the year. The general confer- This is an important anniversary they commenced the tedious journey ence was in session. When Brigham year in the history of the Church, following the Platte River and then up Young received the news, he imme- as all of you know. It is the 150th the valley of the Sweetwater, the cold diately stood before the congrega- anniversary of the coming of the hand of death took its fearsome toll. tion and said: Willie and Martin handcart companies Their food was rationed; their oxen “I will now give this people the sub- and the Hunt and Hodgett wagon died; their carts broke down; they had ject and the text for the Elders who companies which accompanied them. inadequate bedding and clothing. may speak to-day and during the con- Much has been written concerning Storms raged. They sought shelter, but ference, it is this, on the 5th day of this, and I need not go into detail. All they found none. The storms beat October, 1856, many of our brethren of you are familiar with the story. about them. They literally starved to and sisters are on the plains with hand- Suffice it to say that those who set out death. Scores died and were buried in carts, and probably many are now 700 on the long journey from the British the frozen ground. miles from this place, and they must

NOVEMBER 2006 83 feet of a surviving daughter were terribly frozen. What a story it is. It is filled with suffering and hunger and cold and death. It is replete with accounts of freezing rivers that had to be waded through; of howling blizzards; of the long, slow climb up Rocky Ridge. With the passing of this anniversary year, it may become largely forgotten. But hopefully it will be told again and again to remind future generations of the suffering and the faith of those who came before. Their faith is our inheritance. Their faith is a reminder to us of the price they paid for the comforts we enjoy. But faith is not demonstrated only in big heroic events, such as the com- ing of the handcart pioneers. It is also demonstrated in small but significant be brought here, we must send assis- to the things we tell you” (Deseret events. Let me tell you of one such tance to them. The text will be, ‘to get News, Oct. 15, 1856, 252). event. them here.’ I want the brethren who Immediately horses and mules and When the Manti Utah Temple was may speak to understand that their strong wagons were offered. Flour in under construction some 120 years text is the people on the plains, and abundance was forthcoming. Warm ago, George Paxman worked as a fin- the subject matter for this community clothing and bedding were quickly ish carpenter. He and his young wife, is to send for them and bring them in assembled. Within a day or two the Martha, had one child and were before the winter sets in. . . . loaded wagons were moving eastward expecting another. “I shall call upon the Bishops this through the snow. While hanging one of the heavy day, I shall not wait until to-morrow, When the rescuers reached the east doors of the temple, George suf- nor until [the] next day, for 60 good beleaguered Saints, they were like fered a strangulated hernia. He was mule teams and 12 or 15 wagons. I do angels from heaven. People wept in terrible pain. Martha laid him in a not want to send oxen, I want good tears of gratitude. The handcart peo- wagon and took him to the town horses and mules. They are in this ple were transferred into wagons so of Nephi, where she put him on the Territory, and we must have them; they could travel more quickly to the train and took him to Provo. There also 12 tons of flour and 40 good Salt Lake community. he died. Spurning marriage, she teamsters, . . . 60 or 65 good spans of Some two hundred died, but a remained a widow for 62 years, sup- mules, or horses, with harness. . . . thousand were saved. porting herself with needlework. “I will tell you all,” said he, “that Among those who were in dire Now permit me to diverge from your faith, religion, and profession of circumstances on the plains was my this narrative to say that when I was religion, will never save one soul of wife’s great-grandmother. She was engaged to marry my wife, I gave her you in the celestial kingdom of our part of the Hunt wagon company. a ring. When we were married, I gave God, unless you carry out just such Today, my wife’s gravesite in her a wedding band. She wore them principles as I am now teaching you. the Salt Lake City Cemetery looks for years. Then one day I noticed that Go and bring in those people now on down at the gravesite of her great- she had taken them off and was wear- the plains, and attend strictly to those grandmother, Mary Penfold Goble, ing this little gold wedding band. It had things which we call temporal, or who died in the arms of her daughter belonged to her grandmother. The temporal duties, otherwise your faith as she was entering this valley on ring had been given her by her hus- will be in vain; the preaching you December 11, 1856. She was buried band, George. The ring was the only have heard will be in vain to you, and the next day. She had lost three of her thing he left in this life. One day in the you will sink to hell, unless you attend children on that long journey. The spring, Martha was housecleaning. She

84 SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION October 1, 2006 brought all of the furnishings out to give the house a thorough cleaning. Upon shaking the straw from the mat- A Defense tress, she looked down, and the ring was gone. She looked everywhere most carefully. It was the only physical remembrance of her beloved husband. and a Refuge She raked through the straw with her PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER fingers but could not find the ring. Tears fell from her eyes. She went to Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles her knees and prayed that the Lord would help her to find the ring. When We speak of the Church as our refuge, our defense. she opened her eyes, she looked down There is safety and protection in the Church. and there it was. Now I hold it in my hand. It is too small for all of you to see. It is 18 karat gold, old and scarred and bent. But it represents faith, the faith of a widow them strength but what they knew. who pleaded with the Lord in her They knew they were Apostles of extremity. Such faith is the wellspring the Lord Jesus Christ. They knew that of activity. It is the root of hope and the priesthood had been delivered to trust. It is this simple faith that all of them by angelic messengers. They us so much need. knew they had the commandments In the on-working of this great and the covenants to offer opportu- cause, increased faith is what we most nity for the eternal salvation and exal- need. Without it, the work would tation for all mankind. They were sure stagnate. With it, no one can stop its that the inspiration of the Holy Ghost progress. attended them. Said the Savior, “If ye have faith as They busied themselves plowing a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say up gardens, putting up shelters unto this mountain, Remove hence to against the winter soon to come. yonder place; and it shall remove; and They prepared for others already on nothing shall be impossible unto you” the prairie following them to this new (Matthew 17:20). gathering place. To his son Helaman, Alma n July 26, 1847, their third day A revelation, written nine years ear- declared, “Preach unto them repen- in the valley (the second having lier, directed them to “arise and shine tance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Obeen the Sabbath), Brigham forth, that thy light may be a standard Christ; teach them to humble them- Young, with members of the Twelve for the nations; selves and to be meek and lowly in and some others, climbed a peak “And that the gathering together heart; teach them to withstand every about one and a half miles from where upon the land of Zion, and upon her temptation of the devil, with their I now stand. They thought it a good stakes, may be for a defense, and for faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” place to raise an ensign to the nations. a refuge from the storm, and from (Alma 37:33). Heber C. Kimball wore a yellow ban- wrath when it shall be poured out May the Lord bless us with faith dana. They tied it to Willard Richards’s without mixture upon the whole in the great cause of which we are a walking stick and waved it aloft, an earth” (D&C 115:5–6). part. May faith be as a candle to guide ensign to the nations. Brigham Young They were to be the “light,” the us in the night by its light. May it go named it Ensign Peak.1 “standard.” before us as a cloud in the day. Then they descended to their The standard, established by reve- For this I humbly pray, in the worn-out wagons, to the few things lation, is contained in the scriptures sacred and holy name of Him who they had carried 2,000 miles, and to through the doctrines of the gospel is the strength of our faith, even the their travel-weary followers. It was of Jesus Christ. The principles of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. ■ not what they possessed that gave gospel life we follow are based on

NOVEMBER 2006 85 completely faithful in marriage. We are to keep the law of tithing. We attend to our responsibilities in the Church. We gather each week for sacrament meeting to renew the covenants and earn the promises in those simple and sacred prayers over the bread and water. We are to honor the priesthood and be obedient to the covenants and ordinances. Those Brethren on Ensign Peak knew that they were to live ordinary lives and keep the image of Christ engraven in their countenances (see Alma 5:14). They understood that the stakes were to be a defense and a refuge, but at that time there was not one stake on the earth. They knew their mission was to establish stakes of Zion in every nation of the earth. Perhaps they wondered what kind of wrath or storm could be poured out that they had not already experi- enced. They had endured savage opposition, violence, terrorism. Their homes had been burned, their prop- erty taken. They were driven from their homes time after time after time. They knew then, as we know now, that there would be no end to opposition. The nature of it changes, but it never ends. There would be no end to the kinds of challenges that the early Saints would face. New chal- lenges would be different than, but certainly not less than, that through which they had made their way. doctrine, and the standards accord know good from evil” (2 Nephi 2:5). Now the stakes of Zion number in with the principles. We are bound to If we are doing the best we can, the thousands and are all over the the standards by covenant, as admin- we should not become discouraged. world. The members number in the istered through the ordinances of the When we fall short, as we do, or millions and growing. Neither of these gospel by those who have received stumble, which we might, there is can be held back, for this is the work priesthood and the keys of authority. always the remedy of repentance of the Lord. Now members live in 160 Those faithful Brethren were not and forgiveness. nations and speak over 200 languages. free, and we are not free, to alter the We are to teach our children the Some live with an unspoken fear of standards or to ignore them. We must moral standard to avoid every kind what awaits us and the Church in the live by them. of immorality. The precious powers world. It grows ever darker in moral- It is not a cure or a comfort to within their mortal bodies “are to ity and spirituality. If we will gather simply say they do not matter. We all be employed only between man into the Church, live the simple prin- know they do matter, for all mankind and woman, lawfully wedded as ciples of the gospel, live moral lives, is “instructed sufficiently that they husband and wife.”2 We must be keep the Word of Wisdom, tend to

86 our priesthood and other duties, then to the land of their inheritance” we need not live in fear. The Word of (3 Nephi 21:28). Wisdom is a key to both physical Those who come out of the world health and revelation. Avoid tea, cof- into the Church, keep the command- fee, liquor, tobacco, and narcotics. ments, honor the priesthood, and We can live where we wish, doing enter into activity have found the the best we can to make a living, refuge. whether modest or generous. We are A few weeks ago in one of our free to do as we wish with our lives, meetings, Elder Robert C. Oaks, one assured of the approval and even the of the seven Presidents of the Seventy intervention of the Almighty, confi- (a retired four-star general and com- dent of constant spiritual guidance. mander of NATO air forces in Central Each stake is a defense and a Europe), reminded us of an accord refuge and a standard. A stake is self- signed by 10 nations on board the contained with all that is needed for battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay on the salvation and exaltation of those September 2, 1945, which ended who would come within its influence, World War II. Some of us were in Asia and temples are ever closer. at the time. Said Elder (General) Oaks: There has been no end to opposi- “I can’t even imagine a circumstance tion. There are misinterpretations today in which such a meeting could and misrepresentations of us and of so that they can’t be seen.” be held or such an accord could be our history, some of it mean-spirited Dr. Bennett, who was completely signed to end the war against terror- and certainly contrary to the teach- bald, put both hands on the top of his ism and wickedness in which we are ings of Jesus Christ and His gospel. head and said, “Oh! You can never engaged. It is not that kind of war.” Sometimes clergy, even ministerial make a Mormon out of me!” We are not to be afraid, even in a organizations, oppose us. They do Strangest of all, otherwise in- world where the hostilities will never what we would never do. We do telligent people claim we are not end. The war of opposition that was not attack or criticize or oppose Christian. This shows that they know prophesied in the revelations contin- others as they do us. little or nothing about us. It is a true ues today. We are to be happy and Even today there are those pre- principle that you cannot lift yourself positive. We are not to be afraid. Fear posterous stories handed down and by putting others down. is the opposite of faith. repeated so many times they are Some suppose that our high stan- We know that activity in the Church believed. One of the silliest of them dards will repel growth. It is just the centers in the family. Wherever mem- is that Mormons have horns. opposite. High standards are a mag- bers are in the world, they should Years ago, I was at a symposium net. We are all children of God, drawn establish a family where children are at a college in Oregon. Present to the truth and to good. welcome and treasured as “an her- were a Catholic bishop, a rabbi, an We face the challenge of raising itage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). A Episcopalian minister, an Evangelical families in the world in darkening worthy Latter-day Saint family is a minister, a Unitarian clergyman, and clouds of wickedness. Some of our standard to the world. myself. members are unsettled, and some- Not only are we to maintain the The president of the school, Dr. times they wonder: Is there any place highest of standards, but each of us is Bennett, hosted a breakfast. One of one can go to escape from it all? Is to be a standard, a defense, a refuge. them asked which wife I had brought. there another town or a state or a We are to “let [our] light so shine I told them I had a choice of one. For country where it is safe, where one before men, that they may see [our] a second, I thought that I was being can find refuge? The answer generally good works, and glorify [our] Father singled out for embarrassment. Then is no. The defense and the refuge is which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16; someone asked the Catholic bishop if where our members now live. see also 3 Nephi 12:16). he had brought his wife. The Book of Mormon prophesies, All the struggles and exertions of The next question came from “Yea, and then shall the work com- past generations have brought to us in Dr. Bennett to me: “Is it true that mence, with the Father among all our day the fulness of the gospel of Mormons have horns?” nations in preparing the way whereby Jesus Christ, the authority to adminis- I smiled and said, “I comb my hair his people may be gathered home ter, and the wherewithal to accomplish

NOVEMBER 2006 87 the ministry. It all comes together in revelations—the “light,” the “stan- If a well-worn yellow bandana was this dispensation of the fulness of dard,” the “ensign” for all nations, and good enough to be an ensign to the times, in the which the consummation the “refuge” against the gathering world, then ordinary men who hold of all things will be completed and storms (see D&C 115:5–6; Isaiah the priesthood and ordinary women the earth prepared for the coming 11:12; 2 Nephi 21:12). and ordinary children in ordinary fam- of the Lord. The ensign to which all of us are to ilies, living the gospel as best they can We are as much a part of this work rally is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, all over the world, can shine forth as a as were those men who untied that yel- the Only Begotten of the Father, standard, a defense, a refuge against low bandana from Willard Richards’s whose Church this is and whose whatever is to be poured out upon walking stick and descended from name we bear and whose authority the earth. Ensign Peak. That bandana, waved we carry. “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in aloft, signaled the great gathering We look forward with faith. We Christ, we preach of Christ, we proph- which had been prophesied in ancient have seen many events in our life- esy of Christ, and we write according and modern scriptures. time, and many will yet occur that will to our prophecies, that our children We speak of the Church as our tax our courage and extend our faith. may know to what source they may refuge, our defense. There is safety We are to “rejoice, and be exceeding look for a remission of their sins” and protection in the Church. It cen- glad: for great [will be our] reward in (2 Nephi 25:26). ters in the gospel of Jesus Christ. heaven” (Matthew 5:12). This Church will prosper. It will Latter-day Saints learn to look within Willingly defend the history of the prevail. Of this I am absolutely cer- themselves to see the redeeming Church, and do “not [be] ashamed of tain. I bear this testimony in the name power of the Savior of all mankind. the gospel of [Jesus] Christ: for it is the of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ The principles of the gospel taught power of God unto salvation to every NOTES in the Church and learned from the one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). 1. See Journal of Wilford Woodruff, July 26, 1847, Archives of The Church of Jesus scriptures become a guide for each We will face the challenges, for we Christ of Latter-day Saints; see also B. H. of us individually and for our families. cannot avoid them, and teach the Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the We know that the homes we estab- gospel of Jesus Christ and teach of Church, 3:270–71. 2. “The Family: A Proclamation to the lish, and those of our descendants, Him as our Savior and our Refuge, World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, will be the refuge spoken of in the our Redeemer. Nov. 1995, 102.

88 the bishop gave me. I will not step foot in that building again as long as And Nothing he is serving in that position.” Many other causes of offense were cited—from doctrinal differences among adults to taunting, teasing, and Shall Offend Them excluding by youth. But the recurring ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR theme was: “I was offended by . . .” The bishop and I would listen Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles intently and sincerely. One of us might next ask about their conver- Through the strengthening power of the Atonement sion to and testimony of the restored of Jesus Christ, you and I can be blessed to avoid gospel. As we talked, eyes often were moist with tears as these good people and triumph over offense. recalled the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost and described their prior spiritual experiences. Most of the “less-active” people I have ever visited guidance and inspiration, for us and had a discernible and tender testi- for the members with whom we mony of the truthfulness of the would meet. restored gospel. However, they were Our visits were quite straightfor- not presently participating in Church ward. We expressed love and apprecia- activities and meetings. tion for the opportunity to be in their And then I would say something home. We affirmed that we were ser- like this. “Let me make sure I under- vants of the Lord on His errand to stand what has happened to you. their home. We indicated that we Because someone at church offended missed and needed them—and that you, you have not been blessed by they needed the blessings of the the ordinance of the sacrament. You restored gospel. And at some point have withdrawn yourself from the early in our conversation I often would constant companionship of the Holy ask a question like this: “Will you Ghost. Because someone at church please help us understand why you are offended you, you have cut yourself not actively participating in the bless- off from priesthood ordinances and ings and programs of the Church?” the holy temple. You have discontin- his afternoon I pray that the I made hundreds and hundreds ued your opportunity to serve others Holy Ghost will assist me and of such visits. Each individual, each and to learn and grow. And you are T you as we review together family, each home, and each answer leaving barriers that will impede the important gospel principles. was different. Over the years, how- spiritual progress of your children, One of my favorite activities as a ever, I detected a common theme your children’s children, and the gen- priesthood leader is visiting members in many of the answers to my ques- erations that will follow.” Many times of the Church in their homes. I espe- tions. Frequently responses like people would think for a moment and cially enjoy calling upon and talking these were given: then respond: “I have never thought with members who commonly are “Several years ago a man said about it that way.” described as “less active.” something in Sunday School that The bishop and I would then During the years I served as a stake offended me, and I have not been extend an invitation: “Dear friend, we president, I often would contact one of back since.” are here today to counsel you that the the bishops and invite him to prayer- “No one in this branch greeted or time to stop being offended is now. fully identify individuals or families we reached out to me. I felt like an out- Not only do we need you, but you could visit together. Before traveling to sider. I was hurt by the unfriendliness need the blessings of the restored a home, the bishop and I would kneel of this branch.” gospel of Jesus Christ. Please come and petition our Heavenly Father for “I did not agree with the counsel back—now.”

NOVEMBER 2006 89 offensive or hurtful situation. Thomas B. Marsh, the first President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this dispensation, elected to take offense over an issue as inconsequen- tial as milk strippings (see Deseret News, Apr. 16, 1856, 44). Brigham Young, on the other hand, was severely and publicly rebuked by the Prophet Joseph Smith, but he chose not to take offense (see Truman G. Madsen, “Hugh B. Brown—Youthful Veteran,” New Era, Apr. 1976, 16). In many instances, choosing to be offended is a symptom of a much deeper and more serious spiritual malady. Thomas B. Marsh allowed himself to be acted upon, and the eventual results were apostasy and misery. Brigham Young was an agent who exercised his agency and acted in accordance with correct principles, and he became a mighty instrument in the hands of the Lord. The Savior is the greatest example of how we should respond to poten- tially offensive events or situations. “And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the chil- Choose Not to Be Offended In the grand division of all of God’s dren of men” (1 Nephi 19:9). When we believe or say we have creations, there are things to act and Through the strengthening power been offended, we usually mean we things to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or 2:13–14). As sons and daughters of and I can be blessed to avoid and tri- disrespected. And certainly clumsy, our Heavenly Father, we have been umph over offense. “Great peace embarrassing, unprincipled, and blessed with the gift of moral agency, have they which love thy law: and mean-spirited things do occur in our the capacity for independent action nothing shall offend them” (Psalm interactions with other people that and choice. Endowed with agency, 119:165). would allow us to take offense. you and I are agents, and we primarily However, it ultimately is impossible are to act and not just be acted upon. A Latter-Day Learning Laboratory for another person to offend you or To believe that someone or something The capacity to conquer offense to offend me. Indeed, believing that can make us feel offended, angry, may seem beyond our reach. This another person offended us is funda- hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral capability, however, is not reserved for mentally false. To be offended is a agency and transforms us into objects or restricted to prominent leaders in choice we make; it is not a condition to be acted upon. As agents, however, the Church like Brigham Young. The inflicted or imposed upon us by you and I have the power to act and to very nature of the Redeemer’s someone or something else. choose how we will respond to an Atonement and the purpose of the

90 restored Church are intended to help us receive precisely this kind of spiri- tual strength. Paul taught the Saints in Ephesus that the Savior established His Church “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edify- ing of the body of Christ: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the ful- ness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12–13). Please note the use of the active word perfecting. As described by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, the Church is Though people may not intend to in how we respond to the weak- not “a well-provisioned rest home for injure or offend us, they nonetheless nesses, the inexperience, and the the already perfected” (“A Brother can be inconsiderate and tactless. potentially offensive actions of others. Offended,” Ensign, May 1982, 38). You and I cannot control the inten- A thing, an event, or an expression Rather, the Church is a learning labo- tions or behavior of other people. may be offensive, but you and I can ratory and a workshop in which we However, we do determine how we choose not to be offended—and to gain experience as we practice on will act. Please remember that you say with Pahoran, “it mattereth not.” each other in the ongoing process of and I are agents endowed with moral “perfecting the Saints.” agency, and we can choose not to be Two Invitations Elder Maxwell also insightfully offended. I conclude my message with two explained that in this latter-day learn- During a perilous period of war, an invitations. ing laboratory known as the restored exchange of letters occurred between Church, the members constitute the Moroni, the captain of the Nephite Invitation #1 “clinical material” (see “Jesus, the armies, and Pahoran, the chief judge I invite you to learn about and Perfect Mentor,” Ensign, Feb. 2001, and governor of the land. Moroni, apply the Savior’s teachings about 13) that is essential for growth and whose army was suffering because of interactions and episodes that can be development. A visiting teacher learns inadequate support from the govern- construed as offensive. her duty as she serves and loves her ment, wrote to Pahoran “by the way “Ye have heard that it hath been Relief Society sisters. An inexperi- of condemnation” (Alma 60:2) and said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, enced teacher learns valuable lessons harshly accused him of thought- and hate thine enemy. as he teaches both supportive and lessness, slothfulness, and neglect. “But I say unto you, Love your ene- inattentive learners and thereby Pahoran might easily have resented mies, bless them that curse you, do becomes a more effective teacher. Moroni and his message, but he good to them that hate you, and pray And a new bishop learns how to be chose not to take offense. Pahoran for them which despitefully use you, a bishop through inspiration and by responded compassionately and and persecute you. . . . working with ward members who described a rebellion against the “For if ye love them which love wholeheartedly sustain him, even government about which Moroni was you, what reward have ye? do not while recognizing his human frailties. not aware. And then he responded, even the publicans the same? Understanding that the Church is “Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that “And if ye salute your brethren a learning laboratory helps us to pre- I do not joy in your great afflictions, only, what do ye more than others? pare for an inevitable reality. In some yea, it grieves my soul. . . . And now, do not even the publicans so? way and at some time, someone in in your epistle you have censured me, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as this Church will do or say something but it mattereth not; I am not angry, your Father which is in heaven is per- that could be considered offensive. but do rejoice in the greatness of your fect” (Matthew 5:43–44; 46–48). Such an event will surely happen to heart” (Alma 61:2, 9). Interestingly, the admonition to each and every one of us—and it cer- One of the greatest indicators of “be ye therefore perfect” is immedi- tainly will occur more than once. our own spiritual maturity is revealed ately preceded by counsel about how

NOVEMBER 2006 91 we should act in response to wrong- doing and offense. Clearly, the rigor- ous requirements that lead to the Receiving perfecting of the Saints include assignments that test and challenge us. If a person says or does something that we consider offensive, our first by the Spirit obligation is to refuse to take offense A. ROGER MERRILL and then communicate privately, hon- estly, and directly with that individual. Sunday School General President Such an approach invites inspiration from the Holy Ghost and permits mis- When we focus . . . on seeking and receiving the Spirit, perceptions to be clarified and true we become less concerned about a teacher or speaker intent to be understood. holding our attention and more concerned about giving Invitation #2 our attention to the Spirit. Many of the individuals and fami- lies who most need to hear this mes- sage about choosing not to be offended are probably not participat- the earth, and cry repentance unto ing with us in conference today. I sus- every people! pect all of us are acquainted with “Yea, I would declare unto every members who are staying away from soul, as with the voice of thunder, church because they have chosen to repentance and the plan of redemp- take offense—and who would be tion, that they should repent and blessed by coming back. come unto our God, that there might Will you please prayerfully identify not be more sorrow upon all the face a person with whom you will visit and of the earth.” extend the invitation to once again As I pondered on Alma’s words, worship with us? Perhaps you could they became deeply personal. My share a copy of this talk with her or companion and I had knocked on him, or you may prefer to discuss the hundreds of doors in Beaumont, principles we have reviewed today. offering to share our message, but And please remember that such a with limited success. In my mind’s request should be conveyed lovingly eye, I began to imagine what it might and in meekness—and not in a spirit be like if I were an angel and could of self-righteous superiority and pride. ne morning when I was serv- cry repentance with a voice to shake As we respond to this invitation ing as a young missionary in the earth. I looked out the window at with faith in the Savior, I testify and OBeaumont, Texas, my compan- the people coming and going on the promise that doors will open, our ion became ill and needed to rest. street below. I imagined what it would mouths will be filled, the Holy Ghost Following the counsel of our mission be like if I were standing there shining will bear witness of eternal truth, and president for such situations, I pulled like an angel, with my hands raised, the fire of testimony will be rekindled. a chair up by the open window in our speaking with a voice of thunder. I As His servant, I echo the words fourth-story apartment and began to envisioned the buildings shaking and of the Master when He declared, read in the Book of Mormon. people falling to the earth. Under the “These things have I spoken unto Soon I became immersed in the circumstances I imagined, they might you, that ye should not be offended” scriptures, and after a time I came to have a sudden desire to listen to what (John 16:1). I witness the reality and Alma chapter 29, verses 1 and 2: I had to say! divinity of a living Savior and of His “O that I were an angel, and could But then I read the next verse: power to help us avoid and over- have the wish of mine heart, that I “But behold, I am a man, and do come offense. In the sacred name of might go forth and speak with the sin in my wish; for I ought to be Jesus Christ, amen. ■ trump of God, with a voice to shake content with the things which the

92 Lord hath allotted unto me” (v. 3). importance on receiving by the Spirit. many gifts and blessings surround us I was humbled to realize the Lord (See D&C 50:17–22.) that we do not receive. The Lord has loves all His children and has a plan for Such receiving is a foundational said: “For what doth it profit a man if His work. My job was to do my part. gospel pattern. It is set forth in the a gift is bestowed upon him, and he I was also humbled to realize very ordinance by which we are con- receive not the gift? Behold, he something else. In that moment, I firmed members of the Church. In rejoices not in that which is given knew that what I was reading was not this ordinance we are instructed to unto him, neither rejoices in him who fiction—it was real. Quietly and “receive the Holy Ghost.” This is a for- is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33). peacefully while I was reading, I had mal invitation to act, to receive this In our Church meetings, in our been filled with light and with the great gift. personal and family scripture study, realization that this Alma was an As I have become more aware of and even this day as we listen to the actual person, that he had lived, and this principle, I find that the scrip- Lord’s prophets and apostles, some that he too had deeply desired to tures are replete with the doctrine of of us will receive more than others. share the gospel message with others. receiving. As President Boyd K. Packer Why? I am learning that those who If you had asked me in that has said, “No message appears in truly receive do at least three things moment, “Do you know this is true?” scripture more times, in more ways that others may not do. I would have replied, “Absolutely!” At than, ‘Ask, and ye shall receive’” First, they seek. We live in an enter- that point, it became clear to me that (“Reverence Invites Revelation,” tainment world, a spectator world. I was receiving a spiritual witness of Ensign, Nov. 1991, 21). Without realizing it, we can find our- the truth of the Book of Mormon. At the very core of our mortal pro- selves coming to conference or going As I have reflected on that experi- bation is the choice to receive Jesus to church with the attitude, “Here I ence—and many such witnesses as the Christ. The Apostle John am; now inspire me.” We become since—I have come to better under- taught: spiritually passive. stand how vitally important it is to “He came unto his own, and his When we focus instead on seeking receive by the Spirit. We often focus, own received him not. and receiving the Spirit, we become appropriately, on the importance “But as many as received him, to less concerned about a teacher or of teaching by the Spirit. But we them gave he power to become the speaker holding our attention and need to remember that the Lord sons of God” (John 1:11–12). more concerned about giving our has placed equal, if not greater, One cannot help but wonder how attention to the Spirit. Remember,

NOVEMBER 2006 93 receive is a verb. It is a principle of action. It is a fundamental expression of faith. Moving Closer Second, those who receive, feel. While revelation comes to the mind and heart, it is most often felt. Until we learn to pay attention to these to Him spiritual feelings, we usually do not ELDER CRAIG A. CARDON even recognize the Spirit. In a recent conversation I had with Of the Seventy one of our daughters-in-law, she sug- gested that we can help even young The priesthood, through the workings of the Spirit, children become aware of these feel- moves individuals closer to God through ordination, ings of the Spirit. We can ask them questions such as “How do you feel as ordinances, and refinement of individual natures. we read this scripture together? What do you feel the Spirit is prompting you to do?” These are good questions for us all. They demonstrate the Then turning his little body and point- desire to receive. ing out the window, he looked back at Third, those who receive by the me and said, “See those mountains Spirit intend to act. As the prophet over there? Show him, Dad!” Moroni instructed, to receive a wit- What followed was a sweet experi- ness of the Book of Mormon, we ence. How grateful I was for young must ask “with real intent” (Moroni sons who were beginning a lifetime of 10:4). The Spirit teaches when we learning about the priesthood. honestly intend to do something While the Lord truly taught those about what we learn. to whom He had given the priest- As I have read back over my journal hood that by faith mountains would entry to understand and learn more move1—and there are recorded from the experience I had as a mis- instances of such2—my hope is to sionary, I have realized that although bring greater understanding to that I had read in the Book of Mormon aspect of the doctrine of the priest- before, what happened in Beaumont hood which moves individuals closer that morning was different because to God, affording them the opportu- I was different. As inexperienced as I ears ago our young family nity to become like Him and live eter- was, at least on that occasion I was moved into a home on what was nally in His presence. This doctrine sincerely trying to seek and to feel, Ythen the edge of development involves both the sons and the daugh- and my intent was to act in faith on in our community, which afforded a ters of God. Accordingly, I pray that what I learned. I know now that such view of the mountains to the east. what I share will be of help to both. witnesses are available to each of us on One Monday morning, just as I fin- In 1823 the angel Moroni appeared a regular basis if we will receive them. ished dressing and was ready to rush to Joseph Smith and quoted several The Book of Mormon is the word out the door to work, our six-year-old scriptures, including the following of God. Jesus is the Christ. The gospel son, Craig, came bringing his four- from Malachi: “Behold, I will reveal has been restored, and we truly are in year-old brother, Andrew, into the unto you the Priesthood, by the hand the presence of modern apostles and room by the hand. With determina- of Elijah the prophet.”3 This first prophets. tion Craig looked up at me and said, recorded reference to priesthood in I pray that this day and always we “Dad, yesterday in Primary my teacher this dispensation anticipated a will learn to better receive, that we told us that if you hold the priest- process that would unfold in the may truly rejoice in both the gift and hood, you can move mountains. I told decades to come. “in him who is the giver of the gift.” Andy this, and he doesn’t believe me. In 1829 John the Baptist restored In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ You hold the priesthood, right, Dad?” the Aaronic Priesthood,4 followed

94 shortly thereafter by Peter, James, and John restoring the Melchizedek Priesthood.5 In 1836 Moses and Elias restored the keys of the gathering of Israel and of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham,6 followed then by Elijah restoring the keys of sealing. The rev- elation then concludes with Elijah telling the Prophet Joseph, “There- fore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands.”7 With all priesthood authority, offices, and keys again on earth, in 1841 the Lord emphasized to the Prophet the importance of building temples where the Lord could make available to His children priesthood ordinances by which His sons and daughters would be prepared to return to His presence.8 He declared: “Let this house be built . . . that I may reveal mine ordi- nances therein unto my people; “For I deign to reveal . . . things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.”9 Earlier in Kirtland the Lord had taught the Prophet Joseph about the oath and covenant of the priesthood, explaining the conditions by which promised blessings are realized.10 In Nauvoo understanding grew as to the eternal scope and power of the priest- hood11 in blessing all His faithful chil- dren, whether in this life or the next.12 While the priesthood is given to wor- thy sons of God, His daughters are virtue of this and all other priesthood unto the Son of God.”17 This likeness is also a part of His people to whom He ordinances that the families of the not only in ordination and ordinance reveals His priesthood ordinances. earth shall be blessed.15 This sealing but also in the perfecting of individual And the promised blessing of “all that ordinance is so central to the Lord’s hearts, something that occurs “in [the] Father hath”13 is available to purposes that He has promised to the process of time”18 as we “[yield] to both men and women who exercise faithful who are not sealed in this life the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and faith in Jesus Christ, receive the ordi- through no fault of their own this [put] off the natural man.”19 When a nances, and endure in faith to the blessing in the life to come.16 No man is ordained to the Melchizedek end. “Therefore, in the ordinances other doctrine in all of religion better Priesthood, he enters into an “order”20 [of the Melchizedek Priesthood], the confirms God’s commensurate love by which he may be refined through power of godliness is manifest.”14 for both His sons and His daughters. service to others, especially his own The crowning temple ordinance is The priesthood also has the power family, and blessed by the constant available only to a man and a woman to change our very natures. As Paul companionship of the Holy Ghost.21 when they are sealed together, form- wrote, “All those who are ordained The Lord instructed all of us when ing an eternal family unit. It is by unto this priesthood are made like He taught that for priesthood bearers,

NOVEMBER 2006 95 unrighteousness brings an end to As the dew from heav’n distilling heavenly power or influence, while Gently on the grass descends righteousness strengthens them. And revives it, thus fulfilling He identified qualities that “greatly What thy providence intends, enlarge the soul” as “persuasion, . . . long-suffering, . . . gentleness[,] Let thy doctrine, Lord, so gracious, . . . meekness, . . . love unfeigned[,] Thus descending from above, . . . kindness, and pure knowledge.”22 Blest by thee, prove efficacious He then added these instructive To fulfill thy work of love.28 words: “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the In the name of Jesus Christ, household of faith, and let virtue gar- amen. ■ nish thy thoughts unceasingly; then NOTES shall thy confidence wax strong in the 1. See Matthew 17:20. 2. Ether 12:30; Moses 7:13; see also Jacob 4:6; presence of God; and the doctrine of Helaman 10:9. the priesthood shall distil upon thy 3. Joseph Smith—History 1:38. soul as the dews from heaven.”23 4. See D&C 13. 5. See D&C 18:9; 27:12. It is significant that after inviting us 6. See D&C 110:11–12. to have charity toward “all men,” the 7. D&C 110:13–16. Lord added the phrase “and to the 8. As evidenced by the Prophet Joseph Smith’s instructions in the upper room of his store household of faith.” Why? Doesn’t “all in Nauvoo, the Lord restored temple ordi- men” include the household of faith? nances to the earth prior to revealing them or making them available to His people in Consider the implications when this placed in a room with high humidity. the Nauvoo Temple, as He continues to do added phrase is understood to mean After a period of time, water begins today in all His temples, accompanied by more specifically “your very own to condense on one of the glasses personal revelation and inspiration (see History of the Church, 5:1–2). household of faith.” Unfortunately, because it is at a different tempera- 9. D&C 124:40–41; emphasis added; see also there are a few within the Church ture, occasioned by prior preparation vv. 31–32, 34, 39. who exhibit greater charity toward not obvious initially, while the other 10. See D&C 84:33–42. 11. See D&C 128:8–9. nonfamily members than toward their glass remains dry and unaffected. 12. See D&C 137:7–9; see also Preach My own spouses and children, siblings Without compulsory means, the Gospel (2004), 86. and parents. They may show feigned humidity is able to “flow unto”26 the 13. D&C 84:38. 14. D&C 84:20. kindness publicly while privately one glass while the other receives 15. See Abraham 2:11. sowing and cultivating seeds of nothing. In a similar way, qualities 16. “The prophets have stated clearly that no blessing will be withheld from any of God’s contention, demeaning those who that greatly enlarge the soul; charity sons or daughters if they love Him, have faith should be closest to them. These toward others, especially our families; in Him, keep His commandments, and things should not be. and thoughts garnished with virtue endure faithfully to the end” (M. Russell Ballard, Counseling with Our Councils: The Lord then spoke of thoughts adjust our spiritual temperatures to Learning to Minister Together in the Church that are garnished—embellished and allow the doctrine of the priesthood and in the Family [1997], 55.) “All who qualify guarded—by virtue unceasingly. Such to distil upon our souls. for [temple sealing and eternal family] bless- 24 ings will, in the Lord’s due time, have them thoughts abhor sin. They allow our So it is that the priesthood, here or in the next life” (Richard G. Scott, communications to be “Yea, yea; Nay, through the workings of the Spirit, “The Power of Righteousness,” Liahona, Jan. nay,”25 unencumbered by guile. They moves individuals closer to God 1999, 81; Ensign, Nov. 1998, 69). 17. Joseph Smith Translation, Hebrews 7:3; see see the good and the potential in oth- through ordination, ordinances, and also Moses 1:6. ers, undeterred by the inevitable refinement of individual natures, 18. Moses 7:21. imperfections in others. thus affording God’s children the 19. Mosiah 3:19. 20. Alma 13:2, 16; D&C 107:3. The verse concludes with a beau- opportunity to become like Him and 21. See D&C 20:77, 79; 121:46. tifully instructive reference to a dis- live eternally in His presence—a 22. D&C 121:41–42. 23. D&C 121:45. tilling process. To better understand work more glorious than moving 24. See Alma 13:12. the application of these principles in mountains.27 25. Matthew 5:37. the refinement of our personal lives, I conclude by joining my prayer 26. D&C 121:46. 27. See Moses 1:39. consider two glasses of water, each with that of Thomas Kelly, in words 28. “As the Dew from Heaven Distilling,” with the same outward appearance, edited by Parley P. Pratt: Hymns, no. 149.

96 pay him. The economic situation for his family was bleak. Becoming In his journal, Grandfather recounts: “I shall never forget that cold evening, just before Christmas of 1919. It looked as though we would lose the Instruments in farm. My daughter, Gladys, laid a slip of paper in my hand and said, ‘This came in the mail today.’ I took it to her the Hands of God mother and asked her what it was. This is what my wife read to me, ‘Dear ELDER DON R. CLARKE Brother Larsen, I’ve had you on my Of the Seventy mind all day today. I am wondering if you are in financial trouble. If you are, I have $200 you may have.’ The letter A person does not need to have a Church calling, was signed ‘Jim Drinkwater.’ Jim was an invitation to help someone, or even good health a small, crippled man, and he would to become an instrument in God’s hands. have been the last man on earth that anyone would have thought had that much money on hand. I went to his house that night and he said, ‘Brother Larsen, I received a wireless message farm, and money became tight. from heaven this morning, and I could During this time of physical dark- not get you off my mind all day. I was ness, many people became instru- sure you were in financial trouble.’ ments in God’s hands to help my Brother Drinkwater gave me $200 and blind grandfather. One experience we sent the $195 to the mortgage that had a powerful impact on his fam- company, and with the extra $5 we ily happened in 1919. It was a year of bought boots and clothes for the chil- great financial difficulty for all the peo- dren. Santa Claus did come that year.” ple in Grandfather’s town. Farms were My grandfather then goes on to being foreclosed, and businesses were bear his testimony: “The Lord has going broke. There was a sizable mort- never let me down. He has touched gage on his farm, and Grandfather the hearts of others as He touched received a statement saying he would the heart of Brother Drinkwater. I have to pay $195 in order to carry the bear witness that the only safety and mortgage over for another year. For security that I have ever found has him, paying this bill was like demand- come through trying to keep the ing a pound of flesh. Nearly everyone commandments of the Lord and y maternal grandfather, Alma was in the same condition, and it upholding and sustaining the authori- Benjamin Larsen, was only 34 seemed impossible to obtain that ties of this Church.” Myears old when he woke up much money. If he had gathered I have thought about Jim one morning and noticed that he had everything that the farm produced— Drinkwater many times and wondered problems seeing. Shortly thereafter, the horses, cows, and machinery—he how he came to be one that the Lord he lost his sight entirely. Grandfather could not have sold them for $195. could trust. Jim was a little, crippled had served a mission and been a faith- Grandfather asked a neighbor to man that God trusted to help a blind ful member of the Church. He was a butcher two or three of his cows, and farmer with a heavy mortgage and farmer with a wife and three children, he sold them and some other prod- three children. I have learned a great and he could not imagine life with- ucts. He had extended credit to his deal from my grandfather’s experience out sight. Grandfather’s wife and neighbors with the understanding that with Jim Drinkwater. I have learned small children now had to bear the they would pay at the end of the year, that a person does not need to have a extra burdens of helping on the but none of his debtors was able to Church calling, an invitation to help

NOVEMBER 2006 97 sons of Mosiah also help us under- stand how to become instruments in God’s hands. “And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness” (Alma 17:9). We must be willing to journey. The sons of Mosiah were willing to step outside their sur- roundings and do that which was uncomfortable. Had Ammon not been willing to journey into a foreign land, inhabited by a wild and a hard- ened and a ferocious people, he never would have found and helped Lamoni and his father, and many Lamanites may have never learned about Jesus Christ. God has asked us to journey, go on missions, accept callings, invite someone to church, or help someone in need. In their pursuit to help their Lamanite brothers, the sons of Mosiah also learned the importance of fasting and prayer: “They fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instru- ment in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth” (Alma 17:9). Do we really want to be instruments in God’s hands? If so, our desire will permeate our prayers and be the focus of our fasts. After losing his eyesight, my grandfather fasted and prayed that someone, or even good health to Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy- if he was to remain in darkness, become an instrument in God’s hands. self” (Matthew 22:36–39). the Lord would give him peace. He How then do you and I become instru- Joseph F. Smith said: “Charity, or states that almost within the hour ments in God’s hands? The prophets love, is the greatest principle in exis- “my mind was enlightened and the and the scriptures teach us how. tence. If we can lend a helping hand cloud of darkness had lifted from First of all, we must have love for to the oppressed, if we can aid those me.” He could see again, not with God’s children. When the lawyer who are despondent and in sorrow, if physical eyes, but spiritual eyes. asked the Savior, “Master, which is the we can uplift and ameliorate the con- Later, Alma Benjamin Larsen was great commandment?” the Savior dition of mankind, it is our mission to called to be a patriarch, where he replied: do it, it is an essential part of our reli- served for 32 years. Like the sons of “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God gion to do it” (in Conference Report, Mosiah, my grandfather fasted and with all thy heart, and with all thy Apr. 1917, 4). When we feel love for prayed, and as a result, he was given soul, and with all thy mind. God’s children, we are given opportu- the opportunity to bless thousands “This is the first and great nities to help them in their journey of God’s children. commandment. back to His presence. We, like Jim Drinkwater and my “And the second is like unto it, The missionary experiences of the grandfather, also need to be receptive

98 to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, for when we desire to be an instru- ment in the hands of God, we can That They Might receive revelation. The prophet Alma the Younger tells us of revelations that he received: “I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I Know Thee glory in it . . . yea, and this is my glory, ELDER KEITH R. EDWARDS that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some Of the Seventy soul to repentance; and this is my joy” (Alma 29:9). Alma had received reve- We can learn spiritual lessons if we can approach suffering, lation of what to do. sorrow, or grief with a focus on Christ. I have a little book that I carry with me, where I record the inspira- tion and thoughts that I receive from the Spirit. It does not look like much, and it becomes worn out and needs is something that each of us has gone to be replaced from time to time. As through, is going through, or will go thoughts come to my mind, I write through, there is scriptural suggestion them down and then I try to do that we can learn spiritual lessons if them. I have found that many times, we can approach suffering, sorrow, or as I have done something on my list, grief with a focus on Christ. Anciently my action was the answer to some- Paul wrote that our suffering may give one’s prayer. There have also been us an opportunity to know the Savior those times that I didn’t do some- better. Paul wrote to the Romans: thing on my list, and I have found “The Spirit itself beareth witness out later that there was someone with our spirit, that we are the chil- I could have helped, but I didn’t. dren of God: When we receive promptings regard- “And if children, then heirs; heirs ing God’s children, if we write down of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if the thoughts and inspiration we so be that we suffer with him, that we receive and then obey it, God’s confi- may be also glorified together.”4 dence in us increases and we are Now, lest anyone go looking for given more opportunities to be he Choir has sung “Jesus, the hardship and suffering, that is not instruments in His hands. Very Thought of Thee.”1 In the what is taught. Rather, it is the attitude In the words of President Faust: TBook of Mormon, Nephi, speak- with which we approach our hard- “You can be powerful instruments in ing messianically, prophesies: ships and trials that allows us to know the hands of God to help bring about “And the world, because of their the Savior better. Experience teaches this great work. . . . You can do some- iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing us that suffering is one of life’s experi- thing for another person that no one of naught; wherefore they scourge ences that will come without seeking else ever born can do” (“Instruments him, and he suffereth it; and they it. If I may use a personal example: in the Hands of God,” Liahona and smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, Some years ago when our first son Ensign, Nov. 2005, 115). God treas- they spit upon him, and he suffereth was about a year old, I was the source ures those who help His children. I it, because of his loving kindness and of some seemingly unnecessary suf- invite all of us to follow the counsel his long-suffering towards the chil- fering. We were attending college, and of the prophets and become instru- dren of men.”2 one evening I had been playing with ments in the hands of God and be The great and exquisite suffering of my boy on the floor. I left the room to among His treasures because we have the Savior was for us, to keep us from study, and as I closed the door behind helped His children. having to suffer as He suffered.3 me he apparently reached for me, In the name of Jesus Christ, However, suffering is a part of life, raising his hand up behind his head, amen. ■ and few will escape its grasp. Since it and his finger went into the hinged

NOVEMBER 2006 99 day, when it appeared that they were about to be swallowed up by the ocean, the brothers, fearing that they might perish, “loosed the bands which were upon [his] wrists, and behold they had swollen exceedingly; and also [his] ankles were much swollen, and great was the soreness thereof. “Nevertheless, [he] did look unto [his] God, and [he] did praise him all the day long; and [he] did not murmur.”6 Remember, though, that it was Nephi who recorded: “They scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it.”7 Nephi understood. Although the purpose of the suffer- ing is not always apparent at the time, the Prophet Joseph had a singularly side of the door. When I closed the stretched out, nailed to a cross, spiritual experience as he lingered in door he suffered a rather severe searching for His Father, and to my Liberty Jail. The Lord comforted him: injury to his finger. mind came the words, “My God, my “My son, peace be unto thy soul; We rushed him to the emergency God, why hast thou forsaken me?”5 thine adversity and thine afflictions room at the hospital, he was given a What was a very traumatic moment in shall be but a small moment; local anesthetic, and a doctor came my life suddenly became very sacred. “And then, if thou endure it well, in; he assured us that it could be There is throughout the scriptures God shall exalt thee on high; thou repaired. Almost paradoxically, at that a line of men and women who always shalt triumph over all thy foes.”8 point the only thing my one-year-old seemed to keep their focus on “Know thou, my son, that all these wanted was to be held by his dad. As Christ—people who, no matter what things shall give thee experience, and long as he could see me he resisted injury or injustice life dealt them, shall be for thy good. any efforts to bind him for the deli- remained faithful and willing to “The Son of Man hath descended cate surgery. When I left the room he endure. I speak of Abraham, dispos- below them all. Art thou greater calmed down, and the doctor was sessed of the land of his inheritance than he?”9 able to proceed. and commanded to sacrifice Isaac; of As we are called upon to endure During the process I was anxious Joseph, who was sold into slavery by suffering, sometimes inflicted upon us and would draw close to the open his brothers, imprisoned for honor- intentionally or negligently, we are put door and look around the corner to ing virtue and chastity, and left to in a unique position—if we choose, see how things were proceeding. linger in jail because of a thoughtless we may be allowed to have new Perhaps by some unseen sense, as I servant; of Ruth, widowed young and awareness of the suffering of the Son would peek noiselessly around the left destitute, yet constant and loyal of God. While Alma tells us that Christ corner, which was located behind to her mother-in-law; of all three suffered all that any of us will ever him and to the side, his head would Nephis, both Almas, and of course have to suffer that He might know come up and he would strain to see if the Prophet Joseph. how to succor us,10 the reverse may I was there. Particularly notable to me is also be true: that our suffering may On one of those occasions, as I saw Nephi’s endurance. Continually allow us insight into the depth and him with his arm pinned out from his receiving the wrath of his brothers, he magnitude of His atoning sacrifice. side—his head arched, searching for was bound for four days on the boat As I have pondered that event with his father—the thought came to my coming to the promised land. He my own son so many years ago, it has mind of another Son, His arms could not move, and on the fourth provided new insights and perhaps

100 even deeper understanding of the magnitude and magnificence of the Atonement. I have a deeper apprecia- tion of what a Father was willing to allow His Son to go through for me and for each of us. I had a new per- sonal insight into the depth and breadth of the Atonement. I could not imagine that I would willingly have let my son suffer even in this small way; and our Father “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”11 Although we have never discussed it, my son, too, would have the op- portunity to appreciate the passage where the Savior explains, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”12 Although I would not suggest that anything here can approach the holy Atonement, the scar on my son’s hand is continually before him, and he has the opportunity, if he chooses to take it, to use his scar as a reminder of scars in the palms of the Savior—suffered for our sins. He has the opportunity to understand in his own way the love the Savior has for us in willingly being scarred, bruised, broken, and torn for us. Although suffering may provide insight, we must be careful not to compare but rather to appreciate. There will always be infinite differ- ences between us and our Savior. His comment to Pilate, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee,”13 reminds A family in São Paulo, Brazil. us again of the willing and voluntary nature of His sacrifice. We can never sense, “and this is life eternal, that NOTES endure the depth, the exquisite [we] might know” Him.15 1. Hymns, no. 141. 2. 1 Nephi 19:9. nature, or the magnitude of His suf- I bear testimony that Jesus Christ is 3. See D&C 19:16–19. fering, “which suffering caused the Savior of the world, that through 4. Romans 8:16–17. myself, even God, the greatest of all, His suffering and Atonement we can 5. Matthew 27:46. 6. 1 Nephi 18:15–16. to tremble because of pain, and to receive a remission of our sins and 7. 1 Nephi 19:9. bleed at every pore, and to suffer can gain eternal life. I bear witness 8. D&C 121:7–8. both body and spirit.”14 But like of His gentle and loving kindness. 9. D&C 122:7–8. 10. See Alma 7:11–12. Nephi, we can have a greater appreci- He is the Only Begotten of the 11. John 3:16. ation for that which He did, and we Father and in all things did the will 12. Isaiah 49:16. 13. John 19:11. can feel His spirit succoring us, and of His Father, in the name of Jesus 14. D&C 19:18. we can know the Savior in a very real Christ, amen. ■ 15. John 17:3.

NOVEMBER 2006 101 must keep the commandments! The only standard that makes Wherefore, Settle sense for any of us is a celestial stan- dard. In the Doctrine and Covenants we read: “For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom This in Your Hearts cannot abide a celestial glory.”3 It’s ELDER LARRY W. GIBBONS that simple! But we do not have to wait to experience celestial joy. Living Of the Seventy the commandments brings joy here and now. We cannot keep one foot in the Church and one foot My fear is that too many of us are in the world. not fully committed to living all the commandments. These Saints are not willing to leave the world completely behind. They are holding back. In the priesthood leadership ses- guideposts from an all-wise Heavenly sion of a regional conference, we sang Father to keep us out of trouble, to the hymn “Ye Elders of Israel.” The bring us a fulness of happiness in this chorus contains a line “O Babylon, life, and to bring us safely back home O Babylon, we bid thee farewell.”4 to Him. Following the singing, Elder Neal A. In a talk at Brigham Young Maxwell spoke and expressed the University in 1994, Rabbi Harold S. thought that bidding Babylon farewell Kushner said: is actually one of our challenges, that “I’m a traditional Jew, and I observe too many of us like to keep a summer the biblical dietary laws. . . . I suspect cottage there.5 most of you assume I go around all We cannot keep one foot in the day saying to myself, ‘Boy, would I love Church and one foot in the world. to eat pork chops, but that mean old One reason is the world and the God won’t let me.’ Not so. The fact . . . Church are rapidly diverging. We will is, I go around all day saying, ‘Isn’t it lose our balance. incredible? There are five billion peo- We know that “no man can serve ple on this planet and God cares what two masters.”6 Some, I fear, are s someone trained in medicine, I have for lunch [and] what kind of attempting to do what President understanding the complexity language I use.’ Marion G. Romney described as trying and the order and the har- “ . . . I am not diminished by being to “serve the Lord without offending A 7 mony of the human body reinforces told there are certain things I may not the devil.” my faith in a creator. I believe in God. do because they are wrong. Rather, it The Savior taught: “Ye are the salt I believe He created us. enhances me.”1 of the earth: but if the salt have lost his The alternative to a belief in a cre- Elder Henry B. Eyring said it savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it ator is to believe that life arose some- even better in the first worldwide is thenceforth good for nothing, but to how spontaneously by accident. I do leadership training broadcast: “The be cast out, and to be trodden under not believe that. Lord has given us His standards of foot of men.”8 And if God created us, it is not logi- worthiness. He has not done it to How do we lose our savor? One cal that He would then leave us alone. keep us away from Him but to draw way is when we stop being different It makes sense He would give us us to Him.”2 from the world. Many in the Church guidance. Some of this guidance has Brothers and sisters, keeping the are drifting in the direction of the come in the form of what we call commandments makes all the dif- world and looking and becoming commandments. ference in this life and in the next. more and more like the world. We Commandments are not given to To be worthy of the celestial king- must stop drifting. burden or restrict us. Rather, they are dom and the joy that is there, we Elder Robert D. Hales said: “As

102 Latter-day Saints we need not look like the world. We need not entertain like the world. Our personal habits should be different. Our recreation should be different.”9 In this day of moral relativism we must be prepared to take a stand and say, “This is right, and this is wrong.” We cannot follow the crowd! Now, I am not suggesting, of course, that we move to the wilderness and lock our doors. We can be in the world, go to school, go to work, join worthwhile community organizations, and so forth. But we must hold to the Lord’s standards. I have a dear friend who is a re- spected physician. He writes a regular national article on health. Often his sub- ject concerns nutrition. He has a prob- lem. He loves doughnuts—delicious but not usually considered one of the world’s most nutritious foods. To resolve this dilemma, he has come up with what he calls his 80:20 theory of nutrition. This theory says if you are very good 80 percent of the time, you can eat what you want the other 20 percent of the time. Now, this may be all right in nutri- tion, but the 80:20 principle is not acceptable in such things as gambling, pornography, or honesty. Brothers and sisters, are we sometimes 80:20 members of the Church? Consider the woman who keeps the Sabbath day holy, unless she needs something from the store. Or the man who is honest in all his deal- the things which I shall teach, and knowing that the Savior is the ings until he cannot resist the urge to command you.” I love that phrase Redeemer, and that Joseph Smith was exaggerate his tax deductions because “settle this.” Brothers and sisters, I His prophet, that will save you and it saves him over $1,000. Or the father pray that we are “settled.” There are me, but it is the keeping of the com- who is kind and gentle with his wife precious blessings that come only mandments of God, the living the life and children except when he has had from the complete yielding of one’s of a Latter-day Saint.”10 a difficult day at the office. heart to God. Now, young men and young Brothers and sisters, let’s sell that President Heber J. Grant said: women, as you begin to set your pri- summer cottage in Babylon. Let us be “There is but one path of safety to the orities in life, remember, the only not “almost” but “altogether” Latter- Latter-day Saints, and that is the path true security in life is living the com- day Saints. of duty. It is not a testimony, it is not mandments. Financial security and In Joseph Smith Translation, Luke marvelous manifestations, it is not public position are hollow without 14:28 the Lord says: “Wherefore, set- knowing that the Gospel of Jesus righteousness. I promise you that. tle this in your hearts, that ye will do Christ is true, . . . it is not actually You lived with your Heavenly

NOVEMBER 2006 103 Father in a premortal life. You were there with Him. Your spirit knows what it is like to live in celestial Prophets in realms. You can never be truly happy in an uncelestial environment. You know too much. That is one of the reasons that for you, wickedness the Land Again 11 never can be happiness. What a ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND great thing it is to decide once and for all early in life what you will do and Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles what you will not do with regards to honesty, modesty, chastity, the Word It is no trivial matter for this Church to declare to the world of Wisdom, and temple marriage. prophecy, seership, and revelation, but we do declare it. Brothers and sisters, stay on the straight and narrow path. No, stay in the middle of the straight and narrow path. Don’t drift; don’t wander; don’t dabble; be careful. the rest?” and she, too, looked for a Remember, do not flirt with evil. comfortable spot to stretch out. But Stay out of the devil’s territory. Do not the participants seemed unusually give Satan any home-field advantage. earnest about this particular break, Living the commandments will bring some pulling out pencils and note- you the happiness that too many look books while one intently dialed a for in other places. transistor radio. As Elder Nelson taught this morn- What then happened would be a ing, this is the fulness of the gospel of turning point in her life forever. One Jesus Christ. This is His Church. The of her friends said, “Carolyn, we need Restoration did occur! There is no to explain something. This is the first reason to hold back. Saturday in October, and for us that I know that President Gordon B. means not only lovely weather and Hinckley is the Lord’s prophet today. bright fall foliage, but it also means a I am grateful to stand with him and general conference of the Church. As thank him for his teaching, his lead- Latter-day Saints, wherever we are or ership, and his wonderful example of whatever we are doing, we stop and strength. I know that God lives and is ot long after our friend Carolyn listen. So we are going to sit here our Father. I testify that Jesus is the Rasmus joined the faculty of among the oak and the pines, look Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, NBrigham Young University, a out over the valley below, and listen amen. ■ group of her new teaching colleagues to the prophets of God for a couple invited her to join them on a Saturday of hours.” NOTES hike in the mountains above Provo. “A couple of hours!” thought 1. “The Human Soul’s Quest for God,” Carolyn was not a member of The Carolyn. “I didn’t know there were Brigham Young Magazine, Feb. 1995, 26. 2. Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day prophets of God still living,” she said, Jan. 2003, 13. Saints, but she had felt particularly “and I certainly didn’t know there 3. D&C 88:22. welcome in her new circle of associ- were two hours’ worth!” Little did 4. Hymns, no. 319. 5. See The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book, ed. ates. She eagerly joined them for she know that they were going to Cory H. Maxwell (1997), 25. the climb. stop again at two o’clock that after- 6. Matthew 6:24. 7. “The Price of Peace,” Tambuli, Feb. 1984, 6; As the sun steadily rose, so did the noon for another two hours and then Ensign, Oct. 1983, 6. hikers on the mountainside. Then, invite her to tune in at home for four 8. Matthew 5:13. as the ten o’clock hour approached, more the next day. 9. “Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 17. 10. “The President Speaks,” Improvement Era, the group began to find places to sit Well, the rest is history. With Nov. 1936, 659. down. Carolyn thought, “This is won- the gift of a leather-bound copy of 11. See Alma 41:10. derful. How did they know I needed the scriptures from her students,

104 the love of friends and families in the LDS ward she began to attend, and spiritual experiences we want all who make their way into the light of the gospel to have, Carolyn was bap- tized and confirmed a member of the Church. The rest is, as they say, his- tory. With her introduction to gen- eral conference that day sitting high atop Y Mountain, Sister Rasmus had seen her own personal fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic invitation: “Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”1 We are coming to the close of another marvelous general confer- ence. We have been blessed to hear messages from our leaders, including and especially President Gordon B. Hinckley, the man we sustain as God’s oracle on earth, our living prophet, seer, and revelator. As prophets have done in dispensations from Adam down to the present day, President Hinckley has figuratively gathered us in a kind of global equivalent of the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, has loved us and taught us and bestowed upon us his blessing.2 prophet on the earth speaking in the them safely through. We all need that I think it is safe to say that the name of the Lord. And how we need rod. We all need that word. No one is prayer all the brethren and sisters such guidance! Our times are turbu- safe without it, for in its absence any have had as they have spoken this lent and difficult. We see wars inter- can “[fall] away into forbidden paths weekend is that general conference nationally and distress domestically. and [be] lost,” as the record says.4 will have been as uplifting, and if Neighbors all around us face per- How grateful we are to have heard needful as life-changing for each of us sonal heartaches and family sorrows. God’s voice and felt the strength of as it was for Sister Rasmus and count- Legions know fear and troubles of a that iron rod in this conference these less thousands of others who semi- hundred kinds. This reminds us past two days. annually respond to our LDS hymn, that when those mists of darkness Not often but over the years some “Come, listen to a prophet’s voice, enveloped the travelers in Lehi’s sources have suggested that the and hear the word of God.”3 vision of the tree of life, it enveloped Brethren are out of touch in their In my own expression of testimony all of the participants—the righteous declarations, that they don’t know the and gratitude for the messages and as well as the unrighteous, the young issues, that some of their policies and meaning of general conference, may I along with the elderly, the new con- practices are out-of-date, not relevant suggest three things these twice-yearly vert and seasoned member alike. In to our times. gatherings declare to all the world. that allegory all face opposition and As the least of those who have First, they declare eagerly and un- travail, and only the rod of iron—the been sustained by you to witness the equivocally that there is again a living declared word of God—can bring guidance of this Church firsthand, I

NOVEMBER 2006 105 because they know not where to find it.”6 They are all out there with feeble knees, hands that hang down,7 and bad weather setting in. They can be rescued only by those who have more and know more and can help more. And don’t worry about asking, “Where are they?” They are everywhere, on our right hand and on our left, in our neighborhoods and in the workplace, in every community and county and nation of this world. Take your team and wagon; load it with your love, your testimony, and a spiritual sack of flour; then drive in any direction. The Lord will lead you to those in need if you will but embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ that has been taught in this conference. Open your heart and your hand to those trapped in the twenty-first cen- tury’s equivalent of Martin’s Cove and Devil’s Gate. In doing so we honor the Master’s repeated plea on behalf of lost sheep and lost coins and lost souls.8 say with all the fervor of my soul that who are not. This morning President Lastly, a general conference of never in my personal or professional Hinckley movingly reminded us that the Church is a declaration to all the life have I ever associated with any this is the 150th anniversary of those world that Jesus is the Christ, that He group who are so in touch, who handcart companies that, as general and His Father, the God and Father know so profoundly the issues facing conference was convening in October of us all, appeared to the boy prophet us, who look so deeply into the old, of 1856 here in the Salt Lake Valley, Joseph Smith in fulfillment of that stay so open to the new, and weigh were staggering through the last ancient promise that the resurrected so carefully, thoughtfully, and prayer- freezing miles of Nebraska and were Jesus of Nazareth would again restore fully everything in between. I testify soon to be stranded in the impass- His Church on earth and again “come that the grasp this body of men and able snows of the high country of in like manner as [those Judean women have of moral and societal Wyoming. He quoted to us President Saints had] seen him [ascend] into issues exceeds that of any think Brigham Young’s inspiring general heaven.”9 This conference and every tank or brain trust of comparable conference message to the Saints, other conference like it is a declara- endeavor of which I know anywhere simply “go and bring in those people tion that He condescended to come on the earth. I bear personal witness now on the plains.”5 to earth in poverty and humility, to of how thoroughly good they are, As surely as the rescue of those in face sorrow and rejection, disap- of how hard they work, and how need was the general conference pointment and death in order that we humbly they live. It is no trivial mat- theme of October 1856, so too is it the might be saved from those very fates ter for this Church to declare to the theme of this conference and last con- as our eternity unfolds, that “with his world prophecy, seership, and revela- ference and the one to come next stripes we are healed.”10 This confer- tion, but we do declare it. It is true spring. It may not be blizzards and ence proclaims to every nation, kin- light shining in a dark world, and it frozen-earth burials that we face this dred, tongue, and people the loving shines from these proceedings. conference, but the needy are still out Messianic promise that “his mercy Secondly, each of these confer- there—the poor and the weary, the dis- endureth for ever.”11 ences marks a call to action not only couraged and downhearted, those To all of you who think you are lost in our own lives but also on behalf of “[falling] away into [the] forbidden or without hope, or who think you others around us, those who are of paths” we mentioned earlier, and multi- have done too much that was too our own family and faith and those tudes who are “kept from the truth wrong for too long, to every one of

106 you who worry that you are stranded somewhere on the wintry plains of life and have wrecked your handcart in Closing Remarks the process, this conference calls out Jehovah’s unrelenting refrain, “[My] PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY hand is stretched out still.”12 “I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them,” He said, “[and even if they] deny me; We leave with you our love and our blessing. nevertheless, I will be merciful unto May the Spirit of the Lord dwell in your homes. them, . . . if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.”13 His mercy endureth hall in which to meet, and for the forever, and His hand is stretched out technology which has permitted our still. His is the pure love of Christ, the words to be carried over the earth to charity that never faileth, that compas- our people in many lands and climes. sion which endures even when all We wish that there were peace in other strength disappears.14 the earth and constantly pray that it I testify of this reaching, rescuing, may come. merciful Jesus, that this is His redeem- Now, our beloved associates, we ing Church based on His redeeming leave with you our love and our bless- love, and that, as those in the Book ing. May the Spirit of the Lord dwell in of Mormon declared, “there came your homes. May love govern your prophets among the people, who family relations. were sent from the Lord [to speak it]. For this we pray as we bid you . . . [Yea,] there came prophets in the good-bye for another six months, in land again.”15 I testify that President the sacred and holy name of our Gordon B. Hinckley is in every way, Redeemer, and leave our love and from head to toe, such a prophet, one blessing with you, in His name, even whose life and voice we cherish and y beloved brothers and the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. ■ for whom we have prayed so much. sisters, what a miracle He will now conclude this semiannual Mthese conferences are. gathering. For such a blessing—and There is nothing to compare with all these blessings and so many more— them anywhere in the world. When I give personal thanks at general con- you think that we gather here in ference time, in the name of Jesus this great conference hall and that Christ, amen. ■ what we say is carried all across the world so that people on every NOTES continent worship together the 1. Isaiah 2:3. 2. See D&C 107:53–56. living God, it is truly and wonder- 3. “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice,” fully a miracle. All who have spoken Hymns, no. 21. have done so very well. We wish 4. 1 Nephi 8:28; see also vv. 23–24. 5. Deseret News, Oct. 15, 1856, 252; see there had been time to hear from all also LeRoy R. Hafen and Ann W. Hafen, of the General Authorities. Unfortu- Handcarts to Zion (1960), 120–21. 6. D&C 123:12. nately, that has not been possible. 7. See D&C 81:5. Representatives of the auxiliary or- 8. See Luke 15. ganizations have inspired us with 9. Acts 1:11. 10. Isaiah 53:5. their messages. 11. See Psalm 136:1. The prayers have likewise inspired 12. See Isaiah 5:25; 9:17, 21. us. The music has been simply superb. 13. 2 Nephi 28:32. 14. See Moroni 7:46–47. We are so grateful for this tremen- 15. Ether 7:23; 9:28. dous Conference Center, this great

NOVEMBER 2006 107 GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING September 23, 2006

reflect the love of our Savior and the love of our Heavenly Father. This Eternally Encircled great love should be the source of our motivation to serve others. It must be both our point of origin and our destination! in His Love I know of a young mother with five BONNIE D. PARKIN little children who called an older sis- ter, her valued mentor, and asked, Relief Society General President “Can we go on a hike?” Her friend knew that meant she needed to talk. I know that [Heavenly Father] loves us, sisters, as does His Son, Halfway through an eight-mile loop, Jesus Christ. That love will never change—it is constant. the young mother finally said, “I just can’t believe that Heavenly Father loves me; I’ve made lots of mistakes in my life. I can’t feel that I’m worthy of His love; how can He possibly love might not be able to participate in the me?” Sisters, this was a woman who conference. If that happened, I would had made temple covenants and was have five minutes to bear my testi- active in the Church. And yet she still mony. I prayed extra hard for Elder felt unworthy of His love. The older Haight that day! Sunday morning sister quickly responded, “Of course I watched him come into the Con- He loves you. You’re His daughter.” ference Center, and I started to Do we frequently reject the Lord’s relax—right up until the moment he love that He pours out upon us in exited during the congregational much more abundance than we are hymn. As I stood at the podium that willing to receive? Do we think we afternoon, the teleprompter screen have to be perfect in order to deserve was blank! But the message that kept His love? When we allow ourselves to coming to my mind and heart was that feel “encircled about eternally in the women need to feel the Lord’s love in arms of his love,”1 we feel safe, and we their lives daily. It was the message I realize that we don’t need to be imme- knew I needed to convey that day, and diately perfect. We must acknowledge it continues to be our message. that perfection is a process. This is a hen I received this call, I have been humbled by your ten- gospel of eternal progress, and we I pleaded with Heavenly der personal responses to this charge. must remember to appreciate the jour- WFather to help me know Thank you for sharing how this mes- ney. Eternal means “without beginning what the sisters in the Church sage has blessed your life. Your words or end,” so the encircling of His love is needed. I received a strong witness have confirmed that each one of us is there for us every day. Remember, it’s that we, His daughters, need to know entitled—and needs—to feel the constant—even when we don’t recog- that He loves us. We need to know Lord’s love in her life daily. nize it. I love Nephi’s description of that He sees the good in us. Feeling Our Heavenly Father loved us this great gift: “The love of God . . . His love encourages us to press for- before we came to this earth. I know sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of ward, reassures us that we are His, that He loves us, sisters, as does His the children of men; wherefore, it is and confirms to us that He cherishes Son, Jesus Christ. That love will never the most desirable above all things . . . us even when we stumble and experi- change—it is constant. You can rely and the most joyous to the soul.”2 I tes- ence temporary setbacks. on it. We can trust it. tify that this is true. I had this message confirmed when Just as the motto of Relief Society I know there may be some who I bore my testimony in the Sunday reminds us that “charity never have a difficult time imagining what afternoon session of general confer- faileth,” we must believe that the His love feels like. Think of a mother ence in April of 2002. That morning love of Christ will never fail us. All with her newborn baby. The warmth, I was told that Elder David B. Haight that we do in Relief Society should safety, cherishing, and peace of a

108 mother’s embrace can help us under- stand what it feels like to be encircled in the arms of His love. A young adult Relief Society sister wrote, “Only in the love of my mother do I come close to understanding the magnitude and power of the love of the Savior.” Mothers, can you see how essen- tial you are in teaching this truth to your children? As you encircle your children with your love, they will catch glimpses of His love. President Gordon B. Hinckley urges us to “love the Lord [our] God, and love His Son, and be ever grateful for Their love for us. Whenever other love fades, there will be that shining, tran- scendent, everlasting love of God for each of us and the love of His Son, who gave His life”3 for us. A mother who knows her relation- ship with God helps her children to know Him and to be encircled by His love. I was touched by the comments a daughter shared at the funeral of her 100-year-old mother: “When I was a teenager trying to plan my class sched- ule, I would come into the kitchen where Mother was ironing. I would present possible options for my stud- and told her how often her life had grandchildren in love. When a three- ies. . . . She would listen to all of them. been spared through bouts of rheu- year-old girl was being sassy, her grand- We would discuss the possibilities . . . matic fever, heart disease, and many mother instructed her, “Don’t talk that and then she would say, ‘OK, Cathy, other illnesses. He recounted her way to your grandmother, because we have you prayed about it?’ That was life, enumerating the times she had are going to be friends for millions and kind of embarrassing to me, and I blessed others. He told her of things millions of years.” Isn’t being a grand- would hesitate and then add, ‘Do you the Lord had in store for her and mother the best? Remember, sisters, have to pray about everything?’ She offered guidance as to what she love and covenants bind us together as answered simply, ‘I do.’”4 needed to do. I knew my mother’s eternal families. This mother listened. She shared life, and I listened as this patriarch, The Lord’s love is often delivered her faith in the Lord; she set an exam- who was not acquainted with her, through others as they respond to ple; she shared her expectations for described her life. This experience promptings of the Spirit. Are we hear- her daughter to return continually to was a witness to me that God lives, ing and following those promptings? the Lord. As we approach the Lord, we that He loves us, and that He knows Because of financial struggles, one feel His love draw us closer. Mothers, us individually. I felt the Lord’s love sister had to move from her beloved teach your children to always include for my mother—and for me—on that home and ward after living there for the Lord in their lives, and help them memorable day. 22 years. That was painful. Of her first to recognize His loving influence. The greatest evidence of our Sunday in her new ward, she said: “I My mother and I received our Savior’s love for us is His Atonement. felt very alone, even though I knew a patriarchal blessings together. I was His love overflows with grace, patience, few people. I was one of the first to 20, and Mother was 49. I will never long-suffering, mercy, and forgiveness. Relief Society that morning. I sat forget that day—how the patriarch Now, as grandmothers we have a there and watched the sisters file in placed his hands on Mother’s head sacred responsibility to encircle our and take their seats. They all seemed

NOVEMBER 2006 109 to need their own row, not just their you’ve felt it, be willing to share it. doing His will. Sisters, we must make own seat. They didn’t sit by each As a presidency we visited the dev- every effort to follow His supreme other and they didn’t sit by me. I felt astated Gulf Coast following Hurricane example—to demonstrate such love like an island.” Sisters, why do we do Katrina. One evening at a fireside I through our thoughts, our speech, that to each other?! The sister contin- stood at the pulpit and felt prompted our actions—in all the things we do ued: “Then Lisa came in. Her face lit that every sister in attendance needed and are. We must not allow pride or up when she saw me and she charged someone to literally reach out and vanity, selfishness or personal agendas over to me, popped down beside me, strengthen her. After the meeting, to displace our reaching out to others put her arm around me and gave me Sister Hughes, Sister Pingree, and I in love. Quite simply and profoundly, a big hug. It’s amazing how much a each stood by a different door and we must first allow ourselves to be small gesture like that can mean. hugged every sister as she exited. We encircled by God’s love. We do this Her warmth”—and I would add, her simply wanted to express our love for best by embracing the Savior’s eternal love—“washed away my loneliness.” them. To any of those sisters who are Atonement. Then we can expand that I fear sometimes we see the Lord’s listening tonight, we left your chapel circle to include our family and all oth- love only in the big events of our feeling renewed because of the love of ers. Such a circle is indeed heaven. lives; we must also see His love in the God that you shared with us. Thank My dear sisters, may the Lord bless smallest of things. Don’t underesti- you for taking care of each other— you to feel His love daily as you keep mate your ability to share His love and the three of us! your covenants, exercise charity, and through a simple, genuine gesture In my morning prayers I ask strengthen families. In the name of such as sitting next to another sister Heavenly Father to fill me with His Jesus Christ, amen. ■ and making her feel welcome. love so that I can do His work with NOTES 1. 2 Nephi 1:15. Do you feel the Lord’s love in more heart. I know that I have been 2. 1 Nephi 11:22–23; emphasis added. your life? How I feel His love may be blessed because of this daily petition. 3. “Words of the Living Prophet,” Liahona, different from how you experience it. As Relief Society sisters, we must strive Dec. 1996, 8; “Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. The key is to come to understand to manifest the love of Christ, who Hinckley,” Ensign, Apr. 1996, 73. how you feel that love. And once always sought to please His Father by 4. Personal correspondence.

110 peace and strength. But just as impor- tant, that moment has remained in my Remembering memory as a sweet gift to unwrap and remember when life is difficult. Sometimes, too, the moments of love and the resultant peace have the Lord’s Love come unexpectedly and when there KATHLEEN H. HUGHES has been no need—no particular problem or issue I have been facing. First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency One lovely autumn Sabbath I was sit- ting in my scripture-reading chair, We must seek to know and feel the Lord’s love in our lives. watching the yellow leaves fall from our neighbor’s apricot tree. I looked up from my scriptures and without warning felt a sense of peace and con- tentment wash over me. The moment Christ’s arms. But if you are like me, was fleeting, yet the memory of the there are times when you are fearful, love I felt has been lasting. It is a gift when the stress and busyness of life of memory to recall when life and seem to overwhelm you, when you times are difficult. feel adrift from the Spirit. Perhaps you But every day, when I seek it, I even feel as though you have been experience the Lord’s love in my life abandoned. When I encounter those and feel His arms encircle me. I see feelings, the best antidote is my mem- evidences of the Lord’s love in my ory of the moments when Christ’s morning walks when the air is clear peace has come to strengthen me. and the first hint of light is in the east. So tonight I invite you to remember I feel His love when a verse of scrip- with me what it is to feel the Lord’s ture springs to mind and speaks to love in your life and to feel encircled me in a new way. I recognize His love in His arms. when I am taught by good women in My mother died when I was a Relief Society or by visiting teachers young mother. I still needed her coun- who care for me. I sense His presence sel and advice. After her cancer was when my heart responds to beautiful hrist in a Red Robe, by Minerva diagnosed, she lived only six weeks. music or a memorable talk. Sisters, Teichert, seemed the perfect Initially, my concern was for my father. the Lord is everywhere when we Cpainting to depict the scripture I felt grateful that Mom had not suf- open our eyes and hearts to His love. that we chose for this evening: “I am fered long and that her death had But there are women among you, encircled about eternally in the arms been a sweet experience for us. But a I’m sure, who are thinking now, of his love” (2 Nephi 1:15). Christ few weeks later Mother’s Day and her “When do I have time for a morning looks so welcoming with His arms birthday were coming, and I began to walk? When was the last time I had outstretched toward us. Just as He miss her terribly. I wanted her arms 10 minutes of peace to read my scrip- invited the Nephites to “arise and around me, and I wanted to know that tures?” Or, “When was the last time I come forth unto me” (3 Nephi 11:15), she was all right. I wanted to tell her had a day without pain? or worry? or so He invites each of us to come, one that I loved her and missed her. heartache?” And I recognize how true by one, to Him, that we too may know One night as I was praying and cry- it is that life often feels like a great that He is “the God of . . . the whole ing (which I did often then), I felt pile of obligations, frustrations, and earth, and [has] been slain for the sins comfort fill my body—suddenly and disappointments. But the Lord is of the world” (3 Nephi 11:14). We powerfully. The feeling restored me; there, always the same, His arms learn how it feels to be encircled in His it gave me peace. It did not last long still outstretched. When we feel over- love when we accept that invitation. physically, yet it was immensely com- whelmed, we have to remember the I’m certain that each of you has felt, forting. I knew what it was—the Lord’s peace He has spoken to us on pre- at one time or another, encircled in love encircling me and granting me vious occasions. His peace brings

NOVEMBER 2006 111 Our families need the peace of God in their lives, and if we can’t or won’t invite the Lord into our lives, then our families become a reflection of our own turmoil. Women are asked to be nurturers to their fami- lies, but we must also be firm; we must be the hard rock footings on which our homes can stand. Our fam- ilies need us to speak peace to them, just as the Lord speaks peace to us. Our homes need to be places where our families and friends want to be, where all who enter our homes can draw strength and courage to face the challenges of living in an increas- ingly wicked world. Our children need to hear us “talk of Christ, . . . rejoice in Christ, [and] preach of Christ” (2 Nephi 25:26) so that they may know to what source they can look for the peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Remember, sisters, the Savior’s invitation is clear and direct, and importantly for us, it is constant: comfort and strength; the world can- each day the workings of the Lord in “Come unto me, all ye that labour and not give that to us. our lives. We will find Him, as Elder are heavy laden. . . . Take my yoke As faithful women of The Church Neal A. Maxwell stated, “in the details upon you, . . . for . . . my burden is of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of our lives” (“Becoming a Disciple,” light” (Matthew 11:28–30). This is the we have been blessed with the Holy Ensign, June 1996, 19). And when Lord’s promise to me and to you. Ghost. As we invite the Savior into that recognition comes, we feel His My prayer for each of us is that we our lives, the Holy Ghost will bear peace and recognize that we are truly will remember when the Lord has witness to us of the love which the encircled in the arms of His love. spoken His peace to us and has encir- Father and His Son, our Savior, have In the January 2004 worldwide cled us in the arms of His love. And for each of us. But feeling Their love leadership training meeting, President just as important, will you, if you is dependent not only on our desire Gordon B. Hinckley admonished haven’t felt that love for a while, seek but upon our actions as well. And the the women of the Church to “stand to see it and feel it as you go about actions we need to take are known to strong and immovable” against the the ordinary tasks of your life. As you us: genuine prayer that is specific and evil that is growing in the world do this, over the days and months humble, followed by quiet listening (“Standing Strong and Immovable,” and years of your life, the memories for the Lord’s answers; regular scrip- Worldwide Leadership Training of those interactions with the Lord ture study and time to ponder what Meeting, Jan. 10, 2004, 20). Sisters, will become sweet gifts to open a sec- we read; and, finally, a willingness to this is why we must seek to know and ond time—or many times—to bolster be introspective about ourselves and feel the Lord’s love in our lives. It is you when life is difficult. to trust in the Lord’s promise that why we must remember and treasure “Peace I give unto you,” the Lord He will “make weak things become up our own experiences with His promises, “not as the world giveth, strong unto [us]” (Ether 12:27). As we peace and the strength it brings. And give I unto you” (John 14:27). Peace. study and ponder, we are entitled to it is why we must relate our own Strength. It is what we long for and the promptings of the Spirit, and as experiences of faith and testimony to what is possible. We only need to turn we grow more attentive to these our children and to those who are toward His reaching arms. In the promptings, we come to recognize without parents or loved ones. name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

112 When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multi- To Look, Reach, tude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? “And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue and Come is gone out of me. “And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and unto Christ falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for ANNE C. PINGREE what cause she had touched him, and Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency how she was healed immediately. “And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath The Messiah extends His arm of mercy to us, made thee whole; go in peace.”6 always eager to receive us—if we choose to come to Him. I have asked myself what might have happened if this woman with the issue of blood had not believed in the Savior enough to make whatever Good Shepherd, and Redeemer. effort was necessary to touch the bor- Where else would we look, where der of His robe. In that throng I imag- else would we reach, where else ine getting even that close to Him would we come but to Jesus Christ, took some doing. Yet, “nothing waver- “the author and finisher of our faith”?2 ing,”7 she persisted. He pronounced: “Yea, verily . . . , In like manner, we must demon- if ye will come unto me ye shall have strate that faith in the Lord has pene- eternal life. Behold, mine arm of trated our hearts deeply enough to mercy is extended towards you, and move us to action. whosoever will come, him will I A friend told me of an instance receive.”3 His promise invites us not when she was inconsolable. She felt only to reach towards Him but also to such sorrow over a family tragedy that take the all-important next step: to on one day she could not even leave come unto Him. her home. Unannounced, a Relief This is such a motivating, cheering Society sister came to her door and doctrine. The Messiah extends His said, “I had the feeling you needed arm of mercy to us, always eager to me.” The sister did not probe or ask n Minerva Teichert’s magnificent receive us—if we choose to come to for details but rather enfolded my painting Christ in a Red Robe, the Him. When we do come to the Savior friend in her arms and asked, “Would ISavior of mankind, with nail prints with “full purpose of heart,”4 we will you like to have a prayer?” After their in His hands, stands majestically with feel His loving touch in the most per- prayer the sister left. That kind touch outstretched arms. In tenderness and sonal ways. and sensitive approach did much to compassion He looks down upon the A “certain woman”5 made that heal my friend’s broken heart. women straining to reach Him. choice and felt His touch. “And a This loving Relief Society sister not I love the symbolism of women woman having an issue of blood only listened to the Spirit, but she reaching out to touch the Savior. We twelve years, which had spent all her acted upon that prompting. In a real long to be close to the Lord, for we living upon physicians, neither could sense, she showed that the virtue know that He loves each of us and be healed of any, found in the doctrines of salvation desires to encircle us “eternally in the “Came behind him, and touched had touched her so profoundly that arms of his love.”1 His touch can heal the border of his garment: and imme- she worked daily to be Christlike. Her ailments spiritual, emotional, or phys- diately her issue of blood stanched. actions reflected her personal under- ical. He is our Advocate, Exemplar, “And Jesus said, Who touched me? standing that “charity never faileth.”8

NOVEMBER 2006 113 Of the millions of you faithful Relief corrections in thought, action, or word make essential course corrections. I Society sisters who, like this compas- are essential for all who desire to come remember a time when, without any sionate sister, reflect that everlasting unto Christ. They represent individual intent to do so, I offended a sister in love of Christ,9 which is charity, choices about how we will touch each my ward. I needed to reconcile this President Gordon B. Hinckley has other literally and figuratively. issue, but I must admit that my pride said, “Innumerable are the deeds of We draw closer to the Savior as we kept me from going to her and asking these remarkable and wonderful and encircle others in loving arms. Or we for her forgiveness. Family, other unselfish women in succoring those in don’t. We balm emotional or physical commitments, on and on—I found distress, in binding up the wounds of wounds. Or we don’t. We look at each ways to postpone my repentance. I those who have been hurt, in giving other with a loving rather than a criti- was sure things would work out on cheer and comfort to those in distress, cal eye. Or we don’t. We ask forgive- their own. But they didn’t. . . . in lifting up those who have fallen ness for harm we have caused, even if In the stillness of not one night but and giving them strength and encour- it was unintended. Or we don’t. We several, I awoke with a clear realiza- agement and the will to go forward.”10 do the hard spiritual work of forgiving tion that I was not taking the course That very will to go forward toward those who have given us offense. the Lord would want me to take. I was our Savior sometimes requires on- Or we don’t. We quickly correct our not acting on my faith that His arm the-spot repentance. It’s recognizing errors or oversights in personal rela- of mercy was truly extended towards we’ve made mistakes or haven’t done tionships when we become aware of me—if I would act aright. I prayed what we could to encourage or help them. Or we don’t. for strength and courage, humbled someone. These personal course Like you, I know what it means to myself, and went to the sister’s home

114 and asked for her forgiveness. For us both, it proved to be a sweet, healing experience. In the Arms Sometimes a personal course cor- rection is as immediate as retracing our hurried steps toward the exit after Church meetings and instead crossing of His Love the foyer to greet a lonely sister who PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY we know will talk long. Often it will be as long-term as regularly rising above feelings of resentment for family mem- This is the greatest women’s organization in all the world. bers who treat us thoughtlessly—all It is a God-given creation. while we are trying to build positive relationships. Regularly, these individ- ual course corrections, which are cru- cial instances of repentance, yield “the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”11 It is a God-given creation. Joseph Seeking that fruit of righteousness, Smith spoke and acted as a prophet it is no wonder that we, like the when he organized the Relief Society women in Minerva Teichert’s glorious in 1842. At that time he said, “The artwork, stretch with longing and organization of the Church of Christ adoration toward the Savior, for we was never perfect until the women know He extends “the arm of mercy were organized” (Sarah M. Kimball, towards them that put their trust in “Early Relief Society Reminiscences,” him.”12 Because this glorious promise Mar. 17, 1882, Relief Society Record, is true, where else would we look, 1880–92, Archives of The Church of where else would we reach, where Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 30). else would we come but to Jesus Today membership in the Relief Christ, the Light of the World, the Society is somewhere around five mil- Lamb of God, our Messiah? lion. It is organized in many nations I know that “the Son of Righ- and teaches in many tongues. It teousness arise[s] with healing in enfolds within its ranks all women of his wings”13 not only for that certain the Church 18 years of age and older. woman with an issue of blood, but y dear sisters, what a tremen- Among these are single young women; also for each one of us. He would dous opportunity is afforded women who have never married; guide and bless and gather us—if we Mme in speaking to you in this those who are widowed or divorced; will choose to come unto Him. May great Relief Society conference. We those with husbands and families; we do so every day of our lives. have listened tonight to wonderful those old in years, many of whom In the name of Jesus Christ, discourses given by women of great have lost their eternal companions. amen. ■ faith and ability. I wish the presidency A friend not of our faith once of the Relief Society to know that we said to me, “LDS stands for Love, NOTES have complete confidence in them. Devotion, Service.” What does Relief 1. 2 Nephi 1:15. 2. Hebrews 12:2. We appreciate them in every way. We Society really stand for? What does it 3. 3 Nephi 9:14. are grateful for the theme they have mean? Let me try to say something 4. 3 Nephi 10:6. 5. Mark 5:25. chosen from the Book of Mormon, about this. 6. Luke 8:43–48. from 2 Nephi—“Encircled Eternally in Relief Society stands for love. What 7. James 1:6. the Arms of His Love” (see 2 Nephi a remarkable thing it is to witness the 8. Moroni 7:46. 9. See Moroni 8:17. 1:15). The women of the Relief Society love of good women one for another. 10. “Mormon Should Mean ‘More Good,’ ” are literally encircled eternally in the They mingle together in the bonds of Ensign, Nov. 1990, 54. arms of our Lord. love with friendship and respect for 11. Hebrews 12:11. 12. Mosiah 29:20. In my judgment, this is the greatest each other. This organization is actu- 13. 3 Nephi 25:2. women’s organization in all the world. ally the only resource that many

NOVEMBER 2006 115 encouragement 10 years ago, and for the many continuing words of inspira- tion that come from the Lord through His servants. I know I am a child of God and my life is blessed by my membership in His Church.” Relief Society stands for self- reliance. The best food storage is not in welfare grain elevators but in sealed cans and bottles in the homes of our people. What a gratifying thing it is to see cans of wheat and rice and beans under the beds or in the pantries of women who have taken welfare responsibility into their own hands. Such food may not be tasty, but it will be nourishing if it has to be used. Relief Society means sacrifice. I am always moved by this simple verse of Anne Campbell, written in behalf of women have for friendly association. faithful in the gospel. It is a great feel- her child. Said she: It is the natural instinct of women ing to know that we have made it on to reach out in love to those in dis- our own for the past several years. . . . You are the trip I did not take; tress and need. The welfare program There is a certain feeling of accom- You are the pearls I cannot buy; of the Church is described as priest- plishment when you can once again You are my blue Italian lake; hood based, but it could not function stand on your own two feet and pro- You are my piece of foreign sky. without the Relief Society. vide for your family’s needs. . . . (“To My Child,” quoted in Charles L. Relief Society stands for education. “I was encouraged to go back to Wallis, ed., The Treasure Chest It is the obligation of every woman of college. . . . It is a real challenge to [1965], 54) this Church to get all the education work full-time and attend classes at she can. It will enlarge her life and night. It has broadened my perspec- Many of you are mothers. You increase her opportunities. It will pro- tive on life and helped me to be a bet- are responsible for the nurture and vide her with marketable skills in case ter person. My family, ward members, upbringing of your children. When she needs them. and co-workers have been very sup- you grow old and your hair turns Last week I received a letter from a portive. I will graduate this December. white, you will not ask about the fancy single mother, a part of which I wish “As I pondered my patriarchal bless- clothes you once wore, the cars you to read to you. She says as follows: ing and made it a matter of fasting and drove, or the large house in which you “It has been 10 years since you prayer, I was able to set some realistic lived. Your burning question will be, mentioned our family in October con- goals in my life that have been used as “How have my children turned out?” ference in 1996. . . . The words of a road map to keep me on track with If they have turned out well, you counsel and encouragement that you the principles of the gospel. I attend will be grateful. If otherwise, there gave to me and other single sisters my meetings, pray daily, and pay my will be only small consolation for you. have been a pattern used in my daily tithing. I . . . take my calling as a visit- I have written elsewhere: “God life. The phrase that has become my ing teacher very seriously. . . . bless you, mothers. When all the vic- motto and watchword [is] ‘Do the “The Church is true, and it is an tories and defeats of men’s efforts are very best you can,’ and that is indeed honor and a privilege to be counted as tallied, when the dust of life’s battles what my sons and I are trying to do. a worthy and blessed member of The begins to settle, when all for which “All four of my sons graduated from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day we labor so hard in this world of con- high school and seminary. Two of Saints. We are led by inspiration from quest fades before our eyes, you will them served full-time missions. We a loving Heavenly Father, who knows be there, you must be there, as the are all working to provide for our- us and wants us to progress and grow. strength for a new generation, the selves and continue to be true and I thank you for your kind words of ever-improving onward movement of

116 the race” (One Bright, Shining Hope their needs. My burdens felt heavier tells this story of a stake president [2006], 18). than I could bear. from Panama. Some years ago in the Salt Lake “I remember looking through tears As a young man recently returned Tabernacle, Elder Marion D. Hanks toward the sky, and I said, ‘Dear from his mission, he found the girl he conducted a panel discussion. In- Father, I just can’t do it tonight. I’m wanted to marry. They were happy, cluded in that panel was an attractive too tired. I can’t face it. I can’t go but very poor. and able young woman, divorced, the home and take care of all those chil- Then came a particularly difficult mother of seven children then ranging dren alone. Could I just come to You time when their food and money ran in ages from 7 to 16. She said that one and stay with You for just one night? out. It was a Saturday, and the cup- evening she went across the street to I’ll come back in the morning.’ board was literally bare. Rene felt deliver something to a neighbor. Listen “I didn’t really hear the words of distraught that his young wife was to her words, as I recall them: reply, but I heard them in my mind. hungry. He decided he had no other “As I turned around to walk back The answer was: ‘No, little one, you choice than to use their tithing home, I could see my house lighted can’t come to me now. You would money and go purchase food. up. I could hear echoes of my chil- never wish to come back. But I can As he was leaving the house, his dren as I had walked out of the door a come to you.’ ” wife stopped him and asked him few minutes earlier. They were saying: There are so very many like this where he was going. He told her he ‘Mom, what are we going to have for young mother, who found herself in was going to buy food. She asked him dinner?’ ‘Can you take me to the loneliness and desperation but was for- where he got the money. He told her library?’ ‘I have to get some poster tunate enough to have faith in the that it was the tithing money. She said, paper tonight.’ Tired and weary, I Lord, who could love her and help her. “That is the Lord’s money—you will looked at that house and saw the light Relief Society means faith. It means not use that to buy food.” Her faith on in each of the rooms. I thought of putting first things first. It means such was stronger than his. He put the all of those children who were home a thing as the payment of tithing. money back, and they went to bed waiting for me to come and meet Elder Lynn Robbins of the Seventy hungry that night.

NOVEMBER 2006 117 Hawaii, where I would have a better chance to meet and marry a young man of Chinese ancestry. “I took your advice and went to CCH, where I met Charlie and mar- ried him. We have been married 37 years and have five children. All of our five children have served missions. . . . Three of our children married in the Hawaiian temple. We have two single children, and we hope they will find worthy individuals to take to the tem- ple soon. We have six adorable grand- children and two more on the way. “I have been blessed to have a faithful husband who honors his priesthood and has been worthy to serve the Lord as bishop, stake presi- Sisters in St. Petersburg, Russia, gather for the general Relief Society meeting. dent, and mission president. It has been my privilege to support him in The next morning they had no My dear sisters, all of these won- all his Church assignments. I have breakfast, and they went to church derful qualities which Relief Society served as stake Relief Society presi- fasting. Rene gave the tithing money to stands for represent being encircled dent for almost five years. the bishop, but he was too proud to eternally in the arms of His love. “Today, as I count my many bless- tell the bishop that they were in need. It is this for which we all wish. It is ings, I could not help but think of After the meetings he and his wife this for which we all hope. It is this for what a great influence you have been left the chapel and started to walk which we all pray. in my life. I just want you to know that home. They hadn’t gone very far Now, my dear sisters, just a word I followed your counsel, and because when a new member called to them in conclusion. I remind you that you of that my life has been blessed abun- from his house. This man was a fish- are not second-class citizens in the dantly. I thank you for taking the time erman and told them he had more kingdom of God. You are His divine to follow my progress when I left fish than he could use. He wrapped creation. Men hold the priesthood. Hong Kong to come to America.” five little fish in a newspaper for Yours is a different role, but also This is what the Relief Society them, and they thanked him. As they extremely important. Without you, does for women. It gives them continued to walk home, they were our Father’s plan of happiness would opportunity for growth and develop- stopped by another member who be frustrated and have no real mean- ment. It gives them status as queens gave them tortillas; then someone ing. You are 50 percent of the mem- in their own households. It gives else stopped them and gave them bership of the Church and mothers them place and position, where they rice; another member saw them and of the other 50 percent. No one can grow as they exercise their talents. It gave them beans. dismiss you lightly. gives them pride and direction in When they arrived home, they had I received just the other day a let- family life. It gives them added appre- enough food for two weeks. They ter from a dear friend. Her name is ciation for good, eternal companions were even more surprised when they Helen, and her husband’s name is and children. unwrapped the package of fish and Charlie. She writes as follows, among What a glorious organization Relief found two very large fish and not the other things: Society is. There is nothing to com- five smaller ones they thought they “Today Charlie and I spoke at pare with it in all the world. had seen. They cut the fish in por- our sacrament meeting. In my talk I May the Lord bless each of you tions and stored it in their neighbor’s related the advice you gave me when with these marvelous qualities that freezer. I graduated from Idaho Falls High come of activity in the great Relief They have repeatedly testified School and had made plans to attend Society organization. For this I that never since then have they gone Ricks College. You told me that I humbly pray, in the sacred name of hungry. should attend the Church College of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

118 seek counsel from their • Make an outline of how Teachings for Our Time leaders regarding any you want to teach the special emphasis. principles and doctrines. Those attending fourth- Your outline should he following instruc- published each May and Sunday lessons are encour- include questions that tions for fourth- November. The talks aged to study and bring help class members: T Sunday Melchizedek are also available online to class the latest general –Look for principles and Priesthood and Relief (in many languages) conference issue of the doctrines in the talk(s) Society lessons replace at www.lds.org. magazine. Ward and you are teaching. those in Information for Each lesson can be pre- branch leaders should –Think about the Priesthood and Auxiliary pared from one or more ensure that all members meaning of the princi- Leaders on Curriculum, talks. Stake and district have access to the Church ples and doctrines. 2005 through 2008. presidents may choose magazines. –Share their understand- Melchizedek Priesthood which talks should be used, ing, ideas, experiences, and Relief Society meetings or they may assign this re- Suggestions for Preparing and testimonies of the on the fourth Sunday of sponsibility to bishops and a Lesson from Talks principles and doctrines. each month will be devoted branch presidents. These • Pray that the Holy Spirit –Apply these principles to “Teachings for Our priesthood leaders should will be with you as you and doctrines in their Time.” All “Teachings for stress the value of having study and teach the lives. Our Time” lessons will be the Melchizedek Priesthood talk(s). You may at times • Review chapters 31–32 taught from talks in the brethren and the Relief be tempted to set aside of Teaching, No Greater most recent general confer- Society sisters study the the conference talks and Call. ence issue of the Liahona same talks on the same prepare the lesson using or Ensign. These issues are Sundays. Teachers should other materials. But the “What matters most conference talks are the is that members feel the approved curriculum. influence of the Spirit, Your assignment is to increase their understand- help others learn and ing of the gospel, learn to live the gospel as taught apply gospel principles in in the most recent gen- their lives, and strengthen eral conference of the their commitment to live Church. the gospel” (Teaching • Review the talk(s), Guidebook [2001], 12). looking for principles Please send comments and doctrines that meet about “Teachings for Our the needs of class mem- Time” to Curriculum bers. Also look for sto- Development, 50 East ries, scripture references, North Temple Street, Room and statements from the 2420, Salt Lake City, UT talk(s) that will help you 84150-3220, USA; e-mail: teach the principles and cur-development@ doctrines. ldschurch.org. ■

Months Fourth-Sunday Lesson Materials

November 2006– Talks published in the November 2006 April 2007 Liahona or Ensign*

May 2007– Talks published in the May 2007 Liahona October 2007 or Ensign*

* These talks are available online (in many languages) at www.lds.org.

NOVEMBER 2006 119 They Spoke to Us Making Conference Part of Our Lives

2. What did the hikers in Elder blessings that come from following Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk do when it Christ, such as joy, peace, protection, was time for general conference? guidance, and eternal family relation- (Clue: The talk begins on page 104.) ships. Each time you must make a What can you do when it is time for choice between right and wrong, general conference? remember your list of blessings and 3. Like Pahoran in the Book of how valuable they are to you. Mormon, we need not be rude when 2. Sister Elaine S. Dalton said: someone is rude to us. What should “To the youth of the noble birthright, he following ideas may help you say when someone is rude to look into the windows of eternity! See with personal study or family you? (Clue: Search Elder David A. yourselves in the Lord’s holy temples. T home evening discussion. Bednar’s talk on page 89.) See yourselves living worthy and pure (Numbers in parentheses refer to the lives. Generations are depending on beginning page number of the talk.) Activities you!” Draw a picture of yourself near The list of stories may also help. 1. President James E. Faust taught a temple, or attach a picture of a that being a disciple means obeying temple to a mirror that you look into FOR CHILDREN the Savior. He said, “The blessings of each day. Remind yourself daily of Search the Words discipleship are readily available to all righteous goals and how you can 1. Fill in the blank: “I testify to who are willing to pay the price.” Fold stay worthy you that the Resurrection is not a a piece of paper in half. On one side to achieve ______.” (Clue: Search Elder Joseph B. write what you must “pay” to be a dis- them. Wirthlin’s talk on page 28.) What does ciple of Christ, such as studying the this mean? How can a testimony of scriptures, attending church, telling the Resurrection change the way you the truth, and being kind. On the other live each day? side write the

FOR YOUTH 1. Are there members of your class or quorum who are struggling? What can you do to help them? Read what President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Henry B. Eyring say about fulfilling our duty and caring for others. (56 and 43) 2. Read Bishop Richard C. Edgley’s story about the lodge towels. (72) What examples of STORIES TO READ AND SHARE In the talks beginning on the pages listed below, you’ll find stories and insights to share.

Father and son go bowling at 5:00 a.m., 9 Father is patient with son who knocks over motorcycles, 15 Martyrdom of Rafael Monroy and Vincente Morales, 20

Deacon takes recording of priesthood lesson to another deacon, 43 FOR ADULTS Father sacrifices to buy an ironing machine for his wife, 46 1. Why does Marcus B. Nash catches a fish, 49 President Gordon B. Boy blessed after a fall from a diving board, 51 Hinckley hope the next genera- tion will remember the pioneers? Priest gives collected food to a single mother, 53 How do we honor our “inheritance”— Boy finds king’s emerald while doing his duty, 56 the faithful sacrifices made by early Thomas S. Monson prompted to visit and bless hospitalized friend, 56 Latter-day Saints? What can we do to Young women carry Jami Palmer on a hike, 62 build upon the work they began? (82) 2. In what ways did their under- Waitress talks about the gospel with a truck driver, 69 standing of the Atonement Richard C. Edgley returns three towels he had taken, 72 affect how Elder Joseph B. Rich man takes newspapers from a vending machine, 72 Wirthlin and his wife lived Martha Paxman finds her lost wedding band, 82 their lives? (28) How has Handcart companies rescued on the plains, 82 that understanding com- forted Elder Wirthlin TOSPIN Pioneer leaders raise an ensign to the nations, 85 following his wife’s death? Man inspired to help blind farmer, 97 Consider sharing Elder Woman listens to general conference on a hike with friends, 104 Wirthlin’s talk with someone you Young mother feels unworthy of God’s love, 108 know who has lost a loved one. 3. Read the story Elder Robert C. Woman prompted to visit a grieving Relief Society sister, 113 Oaks told about the boy who knocked Anne C. Pingree seeks forgiveness from one she offended, 113 down the motorcycles. (15) How did Single mother with seven children prays for a night off, 115 the boy’s father react? In what ways Young couple pays tithing and does not go hungry, 115 can you be more patient with family members and others? What are Elder Oaks’s four suggestions for becoming more patient? ■ MRA RATIETA; PHOTOGRAPH OF BOWLING BALL AND PINS © PHO PHOTOGRAPH MRA RATIETA; PHOTOGRAPH OF HOOKS BY TA OF HOOKS BY PHOTOGRAPH

integrity can you share from your own 4. What are experience? Resolve now to be honest some evils you in your dealings with others. must avoid in order 3. Ask yourself if you have a “here I not to be lured away am; now inspire me” attitude. If so, from a “happy, gospel- how can you change? Review the talk centered life”? Read by Sunday School general president about the “hook” behind A. Roger Merrill about gaining more the lures in Elder Marcus B. from talks and lessons. (92) Nash’s talk on page 49.

NOVEMBER 2006 121 Jeffrey R. Holland, “To Young Improve Communication in Our Aaronic Priesthood Women,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. Families.” 2005, 28. Use Elder Holland’s counsel Personal Progress, “Standards for on how to be a woman of Christ to the Strength of Youth: Language.” and Young Women enhance the section on obeying the Lesson 9: A Young Woman as a commandments. Peacemaker in Her Home Resource Guides Elaine S. Dalton, “Press Forward Susan W. Tanner, “I Am the Light and Be Steadfast,” Liahona and Which Ye Shall Hold Up,” Liahona he following resources may be sections on Jesus Christ to supple- Ensign, May 2003, 105. Use the sto- and Ensign, May 2006, 103. Consider Tused to supplement, but not ment “Each Young Woman Needs to ries in the article to illustrate how to using Raluca’s story in place of the replace, lessons in Aaronic Know Jesus Christ.” fulfill divine roles. story in the lesson. Priesthood Manual 2 and Young Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Christlike Personal Progress, “Divine Nature “Questions and Answers,” New Women Manual 2. In the references, Attributes—the Wind beneath Value Experiences,” no. 2. Era, Jan. 2003, 16. Use the sugges- Duty to God stands for the Aaronic Our Wings,” Liahona and Ensign, Lesson 5: Home Environment tions from the article during the pres- Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to Nov. 2005, 100. Use the last three Susan W. Tanner, “Strengthening entation by the young women. God guidebooks. Personal Progress paragraphs of the article to conclude Future Mothers,” Liahona, June 2005, Personal Progress, “Divine Nature stands for the Young Women the discussion on becoming like 16; Ensign, June 2005, 20. Include the Value Experiences,” no. 7. Personal Progress booklet. Some Christ. five points to show how young women Lesson 10: The Priesthood: A Great Duty to God and Personal Progress Keith B. McMullin, “Jesus, the can enrich their home environment. Blessing activities listed in the guides may be Very Thought of Thee,” Liahona and Julie B. Beck, “A ‘Mother Heart,’ ” James E. Faust, “The Restoration worked on during lesson time, or you Ensign, May 2004, 33. Use to supple- Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 75. of All Things,” Liahona and Ensign, may encourage quorum or class ment the section “Through Her Use in the discussion on the role of a May 2006, 61. Use at the beginning of members to complete them at home. Efforts, a Young Woman Can Draw mother. the lesson. Additional teaching suggestions are Closer to the Savior.” Personal Progress, “Divine Nature Julie B. Beck, “An Outpouring of found in the Liahona on page 1, in Personal Progress, “Faith Value Value Experiences,” no. 3. Blessings,” Liahona and Ensign, May the New Era on the “What’s in It for Experiences,” no. 5. Lesson 6: Sharing Work in the Home 2006, 11. Use when listing the bless- You” page, and in Teaching, No Lesson 2: Spiritual Gifts L. Tom Perry, “A Solemn ings received through the priesthood. Greater Call. Robert D. Hales, “Gifts of the Responsibility to Love and Care for Lesson 11: Appreciating the Bishop Please teach the lessons in the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 12. Use in Each Other,” Liahona, June 2006, 56; Gordon B. Hinckley, “The order they are printed. The manual the discussion at the beginning of the Ensign, June 2006, 88. Use the section Shepherds of Israel,” Liahona and does not include a specific Easter les- lesson to explain different gifts. titled “Involving Family Members” at Ensign, Nov. 2003, 60. Replace the first son. If you want to teach a special Mervyn B. Arnold, “Seek Ye the beginning of the lesson. quotation with President Hinckley’s Easter lesson, consider using scrip- Earnestly the Best Gifts,” Ensign, Mar. Melanie Silvester, “The Day the description of bishops. tures, conference addresses, Church 2005, 64. Use the article to discuss the Dishwasher Broke,” Ensign, Feb. Henry B. Eyring, “Your Friend the magazine articles, pictures, and best gifts and how to obtain them. 2003, 18. Consider using this story Bishop,” New Era, Oct. 2002, 10. If hymns that focus on the life and mis- Julie B. Beck, “An Outpouring of instead of the story about Carolyn. the bishop is unable to visit, use Elder sion of the Savior. Blessings,” Liahona and Ensign, May Personal Progress, “Good Works Eyring’s description of a bishop’s To find non-English versions of 2006, 11. Use as an example of the Value Experiences,” no. 1. interview. the resource guides in some lan- gift of healing. Lesson 7: Living in Love and Lesson 12: Fathers’ Blessings guages, go to www.lds.org, click on Personal Progress, “Individual Harmony L. Tom Perry, “Fatherhood, an the world map, and select a language. Worth Value Experiences,” no. 7. Susan W. Tanner, “Did I Tell Eternal Calling,” Liahona and Ensign, Click on “Liahona,” then the Lesson 3: Building the Kingdom You . . . ?” Liahona and Ensign, May May 2004, 69. Discuss the article’s November 2006 issue. The English of God 2003, 73. Consider using the article to section “Father’s Roles” in “A Father version of the resource guides can be Stephen B. Oveson and Dixie introduce the lesson. Can Bless His Children through the found at www.lds.org by clicking on Randall Oveson, “Personal Consecra- Janet Thomas, “Sister Connection,” Priesthood.” “Gospel Library.” There are links to tion,” Liahona, Sept. 2005, 16; Ensign, New Era, June 2003, 26. After the story Merrill J. Bateman, “Priesthood, the most current resource guides in Sept. 2005, 42. Use the article with in the lesson, consider using some of Keys, and the Power to Bless,” the right column. “Sacrifice Helps Us Prepare to Live in the examples from the article to begin Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 50. Future resource guides will be the Presence of God.” a discussion. Consider adding Elder Bateman’s printed in the May and November Kathleen H. Hughes, “That We Personal Progress, “Individual story of Michael when discussing issues of the Liahona and Ensign. May All Sit Down in Heaven Together,” Worth Value Experiences,” no. 3. school blessings. The Church magazines (in some lan- Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 110. Lesson 8: Improving Lesson 13: Patriarchal Blessings guages) can be found online at Use examples from the article to show Communication Skills James E. Faust, “Your Patriarchal www.lds.org. ways of sacrificing for the Church. J. Thomas Cearley, “Stop Using Blessing,” New Era, Nov. 2005, 4. Use “Sacrifice: Key to the Abundant Words That Hurt,” Ensign, Mar. 2006, President Faust’s description of when Life,” Ensign, Mar. 2004, 54. Use the 58. Use when discussing how to com- patriarchal blessings are fulfilled as Resource Guide quotes to enhance the lesson’s major municate with family members. part of the conclusion. points. Shanna Butler, “How to Talk to Julie B. Beck, “You Have a Noble for Young Women Lesson 4: Obeying Commandments Your Parents,” New Era, June 2005, Birthright,” Liahona and Ensign, May Manual 2 Helps Us Fulfill Our Divine Roles 30. Use the tips from the article in 2006, 106. Incorporate Sister Beck’s For use in 2007, lessons 1–25 Gordon B. Hinckley, “How Can I place of the role play. counsel on patriarchal blessings in Lesson 1: Drawing Closer to Jesus Become the Woman of Whom I “Questions and Answers,” the quotations read aloud. Christ Dream?” Liahona, July 2001, 112; Liahona, Feb. 2004, 30; New Era, “About Patriarchal Blessings,” Gordon B. Hinckley, “In These Ensign, May 2001, 93; New Era, Nov. Feb. 2004, 16. Use the suggestions at Liahona, Mar. 2004, 18; New Era, Three I Believe,” Liahona and 2001, 4. Use throughout the lesson to the beginning of the article in the les- Mar. 2004, 32. Use the answers in the Ensign, July 2006, 2. Use the article’s help explain divine worth. son’s section “We Can Help to article to answer the young women’s

122 questions on patriarchal blessings. Personal Progress, “Individual Personal Progress, “Individual Worth Value Experiences,” no. 5. Worth Value Experiences,” no. 6. Lesson 18: A Heritage of Righteous Lesson 14: The Blessings of the Traditions Temple Ronald A. Rasband, “Our Rising Russell M. Nelson, “Young Adults Generation,” Liahona and Ensign, and the Temple,” Liahona, Feb. 2006, May 2006, 46. Add the baptism for the 10; Ensign, Feb. 2006, 12. Enhance the dead story to President Kimball’s story. discussion on revelation with the arti- H. Ross Workman, “Breaking the cle’s section “Continuing Revelation.” Chains of Sin,” Liahona, July 2006, Russell M. Nelson, “Prepare for 36; Ensign, July 2006, 52. Use Elder Blessings of the Temple,” Ensign, Mar. Workman’s discussion of freedom 2002, 16. Use Elder Nelson’s article in versus captivity in the lesson’s section place of the conclusion to discuss “Distinguishing between Righteous preparation for the temple. and Worldly Traditions.” Personal Progress, “Integrity Shanna Ghaznavi, “A New Value Experiences,” no. 1. Tradition,” New Era, Apr. 2002, 20. Lesson 15: Temple Marriage Use the article’s discussion about tra- Gordon B. Hinckley, “The ditions to illustrate the importance of Marriage That Endures,” Liahona and choosing righteous traditions. 2003, 48. Use the “Letters and Won Yong Ko, “Sacrifice Is a Joy Ensign, July 2003, 2. Consider substi- Lesson 19: Preparing to Teach Packages” counsel in the lesson’s and a Blessing,” Liahona and Ensign, tuting the section in the article “Marry Others section “Letters Can Support and Nov. 2005, 92. Use in the conclusion Right and Live Right” for LeGrand M. Russell Ballard, “Creating a Encourage Missionaries.” as an example of how sacrifice brings Richards’s story. Gospel-Sharing Home,” Liahona and Lesson 22: Counseling with the Lord blessings. Robert D. Hales, “Preparing for a Ensign, May 2006, 84. Consider shar- Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Improving Heavenly Marriage,” Liahona, Feb. ing the ideas in the article in the les- Our Prayers,” Liahona, Aug. 2004, 16; 2006, 16; New Era, Feb. 2006, 2. son’s section “We Can Develop Skills Ensign, Mar. 2004, 24. Use the arti- Resource Guide for Include Elder Hales’s counsel on That Will Help Us Teach the Gospel.” cle’s section “A Pattern for Prayer” in setting an eternal course in the M. Russell Ballard, “One More,” the discussion on prayer. Aaronic Priesthood conclusion. Liahona and Ensign, May 2005, 69. Richard G. Scott, “Recognizing Manual 2 Lesson 16: Journals Include the MTC wish list from the Answers to Prayer,” New Era, Aug. For use in 2007, lessons 1–25 Gordon B. Hinckley, “Seek Ye the article after the role play in the lesson 2003, 4. Use the first part of the arti- Lesson 1: Who Am I? Kingdom of God,” Liahona and introduction. cle to discuss how we communicate James E. Faust, “Who Do You Ensign, May 2006, 81. Share portions Shanna Butler, Adam C. Olson, with the Lord. Think You Are?—A Message to of President Hinckley’s journal entries and Roger Terry, “Preaching His Personal Progress, “Faith Value Youth,” Liahona, June 2001, 2; in the lesson’s section about prophetic Gospel,” Liahona, Sept. 2005, 10; Experiences,” no. 1. Ensign, Mar. 2001, 2. Use the article counsel regarding journals. Shanna Butler, “Preparing to Preach Lesson 23: Fasting Brings Blessings to supplement appropriate parts of Spencer W. Kimball, “The Angels His Gospel,” New Era, Sept. 2005, 20. Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Law of the lesson. May Quote from It,” New Era, Feb. Use ideas from the “Prepare, Prepare, the Fast,” Liahona, July 2001, 88; Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Growing into 2003, 32. Use “Your Personal Record” Prepare” section of the article to Ensign, May 2001, 73. Use the article the Priesthood,” Liahona, Jan. 2000, from the article to enhance President enhance lesson application. to help supplement the young 45; “You’ll Grow into It,” New Era, Kimball’s quote. Lesson 20: Sharing the Gospel women’s answers concerning fasting. Nov. 2000, 4. Use to help with the dis- “Questions and Answers,” New Thomas S. Monson, “The Prophet Ronald T. Halverson, “The cussion on how to become like our Era, Sept. 2003, 16. Include the ques- Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example,” Heavens Rained,” Liahona, Aug. Heavenly Father. tions and answers from the article in Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 67. 2004, 42; New Era, Aug. 2004, 44. Glenn L. Pace, “Confidence and the lesson’s conclusion about the Use President Monson’s principles of Consider using this story instead of Self-Worth,” Ensign, Jan. 2005, 32. Use purposes of journal keeping. character to enhance the discussion Matthew Cowley’s story. the section “Our Eternal Nature and Lesson 17: Keeping Family History about the importance of example in Personal Progress, “Integrity Destiny” to supplement the conclu- Records missionary work. Value Experiences,” no. 6. sion of the lesson. James E. Faust, “The Phenomenon Dallin H. Oaks, “Sharing the Lesson 24: Revelation in Our Daily Duty to God (Priest), “Educational, That Is You,” Liahona and Ensign, Gospel,” Liahona, Jan. 2002, 7; Lives Personal, and Career Development,” Nov. 2003, 53. Relate President Faust’s Ensign, Nov. 2001, 7. Use the “How to James E. Faust, “Communion with no. 7. stories to underscore the purpose of Do It” section of the article to supple- the Holy Spirit,” Liahona and Ensign, Lesson 2: Knowing Our Father in family history in the first section. ment the discussion of how a young Mar. 2002, 2. Use President Faust’s Heaven Boyd K. Packer, “Your Family woman prepares to share the gospel. discussion of how to receive personal Gordon B. Hinckley, “Inspirational History: Getting Started,” Liahona Personal Progress, “Good Works revelation in the second section. Thoughts,” Liahona and Ensign, Mar. and Ensign, Aug. 2003, 12. Use the Value Experiences,” no. 7. Dallin H. Oaks, “Eight Reasons for 2006, 2. Use the section “Believe in article’s section “How to Begin” as a Lesson 21: Sustaining Missionaries Revelation,” Liahona, Sept. 2004, 8; God” to introduce the lesson. Use “A supplement to “Family Records Begin through Letters “Eight Ways God Can Speak to You,” Royal Priesthood” and “Be Loyal to with a Pedigree Chart and Family David A. Bednar, “Becoming a New Era, Sept. 2004, 4. Use the eight the Church” with the section about Group Record.” Missionary,” Liahona and Ensign, reasons as a conclusion to the lesson. responsibilities of the priesthood. Henry B. Eyring, “Hearts Bound Nov. 2005, 44. Use appropriate sec- Lesson 25: The Law of Sacrifice James E. Faust, “That We Might Together,” Liahona and Ensign, May tions of the article in discussing the M. Russell Ballard, “The Law of Know Thee,” Liahona, Feb. 1999, 2; 2005, 77. Use the article to introduce responsibilities of a missionary. Sacrifice,” Liahona, Mar. 2002, 10; Ensign, Jan. 1999, 2. Use as a supple- the lesson’s section “You Can Be a Dallas H. and Marjorie S. Bradford, Ensign, Oct. 1998, 6. Use the article to ment throughout the lesson. Binding Link in Your Ancestral Chain.” “Helping from Home,” Ensign, July supplement the first part of the lesson. Elaine S. Dalton, “He Knows You

NOVEMBER 2006 123 by Name,” Liahona and Ensign, May Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 6. Use Lesson 15: Exaltation through 2005, 109. Use to supplement the sec- to supplement the discussion about Keeping Covenants tion about God knowing you by name. Nephi, Lehi, and the brass plates. Richard J. Maynes, “Keeping Our Lesson 3: Faith in Jesus Christ Andrea Cartwright, “Creative Covenants,” Liahona and Ensign, Gordon B. Hinckley, “In These Scripture Study,” New Era, May 2006, Nov. 2004, 92. In the lesson’s discus- Three I Believe,” Liahona and Ensign, 15. Use this list to supplement the list sion on keeping covenants, include July 2006, 2. Use to supplement “We in the lesson. the example of the Ammonites. Should Have Faith in Jesus Christ” at Duty to God (Deacon, Teacher, L. Aldin Porter, “Come to the the beginning of the lesson. Priest), “Family Activities,” no. 1. Temple,” New Era, Oct. 2004, 8. Earl C. Tingey, “The Great Plan of Lesson 11: Satan and His When discussing endowments, use Happiness,” Liahona and Ensign, Temptations President Porter’s answers to help May 2006, 72. Use to help explain the James E. Faust, “Voice of the answer the young men’s questions. Atonement. Spirit,” Liahona and Ensign, June Duty to God (Priest), “Quorum “From the Garden to the Empty 2006, 2. Use the section “Hearing Activities,” no. 1. Tomb,” Liahona, Apr. 2006, 8; Ensign, Righteous Voices” in discussing how Lesson 16: Tithes and Offerings Apr. 2006, 12. Use to supplement the to resist Satan. Earl C. Tingey, “Establishing discussion on the Atonement. Dallin H. Oaks, “Be Not Deceived,” Eternal Patterns,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, Duty to God (Deacon), “Spiritual Our Best Selves,” Liahona and Ensign, Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2004, 43. 20; Ensign, Oct. 2004, 32. Consider Development,” nos. 1 and 2. Apr. 2006, 2. When discussing what Use Elder Oaks’s discussion on Satan’s using the article’s discussion about Lesson 4: Companionship of the class members have learned from methods of deception when discussing tithes and offerings to introduce the Holy Ghost their families, read the section titled “Satan’s Work Is to Destroy Us.” lesson’s section “We Should Learn to Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The “Choosing the Family Path.” Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual Pay Tithes and Offerings.” Unspeakable Gift,” Liahona and M. Russell Ballard, “What Matters Development,” no. 5. Stephen B. Oveson and Dixie Ensign, May 2003, 26. Use to help Most Is What Lasts Longest,” Liahona Lesson 12: Prayer Randall Oveson, “Personal Conse- explain the gift of the Holy Ghost and and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 41. Use to Dallin H. Oaks, “The Special cration,” Liahona, Sept. 2005, 16; how it functions. supplement the introduction of the Language of Prayer,” New Era, Ensign, Sept. 2005, 42. Use the arti- David A. Bednar, “That We May lesson. Jan. 2006, 2. Use the section “Tips cle’s section “More Than Tithing” Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,” Ronald A. Rasband, “Our Rising for Improving Your Prayers” in the before relating President Packer’s Liahona and Ensign, May 2006, 28. Generation,” Liahona and Ensign, lesson’s conclusion. story in the lesson’s introduction. Use as a supplement throughout the May 2006, 46. Start the lesson with the Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Improving Kathleen H. Hughes, “Out of lesson. spiritual experience Elder Rasband Our Prayers,” Liahona, Aug. 2004, 16; Small Things,” Liahona and Ensign, Carlos E. Asay, “The Companion- and his family had in Preston, England. Ensign, Mar. 2004, 24. Consider using Nov. 2004, 109. Begin the lesson’s ship of the Holy Ghost,” Tambuli, Duty to God (Deacon), “Citizen- “A Pattern for Prayer” in place of the section about the blessings of tithing Aug. 1988, 34; “Courting the Spirit,” ship and Social Development,” no. 4. beginning story. by sharing the corresponding section New Era, Aug. 1990, 32. Use Elder Lesson 8: Spirituality Duty to God (Deacon, Teacher, in the article. Asay’s steps to help explain what we Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “On the Wings Priest), “Priesthood Duties and Duty to God (Deacon), “Priesthood should do to have the Spirit with us. of Eagles,” Liahona, July 2006, 14; Standards,” no. 3. Duties and Standards,” nos. 7 and 9; Lesson 5: Agency Ensign, July 2006, 10. Use the article’s Lesson 13: Fasting (Teacher, Priest), “Priesthood Duties Robert D. Hales, “To Act for section “You Have to Learn to Control Carl B. Pratt, “The Blessings of a and Standards,” no. 8. Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Yourself” to supplement the story Proper Fast,” Liahona and Ensign, Lesson 17: Patriarchal Blessings Agency,” Liahona and Ensign, May and discussion. Nov. 2004, 47. Use Elder Pratt’s James E. Faust, “Your Patriarchal 2006, 4. Use at the beginning of the “Putting Off the Natural Man,” descriptions of fasting when dis- Blessing,” New Era, Nov. 2005, 4. Use lesson to help explain agency. Liahona, July 2006, 30; Ensign, July cussing “Fasting Is More than Going the article’s section about adoption Wolfgang H. Paul, “The Gift of 2006, 56. Use as a supplement without Food.” into the house of Israel to help Agency,” Liahona and Ensign, May throughout the lesson. Ronald T. Halverson, “The answer quiz question no. 3 about 2006, 34. Use as a supplement Lesson 9: Repentance and the Heavens Rained,” Liahona, Aug. declaring lineage. throughout the lesson. Atonement of Jesus Christ 2004, 42; New Era, Aug. 2004, 44. Julie B. Beck, “You Have a Noble “Keep Yourself Free,” Liahona, Boyd K. Packer, “I Will Remember Consider using in place of one of the Birthright,” Liahona and Ensign, May Feb. 2003, 33; New Era, Feb. 2003, 19. Your Sins No More,” Liahona and fasting stories. 2006, 106. Include Sister Beck’s coun- Lesson 6: Christlike Service Ensign, May 2006, 25. Use as a sup- Duty to God (Deacon), “Quorum sel about preparing to receive a patri- Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Need plement when discussing Alma and Activities,” no. 2. archal blessing in answering quiz for Greater Kindness,” Liahona and Corianton. Lesson 14: Obedience to God question no. 8. Ensign, May 2006, 58. Use President Jeffrey R. Holland, “Broken Henry B. Eyring, “Spiritual “About Patriarchal Blessings,” Hinckley’s examples of kindness to Things to Mend,” Liahona and Preparedness: Start Early and Be Liahona, Mar. 2004, 18; New Era, supplement the lesson. Ensign, May 2006, 69. Use Elder Steady,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. Mar. 2004, 32. Use the information in Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Virtue of Holland’s second point concerning 2005, 37. Discuss Elder Eyring’s the article to supplement the answers Kindness,” Liahona and Ensign, May how to come unto Christ to intro- ways we can prepare now in the to the quiz questions. 2005, 26. Use Elder Wirthlin’s exam- duce repentance. “Obedience Brings Freedom and Duty to God (Priest), “Family ples of kindness at the beginning of Richard G. Hinckley, “Repentance, Happiness” section of the lesson. Activities,” no. 3. the lesson. a Blessing of Membership,” Liahona Kenneth Johnson, “The Proof Lesson 18: Duties of a Teacher in Duty to God (Teacher), “Citizen- and Ensign, May 2006, 48. Consider Is in the Doing,” New Era, Mar. 2005, the Aaronic Priesthood ship and Social Development,” no. 3; using the investigator’s repentance 42. Use the section “Applying What James E. Faust, “Power of the (Priest), “Spiritual Development,” no. 9. story in place of the story in the lesson. We Know” in the conclusion of the Priesthood,” Ensign, May 1997, 41. Lesson 7: The Eternal Importance Lesson 10: Studying the Scriptures lesson. Include the story of Brother Johnson to of Families L. Tom Perry, “Blessings Resulting Duty to God (Priest), “Family supplement the lesson’s introduction Thomas S. Monson, “Becoming from Reading the Book of Mormon,” Activities,” no. 1. on the importance of a good example.

124 General Auxiliary Presidencies

SUNDAY SCHOOL “Priesthood Restored,” Liahona, appropriate sections of the article Apr. 2004, 30; “A Worldwide Priest- when discussing the duties of an elder. hood,” New Era, May 2004, 44. Use Duty to God (Priest), “Quorum the article’s discussion of a teacher’s Activities,” no. 4. duties to enhance the lesson’s section Lesson 22: Patriarchal Leadership on that subject. in the Home Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual James E. Faust, “The Father Who Development,” no. 1. Cares,” Liahona and Ensign, Sept. Lesson 19: A Broken Heart and a 2006, 2. Use the article’s section “To Contrite Spirit Strengthen Father” when discussing Daniel K Judd A. Roger Merrill William D. Oswald D. Todd Christofferson, “When how to support fathers. First Counselor President Second Counselor Thou Art Converted,” Liahona and F. Melvin Hammond, “Dad, Are Ensign, May 2004, 11. Use the article’s You Awake?” Liahona and Ensign, RELIEF SOCIETY discussion of a broken heart and a Nov. 2002, 97. Incorporate when dis- contrite spirit to enhance the lesson’s cussing ways to prepare for the young section “A New Form of Sacrifice.” men’s future families. Yoshihiko Kikuchi, “Broken Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual Windows, Broken Hearts,” Ensign, Development,” no. 11. Apr. 2004, 8. The story of the broken Lesson 23: Practical Preparation for window may be used to supplement a Mission any of the lesson’s sections. Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Robert K. Dellenbach, “Sacrifice Preach My Gospel,” Liahona and Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven,” Ensign, May 2005, 29. Use through- Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 33. out the lesson to discuss the impor- Kathleen H. Hughes Bonnie D. Parkin Anne C. Pingree Include the article’s discussion of sac- tance of becoming familiar with First Counselor President Second Counselor rifice to enhance the lesson’s section Preach My Gospel. “A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit.” David A. Bednar, “Becoming a YOUNG MEN Lesson 20: Administering the Missionary,” Liahona and Ensign, Sacrament Nov. 2005, 44. Discuss Elder Bednar’s Gordon B. Hinckley, “Upon You counsel on preparing for a mission at My Fellow Servants,” New Era, May the beginning of the lesson. 2002, 4. Use the article’s sections Duty to God (Deacon), “Spiritual “Baptism and the Sacrament” and “A Development,” nos. 9 and 10; Chosen Generation” to supplement (Teacher), “Spiritual Development,” the lesson’s discussion about admin- nos. 8 and 9; (Priest), “Spiritual istering the sacrament reverently. Development,” no. 8. James E. Faust, “A Royal Priest- Lesson 24: The Blessings of Work Dean R. Burgess Charles W. Dahlquist II Michael A. Neider hood,” Liahona and Ensign, May Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “See the End First Counselor President Second Counselor 2006, 50. Use the story of the care- from the Beginning,” Liahona and less deacons in the lesson’s section Ensign, May 2006, 42. Replace the YOUNG WOMEN “Administering the Sacrament countess story with Elder Uchtdorf’s Reverently.” laundry story. Robert C. Oaks, “Who’s on the W. Rolfe Kerr, “The Unprofitable Lord’s Side? Who?” Liahona and Servant,” Liahona, Oct. 2003, 26; Ensign, May 2005, 48. Use the first Ensign, Oct. 2003, 44. Consider half of the article to supplement the replacing the first quotation with lesson’s section “The Sacrament Is a Elder Kerr’s farm story. Holy Ordinance.” Duty to God (Teacher), Duty to God (Deacon), “Quorum “Educational, Personal, and Career Activities,” no. 7. Development,” no. 4; (Priest), Lesson 21: Preparing for the “Educational, Personal, and Career Julie B. Beck Susan W. Tanner Elaine S. Dalton Melchizedek Priesthood Development,” no. 3. First Counselor President Second Counselor James E. Faust, “The Key of the Lesson 25: Personal Purity through Knowledge of God,” Liahona and Self-discipline PRIMARY Ensign, Nov. 2004, 52. Discuss the James E. Faust, “The Enemy article’s three requirements of Within,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 54; New magnifying the priesthood in the Era, Mar. 2003, 4. Replace the first conclusion. quotation with President Faust’s Russell M. Nelson, “Keys of the discussion of our own enemy. Priesthood,” Liahona, Oct. 2005, 26; Bruce C. Hafen, “The Gospel and Ensign, Oct. 2005, 40. Include Elder Romantic Love,” New Era, Feb. 2002, Nelson’s definition of keys when 10. Include Elder Hafen’s conclusion discussing the privileges of the when discussing conduct toward the Melchizedek Priesthood. opposite sex. Margaret S. Lifferth Cheryl C. Lant Vicki F. Matsumori Bruce R. McConkie, “Only an Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual First Counselor President Second Counselor Elder,” New Era, Jan. 2003, 36. Use Development,” no. 5. ■

NOVEMBER 2006 125 President Hinckley, Church Are in Good Health By Kate McNeil, Church Magazines

uring the 176th days. President Hinckley Semiannual General celebrated his 96th birthday DConference, President on June 23. Gordon B. Hinckley reported More than 100,000 people that he and the Church are attended sessions of confer- both in good health. ence at the Conference “I feel well,” the 96-year- Center in Salt Lake City, and Top: Members line up through Temple Square for a chance to old prophet said. “My health millions more watched world- attend conference. Above: President Gordon B. Hinckley and is reasonably good.” wide. Conference talks were President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency greet President Hinckley quoted translated into 85 languages, conferencegoers. his doctors as saying his with Turkish being the most recovery from surgery in recently added. 124th temples were recently explained that the Salt Lake January and subsequent In the Saturday morning dedicated in Sacramento, Tabernacle, the facility on treatments has been “miracu- session, President Hinckley California, and Helsinki, Temple Square normally lous.” By early November reported on Church progress. Finland, respectively. used by the Tabernacle President Hinckley will “I can only report that the President Hinckley indicated Choir for the weekly broad- become the oldest President Lord is richly blessing His that the Church now owns cast of Music and the in the history of the restored Church,” said President 6,066 satellite receiving sites Spoken Word, is currently Church. President David O. Hinckley. “Our duty is to do in 83 countries, compared to under renovation. The McKay (1873–1970) died at all we can to move it forward.” only 300 in 1982. building will reopen in the age of 96 years and 132 The Church’s 123rd and President Hinckley also the spring of 2007, he

126 explained. The choir has Seventies were also released Rogers, was the grandson of needs. With the philosophy been broadcasting from the on Saturday: Elders Cesar A. S. Aurelia Spencer Rogers, the that where you are is the best Conference Center during Milder, Hyae-Kee Min, and first president of the Primary, place to serve, she enjoyed the renovations. Masayuki Nakano. organized in Utah in 1878. every opportunity to give of During the Saturday after- The year 2006 marks the Her mother, Bernice Young, herself. noon session, eight members 150th anniversary of the was the granddaughter of In a special place in her of the Second Quorum of the arrival of the handcart pio- Joseph Young, the brother of home is an antique chair Seventy were released from neers in the Salt Lake Valley. President Brigham Young. given to Sister Wirthlin by her full-time service as General “Their faith is our inheri- A graduate of the mother. She often sat in that Authorities of the Church. tance,” President Hinckley University of Utah with a chair and read the scriptures Those released are Elders said about the pioneers. degree in business education, and other materials for com- Ronald T. Halverson, Dale E. “Their faith is a reminder Sister Wirthlin worked as a fort, encouragement, and Miller, H. Bryan Richards, to us of the price they paid secretary in the administra- enjoyment. Playing tennis, Donald L. Staheli, David R. for the comforts we enjoy.” tion office of the university knitting, and walking were Stone, H. Bruce Stucki, In closing he said: “In . . . until she had her first child. additional interests Sister Robert J. Whetten, and this great cause, increased Later she helped her husband Wirthlin pursued. She also Richard H. Winkel. faith is what we most need. with secretarial work in their delighted in the association In addition, Erich W. Without it, the work would home while he managed the she and her husband had Kopischke, 49, of Frankfurt, stagnate. With it, no one family business. with their 8 children, 46 Germany, was called as an can stop [the Church’s] The Wirthlins are the par- grandchildren, and 49 great- Area Seventy. Three Area progress.” ■ ents of seven daughters and grandchildren. ■ one son. All of their children were students at Uintah Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin Elementary School, Roosevelt New Mutual Junior High School, and East Passes Away High School—the same Theme lisa Young Rogers schools Sister Wirthlin Wirthlin, wife of Elder attended in her youth. Announced EJoseph B. Wirthlin of While her children were the Quorum of the Twelve going to school she was for 2007 Apostles, passed away on active in the PTA, and as an n 2006 the youth of the August 16, 2006, of causes opera club member she Church shared their tal- incident to age. taught an opera appreciation Ients and testimonies as Elder Wirthlin commented class for children. they centered activities on on his eternal companion She did not travel often the Mutual theme “Arise and recently in the Saturday after- while the children were shine forth, that thy light may noon session of general con- young and went on her first be a standard for the nations” ference (see p. 28): “She was airplane flight when she was (D&C 115:5). my strength and my joy. in her 50s. Since that time she In 2007 the theme focuses Because of her, I am a better has traveled to many coun- on individual spiritual man, husband, and father. . . . Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin tries with her husband on strength. The new Mutual I owe more to my wife than I Church assignments. The theme comes from a revela- can possibly express. I don’t City. She and Elder Wirthlin Wirthlins lived in Germany tion to the Prophet Joseph know if there ever was a per- were married in the Salt Lake for five years, where she Smith during his deepest fect marriage, but, from my Temple on May 26, 1941, by developed a great love for the hour of despair in Liberty Jail: perspective, I think ours was. David O. McKay, then a coun- country and the people. “Let virtue garnish thy . . . As Elisa was my greatest selor in the First Presidency. During her service in the thoughts unceasingly; then joy, now her passing is my Elder Wirthlin was called to auxiliaries in the Church, she shall thy confidence wax greatest sorrow.” be an Apostle in 1986. was deeply touched when strong in the presence of Elisa Rogers, the youngest Sister Wirthlin is a direct opportunities came to her to God” (D&C 121:45). of four children, was born on descendant of Utah pioneers. assist families suffering with In a joint statement, the June 22, 1919, in Salt Lake Her father, Orson Madsen sickness or having other Young Women and Young

NOVEMBER 2006 127 © GREG OLSEN JOSEPH SMITH IN LIBERTY JAIL JOSEPH SMITH IN LIBERTY

The Prophet Joseph Smith is depicted during his confinement in Liberty Jail, where he received the revelations recorded in Doctrine and Covenants sections 121 and 122. The 2007 Mutual theme is taken from D&C 121:45.

Men general presidencies say youth to find guidance for liv- meaning is to be chaste or Ensign, May 1990, 33). youth who struggle with in- ing a virtuous life in For the morally clean, but virtue in its Living lives of virtue brings security and doubt will find Strength of Youth (item no. fuller sense encompasses all the companionship of the hope in the new Mutual 36550). traits of righteousness that Holy Ghost, which brings theme. “Confidence ‘in the How can youth garnish help us form our character” inspiration from the Lord and presence of God’ is true con- their thoughts with virtue? (“The Virtues of Righteous confidence in His presence. fidence,” the statement says. President James E. Faust, Daughters of God,” Liahona In an August 1, 2006, letter “If you are confident in God’s Second Counselor in the First and Ensign, May 2003, 108). announcing the 2007 Mutual presence, you can feel confi- Presidency, says that “virtue Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin theme, the First Presidency dent around anyone else.” has many definitions, such as of the Quorum of the Twelve encouraged Young Men and Because “the Lord looketh moral excellence, right action Apostles explained how righ- Young Women leaders to on the heart” (1 Samuel and thinking, goodness of teousness affects our confi- emphasize the theme in 16:7), youth whose thoughts character, or chastity” (“How dence: “When we are doing Mutual opening exercises are virtuous will be confident Near to the Angels,” Ensign, what is right, we will not feel and other youth activities. the Lord accepts them and May 1998, 95). timid and hesitant about seek- Additional resource will more likely live virtuous “Many people do not fully ing divine direction. We will material regarding the lives. The Young Women understand the meaning of know the Lord will answer theme will be available in and Young Men general virtue,” President Faust said. our prayers and help us in our the January 2007 Liahona presidencies encourage “One commonly understood need” (“Personal Integrity,” and New Era. ■

128 DAVID LINN, MAY NOT BE COPIED NOT MAY LINN, DAVID © The Sacred Incline, by David Linn On October 23, 1856, the Willie handcart company made the steep five-mile (8-km) ascent up Rocky Ridge in snow and a howling wind. Though they wrapped themselves in quilts, several died. Yet the company pressed forward with hope and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ, as symbolized by the covering floating over their heads. o his son Helaman, Alma declared, ‘Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach Tthem to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Alma 37:33). May the Lord bless us with faith in the great cause of which we are a part. May faith be as a candle to guide us in the night by its light. May it go before us as a cloud in the day,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley during the Sunday morning session of the 176th Semiannual General Conference. 9 26911 Nov 06 26911 02269 11000 4