May 2004 Liahona

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • MAY 2004 Liahona General Conference Addresses MAY NOT BE COPIED NOT MAY Raising of the Daughter of Jairus, by Jeffrey Hein The Savior said of Jairus’s daughter, she “is not dead, but sleepeth. . . . He took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked. . . . And they were astonished with a great astonishment” (Mark 5:39, 41–42). THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • MAY 2004 Liahona

2 Conference Summary for the 174th 49 For the Strength of Youth GENERAL YOUNG WOMEN MEETING Annual General Conference Elder Earl C. Tingey 104 All Things Shall Work Together 51 Choices for Your Good SATURDAY MORNING SESSION President James E. Faust Susan W. Tanner 4 The Church Grows Stronger 54 The Call for Courage 107 My Soul Delighteth in the President Gordon B. Hinckley President Thomas S. Monson Scriptures 6 How Great the Wisdom and the Love 58 “I Was an Hungred, and Ye Gave Julie B. Beck Elder David B. Haight Me Meat” 110 Believe! 7 Preparation for the Second Coming President Gordon B. Hinckley Elaine S. Dalton Elder Dallin H. Oaks 112 Stay on the High Road 11 When Thou Art Converted SUNDAY MORNING SESSION President Gordon B. Hinckley Elder D. Todd Christofferson 61 Did You Get the Right Message? President James E. Faust 64 General Authorities of The Church 14 The Finished Story of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gayle M. Clegg 69 Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling Elder L. Tom Perry 116 They Spoke to Us: Making 16 In the Strength of the Lord Conference Part of Our Lives Elder Henry B. Eyring 73 But If Not . . . 118 Instructional Resources 20 Your Personal Influence Elder Dennis E. Simmons President Thomas S. Monson 75 A “Mother Heart” 122 General Auxiliary Presidencies Julie B. Beck 123 News of the Church SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 77 Do Not Fear 24 The Sustaining of Church Officers President Boyd K. Packer President Thomas S. Monson 81 The Dawning of a Brighter Day 25 Church Auditing Department President Gordon B. Hinckley Report, 2003 Wesley L. Jones SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 26 Statistical Report, 2003 84 The Atonement and the Value F. Michael Watson of One Soul 27 Roots and Branches Elder M. Russell Ballard Elder Russell M. Nelson 88 With All the Feeling of a 30 “Abide in Me” Tender Parent: A Message Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of Hope to Families Elder Robert D. Hales 33 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Bishop Keith B. McMullin 92 Standing Spotless before the Lord 36 The Words of Christ—Our Elder Clate W. Mask Jr. Spiritual Liahona Elder W. Rolfe Kerr 94 Marriage and Family: Our Sacred Responsibility 38 Applying the Simple and Plain Elder W. Douglas Shumway Gospel Principles in the Family Elder Francisco J. Viñas 97 The Atonement: All for All Elder Bruce C. Hafen 40 Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin 100 How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil PRIESTHOOD SESSION Elder Richard G. Scott 44 Remember How Merciful the Lord 103 Concluding Remarks Hath Been President Gordon B. Elder Neal A. Maxwell Hinckley 46 Strengthen Thy Brethren Elder Mervyn B. Arnold in Her Beauty Rise,” Hymns, no. 41, arr. Conference Summary for the 174th Wilberg, unpublished; “Oh, What Songs of the Heart,” Hymns, no. 286, arr. Wilberg, Annual General Conference pub. Deseret Book (flutists: Jeannine Goeckeritz, Tiffany McCleary, Jennifer Gremillion, and Lisa Smith; harpist: Tamara SATURDAY MORNING, 3 APRIL 2004, Benediction: Elder Craig C. Christensen. Oswald); “We Thank Thee, O God, for a GENERAL SESSION Music by a priesthood choir from Orem and Prophet,” Hymns, no. 19; “Lord, I Would Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Salt Lake institutes; Douglas Brenchley, Don Follow Thee,” Hymns, no. 220; “God Be Conducting: President James E. Faust. Keaton, and Ryan Eggett, directors; John with You Till We Meet Again,” Hymns, Invocation: Elder Ronald A. Rasband. Longhurst and Clay Christiansen, organists: no. 152. Benediction: Elder Wayne S. Peterson. “Praise the Lord with Heart and Voice,” Music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Hymns, no. 73, arr. Beebe, pub. Larice; SATURDAY EVENING, 27 MARCH 2004, Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg, directors; “Beautiful Savior,” Children’s Songbook, GENERAL YOUNG WOMEN MEETING Clay Christiansen, organist: “Press Forward, 62–63; “Praise to the Man,” Hymns, no. 27; Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Saints,” Hymns, no. 81; “For the Beauty of “Redeemer of Israel,” Hymns, no. 6, arr. Conducting: Susan W. Tanner. Invocation: the Earth,” Hymns, no. 92; “My Heavenly Wilberg, unpublished. Selu Fotu. Benediction: Carly Runia. Music Father Loves Me,” Children’s Songbook, by a Young Women choir from stakes in 228–29; “Now Let Us Rejoice,” Hymns, SUNDAY MORNING, 4 APRIL 2004, Sandy, Utah; Marie Monson, director; no. 3; “We Are Sowing,” Hymns, no. 216, GENERAL SESSION Bonnie Goodliffe, organist: “The Light arr. Wilberg, unpublished; “Come, Come, Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Divine,” Hymns, no. 305; “A Child’s Prayer,” Ye Saints,” Hymns, no. 30, arr. Wilberg, Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. Children’s Songbook, 12–13, arr. Perry, pub. unpublished. Invocation: Elder Walter F. González. Jackman; “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” Benediction: Elder James M. Dunn. Music Hymns, no. 26, arr. Kasen, unpublished; SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 3 APRIL 2004, by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Craig “True to the Faith,” Hymns, no. 254, arr. GENERAL SESSION Jessop and Mack Wilberg, directors; Richard Bastian, unpublished. Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Elliott, organist: “How Firm a Foundation,” Conducting: President James E. Faust. Hymns, no. 85; “There Is Sunshine in My CONFERENCE RECORDINGS AVAILABLE Invocation: Elder L. Whitney Clayton. Soul Today,” Hymns, no. 227, arr. Wilberg, Recordings of conference sessions are Benediction: Elder Steven E. Snow. Music unpublished; “How Lovely Are the available in many languages at distribution by a Relief Society choir from stakes in Salt Messengers,” Mendelssohn, pub. Jackman; centers, generally within two months Lake City; Vanja Y. Watkins, director; Bonnie “Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah,” Hymns, following conference. Goodliffe, organist: “Dearest Children, God no. 83; “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Is Near You,” Hymns, no. 96, arr. Watkins, Hymns, no. 136, arr. Wilberg, unpublished CONFERENCE TALKS ON INTERNET unpublished; “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” (soloist: Liriel Domiciano); “Faith in Every To access general conference talks on Hymns, no. 108, arr. Yorgason, unpublished; Footstep,” Dayley, pub. Jackman. the Internet in many languages, visit “Let Us All Press On,” Hymns, no. 243; www.lds.org. Click on the world map in “Come, Ye Children of the Lord,” Hymns, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 4 APRIL 2004, the upper right corner of the home page. no. 58; “Go Forth with Faith,” Hymns, GENERAL SESSION Then select a language. no. 263. Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. HOME AND VISITING TEACHING MESSAGES SATURDAY EVENING, 3 APRIL 2004, Invocation: Elder Robert F. Orton. For home and visiting teaching messages, PRIESTHOOD SESSION Benediction: Elder Daryl H. Garn. Music by please select an address that best meets the Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop needs of those you visit. Conducting: President James E. Faust. and Mack Wilberg, directors; Linda Margetts Invocation: Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. and Bonnie Goodliffe, organists: “Let Zion ON THE COVER Front: The Last Supper, by Simon Dewey, courtesy of Altus Fine Art, American Fork, Utah, may not be copied.

CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHY Scenes of general conference in Salt Lake City were taken by Craig Dimond, Welden C. Andersen, John Luke, Matthew Reier, Kelly Larsen, Christina Smith, Tamra H. Ratieta, Tamara Lamantia, Les Nilsson, Mark Hedengren, Lawrence Porter, and Royce Bair; in Russia by Vladimir Egorov; in Japan by Takuji Okada and Osamu Sekiguchi; in Ghana by Michael and Marged Kirkpatrick; and in Germany by Mark McKenzie.

2 May 2004 Vol. 28 No. 5 LIAHONA 24985 Official international 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, David B. Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring

Editor: Dennis B. Neuenschwander Advisers: E. Ray Bateman, Monte J. Brough, Jay E. Jensen, Stephen A. West Managing Director: David Frischknecht Planning and Editorial Director: Victor D. Cave Graphics Director: Allan R. Loyborg

Magazines Editorial Director: Richard M. Romney Managing Editor: Marvin K. Gardner Editorial Staff: Collette Nebeker Aune, Susan Barrett, Shanna Butler, Ryan Carr, Linda Stahle Cooper, LaRene Porter Gaunt, Jenifer L. Greenwood, R. Val Johnson, Carrie Kasten, Melvin Leavitt, Sally J. Odekirk, Adam C. Olson, Judith M. Paller, Vivian Paulsen, Don L. Searle, Rebecca M. Taylor, Roger Terry, Janet Thomas, Paul VanDenBerghe, Julie Wardell, Kimberly Webb, Monica Weeks

Managing Art Director: M. M. Kawasaki Art Director: Scott Van Kampen Production Manager: Jane Ann Peters Design and Production Staff: Kelli Allen-Pratt, Howard G. Brown, Thomas S. Child, Reginald J. Christensen, Kathleen SPEAKERS LISTED IN TOPIC INDEX Mercy, 44 Howard, Denise Kirby, Tadd R. Peterson, Randall J. Pixton, ALPHABETICAL ORDER Activation, 20, 46 Missionary work, 30 Kari A. Todd, Claudia E. Warner Arnold, Mervyn B., 46 Adversity, 16, 54, 97 Morality, 4, 112 Marketing Manager: Larry Hiller Ballard, M. Russell, 84 Agency, 51, 73, 100 Motherhood, 75 Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick Distribution Director: Kris T Christensen Beck, Julie B., 75, 107 Articles of Faith, 27 Parenthood, 88, 94 Christofferson, D. Todd, 11 Atonement, 33, 38, 84, Patience, 44 For subscriptions and prices outside the United States and Canada, contact your local Church distribution center or Clegg, Gayle M., 14 92, 97 Perpetual Education ward or branch leader. Dalton, Elaine S., 110 Book of Mormon, 36 Fund, 58 Send manuscripts and queries to Liahona, Room 2420, Eyring, Henry B., 16 Children, 75, 77, 88 Perseverance, 14, 44 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, Faust, James E., 51, 61 Church growth, 4 Prayer, 6, 11, 16, 33, 38, 51, USA; e-mail: [email protected]. Hafen, Bruce C., 97 Confidence, 73, 104, 110 103, 110, 112 The Liahona (a Book of Mormon term meaning “compass” or “director”) is published in Albanian, Armenian (East), Haight, David B., 6 Conversion, 11, 27, 30 Preparation, 7 Bulgarian, Cambodian, Cebuano, Chinese, Croatian, Hales, Robert D., 88 Convert retention, 30 Priesthood, 46 Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Fijian, Finnish, Hinckley, Gordon B., 4, 58, Couple missionaries, 30, 58 Prophets, 36, 61 French, German, Haitian, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kiribati, Korean, Latvian, 81, 103, 112 Courage, 54, 104 Repentance, 7, 11, 38, 51, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Marshallese, Mongolian, Holland, Jeffrey R., 30 Covenants, 7, 75 92, 97, 100, 103, 112 Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Sinhala, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Kerr, W. Rolfe, 36 Debt, 40 Responsibility, 20, 46, 51, 81 Tahitian, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tongan, Ukrainian, and Mask, Clate W., Jr., 92 Duty, 54 Restoration, 81, 84 Vietnamese. (Frequency varies by language.) Maxwell, Neal A., 44 Education, 4 Resurrection, 84 © 2004 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. McMullin, Keith B., 33 Endurance, 14, 16, 27, 30, Sacrifice, 30, 97 Printed in the United States of America. Monson, Thomas S., 20, 49, 104, 110 Scripture study, 11, 16, 33, Text and visual material in the Liahona may be copied for 24, 54 Faith, 6, 33, 38, 73, 77, 36, 88, 107, 110 incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual material may not be copied if restrictions are indicated in the Nelson, Russell M., 27 88, 104 Second Coming, 7 credit line with the artwork. Questions should be addressed Oaks, Dallin H., 7 Family, 27, 38, 69, 77, 88, 94 Service, 4, 16, 44, 46, to Church Copyrights and Permissions Office, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA; telephone: Packer, Boyd K., 77 Family home evening, 94 100, 104 1-801-240-3959; e-mail: [email protected]. Perry, L. Tom, 69 Fatherhood, 44, 69 Standards, 49 The Liahona can be found on the Internet at Scott, Richard G., 100 Finances, 40 Submissiveness, 44 www.lds.org. Click on “Gospel Library.” Shumway, W. Douglas, 94 Forgiveness, 112 Teaching, 88 For Readers in the United States and Canada: Simmons, Dennis E., 73 Heritage, 27 Temples, 61 May 2004 Vol. 28 No. 5. LIAHONA (USPS 311-480) English Tanner, Susan W., 104 Holy Ghost, 61, 77 Temptation, 100, 112 (ISSN 1080-9554) is published monthly by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East North Temple Street, Tingey, Earl C., 49 Home, 20, 38, 103 Testimony, 6, 33, 75 Salt Lake City, UT 84150. USA subscription price is $10.00 Viñas, Francisco J., 38 Honesty, 40, 61 Tithing, 40 per year; Canada, $16.00 plus applicable taxes. Periodicals Wirthlin, Joseph B., 40 Hope, 81 Trust, 73 Postage Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah, and at additional mailing offices. Sixty days’ notice required for change of address. Humanitarian aid, 58 Welfare, 58 Include address label from a recent issue; old and new Individual worth, 84 Women, 75 address must be included. Send USA and Canadian subscriptions to Salt Lake Distribution Center at address below. Influence, 20 Youth, 4, 49 Subscription help line: 1-800-537-5971. Credit card orders Inspiration, 61 (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) may be taken by phone. (Canada Poste Information: Publication Agreement Jesus Christ, 6, 20, 33, 36, #40017431) 84, 92 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Salt Lake Kindness, 81 Distribution Center, Church Magazines, PO Box 26368, Knowledge, 107, 112 Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368. Leadership, 69 Love, 46, 92, 94, 104 Marriage, 69, 94

MAY 2004 3 SATURDAY MORNING SESSION 3 April 2004 The Church Grows Stronger PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY

There is much more yet to be done, but what has been accomplished is truly phenomenal.

to 95 percent of the membership of the Church. New technology has become available as the Church has grown larger and stronger. Our membership now reaches almost 12 million, with more members outside North America than reside within. Once we were recognized as a Utah church. Now we have become a great international body. We have made a very long journey in reaching out to the nations of the world. There is much more yet to be done, but what has been accomplished is truly phenomenal. It is a fact that we lose some—far too many. Every organization of which y beloved brethren and sis- I am aware does so. But I am satisfied ters, we warmly welcome that we retain and keep active a Myou to another worldwide higher percentage of our members conference of the Church. We are than does any other major church of now a great international family, liv- which I know. high standards of the gospel. They find ing in many nations and speaking Everywhere there is great activity happy and uplifting association with many languages. To me, it is a mar- and great enthusiasm. We have strong those of their own kind. They are velous and miraculous thing that you and able leaders across the world who improving their minds with education are able to see us and hear us across give of their time and means to move and their skills with discipline, and the globe. the work forward. their influence for good is felt ever During my life as a General It is wonderfully refreshing to see more widely. Authority, we have moved from the the faith and faithfulness of our young I am pleased to report, my broth- time when we thought it a remarkable people. They live at a time when a ers and sisters, that the Church is in thing that we could speak in the Salt great tide of evil is washing over the good condition. We continue to build Lake Tabernacle and be heard by radio earth. It seems to be everywhere. Old temples, to construct houses of wor- throughout the state of Utah. Now standards are discarded. Principles of ship, to carry forward many projects we are assembled in this great and virtue and integrity are cast aside. But of construction and improvement, all magnificent Conference Center, and we find literally hundreds of thousands made possible because of the faith of our images and words are available of our young people holding to the our people.

4 We are carrying on a great humani- order issued against our people by May heaven smile upon you. May tarian effort, which is blessing the Governor Lilburn W. Boggs in 1838. there be love and harmony, peace and lives of many of the less fortunate of These and other developments goodness in your homes. May you be the earth and those who are the vic- represent a most significant change of preserved from harm and evil. May tims of the catastrophes of nature. attitude toward the Latter-day Saints. our Father’s “great plan of happiness” We are pleased to note that on How deeply grateful I feel to each (Alma 42:8) become the standard by April 1 of this year, the Illinois House of you and all of you for your dedi- which you live. I ask it humbly and of Representatives unanimously passed cated and consecrated service. I thank gratefully in the sacred name of Jesus a resolution of regret for the forced you for your many kindnesses to me Christ, amen. expulsion of our people from Nauvoo wherever I go. I stand as your servant, It will now be our pleasure to hear in 1846. This magnanimous gesture ready and willing to assist you in any from our beloved associate Elder may be coupled with action taken by way that I can. David B. Haight of the Quorum of the then Governor Christopher S. Bond of God bless you, my dear associates. Twelve, who is now 97 years of age. Missouri, who in 1976 revoked the cruel How I love you. How I pray for you. Elder Haight, come up here and speak and unconstitutional extermination How I thank you. to your multitudinous friends. ■

MAY 2004 5 Just run that through your mind How Great for a second. Because we were there. How great the wisdom and the love That filled the courts on high And sent the Savior from above the Wisdom To suffer, bleed, and die! (“How Great the Wisdom and the and the Love Love,” Hymns, no. 195) We chose to come here. And so ELDER DAVID B. HAIGHT we’re here assembled in this vast audi- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles torium, where we can speak to each other and bear witness and bear testimony. I assure you that in those sleep- The gospel is true. I know it; I’m a witness of it. less nights that I’ve had at times, when you attempt to solve all of your problems and to make new resolutions of things that need to be done, I have heaven. And so I stand here today just had those heavenly thoughts that lift to bear my testimony and say hello to us. God our Heavenly Father loves us, you. I’m hoping that by another con- as we should love Him. He selected ference I’ll be totally healed and able His Son to come to earth and bring the to do what I’m asked to do. gospel of Jesus Christ, for whom this God lives. He is our Father—our Church is named and which we bear Father in Heaven. witness to. I am honored to stand and Eliza R. Snow, who wrote some bear witness today of the foundation of our famous music, particularly of this Church and of our love for sacrament music, wrote the words: President Hinckley, who leads us today. The gospel is true. I know it; I’m a How great the wisdom and the love witness of it. In the name of our Lord That filled the courts on high. and Savior Jesus Christ, amen. ■

stand here with a humble heart— a heart that is full of love for this I work, for you people who are here and who are listening. At our last conference six months ago as I stood here by President Gordon B. Hinckley, he encouraged me to wave to you, and I used all the energy that I had. I’ve heard from some people who thought I was waving a farewell. But I’ve come here today to indicate to you and to tell you I’m back. And I don’t have anyone else pushing my arm for me. I understand the power of prayer and of faith and devotion, and I acknowledge precious witnesses from

6 shall see the signs of His coming “they shall know that he is near, even at the Preparation doors” (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–39; see also Matthew 24:32–33; D&C 45:37–38). Biblical and modern prophecies for the give many signs of the Second Coming. These include: 1. The fulness of the gospel Second Coming restored and preached in all the world for a witness to all nations. ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS 2. False Christs and false prophets, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles deceiving many. 3. Wars and rumors of wars, with nation rising against nation. We need to make . . . spiritual preparation for the events 4. Earthquakes in divers places. prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. 5. Famine and pestilence. 6. An overflowing scourge, a desolating sickness covering the land. 7. Iniquity abounding. faithful of all ages have pondered the 8. The whole earth in commotion. sequence and meaning of the many 9. Men’s hearts failing them. events prophesied to precede and (See Matthew 24:5–15; Joseph follow this hinge point of history. Smith—Matthew 1:22, 28–32; D&C Four matters are indisputable to 45:26–33.) Latter-day Saints: (1) The Savior will In another revelation the Lord return to the earth in power and great declares that some of these signs glory to reign personally during a mil- are His voice calling His people to lennium of righteousness and peace. repentance: (2) At the time of His coming there “Hearken, O ye nations of the will be a destruction of the wicked earth, and hear the words of that God and a resurrection of the righteous. who made you. . . . (3) No one knows the time of His “How oft have I called upon you by coming, but (4) the faithful are taught the mouth of my servants, and by the to study the signs of it and to be pre- ministering of angels, and by mine pared for it. I wish to speak about the own voice, and by the voice of thun- fourth of these great realities: the derings, and by the voice of light- n modern revelation we have the signs of the Second Coming and what nings, and by the voice of tempests, promise that if we are prepared we we should do to prepare for it. and by the voice of earthquakes, and Ineed not fear (see D&C 38:30). I great hailstorms, and by the voice of was introduced to that principle 60 I. famines and pestilences of every kind, years ago this summer when I became The Lord has declared, “He that . . . and would have saved you with an a Boy Scout and learned the Scout feareth me shall be looking forth for everlasting salvation, but ye would motto: “Be prepared.” Today I have the great day of the Lord to come, not!” (D&C 43:23, 25). felt prompted to speak of the impor- even for the signs of the coming of These signs of the Second Coming tance of preparation for a future event the Son of Man,” signs that will be are all around us and seem to be of supreme importance to each of shown “in the heavens above, and in increasing in frequency and intensity. us—the Second Coming of the Lord. the earth beneath” (D&C 45:39–40). For example, the list of major earth- The scriptures are rich in refer- The Savior taught this in the para- quakes in The World Almanac and ences to the Second Coming, an event ble of the fig tree whose tender new Book of Facts, 2004 shows twice as eagerly awaited by the righteous and branches give a sign of the coming of many earthquakes in the decades dreaded or denied by the wicked. The summer. “So likewise,” when the elect of the 1980s and 1990s as in the two

MAY 2004 7 preceding decades (pp. 189–90). It early leaders of the Church: also shows further sharp increases in “And after your testimony cometh the first several years of this century. wrath and indignation upon the The list of notable floods and tidal people. waves and the list of hurricanes, “For after your testimony cometh typhoons, and blizzards worldwide the testimony of earthquakes. . . . show similar increases in recent years “And . . . the testimony of the voice (pp. 188–89). Increases by compari- of thunderings, and the voice of light- son with 50 years ago can be dis- nings, and the voice of tempests, and missed as changes in reporting the voice of the waves of the sea heav- criteria, but the accelerating pattern ing themselves beyond their bounds. of natural disasters in the last few “And all things shall be in commo- decades is ominous. tion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all II. people. Another sign of the times is the “And angels shall fly through the gathering of the faithful (see D&C midst of heaven, crying with a loud 133:4). In the early years of this last voice, sounding the trump of God, dispensation, a gathering to Zion saying: Prepare ye, prepare ye, O involved various locations in the subject is the parable of the ten vir- inhabitants of the earth; for the judg- United States: to Kirtland, to Missouri, gins. Of this parable, the Lord said, ment of our God is come. Behold, to Nauvoo, and to the tops of the “And at that day, when I shall come in and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye mountains. Always these were gather- my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled out to meet him” (D&C 88:88–92). ings to prospective temples. With the which I spake concerning the ten creation of stakes and the construc- virgins” (D&C 45:56). IV. tion of temples in most nations with Given in the 25th chapter of Brothers and sisters, as the Book sizeable populations of the faithful, Matthew, this parable contrasts the cir- of Mormon teaches, “this life is the the current commandment is not to cumstances of the five foolish and the time for men to prepare to meet God; gather to one place but to gather in five wise virgins. All ten were invited . . . the day of this life is the day for stakes in our own homelands. There to the wedding feast, but only half of men to perform their labors” (Alma the faithful can enjoy the full blessings them were prepared with oil in their 34:32). Are we preparing? of eternity in a house of the Lord. lamps when the bridegroom came. In His preface to our compilation There, in their own homelands, they The five who were prepared went into of modern revelation the Lord can obey the Lord’s command to the marriage feast, and the door was declares, “Prepare ye, prepare ye for enlarge the borders of His people and shut. The five who had delayed their that which is to come, for the Lord is strengthen her stakes (see D&C preparations came late. The door had nigh” (D&C 1:12). 101:21; 133:9, 14). In this way, the been closed, and the Lord denied The Lord also warned: “Yea, let the stakes of Zion are “for a defense, and them entrance, saying, “I know you cry go forth among all people: Awake for a refuge from the storm, and from not” (v. 12). “Watch therefore,” the and arise and go forth to meet the wrath when it shall be poured out Savior concluded, “for ye know nei- Bridegroom; behold and lo, the without mixture upon the whole ther the day nor the hour wherein the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to earth” (D&C 115:6). Son of man cometh” (v. 13). meet him. Prepare yourselves for the The arithmetic of this parable is great day of the Lord” (D&C 133:10; III. chilling. The ten virgins obviously see also D&C 34:6). While we are powerless to alter the represent members of Christ’s Always we are cautioned that we fact of the Second Coming and unable Church, for all were invited to the cannot know the day or the hour of to know its exact time, we can accel- wedding feast and all knew what was His coming. In the 24th chapter of erate our own preparation and try to required to be admitted when the Matthew Jesus taught: influence the preparation of those bridegroom came. But only half were “Watch therefore; for ye know not around us. ready when he came. what hour your Lord doth come. A parable that contains an impor- Modern revelation contains this “But know this, that if the good- tant and challenging teaching on this teaching, spoken by the Lord to the man of the house had known in what

8 watch the thief would come, he spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal religious heritage. Marriage and family would have watched, and would not supplies may prove valuable for responsibilities are discarded as have suffered his house to be broken earthly challenges, but, as the foolish impediments to personal indulgence. up” (Matthew 24:42–43). “But would virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24- The movies and magazines and televi- have been ready” (Joseph Smith— hour kit of spiritual preparation is of sion that shape our attitudes are filled Matthew 1:47). greater and more enduring value. with stories or images that portray the “Therefore be ye also ready: for in children of God as predatory beasts such an hour as ye think not the Son V. or, at best, as trivial creations pursu- of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44; see We are living in the prophesied time ing little more than personal pleasure. also D&C 51:20). “when peace shall be taken from the And too many of us accept this as What if the day of His coming were earth” (D&C 1:35), when “all things entertainment. tomorrow? If we knew that we would shall be in commotion” and “men’s The men and women who made meet the Lord tomorrow—through hearts shall fail them” (D&C 88:91). epic sacrifices to combat evil regimes our premature death or through There are many temporal causes of in the past were shaped by values His unexpected coming—what commotion, including wars and natu- that are disappearing from our public would we do today? What confes- ral disasters, but an even greater cause teaching. The good, the true, and the sions would we make? What prac- of current “commotion” is spiritual. beautiful are being replaced by the tices would we discontinue? What Viewing our surroundings through no-good, the “whatever,” and the val- accounts would we settle? What the lens of faith and with an eternal ueless fodder of personal whim. Not forgivenesses would we extend? perspective, we see all around us a surprisingly, many of our youth and What testimonies would we bear? fulfillment of the prophecy that “the adults are caught up in pornography, If we would do those things then, devil shall have power over his own pagan piercing of body parts, self- why not now? Why not seek peace dominion” (D&C 1:35). Our hymn serving pleasure pursuits, dishonest while peace can be obtained? If our describes “the foe in countless num- behavior, revealing attire, foul lamps of preparation are drawn down, bers, / Marshaled in the ranks of sin” language, and degrading sexual let us start immediately to replenish (“Hope of Israel,” Hymns, no. 259), indulgence. them. and so it is. An increasing number of opinion We need to make both temporal Evil that used to be localized and leaders and followers deny the exis- and spiritual preparation for the covered like a boil is now legalized tence of the God of Abraham, Isaac, events prophesied at the time of the and paraded like a banner. The most and Jacob and revere only the gods Second Coming. And the preparation fundamental roots and bulwarks of secularism. Many in positions of most likely to be neglected is the one of civilization are questioned or power and influence deny the right less visible and more difficult—the attacked. Nations disavow their and wrong defined by divine decree.

MAY 2004 9 Even among those who profess to not moved, until the day of the Lord trust the blessings He has promised believe in right and wrong, there are come; for behold, it cometh quickly”? those who keep His commandments. “them that call evil good, and good (D&C 87:8). What are those “holy We have faith in the future, and we evil” (Isaiah 5:20; 2 Nephi 15:20). places”? Surely they include the tem- are preparing for that future. To bor- Many also deny individual responsibil- ple and its covenants faithfully kept. row a metaphor from the familiar ity and practice dependence on oth- Surely they include a home where world of athletic competitions, we do ers, seeking, like the foolish virgins, children are treasured and parents are not know when this game will end, to live on borrowed substance and respected. Surely the holy places and we do not know the final score, borrowed light. include our posts of duty assigned by but we do know that when the game All of this is grievous in the sight of priesthood authority, including mis- finally ends, our team wins. We will our Heavenly Father, who loves all of sions and callings faithfully fulfilled in continue to go forward “till the pur- His children and forbids every prac- branches, wards, and stakes. poses of God shall be accomplished, tice that keeps any from returning to As the Savior taught in His and the Great Jehovah shall say the His presence. prophecy of the Second Coming, work is done” (History of the What is the state of our personal blessed is the “faithful and wise ser- Church, 4:540). preparation for eternal life? The peo- vant” who is attending to his duty “Wherefore,” the Savior tells us, ple of God have always been people when the Lord comes (see Matthew “be faithful, praying always, having of covenant. What is the measure of 24:45–46). As the prophet Nephi your lamps trimmed and burning, and our compliance with covenants, taught of that day, “The righteous oil with you, that you may be ready at including the sacred promises we need not fear” (1 Nephi 22:17; see the coming of the Bridegroom—For made in the waters of baptism, in also 1 Nephi 14:14; D&C 133:44). And behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, receiving the holy priesthood, and in modern revelation promises that “the that I come quickly” (D&C 33:17–18). the temples of God? Are we promisers Lord shall have power over his saints” I testify of Jesus Christ. I testify that who do not fulfill and believers who (D&C 1:36). He shall come, as He has promised. do not perform? We are surrounded by challenges And I pray that we will be prepared to Are we following the Lord’s com- on all sides (see 2 Corinthians meet Him, in the name of Jesus mand, “Stand ye in holy places, and be 4:8–9). But with faith in God, we Christ, amen. ■

10 authority of God to rule in our lives. This attitude was described by the When Thou Lord to Joseph Smith when He said, “They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the Art Converted image of his own god.”3 You hear it expressed today in phrases such as ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON “Do your own thing” or “Right and Of the Presidency of the Seventy wrong depend on what I feel is right for me.” That attitude is a rebellion Plead with God in the name of Christ to write the gospel against God, just as Lucifer rebelled in your mind that you may have understanding and against God in the premortal world. He rejected God’s right to declare the in your heart that you may love to do His will. truth and establish the law.4 Satan wanted, and still wants, the power to declare arbitrarily what is right and wrong. Our beloved Creator does not When he was in wholesome environ- force us to accept His authority, but ments, he kept the commandments, willingly submitting to that authority but in a different environment, other is the first step in conversion. influences might control his actions. Further, for the gospel to be writ- How can you become converted? ten in your heart, you need to know How can you make the gospel of Jesus what it is and grow to understand it Christ not just an influence in your life more fully. That means you will study but the controlling influence and, it.5 When I say “study,” I mean some- indeed, the very core of what you are? thing more than reading. It is a good The ancient prophet Jeremiah spoke thing sometimes to read a book of of the law of God, the gospel, being scripture within a set period of time written in our hearts. He quotes the to get an overall sense of its message, Lord speaking about us, His people in but for conversion, you should care the latter days: “I will put my law in more about the amount of time you their inward parts, and write it in their spend in the scriptures than about hearts; and will be their God, and they the amount you read in that time. I shall be my people.”1 see you sometimes reading a few y comments are directed par- Do you want this for yourself? I can verses, stopping to ponder them, ticularly to young people, tell you how that can happen, but it carefully reading the verses again, and Malthough I hope they may be must be something you want. The as you think about what they mean, helpful to everyone. gospel cannot be written in your praying for understanding, asking Years ago when I served as a stake heart unless your heart is open. questions in your mind, waiting for president, a man came to confess a Without a heartfelt desire, you can spiritual impressions, and writing transgression. His confession sur- participate in sacrament meetings, down the impressions and insights prised me. He had been an active classes, and Church activities and do that come so you can remember and member of the Church for years. I the things I will tell you, but it won’t learn more. Studying in this way, you wondered how a person with his make much difference. But if your may not read a lot of chapters or experience could have committed the heart is open and willing, like the verses in a half hour, but you will be sin that he did. After some pondering, heart of a child,2 let me tell you what giving place in your heart for the it came to me that this brother had you can do to be converted. word of God, and He will be speaking never become truly converted. As a first step, you must lay aside to you. Remember Alma’s description Despite his Church activity, the gospel any feeling of pride that is so com- of what it feels like: “It beginneth to had not penetrated his heart. It was mon in the world today. By this I enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to only an external influence in his life. mean the attitude that rejects the enlighten my understanding, yea, it

MAY 2004 11 worship the Lord and seek His blessings, they often brought a gift. For example, when they went to the temple, they brought a sacrifice to place on the altar. After His Atonement and Resurrection, the Savior said He would no longer accept burnt offerings of animals. The gift or sacrifice He will accept now is “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.”12 As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself—what you are and what you are becoming. Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? beginneth to be delicious to me.”6 Father will grow within you. In your When you adopt it and make it part of You will know that the gospel is being heart you will want to do what these your character, you are giving a gift to written in your heart, that your con- holy beings ask of you. Go often to the Lord.13 Sometimes this is hard to version is happening, as the word of your closet, your secret place, your do, but would your gifts of repentance the Lord from His prophets, past wilderness. Thank God for your bless- and obedience be worthy gifts if they and present, feels more and more ings; ask for His help; ask Him to cost you nothing?14 Don’t be afraid of delicious to your soul. bestow upon you the pure love of the effort required. And remember, I mentioned praying as you study Christ. Sometimes fasting will help. you don’t have to do it alone. Jesus to understand the scriptures, but your After Amulek talked about prayer, Christ will help you make of yourself a prayers must not be limited to that. he spoke about something else that is worthy gift. His grace will make you In the Book of Mormon, Amulek tells an important element of your conver- clean, even holy. Eventually, you will us we should pray about everything in sion—serving others. Otherwise, he become like Him, “perfect in Christ.”15 our lives. He says, “Pour out your said, “your prayer is vain, and availeth With conversion, you will wear a souls [to God] in your closets, and you nothing.”10 In other words, to be protective armor, “the whole armour your secret places, and in your wilder- converted, you must not only open of God,”16 and the words of Christ, ness.”7 Your Heavenly Father wants your heart to a knowledge of the which come by the Holy Spirit, “will you to pray about your hopes and gospel and the love of God, you must tell you all things” you should do.17 fears, your friends and family, your practice the gospel law. You cannot In 1992 two sister missionaries in school and work, and the needs of fully understand or appreciate it Zagreb, Croatia, were returning to those around you. Most of all, you unless you personally apply it in your their apartment one evening. Their last should pray to be filled with the love life. Jesus said that He came to serve, teaching appointment had been some of Christ. This love is given to those not to be served.11 So it must be with distance away, and it was getting dark. who are true followers of Jesus Christ, you. You must look outward and care Several men on the trolley made crude who ask for it with all the energy of about others. You can be compassion- comments and became rather menac- their heart.8 This love is the fruit of ate; you can be friendly; you can ing. Feeling threatened, the sisters got the tree of life,9 and tasting it is a share; you can help others in a hun- off the trolley at the next stop just as major part of your conversion dred small ways. As you do, the the doors closed so no one could fol- because once you have felt your gospel of Jesus Christ will become a low them. Having avoided that prob- Savior’s love for you, even the small- part of you. lem, they realized they were in a place est part, you will feel secure, and a Let me mention one other thing. In unknown to either of them. As they love for Him and for your Heavenly ancient times when people wanted to turned to look for help, they saw a

12 woman. The missionaries explained that they were lost and asked the woman if she could direct them. She knew where they could find another trolley to take them home and invited them to follow her. On the way they had to pass a bar with patrons sitting along the sidewalk in the gathering darkness. These men also appeared threatening. Nevertheless, the two young women had the distinct impression that the men could not see them. They walked by, apparently invisible to those who might have had a mind to harm them. When the sisters and their guide reached the stop, the trolley they needed was just arriving. They turned to thank the woman, but she was nowhere to be seen.18 These missionaries were furnished a guide and other blessings to protect them physically. As you become converted, you will have comparable pro- tections to keep you from temptation and deliver you from evil.19 Sometimes evil will not find you. Sometimes you will be protected when evil is made invisible to you. Even when you must confront it directly, you will do so with faith, not fear. We have talked of desire, submissiveness to God, study, prayer, service, repentance, and obedience. From King Benjamin when they said their hearts he was converted, he should strengthen his these, coupled with your worship and had been changed and they didn’t even brethren (see Luke 22:32). activity in Church, will come testimony want to do evil anymore “but to do good 12. 3 Nephi 9:20. and conversion. The gospel won’t be continually” (Mosiah 5:2). 13. Along with the scriptures, the pamphlet For 2. See Matthew 18:3–4. the Strength of Youth (2001) can guide you. just an influence in your life—it will be 3. D&C 1:16; see also Helaman 12:6. 14. Once when King David prepared to offer a what you are. Plead with God in the 4. See D&C 76:25–29. sacrifice to the Lord, a loyal subject said he name of Christ to write the gospel in 5. We are exceptionally fortunate to have so would give the king the place, the animals, much of the recorded word of God at our and the firewood to make the sacrifice. your mind that you may have under- fingertips. In prior ages of the world’s his- But David declined, saying, “I will surely standing and in your heart that you tory, very few people had copies of the buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer may love to do His will.20 Pursue this scriptures in their possession. They had to burnt offerings unto the Lord my God try to remember what they could when- of that which doth cost me nothing” blessing diligently and patiently, and ever they heard scriptures read in ser- (2 Samuel 24:24). you will receive it, for God “is gracious mons. What an incomparable blessing that 15. See Moroni 10:32–33. you can have your own copy to read when- 16. See Ephesians 6:13–17. and merciful, . . . and of great kind- ever you want. You can see how the gospel 17. 2 Nephi 32:3. 21 ness.” I so bear witness in the name works in the lives of people who were con- 18. As related by Sister Nicole Christofferson of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ verted, from Adam’s time down to our Miller. own time. 19. See Matthew 6:13. NOTES 6. Alma 32:28. 20. See Hebrews 8:10; 10:16. 1. Jeremiah 31:33. Ezekiel said conversion is 7. Alma 34:26. 21. Joel 2:13. “Draw near unto me and I will like the Lord taking away our “stony heart” 8. See Moroni 7:47–48. draw near unto you; seek me diligently and and giving us a heart that loves Him and 9. See 1 Nephi 11:21–23. ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; His gospel (see Ezekiel 11:19–20). Surely 10. Alma 34:28. knock, and it shall be opened unto you” this is what happened to the people of 11. See Mark 10:45. Christ told Peter that when (D&C 88:63).

MAY 2004 13 he still had a thousand miles to walk. Amazingly he continued forward, put- The Finished Story ting one foot in front of the other. He stopped writing in his journal for sev- GAYLE M. CLEGG eral weeks after losing his dear Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency Hannah and little son. I was struck with the words he used when he did start writing again: “Still moving.” We have to keep writing, keep walking, keep serving When he finally reached the gath- and accepting new challenges to the end of our own story. ering place of the Saints, he began a new family. He kept the faith. He continued his story. Most remarkably, his heartache over the burial of his sweet- papers, complimenting him on his heart and son gave birth to our fam- determination and assuring him of my ily’s legacy of moving forward, of confidence in his ability to complete a finishing. great story. I have often wondered as I have I thought about him that summer, heard pioneer stories like the one of but the assignment left my mind until Henry Clegg, “Could I ever do that?” years later when I found his com- Sometimes I fear this question, know- pleted project in the mailbox. I was ing our pioneer legacy lives on today. amazed and wondered what made I recently visited West Africa and wit- Jimmy finish his story. What kind of nessed everyday pioneers walking vision, determination, and effort had forward, joining a new church, leav- been required in this task? Why do ing behind centuries of traditions, any of us finish a hard task, especially even leaving behind family and if no one demands its completion? friends, as did Henry. My admiration My husband’s great-grandfather and love for them is as great as for Henry Clegg Jr. was a finisher. He my own forebears. joined the Church with his family Do the challenges of others ome time ago I found a large when the first LDS missionaries went appear more difficult than our own? white envelope in my mailbox. to Preston, England. Henry had a view We often look at someone with SInside was a story written by a of his destination in his mind as he tremendous responsibilities and boy I had taught years before when and his wife, Hannah, and their two think, “I could never do that.” Yet he was in sixth grade. I remembered young boys immigrated to Utah. others might look at us and feel the student and the assignment his Henry left his older parents, who exactly the same way. It is not the class had worked on for months. I were too feeble to make such a long magnitude of the responsibility but also remembered that he loved to and arduous journey, knowing he rather how it feels to be the one in write and would sit and think and would never see them again. the middle of the unfinished task. For think. Sometimes only a word or two While crossing the plains, Hannah a young mother with many children found their way to the page. At times contracted cholera and died. She was at home, caring for them through the he worked during recess, but when laid to rest in an unmarked grave. The day and then through the night could the due date arrived, his story still had company then moved on, and at six in feel like a thousand miles yet to walk. a chapter to go. I told him just to turn the evening, Henry’s youngest son Giving a lesson in Relief Society to it in as it was, but Jimmy had a differ- also died. Henry retraced his steps to women who are older or younger, ent vision and wanted to turn in a fin- Hannah’s grave, placed his young son more experienced or more educated ished story. The last day of class he in his wife’s arms, and reburied the could feel difficult, especially when asked if he could finish during the two of them together. Henry then had the topic is one you are struggling summer break. Again I told him just to return to the wagon train, now five to understand and live yourself. to turn it in. He pleaded for more miles away. Suffering from cholera Teaching a class of 10 active six-year- time, and finally I sent him on his way himself, Henry described his condition olds can be daunting, especially when with a stack of wrinkled and smudged as being at death’s door while realizing your own six-year-old is in the class

14 and you haven’t quite figured out phone call from a mother of one of out of our individual journey? how to teach him one-on-one. the six-year-olds in that Primary class, Henry Clegg was still moving for- What do we learn from young calling to let the teacher know that ward to live among the faithful Saints, Jimmy, from early pioneers, and from her son carefully helped his little sis- to take his place, to raise a righteous modern pioneers around the world ter into the car seat without being family, to serve his neighbor. He had that will help us in our specific chal- asked, acknowledging the Primary that picture in his mind even when lenges? Jimmy spent years writing on teacher’s lesson as the impetus for his heart was breaking. I heard a his own for no deadline, Henry Clegg this new behavior. It might look like a Primary child from Ghana answer the marched on alone and without heart husband getting the children off to question “What does it mean to even to write in a journal, and African nursery and Primary as his wife sets choose the right every day?” with, “It Saints lived worthy of a temple they up her lesson for Young Women. It means to follow the Lord and Savior could not have imagined would one might be as simple as a smile, a hug, every day and do your best even day rise in their own nation. To keep or a long walk to sort things out with when it is hard.” This modern pioneer going, to stay faithful, and to finish a friend, a husband, or a child. boy knew President Hinckley’s admo- had to be its own reward. We each must find and finish our nition. He knew about keeping com- Years ago one of our daughters own story, but how much sweeter the mandments every day. He understood asked me to come outside and play telling when encouragement is called that his own story would unfold sim- tetherball with her. She told me to sit out, when arriving at our destination ply by putting one foot in front of the down and watch as she hit over and is valued and celebrated, however other, one day at a time. over again a ball on a rope that long ago the journey commenced. Last fall I found myself with a won- wound itself around a pole. After The greatest mentor and advocate derful but challenging opportunity to watching several windings I asked we have said: “I will go before your develop and teach Primary training what my part was in the game, and face. I will be on your right hand through a video made entirely in she said, “Oh, Mom, you say, ‘Good and on your left, and my Spirit Spanish. At one time in my life I was a job, good job,’ every time the ball shall be in your hearts, and mine Spanish speaker, but recently I had goes around the pole.” angels round about you, to bear been speaking Portuguese and knew “Good job!” helps the journey you up” (D&C 84:88). Can any what it would take to relearn Spanish. seem possible. It might sound like a of us afford to leave this piece I did all the things each of you do to

MAY 2004 15 complete a task that feels extremely difficult. I found help from capable and dedicated Hispanic sisters. Together In the Strength we studied, prayed, fasted, and worked long hours. The day arrived to go and do the thing the Lord had asked, and we not only were fearful but felt our of the Lord work was inadequate. We had worked up to the moment of delivery, and ELDER HENRY B. EYRING nothing more could be done. I wanted Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to start over. Each of our husbands gave us We need strength beyond ourselves to keep the commandments priesthood blessings, and peace and in whatever circumstance life brings to us. calm started to come. Like angels, help came in the form of a sweet husband who set the alarm on his watch so he could pray for me every half hour during the recording, a camera- the salvation of the righteous is of the man whose eyes radiated “Good job,” Lord: he is their strength in the time and Primary leaders who had confi- of trouble.”1 dence in the workings of the Spirit The restored gospel of Jesus and were able to communicate that Christ gives us help in knowing how with power. We ended up with a fin- to qualify for the strength of the Lord ished film that was helpful for our as we deal with adversity. It tells us Spanish-speaking leaders. All who par- why we face tests in life. And, even ticipated in it were partly surprised more importantly, it tells us how to get and entirely grateful for its success. protection and help from the Lord. We walked as far as we could go, and We have trials to face because our when we thought we might abandon Heavenly Father loves us. His pur- our carts and drop by the wayside, pose is to help us qualify for the angels somehow pushed from behind. blessing of living with Him and His What did we learn from this task? Son, Jesus Christ, forever in glory and The same lesson Henry Clegg Jr. and in families. To qualify for that gift we Jimmy learned and the same thing all had to receive a mortal body. With faithful modern-day pioneers are hen I was a young man, I that mortality we understood that we learning. With the Lord, nothing is served as counselor to a would be tested by temptations and impossible (see Luke 1:37), but we Wwise district president in the by difficulties. each have to finish our own story. He Church. He tried to teach me. One of The restored gospel not only sends His Spirit, we call out encour- the things I remember wondering teaches us why we must be tested, agement to each other, but we have about was this advice he gave: “When but it makes clear to us what the test to keep writing, keep walking, keep you meet someone, treat them as if is. The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us serving and accepting new challenges they were in serious trouble, and you an explanation. By revelation, he was to the end of our own story. “Still will be right more than half the time.” able to record words spoken at the walking” is the fundamental require- I thought then that he was pes- Creation of the world. They are ment in the journey of life. He wants simistic. Now, more than 40 years about us, those of the spirit children us to finish well. He wants us to come later, I can see how well he under- of our Heavenly Father who would back to Him. I pray that each of our stood the world and life. As time come into mortality. Here are the stories will end in the presence of our passes, the world grows more chal- words: Heavenly Father and His Son, our lenging, and our physical capacities “And we will prove them herewith, Savior Jesus Christ, the authors and slowly diminish with age. It is clear to see if they will do all things what- finishers of our faith. In the name of that we will need more than human soever the Lord their God shall Jesus Christ, amen. ■ strength. The Psalmist was right: “But command them.”2

16 That explanation helps us under- erosion of health and physical what is being tested is the same, at all stand why we face trials in life. They strength which may come early or late times in our lives and for every per- give us the opportunity to prove our- in life for them or for those they love. son: will we do whatsoever the Lord selves faithful to God. So many things But the test a loving God has set our God will command us? beat upon us in a lifetime that simply before us is not to see if we can Knowing why we are tested and enduring may seem almost beyond endure difficulty. It is to see if we can what the test is tells us how to get us. That’s what the words in the scrip- endure it well. We pass the test by help. We have to go to God. He gives ture “Ye must . . . endure to the end”3 showing that we remembered Him us the commandments. And we will seemed to mean to me when I first and the commandments He gave us. need more than our own strength to read them. It sounded grim, like sit- And to endure well is to keep those keep them. ting still and holding on to the arms commandments whatever the oppo- Again, the restored gospel makes of the chair while someone pulled out sition, whatever the temptation, and plain the simple things we need to my tooth. whatever the tumult around us. We do. And it gives us confidence that It can surely seem that way to a have that clear understanding the help we need will come if we do family depending on crops when because the restored gospel makes those things early and persistently, there is no rain. They may wonder, the plan of happiness so plain. long before the moment of crisis. “How long can we hold on?” It can That clarity lets us see what help The first, the middle, and the last seem that way to a youth faced with we need. We need strength beyond thing to do is to pray. The Savior told resisting the rising flood of filth and ourselves to keep the command- us how. One of the clearest instruc- temptation. It can seem that way to a ments in whatever circumstance life tions is in 3 Nephi: young man struggling to get the train- brings to us. For some it may be “Behold, verily, verily, I say unto ing he needs for a job to support a poverty, but for others it may be pros- you, ye must watch and pray always wife and family. It can seem that way perity. It may be the ravages of age or lest ye enter into temptation; for to a person who can’t find a job or the exuberance of youth. The combi- Satan desireth to have you, that he who has lost job after job as busi- nation of trials and their duration are may sift you as wheat. nesses close their doors. It can seem as varied as are the children of our “Therefore ye must always pray that way to a person faced with the Heavenly Father. No two are alike. But unto the Father in my name;

MAY 2004 17 England. When her bishop asked if she would accept a call to teach early- morning seminary, he told her she’d better pray about it before she accepted. She did. She accepted. When she met the parents for the first time the bishop stood beside her. She announced that she felt the program should go to five days a week. Some parents looked doubtful. One person said, “They won’t come. They’ll vote with their feet.” Well, the doubt was half right. The students did vote with their feet. But their attendance in those cold and dark morning hours is now above 90 percent. That teacher and her bishop The Nepomnyatshiy family, members in Saint Petersburg, Russia. believed that if the students would start to come they would be strength- “And whatsoever ye shall ask the the name of Christ, if these things ened by power more than their own. Father in my name, which is right, are not true; and if ye shall ask with a It came. That power will protect them believing that ye shall receive, behold sincere heart, with real intent, having when they go to places where they it shall be given unto you. faith in Christ, he will manifest the will be the only Latter-day Saints. “Pray in your families unto the truth of it unto you, by the power of They will not be alone nor without Father, always in my name, that your the Holy Ghost. strength, because they accepted the wives and your children may be “And by the power of the Holy invitation to gather with the Saints blessed.”4 So, we must pray always. Ghost ye may know the truth of all when it was not easy. Another simple thing to do, which things.”5 That strength is given to those who allows God to give us strength, is to We should claim the promise not are older as well as the young. I know feast on the word of God: read and only once nor only for the Book of a widow more than 90 years of age. ponder the standard works of the Mormon. The promise is sure. The She is in a wheelchair. She prays as Church and the words of living power of the Holy Ghost is real. It will you do, pleading for help to solve prophets. There is a promise of help come, again and again. And one over- problems beyond her human power from God that comes with that daily riding truth it will always testify to is to resolve. The answer is a feeling in practice. Faithful study of scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. her heart. It draws her to keep a com- brings the Holy Ghost to us. The That testimony will draw us to the mandment: “And behold, ye shall promise is given in the Book of Savior and to accepting the help He meet together oft.”7 So she finds a Mormon, but it applies as well to all offers to all who are being tested in way to get to her meetings. People the words of God that He has given the crucible of mortality. More than who attend there have told me, “We and will give us through His prophets. once He has said that He would are so glad to see her. She brings such “Behold, I would exhort you that gather us to Him as a hen would a spirit with her.” when ye shall read these things, if it gather her chickens under her wings. She partakes of the sacrament, and be wisdom in God that ye should read He says that we must choose to she renews a covenant. She remem- them, that ye would remember how come to Him in meekness and with bers the Savior, and she tries to keep merciful the Lord hath been unto the enough faith in Him to repent “with His commandments. And so she takes children of men, from the creation of full purpose of heart.”6 His Spirit with her, always. Her prob- Adam even down until the time that One way to do that is to gather lems may not be resolved. Most of ye shall receive these things, and with the Saints in His Church. Go to them come from the choices of oth- ponder it in your hearts. your meetings, even when it seems ers, and even the Heavenly Father “And when ye shall receive these hard. If you are determined, He will who hears her prayers and loves her things, I would exhort you that ye help you find the strength to do it. cannot force others to choose the would ask God, the Eternal Father, in A member wrote to me from right. But He can send her to the

18 safety of the Savior and the promise of His Spirit to be with her. And so I am sure that she will, in the strength of the Lord, pass the test she faces, because she keeps the commandment to gather often with the Saints. That is both the evidence that she is enduring well and the source of her strength for what lies ahead. There is another simple thing to do. The Lord’s Church has been restored, and so any call to serve in it is a call to serve Him. That bishop in England was so wise. He asked the woman to pray about her call to serve. He knew what answer she would receive. It would be an invita- The Pilipenko family of Saint Petersburg, Russia, watches conference in their home tion from the Father and His Beloved with their friend Michel Kotov. Son. He knew what she has learned by responding to the call from the In the Master’s service, you will a greater confidence as you pray to Master. In His service the Holy Ghost come to know and love Him. You will, the Father, knowing that you go to comes as a companion to those who if you persevere in prayer and faithful Him as a trusted and proven disciple try to do the best they can. She must service, begin to sense that the Holy of Jesus Christ. The Father will grant have felt that as she stood before the Ghost has become a companion. you greater peace and strength in this parents and when she saw the stu- Many of us have for a period given life and with it a happy anticipation of dents vote with their feet. What such service and felt that companion- hearing the words, when the test of looked hard, almost impossible under ship. If you think back on that time, life is over, “Well done, thou good and her own power, became a joy in the you will remember that there were faithful servant.”8 strength of the Lord. changes in you. The temptation to do I know that God the Father lives. I When she reads and ponders over evil seemed to lessen. The desire to testify that He hears and answers our the scriptures and prays to prepare do good increased. Those who knew every prayer. I know that His Son, for those classes, she knows that the you best and loved you may have Jesus Christ, paid the price of all of Savior has asked the Father to send said, “You have become more kind, our sins and that He wants us to her the Holy Ghost, just as He prom- more patient. You don’t seem to be come to Him. I know that the Father ised His disciples He would at the the same person.” and the Son want us to pass the tests Last Supper, when He knew what tri- You weren’t the same person of life. I testify that They have pre- als they would face and that He must because the Atonement of Jesus pared the way for us. Through the leave them. He did not leave them Christ is real. And the promise is real Restoration of the gospel in the last comfortless. He promised them the that we can become new, changed, days, the way is made clear for us. We Holy Ghost, and He promises it to us and better. And we can become can know the commandments. We in His service. So, whenever the invi- stronger for the tests of life. We then have the right to claim the promise of tation to serve comes, take it. It brings go in the strength of the Lord, a the companionship of the Holy Ghost with it help to pass tests far beyond strength developed in His service. He in the true Church of Jesus Christ. those of that call. goes with us. And in time we become And we can endure well. In the name Now not all have formal calls. But His tested and strengthened disciples. of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ every disciple serves the Master by You will then notice a change in NOTES bearing testimony and being kind to your prayers. They will become more 1. Psalm 37:39. people around them. All have prom- fervent and more frequent. The 2. Abraham 3:25. 3. 2 Nephi 31:20. ised in the waters of baptism to do words you speak will have a different 4. 3 Nephi 18:18–21. that. And all will gain the companion- meaning to you. By commandment 5. Moroni 10:3–5. 6. 3 Nephi 10:6. ship of the Spirit as they persist in we always pray to the Father in the 7. 3 Nephi 18:22. keeping their commitments with God. name of Jesus Christ. But you will feel 8. Matthew 25:21.

MAY 2004 19 “Father, where shall I work today?” And my love flowed warm and free. Your Personal Then he pointed out a tiny spot And said, “Tend that for me.” I answered quickly, “Oh no, not that! Influence Why, no one would ever see, No matter how well my work was PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON done. First Counselor in the First Presidency Not that little place for me.” And the word he spoke, it was not As we follow that Man of Galilee—even the Lord Jesus stern; . . . Christ—our personal influence will be felt for good “Art thou working for them or for me? wherever we are, whatever our callings. Nazareth was a little place, And so was Galilee.”2

The family is the ideal place for The calling of the early Apostles teaching. It is also a laboratory for reflected the influence of the Lord. learning. Family home evening can When He sought a man of faith, He bring spiritual growth to each member. did not select him from the throng of “The home is the basis of a righ- the self-righteous who were found teous life, and no other instrumental- regularly in the synagogue. Rather, He ity can take its place or fulfill its called him from among the fishermen essential functions.”3 Such truth has of Capernaum. Peter, Andrew, James, been taught by many Presidents of and John heard the call, “Follow me, the Church. and I will make you fishers of men.”1 It is in the home where fathers and They followed. Simon, man of doubt, mothers can teach provident living to became Peter, Apostle of faith. their children. Sharing of tasks and When the Savior was to choose a helping one another set a pattern for missionary of zeal and power, He future families as children grow, found him not among His advocates marry, and leave home. The lessons but amidst His adversaries. Saul of learned in the home are those that Tarsus—the persecutor—became Paul last the longest. President Gordon B. y dear brothers and sisters, the proselyter. The Redeemer chose Hinckley continues to stress the both within my view and imperfect men to teach the way to avoidance of unnecessary debt, the Massembled throughout the perfection. He did so then; He does fallacy of living beyond one’s means, world, I seek an interest in your so now. and the temptation to let our wants prayers and your faith as I respond He calls you and me to serve Him become our necessities. to the assignment and privilege to here below and sets us to the task He The Apostle Paul’s exhortation to address you. would have us fulfill. The commit- his beloved Timothy provides the More than 40 years ago, when ment is total. There is no conflict of counsel that will enable our personal President David O. McKay extended conscience. influence to find lodgment in the to me a call to the Quorum of the As we follow that Man of Galilee— hearts of those with whom we associ- Twelve Apostles, he warmly welcomed even the Lord Jesus Christ—our ate: “Be thou an example of the me with a heartfelt smile and a tender personal influence will be felt for believers, in word, in conversation, in embrace. Among the sacred counsel good wherever we are, whatever our charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”4 he extended was the declaration, callings. When I was a boy, our family lived “There is one responsibility that no Our appointed task may appear in the Sixth-Seventh Ward of the one can evade. That is the effect of insignificant, unnecessary, unnoticed. Pioneer Stake. The ward population one’s personal influence.” Some may be tempted to question: was rather transient, which resulted in

20 an accelerated rate of turnover with missionary and loved young people. our progress. As boys with typical respect to the teachers in the Sunday Her name was Lucy Gertsch. She was appetites we converted in our minds School. As boys and girls we would beautiful, soft-spoken, and interested the monetary totals to cakes, cookies, just become acquainted with a partic- in us. She asked each class member to pies, and ice cream. This was to be a ular teacher and grow to appreciate introduce himself, and then she asked glorious event. Never before had any him or her when the Sunday School questions which gave her an under- of our teachers even suggested a superintendent would visit the standing and insight into the back- social event like this was to be. class and introduce a new teacher. ground of each. She told us of her The summer months faded into Disappointment filled each heart, and girlhood in Midway, Utah, and as she autumn. Autumn turned to winter. a breakdown of discipline resulted. described that beautiful valley she Our party goal had been achieved. Prospective teachers, hearing of made its beauty live within us and we The class had grown. A good spirit the unsavory reputation of our partic- desired to visit the green fields she prevailed. ular class, would graciously decline to loved so much. None of us will forget that gray serve or suggest the possibility of When Lucy taught, she made the morning when our beloved teacher teaching a different class where the scriptures actually live. We became announced to us that the mother of students were more manageable. We personally acquainted with Samuel, one of our classmates had passed took delight in our newly found status David, Jacob, Nephi, Joseph Smith, away. We thought of our own mothers and determined to live up to the fears and the Lord Jesus Christ. Our gospel and how much they meant to us. We of the faculty. scholarship grew. Our deportment felt sincere sorrow for Billy Devenport One Sunday morning, a lovely improved. Our love for Lucy Gertsch in his great loss. young lady accompanied the superin- knew no bounds. The lesson this Sunday was from tendent into the classroom and was We undertook a project to save the book of Acts, chapter 20, verse presented to us as a teacher who nickels and dimes for what was to 35: “Remember the words of the requested the opportunity to teach be a gigantic Christmas party. Sister Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more us. We learned that she had been a Gertsch kept a careful record of blessed to give than to receive.” At

MAY 2004 21 the conclusion of the presentation of phenomenal. We had more subscrip- a well-prepared lesson, Lucy Gertsch tions to the Relief Society Magazine commented on the economic situa- than had been recorded by all the tion of Billy’s family. These were other units of the stake combined. Depression times, and money was I congratulated Elizabeth Keachie scarce. With a twinkle in her eyes, one Sunday evening and said to her, she asked: “How would you like to “Your task is done.” follow this teaching of our Lord? How She replied, “Not yet, Bishop. would you feel about taking our party There are two square blocks we have fund and, as a class, giving it to the not yet covered.” Devenports as an expression of our When she told me which blocks love?” The decision was unanimous. they were, I said, “Oh, Sister Keachie, We counted so carefully each penny no one lives on those blocks. They and placed the total sum in a large are totally industrial.” envelope. A beautiful card was pur- “Just the same,” she said, “I’ll feel chased and inscribed with our names. better if Nell and I go and check them This simple act of kindness welded ourselves.” us together as one. We learned On a rainy day, she and Nell cov- through our own experience that it is ered those final two blocks. On the indeed more blessed to give than to first one, she found no home, nor did receive. she on the second. She and Sister The years have flown. The old hotel. They’re going to get in trouble. Ivory paused, however, at a driveway chapel is gone, a victim of industrial- Will you make them members of which was muddy from a recent ization. The boys and girls who your ward?” storm. Sister Keachie gazed about 100 learned, who laughed, who grew I found these two boys at mid- feet (30 m) down the driveway, which under the direction of that inspired night sitting on the steps of the hotel was adjacent to a machine shop, and teacher of truth have never forgot- playing ukuleles and singing. They there noticed a garage. This was not a ten her love or her lessons. Her became members of our ward. normal garage, however, in that there personal influence for good was Eventually, each of them married in was a curtain at the window. contagious. the temple and served valiantly. Their She turned to her companion and A General Authority whose per- influence for good was widespread. said, “Nell, shall we go and investigate?” sonal influence was felt far and wide When I was first called as a bishop, The two sweet sisters then walked was the late President Spencer W. I discovered that our record for sub- down the muddy driveway 40 feet Kimball. He really made a difference scriptions to the Relief Society (12 m) to a point where the entire in the lives of countless individuals. Magazine in the Sixth-Seventh Ward view of the garage could be seen. Now When I was a bishop, the tele- had been at a low ebb. Prayerfully we they noticed a door which had been phone rang one day, and the caller analyzed the names of individuals cut into the side of the garage, which identified himself as Elder Spencer W. whom we could call to be magazine door was unseen from the street. Kimball. He said, “Bishop Monson, in representative. The inspiration dic- They also noticed that there was a your ward is a trailer court, and in a tated that Elizabeth Keachie should chimney with smoke rising from it. little trailer in that court—the smallest be given the assignment. As her Elizabeth Keachie knocked at the trailer of all—is a sweet Navajo widow, bishop, I approached her with the door. A man 68 years of age, William Margaret Bird. Would you have your task. She responded, “Bishop Ringwood, answered. They then pre- Relief Society president visit her and Monson, I’ll do it.” sented their story concerning the invite her to come to Relief Society Elizabeth Keachie was of Scottish need of every home having the Relief and to participate with the sisters?” descent, and when she replied, “I’ll Society Magazine. William Ringwood We did. Margaret Bird came and do it,” one knew she indeed would. replied, “You’d better ask my father.” found a warm welcome. She and her sister-in-law, Helen Ninety-four-year-old Charles W. Elder Kimball called on another Ivory—neither more than five feet Ringwood then came to the door occasion. “Bishop Monson,” he said, tall—commenced to walk the ward, and also listened to the message. He “I have learned that there are two house by house, street by street, subscribed. Samoan boys living in a downtown and block by block. The result was Elizabeth Keachie reported to me

22 the presence of these two men in our “This is my fast offering.” I testify that He is a teacher of ward. When I requested their mem- I said, “Brother Ringwood, you owe truth—but He is more than a teacher. bership certificates from Church no fast offering. You need it yourself.” He is the Exemplar of the perfect headquarters, I received a call from “I want to receive the blessings, life—but He is more than an exem- the Membership Department at the not retain the money,” he responded. plar. He is the Great Physician—but Presiding Bishopric’s Office. The clerk It was my opportunity to take He is more than a physician. He is the said, “Are you sure you have living in Charles Ringwood to the Salt Lake literal Savior of the world, the Son of your ward Charles W. Ringwood?” Temple and to attend with him the God, the Prince of Peace, the Holy I replied that I did, whereupon she endowment session. One of Israel, even the risen Lord, reported that the membership certifi- Within a few months, Charles W. who declared: cate for him had remained in the “lost Ringwood passed away. At his funeral “I am Jesus Christ, whom the and unknown” file of the Presiding service, I noticed his family sitting on prophets testified shall come into the Bishopric’s Office for the previous the front rows in the mortuary chapel, world. . . . I am the light and the life of 16 years. but I noticed also two sweet women the world.”6 On Sunday morning Elizabeth sitting near the rear of the chapel, “I am the first and the last; I am Keachie and Nell Ivory brought to Elizabeth Keachie and Helen Ivory. he who liveth, I am he who was our priesthood meeting Charles and As I gazed upon those two faithful slain; I am your advocate with the William Ringwood. This was the first and dedicated women and contem- Father.”7 time they had been inside a chapel for plated their personal influence for As His witness, I testify to you that many years. Charles Ringwood was good, the promise of the Lord filled He lives! In His holy name—even the oldest deacon I had ever met. His my very soul: “I, the Lord, am merciful Jesus Christ, the Savior—amen. ■ son was the oldest male member and gracious unto those who fear me, NOTES holding no priesthood I had ever met. and delight to honor those who serve 1. Matthew 4:19. It became my opportunity to me in righteousness and in truth unto 2. Meade MacGuire, “Father, Where Shall I Work Today?” in Best-Loved Poems of the ordain Brother Charles Ringwood a the end. Great shall be their reward LDS People, comp. Jack M. Lyon and others teacher and then a priest and finally and eternal shall be their glory.”5 (1996), 152. 3. First Presidency letter, 11 Feb. 1999; an elder. I shall never forget his inter- There is one, above all others, quoted in Liahona, Dec. 1999, 1; Ensign, view with respect to seeking a temple whose personal influence covers the June 1999, 80. recommend. He handed me a silver continents, spans the oceans, and 4. 1 Timothy 4:12. 5. D&C 76:5–6. dollar, which he took from an old, penetrates the hearts of true believers. 6. 3 Nephi 11:10–11. worn leather coin purse and said, He atoned for the sins of mankind. 7. D&C 110:4.

MAY 2004 23 SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 3 April 2004

general presidency Elders Merrill J. Bateman, John H. Groberg, and Val R. The Sustaining Christensen; and as the Young Men general presidency Elders F. Melvin Hammond, Lynn G. Robbins, and Donald L. Hallstrom. of Church Officers All who can join in a vote of appreciation, please manifest it. PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON It is proposed that we sustain Elder First Counselor in the First Presidency John H. Groberg as a member of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy. All in favor, please manifest it. Apostles; Boyd Kenneth Packer as Any opposed. Acting President of the Quorum of It is proposed that we sustain the the Twelve Apostles; and the follow- following as Area Authority Seventies: ing as members of that quorum: Jorge M. Alvarado, Homero S. Amato, Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, David B. John S. Anderson, Jorge D. Arrevillaga, Haight, Neal A. Maxwell, Russell M. A. Venâncio Caleira, Gabriel A. Campos, Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Mario L. Carlos, John J. Chipman, Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, and Henry B. Eyring. Those in favor may please manifest it. Any opposed. It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. y brothers and sisters, All in favor, please manifest it. President Hinckley has Contrary, if there be any, by the Mrequested that I now present same sign. to you the General Authorities, Area It is proposed that we release with Authority Seventies, and general auxil- a vote of thanks Elder Dennis B. iary presidencies of the Church for Neuenschwander as a member of the your sustaining vote. Presidency of the Quorums of the It is proposed that we sustain Seventy. Gordon Bitner Hinckley as prophet, All who wish to join with us in seer, and revelator and President of doing so, please manifest it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- It is proposed that we release the day Saints; Thomas Spencer Monson following as Area Authority Seventies: as First Counselor in the First Presi- Adolfo Ávalos, Lowell C. Barber, dency; and James Esdras Faust as David J. Barnett, R. Michael Duffin, Second Counselor in the First Rowland E. Elvidge, Silvio Presidency. Geschwandtner, Brent H. Koyle, Those in favor may manifest it. A. Roger Merrill, J. Michael Moeller, Those opposed, if any, by the same Adrian Ochoa, Lindon J. Robison. sign. All who wish to join in expressing It is proposed that we sustain appreciation, please manifest it. Thomas Spencer Monson as Presi- It is proposed that we release with dent of the Quorum of the Twelve a vote of thanks as the Sunday School

24 LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., César A. Dávila, Mosiah S. Delgado, Keith R. Edwards, J. Roger Fluhman, Luiz C. França, Church Auditing Manuel Gonzalez, Tohru Hotta, Bin Kikuchi, Yong Hwan Lee, Alfredo Heliton de Lemos, Domingos S. Linhares, Alexander A. Nuñez, Melvin R. Department Perkins, James C. Perry, Errol S. Phippen, John C. Pingree, Neil E. Pitts, Dinar M. Reyes, Jorge A. Rojas, Eric B. Report, 2003 Shumway, Joseph W. Sitati, Terrence C. Smith, Lowell M. Snow, Michael J. Teh, PRESENTED BY WESLEY L. JONES Stanley Wan, Allen P. Young. Managing Director, Church Auditing Department All in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed, by the same sign. With a recent decision that mem- To the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ bers of the Quorums of the Seventy of Latter-day Saints not serve in the general presidencies of the Sunday School and Young Men, it is proposed that we sustain A. Roger Merrill as general president ear Brethren: The Church of and other credentialed professionals. of the Sunday School, with Daniel K Jesus Christ of Latter-day By charge from the First Judd as first counselor and William D. DSaints maintains an auditing Presidency, the Church Auditing Oswald as second counselor. department, which performs its work Department has authority to audit all It is also proposed that we sustain independently from all other Church Church departments and operations Charles W. Dahlquist as general presi- departments and operations. The worldwide. The Church Auditing dent of the Young Men, with Dean managing director of the Church Department has access to all systems, Reid Burgess as first counselor and Auditing Department reports directly records, personnel, and properties Michael Antone Neider as second and regularly to the First Presidency. necessary to audit contributions, counselor. Church Auditing Department staff expenditures, and Church resources. All in favor, please manifest it. consist of certified public accoun- Professional financial and operational Any opposed. tants, certified internal auditors, certi- auditing standards govern the per- It is proposed that we sustain fied information systems auditors, formance of audit work. Risk is the the other General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, and general auxiliary presidencies as presently constituted. Those in favor may please manifest it. Any opposed may manifest it. It appears that the sustaining has been unanimous in the affirmative. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your continued faith and prayers. We shall now ask the newly called members of the Sunday School and Young Men general presidencies to take their places on the stand. We note, however, that William D. Oswald is currently serving as president of the Russia Vladivostok Mission and is therefore not in attendance. ■

MAY 2004 25 primary factor guiding the selection of audits. The Council on the Disposition of Statistical Report, the Tithes is responsible for, and for the year 2003 authorized, the expen- diture of Church funds. This council is composed of the First Presidency, 2003 the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presiding Bishopric, as pre- PRESENTED BY F. MICHAEL WATSON scribed by revelation. Under direction Secretary to the First Presidency of this council, accountability for contributions, expenditures, and Church resources is controlled through each department’s management group and or the information of the mem- Missionaries through the Church’s Budget and bers of the Church, the First Full-Time Missionaries...... 56,237 Finance Departments. Administra- FPresidency has issued the fol- tion of funds by these management, lowing report concerning the growth Temples budget, and finance groups is audited and status of the Church as of Temples Dedicated during 2003...... 2 and reported. December 31, 2003: (Brisbane Australia, Redlands Based upon our audits, the Church California) Auditing Department is of the opin- Number of Church Units Temples in Operation ...... 116 ion that, in all material respects, con- Stakes ...... 2,624 tributions received, expenditures Missions...... 337 Prominent Members Who Have made, and Church resources used Districts ...... 644 Passed Away since Last April during the year 2003 have been Wards and Elder Jacob de Jager, an emeritus administered in accordance with Branches ...... 26,237 General Authority; Elder Andrew approved budget guidelines and Wayne Peterson, an emeritus General established Church policies and Church Membership Authority; Elder Robert L. Simpson, an procedures. Total Membership ...... 11,985,254 emeritus General Authority; Sister Financial activities of Church- Increase in Children Elaine Cannon, former Young Women affiliated organizations, which are of Record...... 99,457 general president; Brother Roy M. operated separately from the Church, Converts Baptized...... 242,923 Darley, former Tabernacle organist. ■ were not audited by the Church Auditing Department in 2003. Independent public accounting firms audited the financial statements and corresponding controls in these organizations. These organizations include, among others, Deseret Management Corporation and its subsidiaries and the Church’s institutions of higher education, including Brigham Young University. Nevertheless, the Church Auditing Department did verify that appropriate reporting of these public accounting firms’ audit results occurred with each organization’s audit committee. Respectfully submitted, Church Auditing Department Wesley L. Jones Managing Director ■

26 Generally, boys incline toward the attitudes and work of their fathers; girls Roots and aspire to live as their mothers do. And you parents, don’t be too surprised if, sometime along the way, your children become better than you. Branches Personal roots, physical and spiritual, merit gratitude. For my life, I am ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON grateful to my Creator as well as to my Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dear parents and progenitors. I try to honor them by learning of them and Simply summarized, life’s greatest blessings will come to us serving them in the temple.4 Parents if our love of Jesus Christ is rooted deeply in our hearts. have a responsibility to share knowledge of their personal roots with their children and grandchildren. Learning their history together unifies a family.

trees provide much more informa- Religious Roots tion. So it is with us both personally We also need to know the roots and with our religion. of our religion. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though offi- Personal Roots cially organized in 1830, has been Personal roots are really important. restored from roots that also go way Sister Nelson and I know a family that back. Truths from previous dispensa- proudly display evidence of their tions have now been gathered, ampli- ancestral roots with large paintings fied, and clarified.5 For us as parents portrayed on the outside walls of and teachers, we have an excellent their home. Beautiful artwork there teaching resource in the Articles of depicts distinctive patterns of identity Faith. Written by the Prophet Joseph for both of their family lines. Smith,6 this document refers to many When relatives gather around a doctrines that undergird our religion. new baby, one inevitably hears com- It mentions the Godhead, moral ments such as “She has red hair, just agency, the Fall of Adam, and the like her mother” or “He has a dimple Atonement of Jesus Christ. It spells ach time we experience secu- in his chin, just like his father.” out the foundational principles and rity checks at an airport, we are Each of us has ancestral roots. ordinances of faith, repentance, bap- Easked to show photographic Each man has received some genetic tism, and the laying on of hands for identification. We understand the markers that are just like those of his the gift of the Holy Ghost. It addresses need and comply, knowing that it is father. Each woman has received matters of priesthood authority and necessary and helpful. But I submit some genetic markers that are just organization. It notes as sacred scrip- my photograph as evidence of my like those of her mother.1 In addition, ture the Holy Bible, the Book of true identity somewhat apologetically. each of us has received other genetic Mormon, and an open canon of con- If someone were to examine my pass- gifts that make us unique. tinuing revelation from God. And it port photo and say that it’s a good Because we have a spirit as well as proclaims the actuality of the gather- likeness, I would know it’s time to a physical body,2 we also have spiri- ing of Israel.7 What a treasure-house of go home. But I feel apologetic for tual roots that go way back. They truth is this precious document as we another reason. The photo shows shape our values, our beliefs, and our teach of our religious roots. nothing about my roots and branches. faith. Spiritual roots guide our com- Other revealed doctrines at the They are important parts of my iden- mitment to the ideals and teachings root of our religion include the tity. Could you tell much about a tree of the Lord.3 Creation, the Resurrection, the law of by looking at a photograph of only its Children have a natural desire to tithing, prayer, and the consummate trunk? No! Roots and branches of emulate the examples of their parents. blessings of the temple. As we teach

MAY 2004 27 of redemption, which [has] been laid for you? “. . . The resurrection . . . will bring you to stand with shame and awful guilt before the bar of God.”9 I plead with each of us to heed that sacred warning.

Personal Branches Just as our roots determine to a significant degree who we are, our branches are also an important exten- sion of our identity. Personal branches bear the fruit of our loins.10 Scriptures teach, “By their fruits ye shall know them.”11 Earlier in life Sister Nelson and I often met young people who said they felt like they knew us Members watch a conference session in the Machida Japan Stake Center. because they knew our children. Now we are greeted fondly by those who of these doctrines, we realize how the Restoration really means and what know us because they know our very firm is our foundation. As we it cost? Have they forgotten their pio- grandchildren. apply these doctrines in our lives, the neer heritage and their lineage as roots of our religion become part of declared in patriarchal blessings? Religious Branches our own spiritual strength. For a few fleeting favors now, would In much the same way, our religion Converts need to strengthen their they forget and forfeit eternal life? is known by the fruit of its branches. religious roots. President Gordon B. Oblivious to the roots that have Recently I met with government offi- Hinckley has taught that each convert blessed them, they no longer enjoy cials from a land far from here who needs a friend, a responsibility, and the spiritual sparkle of Saints engaged were deeply impressed with the nurturing by the good word of God. in the work of Almighty God. Church and its efforts throughout the With such roots to support them and Their noble ancestors “were world. They liked our teachings about their children, precious converts brought to the knowledge of the the family and wanted copies of our become pioneers for their own fami- truth, . . . according to the spirit of proclamation to the world and guide- lies to follow. revelation and of prophecy, and the books for family home evening. They Unfortunately, some members of power of God.” Their forebears “were wanted to know more about our wel- faithful families drift away because converted unto the Lord [and] never fare program and humanitarian help. their own roots are weak. My heart did fall away.”8 How will those pro- We complied as we could and then aches when I learn of those who turn genitors feel about the drift of their shifted attention from what we do to from the faith of their pioneer prede- descendants? Their disappointment why we do it. I explained with an anal- cessors. One professionally acclaimed will likely turn to sorrow, for fruit ogy to a tree. “You are attracted by friend and gifted son of faithful ances- detached from roots cannot long various fruits of our faith,” I said. tors has allowed one doctrinal doubt survive. “They are plentiful and powerful. But to dim his view of the fulness of the The Lord issued this solemn you cannot savor this fruit unless you gospel and drive an ever-widening warning: know the tree that produces it. And wedge between him and the temple. “After ye have been nourished by you cannot understand the tree Another acquaintance, a sweet sister the good word of God . . . , will ye unless you comprehend its roots. with illustrious pioneer progenitors, reject these words . . . of the With our religion, you cannot have now politely states that she is not a prophets; and will ye reject all the the fruits without the roots.” This “practicing member” of the Church. words which have been spoken con- they understood. Have these dear people become so cerning Christ, . . . and the power of Fruits from the branching tree of fashionable that they have forgotten God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, the gospel include “love, joy, peace, their roots? Have they forgotten what . . . and make a mock of the great plan longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,

28 [and] faith.”12 President Harold B. Lee once said: “Beautiful, luscious fruit does not grow unless the roots of the . . . tree have been planted in rich, fer- tile soil and unless due care is given to proper pruning, cultivation, and irrigation. So likewise the luscious fruits of virtue and chastity, honesty, temperance, integrity, and fidelity are not to be found growing in that individual whose life is not founded on a firm testimony of the truths of the gospel and of the life and the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ.”13 The fruits of the gospel are delicious to those who obey the Lord. We pursue an education knowing that “the glory of God is intelligence.”14 The blessing of tithing comes by paying tithing.15 Because of the time difference, members in Japan view general conference Rewards are reaped from the Word of sessions on a rebroadcast via satellite. Wisdom by obedience to it.16 We learn from experience borne of gospel living to acquire a body, to be tried and 2. See D&C 88:15. 22 3. See Ephesians 3:14–19; Colossians 2:6–7. that prayer, honoring the Sabbath day, tested. We are to form families and 4. See D&C 128:15. and partaking of the sacrament protect be sealed in holy temples, with joy 5. See D&C 128:18. us from the bondage of sin. We shun and loving relationships that endure 6. The Articles of Faith were included in a letter to Mr. John Wentworth, editor and pornography and immorality, knowing eternally. To these everlasting truths, proprietor of a Chicago newspaper; first that the peace of personal purity can we are personally rooted. published in the Times and Seasons, 1 Mar. 1842; see Ensign, July 2002, 26–32. be ours only as we live according to the Branches of our families and of the 7. This document also mentions gifts of laws of the gospel. gospel bear fruit to enrich our lives. the Spirit that enlighten lives of members The Lord gave this promise and God’s work and His glory—“to bring of the Church. It foretells of great events of the latter days, such as the restoration of commandment: “Now ye are clean to pass the immortality and eternal the ten tribes, the establishment of Zion, through the word which I have spo- life of man”—can become ours.23 and the millennial reign of Jesus Christ upon a renewed earth. It includes princi- ken unto you. . . . Abide in me, and I We can dwell with Him and with our ples of freedom of worship, tolerance, and in you. . . . I am the vine, ye are the families forever. Those blessings will obedience to law. And it concludes with an branches.”17 Simply summarized, life’s be granted to the faithful in His own expression pertaining to our perception of 24 life and of lofty personal ideals. greatest blessings will come to us if way and time. 8. Alma 23:6. our love of Jesus Christ is rooted God lives. Jesus is the Christ. Joseph 9. Jacob 6:7–9. 18 10. See, for example, 2 Nephi 3:6–7. deeply in our hearts. Smith is the revelator and prophet of 11. Matthew 7:20; 3 Nephi 14:20; see also this last dispensation. The Book of Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 7:25. Testimony Mormon is true. The Church of Jesus 12. Galatians 5:22. 13. Stand Ye in Holy Places (1974), 218–19. Personal identity is much more than Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s 14. D&C 93:36. a passport photograph. We also have kingdom established once again 15. See Malachi 3:10; 3 Nephi 24:10. 16. See D&C 89:18–21. roots and branches. Divinity is rooted upon the earth. President Gordon B. 17. John 15:3–5. in each of us. “We all are the work of Hinckley is His living prophet. If 18. See Ephesians 3:17. [our Creator’s] hand.”19 We are eternal rooted to these truths, the fruit of our 19. Isaiah 64:8. 25 20. See Alma 13:1–5. beings. In premortal realms, we branches will remain. I so testify in 21. See D&C 132:63. brethren were foreordained for our the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ 22. “Even as Abraham” (D&C 101:4). See also priesthood responsibilities.20 Before Hebrews 11:17. NOTES 23. Moses 1:39. the foundation of the world, women 1. In addition to the genetic information each 24. See D&C 88:68. When any blessing is were prepared that they may bear chil- child receives from his or her mother and obtained from God, “it is by obedience to 21 father, a small set of mitochondrial DNA that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C dren and glorify God. comes from the mother to both her son(s) 130:21). We came to this mortal experience and her daughter(s). 25. See John 15:16.

MAY 2004 29 clothing and shoes three sizes too large for him. He was a little older “Abide in Me” because he was the sole breadwinner in his home and it had taken some ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND time to earn money for his mission. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles He raised chickens and sold the eggs door-to-door. Then, just as his call finally came, his widowed mother For the fruit of the gospel to blossom and bless our lives, faced an emergency appendectomy. we must be firmly attached to Him, the Savior of us all. Our young friend gave every cent of the money he had earned for his mission to pay for his mother’s surgery and postoperative care, then quietly faithfully laboring in Chile, I have pic- rounded up what used clothing he tured the tens of thousands of others could from friends and arrived at the like them we have met all over the MTC in Santiago on schedule. I can world. Clean, clear, bright-eyed mis- assure you that his clothes now sionaries, laboring two-by-two, have match, his shoes now fit, and both become a living symbol of this Church he and his mother are safe and sound, everywhere. They themselves are the temporally as well as spiritually. first gospel message their investigators And so they come, from your encounter—and what a message that homes all over the world. Included in is. Everyone knows who they are, and such a long list of dedicated servants those of us who know them the best, of the Lord is an increasing number of love them the most. senior couples who make an indispens- I wish you could meet the sister able contribution to the work. How called to serve with us from her native we love and need couples in virtually Argentina. Wanting to do everything every mission of this Church! Those possible to finance her own mission, of you who can, put away your golf she sold her violin, her most prized clubs, don’t worry about the stock n earlier years the Brethren often and nearly sole earthly possession. market, realize that your grandchil- reported their missions in general She said simply, “God will bless me dren will still be your grandchildren Iconference. I realize this is 2004, with another violin after I have when you return—and go! We prom- not 1904, but I wish to invoke the blessed His children with the gospel ise you the experience of a lifetime. spirit of that earlier practice and reflect of Jesus Christ.” Let me say something of the mar- on some of the wonderful things Sister I wish you could meet the Chilean velous members of the Church them- Holland and I are experiencing in Latin elder who, living without family in a selves. In the reorganization of a America. In doing so I hope to make boarding school, happened upon a rather far-flung stake recently, I felt the general application to all of you, wher- Book of Mormon and started reading Lord’s prompting to call a man to the ever you may live or serve. it that very evening. Reminiscent of stake presidency who, I had been told, First of all I would like to thank Parley P. Pratt’s experience, he read owned a bicycle but no automobile. every missionary who has ever labored insatiably—nonstop through the Many leaders across the Church don’t in this transcendent latter-day under- night. With the breaking of day, he was have cars, but I was nevertheless wor- taking we have been given. The rolling overwhelmed with a profound sense ried about what that might mean for forth of the restored gospel is a miracle of peace and a new spirit of hope. He this man in this particular stake. In my in every sense of the word, and not the determined to find out where this terminally-ill Spanish I pursued the least of the miracle is that a significant book had come from and who had interview, then said, “Hermano, ¿no portion of it rolls forward on the shoul- written its marvelous pages. Thirteen tiene un auto?” With a smile and not a ders of 19-year-olds! As we have seen months later he was on a mission. second’s hesitation he replied, “No your sons and daughters, grandsons I wish you could meet the mar- tengo un auto; pero yo tengo pies, yo and granddaughters, (and in some velous young man who came to us tengo fe.” (“I do not have a car, but I cases your parents and grandparents!) from Bolivia, arriving with no matching do have feet and I do have faith.”) He

30 then said he could ride the bus, ride his bicycle, or walk, “como los misioneros,” he smiled—“like the missionaries.” And so he does. Just eight weeks ago I was holding a mission district conference on the island of Chiloe, an interior location in the south of Chile that gets few visitors. Imagine the responsibility I felt in addressing these beautiful people when it was pointed out to me that a very elderly man seated near the front of the chapel had set out on foot at five o’clock that morning, walking for four hours to be in his seat by nine o’clock, for a meeting that was not scheduled to begin until eleven o’clock. He said he wanted to get a good seat. I looked into his eyes, thought of times in my life when I had been either too casual or too late, and thought of Jesus’ phrase, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”1 The Punta Arenas Chile Stake is the Church’s southernmost stake anywhere on this planet, its outermost borders stretching toward Antarctica. Any stake farther south would have to be staffed by penguins. For the Punta Arenas Saints it is a 4,200-mile round- trip bus ride to the Santiago temple. some of us get nervous if we live activity the converts who join this For a husband and wife it can take up more than 110 miles from a temple or Church. No modern prophet has to 20 percent of an annual local if the services there take more than addressed this issue more directly nor income just for the transportation 110 minutes. While we are teaching expected more from us in seeing that alone. Only 50 people can be accom- the principle of tithing to, praying it happen. With a twinkle in his eye modated on the bus, but for every with, and building ever more temples and a hand smacking the table in front excursion 250 others come out to for just such distant Latter-day Saints, of him, he said to the Twelve recently, hold a brief service with them the perhaps the rest of us can do more to “Brethren, when my life is finished and morning of their departure. enjoy the blessings and wonder of the the final services are concluding, I am Pause for a minute and ask yourself temple regularly when so many tem- going to rise up as I go by, look each of when was the last time you stood on a ples are increasingly within our reach. you in the eye, and say, ‘How are we cold, windswept parking lot adjacent And that leads me to my final point. doing on retention?’ ” to the Strait of Magellan just to sing For the Church at large, we have so This subject brings us full circle, with, pray for, and cheer on their way many things to associate in our minds linking the kind of true, deep conver- those who were going to the temple, with the visionary ministry of President sion the missionaries are striving to hoping your savings would allow you Gordon B. Hinckley, including (per- bring with the greater commitment to go next time? One hundred ten haps especially) the vast expansion of and devotion being seen in wonderful hours, 70 of those on dusty, bumpy, temples and temple building. But I members all over the Church. unfinished roads looping out through dare say for those of us on this ros- Christ said, “I am the true vine, and Argentina’s wild Patagonia. What does trum, it is likely that we will remember . . . ye are the branches.”2 “Abide in 110 hours on a bus feel like? I hon- him at least as emphatically for his me, and I in you. As the branch can- estly don’t know, but I do know that determination to retain in permanent not bear fruit of itself, except it abide

MAY 2004 31 in the vine; no more can ye, except ye stick, picks up the other,” my mar- unto you, Nay; . . . press forward with abide in me.”3 velous mission president taught in his a steadfastness in Christ, . . . and “Abide in me” is an understandable very first message to us.4 And that is endure to the end, behold, thus . . . ye and beautiful enough concept in the the way it is supposed to be when we shall have eternal life.”5 elegant English of the King James join this, the true and living Church of Jesus said, “Without me ye can do Bible, but “abide” is not a word we the true and living God. When we join nothing.”6 I testify that that is God’s use much anymore. So I gained even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- truth. Christ is everything to us and we more appreciation for this admoni- day Saints, we board the Good Ship are to “abide” in Him permanently, tion from the Lord when I was intro- Zion and sail with her wherever she unyieldingly, steadfastly, forever. For duced to the translation of this goes until she comes into that millen- the fruit of the gospel to blossom and passage in another language. In nial port. We stay in the boat, through bless our lives, we must be firmly Spanish that familiar phrase is ren- squalls and stills, through storms and attached to Him, the Savior of us all, dered “permaneced en mi.” Like the sunburn, because that is the only way and to this His Church, which bears English verb “abide,” permanecer to the promised land. This Church is His holy name. He is the vine that is means “to remain, to stay,” but even the Lord’s vehicle for crucial doc- our true source of strength and the gringos like me can hear the root cog- trines, ordinances, covenants, and only source of eternal life. In Him we nate there of “permanence.” The keys that are essential to exaltation, not only will endure but also will pre- sense of this then is “stay—but stay and one cannot be fully faithful to the vail and triumph in this holy cause that forever.” That is the call of the gospel gospel of Jesus Christ without striving will never fail us. May we never fail it message to Chileans and everyone to be faithful in the Church, which is nor fail Him I pray in the sacred and else in the world. Come, but come to its earthly institutional manifestation. holy name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ remain. Come with conviction and To new convert and longtime mem- endurance. Come permanently, for ber alike, we declare in the spirit of NOTES your sake and the sake of all the gen- Nephi’s powerful valedictory exhorta- 1. Matthew 8:10. 2. John 15:1, 5. erations who must follow you, and we tion: “Ye have entered in by the gate; 3. John 15:4. will help each other be strong to the . . . [but] now, . . . after ye have gotten 4. Marion D. Hanks quoting Harry Emerson Fosdick, Living under Tension (1941), 111. very end. into this strait and narrow path, I 5. 2 Nephi 31:18–20. “He who picks up one end of the would ask if all is done? Behold, I say 6. John 15:5.

32 possession that any of us can hold. . . . “. . . I am satisfied . . . that when- Jesus, the Very ever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ all else will come together as it should.”5 Thought of Thee Nurtured through righteous living, this testimony of Jesus becomes the BISHOP KEITH B. MCMULLIN governing force in all that a person Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric does. Furthermore, it is available to everyone, for “God is no respecter of Jesus, the very thought of Thee fills my heart with persons.”6 inexpressible joy. It controls every part of my being. Acquiring such a testimony does not, however, come without personal effort. One must desire to know, study to learn, live to merit, and pray to receive. When so pursued in But sweeter far thy face to see humility and faith, the knowledge And in thy presence rest.2 comes, and with this knowledge comes both the sweet assurance that These lines speak of hope and joy all will be well and the inner strength and peace, though written in a time to make it so. when much of the world lay blan- keted in ignorance, impoverishment, Desire to Know and despair. These words capture the The desire to know is the first step calm assurance that always accompa- in one’s quest for a testimony of Jesus. nies the testimony of Jesus. This same The scriptures counsel, “If ye will assurance gives buoyancy and opti- awake and arouse your faculties, even mism to our beloved prophet and to to an experiment upon my words, and all the faithful followers of Christ. exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if What, then, is this testimony of ye can no more than desire to believe, Jesus, how can it be acquired, and let this desire work in you, even until what will it do for those who receive ye believe in a manner that ye can give it? The testimony of Jesus is the sure place for a portion of my words.”7 ecently President Hinckley was and certain knowledge, revealed to overheard saying to a young the spirit of a person through the Study to Learn couple newly married in the Holy Ghost, that Jesus is the living A testimony of Jesus requires that R 3 temple, “What a wonderful time to be Son of the living God. the honest seeker study to learn. Said alive and to be in love.” His optimistic Because the testimony of Jesus is the Lord, “Search the scriptures; for in outlook and nature are reassuring. God-given, it stands preeminent and them ye think ye have eternal life: and They foster hope in an otherwise is essential to a happy life. It is the they are they which testify of me.”8 gloomy world. These are, however, fundamental principle of our religion, From cover to cover, the Holy more than mere expressions of a posi- and all other things pertaining to our Bible teaches and testifies of Christ. tive personality. A glimpse into the faith are appendages to it.4 President He is Jehovah of the Old Testament, past will help illustrate what I mean. Hinckley reminds us: Messiah of the New.9 The Book of In the early 12th century, the cleric “It is the privilege, it is the oppor- Mormon, another testament of Him, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, “a man tunity, it is the obligation of every was compiled, preserved, and of intense . . . faith,”1 penned the Latter-day Saint to gain for himself or brought forth for the express purpose following words: herself a certain knowledge . . . that of “convincing . . . Jew and Gentile Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL Jesus, the very thought of thee the Redeemer of all mankind. . . . That GOD, manifesting himself unto all With sweetness fills my breast; testimony . . . is the most precious nations.”10

MAY 2004 33 Live to Merit not begin at birth. In the premortal Thee with wonder fills my breast. Concurrent with one’s desire and world, He stood as the stalwart, unwa- As the literal offspring of God and study, one must live to merit such a vering advocate of God’s eternal plan being born of a mortal mother, the testimony. The person who does what for His children,14 and we were there. premortal Christ became the Only Jesus says comes to know who Jesus In the great War in Heaven, it was by Begotten of the Father in the flesh. is. Said He: the power of the Firstborn that Lucifer Though the fulness of His majesty, “My doctrine is not mine, but his was cast out,15 and we helped cham- messiahship, and godhood came not that sent me. pion the cause. Through God’s Only at first, He “continued from grace to “If any man will do his will, he shall Begotten Son “the worlds are and grace, until he received a fulness,” know of the doctrine, whether it be of were created,”16 and we can therefore and so can we.18 God, or whether I speak of myself.”11 achieve our divine potential. As Angels attended Him, the Holy President J. Reuben Clark has said: Ghost descended upon Him, the Pray to Receive “It was not a novice, not an ama- woes of all mankind were carried by Finally, the testimony of Jesus teur, not a Being making a first trial, Him, and our sins can be forgiven comes to those who pray to receive that came down in the beginning . . . through Him.19 it. “Ask, and it shall be given you”12 is and . . . made this world. . . . This Jesus, who is called Christ, the invitation that leads the humble “And if you think of this galaxy of wrought out a perfect atonement for and penitent to such knowledge. ours having within it from the begin- all mankind by His incomparable life, With this knowledge, the seeker ning perhaps . . . one million worlds, His suffering in Gethsemane, the also gains an understanding of the and multiply that by the number of shedding of His blood, His death origin and purposes of life, opening millions of galaxies . . . that surround upon the cross, and His glorious vistas that would otherwise remain us, you will then get some view of Resurrection. He conquered the hidden. who [Jesus Christ] is.”17 grave, and because of Him, so will For example, the Lord’s life did not In awe, we exult with the ancient we.20 “He is the greatest Being to be begin in Bethlehem,13 and ours did cleric: Jesus, the very thought of born on this earth. . . . He is Lord of

34 lords, King of kings, . . . the Savior, . . . the Bright and Morning Star. . . . His name . . . is the only name under heaven [whereby] we can be saved.”21 He is the Anointed One. Again we exclaim: Jesus, the very thought of Thee with reverence fills my breast. As the world could not overcome Him in the meridian of time, so the world cannot do without Him in our time, and neither can we. His purpose is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”22 Hence, He came to the Prophet Joseph Smith, restored the priesthood, reestablished His Church, and again proclaimed the plan of redemption. Joseph saw Him, conversed with Him, and has left us this transcendent, poetic account of Him:

I beheld round the throne holy angels and hosts, And sanctified beings from worlds that have been, By the very same truths and the very NOTES In holiness worshipping God and the same powers.23 1. Karen Lynn Davidson, Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages Lamb, (1988), 167. For ever and ever. Amen and amen. We have with us today the Lord’s 2. “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee,” Hymns, duly ordained Apostles. True to their no. 141. 3. See Job 32:8; 1 Corinthians 2:11. And now after all of the proofs sacred commission as “special wit- 4. See History of the Church, 3:30. made of him, nesses of the name of Christ in all the 5. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), By witnesses truly, by whom he was world,”24 they declare: 647–48. 6. Acts 10:34; see also D&C 1:35; 38:16. known, “Jesus is the Living Christ, the 7. Alma 32:27; emphasis added. This is mine, last of all, that he lives; immortal Son of God. He is the great 8. John 5:39. yea, he lives! King Immanuel, who stands today on 9. See “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Liahona and Ensign, And sits at the right hand of God on the right hand of His Father. He is the Apr. 2000, 2. his throne. light, the life, and the hope of the 10. Book of Mormon title page. 11. John 7:16–17. world. His way is the path that leads 12. See Matthew 7:7–8; D&C 4:7. And I heard a great voice bearing to happiness in this life and eternal 13. See “The Living Christ: The Testimony of record from heav’n, life in the world to come. God be the Apostles”; see also Moses 2:26. 14. See Abraham 3:22–27. He’s the Saviour and only begotten thanked for the matchless gift of His 15. See Moses 4:1–3; D&C 76:25–27. of God; divine Son.”25 16. See D&C 76:22–24. By him, of him, and through him, Jesus, the very thought of Thee fills 17. “Who Is Our Savior?” Improvement Era, Nov. 1962, 798–99. the worlds were all made, my heart with inexpressible joy. It 18. See D&C 93:12–20. Even all that [careen] in the controls every part of my being. My 19. See Alma 7:11–13. heavens so broad. life, my loves, my ambitions are 20. See Luke 24:36–39; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Alma 11:41–45; 3 Nephi 11:7–14. molded, enlivened, and given pur- 21. Bible Dictionary, “Christ,” 633. Whose inhabitants, too, from the pose because I know that Thou art 22. Moses 1:39. 23. “A Vision,” Millennial Star, Aug. 1843, 51; first to the last, the Christ, the Holy One. see Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Are sav’d by the very same Saviour I thank God for my testimony of 2nd ed. (1966), 65–66; see also D&C of ours; Jesus and pray that all may be likewise 76:21–24. 24. D&C 107:23. And, of course, are begotten God’s blessed, in the name of Jesus Christ, 25. “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the daughters and sons amen. ■ Apostles.”

MAY 2004 35 we are admonished to “feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words The Words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3). We testify that the Book of Mormon is a second witness of the life and mission of of Christ—Our the Savior. It is, indeed, “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” We declare that the Book of Mormon contains Spiritual Liahona the words of Christ. Six hundred years before the birth ELDER W. ROLFE KERR of Christ, the Lord directed the ancient Of the Seventy prophet Lehi to leave Jerusalem with his family and embark on a marvelous journey that would ultimately take Let us in faith take the words of Christ into our minds them across the many waters to a land and into our hearts. that would become a “promised land” to them. The Book of Mormon is the scriptural record of the sojourn of these people on the ancient American word of the Lord, shall be the voice of continent. It contains the prophetic the Lord, and the power of God unto writings and revelations given to these salvation” (D&C 68:3–4). The Savior people. Included in these divine com- said, “Whether by mine own voice or munications are many prophecies of by the voice of my servants, it is the the Savior’s birth, His ministry, and His same” (D&C 1:38). We declare to the great atoning sacrifice. They describe world that these latter-day servants of His ultimate Crucifixion and Resur- the Lord speak the words of Christ. rection and foretell of His coming to The Savior said, “Search the scrip- that ancient American civilization. We tures; for . . . they are they which tes- read in the Book of Mormon that after tify of me” (John 5:39). The Apostle His Resurrection and soon after His Paul wrote to his trusted companion Ascension into heaven, Jesus Christ Timothy, saying, “All scripture is given did truly manifest Himself unto them. by inspiration of God, and is prof- Hear and feel with me the description itable for doctrine, for reproof, for of this marvelous event in history: correction, for instruction in righ- “And now it came to pass that there teousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We were a great multitude gathered feel it a sacred honor and a privi- declare to the world that the Book of together. . . . lege to have joined with members Mormon is scripture, given by inspira- “And they were . . . conversing I of the Church around the world in tion of God. It, too, is profitable for about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sustaining the First Presidency and the doctrine, for reproof, for correction, sign had been given concerning his Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as and for instruction in righteousness. death. prophets, seers, and revelators. We We fervently declare that the Book “And . . . while they were thus con- humbly declare that they are “special of Mormon is the word of God, trans- versing one with another, they heard witnesses of the name of Christ in all lated from ancient records by the gift a voice as if it came out of heaven; the world” (D&C 107:23). We testify and power of God. This ancient and . . . they understood not the voice that they “speak as they are moved record was written and preserved to which they heard; . . . it was not a upon by the Holy Ghost. And whatso- come forth in fulfillment of prophecy harsh voice, neither was it a loud ever they shall speak when moved as a companion scripture to the Holy voice; nevertheless, . . . it being a upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scrip- Bible, the two to be used as one in small voice it did pierce them that did ture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall the hands of the Lord (see Ezekiel hear to the center, insomuch that be the mind of the Lord, shall be the 37:16–20). In the Book of Mormon there was no part of their frame that it

36 did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn. “And . . . again they heard the voice, and they understood it not. “And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came. “And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them: “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him. “And . . . as they understood they cast their eyes up again towards heaven; and behold, they saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them; . . . “And it came to pass that he stretched forth his hand and spake unto the people, saying: spoken to that ancient civilization. in this thing? For just as surely as this “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom After Lehi and his family were com- director did bring our fathers, by fol- the prophets testified shall come into manded to leave Jerusalem, they were lowing its course, to the promised the world. given a sacred instrument which land, shall the words of Christ, if we “And behold, I am the light and the worked as a compass for them, show- follow their course, carry us beyond life of the world; and I have drunk out ing them the course that they should this vale of sorrow into a far better of that bitter cup which the Father travel. We read that it worked only land of promise. hath given me, and have glorified the according to their faith in God. Alma, a “O my son, do not let us be sloth- Father in taking upon me the sins of Book of Mormon prophet, told his son ful because of the easiness of the the world, in the which I have suf- Helaman that the compass was called way” (Alma 37:43–46). fered the will of the Father in all “Liahona” (see Alma 37:38). He said: So we see, brethren and sisters, things from the beginning. “And now, my son, I would that ye that the words of Christ can be a per- “And it came to pass that when should understand that these things sonal Liahona for each of us, showing Jesus had spoken these words the are not without a shadow; for as our us the way. Let us not be slothful whole multitude fell to the earth; for fathers were slothful to give heed to because of the easiness of the way. Let they remembered that it had been this compass (now these things were us in faith take the words of Christ prophesied among them that Christ temporal) they did not prosper; even into our minds and into our hearts as should show himself unto them after so it is with things which are spiritual. they are recorded in sacred scripture his ascension into heaven” (3 Nephi “For behold, it is as easy to give and as they are uttered by living 11:1–12). heed to the word of Christ, which will prophets, seers, and revelators. Let us The Savior blessed those people point to you a straight course to eter- with faith and diligence feast upon and taught them His glorious gospel nal bliss, as it was for our fathers to the words of Christ, for the words of just as He had done in Jerusalem. We give heed to this compass, which Christ will be our spiritual Liahona are blessed to have within the pages would point unto them a straight telling us all things what we should of the Book of Mormon His words, course to the promised land. do. Of this I bear solemn testimony, in even the very words of Christ, as “And now I say, is there not a type the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2004 37 the problem, the bigger and more complex the solution should be. That Applying the idea can lead us, for example, to seek help from people or institutions outside the home when in reality the most effective solution will come by Simple and Plain applying the glorious principles of the gospel in our homes in the small actions and duties of everyday life. Gospel Principles The scriptures remind us “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). In “The Family: A Proclamation to in the Family the World,” the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ELDER FRANCISCO J. VIÑAS declare that “successful marriages and Of the Seventy families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, The plain and simple principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome . . . should be firmly established in our homes to ensure recreational activities” (Liahona, Oct. happiness in family life. 1998, 24; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). By analyzing these principles, we can see that the majority of them are related to and complement each that integrity is cultivated, that self- other and that the power that makes discipline is instilled, and that love is it possible for them to be incorpo- nurtured” (“Walking in the Light of rated into our lives comes from the the Lord,” Liahona, Jan. 1999, 117; atoning sacrifice of our Redeemer and Ensign, Nov. 1998, 99). Savior Jesus Christ. Among the old and sacred values These principles, once applied, will to which we should return are the act as a light that will illuminate each plain and simple principles of the member of the family and, in a pro- gospel of Jesus Christ. These should gressive way, will lead us to integrate be firmly established in our homes to other related values and principles ensure happiness in family life. which will strengthen family relation- President Wilford Woodruff ships. We know that “he that declared: “The Lord has a great many receiveth light, and continueth in principles in store for us, and the God, receiveth more light; and that greatest principles which he has for light groweth brighter and brighter us are the most simple and plain. The until the perfect day” (D&C 50:24). first principles of the gospel which If we succeed in establishing and n the general Relief Society meet- lead us unto eternal life are the sim- maintaining our families by applying ing in September of 1998, plest and yet none are more glorious these principles, we will be able to IPresident Gordon B. Hinckley or important unto us” (“Remarks,” observe the powerful impact that declared: “I believe our problems, Deseret News, 1 Apr. 1857, 27). these will have in situations that affect almost every one, arise out of the It is precisely because these princi- our homes day by day. Any hurts homes of the people. If there is to be ples are plain and simple that many caused by the friction of living together reformation, if there is to be a change, times they are not considered when will heal. Offenses will be forgiven. if there is to be a return to old and there are challenges to face that affect Pride and selfishness will be replaced sacred values, it must begin in the family life. At times we have the ten- by humility, compassion, and love. home. It is here that truth is learned, dency to think that the more serious The principles that we choose to

38 incorporate into our lives will deter- good thing” (Moroni 7:28). away from sin and to submit to His will, mine the spirit that we contribute in That faith that causes us to cleave can “become effective and accepted by our relationships with others. When unto every good thing comes by hear- God” “only through the atonement of we adopt a principle, its influence radi- ing the word of God (see Romans Jesus Christ” (Guide to the Scriptures, ates from us and can be felt by others. 10:17), and this word is heard with “Repent, Repentance,” 206). Now more than ever, when we see more power in family home evening Once God has accepted repen- that the family is at the center of lessons and in family scripture study. tance, the process that we are attacks from the forces of evil—as in There is no better place to build faith describing leads us to participate in the days of the prophet Mormon, than in the home, where the lessons ordinances and the covenants associ- when “the power of the evil one was and practical applications are realized ated with them, such as baptism and wrought upon all the face of the land” and lived day to day. confirmation. The renewal of these (Mormon 1:19)—it is necessary for us It is in the home that one learns covenants is brought about when we as parents to incorporate these princi- that faith is intimately related to the regularly and worthily partake of the ples into our lives in order to radiate Atonement, “this being the intent of sacrament, and then the remission of their influence and for this influence this last sacrifice, to bring about the our sins is realized. to be perceived by our children. bowels of mercy, which overpowereth After receiving a remission of sins I would now like to show how justice, and bringeth about means and striving to retain it through obe- these principles can be put into prac- unto men that they may have faith dience to the commandments, we will tice, forming part of a process that unto repentance” (Alma 34:15). receive, as described in the book of will put the effects of the Atonement Without the effects of the Moroni, meekness and lowliness of within the reach of individuals and Atonement in our lives, it would be heart, which will allow the visitation families. This process begins with the impossible to develop the type of of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter first principle of the gospel, faith. faith necessary for repentance, and so will fill us with hope and perfect love, In a world of changing values we would remain outside the mar- love that will be maintained by the where evil is called good and good velous plan of mercy since “only unto diligence we give to the principle of evil (see Isaiah 5:20), the words him that has faith unto repentance is prayer (see Moroni 8:26). declared by Mormon fill us with hope brought about the great and eternal The person who obtains meekness and confidence by teaching us that plan of redemption” (Alma 34:16). and lowliness of heart and who enjoys Jesus Christ “claimeth all those who Repentance, that change that takes the company of the Holy Ghost will have faith in him; and they who have place in the heart, that is born of love have no desire to offend or hurt oth- faith in him will cleave unto every for the Lord, that leads us to move ers, nor will he feel affected by any

MAY 2004 39 offenses received from others. He will treat his spouse and children with love and respect and will have good Earthly Debts, relationships with everyone he associates with. In occupying positions of leadership in the Church, he will apply the same principles as he does Heavenly Debts in the home, showing that there is no difference between the person he is ELDER JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN when within the walls of his own Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles home and the person he is in his relationship with the members of the We have earthly debts and heavenly debts. Let us be wise Church. in dealing with each of them. Principles like faith, repentance, love, forgiveness, and prayer, lived in the process I just described, become the best vaccine to combat the disease of sin, which can manifest a family dispute. “Master, speak to my itself in families in different ways, brother,” he pleaded, “that he divide such as immorality, pride, envy, con- the inheritance with me.” tention, abuse, and other practices The Savior refused to take sides on that affect family relationships and this issue, but He did teach an impor- that result in pain, deception, and tant lesson. “Beware of covetous- the breakup of family ties. ness,” He told him, “for a man’s life The decision to incorporate them consisteth not in the abundance of into our lives and the opportunity to the things which he possesseth.”1 begin the process whenever it may be Brothers and sisters, beware of necessary depends solely on our covetousness. It is one of the great agency. It is a simple process that is afflictions of these latter days. It cre- within the reach of all. It is based on ates greed and resentment. Often it the fundamental principles of the leads to bondage, heartbreak, and gospel that have been and continue crushing, grinding debt. to be applied successfully by all those The number of marriages that have who put their trust in the Lord. been shattered over money issues is It is our duty to continue teaching y beloved brethren and sis- staggering. The amount of heartbreak them to a world that needs them ters, what a glorious event it is is great. The stress that comes from more all the time, because: Mto attend conference. We find worry over money has burdened fam- “Hath he commanded any that that the words spoken are words of ilies, caused sickness, depression, and they should not partake of his salva- inspiration, and it’s a joy to be present. even premature death. tion? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but I would like to talk about our heav- he hath given it free for all men; and enly debts and earthly debts. The Earthly Debts he hath commanded his people that Gospels record that nearly everywhere In spite of the teachings of the they should persuade all men to the Savior went, He was surrounded Church from its earliest days until repentance” (2 Nephi 26:27). by multitudes of people. Some hoped today, members sometimes fall victim I share with you my testimony that that He would heal them; others came to many unwise and foolish financial these principles are true. I testify that to hear Him speak. Others came for practices. Some continue to spend, the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes practical advice. Toward the end of His thinking that somehow the money it possible to incorporate them into mortal ministry, some came to mock will become available. Somehow they our lives. I know this because I am and ridicule Him and to clamor for His will survive. striving together with my family to crucifixion. Far too often, the money hoped live in accordance with them. In the One day a man approached the for does not appear. name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ Savior and asked Him to intervene in Remember this: debt is a form of

40 bondage. It is a financial termite. President Heber J. Grant said, the debts they have incurred, and When we make purchases on credit, “From my earliest recollections, from they strive to reduce the burden they they give us only an illusion of pros- the days of Brigham Young until now, owe to others. We congratulate those perity. We think we own things, but I have listened to men standing in the who are doing so, for the day will the reality is, our things own us. pulpit . . . urging the people not to come when they will reap the bless- Some debt—such as for a modest run into debt; and I believe that the ings of their efforts and understand home, expenses for education, per- great majority of all our troubles the value of this inspired counsel. haps for a needed first car—may be today is caused through the failure to However, others struggle when necessary. But never should we enter carry out that counsel.”3 it comes to finances. Some are vic- into financial bondage through con- President Ezra Taft Benson said, tims of adverse and often unfore- sumer debt without carefully weigh- “Do not leave yourself or your family seen events that have financially ing the costs. unprotected against financial storms. damaged them. Others are in finan- We have often heard that interest is . . . Build up savings.”4 cial bondage because they have not a good servant but a terrible master. President Harold B. Lee taught, learned to discipline themselves President J. Reuben Clark Jr. described “Not only should we teach men to get and control their impulses to spend. it this way: “Interest never sleeps nor out of debt but we should teach them Consequently, they have made unwise sickens nor dies; it never goes to the likewise to stay out of debt.”5 financial choices. hospital; it works on Sundays and holi- President Gordon B. Hinckley May I suggest five key steps to finan- days; it never takes a vacation. . . . declared: “Many of our people are cial freedom for your consideration. Once in debt, interest is your compan- living on the very edge of their First, pay your tithing. Do you ion every minute of the day and night; incomes. In fact, some are living on want the windows of heaven opened you cannot shun it or slip away from borrowings. . . . to you? Do you wish to receive bless- it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields nei- “. . . I urge you to be modest in ings so great there is not room ther to entreaties, demands, or orders; your expenditures; discipline your- enough to receive them?7 Always pay and whenever you get in its way or selves in your purchases to avoid debt your tithing and leave the outcome in cross its course or fail to meet its to the extent possible. Pay off debt as the hands of the Lord. demands, it crushes you.”2 quickly as you can, and free your- Obedience to God’s command- The counsel from other inspired selves from bondage.”6 ments is the foundation for a happy prophets in our time on this subject is My brothers and sisters, many have life. Surely we will be blessed with the clear, and what was true 50 or 150 heeded this prophetic counsel. They gifts of heaven for our obedience. years ago is also true today. live within their means, they honor Failure to pay tithing by those who

MAY 2004 41 We are a people of integrity. We believe in honoring our debts and being honest in our dealings with our fellow men. Let me tell you the story of one man who sacrificed greatly to maintain his own financial integrity and honor. In the 1930s Fred Snowberger opened the doors of a new pharmacy in northeastern Oregon. It had been his dream to own his own business, but the economic turnaround he had hoped for never materialized. Eight Members of the Accra Ghana Christiansborg Stake gather at their meetinghouse. months later, Fred closed the doors of his pharmacy for the last time. know the principle can lead to they hope will happen tomorrow. Even though his business had heartache in this life and perhaps The wise understand the impor- failed, Fred was determined to repay sorrow in the next. tance of saving today for a rainy day the loan he had secured. Some won- Second, spend less than you earn. tomorrow. They have adequate dered why he insisted on repaying This is simple counsel but a powerful insurance that will provide for them the debt. Why didn’t he simply secret for financial happiness. All too in case of illness or death. Where pos- declare bankruptcy and have the debt often a family’s spending is governed sible, they store a year’s supply of legally forgiven? more by their yearning than by their food, water, and other basic necessi- But Fred did not listen. He had earning. They somehow believe that ties of life. They set aside money in said he would repay the loan, and he their life will be better if they sur- savings and investment accounts. was determined to honor his word. round themselves with an abundance They work diligently to reduce the His family made many of their own of things. All too often all they are left debt they owe to others and strive to clothes, grew much of their food in with is avoidable anxiety and distress. become debt free. their garden, and used everything Those who live safely within their Brothers and sisters, the prepara- they had until it was thoroughly worn means know how much money comes tions you make today may one day be out or used up. Rain or shine, Fred in each month, and even though it is to you as the stored food was to the walked to and from his work each day. difficult, they discipline themselves to Egyptians and to Joseph’s father’s And every month, Fred paid what he spend less than that amount. family. could on the loan. Credit is so easy to obtain. In fact, Fourth, honor your financial obli- Years passed and finally the won- it is almost thrust upon us. Those gations. From time to time, we hear derful day arrived when Fred made who use credit cards to overspend stories of greed and selfishness that the last payment. He delivered it in unwisely should consider eliminating strike us with great sorrow. We hear person. The man who had loaned them. It is much better that a plastic of fraud, defaulting on loan commit- him the money wept and with tears credit card should perish than a fam- ments, financial deceptions, and streaming down his face, said, “You ily dwindle and perish in debt. bankruptcies. not only paid back every penny, but Third, learn to save. Remember We hear of fathers who financially you taught me what a man of charac- the lesson of Joseph of Egypt. During neglect their own families. We say to ter and honesty is.” times of prosperity, save up for a day men and women everywhere, if you To this day, nearly 70 years after of want.8 bring children into the world, it is your Fred signed his name to that note, Too often, people assume that solemn obligation to do all within your descendants of Fred and Erma they probably never will be injured, power to provide for them. No man is Snowberger still tell this story with get sick, lose their jobs, or see fit to be called a man who gathers pride. This act of honor and nobility their investments evaporate. To around himself cars, boats, and other has lived through the decades as a make matters worse, often people possessions while neglecting the cherished example of family integrity. make purchases today based upon sacred financial obligations he has to Fifth, teach your children to follow optimistic predictions of what his own wife and children. your example. Too many of our youth

42 get into financial difficulty because they never learned proper principles of financial common sense at home. Teach your children while they are young. Teach them that they cannot have something merely because they want it. Teach them the principles of hard work, frugality, and saving. If you don’t consider yourself informed well enough to teach them, all the more reason for you to begin learning. Abundant resources are available—from classes, to books, to other resources. There are those among us who Saints in Accra, Ghana, prepare to watch conference at their meetinghouse. have been blessed abundantly with enough and to spare. Our Heavenly What a debt we owe to the Lord for break through and steal: But lay up for Father expects that we do more with restoring His divine Church and true yourselves treasures in heaven.”11 The our riches than build larger barns to gospel in these latter-days through the riches of this world are as dust com- hold them. Will you consider what Prophet Joseph Smith. From his youth pared to the riches that await the faith- more you can do to build the king- until his Martyrdom, he devoted his ful in the mansions of our Heavenly dom of God? Will you consider what days to bringing to mankind the Father. How foolish is he who spends more you can do to bless the lives of gospel of Jesus Christ that had been his days in the pursuit of things that others and bring light and hope into lost. We owe our deepest gratitude to rust and fade away. How wise is he their lives? him and to all men in this sacred call- who spends his days in the pursuit of ing who have been given the mantle eternal life. Heavenly Debts to preside over His Church. Know within your hearts that Jesus We have spoken of earthly debts How can we ever repay the debt the Christ lives. Be at peace, for as and our duty to repay them. But there we owe to the Savior? He paid a you draw near to Him, He will draw are other debts—debts more eternal debt He did not owe to free us from near to you. Let not your hearts be in nature—that are not so easy to a debt we can never pay. Because of weary, but rejoice. Through the repay. In fact, we will never be able to Him, we will live forever. Because Prophet Joseph Smith, the gospel is repay some of them. These are heav- of His infinite Atonement, our sins restored once again. The heavens are enly debts. can be swept away, allowing us to not sealed. As in ancient days, we Our mothers and fathers gave us experience the greatest of all the have a man who communicates with life and brought us into this world. gifts of God: eternal life.9 the Infinite. A prophet, President They gave us the opportunity to Can such a gift have a price? Can Gordon B. Hinckley, walks the earth obtain mortal bodies and experience we ever make compensation for such in our day and at this time. I so testify the joys and sorrows of this boun- a gift? The Book of Mormon prophet in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ teous earth. In many cases, they set King Benjamin taught “that if you NOTES their own dreams and desires aside should render all the thanks and 1. Luke 12:13, 15. for the sake of their children. How fit- praise which your whole soul has 2. In Conference Report, Apr. 1938, 103. 3. In Conference Report, Oct. 1921, 3. ting it is that we honor them and power to possess . . . [and] serve him 4. Pay Thy Debt, and Live . . . , Brigham show by word and deed our love for with all your whole souls yet ye would Young University Speeches of the Year them and our gratitude. be unprofitable servants.”10 (28 Feb. 1962), 10. 5. The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. We also have a great debt to our We have earthly debts and heavenly Williams (1996), 315. ancestors who have preceded us and debts. Let us be wise in dealing with 6. “To the Boys and to the Men,” Liahona, Jan. 1999, 65–66; Ensign, Nov. 1998, who wait beyond the veil for those each of them and ever keep in mind 53–54. ordinances that will allow them to the words of the Savior. The scriptures 7. See Malachi 3:10. continue their eternal progression. tell us, “Lay not up for yourselves 8. See Genesis 41:47–57. 9. See D&C 14:7. This is a debt we can repay for them treasures upon earth, where moth and 10. Mosiah 2:20–21. in our temples. rust doth corrupt, and where thieves 11. Matthew 6:19–20.

MAY 2004 43 PRIESTHOOD SESSION 3 April 2004

3. Back then, in family, neighbor- hood, ward, and school life, we were Remember How all poor together, but we didn’t know it. We made room for each other to grow, to make dumb mistakes, to repent, and to begin to develop at Merciful the Lord least some spiritual reflexes. Today, some anxious parents seem to insist on constantly pulling up the daisies to Hath Been see how the roots are doing. 4. Young or old, my priesthood ELDER NEAL A. MAXWELL brothers, be grateful for people in Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles your lives who love you enough to correct you, to remind you of your standards and possibilities, even There are clusters of memories embedded in each when you don’t want to be reminded. of your lives. And these can help us to “remember A dear and now deceased friend how merciful the Lord hath been.” said to me years ago when I had said something sardonic, “You could have gone all day without saying that.” His one-liner reproof was lovingly stated, illustrating how correction can be an 1 Nephi 19:23), there might be a brief act of affection. father and son discussion later on. 5. When loved ones exemplify, it is 1. Let’s go back 60 years. The min- especially memorable. My sister Lois, utes of the Wandamere Ward of the legally blind from birth, not only Grant Stake for June 4, 1944, indicate coped but served well as a public the sacrament was administered by schoolteacher for 33 years. She had my friends Ward Jackson, Arthur that same reflex possessed by those Hicks, and me to a congregation of pioneer souls who quietly picked up 141. Then it was off to war. In May of their handcarts and headed west, a 1945, I was blessing the sacrament reflex we all need. So if various trials again—but in a foxhole on Okinawa are allotted to you, partake of life’s bit- for a congregation of only one, myself! ter cups, but without becoming bitter. The training of my youth took over 6. Soon after arriving home from without fanfare—something only par- World War II, I had “promises to keep” tially appreciated by me then—includ- (Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on ing abstaining from coffee in those a Snowy Evening,” in The Poetry of same circumstances when water was Robert Frost, ed. Edward Connery rethren, please allow me to scarce and highly chlorinated. Lathem [1969], 225)—meaning going reminisce informally and grate- I do not know what lies ahead of on a mission now. I grew tired of wait- Bfully. Hopefully this will be done you young men, but my advice would ing for the bishop. And in some early in a relaxed, almost conversational way be to fasten your seat belts and hold ark-steadying, I went to the bishop’s by citing a few remembrances, a few of on firmly to your principles! home and said I had saved the money life’s little lessons—nothing spectacu- 2. In my Primary days, we sang and wanted to go, so let’s “get this lar. There will also be several one-liners “ ‘Give,’ Said the Little Stream” show on the road.” The good bishop whose durability reflects their brevity. (Children’s Songbook, 236)—certainly hesitated, and then said he’d been The focus of these remembrances is sweet and motivating but not exactly meaning to ask me about going. upon being stretched by a merciful theologically drenched. Today’s chil- Years later, I would learn from that Lord (see Moroni 10:3). dren, as you know, sing the more spiri- bishop’s devoted ward clerk that the If just one of these remembrances tually focused “I’m Trying to Be like bishop had felt I needed a little more can be “likened” unto yourselves (see Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79). time with my family after having been

44 away so far and for a tenth of my life. Hearing this, I chastised myself for having been too judgmental. (See Bruce C. Hafen, A Disciple’s Life: The Biography of Neal A. Maxwell [2002], 129–30.) No wonder the wise father of Elder Henry B. Eyring observed once how the Lord had a perfect Church until He let all of us inside! 7. Two relevant memories for young fathers. When I was such, I had just received a phone call telling me of a friend’s death in an accident. I was sitting in the living room with tears streaking down my cheeks. Our young son, Cory, saw the tears as he passed in the hallway. I learned that he had anxiously assumed the tears were because he had disappointed me in some way. He didn’t know about the phone call. Brethren, we underestimate how genuinely and frequently our children want to please us. 8. Having virtually no quantitative skills, I was seldom if ever able to help our children with math and scientific subjects. One day our high school daughter Nancy asked me for “a little help” regarding a Supreme Court case, world’s problems to be very effective. like that: we are left to press forward Fletcher v. Peck. I was so eager to help Such solutions often resemble what and endure frustrated expectations— after so many times of not being able C. S. Lewis wrote about those who go refusing to “go back to the hotel”! to help. At last a chance to unload! Out dashing back and forth with fire extin- Otherwise, such “give-up-itis” will came what I knew about Fletcher v. guishers in times of flood (see The affect all seasons of life. Besides, the Peck. Finally my frustrated daughter Screwtape Letters [1959], 117–18). Lord knows how many miles we have said, “Dad, I need only a little help!” Only the gospel is constantly relevant, to go “before [we] sleep”! (“Stopping I was meeting my own needs rather and the substitute things won’t work. by Woods on a Snowy Evening”). than giving her “a little help.” 10. Once when traveling with Elder 11. In 1956, after returning home We worship a Lord who teaches us and Sister Russell M. Nelson, we left from several years in Washington, D.C., precept by precept, brethren, so even our hotel in Bombay, India, to catch a and having declined several attractive when we are teaching our children plane for Karachi, Pakistan, and then offers there, I received an offer to the gospel, let’s not dump the whole on to Islamabad. When we got to the work at the University of Utah. My load of hay. chaotic airport, our flight had been wife said I should take it. She said 9. In later years, I saw a few leave canceled. Impatiently, I said to the presciently, “I feel if you go there, the Church who could then never man at the airline counter, “What do maybe you will have some influence leave it alone. They used often their you expect us to do, just give up and on students.” I replied impatiently, intellectual reservations to cover their go back to the hotel?” He said with “I’ll be typing news releases, not behavioral lapses (see Neal A. Maxwell, great dignity, “Sir, you never go back working with students.” The subse- All These Things Shall Give Thee to the hotel.” We rummaged about quent opportunities included being Experience [1979], 110). You will see the airport, found a flight, kept the a bishop of a student ward, dean of some of that. By the way, do not appointment in Islamabad, and even students, and teaching hundreds of expect the world’s solutions to the had a night’s sleep. Sometimes life is fine students in political science. It

MAY 2004 45 wasn’t status that mattered, of course, but being stretched and being given opportunities to serve. Strengthen Our wives are often inspired but sometimes in counterintuitive ways— a reality, young men, which your fathers may be brave enough to Thy Brethren explain to you sometime. 12. It’s interesting, too, how we ELDER MERVYN B. ARNOLD create, cumulatively, expectations in Of the Seventy the lives of our grandchildren even when we are not aware of it. Some May each quorum and each one of us individually . . . years ago, when our grandson Robbie follow the example of our Lord and Savior to “take . . . was about five, we dropped by to see his family in Orem. He was asleep him that is weak, . . . that he may become strong also.” upstairs, and his mother called, “Robbie, Grandpa Neal is here!” A tired little voice floated downstairs saying, “Shall I bring my scriptures?” to Fernando, and he told me of his Of course, he was too young to experience: read them, but he carried them, as so “I became involved in surfing com- many do in the Church today in that petitions on Sunday mornings and fine new pattern! stopped going to my Church meet- Brethren, there are clusters of ings. One Sunday morning Brother memories embedded in each of your Marques knocked on my door and lives. And these can help us to asked my nonmember mother if he “remember how merciful the Lord could talk to me. When she told him I hath been” (Moroni 10:3). He was sleeping, he asked permission to certainly has been to me! wake me. He said to me, ‘Fernando, Brethren, as you submit your wills you are late for church!’ Not listening to God, you are giving Him the only to my excuses, he took me to church. thing you can actually give Him that “The next Sunday the same thing is really yours to give. Don’t wait too happened, so on the third Sunday I long to find the altar or to begin to decided to leave early to avoid him. place the gift of your wills upon it! As I opened the gate I found him sit- No need to wait for a receipt; the rother José de Souza Marques ting on his car, reading the scriptures. Lord has His own special ways of was the type of leader who When he saw me he said, ‘Good! You acknowledging. Btruly understood the principle are up early. Today we will go and find I testify to you that God has known taught by the Savior: “And if any man another young man!’ I appealed to you individually, brethren, for a long, among you be strong in the Spirit, let my agency, but he said, ‘We can talk long time (see D&C 93:23). He has him take with him him that is weak, about that later.’ loved you for a long, long time. He that he may be edified in all meek- “After eight Sundays I could not get not only knows the names of all the ness, that he may become strong rid of him, so I decided to sleep at a stars (see Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26); also” (D&C 84:106). friend’s house. I was at the beach the He knows your names and all your As a member of the branch presi- next morning when I saw a man heartaches and your joys! By the way, dency in Fortaleza, Brazil, Brother dressed in a suit and tie walking you have never seen an immortal star; Marques with the other priesthood towards me. When I saw that it was they finally expire. But seated by you leaders developed a plan to reactivate Brother Marques, I ran into the water. tonight are immortal individuals— those who were less active in his All of a sudden, I felt someone’s hand imperfect but who are, nevertheless, branch. One of those who was less on my shoulder. It was Brother “trying to be like Jesus”! In His name, active was a young man by the name Marques, in water up to his chest! He even Jesus Christ, amen. ■ of Fernando Araujo. Recently I spoke took me by the hand and said, ‘You

46 are late! Let’s go.’ When I argued that I didn’t have any clothes to wear, he replied, ‘They are in the car.’ “That day as we walked out of the ocean, I was touched by Brother Marques’s sincere love and worry for me. He truly understood the Savior’s words: ‘I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick’ (Ezekiel 34:16). Brother Marques didn’t just give me a ride to church—the quorum made sure I remained active. They planned activi- A story told by Elder Mervyn B. Arnold was reenacted to illustrate the importance ties that made me feel needed and of reaching out to youth. A now-grown Fernando Araujo portrays the priesthood wanted, I received a calling, and the leader in this photo. Bruno Augusto portrays the young Fernando Araujo. quorum members became my friends.” As I reflected on the desire of We are not told how long it took Following his reactivation, Brother these priesthood brethren to fulfill the Good Shepherd to find the lost Araujo went on a full-time mission their sacred duties, spending the bulk sheep or if others helped in the and has served as bishop, stake presi- of their time ministering instead of search, but we do know that they dent, mission president, and regional administering, these words of the “[knew] his voice” (John 10:4) and representative. His widowed mother, Savior came into my mind: that He loved them. We also know three sisters, and several cousins have “For I was an hungred, and ye gave that He did not give up, that He did also entered the waters of baptism. me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me “go . . . after that which [was] lost, When speaking about the work of drink: I was a stranger, and ye took until he [did] find it,” and that when the Aaronic Priesthood quorums in me in: He returned, the lost sheep was safely his ward, Brother Araujo, who is once “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was on His shoulders. And then He again serving as a bishop, stated: sick, and ye visited me: I was in exclaims, “Rejoice with me; for I have “Our rescue work is the focus in prison, and ye came unto me” found my sheep which was lost. I say all three quorums of the Aaronic (Matthew 25:35–36). unto you, that likewise joy shall be in Priesthood. We have a list of each The Savior’s example of going the heaven over one sinner that repen- one of our lost sheep. The quorum extra mile to find His lost sheep is teth” (Luke 15:6–7). presidencies, advisers, and bishopric evident throughout the scriptures. In Ezekiel chapter 34 we read the divide up and go visit them on a regu- “What man of you, having an hundred prophet’s warning voice: lar basis. We visit not only the less- sheep, if he lose one of them, doth “And the word of the Lord came active members, but we also visit not leave the ninety and nine and go unto me, saying, . . . the nonmembers in less-active or into the wilderness after that which is “. . . Woe be to the shepherds of part-member families. lost, until he find it?” (Joseph Smith Israel that do feed themselves! should “Activities are organized to reach Translation, Luke 15:4). The Good not the shepherds feed the flocks? . . . each young man. We discuss each Shepherd knew when one of His “My sheep wandered through all young man in our quorum presidency sheep was missing: “He numbereth the mountains, and upon every high meetings and in our monthly bish- his sheep, and they know him” hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon opric youth committee meetings. In (1 Nephi 22:25), “and he calleth his all the face of the earth, and none did 2003 we managed to rescue five own sheep by name” (John 10:3). He search or seek after them. . . . priests, one teacher, and two deacons, went “into the wilderness,” which at “As I live, saith the Lord God, surely who are now active in their quorums. times has been defined as “a confus- because my flock became a prey, and We have also reactivated some fami- ing multitude or mass” (Merriam- my flock became meat to every beast lies and have enjoyed the blessing of Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th of the field, because there was no seeing some nonmembers enter the ed. [2003], “wilderness,” 1432), and shepherd, neither did my shepherds waters of baptism.” He searched for that which was lost. search for my flock; . . .

MAY 2004 47 “...I will require my flock at their shouldering of obligation to assist our efforts will have an eternal effect on hand” (vv. 1–2, 6, 8, 10; emphasis Father in Heaven in His glorious work the lives of your quorum members added). of bringing to pass the immortality and their posterity for generations to The Lord has always required that and eternal life of His sons and come. They will be living testimonies those He entrusts with His holy daughters throughout the earth” of the promise given by the Savior priesthood, including fathers, quo- (“Find the Lambs, Feed the Sheep,” when He said: “Feed the flock of God rum leaders, and quorum members, Liahona, July 1999, 124; Ensign, May which is among you, . . . and when the be held accountable for His flocks. 1999, 110). chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall Brethren, we must search and seek I am grateful for the example of the receive a crown of glory that fadeth out our flocks, and we must not allow Good Shepherd, who did not give up not away” (1 Peter 5:2, 4), “that you our flocks to become “meat to every until He had His lost sheep safely may bring souls unto me, that you beast of the field.” home; for the examples of President may rest with them in the kingdom of In section 20 of the Doctrine and Thomas S. Monson, who while serving my Father” (D&C 15:6), and “how Covenants the Savior teaches us many as a bishop left his flock in the care of great will be your joy” (D&C 18:16). of our duties as priesthood holders the adviser and went to the West May each quorum and each one and quorum members. The following Temple Garage to rescue Richard of us individually, working in conjunc- action words and phrases underline from a grease pit (see “The Aaronic tion with the councils of the Church, His sense of urgency: “watch over,” Priesthood Pathway,” Ensign, Nov. follow the example of our Lord and “take the lead,” “expound,” “visit the 1984, 41); of Brother Marques, who Savior to “take . . . him that is weak, house of each member,” “pray,” rescued Fernando from the ocean; of . . . that he may become strong also” “strengthen,” “warn,” “send,” “teach,” a quorum adviser and various quorum (D&C 84:106). I bear humble witness “exhort,” “baptize,” and “invite all to members I am well acquainted with that Joseph Smith was a prophet of come unto Christ” (vv. 42, 44, 46–47, who knocked on Scott’s bedroom God, that the Book of Mormon is 53, 59, 81–82; emphasis added). window every Sunday morning for six scripture, that President Gordon B. I also felt the urgency in President months, fellowshipped and loved him, Hinckley is indeed a prophet of God, Hinckley’s voice when he stated, “Let until Scott returned to the fold; and that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer us, every one, resolve within our- for the examples of many of you who and the Good Shepherd, and that selves to arise to a new opportunity, have gone the extra mile until you He lives. In the name of Jesus a new sense of responsibility, a new have found that which was lost. Your Christ, amen. ■

48 be a resurrection with a judgment.”3 There are certain truths, certain For the Strength “things as they really are,” that are enforced by standards—many of which can be measured. Let’s look at several examples in athletics. of Youth The cover of the March 2004 New Era shows a picture of Moroni Rubio ELDER EARL C. TINGEY of Mexico. Two years ago, at age 16, Of the Presidency of the Seventy he took first place at the Central American Junior Championships in The standards of the Church are firm and true. the 100-meter sprint. His current best They are for your safety and eternal security. time is 10.46 seconds.4 He would be timed by a stopwatch, which measures performance. The men’s world record for high jump is held by a Cuban athlete who beginning of your journey through jumped approximately 8 feet (2.4 m). this mortal life. Your Heavenly Father Can you imagine jumping that high? wants your life to be joyful and to lead High jumpers leap over a horizontal you back into His presence. The deci- bar resting on two vertical poles. This sions you make now will determine bar represents a standard, a measure much of what will follow during your to meet or exceed. life and throughout eternity.”1 Imagine holding a track meet You live in a world of great uncer- where the runners are not measured tainty. There are many voices. There by a stopwatch or where the high are many paths. Not all lead to our jumpers do not have a horizontal bar Heavenly Father. How will you know to measure their jumps. to whom to listen or where to go? In life, as in athletics, there are The prophet Jacob answered these standards, or measured behavior. questions in the following scripture: There are rights and wrongs. As “The Spirit speaketh the truth and priesthood holders, we do not high lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of jump without a horizontal bar. things as they really are, and of things Unfortunately, we are seeing the y dear brethren of the priest- as they really will be.”2 removal of traditional standards of hood, how honored I am to But what are “things as they really morality and behavior in today’s Mbe with you this evening. are” as referred to by Jacob? Elder world. The vernacular of today is Four of my grandsons are in the Neal A. Maxwell, addressing this sub- “anything goes.” The world views Conference Center tonight—Craig, ject, has said: time-honored standards as old- Brent, Kendall, and Michael. I would “Without the obedient response to fashioned or out-of-date. like to speak to them and all Aaronic ‘things as they really are,’ there are We belong to a church where Priesthood bearers and invite others the endless detours and the empty adhering to standards is expected. to listen. searches for another course of life. . . . Things that have always been wrong In a message from the First A course of life that is wrong now can- in the past are still wrong today. The Presidency, included in the For the not and will not be proven right later Church does not modify standards of Strength of Youth booklet, we read: on. . . . morality by adapting to changing cus- “Our beloved young men . . . , we “The gospel of the Lord Jesus toms or to the mores of the societies have great confidence in you. You are Christ gives us many truths . . . —that in which we live. choice spirits who have come forth in there really is the living God; there President Gordon B. Hinckley tells this day when the responsibilities and really is the living Church; there really of an experience he had as a boy lying opportunities, as well as the tempta- are living prophets; there really are in the bed of an old farm wagon at tions, are the greatest. You are at the living scriptures; and there really will night with his brother Sherman. They

MAY 2004 49 minister. He gave me 20 minutes to explain our position. When I finished he said, “I do not see where anything you have told me is any different from what is currently available in our country. I see no reason to approve your request to bring missionaries into our country.” He stood up to usher me out of his office. I was panic-stricken. I had failed. In a moment our meeting would be over. What could I do? I offered a silent prayer. Then I had an inspired thought. I said to the minister, “Sir, if you will give me five more minutes, I would like to share one other thought with you. Then I will leave.” He kindly consented. I reached for my wallet and removed this small For the Strength of Youth booklet, which I have always carried. I said, “This is a little booklet of “looked at the myriads of stars in the “That rabbit over there,” the boy standards we give all of the youth in heavens, and took turns picking out said.6 our Church.” familiar stars and tracing the Big Young men of the Aaronic I then read some of the standards Dipper, the handle and the cup, to Priesthood, fix your gaze on the I have mentioned tonight. When I fin- find the North Star.” President unchanging standards of the gospel ished he said, “You mean to tell me Hinckley said he was fascinated by the and not on the moving rabbit. you expect the youth of your church North Star. Regardless of the earth’s In the For the Strength of Youth to live these standards?” rotation, the North Star maintained booklet, the following standards, “Yes,” I replied, “and they do.” its position in the heavens and never among others, are like a North Star to “That is amazing,” he said. “Could moved. He said: “I recognized it as you: choose friends with high stan- you send me some of these booklets a constant in the midst of change. It dards, do not disfigure your body with so that I could distribute them to the was something that could always be tattoos or body piercings, avoid youth of my church?” counted on, something that was pornography, do not listen to music I replied, “Yes,” and I did. dependable, an anchor in what other- that contains offensive language, do Several months later we received wise appeared to be a moving and not use profanity, date only those who official approval from the government unstable firmament.”5 have high standards, remain sexually of that country to come and establish Noting the unwavering, absolute pure, repent as necessary, be honest, the Church. position of the North Star, one writer keep the Sabbath day holy, pay tithing, Young men, these standards you told the contrasting story of a young keep the Word of Wisdom.7 are privileged to keep are truly a pearl boy who became lost on a camping A dozen years ago, in one of the of great price. The world does not trip. When his father finally found countries of Africa, we had faithful understand them. Many good people him, his father asked if he had members of the Church who had seek them. You have them. remembered to pick out something been meeting in their homes for sev- The Prophet Joseph Smith received in the landscape that he could always eral years. I went to that country to a revelation that establishes how we see. This, his father said, would have see if we could receive permission may know today which voices to listen helped him to fix a steady position. from the government to bring in mis- to—what standards to follow. In this The boy said, “I did.” sionaries and establish the Church. I revelation, our time, or generation, “What was it?” the father asked. met with a high-ranking government was referred to as a time when men

50 would “see an overflowing scourge” and “a desolating sickness [would] cover the land.”8 Choices The Lord then gave the standard of safety that will protect faithful follow- PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST ers. He said, “But my disciples shall Second Counselor in the First Presidency stand in holy places, and shall not be moved.”9 The Brethren of the First Presi- Tomorrow’s blessings and opportunities depend dency and the Quorum of the Twelve on the choices we make today. Apostles are disciples who stand in holy places. They are not moved or swayed by changing times from what has been established as true in all Sometimes we make poor choices prior generations. The standards of when we yield to peer pressure. Kieth the Church are firm and true. They Merrill had such an experience when are for your safety and eternal secu- he was a young man. He and his rity. When you commit to live them, friends were diving from sheer rock you are measured against time- walls at the East Canyon Reservoir, proven standards that are approved northeast of Salt Lake City. It inevi- by God. tably turned into a teenage contest Now, my grandsons and dear when one young man climbed up to brethren of the Aaronic Priesthood, the top of the dam and dived 50 feet you are in a race for life. It is not into the deep water of the reservoir. a brief sprint. It is more like a The rest of the young men all went to marathon. the top of the dam and made the You will be tested and proven same high dive. One boy wasn’t satis- against God’s established standards. fied with that, so he said, “All right, I’ll You will be guided by the Spirit to do one better!” He climbed 60 feet up help you know what to do. the side of the cliff. Not wanting to be We are almost the only organiza- y beloved brethren of the outdone, Kieth climbed up beside tion left that has established, time- holy priesthood of God him. After the other boy had dived honored standards. Most others have Mall over the world, I greet into the water and seemed to be all succumbed to the culture of our each of you in the spirit of love and right, Kieth took courage and made world. How blessed we are to have fellowship. his dive. The contest was now down living prophets. In this life we have to make to these two boys. Kieth’s friend then May you be blessed as you keep many choices. Some are very impor- climbed up to 70 feet and dived. He the standards of the Church. In the tant choices. Some are not. Many came up from the water laughing, name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ of our choices are between good and rubbing his shoulders and his eyes. evil. The choices we make, however, He then challenged Kieth, “Well, are NOTES determine to a large extent our happi- you going to do it?” 1. For the Strength of Youth (2001), 2. ness or our unhappiness, because we “Of course, I’m going to do it!” And 2. Jacob 4:13. 3. Things as They Really Are (1978), xi–xii. have to live with the consequences of everybody on the shore said, “Of 4. See Adam C. Olson, “Moroni’s Feet,” our choices. Making perfect choices course, he’s going to do it!” Liahona, Mar. 2004, 8–11; New Era, Mar. all of the time is not possible. It just So Kieth swam back to the shore 2004, 20–23. 5. See Sheri L. Dew, Go Forward with Faith: doesn’t happen. But it is possible to and climbed up the rocks. He knew if The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley make good choices we can live with he jumped from the same height of 70 (1996), 5–6. 6. See Jerry Johnston, “Following True North and grow from. When God’s children feet that his friend would want to go Is Lifelong Challenge,” Deseret Morning live worthy of divine guidance they higher, so he scrambled up 80 feet to News, 14 Feb. 2004, sec. E, p. 1. can become “free forever, knowing the very top of the cliff. No one could 7. See For the Strength of Youth, 12–37. 8. D&C 45:31. good from evil; to act for themselves go any higher than the top. As Kieth 9. D&C 45:32. and not to be acted upon.”1 looked down, he was terrified to see

MAY 2004 51 to make our choices for us. We can more readily take firm stands when we have a clear idea of our identity as sons of God and bearers of the holy priesthood, having a bright potential for a meaningful future. Unfortunately, some of our poor choices are irreversible, but many are not. Often we can change course and get back on the right track. Getting back on the right track may involve the principles of repentance: first, recognizing the error of our ways; second, forsaking the wrongful conduct; third, never repeating it; and, fourth, confessing3 and making resti- tution where possible. Learning by experience has value, but the “school of hard knocks” is deserving of its name. Progression comes faster and easier by learning from our parents, those who love us, and our teachers. We can also learn from the mistakes of others, observing the consequences of their wrong choices. Some choices present good opportunities no matter which road we take—for example, when deciding which career path to follow or which school to attend. I know one bright and able young man who wanted to the water so very far away. He had his head finally popped above water. become a doctor, but the opportunity made a rash decision. It was not what Why did he jump? What was he try- did not open up for him; so he chose he wanted to do nor what he felt was ing to prove? The young men who to follow the law. He has become a right. Instead he had based his deci- dared him didn’t care and probably very successful lawyer, but I am satis- sion on the prodding and dares of a don’t even remember that foolish act. fied he would have been equally half dozen young men whose names But Kieth realized afterward that he successful as a doctor. he cannot now even remember. had made what could easily have Some of our important choices He backed up and ran as hard as been a fatal decision. He had yielded have a time line. If we delay a deci- he could toward the edge. He found to the pressure of friends expecting sion, the opportunity is gone forever. the mark he had carefully laid at the him to do what he didn’t want to do. Sometimes our doubts keep us from edge of the rock and sprang out into He knew better. He said: “I was living making a choice that involves change. space. On the way down he remem- in the world, and at that moment I Thus an opportunity may be missed. bered his parents teaching him was of the world because I was not in As someone once said, “When you to be careful when making decisions, control of myself. I was not making have to make a choice and don’t because a wrong one could kill him. decisions about my own life. The make it, that in itself is a choice.”4 And now he thought, “You have world made the decisions for me, . . . Some people find it hard to make done it, because when you hit the and [I] had barely avoided being in a decision. A psychiatrist once said water you’ll be going so fast that it the world about six feet deep.”2 to a patient, “Do you ever have any might as well be concrete.” When he It takes a certain kind of courage to trouble making up your mind?” The hit the water, it even felt like con- stand back rather than leaping for- patient said, “Well, yes and no.” My crete. How grateful he was when ward, foolishly allowing someone else hope and prayer is that we can be as

52 resolute as Joshua when he proclaimed, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”5 Some choices have greater consequences than others. We make no greater voluntary choice in this life than the selection of a marriage partner. This decision can bring eternal happiness and joy. To find sublime fulfillment in marriage, both partners need to be fully committed to the marriage. Some important choices for fulfillment and happiness should be made only once and then, having been made, never have to be made again. For example, we need only once to make the firm and unequivocal resolution not to smoke tobacco, not to drink alcoholic drinks, nor use mind- changing drugs. In 1976 Elder Robert C. Oaks, then a colonel in the United States Air interpreter, an army captain with them away carefully down to hell.”7 Force, was a member of the Incidents whom he had previously discussed No matter how many people in our at Sea negotiating team. They were religion, whispered to the host society are involved, none are justi- guests at a dinner hosted by the admiral, “It is because of his religion.” fied in being dishonest, lying, cheat- Leningrad Naval District. About 50 The admiral nodded his head, the ing, using profanity, especially taking senior officers of the Soviet Union tension immediately diffused, and the the Lord’s name in vain, engaging in and the United States were present program moved on.6 immoral sexual relationships, or not as the host led the group in toasts Elder Oaks had decided years respecting the Lord’s day. before dinner. They stood for the first before that he would never drink Other people’s actions do not dic- toast and raised their glasses, most of alcohol, and so in the moment of trial tate what is right or wrong. One per- which were filled with Russian vodka. he did not have to make this choice son having the courage to make the Brother Oaks had pink lemonade in again. Elder Oaks was convinced that right choice can influence many oth- his glass, which was immediately more harm would have come to him ers to also choose wisely. I wish to noticed by the admiral leading the if he had compromised a tenet of his endorse what is stated in the pam- toast. He stopped and demanded that faith than the harm that would have phlet For the Strength of Youth: Brother Oaks fill his glass with vodka, come from drinking the vodka. “You are responsible for the stating that he would not proceed Incidentally, adhering to his religious choices you make. You should not until he had done so. Brother Oaks principles did not hurt his career. blame your circumstances, your fam- declined, explaining that he was After this incident he went on to ily, or your friends if you choose to happy with what he had in his glass. become a four-star general. disobey God’s commandments. You A significant tension began to build, Strangely, doing the wrong thing are a child of God with great strength. and even his own team members, often seems reasonable, possibly You have the ability to choose righ- most of whom were senior to him, because it seems to be the easiest teousness and happiness, no matter were growing uneasy over the impasse. course. We often hear as a justifica- what your circumstances.”8 Brother Oaks’s Soviet escort hissed in tion for wrong behavior, “Well, every- How do we make correct choices? his ear, “Fill your glass with vodka!” body is doing it.” This evil distorts the A choice involves making a conscious Brother Oaks uttered the shortest truth, and its author is Satan. As decision. To make an intelligent deci- prayer of his life: “God, help me!” Nephi tells us, “Thus the devil sion we need to evaluate all available Within seconds, the Soviet cheateth their souls, and leadeth facts on both sides of an issue. But

MAY 2004 53 that isn’t enough. Making correct decisions involves prayer and inspiration. The 9th section of the Doctrine The Call and Covenants gives us the grand key. The Lord said to Oliver Cowdery: “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give for Courage it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON “But, behold, I say unto you, that First Counselor in the First Presidency you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage and if it is right I will cause that your to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. the smile of God’s approval. “But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong.”9 entitled Great Expectations, Dickens As we look into the future, we are described a boy by the name of Philip going to need to be stronger and Pirrip, more commonly known as more responsible for our choices in a Pip. Pip was born in unusual circum- world where people “call evil good, stances. He was an orphan. He and good evil.”10 We do not choose wished with all his heart that he were wisely if we use our agency in opposi- a scholar and a gentleman. Yet all of tion to God’s will or to priesthood his ambitions and all of his hopes counsel. Tomorrow’s blessings and seemed doomed to failure. Do you opportunities depend on the choices young men sometimes feel that way? we make today. Do those of us who are older enter- Brethren, it is my belief and testi- tain these same thoughts? mony that collectively we have the Then one day a London lawyer by responsibility to set the example of the name of Jaggers approached little righteousness to all of the world. Pip and told him that an unknown Under the great leadership of benefactor had bequeathed to him a President Gordon B. Hinckley, we fortune. The lawyer put his arm must point the way by the inspired rethren, you are an inspiring around the shoulder of Pip and said choices we make. The power of sight to behold. It is awesome to him, “My boy, you have great choice is yours. May we all use our Bto realize that in thousands of expectations.” God-given agency wisely as we make chapels throughout the world at this Tonight, as I look at you young these eternal choices. In the name of hour, your fellow holders of the men and realize who you are and Jesus Christ, amen. ■ priesthood of God are receiving this what you may become, I declare, “You broadcast by way of satellite transmis- have great expectations”—not as the NOTES 1. 2 Nephi 2:26. sion. Your nationalities vary, and your result of an unknown benefactor, but 2. Adapted from “Deciding about Decisions,” languages are many, but a common as the result of a known benefactor, New Era, June 1976, 12–13. 3. See D&C 58:43. thread binds us together. We have even our Heavenly Father, and great 4. William James, as quoted in Evan Esar, ed., been entrusted to bear the priest- things are expected of you. 20,000 Quips and Quotes (1968), 132. hood and to act in the name of God. Life’s journey is not traveled on a 5. Joshua 24:15. 6. Adapted from Believe! Helping Youth Trust We are the recipients of a sacred trust. freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, in the Lord (2003), 27–28. Much is expected of us. and snares. Rather, it is a pathway 7. 2 Nephi 28:21. Long ago, the renowned author marked by forks and turnings. 8. For the Strength of Youth (2001), 5. 9. D&C 9:7–9. Charles Dickens wrote of opportuni- Decisions are constantly before us. To 10. 2 Nephi 15:20. ties that await. In his classic volume make them wisely, courage is needed:

54 the courage to say, “No,” the courage those who follow Him now win a far crowned by the example of Moroni, to say, “Yes.” Decisions do determine more significant victory, with conse- who had the courage to persevere to destiny. quences that are everlasting. The the end in righteousness.5 The call for courage comes con- need for courage is constant. All were fortified by the words of stantly to each of us. It has ever been The holy scriptures portray the Moses: “Be strong and of a good so, and so shall it ever be. evidence of this truth. Joseph, son of courage, fear not, nor be afraid . . . : The courage of a military leader Jacob, the same who was sold into for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth was recorded by a young infantryman Egypt, demonstrated the firm resolve go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor wearing the gray uniform of the of courage when to Potiphar’s wife, forsake thee.”6 He did not fail them. Confederacy during America’s Civil who attempted to seduce him, he He will not fail us. He did not forsake War. He describes the influence of declared: “How . . . can I do this great them. He will not forsake us. General J. E. B. Stuart in these words: wickedness, and sin against God? And It is this sweet assurance that can “[At a critical point in the battle,] . . . he hearkened not unto her . . . guide you and me—in our time, in our he waved his hand toward the enemy and got . . . out.”3 day, in our lives. Of course, we will face and shouted, ‘Forward men! Forward! In our day, a father applied this fear, experience ridicule, and meet Just follow me!’ . . . example of courage to the lives of his opposition. Let us have the courage to “. . . With courage and resolution children by declaring, “If you ever find defy the consensus, the courage to [they followed] after him like a wide yourself where you shouldn’t be—get stand for principle. Courage, not com- raging torrent,” and the objective was out!” promise, brings the smile of God’s seized and held.1 Who can help but be inspired by approval. Courage becomes a living At an earlier time, and in a land far the lives of the 2,000 stripling sons and an attractive virtue when it is distant, another leader issued the of Helaman who taught and demon- regarded not only as a willingness to same plea: “Follow me.”2 He was not strated the need of courage to follow die manfully, but also as a determina- a general of war. Rather, He was the the teachings of parents, the courage tion to live decently. A moral coward is Prince of Peace, the Son of God. to be chaste and pure?4 one who is afraid to do what he thinks Those who followed Him then and Perhaps each of these accounts is is right because others will disapprove

MAY 2004 55 for a specified distance. When this was announced at the care facility, a cheer erupted from those patients assembled, and a hearty round of applause echoed through the halls. As I congratulated Paul, he said with his limited diction, “I hope I don’t drop the torch!” Brethren, Paul Tingey didn’t drop the Olympic torch. What’s more, he carried bravely the torch he was handed in life and did so to the day of his passing. Spirituality, faith, determination, courage—Paul Tingey had them all. Someone has said that courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of it.9 At times, courage is needed to rise from failure, to strive again. As a young teenager, I participated or laugh. Remember that all men have month ago I attended his funeral in a Church basketball game. When their fears, but those who face their services here in Salt Lake City. Paul the outcome was in doubt, the coach fears with dignity have courage as well. grew up in a fine Latter-day Saint sent me onto the playing floor right From my personal chronology of home and served an honorable mis- after the second half began. I took an courage, let me share with you an sion for the Lord in Germany. A com- inbounds pass, dribbled the ball example from military service. panion of his in the mission field was toward the key, and let the shot fly. Entering the United States Navy in Elder Bruce D. Porter of the First Just as the ball left my fingertips, I the closing months of World War II Quorum of the Seventy. Elder Porter realized why the opposing guards did was a challenging experience for me. I described Elder Tingey as one of not attempt to stop my drive: I was learned of brave deeds, acts of valor, the most dedicated and successful shooting for the wrong basket! I and examples of courage. One best missionaries he ever knew. offered a silent prayer: “Please, Father, remembered was the quiet courage of At the conclusion of his mission, don’t let that ball go in.” The ball an 18-year-old seaman—not of our Elder Tingey returned home, com- rimmed the hoop and fell out. faith—who was not too proud to pray. pleted his studies at the university, From the bleachers came the call: Of 250 men in the company, he was married his sweetheart, and together “We want Monson, we want Monson, the only one who each night knelt with her reared their family. He we want Monson—out!” The coach down by the side of his bunk, at times served as a bishop and was successful obliged. amidst the jeers of the curious, the in his vocation. Many years later, as a member of jests of unbelievers, and, with bowed Then, without much warning, the the Council of the Twelve, I joined head, prayed to God. He never symptoms of a dreaded disease struck other General Authorities in visiting wavered. He never faltered. He his nervous system—even multiple a newly completed chapel where, had courage. sclerosis. Held captive by this malady, as an experiment, we were trying I love these words from the poet Paul Tingey struggled valiantly but out a tightly woven carpet on the Ella Wheeler Wilcox: then was confined to a care facility for gymnasium floor. the remainder of his life. There he While several of us were examining It is easy enough to be pleasant, cheered up the sad and made every- the floor, Bishop J. Richard Clarke, When life flows by like a song, one feel glad.8 Whenever I attended who was then in the Presiding But the man worth while is one who Church meetings there, Paul lifted my Bishopric, suddenly threw the basket- will smile, spirits, as he did all others. ball to me with a challenge: “I don’t When everything goes dead wrong.7 When the World Olympics came believe you can hit the basket, to Salt Lake City in 2002, Paul was standing where you are!” Such a man was Paul Tingey. Just a selected to carry the Olympic torch I was some distance behind what is

56 now the professional three-point line. a human rescue mission, we need the reported the change in his life. He I had never made such a basket in my guidance of that eternal mariner— asked if I had time to see him if he entire life. Elder Mark E. Petersen of even the great Jehovah. We look up, were to come directly to my office. the Twelve called out to the others, “I we reach out to obtain heavenly help. My response was one of gladness. think he can!” Are our reaching hands clean? Are However, I said, “Dick, first visit your My thoughts returned to my our yearning hearts pure? Looking mother, and then come to see me.” embarrassment of years before, backward in time through the pages He gladly complied with my request. shooting toward the wrong basket. of history, we find a lesson on worthi- Before he could get to my office, Nevertheless, I aimed and let that ball ness gleaned from the words of the there came a phone call from Mattie, fly. Through the net it went! dying King Darius. Through proper his mother. From a joyful heart came Throwing the ball in my direction, rites, Darius had been recognized as words punctuated by tears: “Bishop, I Bishop Clarke once more issued the legitimate king of Egypt. His rival, knew Dick would come. I told you he challenge: “I know you can’t do that Alexander the Great, had been would. I saw him coming through the again!” declared legitimate son of Amon. He window.” Elder Petersen spoke up, “Of too was Pharaoh. Alexander, finding Not many years later at Mattie’s course, he can!” the defeated Darius on the point of funeral, Dick and I spoke tenderly of The words of the poet echoed in death, laid his hands upon his head to that experience. We had witnessed a my heart: “Lead us, O lead us, / Great heal him, commanding him to arise glimpse of God’s healing power Molder of men, / Out of the shadow / and resume his kingly power, conclud- through the window of a mother’s To strive once again.”10 I shot the ball. ing, “I swear unto thee, Darius, by all faith in her son. It soared toward the basket and went the gods that I do these things truly Time marches on. Duty keeps right through. and without faking.” Darius replied cadence with that march. Duty does That ended the inspection visit. with a gentle rebuke: “Alexander my not dim nor diminish. Catastrophic At lunchtime Elder Petersen said to boy . . . do you think you can touch conflicts come and go, but the war me, “You know, you could have been heaven with those hands of yours?”11 waged for the souls of men continues a starter in the NBA.” Brethren, as we learn our duty and without abatement. Like a clarion call Winning or losing in basketball magnify the callings which have come comes the word of the Lord to you, to fades from our thoughts when we to us, the Lord will guide our efforts me, and to priesthood holders every- contemplate our duties as bearers of and touch the hearts of those whom where: “Wherefore, now let every the priesthood of God—both the we serve. man learn his duty, and to act in the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood. Many years ago, I would visit an office in which he is appointed, in all We have a solemn duty to prepare older widow named Mattie, whom I diligence.”12 ourselves through compliance with had known for many years and whose May we each have the courage to the commandments of the Lord and bishop I had been. My heart grieved do so, I pray, in the name of Jesus in responding to the calls we receive at her utter loneliness. A precious Christ, amen. ■ to serve Him. son of hers lived many miles away, NOTES We who have been ordained to the and for years he had not visited his 1. Quoted in Emory M. Thomas, Bold priesthood of God can make a differ- mother. Mattie spent long hours in a Dragoon: The Life of J. E. B. Stuart (1986), ence. When we qualify for the help of lonely vigil at her front window. 211–12. 2. Matthew 4:19. the Lord, we can build boys, we can Behind a frayed and frequently 3. Genesis 39:9–10, 12. mend men, we can accomplish mira- opened curtain, the disappointed 4. See Alma 56. cles in His holy service. Our opportu- mother would say to herself, “Dick 5. See Moroni 1–10. 6. Deuteronomy 31:6. nities are without limit. will come; Dick will come.” 7. “Worth While,” in The Best-Loved Poems of Though the task seems large, we But Dick didn’t come. The years the American People, sel. Hazel Felleman are strengthened by the truth: “The passed by one after another. Then, (1936), 144. 8. See “Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns, no. greatest force in this world today is like a ray of sunshine, Church activity 223. the power of God as it works through came into the life of Dick, one of my 9. See Mark Twain, in Gorton Carruth and Eugene Ehrlich, eds., The Harper Book of man.” If we are on the Lord’s errand, former Aaronic Priesthood boys, who American Quotations (1988), 111. we are entitled to the Lord’s help. now lived in Houston, Texas, far away 10. From the “Alma Mater” of Yonkers High That divine help, however, is predi- from his mother. He journeyed to Salt School. 11. Adapted from Hugh Nibley, Abraham in cated upon our worthiness. To sail Lake to visit with me. He telephoned Egypt (1981), 192. safely the seas of mortality, to perform upon his arrival and, with excitement, 12. D&C 107:99.

MAY 2004 57 entertained the vice president and the ambassador of Ecuador, the “I Was ambassador from Lithuania, the ambassador from Belarus, and others. In our conversations not one of these visitors mentioned the great pioneer an Hungred, and journey of our forebears. But each of them, independently, spoke in high praise of our welfare program and our Ye Gave Me Meat” humanitarian efforts. And so as I speak in this great PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY priesthood meeting, I wish to say a few words concerning our efforts in behalf of those in need, be they mem- Wherever want has been created by whatever cause, bers of the Church or otherwise, in representatives of the Church have been there. . . . various parts of the world. I have been a firsthand witness to the effectiveness When the modern welfare pro- of our humanitarian efforts. gram was put in motion, it was designed to take care of the needs of our own people. In the years that have followed, thousands upon thousands have been served. Bishops and should not tell anyone else when she Relief Society presidents have had is given confidential information. available to them food and clothing But that was what happened back and other supplies for those in need. then. It never happens today. Oh, no! Numberless members of the Church I should add that my able secretaries have worked in volunteer capacities are never guilty of such a breach of in producing that which was required. confidentiality. We now operate 113 storehouses, 63 As you who are acquainted farms, 105 canneries and home stor- with the history know, there was age centers, 18 food processing and announced at that time the Church distribution plants, as well as many security plan, the name of which was other facilities. subsequently changed to the Church Not only have the needs of Church welfare program. members been met, but aid has been I wondered back in those days extended to countless others. Right how anything the Church did could here in this Salt Lake City community, eclipse in anyone’s judgment the his- many of the hungry are fed daily by toric gathering of our people to these non-LDS agencies utilizing LDS n 1936, 68 years ago, one of the western valleys of the United States. welfare supplies. secretaries to the Quorum of the That was a movement of such epic Here, in this city, and in a number ITwelve told me what a member of proportions that I felt nothing could of other places, we operate beautiful the Twelve had told her. She said that ever be so noteworthy. But I have dis- stores where there is no cash register, in the coming general conference covered something of interest in the where no money changes hands, there would be announced a program last short while. where food, clothing, and other which would come to be recognized We receive many prominent necessities are provided to those in as even more noteworthy than the visitors in the office of the First distress. I believe that no better milk, coming of our people to these valleys Presidency. They include heads of no better meat, and no better flour is as pioneers. state and ambassadors of nations. A found on any grocery shelf than that Now, parenthetically, you should few weeks ago, we entertained the which is distributed from the bishops’ not tell your secretary what you mayor of one of the great cities of the storehouses. should keep confidential, and she world. We have, likewise, recently The principles on which these

58 establishments operate are essentially days of donated labor in welfare facili- again. The farmers head home, what they were at the beginning. ties. That is the equivalent of a man exhausted and happy. Those in need are expected to do working eight hours a day for 1,542 “They have finished well another all they can to provide for themselves. years. day. Then families are expected to assist in A recent issue of the Church News “They have harvested the Lord’s taking care of their less-fortunate carried the story of a group of farmers sugar beets” (Neil K. Newell, “A members. And then the resources of in a small Idaho community. May I Harvest in Idaho,” Church News, the Church are made available. read briefly from that account? 20 Mar. 2004, 16). We believe in and take very seri- “It is 6 a.m. in late October, and Such remarkable volunteer service ously the words of our Lord: frost already hangs in the air over the goes on constantly to assure supplies “Come, ye blessed of my Father, sugar beet fields of Rupert, Idaho. for the storehouses of the Lord. inherit the kingdom prepared for you “The long arms of the ‘beeters’ Since the early beginnings, the pro- from the foundation of the world: stretch out over twelve rows, slicing gram has moved beyond caring for the “For I was an hungred, and ye gave the tops off sugar beets. Behind needy to the encouragement of pre- me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me them, the harvesters thrust their steel paredness on the part of families of drink: I was a stranger, and ye took fingers into the soil and scoop up the the Church. No one knows when me in: beets, pulling them up toward a belt catastrophe might strike—or sickness, “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was and into a waiting truck. or unemployment, or a disabling sick, and ye visited me: I was in “. . . This is the Rupert Idaho accident. prison, and ye came unto me” Welfare Farm, and those who are Last year the program helped fami- (Matthew 25:34–36). working here today are volunteers. . . . lies store 18 million pounds of basic This is the Lord’s way of caring for At times more than 60 machines [are] foods against a possible time of need. those in need which, He declared, “ye working in harmony together— . . . all Hopefully, that time will never come. have . . . always with you” (see owned by local farmers.” But the good, wholesome, basic food Matthew 26:11). The work goes on throughout so stored brings peace of mind and Those who are able voluntarily the day. also the satisfaction of obedience to work to provide for those who are “[At] 7 p.m. . . . the sun has set, counsel. not able. Last year there were 563,000 leaving the land dark and cold once Now there has been added another

MAY 2004 59 kind, married couples, couples who otherwise might simply have lived out their lives in largely idle pursuits, have served, and are serving, in scores of ways and in scores of places. They have worked and continue to work in the impoverished areas of America. They have worked, and still do so, in India and Indonesia, in Thailand and Cambodia, in Russia and the Baltic nations. And so the work expands. Joining with others, the Church has recently provided wheelchairs for some 42,000 disabled persons. Think of what this means to people who literally have had to crawl to get about. With the aid of selfless doctors and nurses, neonatal resuscitation training was provided to nearly 19,000 profes- element. It began some years ago us who have fresh, clean water in abun- sionals in the year 2003 alone. The when drought in Africa brought dance can scarcely appreciate the cir- lives of thousands of babies will be hunger and death to uncounted num- cumstances of those who are without. spared as a consequence. bers. Members of the Church were Can you picture this couple, Last year some 2,700 individuals invited to contribute to a great devoted Latter-day Saint missionaries? were treated for eye problems, and humanitarian effort to meet the needs They drill into the dry earth. Their 300 local practitioners were trained in of those terribly impoverished people. drill reaches the water table below, sight-saving procedures. The blind Your contributions were numerous and the miracle liquid comes to the have literally been made to see. and generous. The work has contin- surface and spills over the dry and Where devastating floods have ued because there are other serious thirsty soil. There is rejoicing. There come, where earthquakes have cre- needs in many places. The outreach of are tears. There is now water to drink, ated disaster, where hunger has this aid has become a miracle. Millions water with which to wash, water to stalked the land, wherever want has of pounds of food, medical supplies, grow crops. There is nothing more been created by whatever cause, rep- blankets, tents, clothing, and other treasured in a dry land than water. resentatives of the Church have been materials have staved off famine and How absolutely beautiful is water there. Some 98 million dollars in cash desolation in various parts of the pouring from a new well. and in-kind assistance have been dis- world. Wells have been dug, crops On one occasion, when the tribal tributed in the past year, bringing have been planted, lives have been chiefs and the elders of the village such aid to a total of 643 million dol- saved. Let me give you an example. gathered to thank them, Brother lars in just 18 years. Neil Darlington is a chemical engi- Darlington asked the chief if he and I have been a firsthand witness to neer who worked for a large industrial Sister Darlington could sing a song for the effectiveness of our humanitarian company in Ghana. Eventually, he them. They looked into the eyes of efforts. In traveling the world, I have retired. the dark-skinned men and women seen the recipients of your generosity. He and his wife were then called as before them and sang “I Am a Child of In 1998 I visited the areas of Central a missionary couple. They were sent God” as an expression of their com- America, which had been ravaged by to Ghana. Brother Darlington says, mon brotherhood. Hurricane Mitch. Here the distribution “In areas of famine, disease, and social This one couple, through their of food and clothing was quickly unrest, we were there as representa- efforts, have provided water for organized, and the cleaning and tives of the Church, extending a help- an estimated 190,000 people in rebuilding of devastated homes and ing hand to the destitute, the hungry, remote villages and refugee camps. shattered lives was a miracle to behold. the distressed.” Contemplate, if you will, the miracle There is not time to go on recount- In small villages they drilled new of this accomplishment. ing the reach of these great and signif- wells and repaired old ones. Those of And now, literally thousands of their icant programs. In extending help

60 SUNDAY MORNING SESSION 4 April 2004 we have not asked whether those affected belong to the Church. For we know that each of earth’s children is a Did You Get the child of God worthy of help in time of need. We have done what we have done largely with the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. Right Message? We seek no commendation or thank- yous. It is compensation enough that PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST when we help one of the least of Second Counselor in the First Presidency these our Father’s children, we have done it unto Him and His Beloved We should keep our lives in order so that when we receive Son (see Matthew 25:40). a . . . message telling us what the Lord wants us to do We shall go on in this work. There will always be a need. Hunger and we will be able to respond. want and catastrophes will ever be with us. And there will always be those whose hearts have been touched by the light of the gospel was ordered to the front in a desper- who will be willing to serve and work ate attempt to take and hold part of and lift the needy of the earth. the Argonne Forest at any cost. The As a correlated effort we have battle was so fierce that the support- established the Perpetual Education ing troops on the right and the left of Fund. It has come about through your one battalion withdrew, and the bat- generous contributions. It is now talion was surrounded and isolated. operating in 23 countries. Loans are Because headquarters lost communi- extended to worthy young men and cation with them, they became women for education. Otherwise, known as the Lost Battalion. they would be trapped in the stag- The battalion communicated with nated poverty their parents and fore- headquarters by carrier pigeons that bears have known for generations. flew from the battalion’s location to Some 10,000 and more are now being headquarters with messages. How- assisted, and experience to this date ever, as soon as these pigeons were indicates that with such training they released, they were shot down by the are now earning three to four times opposing forces. The Lost Battalion’s what was previously possible. y dear brothers and sisters own artillery, not knowing where they The Spirit of the Lord guides this and friends, I greet you in the were, opened fire on their position work. This welfare activity is secular Mspirit of fellowship and love. and inflicted heavy casualties. The bat- activity, expressing itself in terms of We live in the marvelous age of the talion ran out of food and water, but rice and beans, of blankets and tents, information highway. The amount of they held their ground and did not of clothing and medicine, of employ- information sent by e-mail, fax, cellu- surrender despite their great losses. ment and education for better lar phones, and other means is phe- Finally, one carrier pigeon called Cher employment. But this so-called secu- nomenal. In fact, there is a glut of Ami, even though it was shot, got lar work is but an outward expression messages. The volume is so vast that through to headquarters carrying the of an inward spirit—the Spirit of the it is easy to miss a vital message, and message that identified the battalion’s Lord of whom it was said, He “went missing messages can have serious location. The survivors of the battalion about doing good” (Acts 10:38). consequences. were rescued because that one crucial May heaven prosper this great pro- For example, in wartime missed message got through.1 gram, and may heaven’s blessing rest messages between commanders and Serious consequences result when- upon all who serve therein, I humbly soldiers at the front have resulted in ever we miss important messages, pray, in the sacred name of Jesus great confusion and serious loss of especially if these messages are from Christ, amen. ■ life. In World War I the 308th Infantry God. Throughout the world’s history

MAY 2004 61 appease the Lord, they threw Jonah into the sea. A great fish swallowed Jonah, and he was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah prayed for forgiveness and deliverance, and the fish vomited him onto dry land. The second time the word of the Lord came to Jonah, he listened and went to call the people of Nineveh to repentance.8 Some of us may need something startling like a burning bush experience to awaken our senses. In such an experience the essential nature of something—a person, a situation, an object—is suddenly perceived. We understand this to be inspiration. To be able to perceive by inspiration the common and ordinary things of life in their true meaning is a special gift. Many people fail to perceive inspiration because God’s “great power . . . looks small unto the understanding of men”9 or because they are “less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven.”10 I learned at a young age that inspiration can come to any of us. God has sent messages in various strong wind rent the mountains, and When I was in junior high school I ways. Moses was tending his father-in- brake in pieces the rocks before the was taking a difficult class where law’s sheep in the desert when he Lord; but the Lord was not in the most of what was being taught went came upon “a flame of fire out of the wind: and after the wind an earth- over my head. One day the teacher midst of a bush.”2 He was curious and quake; but the Lord was not in the asked me a question. I didn’t under- wanted to know why the bush was earthquake: and after the earthquake stand the question, let alone the not consumed.3 As Moses turned to a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: answer. Out of nowhere a response see, “God called unto him out of the and after the fire a still small voice.”7 came into my mind, which I midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Messages are more commonly repeated to the teacher. It was the Moses. And he said, Here am I.”4 God manifested by the still, small voice, right answer, but I knew it had not told him, “Put off thy shoes from off which speaks to all of us through the come from me. thy feet, for the place whereon thou scriptures, modern prophets, and So how can we recognize inspira- standest is holy ground.”5 God chose personal revelation. tion when it comes? Enos stated, to speak with Moses out of a burning Sometimes we don’t want to hear “While I was thus struggling in the bush. He told Moses that He had a messages from God. For example, the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord work for him to do—specifically to word of the Lord called Jonah to go to came into my mind.”11 The voice of bring the children of Israel out of Nineveh and declare repentance. But the spirit of revelation is not necessar- Egypt “unto a land flowing with milk Jonah ignored the message and ran ily audible, but it gives us divine con- and honey.”6 away to Joppa, where he boarded a firmation through our thoughts and The word of the Lord came only ship to Tarshish to get away from the feelings. As we are told in the once through a bush that burned but presence of the Lord. However, the Doctrine and Covenants, “I will tell was not consumed. The prophet Elijah Lord caused a mighty tempest to you in your mind and in your heart, had a different experience. He waited come upon the sea. The mariners by the Holy Ghost, which shall come as “the Lord passed by, and a great and were frightened, and in an effort to upon you and which shall dwell in

62 MAY 2004 63 April 2004 AINTS S DAY - ATTER L John H. Groberg Merrill J. Bateman Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks Jeffrey R. Holland Henry B. Eyring HRIST OF Second Counselor C President James E. Faust President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Dieter F. ESUS J Robert D. Hales Charles Didier President Gordon B. Hinckley President THE FIRST PRESIDENCY HURCH OF Richard G. Scott C David E. Sorensen THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE HE T First Counselor D. Todd Christofferson D. Todd President Thomas S. Monson President Joseph B. Wirthlin Earl C. Tingey Boyd K. Packer Perry L. Tom David B. Haight Neal A. Maxwell M. Russell Ballard UTHORITIES OF A ENERAL G Robert C. Oaks R. Conrad Schultz William R. Walker Ronald T. Halverson Ronald T. Darwin B. Christenson Merrill C. Oaks Ned B. Roueché H. Ross Workman Val R. Christensen Val H. Aldridge Gillespie Dale E. Miller D. Rex Gerratt H. Bryan Richards Shirley D. Christensen Daryl H. Garn Robert R. Steuer David R. Stone H. Bruce Stucki Clate W. Mask Jr. Richard H. Winkel Robert S. Wood Wayne S. Peterson Craig C. Christensen (in alphabetical order) Gerald N. Lund James M. Dunn Donald L. Staheli Robert J. Whetten Douglas L. Callister William W. Parmley William W. Parmley THE SECOND QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY Spencer V. Jones Spencer V. E. Ray Bateman Stephen A. West Adhemar Damiani Stephen B. Oveson Dennis E. Simmons Second Counselor Keith B. McMullin Keith Crockett Keith K. Hilbig Robert F. Orton Robert F. Gordon T. Watts Gordon T. Mervyn B. Arnold W. Douglas Shumway H. David Burton Presiding Bishop Presiding Dennis B. Steven E. Snow Neuenschwander Spencer J. Condie Walter F. González Walter F. First Counselor THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC Richard C. Edgley John B. Dickson Christoffel Golden Jr. F. Burton HowardF. Jay E. Jensen Marlin K. Jensen . Child L. Whitney Clayton Gary J. Coleman John M. Madsen Richard J. Maynes Lynn A. Mickelsen Ronald A. Rasband Lynn G. Robbins Cecil O. Samuelson Jr. (in alphabetical order) W. Craig Zwick THE FIRST QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY Lance B. Wickman Donald L. Hallstrom Melvin Hammond F. Harold G. Hillam Gene R. Cook Quentin L. Cook Claudio R. M. Costa Robert K. Dellenbach Glenn L. Pace Bruce D. Porter Carl B. Pratt Bruce C. Hafen Carlos H. Amado Neil L. Andersen Monte J. Brough Sheldon F Kenneth Johnson W. Rolfe Kerr Kikuchi Yoshihiko Francisco J. Viñas 66 Brazilian member Liriel Domiciano sings with the Tabernacle Choir during the Sunday morning session of conference. your heart.”12 We must cultivate our communication. With advanced tech- passage of time, we come to realize sensitivity to that divine voice. nology, cellular phones are used for that inspired messages from our My first radio was a crystal set. It much of the communication in our father and mother are messages of was hard to tune to the frequency of a time. Occasionally, however, we find love. To follow parental counsel is one particular radio station. I had to liter- dead spots where the signal coming way of fulfilling the commandment ally scratch the receiving wire whisker to a cell phone fails. This can happen “Honour thy father and thy mother.”15 over the top of the rough crystal to when the cell phone user is in a tun- One message missed by so many in find the right pinpoint, a little valley nel or a canyon or when there is our time is the word of the Lord com- or peak on the crystal where the sig- other interference. manding us to “keep [ourselves] nal was received. Just a millimeter off So it is with divine communication. unspotted from the world.”16 We are on either side of that point and I The still, small voice, though still and told that many are called, “but few are would lose the signal and get scratchy small, is very powerful. It “whispereth chosen,” and the reason is that “their static. Over time, with patience and through and pierceth all things.”13 hearts are set so much upon the perseverance, good eyesight, and a But like my old crystal set, the mes- things of this world.”17 steady hand, I learned to find the sig- sage may be there but we fail to pick The Savior’s transcendent message nal point on the crystal without too it up. Perhaps something in our lives in the Sermon on the Mount is of much difficulty. prevents us from hearing the message burning bush importance to all of us: So it is with inspiration. We must because we are “past feeling.”14 We “But seek ye first to build up the king- attune ourselves to the inspiration often put ourselves in spiritual dead dom of God, and to establish his from God and tune out the scratchy spots—places and situations that righteousness.”18 This message needs static. We have to work at being tuned block out divine messages. Some of to penetrate into our hearts and in. Most of us need a long time to these dead spots include anger, souls. As we accept this message, we become tuned in. When I was a newly pornography, transgression, selfish- are taking our personal stand in this called General Authority, President ness, and other situations that offend life. Regular temple attendance will Marion G. Romney, who was in his 70s the Spirit. help us to constantly seek to build up at the time, told us, “I know when I Messages come to us individually the kingdom of God. Now with 117 am working under the Spirit and and directly from a divine source and temples in the world, never before when I am not.” To be able to recog- through our presiding officers in the have so many had access to the nize when one is being guided by the Church. Also of great importance are sacred houses of the Lord. Spirit is a supernal gift. the messages that come to us from Another very important message is In terms of modern communica- our parents and grandparents. the need to strengthen and safeguard tion, crystal radio sets helped us Parental messages may not be our families. Far too many families are emerge from the dark ages of wanted. But with experience and the breaking up. This heartbreaking trend

MAY 2004 67 prophet Alma: “Whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.”21 We must strive to be worthy so that we do not miss the profound messages that come from God. Ultimately, these messages include the sum total of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been my great privilege to have met and had some acquaintance with more than half of the Presidents of the Church since the Prophet Joseph. I met President Heber J. Grant when I was a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. I felt a love for him, as I have for all of the Presidents since. I have wanted to live in harmony with their counsel. In the nine years that President Thomas S. Monson and I have served as counselors to President Gordon B. Hinckley, I have come to know and feel absolutely and unequivocally that President Hinckley is the inspired President and prophet for our time. I testify that he has known and received and will continue to receive the mind and will of the Lord for this people and the whole world. We should always be looking for and heeding the prophetic has an endless train of consequences. “pay the debt . . . [and] release messages that come from the current Happiness in marriage begins with thyself from bondage.”20 President of the Church. That we may husband and wife living together in God gives us messages of instruc- do so, I pray in the name of Jesus love, kindness, and mutual respect, tion or encouragement to enable us Christ, amen. ■ walking righteously and humbly to do His will. Often this is to prepare NOTES before the Lord. It is contingent us for a specific task. This was the 1. See Buck Private McCollum, History and on being faithful to all vows and case with Moses in the message of the Rhymes of the Lost Battalion (1939). 2. Exodus 3:2. covenants. When families do break up burning bush. We should keep our 3. See Exodus 3:3. for whatever reason, the parents need lives in order so that when we receive 4. Exodus 3:4. 5. Exodus 3:5. to try especially hard to sustain and a burning bush type of message 6. Exodus 3:8. help innocent family members. telling us what the Lord wants us to 7. 1 Kings 19:11–12. Another vital message is that we do we will be able to respond. We 8. See Jonah 1–3. 9. Ether 3:5. be honest with the Lord, honest need to be sure we are in a position 10. 3 Nephi 2:1. with ourselves, and honest with all to recognize it and pursue it. 11. Enos 1:10. others. We need to pay an honest In our day, we are bombarded by 12. D&C 8:2. 13. D&C 85:6. tithe, live within our means, and messages from many sources, both 14. See 1 Nephi 17:45. save for a rainy day. Debt is bondage profane and spiritual. How can we 15. Exodus 20:12. because “the borrower is [the] ser- determine the ones that are most vital 16. D&C 59:9. 17. D&C 121:34–35. 19 vant [of] the lender.” Some debt to us? I suggest that we may look at 18. Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:38; may be necessary, such as to acquire the source of the messages and the see also Matthew 6:33. 19. Proverbs 22:7. a home and get an education. The motivation behind them. The Lord 20. D&C 19:35. Lord’s counsel on the subject is to has given us a guide through the 21. Alma 5:40.

68 “And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he Fatherhood, said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? an Eternal Calling “And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto ELDER L. TOM PERRY me to enquire of God: . . . Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not May we heed the voice of the prophets, who, from the good. beginning of time, have warned us about the importance “Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with of fathers in the home. thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”2 Then Jethro taught Moses how to society—increased crime, behavior delegate this responsibility by calling disorders, poverty, drug abuse, and able men who would fear God and the list continues to grow and grow. letting them judge as rulers in Israel: It appears to me that the crosshairs “And let them judge the people at of Satan’s scope are centered on hus- all seasons: and it shall be, that every bands and fathers. Today’s media, for great matter they shall bring unto thee, example, have been relentless in their but every small matter they shall judge: attacks—ridiculing and demeaning so shall it be easier for thyself, and they husbands and fathers in their God- shall bear the burden with thee.”3 given roles. Alma. In the Book of Mormon, we have the account of Alma, the son of Examples from the Scriptures Alma, being numbered among the It may be useful to counter the rebellious and doing all manner of portrayal of husbands and fathers in iniquity. Alma the father prayed with the media with the scriptures. There much faith that his son would come we have so many great role models. to a knowledge of the truth—a The Father and the Savior. In the prayer which was answered in a very s we take a long, hard look at New Testament we have a glimpse of special way: the world today, it is becoming the Savior’s relationship with the “And now it came to pass that Aincreasingly evident that Satan Father. One of the most vivid of these while he was going about to destroy is working overtime to enslave the glimpses is in the garden just before the church of God, . . . the angel of souls of men. His main target is the His betrayal: the Lord appeared unto them; and he fundamental unit of society—the “[Jesus] kneeled down, and descended as it were in a cloud; and family. prayed, he spake as it were with a voice of During the past few decades, Satan “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, thunder . . . ; has waged a vigorous campaign to remove this cup from me: neverthe- “And so great was their astonish- belittle and demean this basic and less not my will, but thine, be done. ment, that they fell to the earth, and most important of all organizations. “And there appeared an angel unto understood not the words which he His success is becoming increasingly him from heaven, strengthening spake unto them. evident—the grim facts are seen, him.”1 “Nevertheless he cried again, say- reported, and heard about daily and Moses and Jethro. We have the ing: Alma, arise and stand forth, for involve the collapse of many family example in Exodus of Jethro, Moses’ why persecutest thou the church of units. With the decay of the family, father-in-law, observing how he was God? For the Lord hath said: This is we see the terrible effects on our governing the children of Israel: my church, and I will establish it; and

MAY 2004 69 from the experience over centuries, that the basic family provides the most stable and secure foundation for society and is fundamental to the preparation of young people for their future responsibilities. We should have learned by now that alternate styles of family formations have not worked and never will work. This was stated plainly by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”: “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential charac- teristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. . . . “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare nothing shall overthrow it, save it is from this experience, he was a that God has commanded that the the transgression of my people. changed man. sacred powers of procreation are to “And again, the angel said: Behold, be employed only between man and the Lord hath heard the prayers of his The Diminishing Role of Fathers woman, lawfully wedded as husband people, and also the prayers of his Satan, in his carefully devised plan and wife. . . . servant, Alma, who is thy father; for to destroy the family, seeks to dimin- “. . . By divine design, fathers are to he has prayed with much faith con- ish the role of fathers. Increased preside over their families in love and cerning thee that thou mightest be youth violence, youth crime, greater righteousness and are responsible to brought to the knowledge of the poverty and economic insecurity, and provide the necessities of life and pro- truth; therefore, for this purpose have the failure of increasing numbers of tection for their families. Mothers are I come to convince thee of the power children in our schools offer clear evi- primarily responsible for the nurture and authority of God, that the prayers dence of lack of a positive influence of their children. In these sacred of his servants might be answered of fathers in the homes.5 A family responsibilities, fathers and mothers according to their faith.”4 needs a father to anchor it. are obligated to help one another as When Alma the Younger recovered Surely we have learned by now, equal partners. . . .

70 “We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegra- tion of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”6

Father’s Roles Given such urgent warnings about the future of our Father in Heaven’s children, fathers and mothers must search their souls to be certain they are following the Lord’s direction in building up eternal families. Focusing on fathers, what does the Lord expect us to do? Once a family has been established, the father’s roles include the following: 1. The father is the head in his family. “Fatherhood is leadership, the most important kind of leadership. It has always been so; it always will be so. Father, with the assistance counseled: “Brethren, there is too They are united together in word, and counsel and encouragement little religious devotion, love, and in deed, and in action as they lead, of your eternal companion, you pre- fear of God, in the home; too much guide, and direct their family unit. side in the home. It is not a matter of worldliness, selfishness, indifference, They are on equal footing. They plan whether you are most worthy or best and lack of reverence in the family, or and organize the affairs of the family qualified, but it is a matter of [divine] it never would exist so abundantly on jointly and unanimously as they move appointment.”7 the outside. Then, the home is what forward. Your leadership in the home must needs reforming. Try today, and 2. The father is a teacher. include leading in family worship. tomorrow, to make a change in your President Joseph F. Smith’s coun- “You preside at the meal table, at home.”9 sel applies today: “Do not let your family prayer. You preside at family Remember, brethren, that in your children out to specialists . . . , but home evening; and as guided by the role as leader in the family, your wife teach them by your own precept and Spirit of the Lord, you see that your is your companion. As President example, by your own fireside. Be a children are taught correct principles. Gordon B. Hinckley has taught: “In specialist yourself in the truth.”12 It is your place to give direction relat- this Church the man neither walks “When you recognize the impor- ing to all of family life. ahead of his wife nor behind his wife tance of teaching your children, you “You give father’s blessings. You but at her side. They are coequals.”10 become humble, because at once take an active part in establishing fam- Since the beginning, God has you realize that this is accomplished ily rules and discipline. As a leader in instructed mankind that marriage by precept and example. You cannot your home you plan and sacrifice to should unite husband and wife be one thing and effectively teach achieve the blessing of a unified and together in unity.11 Therefore, there is another. You must live and study and happy family. To do all of this requires not a president or a vice president in pray for the constant companionship that you live a family-centered life.”8 a family. The couple works together of the Holy Ghost. You must purify As President Joseph F. Smith eternally for the good of the family. and organize your life so that your

MAY 2004 71 people of God, and seek to make it what God intended it to be, a qualifi- cation and preparation for the highest exaltation of His children. In the home the presiding authority is always vested in the father, and in all home affairs and family matters there is no other authority paramount.”15 Now, I have used several quotes which I have not identified. I have done it for a purpose. They will be clearly noted in the Ensign and Liahona magazines in the coming May editions. I invite you to study them and review these conference messages. They are wonderful magazines and surely should be in every home. Then the spirit of this conference can live all year long in the pages With the Frankfurt Germany Temple as a backdrop, a family arrives at their of these magazines. meetinghouse to watch a session of the April 2004 general conference. May we heed the voice of the prophets, who, from the beginning of example and leadership reflect the Fathers, by divine decree, you are time, have warned us about the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. to preside over your family units. This importance of fathers in the home. “You must plan your day as guided is a sobering responsibility and the May we determine more fully to fulfill by the Spirit of the Lord, earnestly most important one you will ever our duties and responsibilities that seeking your own welfare and the wel- assume, for it is an eternal responsibil- the Lord has given to us as fathers in fare of your family before other cares ity. You place the family in its proper Zion is my humble prayer, in the blind you to these first responsibilities. priority. It’s the part of your life that name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ As we have been taught by living will endure beyond the grave. I testify prophets, ‘No other success in life can that the following statement is true: NOTES 1. Luke 22:41–43. compensate for failure in the home’ “The position which men occupy 2. Exodus 18:14–15, 17–18. (David O. McKay, in Conference in the family, and especially those 3. Exodus 18:22. 4. Mosiah 27:10–14. Report, Apr. 1964, 5; quoted from J. E. who hold the Melchizedek Priest- 5. See David Blankenhorn, Fatherless McCulloch, Home: The Savior of hood, is one of first importance and America: Confronting Our Most Urgent Civilization [1924], 42).”13 should be clearly recognized and Social Problem (1995), introduction, 25–48; David Popenoe, Life without Father 3. The father is the temporal maintained in the order and with the (1996), 52–78. provider. authority which God conferred upon 6. Liahona, Oct. 1998, 24; Ensign, Nov. 1995, President Ezra Taft Benson man in placing him at the head of his 102; emphasis added. 7. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, expressed it clearly: “The Lord has household. Father, Consider Your Ways: A Message charged men with the responsibility to “. . . There is no higher authority in from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- provide for their families in such a way matters relating to the family organi- day Saints (pamphlet, 1973); reprinted in Ensign, June 2002, 16. that the wife is allowed to fulfill her zation, and especially when that 8. Ensign, June 2002, 16. role as mother in the home. . . . organization is presided over by one 9. “Worship in the Home,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1903, 138. Sometimes the mother works outside holding the higher priesthood, than 10. In Conference Report, Oct. 1996, 68; or of the home at the encouragement, or that of the father.... The patriarchal Ensign, Nov. 1996, 49. even insistence, of her husband . . . order is of divine origin and will con- 11. See Genesis 2:24. 12. Improvement Era, Dec. 1903, 138. [for the] convenience[s] that the extra tinue throughout time and eternity. 13. Ensign, June 2002, 14. income can buy. Not only will the fam- There is then a particular reason why 14. In Conference Report, Oct. 1987, 60–61; or ily suffer in such instances, brethren, men, women, and children should Ensign, Nov. 1987, 49. 15. Joseph F. Smith, “The Rights of but your own spiritual growth and understand this order and this Fatherhood,” Juvenile Instructor, 1 Mar. progression will be hampered.”14 authority in the households of the 1902, 146.

72 brief segment of the great plan6 of our loving Father in Heaven to make it But If Not . . . possible for us, His sons and daughters, to achieve the same blessings He ELDER DENNIS E. SIMMONS enjoys, if we are willing. Of the Seventy They knew, as we know, that in our premortal life, we were instructed by Him as to the purpose of mortality: Men accomplish marvelous things by trusting in the Lord “We will make an earth whereon and keeping His commandments—by exercising faith even these may dwell; And we will prove when they don’t know how the Lord is shaping them. them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.”7 So there we have it—it’s a test. furious Nebuchadnezzar told them The world is a testing place for mortal that if they would not worship as men and women. When we under- commanded, they would immediately stand that it’s all a test, administered be cast into a burning fiery furnace. by our Heavenly Father, who wants us “And who is that God that shall deliver to trust in Him and to allow Him to you out of my hands?”2 help us, we can then see everything The three young men quickly and more clearly. confidently responded, “If it be so [if His work and His glory, He told us, you cast us into the furnace], our God is “to bring to pass the immortality whom we serve is able to deliver us and eternal life of man.”8 He has from the burning fiery furnace, and already achieved godhood. Now His he will deliver us out of thine hand.” only objective is to help us—to That sounds like my eighth-grade enable us to return to Him and be like kind of faith. But then they demon- Him and live His kind of life eternally. strated that they fully understood Knowing all this, it was not difficult what faith is. They continued, “But if for those three young Hebrews to not, . . . we will not serve thy gods, make their decision. They would fol- s a young man, I returned nor worship the golden image which low God; they would exercise faith in home from an eighth-grade thou hast set up.”3 That is a statement Him. He would deliver them, but if A basketball tournament of true faith. not—and we know the rest of the dejected, disappointed, and confused. They knew that they could trust story. I blurted out to my mother, “I don’t God—even if things didn’t turn out The Lord has given us agency, know why we lost—I had faith we’d the way they hoped.4 They knew that the right and the responsibility to win!” faith is more than mental assent, decide.9 He tests us by allowing us I now realize that I did not then more than an acknowledgment that to be challenged. He assures us that know what faith is. God lives. Faith is total trust in Him. He will not suffer us to be tempted Faith is not bravado, not just a Faith is believing that although we beyond our ability to withstand.10 But wish, not just a hope. True faith is do not understand all things, He we must understand that great chal- faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—confi- does. Faith is knowing that although lenges make great men. We don’t dence and trust in Jesus Christ that our power is limited, His is not. Faith seek tribulation, but if we respond in leads a person to follow Him.1 in Jesus Christ consists of complete faith, the Lord strengthens us. The Centuries ago, Daniel and his reliance on Him. but if nots can become remarkable young associates were suddenly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- blessings. thrust from security into the world—a nego knew they could always rely on The Apostle Paul learned this sig- world foreign and intimidating. When Him because they knew His plan, and nificant lesson and declared, after Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego they knew that He does not change.5 decades of dedicated missionary refused to bow down and worship a They knew, as we know, that mortality work, “We glory in tribulations . . . golden image set up by the king, a is not an accident of nature. It is a knowing that tribulation worketh

MAY 2004 73 patience; And patience, experience; manner Abraham expected, he still escaped the edge of the sword, out of and experience, hope: And hope trusted Him completely. weakness were made strong, waxed maketh not ashamed.”11 Men accomplish marvelous things valiant in fight.”16 He was assured by the Savior, by trusting in the Lord and keeping But in the midst of all those glori- “My grace is sufficient for thee: for His commandments—by exercising ous outcomes hoped for and my strength is made perfect in faith even when they don’t know how expected by the participants, there weakness.”12 the Lord is shaping them. were always the but if nots: Paul responded: “Most gladly there- “By faith Moses . . . refused to be “And others had trial of cruel fore will I glory in my infirmities, that called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; mockings and scourgings, . . . bonds the power of Christ may rest upon “Choosing rather to suffer affliction and imprisonment: me. . . . I take pleasure in infirmities, in with the people of God, than to enjoy “They were stoned, they were reproaches, in necessities, in persecu- the pleasures of sin for a season; sawn asunder, were tempted, were tions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for “Esteeming the reproach of Christ slain with the sword: they wandered when I am weak, then am I strong.”13 greater riches than the treasures in about . . . being destitute, afflicted, When Paul met his challenges the Egypt. . . . tormented; . . .17 Lord’s way, his faith increased. “By faith he forsook Egypt, not “God having provided some better “By faith Abraham, when he was fearing the wrath of the king. . . . things for them through their suffer- tried, offered up Isaac.”14 Abraham, “By faith they passed through the ings, for without sufferings they could because of his great faith, was prom- Red sea as by dry land. . . . not be made perfect.”18 ised posterity greater in number than “By faith the walls of Jericho fell Our scriptures and our history are the stars in the heavens, and that that down.”15 replete with accounts of God’s great posterity would come through Isaac. Others “through faith subdued men and women who believed that But Abraham immediately complied kingdoms, . . . obtained promises, He would deliver them, but if not, with the Lord’s command. God would stopped the mouths of lions, they demonstrated that they would keep His promise, but if not in the “Quenched the violence of fire, trust and be true.

74 He has the power, but it’s our test. What does the Lord expect of us with respect to our challenges? He A “Mother Heart” expects us to do all we can do. He does the rest. Nephi said, “For we JULIE B. BECK know that it is by grace that we are First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency saved, after all we can do.”19 We must have the same faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman Our God will deliver us from prepares for her divine, eternal mission of motherhood. ridicule and persecution, but if not.... Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not.... He will deliver us from loneliness, natural abilities and gifts, all her skills depression, or fear, but if not.... Our were channeled into an organization God will deliver us from threats, accu- that had no earthly bounds. As a sations, and insecurity, but if not.... covenant-keeping daughter of God, He will deliver us from death or she had prepared all her life for impairment of loved ones, but if not, motherhood. ... we will trust in the Lord. What is a mother heart and how is Our God will see that we receive one acquired? We learn about some of justice and fairness, but if not. . . . He those qualities in the scriptures. To will make sure that we are loved and paraphrase Proverbs: “Who can find a recognized, but if not. . . . We will . . . woman [with a mother heart]? for receive a perfect companion and her price is far above rubies. . . . She righteous and obedient children, but . . . worketh willingly with her hands. if not, ... we will have faith in the . . . With the fruit of her hands she Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we planteth a vineyard. . . . She stretcheth do all we can do, we will, in His time out her hand to the poor. . . . Strength and in His way, be delivered and and honour are her clothing. . . . She receive all that He has.20 I so testify in have often heard my father openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ describe my mother as a woman in her tongue is the law of kindness. with a “mother heart,” and that is She looketh well to the ways of her NOTES I 1. See Guide to the Scriptures, “Faith,” 80; true. Her mothering influence has household, and eateth not the bread Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21; Ether 12:6. been felt by many hundreds, perhaps of idleness” (Proverbs 31:10, 13, 16, 2. Daniel 3:15. thousands of people, and she has 20, 25–27). A woman with a mother 3. Daniel 3:17–18; emphasis added. 4. See Mosiah 7:33. refined the role of nurturer to an art heart has a testimony of the restored 5. See Alma 7:20; 3 Nephi 24:6; form. Her testimony of the restored gospel, and she teaches the principles Mormon 9:19; Moroni 8:18. gospel of Jesus Christ and strong of the gospel without equivocation. 6. See 2 Nephi 11:5; Alma 12:25; D&C 84:35–38. sense of identity and purpose have She is keeping sacred covenants made 7. See Abraham 3:24–25. guided her life. in holy temples. Her talents and skills 8. Moses 1:39. She took longer than most women are shared unselfishly. She gains as 9. See 2 Nephi 2:27; Helaman 14:30; D&C 101:78. to find her husband, but during her much education as her circumstances 10. See 1 Corinthians 10:13; Alma 13:28. single years she had devoted her life will allow, improving her mind and 11. Romans 5:3–5. 12. 2 Corinthians 12:9. to progress. Though it was uncom- spirit with the desire to teach what 13. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. mon at the time, she was university she learns to the generations who 14. Hebrews 11:17; emphasis added. educated and advancing in a career. follow her. 15. Hebrews 11:24–27, 29–30; emphasis added. Following her marriage, children If she has children, she is a “goodly 16. Hebrews 11:33–34; emphasis added. arrived in quick succession; and parent” (1 Nephi 1:1) who lives and 17. Hebrews 11:36–37. in a short span of years, she was teaches standards of behavior exactly 18. Joseph Smith Translation, Hebrews 11:40. 19. 2 Nephi 25:23. the mother of a large family. All the in line with the teachings of living 20. See D&C 84:35–38. knowledge she had acquired, all her prophets. She teaches her “children to

MAY 2004 75 work side by side with righteous men to accomplish eternal goals that neither can attain independently. Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come, and “where [her] treasure is, there will [her] heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman prepares for her divine, eternal mission of motherhood. “Whatever principle of intelligence [she] attain[s] unto in this life, it will rise with [her] in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through [her] diligence and obedience than another, [she] will have so much the advantage in the world to come” (D&C 130:18–19). In my experience I have seen that some of the truest mother hearts beat in the breasts of women who will not rear their own children in this life, but they know that “all things must come to pass in their time” and that they “are laying the foundation of a great work” (D&C 64:32–33). As they keep their covenants, they are investing in a grand, prestigious future because they know that “they who keep their pray, and to walk uprightly before the Oh, that every girl and woman second estate shall have glory added Lord” (D&C 68:28). Rather than listen- would have a testimony of her poten- upon their heads for ever and ever” ing to the voices and partial truths of tial for eternal motherhood as she (Abraham 3:26). the world, she knows that gospel stan- keeps her earthly covenants. “Each is I was recently at a park where I dards are based on eternal, unchange- a beloved . . . daughter of heavenly met a group of women with mother able truths. She believes that to be parents, and, as such, each has a hearts. They were young, covenant- “primarily responsible for the nurture divine . . . destiny” (“The Family: A keeping women. They were bright of [her] children” is a vital, dignified, Proclamation to the World”). As spirit and had obtained advanced degrees and “sacred responsibilit[y]” (“The daughters of God, women “received from respected universities. Now they Family: A Proclamation to the World,” their first lessons in the world of spir- were devoting their considerable gifts Liahona, Oct. 1998, 24; Ensign, Nov. its and were prepared to come forth” to planning dinner that evening and 1995, 102). To nurture and feed them (D&C 138:56) on the earth. They sharing housekeeping ideas. They physically is as much an honor as to were among the “noble and great were teaching two-year-olds to be nurture and feed them spiritually. She ones” (D&C 138:55) who “shouted kind to one another. They were is “not weary in well-doing” and for joy” (Job 38:7) at the creation of soothing babies, kissing bruised delights to serve her family, because the earth because they would be knees, and wiping tears. I asked one she knows that “out of small things given a physical body with the oppor- of those mothers how it came about proceedeth that which is great” tunity to be proven in a mortal sphere that she could transfer her talents (D&C 64:33). (see Abraham 3:25). They wished to so cheerfully into the role of

76 motherhood. She replied, “I know who I am, and I know what I am supposed to do. The rest just follows.” Do Not Fear That young mother will build faith and character in the next generation PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER one family prayer at a time, one scrip- Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ture study session, one book read aloud, one song, one family meal after another. She is involved in a great The moral values upon which civilization itself must depend work. She knows that “children are an spiral downward at an ever-increasing pace. Nevertheless, heritage of the Lord” and “happy is I do not fear the future. the [woman] that hath [a] quiver full of them” (Psalm 127:3, 5). She knows that the influence of righteous, con- scientious, persistent, daily mothering with which we in the Church are so is far more lasting, far more powerful, familiar, brought to my remembrance far more influential than any earthly what I already knew. The fear of the position or institution invented by future was gone. That bright-eyed, lit- man. She has the vision that, if wor- tle two-year-old can have a good life— thy, she has the potential to be a very good life—and so can his blessed as Rebekah of old to be “the children and his grandchildren, even mother of thousands of millions” though they will live in a world where (Genesis 24:60). there is much of wickedness. Covenant-keeping women with They will see many events transpire mother hearts know that whether in the course of their lifetime. Some motherhood comes early or late; of these shall tax their courage and whether they are blessed with a extend their faith. But if they seek “quiver full” of children here in mor- prayerfully for help and guidance, tality or not; whether they are single, they shall be given power over married, or left to carry the responsi- adverse things. Such trials shall not bility of parenthood alone—in holy be permitted to stand in the way of temples they are “endowed with few weeks ago our youngest their progress, but instead shall act as power from on high” (D&C 38:32), son and his wife and family stepping-stones to greater knowledge. and with that endowment they A stopped to see us. The first As a grandfather and as one of the received the promised blessings and one out of the car was our two-year- Twelve, I will give you some counsel, are “persuaded of them, and old grandson. He came running to some caution, and a lot of encourage- embraced them” (Hebrews 11:13). me with his arms outstretched, shout- ment. I could do this much better if Every girl and woman who makes ing, “Gwampa! Gwampa! Gwampa!” the grandmother in our family, my and keeps sacred covenants can have He hugged my legs, and I looked wife of 57 years, were standing beside a mother heart. There is no limit to down at that smiling face and those me. Mothers know much more about what a woman with a mother heart big, innocent eyes and thought, life than fathers do, but I will do the can accomplish. Righteous women “What kind of a world awaits him?” best I can. have changed the course of history For a moment I had that feeling We do not fear the future for our- and will continue to do so, and their of anxiety, that fear of the future selves or for our children. We live in influence will spread and grow expo- that so many parents express to us. dangerously troubled times. The val- nentially throughout the eternities. Everywhere we go fathers and moth- ues that steadied mankind in earlier How grateful I am to the Lord for ers worry about the future of their times are being tossed away. trusting women with the divine mis- children in this very troubled world. We must not ignore Moroni’s sion of motherhood. Like Mother Eve But then a feeling of assurance words when he saw our day and said, I am “glad” (see Moses 5:11) to know came over me. My fear of the future “Ye [must] awake to a sense of your these things. In the name of Jesus faded. awful situation” (Ether 8:24). Christ, amen. ■ That guiding, comforting Spirit, We cannot take lightly this warning

MAY 2004 77 from the Book of Mormon: The best thing to do then and what “The Lord in his great infinite we must do now is to avoid places goodness doth bless and prosper where there is danger of physical or those who put their trust in him . . . spiritual contagion. doing all things for the welfare and We have little concern that our happiness of his people; yea, then is grandchildren will get the measles. the time that they do harden their They have been immunized and can hearts, and do forget the Lord their move freely without fear of that. God, and do trample under their feet While in much of the world the Holy One—yea, and this because measles has virtually been eradicated, of their ease, and their exceedingly it is still the leading cause of vaccine- great prosperity. preventable death in children. “And thus we see that except the From money generously donated Lord doth chasten his people with by Latter-day Saints, the Church many afflictions, yea, except he doth recently donated a million dollars to visit them with death and with terror, a cooperative effort to immunize the and with famine and with all manner children of Africa against measles. of pestilence, they will not remember For one dollar, one child can be him” (Helaman 12:1–3; emphasis had to go to school, to employment, protected. added). to church—to life! Parents now are concerned about Have you noticed that word terror Two of my sisters were stricken the moral and spiritual diseases. in that prophetic Book of Mormon with very severe cases of measles. At These can have terrible complications warning? first they seemed to recover. A few when standards and values are aban- The moral values upon which civi- weeks later Mother glanced out of the doned. We must all take protective lization itself must depend spiral window and saw Adele, the younger measures. downward at an ever-increasing pace. of the two, leaning against a swing. With the proper serum, the physi- Nevertheless, I do not fear the future. She was faint and weak with a fever. cal body is protected against disease. World War I ended only six years It was rheumatic fever! It came as a We can also protect our children from before I was born. When we were complication from measles. The other moral and spiritual diseases. children, the effects of the war were sister also had the fever. The word inoculate has two parts: everywhere present. World War II There was little that could be in—“to be within”—and oculate came only 15 years later. And dark done. In spite of all of the prayers of means “eye to see.” clouds were already gathering. my parents, Adele died. She was eight When children are baptized and We had the same anxious feelings years old. confirmed (see D&C 20:41, 43; that many of you do now. We won- While Nona, two years older, recov- 33:15), we place an eye within dered what the future held for us in ered, she had fragile health for most them—the unspeakable gift of the an unsettled world. of her life. Holy Ghost (see D&C 121:26). With When I was a boy, childhood dis- When I was in the seventh grade, the Restoration of the gospel came eases appeared regularly in every in a health class, the teacher read an authority to confer this gift. community. When someone had article. A mother learned that the The Book of Mormon gives us the chicken pox or measles or mumps, neighbor children had chicken pox. key: the health officer would visit the She faced the probability that her chil- “Angels speak by the power of the home and place a quarantine sign on dren would have it as well, perhaps Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the porch or in the window to warn one at a time. She determined to get the words of Christ. . . . Feast upon everyone to stay away. In a large fam- it all over with at once. the words of Christ; for behold, the ily like ours, those diseases would So she sent her children to the words of Christ will tell you [and your visit by relay, one child getting it from neighbor’s to play with their children children as well] all things what ye another, so the sign might stay up for to let them be exposed, and then she should do” (2 Nephi 32:3). weeks. would be done with it. Imagine her If you will accept it in your mind We could not blockade ourselves horror when the doctor finally came and cradle it in your feelings, a knowl- inside our homes or stay hidden away and announced that it was not chicken edge of the restored gospel and a to avoid those terrible contagions. We pox the children had; it was smallpox. testimony of Jesus Christ can

78 spiritually immunize your children. One thing is very clear: the safest place and the best protection against the moral and spiritual diseases is a stable home and family. This has always been true; it will be true forever. We must keep that foremost in our minds. The scriptures speak of “the shield of faith wherewith,” the Lord said, “ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (D&C 27:17). This shield of faith is best fabri- cated in a cottage industry. While the shield can be polished in classes in the Church and in activities, it is meant to be handcrafted in the home and fitted to each individual. The Lord said, “Take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand” (D&C 27:15). Our young people in many ways are much stronger and better than we were. They and we should not be afraid of what is ahead. Encourage our young people. They need not live in fear (see D&C 6:36). Fear is the opposite of faith. While we cannot erase wickedness, we can produce young Latter-day Saints who, spiritually nourished, are immunized against evil influences. As a grandfather who has lived a long time, I counsel you to have faith. Things have a way of working out. improve behavior quicker than a study so that spirits may enter mortality Stay close to the Church. Keep your of behavior will improve behavior. (see Genesis 1:28; Moses 2:28). children close to the Church. Find happiness in ordinary things, Children are the future of the In Alma’s day “the preaching of the and keep your sense of humor. restored Church. word had a great tendency to lead the Nona recovered from measles and Put your homes in order. If Mother people to do that which was just— rheumatic fever. She lived long is working outside of the home, see if yea, it . . . had more powerful effect enough to benefit from open-heart there are ways to change that, even a upon the minds of the people than surgery and enjoyed years of much little. It may be very difficult to the sword, or anything else, which improved health. Others spoke of her change at the present time. But ana- had happened unto them—therefore newly acquired energy. She said, “I lyze carefully and be prayerful (see Alma thought it was expedient that have a Cadillac engine in a Model T D&C 9:8–9). Then expect to have they should try the virtue of the word frame.” inspiration, which is revelation (see of God” (Alma 31:5). Keep your sense of humor! D&C 8:2–3). Expect intervention from True doctrine, understood, changes Do not be afraid to bring children power from beyond the veil to help attitudes and behavior. The study of into the world. We are under you move, in due time, to what is best the doctrines of the gospel will covenant to provide physical bodies for your family.

MAY 2004 79 Alma called the plan of salvation “Little children need no repen- protected by justice and comforted by “the great plan of happiness” (Alma tance, neither baptism. . . . mercy (see Alma 34:15–16). No unhal- 42:8; see also 2 Nephi 11:5; Alma “. . . Little children are alive in lowed hand can stay the progress of 12:25; 17:16; 34:9; 41:2; 42:5, 11–13, Christ” (Moroni 8:11–12). this work (see D&C 76:3). 15, 31; Moses 6:62). Remember the Atonement of We are not blind to the conditions Each of us came into mortality to Christ. Do not despair or count as for- in the world. receive a mortal body and to be ever lost those who have fallen to the The Apostle Paul prophesied tested (see Abraham 3:24–26). temptations of Satan. They will, after of “perilous times” in the last days Life will not be free from chal- the debt is paid to “the uttermost far- (2 Timothy 3:1), and he warned, “We lenges, some of them bitter and hard thing” (Matthew 5:26) and after the wrestle not against flesh and blood, to bear. We may wish to be spared all healing which attends complete but against principalities, against pow- the trials of life, but that would be repentance takes place, receive a ers, against the rulers of the darkness contrary to the great plan of happi- salvation. of this world, against spiritual wickedness, “for it must needs be, that Follow the leaders who are called ness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). there is an opposition in all things” to preside over you, for the promise Isaiah promised, “In righteousness (2 Nephi 2:11). This testing is the is given: “If my people will hearken shalt thou be established: thou shalt source of our strength. unto my voice, and unto the voice of be far from oppression; for thou shalt As an innocent child, my sister my servants whom I have appointed not fear: and from terror; for it shall Adele’s life was cruelly interrupted by to lead my people, behold, verily I say not come near thee” (Isaiah 54:14). disease and suffering. She and all the unto you, they shall not be moved out The Lord Himself encouraged, others so taken continue the work of of their place” (D&C 124:45). “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do the Lord beyond the veil. She will not The Church of Jesus Christ of not fear, for I the Lord am with you, be denied anything essential for her Latter-day Saints will go forward and will stand by you; and ye shall eternal progression. “until it has filled the whole earth” bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, We also lost an infant granddaugh- (D&C 65:2) and the great Jehovah that I am the Son of the living God, ter. She was named Emma after my announces that His work is done (see that I was, that I am, and that I am to mother. We receive comfort from the History of the Church, 4:540). The come” (D&C 68:6). In the name of scriptures. Church is a safe harbor. We will be Jesus Christ, amen. ■

80 pitted against the son of the morning. We were there while that was going The Dawning on. That must have been a desper- ately difficult struggle, with a grand, triumphal victory. Concerning those desperate times, of a Brighter Day the Lord spoke to Job out of the whirlwind and said: PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? . . . What a glorious season it has been and now is. “When the morning stars sang A new day has come in the work of the Almighty. together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4, 7). Why were we then happy? I think it was because good had triumphed over evil and the whole human family a grandfather. I should like to pick was on the Lord’s side. We turned our up a thread from the tapestry he has backs on the adversary and aligned woven. I too am now an old man, ourselves with the forces of God, and older even than he, if you can imagine those forces were victorious. that. I have been around for a long But having made that decision, why time, I have traveled far, and I have should we have to make it again and seen much of this world. In hours of again after our birth into mortality? quiet reflection, I wonder why there I cannot understand why so many is so much of trouble and suffering have betrayed in life the decision they almost everywhere. Our times are once made when the great war fraught with peril. We hear frequently occurred in heaven. quoted the words of Paul to Timothy: But it is evident that the contest “This know also, that in the last days between good and evil, which began perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy with that war, has never ended. It 3:1). He then goes on to describe the has gone on, and on, and on to the conditions that will prevail. I think it is present. plainly evident that these latter days I think our Father must weep asn’t that absolutely magnifi- are indeed perilous times that fit the because so many of His children cent? Thank you, Liriel conditions that Paul described (see through the ages have exercised the WDomiciano and the choir. 2 Timothy 3:2–7). agency He gave them and have cho- What a great declaration of faith—“I But peril is not a new condition sen to walk the road of evil rather know that my Redeemer lives.” Thank for the human family. Revelation tells than good. you again for that stirring and won- us that “there was war in heaven: Evil was manifest early in this derful music. Michael and his angels fought against world when Cain slew Abel. It May I first say to all the Church, and the dragon; and the dragon fought increased until in the days of Noah to others, thank you for your great and his angels, “God saw that the wickedness of man kindness to Sister Hinckley and me. “And prevailed not; neither was was great in the earth, and that every You have been and are so gracious and their place found any more in heaven. imagination of the thoughts of his generous. We are touched by all you “And the great dragon was cast out, heart was only evil continually. do for us. If all the world were treated that old serpent, called the Devil, and “And it repented the Lord that as we are treated, what a different Satan, which deceiveth the whole he had made man on the earth, world it would be. We would care for world: he was cast out into the earth, and it grieved him at his heart” one another in the Spirit of the Master, and his angels were cast out with (Genesis 6:5–6). who reached out to comfort and heal. him” (Revelation 12:7–9). He commanded Noah to build an Now, my brothers and sisters, What a perilous time that must ark “wherein few, that is, eight souls” President Packer has spoken to you as have been. The Almighty Himself was would be saved (1 Peter 3:20).

MAY 2004 81 The earth was cleansed. The floods wickedness. And the peril of those changers in the temple, saying, “My receded. Righteousness was again times was not peculiar to the Old house is the house of prayer: but ye established. But it was not long until World. The Book of Mormon have made it a den of thieves” (Luke the family of humanity, so very many documents that in the Western 19:46). This too was a time of great of them, returned to the old ways Hemisphere the armies of the peril. Palestine was part of the Roman of disobedience. The inhabitants of Jaredites fought to the death. The Empire, which, in its governance, was the cities of the plain, Sodom and Nephites and the Lamanites also ironfisted, oppressive, and clouded Gomorrah, are examples of the fought until thousands had died and over with evil. depravity to which men sank. And Moroni was forced to wander alone Paul’s letters cried out for strength “God [utterly] destroyed the cities for the safety of his own life (see among the followers of Christ, lest of the plain” in a summary and final Moroni 1:3). His great and final plea, they fall into the ways of the wicked desolation (Genesis 19:29). directed toward those of our day, was one. But a spirit of apostasy ultimately Isaiah thundered: a call to righteousness: prevailed. “Your iniquities have separated “And again I would exhort you that Ignorance and evil enveloped the between you and your God, and your ye would come unto Christ, and lay world, resulting in what is known as sins have hid his face from you, that hold upon every good gift, and touch the Dark Ages. Isaiah had predicted: he will not hear. not the evil gift, nor the unclean “Darkness shall cover the earth, and “For your hands are defiled with thing” (Moroni 10:30). gross darkness the people” (Isaiah blood, and your fingers with iniquity; When the Savior walked the 60:2). For centuries, disease was ram- your lips have spoken lies, your earth, He “went about doing good” pant and poverty reigned. The Black tongue hath muttered perverseness” (Acts 10:38), but He also denounced Death killed some 50 million people (Isaiah 59:2–3). the hypocrisy of the scribes and during the 14th century. Was not this It was so with the other prophets Pharisees, speaking of them as a season of terrible peril? I wonder of the Old Testament. The burden of “whited sepulchres” (see Matthew how humanity survived. their message was a denunciation of 23:27). He lashed out at the money But somehow, in that long season

82 of darkness, a candle was lighted. The the great and unfathomable wonders age of Renaissance brought with it a of the Atonement of the Redeemer. flowering of learning, art, and science. How grateful we are to the God There came a movement of bold and of heaven for His beneficent care of courageous men and women who His children in providing for them, looked heavenward in acknowledg- through all of the perils of eternity, ment of God and His divine Son. We the opportunity of salvation and the speak of it as the Reformation. blessing of exaltation in His kingdom, And then, after many generations if only they will live in righteousness. had walked the earth—so many of And, my brothers and sisters, this them in conflict, hatred, darkness, places upon each of us a grand and and evil—there arrived the great, new consuming responsibility. President day of the Restoration. This glorious Wilford Woodruff said in 1894: gospel was ushered in with the “The Almighty is with this people. appearance of the Father and the Son We shall have all the revelations that to the boy Joseph. The dawn of the we will need, if we will do our duty dispensation of the fulness of times and obey the commandments of rose upon the world. All of the good, God. . . . While I . . . live I want to do the beautiful, the divine of all previ- heaven inspires and pours out light my duty. I want the Latter-day Saints ous dispensations was restored in this and knowledge. to do their duty. Here is the Holy most remarkable season. There is still so much of conflict in Priesthood. . . . Their responsibility is But there was also evil. And one the world. There is terrible poverty, great and mighty. The eyes of God manifestation of that evil was persecu- disease, and hatred. Man is still brutal and all the holy prophets are watch- tion. There was hatred. There were in his inhumanity to man. Yet there is ing us. This is the great dispensation drivings and forced marches in the this glorious dawn. The “Sun of righ- that has been spoken of ever since time of winter. teousness” has come “with healing the world began. We are gathered It was as Charles Dickens de- in his wings” (Malachi 4:2). God together . . . by the power and com- scribed in the opening lines of his and His Beloved Son have revealed mandment of God. We are doing the A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best Themselves. We know Them. We work of God. . . . Let us fill our mis- of times, it was the worst of times, . . . worship Them “in spirit and in truth” sion” (in James R. Clark, comp., it was the season of Light, it was the (John 4:24). We love Them. We honor Messages of the First Presidency of season of Darkness, it was the spring Them and seek to do Their will. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- of hope, it was the winter of despair.” The keys of the everlasting priest- day Saints, 6 vols. [1965–75], 3:258). Notwithstanding the great evil of hood have turned the locks of the This is our great and demanding these times, what a glorious season it prisons of the past. challenge, my brothers and sisters. has been and now is. A new day has This is the choice we must constantly come in the work of the Almighty. The morning breaks, the shadows make, just as generations before us That work has grown and strength- flee; have had to choose. We must ask ened and moved across the earth. Lo, Zion’s standard is unfurled! ourselves: It has now touched for good the The dawning of a brighter day, ... lives of millions, and this is only the Majestic rises on the world. Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who? beginning. (“The Morning Breaks,” Hymns, no. 1) Now is the time to show. This great dawning has also We ask it fearlessly: resulted in a tremendous outpouring Perilous times? Yes. These are per- Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who? of secular knowledge upon the world. ilous times. But the human race has (“Who’s on the Lord’s Side?” Hymns, Think of the increased longevity of lived in peril from the time before the no. 260) life. Think of the wonders of modern earth was created. Somehow, through medicine. I stand amazed. Think of all of the darkness, there has been a Do we really comprehend, do we the flowering of education. Think of faint but beautiful light. And now with understand the tremendous signifi- the miraculous advances in travel and added luster it shines upon the world. cance of that which we have? This is communication. Man’s ingenuity It carries with it God’s plan of happi- the summation of the generations of knows no end when the God of ness for His children. It carries with it man, the concluding chapter in the

MAY 2004 83 SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 4 April 2004

entire panorama of the human experience. But this does not put us in a posi- The Atonement tion of superiority. Rather, it should humble us. It places upon us an unforgiving responsibility to reach out with concern for all others in and the Value the Spirit of the Master, who taught, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 19:19). We must cast of One Soul out self-righteousness and rise above petty self-interest. ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD We must do all that is required in Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles moving forward the work of the Lord in building His kingdom in the earth. We can never compromise the doc- If we could truly understand the Atonement trine which has come through revela- of the Lord Jesus Christ, we would realize tion, but we can live and work with how precious is one son or daughter of God. others, respecting their beliefs and admiring their virtues, joining hands in opposition to the sophistries, the quarrels, the hatred—those perils which have been with man from the Christ. While it is impossible for me to beginning. put into words the full meaning of the Without surrendering any element Atonement of Christ, I pray that I can of our doctrine, we can be neighborly, explain what His Atonement means to we can be helpful, we can be kind and me and our family and what it might generous. also mean to you and yours. We of this generation are the end The Savior’s precious birth, harvest of all that has gone before. It life, Atonement in the Garden of is not enough to simply be known as Gethsemane, suffering on the a member of this Church. A solemn cross, burial in Joseph’s tomb, and obligation rests upon us. Let us face it glorious Resurrection all became a and work at it. renewed reality for us. The Savior’s We must live as true followers of Resurrection assures all of us that the Christ, with charity toward all, someday we, too, will follow Him and returning good for evil, teaching by experience our own resurrection. example the ways of the Lord, and What peace, what comfort this great accomplishing the vast service He has gift is which comes through the lov- outlined for us. his past January our family suf- ing grace of Jesus Christ, the Savior May we live worthy of the glorious fered the tragic loss of our grand- and Redeemer of all mankind. endowment of light and understand- Tson Nathan in an airplane crash. Because of Him we know we can ing and eternal truth which has come Nathan had served in the Russian- be with Nathan again. to us through all the perils of the speaking Baltic Mission. He loved the There is no greater expression of past. Somehow, among all who have people and knew it was a privilege to love than the heroic Atonement per- walked the earth, we have been serve the Lord. Three months after I formed by the Son of God. Were it brought forth in this unique and officiated at his eternal marriage to his not for the plan of our Heavenly remarkable season. Be grateful, and sweetheart, Jennifer, this accident took Father, established before the world above all be faithful. This is my hum- his life. Nathan’s being taken so sud- began, in a very real sense, all ble prayer, as I bear witness of the denly from our mortal presence has mankind—past, present, and future— truth of this work, in the sacred name turned each of our hearts and minds would have been left without the of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ to the Atonement of the Lord Jesus hope of eternal progression. As a

84 result of Adam’s transgression, mor- willingly so that we might all have the Himself to scourging, humiliation, suf- tals were separated from God (see opportunity to be washed clean— fering, and finally crucifixion because Romans 6:23) and would be forever through having faith in Him, repenting of His great love towards the children unless a way was found to break the of our sins, being baptized by proper of men (see 1 Nephi 19:9–10). bands of death. This would not be priesthood authority, receiving the The Atonement of Jesus Christ was easy, for it required the vicarious sacri- purifying gift of the Holy Ghost by an indispensable part of our Heavenly fice of one who was sinless and who confirmation, and accepting all other Father’s plan for His Son’s earthly mis- could therefore take upon Himself essential ordinances. Without the sion and for our salvation. How grate- the sins of all mankind. Atonement of the Lord, none of these ful we should be that our Heavenly Thankfully, Jesus Christ coura- blessings would be available to us, and Father did not intercede but rather geously fulfilled this sacrifice in ancient we could not become worthy and withheld His fatherly instinct to Jerusalem. There in the quiet isolation prepared to return to dwell in the rescue His Beloved Son. Because of of the Garden of Gethsemane, He presence of God. His eternal love for you and for me, knelt among the gnarled olive trees, The Savior later endured the agony He allowed Jesus to complete His and in some incredible way that none of inquisition, cruel beatings, and foreordained mission to become our of us can fully comprehend, the Savior death by crucifixion on the cross at Redeemer. The gift of resurrection and took upon Himself the sins of the Calvary. Recently, there has been a immortality is given freely through the world. Even though His life was pure great deal of commentary about this, loving grace of Jesus Christ to all peo- and free of sin, He paid the ultimate none of which has made clear the ple of all ages, regardless of their good penalty for sin—yours, mine, and singular point that no one had the or evil acts. And to those who choose everyone who has ever lived. His men- power to take the Savior’s life from to love the Lord and who show their tal, emotional, and spiritual anguish Him. He gave it as a ransom for us all. love and faith in Him by keeping His were so great they caused Him to As the Son of God, He had the power commandments and qualifying for bleed from every pore (see Luke 22:44; to alter the situation. Yet the scrip- the full blessings of the Atonement, D&C 19:18). And yet Jesus suffered tures clearly state that He yielded He offers the additional promise of

MAY 2004 85 exaltation and eternal life, which is the came the Restoration of the gospel. for His children is generally achieved blessing of living in the presence of The Lord Jesus Christ has once again by the small and simple things we do God and His Beloved Son forever. revealed, through His chosen for one another. At the heart of the We often sing a hymn that ex- prophet, the ordinances and the English word atonement is the word presses what I feel when I consider the priesthood authority to administer one. If all mankind understood this, Savior’s benevolent, atoning sacrifice: them for the salvation of all who will there would never be anyone with believe. whom we would not be concerned, I stand all amazed at the love Jesus Another prophet in another time regardless of age, race, gender, reli- offers me, was shown “the nations of the earth” gion, or social or economic standing. Confused at the grace that so fully (Moses 7:23). “And the Lord showed We would strive to emulate the Savior he proffers me. Enoch all things, even unto the end of and would never be unkind, indiffer- I tremble to know that for me he the world” (Moses 7:67). Enoch saw ent, disrespectful, or insensitive to was crucified, also that Satan “had a great chain in others. That for me, a sinner, he suffered, his hand, and it veiled the whole face If we truly understood the he bled and died. of the earth with darkness; and he Atonement and the eternal value of (“I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, [Satan] looked up and laughed” each soul, we would seek out the no. 193) (Moses 7:26). wayward boy and girl and every other With all that Enoch beheld, there wayward child of God. We would help Jesus Christ, the Savior and was one thing that seemed to capture them to know of the love Christ has Redeemer of all mankind, is not dead. his attention above everything else. for them. We would do all that we can He lives—the resurrected Son of God Enoch saw God look “upon the to help prepare them to receive the lives—that is my testimony, and He residue of the people, and He wept” saving ordinances of the gospel. guides the affairs of His Church today. (Moses 7:28). The sacred record then Surely, if the Atonement of Christ In the spring of 1820, a pillar of light has Enoch asking God over and over: was foremost in the minds of ward illuminated a grove of trees in upstate “How is it that thou canst weep? . . . and branch leaders, no new or reacti- New York. Our Heavenly Father and How is it thou canst weep?” (Moses vated member would ever be ne- His Beloved Son appeared to the 7:29, 31). glected. Because every soul is so Prophet Joseph Smith. This experience The Lord answered Enoch: “Be- precious, leaders will counsel began the restoration of powerful doc- hold these thy brethren; they are the together to see that each one is trinal truths that had been lost for cen- workmanship of mine own hands taught the doctrines of the gospel turies. Among those truths that had . . . ; unto thy brethren have I . . . of Jesus Christ. been dimmed by the darkness of apos- also given commandment, that they When I think of Nathan and how tasy was the stirring reality that we are should love one another, and that precious he is to us, I can see and feel all the spirit sons and daughters of a they should choose me, their Father; more clearly how our Heavenly Father loving God who is our Father. We are but behold, they are without affec- must feel about all of His children. We part of His family. He is not a father in tion, and they hate their own blood” do not want God to weep because we some allegorical or poetic sense. He is (Moses 7:32–33). did not do all we could to share with literally the Father of our spirits. He Enoch saw the conditions of His children the revealed truths of the cares for each one of us. Though this these latter days. He and other early gospel. I pray that every one of our world has a way of diminishing and prophets knew that only as we accept youth will seek to know the blessings demeaning men and women, the the Atonement in our lives and strive of the Atonement and that they will reality is we are all of royal, divine line- to live the gospel can we meet the strive to be worthy to serve the Lord age. In that unprecedented appear- challenges of life and find peace, joy, in the mission field. Surely many ance of the Father and the Son in the and happiness. Coming to understand more senior couples and others Sacred Grove, the very first word spo- this great gift is an individual pursuit whose health will permit would ken by the Father of us all was the per- for each child of God. eagerly desire to serve the Lord as sonal name of Joseph. Such is our Brothers and sisters, I believe that missionaries if they would ponder Father’s personal relationship with if we could truly understand the over the meaning of the atoning sacri- each of us. He knows our names and Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, fice of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was yearns for us to become worthy to we would realize how precious is one Jesus who said, “If . . . you should return to live with Him. son or daughter of God. I believe our labor all your days in crying repen- Through the Prophet Joseph Smith Heavenly Father’s everlasting purpose tance unto this people, and bring,

86 save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” (D&C 18:15; emphasis added). Not only that, but great shall be the Lord’s joy in the soul that repenteth! For precious unto Him is the one. Brothers and sisters, our Heavenly Father has reached out to us through the Atonement of our Savior. He invites all to “come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption” (Omni 1:26). He has taught us that it is through our faithful adherence to gospel principles, through receiving the saving ordinances that have been restored, through continual service, and by enduring to the end that we can return to His sacred presence. What possible thing in the whole world is remotely as important as to know this? Sadly, in today’s world, a person’s importance is often judged by the size of the audience before which he or she performs. That is how media and sports programs are rated, how cor- porate prominence is sometimes determined, and often how govern- mental rank is obtained. That may be why roles such as father, mother, and As the resurrected Savior said to from our dear Nathan has come the missionary seldom receive standing the Nephites, so He might say to us peace that only the Savior and ovations. Fathers, mothers, and mis- today: Redeemer can give. Our family has sionaries “play” before very small “Blessed are ye because of your turned to Him, one by one; and we audiences. Yet, in the eyes of the faith. And now behold, my joy is full. now sing with greater appreciation Lord, there may be only one size “And when he had said these and understanding: of audience that is of lasting impor- words, he wept, and the multitude tance—and that is just one, each bare record of it, and he took their Oh, it is wonderful that he should one, you and me, and each one of little children, one by one, and care for me the children of God. The irony of the blessed them, and prayed unto the Enough to die for me! Atonement is that it is infinite and Father for them” (3 Nephi 17:20–21; Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful eternal, yet it is applied individually, emphasis added). to me! one person at a time. Brothers and sisters, never, never (“I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, There is a level at which the child’s underestimate how precious is the no. 193) hymn “I Am a Child of God” (Hymns, one. Remember always the simple no. 301) harmonizes with the music admonition of the Lord: “If ye love My dear brothers and sisters, of eternity. We are children of God. me, keep my commandments” (John may you give to others and receive Each one of us is precious to the 14:15). Always strive to live worthy for yourselves every blessing the point of bringing the Lord God of the sacred full blessings of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ Almighty to a fulness of joy if we are Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. offers, I humbly pray, in the name of faithful, or to tears if we are not. In our sorrow over the separation Jesus Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2004 87 And “he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord.”5 With All the Feeling We too must have the faith to teach our children and bid them to keep the commandments. We should not let their choices weaken our faith. of a Tender Parent: Our worthiness will not be measured according to their righteousness. Lehi did not lose the blessing of feasting at A Message of Hope the tree of life because Laman and Lemuel refused to partake of its fruit. Sometimes as parents we feel we have failed when our children make mis- to Families takes or stray. Parents are never fail- ures when they do their best to love, ELDER ROBERT D. HALES teach, pray, and care for their chil- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dren. Their faith, prayers, and efforts will be consecrated to the good of No matter how evil the world becomes, our families their children. The Lord’s desire for us as parents can be at peace. If we do what’s right, we will is that we keep His commandments. be guided and protected. He has said: “[Teach] your children light and truth, according to the commandments. . . . Set in order your own house. . . . See that [you] are more pioneer ancestors tells us what diligent and concerned at home.”6 to do: “Gird up your loins; fresh I want to remind all of us today courage take. / Our God will never us that no family has reached perfection. forsake.”3 That courage and faith is All families are subject to the condi- what we need as parents and families tions of mortality. All of us are given in these latter days. the gift of agency—to choose for Father Lehi had such courage. He ourselves and to learn from the loved his family and rejoiced that consequences of our choices. some of his children kept the Lord’s Any of us may experience a commandments. But he must have spouse, a child, a parent, or a mem- been heartbroken when his sons ber of our extended family suffering “Laman and Lemuel partook not of in one way or another—mentally, the fruit” representing the love of physically, emotionally, or spiritually— God. “He exceedingly feared for and we may experience these tribula- [them]; yea, he feared lest they tions ourselves at times. In short, should be cast off from the presence mortality is not easy. of the Lord.”4 Each family has its own special cir- s Paul prophesied, we live in Every parent faces moments of cumstances. But the gospel of Jesus “perilous times.”1 “Satan [has such fear. However, when we exercise Christ addresses every challenge— been going] about, leading our faith by teaching our children and which is why we must teach it to our A 2 away the hearts of the people,” and doing what we can to help them, our children. his influence is increasing. But no fears will diminish. Lehi girded up his “The Family: A Proclamation to the matter how evil the world becomes, loins, and with faith “he did exhort World” states: our families can be at peace. If we do [his children] with all the feeling of “Parents have a sacred duty to rear what’s right, we will be guided and a tender parent, that they would their children in love and righteous- protected. hearken to his words, that perhaps ness, to provide for their physical and The hymn often sung by our the Lord would be merciful to them.” spiritual needs, to teach them to love

88 and serve one another, to observe the seriously their parental duties. Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the commandments of God and to be The scriptures record, “By faith king.”11 law-abiding citizens wherever they Moses, when he was born, was hid I join with faithful parents every- live. Husbands and wives—mothers three months of his parents, . . . and where in declaring that we know who and fathers—will be held accountable [his parents] were not afraid of the we are, we understand our responsi- before God for the discharge of these king’s commandment.”9 When Moses bilities as parents, and we do not fear obligations.”7 grew too old to be concealed, his the wrath of the prince of darkness. Fulfilling these obligations is the mother, Jochebed, constructed an We trust in the light of the Lord. key to protecting our families in these ingenious basket of bulrushes, water- Like Jochebed, we raise our fami- last days. proofed it with slime and pitch, and lies in a wicked and hostile world— Moses counseled, “And thou shalt placed her son inside. She directed a world as dangerous as the courts teach [these words] diligently unto the tiny vessel down the river to a safe of Egypt ruled by Pharaoh. But, like thy children, and shalt talk of them place—to where the pharaoh’s Jochebed, we also weave around our when thou sittest in thine house, daughter bathed. children a protective basket—a vessel and when thou walkest by the way, Leaving nothing to chance, called “the family”—and guide them and when thou liest down, and when Jochebed also sent along an inspired to safe places where our teachings thou risest up.”8 Our families should helper, her daughter Miriam, to keep can be reinforced in the home and at be in our thoughts continually. watch. When Pharaoh’s daughter, the church. Moses understood the need princess, found the baby, Miriam Ultimately, we guide them to the for constant teaching, for he grew bravely offered to call a Hebrew greatest of all houses of learning—the up in difficult times. At the time nurse. That nurse was Jochebed, holy temple, where one day they can Moses was born, Pharaoh had Moses’ mother.10 kneel, surrounded by their faithful declared that every Hebrew male Because of her faithfulness, Moses’ family members, to be sealed for time infant in Egypt should be cast into life was spared. In time he learned and all eternity to a worthy compan- the river. But Moses’ parents took who he really was, and he “forsook ion. What they learned from us, they

MAY 2004 89 will teach their children, and the work understand what the consequences experiences of the brother of Jared. of eternal families will go on. of their actions may be in their own Although the story was very interest- Along the way, at times when our lives. ing, he was not engaged. I then asked children are away from us, the Lord Sometimes when our teachings what the story meant to him person- provides inspired “Miriams” to watch aren’t heeded and when our expecta- ally. It means so much when we ask over them—special third-party tions are not met, we need to remind our children, “What does it mean to helpers such as priesthood and auxil- ourselves to leave the door to our you?” He said, “You know, it’s not that iary leaders, teachers, extended fam- hearts open. different from what Joseph Smith did ily, and worthy friends. Sometimes In the parable of the prodigal son, in the grove when he prayed and got the Spirit prompts us as parents to we find a powerful lesson for families an answer.” seek special help beyond ourselves and especially parents. After the I said, “You’re about Joseph’s age. through such resources as doctors younger son “came to himself,”12 he Do you think a prayer like his would and qualified counselors. The Spirit decided to go home. be helpful to you?” Suddenly, we will direct when and how such help How did he know his father weren’t talking about a long-ago should be obtained. wouldn’t reject him? Because he story in a faraway land. We were talk- But the greatest help for our fami- knew his father. Through the ing about our son—about his life, his lies comes through the gospel—from inevitable misunderstandings, con- needs, and the way prayer could our Heavenly Father, through the flicts, and follies of the son’s youth, help him. guidance of the Holy Ghost, in the I can visualize his father being there As parents, we have the responsi- doctrines and principles, and through with an understanding and compas- bility to help our children to “liken all the priesthood. May I share with you sionate heart, a soft answer, a listening scriptures [indeed, every part of the five important elements of parenting ear, and a forgiving embrace. I can also gospel of Jesus Christ] unto us [and that will assist us in strengthening our imagine his son knowing he could unto our children], . . . for [the] profit families. come home because he knew the and learning [of our families].”14 Hold family councils. Sometimes kind of home that was awaiting him. Are we likening all of our children’s we are afraid of our children—afraid For the scriptures say, “When he was gospel experiences to the real needs to counsel with them for fear of yet a great way off, his father saw him, in their lives? Are we teaching them offending them. There are priceless and had compassion, and ran, and fell about the gift of the Holy Ghost, blessings to be obtained from on his neck, and kissed him.”13 repentance, the Atonement, the sacra- counseling together with our I testify that our Heavenly Father ment, and the blessing of sacrament families, showing a genuine interest leaves the door open. I also testify meeting as they meet the challenges in the lives of our family members. that it is never too late to open the in their lives? There is not enough Occasionally, family councils may door between us and our children time in formal meetings to teach our involve all family members as part of a with simple words such as “I love children everything they need to family home evening or other special you,” “I am sorry,” and “Please forgive know. Therefore, we must take gatherings. But we should regularly me.” We can begin now to create a advantage of everyday teaching counsel with each of our children home they will want to return to— moments. individually. not only now but in the eternities. These moments are priceless. They Without this one-on-one counsel- We can also help our obedient chil- come when we are working, playing, ing together with our children, they dren leave the door of forgiveness and struggling together. When they are prone to believe that Dad and open by expressing our love and come, the Spirit of the Lord can help Mom, or Grandpa and Grandma, appreciation to them and by helping us know what to say and help our don’t understand or care about the them rejoice in the repentance of children accept our teaching. challenges they are facing. As we lis- their siblings. What a joy and blessing to have the ten with love and refrain from inter- With the door to our hearts open, Spirit in our homes! And what a bless- rupting, the Spirit will help us learn we should learn how to liken the ing it is to invite it through prayer, how we can be of help to our children scriptures to our lives. studying the scriptures, speaking and teach them. We often talk about teaching our kindly, and showing appreciation to For example, we may teach them children from the scriptures, but how one another! Let us prepare our that they can choose their actions do we do that? teaching moments by praying as Alma but not the consequences of those Several years ago I was teaching prayed for his son, “with much faith”15 actions. We can also gently help them our young son about the life and and all the energy of our souls; by

90 fasting, searching the scriptures, repenting of our sins, and allowing the Holy Ghost to fill our hearts with love, forgiveness, and compassion. And then it will fill our homes. Then, let us trust the Good Shepherd. Moses’ mother, Jochebed, guided her son down the river with faith in the “Shepherd . . . of [our] souls.”16 As parents, we too can trust the Good Shepherd to guide and direct us. Isaiah promised He “shall gently lead”17 all those who bear responsibility for the young. He will help us trust and honor the principles of agency, opposition, and the Atonement even when our children make unwise decisions. Through His Spirit, He will help us teach our children to meet every challenge, the temple, and living true to the the salvation and exaltation of all the trial, and tribulation in life by remem- covenants we make there. families of the earth. With all the feel- bering who they are—children of Parents can take great comfort in ing of a tender parent, I express my God. We will be inspired with ways to the words of Elder Orson F. Whitney love and the love of our Heavenly help them “put on the whole armour relating the teachings of Joseph Smith: Father to you and your family. of God,”18 so that they can withstand “The Prophet Joseph Smith May we gather our loved ones the “fiery darts of the adversary”19 declared—and he never taught more around us, “gird up [our] loins; [and] with the “shield of faith”20 and “the comforting doctrine—that the eternal fresh courage take. Our God will sword of the Spirit.”21 As our children sealings of faithful parents and the never us forsake.” With faith, courage, are spiritually armed and strength- divine promises made to them for and love, families will truly be ened, He will bless them to endure valiant service in the Cause of Truth, together forever. I so testify in the faithfully to the end and return home, would save not only themselves, but name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ worthy to stand and live in their likewise their posterity. Though some Heavenly Father’s presence forever. of the sheep may wander, the eye of NOTES Through it all, we will sorrow to the Shepherd is upon them, and 1. 2 Timothy 3:1. 2. 3 Nephi 2:3. see our family members suffer the sooner or later they will feel the tenta- 3. “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” Hymns, no. 30. slings and arrows of mortality. But we cles of Divine Providence reaching 4. 1 Nephi 8:35–36. 5. 1 Nephi 8:37–38. will stand all amazed at the love our out after them and drawing them 6. D&C 93:42–43, 50. Savior offers them. Because of Him, back to the fold. Either in this life or 7. Liahona, Oct. 1998, 24; Ensign, Nov. 1995, the buffetings need not defeat and the life to come, they will return. 102. 8. Deuteronomy 6:7. destroy them but can soften, They will have to pay their debt to jus- 9. Hebrews 11:23. strengthen, and sanctify them. tice; they will suffer for their sins; and 10. See Exodus 2:3–10; see also Jerrie W. Hurd, To parents and families throughout may tread a thorny path; but if it leads Our Sisters in the Bible (1983), 36–37. 11. See Hebrews 11:24–27. the world, I testify that the Lord Jesus them at last, like the penitent 12. Luke 15:17. Christ is mighty to save. He is the Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving 13. Luke 15:20. Healer, the Redeemer, the rescuing father’s heart and home, the painful 14. 1 Nephi 19:23. 15. Mosiah 27:14. Shepherd who will leave the ninety experience will not have been in vain. 16. 1 Peter 2:25. and nine to find the one. If we are Pray for your careless and disobedient 17. Isaiah 40:11. 18. See Ephesians 6:11, 13; see also seeking the salvation of special “ones” children; hold on to them with your D&C 27:15. in our own families, I bear testimony faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see 19. 1 Nephi 15:24; D&C 3:8; see also that they are within His reach. We the salvation of God.”22 Ephesians 6:16. 20. Ephesians 6:16; D&C 27:17. assist Him in reaching them by faith- I bear my special witness that Jesus 21. Ephesians 6:17; see also D&C 27:18. fully living the gospel, being sealed in Christ gave His life, making possible 22. In Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110.

MAY 2004 91 As you and I slosh through the mud slides of life, we can’t help get- Standing Spotless ting a few mud spots on us along the way either. And we don’t want to stand before the Lord looking muddy. When the Savior appeared in before the Lord ancient America, He said, “Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto ELDER CLATE W. MASK JR. me and be baptized in my name, that Of the Seventy ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can all stand spotless before me at the last day” spotless, pure, and white before the Lord. (3 Nephi 27:20). Alma warns us about some of the ways we become spotted with mud: “For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we were basking in the Spirit they brought shall not be found spotless; and our on board. thoughts will also condemn us” Suddenly, we screeched to a halt. (Alma 12:14). A massive mud slide had buried the Alma also said: road. Jeff said, “What do we do now, “Ye cannot be saved; for there can Dad?” Our friends Stan, Eric, and Allan no man be saved except his garments had the same concern. Just then, the are washed white; yea, his garments zone leader shouted, “Let’s go, elders. must be purified until they are Nothing is going to stop us!” And they cleansed from all stain. . . . scrambled off the bus! We looked at “. . . How will any of you feel, if ye each other and said, “Follow the eld- shall stand before the bar of God, ers,” and we all sloshed through the having your garments stained with mud slide, trying to keep up with the blood and all manner of filthiness?” missionaries. There happened to be (Alma 5:21–22). a truck on the other side, so we all hopped aboard. After a mile, we were stopped by yet another mud ears ago, my adventurous son slide. Once again the elders plowed Jeff and I found ourselves on an through, with the rest of us close Yold bus bouncing along on a dirt behind. But this time there was no road in Central America at 1:00 A.M.We truck. Boldly, the zone leader said, took the early, early bus because it was “We will be where we are supposed to the only bus that day. A half hour later, be even if we have to walk the rest of the driver stopped for two missionar- the way.” Years later, Jeff told me how ies. When they got on, we asked them those missionaries and this photo where in the world they were going so inspired and motivated him tremen- early. Zone conference! And they were dously as he served the Lord in determined to do whatever it took to Argentina. get there. At 2:00 A.M. two more elders Although we overcame the mud boarded the bus and enthusiastically slides, we were all spotted with mud. hugged their fellow missionaries. This The missionaries were somewhat scene repeated itself every half hour as nervous about standing before their the bus climbed the remote mountain president on zone conference day road. By 5:00 A.M. we had 16 of the when he and his wife would be care- Lord’s finest as fellow passengers and fully checking their appearance.

92 He also tells us about “all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white” (Alma 5:24). He then asks us how we are doing as we cross through the mud slides of life: “Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, . . . that your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ?” (Alma 5:27). Because of repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our garments can be spotless, pure, fair, and white. Moroni pleads, “O then ye Missionaries hike down a Central American road, part of a true story told by unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord; Elder Clate W. Mask Jr. of the Seventy. cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may bond and free, male and female; . . . Gordon B. Hinckley did at the dedica- be found spotless, pure, fair, and [for] all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi tion of the Guatemala City temple: white, having been cleansed by the 26:33). “Thou kind and gracious Father, blood of the Lamb, at that great and We come to this world in many col- our hearts swell with gratitude for thy last day” (Mormon 9:6). ors, shapes, sizes, and circumstances. remembrance of the sons and daugh- In 1 Samuel we read, “Look not on We don’t have to be rich, tall, thin, ters of Lehi, the many generations of his countenance, or on the height of brilliant, or beautiful to be saved in our fathers and mothers who suffered his stature; . . . for man looketh on the kingdom of God—only pure. We so greatly and who walked for so long the outward appearance, but the Lord need to be obedient to the Lord Jesus in darkness. Thou hast heard their looketh on the heart” (16:7). Christ and keep His commandments. cries and seen their tears. Now there The Nephites were looking on the And we can all choose to do that will be opened to them the gates of outward appearance of the Lamanites, regardless of where we live or what salvation and eternal life” (Guatemala for Jacob declared, “Wherefore, a we look like. City Guatemala Temple dedicatory commandment I give unto you, which When the four sons of Mosiah prayer, in “Their Cries Heard, Their is the word of God, that ye revile no taught the gospel to the wild, fero- Tears Seen,” Church News, 23 Dec. more against them because of the cious Lamanites, a mighty change of 1984, 4). darkness of their skins” (Jacob 3:9). heart occurred: I have seen humble descendants of Our Father knows and loves His “As many of the Lamanites as Lehi come down from the mountains children all over the world, from believed in their preaching, and were to that temple and openly weep as Boston to Okinawa, from San Antonio converted unto the Lord, never did they stood there in awe. One gave me to Spain, from Italy to Costa Rica. In fall away. an abrazo and asked me to take that Ghana, President Gordon B. Hinckley “For they became a righteous peo- hug of love, appreciation, and broth- recently thanked the Lord “for the ple; they did lay down the weapons of erhood back to all those beloved mis- brotherhood that exists among us, their rebellion, that they did not fight sionaries that brought them the that neither color of skin nor land of against God any more, neither against gospel and to all the Saints whose birth can separate us as Thy sons and any of their brethren” (Alma 23:6–7). tithing faithfulness has brought tem- daughters” (Accra Ghana Temple dedi- Today, many of their descendants ple blessings within reach. Because of catory prayer, in “Brotherhood Exists,” are reading about this in their own the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can Church News, 17 Jan. 2004, 11). copies of the Book of Mormon and all stand spotless, pure, and white We invite men and women every- are choosing to follow Christ. I love before the Lord. where, whatever language or culture, meeting the children of Lehi in spot- With great gratitude, I lift my voice to “come unto [Christ] and partake of less white in the numerous temples in with Nephi: “And we talk of Christ, we his goodness; and he denieth none the Mexico South Area, where I am rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, that come unto him, black and white, currently serving. I feel as President we prophesy of Christ, and we write

MAY 2004 93 according to our prophecies, that our children [and our grandchildren] may know to what source they may Marriage and look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26). My wife and I love this scripture so much that she painted it on a wall in Family: Our Sacred our living room, below a beautiful white porcelain Christus. They are a constant reminder for us to live Responsibility Christ-centered lives. One day, our son was reading ELDER W. DOUGLAS SHUMWAY the scriptures with his family. Our Of the Seventy seven-year-old grandson Clatie read, “‘And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ’—Hey, that’s what Granny and In a society where marriage is often shunned, parenthood Grandpa have on their wall!” Now avoided, and families degraded, we have the responsibility that’s one of his favorite scriptures. to honor our marriages, nurture our children, and fortify On another occasion, we were at our families. the visitors’ center on Temple Square with these same grandchildren. Two- year-old Ashley was tired and wanted to leave. Sister Mask asked her if she wanted to see a big Jesus like the one They seem to be the adversary’s on our wall. She asked, “Is He as big prime targets for belittlement and as me?” “Even bigger,” Sister Mask destruction. In a society where mar- replied. When that tiny, little girl riage is often shunned, parenthood looked up at the majestic Christus, avoided, and families degraded, we she ran and stood at the feet and have the responsibility to honor our gazed up reverently for several min- marriages, nurture our children, and utes. When her father indicated it was fortify our families. time to go, she said, “No, no, Daddy. Honoring marriage requires that He loves me and wants to give me spouses render love, respect, and hugs!” devotion to one another. We have The road of life is strewn with spiri- been given sacred instruction to tual mud slides. Whatever our sins “love thy wife with all thy heart, and and imperfections, may we attack . . . cleave unto her and none else” them with the same missionary zeal (D&C 42:22). that those elders attacked their mud The prophet Malachi taught: “The slides. And may we thank our Father Lord hath been witness between thee daily for sending us His Son, Jesus hortly after I was married, my and the wife of thy youth, against Christ, to forgive us our mud spots so three brothers and I were sit- whom thou hast dealt treacherously: that we may stand spotless before Sting in my father’s office for a yet is she thy companion, and the Him. Ashley was right. He does love business meeting. At the conclusion wife of thy covenant. . . . Therefore us and will say to us at that great day, of our meeting, as we stood to leave, take heed . . . and let none deal “Well done, thou good and faithful Dad stopped, turned to us, and said: treacherously against the wife of his servant: . . . enter thou into the joy of “You boys are not treating your wives youth” (Malachi 2:14–15). To live our thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). as you should. You need to show life with the wife of our youth, keep- I bear witness that He lives and He them more kindness and respect.” My ing covenants, acquiring wisdom, and loves us. He is our Savior and our father’s words penetrated my soul. sharing love now and throughout Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Today we are witnessing an unend- eternity is a privilege indeed. Christ, amen. ■ ing assault on marriage and the family. I am reminded of the expression,

94 “When the satisfaction or the security of another person becomes as significant to one as is one’s own satisfaction or security, then the state of love exists” (Harry Stack Sullivan, Conceptions of Modern Psychiatry [1940], 42–43). Marriage is meant to be and must be a loving, binding, harmonious relationship between a man and a woman. When a husband and a wife understand that the family is ordained of God and that marriage can be filled with promises and blessings extending into the eternities, separation and divorce would seldom be a consideration in the Latter-day Saint home. Couples would realize that the sacred ordinances and covenants made in the house of the Lord provide the means whereby they can return to the presence of God. Parents have been given the sacred duty to “bring . . . up [children] in the nurture . . . of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife” (“The Family: A drove, what kind of a house we lived great educator, Horace Mann, who Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, in, how much we had in the bank “was the speaker at the dedication of Oct. 1998, 24; Ensign, Nov. 1995, account, nor what our clothes looked a . . . boys’ school. . . . In his talk he 102). Our responsibility, then, not like. But the world may be a little bet- said, ‘This school has cost hundreds only is for the well-being of our ter because we were important in the of thousands of dollars; but if this spouse but extends to the watchful life of a boy or a girl” (Pathways to school is able to save one boy, it is care of our children, for “children are Perfection [1973], 131). worth all that it cost.’ One of his an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm Although life sometimes makes us friends came up to [Mr. Mann] at the 127:3). We can make the choice to weary, impatient, or too busy for our close of the meeting and said, ‘You let nurture our children accordingly and children, we must never forget the your enthusiasm get away with you, “teach [them] to pray, and to walk infinite worth of what we have in our didn’t you? You . . . said that if this uprightly before the Lord” (D&C homes—our sons and our daughters. school, costing hundreds of thou- 68:28). As parents, we must regard The task at hand, a business engage- sands of dollars, were to save just one our children as gifts from God and be ment, or a new automobile are all of boy, it was worth all that it cost? You committed to making our homes a benefit but pale in value when com- surely don’t mean that.’ place to love, train, and nurture our pared to the worth of a young soul. “Horace Mann looked at him and sons and daughters. John Gunther, a father who lost his said, ‘Yes, my friend. It would be President Thomas S. Monson young son to brain cancer, urged worth it if that one boy were my son; reminds us: “The mantle of leadership those who still have sons and daugh- it would be worth it’ ” (“Today’s Young is not the cloak of comfort, but the ters to “embrace them with a little People,” Ensign, June 1971, 61). role of responsibility. . . . ‘Youth needs added rapture and a keener aware- Loving, protecting, and nurturing fewer critics and more models [to fol- ness of joy” (Death Be Not Proud: A our children are among the most low].’ One hundred years from now it Memoir [1949], 259). sacred and eternally important things will not matter what kind of a car we President Harold B. Lee told of a we will do. Worldly belongings will

MAY 2004 95 vanish, today’s number-one movie or Young men and women, you can place were the words “SUPER DAD” song will be irrelevant tomorrow, but be a great influence for good in your in big bold letters and in parentheses, a son or a daughter is eternal. homes as you help to achieve worthy “your secret friend.” Hold your family “The family is central to the family objectives. I shall never forget home evenings, for this is where the Creator’s plan for the eternal the family home evening, years ago, gospel is taught, a testimony gained, destiny of His children” (“The Family: in which the name of each member of and the family fortified. A Proclamation to the World”). our family was placed in a hat. The Although the adversary seeks to Therefore parents and children must name you picked from the hat would destroy the key elements necessary work together in unity to fortify family be your “secret friend” for the week. for a happy marriage and a righteous relationships, cultivating them day in You can imagine the love that filled family, let me assure you that the and day out. my heart when I came home that gospel of Jesus Christ provides the I have a brother who was associ- Tuesday after work to sweep out the tools and teachings necessary to ated with a large university. He told of garage, as I had earlier promised, and combat and conquer the assailant in a student athlete who was an out- found it cleanly swept. There was a this war. If we will but honor our standing hurdler. The young man was note attached to the garage door marriages by imparting more love blind. Rex asked him, “Don’t you ever which read, “Hope you had a good and selflessness to our spouses; nur- fall?” “I have to be exact,” the athlete day—your secret friend.” And on ture our children through gentle per- responded. “I measure each time Friday night, as I turned down my suasion and the expert teacher we before I jump. One time I didn’t, and bed, I uncovered an Almond Joy, my call example; and fortify the spiritual- I nearly killed myself.” The young man favorite candy bar, wrapped carefully ity of our families through consistent then spoke of the countless hours his in scotch tape and plain white paper, family home evening, prayer, and father had devoted over the years with a note: “Dad, I love you a lot! scripture study, I testify to you that teaching, helping, and showing him Thanks, your secret friend.” Then to the living Savior, Jesus Christ, will how to hurdle, until he became one top it off, after returning home from a guide us and grant us victory in our of the best. late meeting Sunday evening, I found efforts to achieve an eternal family How could this young man fail with the dining room table beautifully set, unit. I so testify, in the name of Jesus a team like that—a father and a son. and written on the napkin by my Christ, amen. ■

96 learn from their experience without being condemned by it. Christ’s sacri- The Atonement: fice didn’t just erase their choices and return them to an Eden of innocence. That would be a story with no plot and no character growth. His plan is All for All developmental—line upon line, step by step, grace for grace. ELDER BRUCE C. HAFEN So if you have problems in your Of the Seventy life, don’t assume there is something wrong with you. Struggling with those When the Savior’s all and our all come together, we will find problems is at the very core of life’s not only forgiveness of sin, . . . “we shall be like him.” purpose. As we draw close to God, He will show us our weaknesses and through them make us wiser, stronger.7 If you’re seeing more of your weaknesses, that just might unique Atonement doctrine. mean you’re moving nearer to God, The Lord restored His gospel not farther away. through Joseph Smith because there One early Australian convert said: had been an apostasy. Since the fifth “My past life [was] a wilderness of century, Christianity taught that weeds, with hardly a flower Strewed Adam and Eve’s Fall was a tragic among them. [But] now the weeds mistake, which led to the belief that have vanished, and flowers Spring up humankind has an inherently evil in their place.”8 nature. That view is wrong—not only We grow in two ways—removing about the Fall and human nature, but negative weeds and cultivating positive about the very purpose of life. flowers. The Savior’s grace blesses The Fall was not a disaster. It wasn’t both parts—if we do our part. First a mistake or an accident. It was a delib- and repeatedly we must uproot the erate part of the plan of salvation. We weeds of sin and bad choices. It isn’t are God’s spirit “offspring,”2 sent to enough just to mow the weeds. Yank earth “innocent”3 of Adam’s transgres- them out by the roots, repenting fully sion. Yet our Father’s plan subjects us to satisfy the conditions of mercy. But n recent years, we Latter-day Saints to temptation and misery in this fallen being forgiven is only part of our have been teaching, singing, and world as the price to comprehend growth. We are not just paying a debt. Itestifying much more about the authentic joy. Without tasting the bit- Our purpose is to become celestial Savior Jesus Christ. I rejoice that we ter, we actually cannot understand the beings. So once we’ve cleared our are rejoicing more. sweet.4 We require mortality’s disci- heartland, we must continually plant, As we “talk [more] of Christ,”1 pline and refinement as the “next step weed, and nourish the seeds of divine the gospel’s doctrinal fulness will in [our] development” toward becom- qualities. And then as our sweat and come out of obscurity. For example, ing like our Father.5 But growth means discipline stretch us to meet His gifts, some of our friends can’t see how growing pains. It also means learning “the flow’rs of grace appear,”9 like our Atonement beliefs relate to our from our mistakes in a continual hope and meekness. Even a tree of life beliefs about becoming more like our process made possible by the Savior’s can take root in this heart-garden, Heavenly Father. Others mistakenly grace, which He extends both during bearing fruit so sweet that it lightens think our Church is moving toward and “after all we can do.” 6 all our burdens “through the joy of his an understanding of the relationship Adam and Eve learned constantly Son.”10 And when the flower of charity between grace and works that from their often harsh experience. blooms here, we will love others with draws on Protestant teachings. They knew how a troubled family the power of Christ’s own love.11 Such misconceptions prompt me feels. Think of Cain and Abel. Yet We need grace both to overcome to consider today the Restoration’s because of the Atonement, they could sinful weeds and to grow divine

MAY 2004 97 flowers. We can do neither one fully by which is prepared for the saints.”18 Of the blessings. For example, some ourselves. But grace is not cheap. It is necessity, the plan is full of thorns and young people assume they can romp very expensive, even very dear. How tears—His and ours. But because He in sinful mud until taking a shower of much does this grace cost? Is it and we are so totally in this together, repentance just before being inter- enough simply to believe in Christ? our being “at one” with Him in over- viewed for a mission or the temple. The man who found the pearl of great coming all opposition will itself bring In the very act of transgression, some price gave “all that he had”12 for it. If us “incomprehensible joy.”19 plan to repent. They mock the gift of we desire “all that [the] Father hath,”13 Christ’s Atonement is at the very mercy that true repentance allows. God asks all that we have. To qualify core of this plan. Without His dear, Some people want to keep one for such exquisite treasure, in what- dear sacrifice, there would be no way hand on the wall of the temple while ever way is ours, we must give the way home, no way to be together, no way touching the world’s “unclean Christ gave—every drop He had: to be like Him. He gave us all He had. things”21 with the other hand. We “How exquisite you know not, yea, Therefore, “how great is his joy,”20 must put both hands on the temple how hard to bear you know not.”14 when even one of us “gets it”—when and hold on for dear life. One hand is Paul said, “If so be that we suffer with we look up from the weed patch and not even almost enough. him,” we are “joint-heirs with Christ.”15 turn our face to the Son. The rich young man had given All of His heart, all of our hearts. Only the restored gospel has the almost everything. When the Savior What possible pearl could be fulness of these truths! Yet the adver- told him he must sell all his posses- worth such a price—for Him and for sary is engaged in one of history’s sions, that wasn’t just a story about us? This earth is not our home. We greatest cover-ups, trying to persuade riches.22 We can have eternal life if we are away at school, trying to master people that this Church knows want it, but only if there is nothing the lessons of “the great plan of hap- least—when in fact it knows most— else we want more. piness”16 so we can return home and about how our relationship with So we must willingly give every- know what it means to be there. Over Christ makes true Christians of us. thing, because God Himself can’t and over the Lord tells us why the If we must give all that we have, make us grow against our will and plan is worth our sacrifice—and His. then our giving only almost every- without our full participation. Yet Eve called it “the joy of our redemp- thing is not enough. If we almost keep even when we utterly spend our- tion.”17 Jacob called it “that happiness the commandments, we almost receive selves, we lack the power to create

98 the perfection only God can complete. Our all by itself is still only almost enough—until it is finished by the all of Him who is the “finisher of our faith.”23 At that point, our imperfect but consecrated almost is enough. My friend Donna grew up desiring to marry and raise a large family. But that blessing never came. Instead, she spent her adult years serving the people in her ward with unmeasured compassion and counseling disturbed children in a large school district. She had crippling arthritis and many long, blue days. Yet she always lifted and was always lifted by her friends and family. Once when teaching about tried to look at him the way Christ May we not shrink when we dis- Lehi’s dream, she said with gentle would look at me.” cover, paradoxically, how dear a price humor, “I’d put myself in that picture A husband whose wife suffered for we must pay to receive what is, finally, on the strait and narrow path, still years from a disabling emotional dis- a gift from Him. When the Savior’s all holding to the iron rod but collapsed order; but to him it was always “our and our all come together, we will from fatigue right on the path.” In an little challenge”—never just “her ill- find not only forgiveness of sin, “we inspired blessing given just before her ness.” In the realm of their marriage, shall see him as he is,” and “we shall death, Donna’s home teacher said the he was afflicted in her afflictions,25 just be like him.”28 I love Him. I want to Lord “accepted” her. Donna cried. as Christ in His infinite realm was be with Him. In the name of Jesus She had never felt her single life was afflicted in our afflictions.26 Christ, amen. ■ acceptable. But the Lord said those The people in 3 Nephi 17 had sur- who “observe their covenants by vived destruction, doubt, and dark- NOTES 24 1. 2 Nephi 25:26. sacrifice . . . are accepted of me.” ness just to get to the temple with 2. See Acts 17:28. I can envision Him walking the path Jesus. After listening to Him for hours 3. See D&C 93:38. from the tree of life to lift Donna up in wonder, they grew too weary to 4. See D&C 29:39. 5. Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New with gladness and carry her home. comprehend Him. As He prepared to Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Consider others who, like Donna, leave, they tearfully looked at Him Book of Mormon (1997), 207. 6. 2 Nephi 25:23; emphasis added. have consecrated themselves so fully with such total desire that He stayed 7. See Ether 12:27. that, for them, almost is enough: and blessed their afflicted ones and 8. Martha Maria Humphreys, quoted in Many missionaries in Europe and their children. They didn’t even Marjorie Newton, Southern Cross Saints: The Mormons in Australia (1991), 158. similar places who never stop offering understand Him, but they wanted to 9. “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today,” their bruised hearts despite continual be with Him more than they wanted Hymns, no. 227. rejection. any other thing. So He stayed. Their 10. Alma 33:23. 11. See Moroni 7:48. Those handcart pioneers who said almost was enough. 12. Matthew 13:46; see also Alma 22:15. they came to know God in their Almost is especially enough when 13. D&C 84:38. extremities and the price they paid to our own sacrifices somehow echo the 14. D&C 19:15. 15. Romans 8:17. know Him was a privilege to pay. Savior’s sacrifice, however imperfect 16. Alma 42:8. A father who reached his outer- we are. We cannot really feel charity— 17. Moses 5:11. most limits but still couldn’t influence Christ’s love for others—without at 18. 2 Nephi 9:43. 19. See Alma 28:8. his daughter’s choices; he could only least tasting His suffering for others, 20. D&C 18:13; emphasis added. crawl toward the Lord, pleading like because the love and the suffering are 21. See Alma 5:57. 22. See Matthew 19:16–22. Alma for his child. but two sides of a single reality. When 23. Hebrews 12:2; see also Moroni 6:4. A wife who encouraged her hus- we really are afflicted in the afflictions 24. D&C 97:8; emphasis added. band despite his years of weakness, of other people, we may enter “the 25. See D&C 30:6. 27 26. See D&C 133:53. until the seeds of repentance finally fellowship of his sufferings” enough 27. Philippians 3:10. sprouted in his heart. She said, “I to become joint-heirs with Him. 28. Moroni 7:48; 1 John 3:2; emphasis added.

MAY 2004 99 epitome of unholy life in the Old Testament. It was isolated then; now How to that condition is spread over the world. Satan skillfully manipulates the power of all types of media and communication. His success has greatly Live Well amid increased the extent and availability of such degrading and destructive influences worldwide. In the past some Increasing Evil effort was required to seek out such evil. Now it saturates significant por- ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT tions of virtually every corner of the Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles world. We cannot dry up the mounting river of evil influences, for they result from the exercise of moral agency As you continue to center your mind and heart divinely granted by our Father. But we in [the Lord], He will help you have a rich and full life can and must, with clarity, warn of the no matter what happens in the world around you. consequences of getting close to its enticing, destructive current. Now the brighter side. Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically beautiful, filled with many things were worse in the times of good and sincere people. God has Sodom and Gomorrah. . . . We see provided a way to live in this world similar conditions today. They prevail and not be contaminated by the all across the world. I think our Father degrading pressures evil agents spread must weep as He looks down upon throughout it. You can live a virtuous, His wayward sons and daughters.”1 productive, righteous life by following Now concerning our extraordinary the plan of protection created by your opportunities: Father in Heaven: His plan of happi- “Who in the earlier days could ness. It is contained in the scriptures have dreamed of this season of and in the inspired declarations of His opportunity in which we live? . . . The prophets. He clothed your intelli- Church is in wonderful condition. . . . gence with spirit and made it possible It will grow and strengthen. . . . It is for you to enjoy the wonder of a phys- our opportunity and our challenge to ical body. When you use that body in continue in this great undertaking, the way He has decreed, you will grow the future of which we can scarcely in strength and capacity, avoid trans- imagine.”2 gression, and be abundantly blessed. xcellent suggestions to combat You have a choice. You can wring When God, our Eternal Father, and the deteriorating world envi- your hands and be consumed with His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph Eronment have been given in concern for the future or choose to Smith in that sublime vision in the this conference. As a prophet of God, use the counsel the Lord has given to Sacred Grove, They began to place on President Gordon B. Hinckley put live with peace and happiness in a earth again that plan of happiness and world conditions and our opportuni- world awash with evil. If you choose to all required to sustain it. Part of that ties into crystal clear perspective. Two concentrate on the dark side, this is restoration included additional sacred of his recent comments to priesthood what you will see. Much of the world is scriptures to complement the trea- and auxiliary leaders illustrate that being engulfed in a rising river of sured record of the Bible. These pre- prophetic vision. First, regarding the degenerate filth, with the abandon- cious scriptures are contained in the challenge we face: ment of virtue, righteousness, personal Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and “The traditional family is under integrity, traditional marriage, and fam- Covenants, and the Pearl of Great heavy attack. I do not know that ily life. Sodom and Gomorrah was the Price. Our Father knew of our day. He

100 prepared the scriptures and provided house, we will serve the Lord.”5 subsisting on meager crops, some continuing divine guidance to sustain Jesus taught: “Be patient in afflic- with eyes glazed from seeking refuge us. That help will assure that you can tions, for thou shalt have many; but with alcohol and drugs. I looked at live with peace and happiness amid endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, the tiny, barren village below: a cluster increasing evil. even unto the end of thy days.”6 “He of adobe thatched-roof houses beaten Consider these verses: who is faithful shall overcome all by the harsh environment. The only “All things must come to pass in things, and shall be lifted up at the evidence of life was barking dogs their time. [God knew the challenges last day.”7 searching for food. There was no elec- we would face when He gave this Finally this pattern of success: tricity, telephone, running water, counsel.] “Come unto Christ, and be perfected roads, proper sanitation, nor doctors “Wherefore, be not weary in well- in him, . . . deny yourselves of all there. It seemed so hopeless. Yet a doing, for ye are laying the founda- ungodliness, and love God with all solemn prayer confirmed that we tion of a great work. And out of small your might, mind and strength, . . . should be there. We found a humble things proceedeth that which is great. that by his grace ye may be perfect in people who embraced the restored “Behold, the Lord requireth the Christ.”8 gospel with determination to live it. heart and a willing mind; and the will- I know that the plan of happiness They did that under harsh conditions ing and obedient shall eat the good of can lift and bless those who live it where severe poverty, alcohol, drugs, the land of Zion in these last days.”3 anywhere. witchcraft, and immorality were in That is a priceless promise. As you On Christmas Eve 37 years ago, in plentiful supply. continue to center your mind and the light of a full moon, I climbed a Under the guidance of exceptional heart in Him, He will help you have a small hill in the isolated village of missionaries, the people learned to rich and full life no matter what hap- Quiriza, Bolivia. Four young elders work hard to cultivate the fields. pens in the world around you. and I had spent the day crossing over They produced a harvest of nutritious Paul wisely taught, “Be not over- a mountain pass on a treacherous vegetables and raised rabbits for bet- come of evil, but overcome evil with road. Then we struggled up a ter protein. But the best lessons good.”4 riverbed to see if the teachings of the came from beloved missionaries We should emulate Joshua: Savior would help a destitute people. who taught them of a God who “Choose [ye] this day whom ye What we saw that day was discourag- loved them, of a Savior who gave His will serve; . . . as for me and my ing—undernourished children, adults life that they might succeed. Their

MAY 2004 101 physical appearance began to change. and actors. The outcome of decisions within the covenant of an eternal mar- The light of truth radiated from made is likewise manipulated to be riage. You will bless your children their happy faces. As devoted, loving whatever the producer wants. with insight the world can never give emissaries of the Lord, missionaries Life is not that way. Yes, moral them. Your example will set the patiently taught truth to a willing peo- agency allows you to choose what you course for their successful life as the ple. Wives and husbands learned how will, but you cannot control the out- world becomes even more difficult. to live in harmony, teach truth to their come of those choices. Unlike the You are needed to strengthen the children, pray, and sense guidance of false creations of man, our Father in growing kingdom of the Lord and to the Spirit. Heaven determines the consequences be role models for so many who lack I watched a six-year-old boy who of your choices. Obedience will yield the light of truth you have. had carefully observed our first bap- happiness, while violation of His com- Avoid worldly wickedness. Know tismal service act out with his younger mandments will not. that God is in control. In time, Satan sister what he had seen. He carefully Consider the lives of those who cre- will completely fail and be punished arranged her hands, raised his tiny arm ate what for some are captivating for his perverse evil. God has a spe- to the square, mumbled words, gently images of life. They generally turn to cific plan for your life. He will reveal lowered her into a depression in the the most vicious of the destructive parts of that plan to you as you look sun-baked earth, led her to a rock influences they depict so appealingly for it with faith and consistent obedi- where he confirmed her, then shook in the media. They may be wealthy, but ence. His Son has made you free— her hand. The youth learned most they are miserable and without con- not from the consequences of your quickly. They became obedient to science. Truly the statement of Alma, acts, but free to make choices. God’s the light of truth taught by the mission- an inspired prophet and compassion- eternal purpose is for you to be suc- aries and in time by their own parents. ate father, is borne out in their lives: cessful in this mortal life. No matter Through their faith and obedience, “wickedness never was happiness.”9 how wicked the world becomes, you I have seen how in one generation If you are ever tempted to experi- can earn that blessing. Seek and be youth baptized in that village have ment with the alluring offerings of attentive to the personal guidance overcome a seemingly hopeless future. Lucifer, first calmly analyze the given to you through the Holy Spirit. Some have been missionaries, gradu- inevitable consequences of such Continue to be worthy to receive it. ated from universities, and been sealed choices, and your life will not be shat- Reach out to others who stumble and in the temple. Through their diligence tered. You cannot ever sample those are perplexed, not certain of what and obedience, they have found pur- things that are forbidden of God as path to follow. pose and success in life despite an early destructive of happiness and corro- Your security is in God your Father harsh physical and evil-saturated envi- sive to spiritual guidance without and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. As ronment. If it can be done in Quiriza, tragic results. one of His Apostles authorized to Bolivia, it can be done anywhere. If you have become entangled in bear witness of Him, I solemnly testify Have you noticed how Satan works sin from poor choices, please decide that I know that the Savior lives, that to capture the mind and emotions to come back now. You know how to He is a resurrected, glorified person- with flashing images, blaring music, begin. Do it now. We love you. We age of perfect love. He is your hope, and the stimulation of every physical need you. God will help you. your Mediator, your Redeemer. sense to excess? He diligently strives As a young man or woman, though Through obedience, let Him guide to fill life with action, entertainment, life may seem difficult now, hold on to you to peace and happiness amid and stimulation so that one cannot that iron rod of truth. You are making increased evil in the world, in the ponder the consequences of his better progress than you realize. Your name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ tempting invitations. Think of it. struggles are defining character, disci- NOTES Some are tempted to violate the most pline, and confidence in the promises 1. “Standing Strong and Immovable,” basic commandments of God because of your Father in Heaven and the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, 10 Jan. 2004, 20. of seductive actions portrayed as Savior as you consistently obey Their 2. “The State of the Church,” Liahona and acceptable. They are made to seem commandments. You are so impor- Ensign, Nov. 2003, 4, 7. 3. D&C 64:32–34. attractive, even desirable. There tant. You are so needed. There are so 4. Romans 12:21. seems to be no serious consequence, few willing to make the sacrifice you 5. Joshua 24:15. rather apparent lasting joy and happi- are making to live righteously. You can 6. D&C 24:8. 7. D&C 75:16. ness. But recognize that those per- develop the sensitivity, love, and kind- 8. Moroni 10:32. formances are controlled by scripts ness to gain supreme happiness 9. Alma 41:10.

102 brightly, shine forth from our lives and our actions. Concluding May a spirit of love, of peace, of appreciation for one another increase in our homes. May we be prospered in our labors and become more gen- Remarks erous in our sharings. May we reach out to those about us in friendship PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY and respect. May our prayers become expres- May our testimonies of the great foundation principles sions of thanks to the Giver of all of this work . . . shine forth from our lives and our actions. good and of love for Him who is our Redeemer. Now, my brothers and sisters, I reluctantly desire a personal indulgence for a moment. Some of you us as a residual of love and peace, an have noticed the absence of Sister attitude of repentance, and a resolve Hinckley. For the first time in 46 years, to stand a little taller in the radiant since I became a General Authority, sunlight of the gospel. she has not attended general confer- May our testimonies of the great ence. Earlier this year we were in foundation principles of this work, Africa to dedicate the Accra Ghana which have been burnished more Temple. On leaving there we flew to

y brothers and sisters, it’s about over. As we conclude Mthis historic conference, the words of Rudyard Kipling’s immortal “Recessional” come to mind:

The tumult and the shouting dies; The captains and the kings depart. Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart. Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget. (“God of Our Fathers, Known of Old,” Hymns, no. 80)

As we return to our homes, may we carry with us the spirit of this great convocation. May what we have heard and experienced remain with

MAY 2004 103 GENERAL YOUNG WOMEN MEETING 27 March 2004

Sal, a barren island in the Atlantic, where we met with members of a local branch. We then flew to All Things Shall St. Thomas, an island in the Caribbean. There we met with a few others of our members. We were on our way home when she Work Together collapsed with weariness. She’s had a difficult time ever since. She’s now 92, a little younger than I am. I guess the for Your Good clock is winding down, and we do not know how to rewind it. SUSAN W. TANNER It is a somber time for me. We’ve Young Women General President been married for 67 years this month. She is the mother of our five gifted and able children, the grandmother of As we search, pray, and believe, we will recognize 25 grandchildren and a growing num- miracles in our lives and become miracle workers ber of great-grandchildren. We’ve in the lives of others. walked together side by side through all of these years, coequals and com- panions through storm and sunshine. She has spoken far and wide in testi- know the particular details of our mony of this work, imparting love, life’s experiences, fortunately we do encouragement, and faith wherever know something about our futures, she’s gone. Women have written let- if we live worthily. ters of appreciation from all over the We are given this insight in world. We continue to hope and pray Doctrine and Covenants 90:24: for her and express from the depths “Search diligently, pray always, and of our hearts our appreciation for all be believing, and all things shall work who have attended her and looked together for your good, if ye walk after her and for your great faith and uprightly.” This stunning promise prayers in her behalf. Now as we go to from the Lord that all things shall our homes, I feel to say: work together for our good is repeated many times in the scrip- God be with you till we meet again; tures, particularly to people or By his counsels guide, uphold you. . . . prophets who are suffering through When life’s perils thick confound you, the trials of their own life stories. Put his arms unfailing round you. . . . I sense that this promise comes Keep love’s banner floating o’er you; love to read. But I can hardly from a tender, caring Father who Smite death’s threat’ning wave stand it if a novel gets too desires to bless us and give us reason before you. I intense—if the hero’s life is too to hope through our earthly journey. God be with you till we meet again. dangerous or sad or complicated. So I Knowing that eventually all things will (“God Be with You Till We Meet have to read ahead to the end just to work together for our good will help Again,” Hymns, no. 152) make sure that everything will turn us endure affliction like the faithful out all right for the main character. people from the scriptures who knew Every man, woman, and child, boy In a sense all of us are in the mid- of His promises and trusted in them, and girl, should leave this conference dle of our own novels, our own life “having seen them afar off, and were a better individual than he or she was stories. Sometimes our stories feel persuaded of them, and embraced when it began two days ago. I leave very intense, and we would like to them” (Hebrews 11:13). We too can my blessing and my love with each of read ahead to know our own end, embrace this promise. you, in the sacred name of Jesus to make sure that everything is going Sometimes we see immediate fulfill- Christ, amen. ■ to turn out all right. While we don’t ment of the promise. Other times we

104 plead for years before we see the desired promises fulfilled. Sometimes, as with faithful Abraham, we may embrace the promises but die “in faith, not having received the promises” (Hebrews 11:13) while on earth. While it may be true in some instances that our promised blessings will be fulfilled only in the eternities, it is also true that as we search, pray, and believe, we will often recognize things working together for our good in this life. As I read the stories of Jesus’ Apostles after His death, I see that they were frequently and brutally per- secuted, stoned, and imprisoned. But they lived with courage and faith. They knew that ultimately all things would work together for their good. They also knew that through interim blessings and miracles, things were working out. They were sustained, tutored, and protected. They embraced the promises not only afar off but here and now as well. A wonderful miracle happened in Peter’s life when he was imprisoned by King Herod. His fellow Apostle James had just been killed, and now Peter was thrown into jail, carefully guarded by 16 men. I wonder if he felt out to a city street, “and forthwith the These people had been continually like the Prophet Joseph Smith felt as angel departed from him.” Peter then praying for a miracle to occur, but he suffered in Liberty Jail. It was while realized it was not a dream. He had when the Lord answered their Joseph was there that the Lord prom- been miraculously delivered. The prayers, they were amazed. They were ised him that “all these things shall Lord was blessing him right then. surprised at the Lord’s goodness in give thee experience, and shall be for He went to the home where mem- His miraculous response. Do we rec- thy good” (D&C 122:7). It might be bers of the Church were gathered ognize the fulfilling of promises in our hard to believe in this promise in the together praying for him. When Peter lives? As the Savior asked, “Having midst of such trials, but Peter, like knocked, a young woman (just like eyes, see ye not?” (Mark 8:18). Do we Joseph, was blessed by the Lord. you young women) named Rhoda have eyes to see? The people of the Church were came to the gate. She heard and recog- Everywhere there are young gathered together praying “without nized Peter’s voice. The scriptures say women who are in the middle of their ceasing” in Peter’s behalf. Then some- she was glad. But in her excitement own stories, facing dangers and hard- thing wonderful happened. During she forgot to let him in. Instead, she ships. As with Peter there will be the night when Peter was sleeping ran back to share with the others the “angels round about you, to bear you between two soldiers and was bound great news that Peter stood at the gate. up” (D&C 84:88). They will sustain us with two chains, an angel of the Lord They didn’t believe her and argued as we carry our earthly burdens. “came upon him” and “raised him with her, saying she didn’t know what Often in our lives, those angels are up,” and “his chains fell off from his she was talking about. Meanwhile the people around us, the people hands.” Peter wondered if he were in Peter still knocked and waited. When who love us, those who allow them- a dream. He followed the angel past they finally came to him, “they were selves to be instruments in the Lord’s the guards through an iron gate and astonished” (see Acts 12:4–17). hands. President Spencer W. Kimball

MAY 2004 105 about our surprise. I pulled Alexis and her mom in front of the girls and said (signing to Alexis), ‘We have a gift for you. Now you are one of us.’ Then we stood and repeated the theme and did it in sign language. The Spirit was so strong, and there weren’t many voices because we were all crying, but the girls did a beautiful job. Alexis was beaming. She knew she was one of us. “We learned that Heavenly Father loves all of us and that there are times we will be His voice and His hands to help others feel that love. We learned that serving brings the greatest joy. I learned the importance of following promptings, even when it involves a lot of work and seems improbable” (letter to Young Women said: “God does notice us, and he Later I learned it was the Young general presidency). watches over us. But it is usually Women theme. All the girls in our Imagine how through the years through another person that he ward had learned it to surprise me. Alexis’s mother has prayed for her meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital “I know Heavenly Father loves me daughter, having all the same hopes that we serve each other in the king- because of wonderful people here on and dreams for her that each mother dom” (“There Is Purpose in Life,” earth that show me love, especially has for her daughter. She said: New Era, Sept. 1974, 5). the girls in my Young Women [class] “As the mother of a handicapped I appreciate wonderful young and my Young Women leaders who daughter, I am used to doing a little women and Young Women leaders, sign for me and help me learn the extra to help things work out for her. mothers and fathers, and good gospel” (letter to Young Women Because she is deaf, I am often at her friends who strengthen one another. general presidency). side interpreting for her. You can imag- You are the angels that help Heavenly Sister Hoskin, the Young Women ine the feelings that flooded through Father’s promises to be fulfilled in the president, had prayed diligently to me as the young women all began to lives of His beloved children. know how to help Alexis. She wrote: sign the Young Women theme for her. One Young Women group in “I had been the Young Women As I stood there watching with tears Oklahoma sought Heavenly Father in president in my ward for only one in my eyes, the verse that ran through prayer to determine how to best week when I began to worry about my mind was from Matthew 25:40: include a new Beehive who was deaf. one of my upcoming Beehives. Alexis ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one They worked hard to be His instru- is hearing impaired, and I worried of the least of these my brethren, ye ments and His hands (quite literally) about how I could help her fit in and have done it unto me.’ in helping this young woman. A mira- show her that she was one of us. After “The remarkable love and service cle swept over their entire ward as being troubled for many days and these young women have shown just they became the angels that would after many prayers, I woke in the mid- began on that day. Many of them have bear up Alexis, the new Beehive. dle of the night from a dream where I given of their time and effort to learn Alexis said: “I was nervous and saw my group of young women stand- sign language and now help with excited to start Young Women. Mom ing together, doing the Young Women interpreting at church for Alexis. My always comes with me to sign for me theme in sign language. I knew the prayers for Alexis have always been because I am deaf. After the opening answer to my prayers. that she would be happy, be progress- prayer and song, Sister Hoskin, my “It was a big challenge. It took ing, and know that she is loved. Young Women president, said, ‘Alexis, hours—one entire night of Mutual, “As a parent, my testimony of the we have a gift for you.’ Then all the then weekly practices before we were Savior has been strengthened as I have girls stood up and started signing ready. When Alexis’s birthday came, seen the service and love of these girls something. I knew it was special. everyone was excited and nervous and their leaders. At times, our concern

106 for our daughter has been a heavy burden, but it has been made lighter by the actions of these faithful young My Soul Delighteth women and their wise leaders.” This mother had prayed for the Lord’s help, and now through the help of others, angels on earth, she in the Scriptures saw all things working together for the good of her daughter. JULIE B. BECK Other young women in this ward First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency told how they grew in giving this service. The Laurel class president related If you have not already developed the habit that learning the theme in sign lan- of daily scripture study, start now and keep studying. guage was hard work, but they felt the Spirit helping them in this effort. She said, “We did not rush through the theme just to say it like usual. We thought about the words and signed it luncheon by reading the short book for someone else so that [she] could because it was easier and took less know the words too, and that made time. As I was eating my lunch, I had me happy to know that she could a powerful feeling that though the understand our theme and know that history book was a good one, I should she was a daughter of God too.” have read the Book of Mormon. The Even the young men got involved. Holy Ghost was prompting me to They learned how to sign “Will you change my scripture reading habits. dance with me?” in preparation for an That very day I began to read the upcoming dance at a ward Mutual Book of Mormon, and I have never activity. Consequently, Alexis danced stopped reading it. Though I do not every dance. The priests learned to consider myself to be an expert, I sign the sacrament prayers for her. truly love reading all the scriptures, The spirit of love enveloped the and I am grateful I started the lifetime entire ward. habit of reading them. It would be In every ward or branch, in every impossible to learn the lessons the home or family, there is an Alexis with scriptures contain by reading them a special need, physical, emotional, or hen I was a new bride, I only one time through or studying spiritual, who is praying and trusting asked my mother-in-law, selected verses in a class. that somehow through her chal- Wwho is a very good cook, if Roll making is a great homemaking lenges, eventually “all things shall she would teach me how to make her skill. As I bake them, a sweet aroma work together for [her] good.” Each delicious dinner rolls. With a sparkle fills the house. I am able to show my of us can be an instrument in the in her eye, she replied that it took 25 love for my family by sharing some- Lord’s hands, an earthly angel who years to learn to make a good roll! thing I created. When I study the can help the miracles happen. Then she added, “You had better start scriptures, the Spirit of the Lord fills I testify that Heavenly Father is a making some.” I followed her advice, my home. I gain important under- tender, loving parent who desires to and we have enjoyed many good din- standing, which I then share with my bless us with all that He has. As we ner rolls at our house. family, and my love for them increases. search, pray, and believe, we will rec- At about that same time, I was The Lord has told us that our time ognize miracles in our lives and invited to a lunch for all of the Relief should “be devoted to the studying of become miracle workers in the lives Society sisters in my ward who had the scriptures” (D&C 26:1) and that of others. We will be persuaded of His read either the Book of Mormon or “the Book of Mormon and the holy promise that all things shall work a short Church history book. I had scriptures are given . . . for [our] together for our good. In the name of become casual in my scripture read- instruction” (D&C 33:16). Every Jesus Christ, amen. ■ ing, so I qualified to attend the woman can be a gospel doctrine

MAY 2004 107 Many of you study foreign languages. You might like to start reading the Book of Mormon in another language. When you read the scriptures in another language, you learn what the words mean in a new way. Some people start by finding answers to their questions. They want to know who they are and what they should be doing with their lives. A friend of mine suggested that I start looking for questions that the Lord asks us in the scriptures and ponder them (see John S. Tanner, “Responding to the Lord’s Questions,” Ensign, Apr. 2002, 26). Since then I have discovered many important questions such as “What desirest thou?” (1 Nephi 11:2) and “What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42). I keep a list of those questions in the back of my scriptures. I often instructor in her home, and every sis- so I have quick access to topics or choose one to think about in quiet ter in the Church needs gospel knowl- themes I am studying. I have paper moments because pondering enlight- edge as a leader and teacher. If you tabs in my scriptures for many of my ens my mind that I “might understand have not already developed the habit favorite verses about repentance and the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). When I of daily scripture study, start now and the Atonement so I can find them eas- do not have my scriptures nearby, keep studying in order to be prepared ily as I ponder during the sacrament then I start my study by reviewing for your responsibilities in this life and each week. I usually make notes teachings I have memorized. By recit- in the eternities. about what I am learning. Sometimes ing the Articles of Faith or other verses My early attempts at making rolls I keep those notes in my scriptures, to myself, I am able to keep them in and scripture reading were not always and sometimes I write what I am my memory bank. successful, but over time it got easier. learning in a separate notebook. Whichever way a person starts For both pursuits I needed to learn Once in a while I invest in a new studying the scriptures, the key to proper techniques and gain an under- copy of the Book of Mormon. When unlocking important knowledge is to standing of the ingredients. The key I start reading that new book, I make keep studying. I never tire of discov- was starting and doing it again and notes in the margins so I have a ering the rich treasures of truth in the again. One good way to start studying record of what I am learning as I scriptures because they teach with the scriptures is to “liken” them to study. To help me remember what I “plainness, even as plain as word can ourselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23). Some am learning, I draw lines to connect be” (2 Nephi 32:7). The scriptures tes- people start by choosing a subject in ideas. I shade verses and underline tify of Christ (see John 5:39). They the Topical Guide that they need to key words. When I find ideas that tell us all things we should do (see know more about. Or they start at the relate to each other, I make a scrip- 2 Nephi 32:3). They “make [us] wise beginning of a book of scripture and ture chain to link those ideas (see unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15). look for specific teachings as they “Scripture Linking,” Teaching, No Through my scripture reading and read through. Greater Call [1999], 58). I like to the prayers that accompany my study, For instance, when I was called to think of my scriptures as a work- I have gained knowledge which serve as a Young Women leader, I book, so sometimes I record where brings me peace and helps me keep bought a new set of scriptures, and as I was when I gained an insight or my energies focused on eternal priori- I read and marked those scriptures, I the name of the person who taught ties. Because I started reading the looked for things that would help me me. That way the experience is scriptures daily, I have learned about in my calling. Sometimes I put col- refreshed in my memory when I my Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus ored pieces of paper in my scriptures read that passage again. Christ, and what I need to do to be

108 like Them. I have learned about the Holy Ghost and how to qualify for His companionship. I have learned about my identity as a daughter of God. Essentially, I have learned who I am, why I am here on earth, and what I should be doing with my life. As a youth, the Prophet Joseph Smith had a great question weighing on his mind. He started reading the scriptures and found a solution in the Bible (see James 1:5). He said, “Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine.” He reflected on it “again and again” (Joseph Smith—History 1:12). Because Joseph acted upon what he read in the scriptures, he learned about Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and his identity as a son of God. Joseph learned who he was, why he was here on earth, and what he needed to do in this life. The scriptures are so important that Nephi risked his life to obtain a copy of them. He wanted to “see, and hear, and know” (1 Nephi 10:17). He “searched [the scriptures] and found that they were desirable [and] of great worth” (1 Nephi 5:21). In the scriptures he learned about “the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old” (1 Nephi 19:22). He started a study of the scriptures and learned about Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and his identity as a son of women of faith who will continue to Some days I have a lot of time to con- God. He learned who he was and build the kingdom of God on the template the scriptures. Other days I what to do. earth because of what you teach reflect on a few verses. Just as eating I have great confidence in the them from the scriptures. and breathing sustain my physical young women of the Church. If reading the scriptures is not body, the scriptures feed and give life Through your habit of daily scripture already a habit with you, today is a to my spirit. I can now echo Nephi study, you will be “led to believe the great day to start. It did not really take and say: “My soul delighteth in the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies 25 years to learn to make good dinner scriptures, and my heart pondereth of the holy prophets, which are writ- rolls. I just needed the encourage- them. . . . Behold, my soul delighteth ten” (Helaman 15:7). You will be the ment to get started. Homemade rolls in the things of the Lord; and my mothers and leaders who will help have brought much enjoyment to my heart pondereth continually upon the prepare the next generation with family. But the greater joy has come things which I have seen and heard” gospel understanding and testimony. from the habit of daily scripture read- (2 Nephi 4:15–16). In the name of Your children will be men and ing which I started so many years ago. Jesus Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2004 109 we will not have any trials, but it does mean that everything will be okay if Believe! we just “hang in there.” Ours is the opportunity to “be . . . an example of ELAINE S. DALTON the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12), and Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency the Savior has promised that “all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). So believe in Believe in yourselves. Believe that you are never alone. yourselves. Believe that you are never Believe that you will always be guided. alone. Believe that you will always be guided.

Believe in Yourselves saw that it had been converted to a Elder David B. Haight of the small classroom, and again a flood of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said memories came washing over me. In of you: “We believe in you, your par- my mind’s eye, I could see my father ents and brothers and sisters believe sitting behind the desk and myself as in you, and God expects the best a little girl sitting on the chair in from you. You must believe in your- front of it paying tithing and as a self. Don’t give in when the going is young woman having interviews and rough, for you are laying the founda- receiving priesthood blessings. My tion of a great work, and that great love for that building was deeply tied work is your life” (“A Time for to the spiritual experiences and feel- Preparation,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 38). ings I had had there. President Gordon B. Hinckley has Often as a young girl I would told us: “I believe in myself. I do not accompany my bishop father to the mean this in an egotistic way. But I church and wait until his meetings or believe in my capacity and in your interviews were over. I would busy capacity to do good, to make some myself by exploring. I knew every contribution to the society of which everal months ago, I was nook and cranny of that building. we are a part, to grow and develop, invited to speak to the young One of my favorite rooms was the and to do things that we may now Swomen in the stake in which I tower room. It was a large room at think impossible. . . . I believe in the had grown up. I was excited and anx- the top of some steep steps. Inside principle that I can make a difference ious for this opportunity. My mother there was a picture of the Savior, in this world. It may be ever so small. went with me, and we arrived a little which hung over a large fireplace. But it will count for the greater good” early. The meeting was held in the I was always drawn to that room. I (“I Believe,” Tambuli, Mar. 1993, 8; building where I had attended would ascend the steps and rever- New Era, Sept. 1996, 8). church until I went away to college. ently go inside. I would sit on a chair You are one of the greatest genera- I had not been back for a long time, and look at the picture of the Savior tions of young women ever to live on and I did not anticipate what would and pray to Heavenly Father. These this earth. Before you came to this happen when I walked inside the were simple prayers. But always earth you were tutored at your front doors. A flood of memories when I prayed, a very special feeling Father’s knee. You have been reserved came washing over me, and I began seemed to engulf me, and I knew to come to the earth for a special pur- to cry. My mother looked at me and that He heard my childlike prayers. pose. There are things for each of you said, “Elaine, don’t start that now.” This is where I began to believe. to do that no one else can do as well. But the tears flowed as I viewed the The Lord has promised us that as You have a destiny to fulfill. office at the top of the beautiful mar- we “search diligently, pray always, and Your righteous example as one of ble stairs where my father had served be believing, . . . all things [will] work the believers will make a difference in as the bishop. As I reached the top of together for [our] good” (D&C 90:24; the world, so “be not weary in well- the stairs, the door to the bishop’s emphasis added). That doesn’t mean doing, for ye are laying the founda- office was open. I went inside and that everything will be perfect or that tion of a great work” (D&C 64:33).

110 Believe That You Are Never Alone As you strive to be an example of the believers, you may feel that you are standing alone. You may feel that you are the only one who is trying so hard to be righteous and pure. You may feel you are the only one striving to be modest in your actions, speech, and appearance. But you are not alone. There are thousands of young women like you all over the world who are striving to be an example of the believers. Carmelita and Rosario, two young women in Jalapa, Mexico, are among those believers. They are the only members of the Church in their family, and they are living alone. When I visited their small home, they said they knew Heavenly Father loved them very much because He sent the missionaries to teach them the gospel. Although things are hard, each day they rely on their Heavenly Father’s loving care and guidance. To Carmelita and Rosario and to each of you, I testify that you are not alone. The Lord has promised: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my she visited our home, she read rever- constant prayer in my heart, and I Spirit shall be in your hearts, and ently from her new scriptures. She would seek solitary places where I mine angels round about you, to bear loved them. I noticed that almost would pour out my soul in prayer to you up” (D&C 84:88). everything on every page was my Heavenly Father to heal my father. underlined in yellow. I said, “Sister After a few weeks of illness, my father Believe That You Will Be Guided Sarantsetseg, your scriptures look like passed away. I was shocked and fright- As you search the scriptures dili- the golden plates.” She replied, “I ened. What would our family do with- gently and pray always, you will be only underline the things I like.” out our father whom we loved so guided by the Lord. A young woman Everything in the scriptures is dearly? How could we go on? I felt living in Mongolia listened to the applicable to our lives. The scriptures that Heavenly Father had not heard words of the prophets as the mission- answer our questions, they provide nor answered my fervent prayers. aries read passages to her from the role models and heroes, and they My faith was challenged. I went to Book of Mormon. The Book of help us understand how to handle Heavenly Father and asked the ques- Mormon had not yet been translated challenges and trials. Many times the tion—“Heavenly Father, are you into her language, but as the mission- scriptures you read will be the answer really there?” aries translated the words for her, she to your prayers. Over a period of many months, I believed and was baptized. She When I was about your age, my prayed for help and guidance. I became an example of the believers father became seriously ill. We prayed for my family, and I prayed to in Mongolia. thought it was just the flu, but as the understand why my father had not Later she was called on a mission days progressed, he became more been healed. For a time, it seemed to to Salt Lake City. What joy she felt! and more ill. It was during that time me that the heavens were silent, but She learned English, and she pur- that I really learned what it means to as a family we continued to pray for chased her very own scriptures. When “pray always” (2 Nephi 32:9). I had a comfort and guidance. I continued to

MAY 2004 111 pray also. Then one day, many months later, as I was sitting in a sacrament meeting, my answer Stay on the came in the form of a scripture. The speaker said: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy High Road ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). A PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY feeling came over me, and I felt I was the only person in the chapel. That Pray for the strength to walk the high road, which at times was my answer. Heavenly Father had may be lonely but which will lead to peace and happiness heard my prayers! That experience happened many and joy supernal. years ago, but I still remember it vividly, and I testify that He has directed my paths. I know that when we believe and trust in Him, “all nations of this great, broad earth. things [will] work together for [our] There are so many of you. My good.” heart reaches out to you. I appreciate Now the call to each of you is the you. I honor you. I respect you. What same as the call the Apostle Paul a tremendous force for good you are. made to his young friend Timothy: You are the strength of the pres- “Be thou an example of the believers” ent, the hope of the future. (1 Timothy 4:12). Will you do that? You are the sum of all the genera- Will you show the world and the Lord tions that have gone before, the prom- that you believe by the way you dress, ise of all that will come hereafter. by the way you speak, by the way you You must know, as you’ve been respect your body, by the very purity told, that you are not alone in this of your lives? The world needs young world. There are hundreds of thou- women who are believers. sands of you. You live in many lands. Believe in the Savior. He loves you, You speak various languages. And and I testify that He will not leave you every one of you has something alone. He has promised: divine within you. y dear young friends, you You are second to none. You are Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not beautiful young women, we daughters of God. dismayed, Mhave heard stirring testi- There has come to you as your For I am thy God and will still give monies and wonderful talks from this birthright something beautiful and thee aid. presidency of the Young Women. sacred and divine. Never forget that. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and What gifted and able leaders they are. Your Eternal Father is the great Master cause thee to stand, ... Behind them stands a general board of the universe. He rules over all, but Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent of the same quality, and these give He also will listen to your prayers as hand. leadership to this great program for His daughter and hear you as you (“How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, young women that extends through- speak with Him. He will answer your no. 85; see also Isaiah 41:10; 43:2–5) out the world. prayers. He will not leave you alone. It is now my turn to speak to you, In my quiet moments, I think of the I believe that each one of you has and I scarcely know what to say. You future with all of its wonderful possi- the power to change the world. overwhelm me with your numbers. bilities and with all of its terrible temp- Believe in yourselves. Believe that you This great Conference Center con- tations. I wonder what will happen to are never alone. Believe that you will tains thousands. There are overflow you in the next 10 years. Where will be guided. In the name of Jesus buildings nearby. These services are you be? What will you be doing? That Christ, amen. ■ reaching into meetinghouses in many will depend on the choices you make,

112 some of which may seem unimpor- future of which you are capable. scholarships, grants, and loans within tant at the time but which will have Occasionally, there will likely be seri- your capacity to repay. tremendous consequences. ous disappointments. But there will It is for this reason that the Someone has said, “It may make a be helping hands along the way, many Perpetual Education Fund was estab- difference to all eternity whether we such, to give you encouragement and lished. We recognized that a few dol- do right or wrong today” (James strength to move forward. lars could make a world of difference Freeman Clarke, in Elbert Hubbard’s I visited the hospital the other day in the opportunities for young men Scrap Book [1923], 95). to see a dear friend. I observed the and young women to secure needed You have the potential to become various nurses who were on duty. training. The beneficiary secures the anything to which you set your mind. They were extremely able. They training and repays the loan so You have a mind and a body and a impressed me as knowing every- someone else can have the same spirit. With these three working thing that was going on and what opportunity. together, you can walk the high road to do about it. They had been well Thus far our experience indicates that leads to achievement and happi- schooled, and it showed. A framed that the training results in compensa- ness. But this will require effort and motto was on the wall of each room. tion three or four times what it was sacrifice and faith. It read, “We strive for excellence.” without training. Think of that! Among other things, I must What a tremendous difference While this program is not available remind you that you must get all of training makes. Training is the key to everywhere, it is now in place where the education that you possibly can. opportunity. It brings with it the chal- some of you live, and if available, it Life has become so complex and com- lenge of increasing knowledge and could prove to be a great blessing in petitive. You cannot assume that you the strength and power of discipline. your life. have entitlements due you. You will Perhaps you do not have the funds As you walk the road of life, be be expected to put forth great effort to get all the schooling you would careful of your friends. They can make and to use your best talents to make desire. Make your money go as far you or break you. Be generous in your way to the most wonderful as you can, and take advantage of helping the unfortunate and those in

MAY 2004 113 distress. But bind to you friends of Your appeal to others will come of but we need to listen to that your own kind, friends who will your personality, which is the sum of response. Nothing is too serious and encourage you, stand with you, live as your individual characteristics. Be nothing too unimportant to share you desire to live; who will enjoy the happy. Wear a smile. Have fun. But with Him. He has said, “Come unto same kind of entertainment; and who draw some rigid parameters, a line in me, all ye that labour and are heavy will resist the evil that you determine the sand, as it were, beyond which laden, and I will give you rest” to resist. you will not go. (Matthew 11:28). He continues, To accomplish His plan of happi- The Lord speaks of those who “For my yoke is easy, and my burden ness, the Great Creator planted within refuse counsel and who “stumble and is light” (v. 30). us an instinct that makes boys inter- fall when the storms descend, and the That simply means that when all is ested in girls and girls interested in winds blow, and the rains descend, and said and done, His way is easy to bear, boys. That powerful inclination can beat upon their house” (D&C 90:5). and His path is easy to trod. Paul lead to beautiful experiences, or it can Stay away from sleazy entertain- wrote to the Romans, “For the king- lead to terribly ugly experiences. As ment. It may be attractive, but in all dom of God is not meat and drink; we look out over the world, it seems too many cases it is degrading. I do but righteousness, and peace, and joy that morality has been cast aside. The not wish to be prudish about this. I in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). violation of old standards has become do not wish to be regarded as a killjoy. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ must common. Studies, one after another, I do not wish to be thought of as an be a beacon light before you, a polar show that there has been an abandon- old man who knows nothing about star in your sky. ment of time-tested principles. Self- youth and their problems. I think I do President George Albert Smith discipline has been forgotten, and know something about these things, used to talk of staying on the Lord’s promiscuous indulgence has become and it is out of my heart and my love side of the line. How very important widespread. that I plead with you to stay on the that is. But, my dear friends, we cannot high road. Create fun with your good Many years ago I told a story in accept that which has become com- friends. Sing and dance, swim and conference that I think I will repeat. mon in the world. Yours, as members hike, become involved in projects It is a story about a baseball player. I of this Church, is a higher standard together, and live life with zest and realize that some of you in various and more demanding. It declares as a excitement. parts of the world do not know much voice from Sinai that thou shalt not Respect your bodies. The Lord has about baseball. You do not even care indulge. You must keep control of described them as temples. So many about it. But this story brings with it a your desires. For you there is no these days disfigure their bodies with tremendous lesson. future in any other course. I should tattoos. How shortsighted. These The event occurred in 1912. The modify that to say that the Lord has markings last for life. Once in place, World Series was being played, and provided for repentance and forgive- they cannot be removed except this was the final game to determine ness. Nonetheless, yielding to tempta- through a difficult and costly process. the winner of the series. The score tion can become like a wound that I cannot understand why any girl was 2-1 in favor of the New York seems never to heal and always to would subject herself to such a thing. Giants, who were in the field. The leave an ugly scar. I plead with you to avoid disfigure- Boston Red Sox were at bat. The man Modesty in dress and manner will ment of this kind. at bat knocked a high, arching fly. assist in protecting against tempta- And while I am speaking of things Two New York players ran for it. Fred tion. It may be difficult to find modest to avoid, I again mention drugs. Snodgrass in center field signaled to clothing, but it can be found with Please do not experiment with them. his associate that he would take it. He enough effort. I sometimes wish Stay away from them as if they were a came squarely under the ball, which every girl had access to a sewing foul disease, for such they really are. fell into his glove. But he did not machine and training in how to use it. Never assume that you can make it hold it there. The ball went right She could then make her own attrac- alone. You need the help of the Lord. through his grasp and fell to the tive clothing. I suppose this is an Never hesitate to get on your knees in ground. A howl went up in the unrealistic wish. But I do not hesitate some private place and speak with stands. The fans could not believe to say that you can be attractive with- Him. What a marvelous and wonder- that Snodgrass had dropped the ball. out being immodest. You can be ful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can He had caught hundreds of fly balls refreshing and buoyant and beautiful actually speak with our Father in before. But now, at this most crucial in your dress and in your behavior. Heaven. He will hear and respond, moment, he had failed to hold the

114 ball, and the Red Sox went on to win the world championship. Snodgrass came back the following season and played brilliant ball for nine more years. He lived to be 86 years of age, dying in 1974. But after that one slip, for 62 years, whenever he was introduced to anybody, the expected response was, “Oh, yes, you’re the one who dropped the ball.” Unfortunately, we see people drop- ping the ball all the time. There is the student who thinks she is doing well enough and then, under the stress of the final exam, fails. There is the driver who is extremely careful. But, in one single moment of carelessness, he becomes involved in a tragic accident. There is the employee who is trusted and who does well. Then, in an instant, he is faced with a temptation he cannot resist. A mark is placed upon him which never seems entirely to disappear. There is the outburst of anger that destroys in a single moment a long- standing friendship. There is the little sin that somehow grows and eventually leads to separation from the Church. There is the life lived with decency; then comes the one destructive, ever- haunting, one-time moral breakdown, the memory of which seems never to fade. On all such occasions, someone dropped the ball. A person may have hold to the line and move forward make a mistake, it can be forgiven, had plenty of self-confidence. He or undeterred by any opposing tempta- it can be overcome, it can be lived she may have been a bit arrogant, tion or force that may cross your path. above. You can go on to success and thinking, “I do not really have to try.” I pray that your lives will not be happiness. But I hope that such an But when he or she reached for the wasted but that they may be fruitful of experience will not come your way, ball, it passed through the glove and great and everlasting good. The years and I am confident it will not if you fell to the ground. There is repen- will pass, and I will not be here to see will set your mind and pray for the tance, yes. There is forgiveness, of what you have done with your lives. strength to walk the high road, which course. There is a desire to forget. But there will be many others, oh so at times may be lonely but which will But somehow, the time the ball was many others, who will be counting on lead to peace and happiness and joy dropped is long remembered. you, whose very peace and happiness supernal in this life and everlastingly Now, you dear, wonderful girls, I will depend upon what you do. And hereafter. speak with a father’s love for you. I above them all will be your Father in For this I pray in the sacred name thank you that you have traveled so Heaven, who will ever love you as His of Him who gave His life to make it well so far. I plead with you to never daughter. possible for us to live eternally, even let down, to establish a purpose and I wish to emphasize that if you the Lord Jesus Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2004 115 10. A priesthood leader in Brazil went the extra mile to help a young They Spoke to Us man become active (see Elder Mervyn B. Arnold’s talk, p. 46). Making Conference Part of Our Lives Do you have a friend who does not attend church regularly? What could you do to encourage him or her? s you make the April 2004 the answer in Bishop Keith B. 11. “We don’t have to be rich, tall, general conference a part of McMullin’s talk, p. 33.) thin, brilliant, or beautiful to be saved A your own and your family’s in the kingdom of God—only pure,” life, you might consider using the fol- FOR YOUTH said Elder Clate W. Mask Jr. (see p. 92). lowing ideas for personal study and 7. If you knew the Savior were com- How can you avoid or remove the family home evening. Or you may ing tomorrow, what would you do mud spots of the world and maintain wish to create your own questions, today to prepare to meet Him? What personal purity? activities, and discussion ideas. would you put in your “24-hour kit of 12. Is there a Duty to God or (Page numbers refer to the spiritual preparation”? (see Elder Personal Progress requirement you beginning of the talks.) Dallin H. Oaks’s talk, p. 7). Set need to finish? Read Gayle M. Clegg’s some personal goals and examples of finishers (see p. 14). FOR CHILDREN write them in your journal. Their stories might inspire you to 1. Who are President Gordon B. Hinckley’s SEE NO. 5 counselors in the First Presidency? How many years have they served as his counselors? (Clue: See President James E. Faust’s talk, p. 61.) 2. How long ago was President Thomas S. Monson called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles? Who extended the calling to him? (Clue: Check President Monson’s talk, p. 20.) 3. What are the names of the mem- SEE NO. 10 bers of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles? How many Brethren serve Elder Mervyn B. Arnold told of a priesthood leader who refused to give up in the Presidency of the Seventy? How on a less-active youth. many serve in the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy? (Clue: 8. How can you find peace when complete your Look at the General Authority chart, a loved one dies? See how Elder projects—and pp. 64–65.) M. Russell Ballard dealt with this endure to the end. 4. About how many members experience in his own life (p. 84). belong to the Church? What percent- 9. A young woman in Argentina FOR FAMILY HOME age of Church members can see and sold her prized violin to finance EVENING OR hear conference? (Clue: Search her mission (see Elder Jeffrey R. PERSONAL STUDY President Hinckley’s talk, p. 4.) Holland’s talk, p. 30). What sacrifices 13. President 5. How many converts were could you make to become more Hinckley said: “It is won- baptized last year? (Clue: See the faithful? For example, you might derfully refreshing to see SEE NO. 12 Statistical Report, p. 26.) decide to be on time to seminary the faith and faithfulness 6. Who wrote the poem that or to watch less television so you of our young people. They live at a begins, “I beheld round the throne will have more time to serve or read time when a great tide of evil is wash- holy angels and hosts”? (Clue: Find your scriptures. ing over the earth. . . . But we find -

116 literally hundreds of thousands of our 14. Do you worry about the wicked What is a “mother heart”? How can young people holding to the high world your children are being born you develop one? (see Julie B. Beck’s standards of the gospel” (p. 4). In into? What can you do to inoculate talk, p. 75). family home evening, review sections them from the spiritual illnesses ram- 16. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “God of the pamphlet For the Strength of pant in the world today? (see President has known you individually . . . [and] Youth. With younger children, review Boyd K. Packer’s talk, p. 77). has loved you for a long, long time. . . . My Gospel Standards, found on the 15. What are your roles as a father? He knows your names and all your back of the Faith in God booklet. (see Elder L. Tom Perry’s talk, p. 69). heartaches and your joys!” (p. 44). As you pray today, remember how well Heavenly Father knows you and STORIES TO READ AND SHARE how much He loves you. 17. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, Are you preparing a talk or lesson? In the conference talks beginning on the “Debt is a form of bondage” (p. 40). pages listed below, you’ll find stories you can tell and Consider your own earthly insights you can share. debts, and review Elder Wirthlin’s five steps to financial Boy finishes his story years after starting it, 14 freedom. Also consider your Pioneer walks to Utah, 14 heavenly debts and ways to show

, MAY NOT BE COPIED NOT , MAY Sunday School teacher influences youth, 20 gratitude. Spencer W. Kimball shows concern for people, 20 18. Elder Dennis E. Simmons explained: “Faith is knowing that Less-active family is discovered and fellowshipped, 20 although our power is limited, His Man repays debt, 40 is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists Brazilian young man becomes active in the Church, 46 African official accepts of complete reliance on Him” . ARNOLD, POSED BY MODELS POSED BY . ARNOLD, Young Gordon B. Hinckley looks at North Star, 49 For the Strength of (p. 73). Think of a specific challenge you are facing. How Military officer refuses to drink alcohol, 51 Youth, 49 can you show greater faith Man with multiple sclerosis carries Olympic torch, 54 in Jesus Christ? ■ Widow waits for son to visit, 54 Volunteers work on sugar beet farm, 58 Missionary couple serves in Ghana, 58 Lost Battalion regains contact, 61 Thomas S. Mother exposes children to smallpox, 77 Monson plays

, STEVE BUNDERSON, AND COURTESY OF ELDER MERVYN B , STEVE BUNDERSON, Missionaries walk through mud slides, 92 basketball, Blind hurdler is taught by father, 94 54 - Secret friends serve one another in a family, 94 - Gospel changes people in Quiriza, Bolivia, 100 SEE NO. 15 Young women learn theme in sign language, 104 -

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG DIMOND BY PHOTOGRAPHY Ballplayer drops the ball, 112 - -

------SEE NO. -15 INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES

Helaman 12:1; Ether 12:6; D&C Jeffrey R. Holland, “A Prayer for 6:20; 59:21. the Children,” Liahona and Ensign, Teachings for Our Time, Gordon B. Hinckley, “War and May 2003, 85–87. Peace,” Liahona and Ensign, May “Family Responsibilities,” chap- 2004 2003, 78–81. ter 37 in Gospel Principles, 236–40. Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Shall He 8. Success in Missionary Service Find Faith on the Earth?” Liahona John 21:15–17; 1 John 4:18–19; elchizedek Priesthood and “Gratitude,” in For the Strength and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 82–85. Mosiah 28:3; D&C 4:5; 88:81. MRelief Society meetings on of Youth, 6–7. Richard G. Scott, “The Dallin H. Oaks, “I’ll Go Where fourth Sundays are to be devoted to “Developing Gratitude,” lesson Sustaining Power of Faith in Times You Want Me to Go,” Liahona and “Teachings for Our Time.” Each year 35 in The Latter-day Saint Woman, of Uncertainty and Testing,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 67–70. the First Presidency determines 10 Part B, 303–11. Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, M. Russell Ballard, “The subjects with designated resource 3. Laboring in the Lord’s 75–78. Essential Role of Member materials to be used in these meet- Vineyard Robert D. Hales, “Faith through Missionary Work,” Liahona and ings. Following are the subjects and Matthew 16:24–26; John 12:26; Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy,” Ensign, May 2003, 37–40. designated resources for 2004. Two 1 Nephi 3:7; Mosiah 2:17; 4:27; Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, M. Russell Ballard, “The additional subjects are to be selected D&C 123:17. 15–18. Greatest Generation of by stake or district presidencies. Thomas S. Monson, “Stand in “Faith in Jesus Christ,” chapter Missionaries,” Liahona and Discussions in fourth-Sunday Your Appointed Place,” Liahona 18, and “Obedience,” chapter 35 in Ensign, Nov. 2002, 46–49. meetings should be based on one and Ensign, May 2003, 54–57. Gospel Principles, 117–21 and Henry B. Eyring, “A Child and a or perhaps two of the designated Jeffrey R. Holland, “Called to 223–28. Disciple,” Liahona and Ensign, May resources that best address the Serve,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 7. Teaching the Children 2003, 29–32. needs and circumstances of quorum 2002, 36–38. Jeremiah 31:15–16; Luke “Missionary Work,” chapter 33 or class members; teachers need not Henry B. Eyring, “Rise to Your 15:11–32; John 1:43; 3 Nephi in Gospel Principles, 211–17. use all of the resources. Leaders and Call,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 17:11–24; D&C 68:25, 28. 9. The Sacrament and Sacrament instructors should encourage dis- 2002, 75–78. Thomas S. Monson, “Models to Meeting cussions, rather than lectures or pre- “Sacrifice,” chapter 26, and Follow,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. It is recommended that this sub- sentations. They should consider “Service,” chapter 28 in Gospel 2002, 60–67. ject be taught on a fourth Sunday ways to stimulate quorum and class Principles, 171–77 and 185–91. James E. Faust, “Dear Are the during the last three months of the members to apply the gospel princi- 4. Spiritual and Temporal Sheep That Have Wandered,” year. ples discussed. Suggestions on Self-Reliance Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, Matthew 26:26–29; 3 Nephi preparing and conducting quorum Malachi 3:8–10; Matthew 6:5–13; 61–68. 18:1–12; Moroni 4, 5; D&C 59:9–14. or class discussions are found in Alma 37:37; D&C 88:119. Gordon B. Hinckley, “To Men Teaching, No Greater Call and the Gordon B. Hinckley, “To Men of of the Priesthood,” Liahona and Teaching Guidebook. the Priesthood,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 56–59. 1. The Family Is Central to the Ensign, Nov. 2002, 56–59. Russell M. Nelson, “Worshiping Creator’s Plan Russell M. Nelson, “Sweet Power at Sacrament Meeting,” Liahona Exodus 20:12; Malachi 4:6; of Prayer,” Liahona and Ensign, and Ensign, Aug. 2004. Mosiah 27:14; D&C 93:36–40; May 2003, 7–9. Dallin H. Oaks, “The Gospel in Moses 5:4–5, 9–12. Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test Our Lives,” Liahona, July 2002, Gordon B. Hinckley, “Family of Faith with Eternal Blessings,” 36–39; Ensign, May 2002, 33–35. Home Evening,” Liahona and Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, Dallin H. Oaks in “Special Ensign, Mar. 2003, 2–5. 26–29. Witnesses of Christ,” Liahona, Apr. James E. Faust, “Enriching “Work and Personal 2001, 14; Ensign, Apr. 2001, 13. Our Lives through Family Home Responsibility,” chapter 27 in “The Sacrament,” chapter 23 in Evening,” Liahona and Ensign, Gospel Principles, 179–84. Gospel Principles, 151–56. June 2003, 2–6. 5. Blessings through the 10. Being a Disciple of Christ Boyd K. Packer, “The Golden Priesthood Matthew 11:28–30; Galatians Years,” Liahona and Ensign, May D&C 13; 27:12; 107:39; 6:8; Alma 38:8–9; D&C 64:34; 2003, 82–84. 110:11–16; 128:20; Joseph Smith— 101:36–38. L. Tom Perry, “The Importance History 1:68–74. Thomas S. Monson, “Peace, Be of the Family,” Liahona and Ensign, Boyd K. Packer, “The Stake Still,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. May 2003, 40–43. Patriarch,” Liahona and Ensign, 2002, 53–56. “The Family Can Be Eternal,” Nov. 2002, 42–45. James E. Faust, “Strengthening chapter 36 in Gospel Principles, L. Tom Perry, “Called of God,” the Inner Self,” Liahona and 231–35. Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, Ensign, Feb. 2003, 2–7. 2. Giving Thanks 7–10. Neal A. Maxwell, “Care for the Luke 17:11–19; Mosiah David B. Haight, “Growing into Life of the Soul,” Liahona and 26:38–39; Alma 37:37; D&C 78:19; the Priesthood,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, 68–70. 98:1–3. Ensign, May 2003, 43–45. Richard G. Scott, “To Be Free David B. Haight, “Were There “The Priesthood” and “Priest- of Heavy Burdens,” Liahona and Not Ten Cleansed?” Liahona and hood Organization,” chapters 13 Ensign, Nov. 2002, 86–88. Ensign, Nov. 2002, 24–26. and 14 in Gospel Principles, 81–93. “Repentance,” chapter 19, and Dallin H. Oaks, “Give Thanks in 6. Exercising Faith during Times “Developing Our Talents,” chapter All Things,” Liahona and Ensign, of Uncertainty 34 in Gospel Principles, 122–27 and May 2003, 95–98. Hebrews 11; James 1:3–6; 218–21. ■

118 Lesson 31: Forgiveness Church’s stand on war to the last Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., discussion in the lesson. Resource Guide for “Forgiveness,” Liahona, Feb. 2003, Duty to God (Deacon), 26; Ensign, Feb. 2003, 48. Use “Citizenship and Social Aaronic Priesthood examples of forgiveness from the Development,” no. 5; (Teacher), life of Jesus to supplement the last “Citizenship and Social story in the lesson. Development,” no. 6; (Priest), Manual 2 Jane McBride Choate, “Pebble “Family Activities,” no. 8. of Forgiveness,” Liahona, Feb. Lesson 36: In Everything Give or use in 2004, lessons 26–50. Duty to God (Teacher), “Family 2003, F6; Friend, Feb. 2003, 42. Use Thanks FThe following resources may be Activities,” no. 5. the object lesson to demonstrate Dallin H. Oaks, “Give Thanks in used to supplement, but not replace, Lesson 27: The Lord’s Law of the principle of forgiveness while All Things,” Liahona and Ensign, lessons 26–50. In the references, Health discussing the lesson’s three case May 2003, 95. Refer to the ideas in Duty to God stands for the Aaronic Boyd K. Packer, “Ye Are the studies. this article as you discuss how we Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to Temple of God,” Liahona, Jan. Duty to God (Deacon), “Citizen- can show thanks to Heavenly God guidebooks. Some Duty to God 2001, 85; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 72. ship and Social Development,” no. 8. Father. references may be used during the Share the story about President Lesson 32: Cultivating Gifts of Juan Carlos Rodríguez, “The lesson time, or you may encourage Packer’s patriarchal blessing, and the Spirit Much Needed Rain,” Liahona, June quorum members to complete them discuss the blessings of obedience. Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The 2003, 40; Ensign, June 2003, 68. at home. Additional teaching sugges- Harold G. Hillam, “Not for the Unspeakable Gift,” Liahona and Use this story to supplement the tions are found on the “Using the Body,” Liahona, June 1996, 26; Ensign, May 2003, 26. Discuss the stories in the lesson. Liahona” page and on the “What’s Ensign, Oct. 2001, 18. Share the role of the Holy Ghost in receiving Duty to God (Teacher), in It for You” page of the New Era. story of the renowned dental sur- and exercising spiritual gifts. “Spiritual Development,” no. 10. Please teach the lessons in the geon instead of a recent news arti- “Questions and Answers,” Lesson 37: Understanding order they are printed. The manual cle as suggested in the lesson. Liahona, Apr. 2003, 44; New Era, Women’s Roles does not include a specific Duty to God (Deacon), Apr. 2003, 16. Consider using ideas M. Russell Ballard, “Women of Christmas lesson. If you want to “Educational, Personal, and Career from this article as you discuss the Righteousness,” Liahona, Dec. teach a special Christmas lesson, Development,” no. 12. gift of testimony. 2002, 34; Ensign, Apr. 2002, 66. consider using scriptures, confer- Lesson 28: The Sabbath “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Ideas from this article could add ence addresses, Church magazine H. Aldridge Gillespie, “The Hymns, no. 143. variety to the last activity and chal- articles, pictures, and hymns that Blessing of Keeping the Sabbath Lesson 33: Seek Ye Learning lenge in the lesson. focus on the life and mission of the Day Holy,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 93; Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Lesson 38: Living Righteously in Savior. Ensign, Nov. 2000, 79. Add the Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for an Unrighteous World To find non-English versions quotes from modern prophets to Youth,” Liahona, Apr. 2001, 30; James E. Faust, “The Devil’s of this guide online in some lan- your discussion. Ensign, Jan. 2001, 2. The “Be Throat,” Liahona and Ensign, May guages, go to www.lds.org and David Oscar Sarmiento, Smart” section helps explain what 2003, 51. Use the waterfall analogy select the world map icon on the “Honoring the Lord’s Day,” the Lord expects us to learn. from this article to begin the lesson. home page. Select the language Liahona, June 2003, 41; Ensign, John K. Carmack, “The John B. Dickson, “When Life you want, and click on Church June 2003, 69. Share this story to Perpetual Education Fund: A Bright Gets Tough,” Liahona, May 2002, magazines, then the Liahona cover. supplement Elder Cook’s experi- Ray of Hope,” Liahona, Jan. 2004, 28; New Era, Feb. 2002, 44. At the Then select the May 2004 issue. ence given in the lesson. 32; Ensign, Jan. 2004, 36. Discuss conclusion of the lesson, share the To find the English version of “Gently Raise the Sacred principles we can learn from the four principles when explaining the resource guide online, go to Strain,” Hymns, no. 146. Perpetual Education Fund program that we can be true to the faith. www.lds.org and click on Gospel Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual about getting an education. Duty to God (Deacon, Teacher, Library, Church Publications—HTML, Development,” no. 2. Duty to God (Priest), and Priest), “Family Activities,” no. 2. Curriculum, Aaronic Priesthood, Lesson 29: The Purpose of Life “Educational, Personal, and Career Lesson 39: Moral Courage then Resource Guide. W. Craig Zwick, “The Lord Thy Development,” nos. 1 and 2. Thomas S. Monson, “Models to Future resource guides will be God Will Hold Thy Hand,” Liahona Lesson 34: The Power of Example Follow,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. printed in the May and November and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 34. Review Gordon B. Hinckley, “An Ensign 2002, 60. Use some of the ancient issues of the Liahona and Ensign. the family stories shared in this arti- to the Nations, a Light to the and modern examples of courage The Liahona (in some languages) cle as you discuss the importance World,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. given in this article to add variety to and Ensign can be found online at of faith. 2003, 82. Discuss the temptations the last section of the lesson. www.lds.org. Lesson 30: Charity mentioned in this talk in your les- H. Ross Workman, “Staying Lesson 26: Worthy Thoughts Gene R. Cook, “Charity: Perfect son conclusion. Power,” Liahona, Oct. 2003, 6; New Gordon B. Hinckley, “A and Everlasting Love,” Liahona, Gabriel González, “Graduating Era, Oct. 2003, 32. Begin the lesson Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for July 2002, 91; Ensign, May 2002, 82. with Honor,” Liahona, July 2003, with this story of moral courage. Youth,” Liahona, Apr. 2001, 30; Share Elder Cook’s three sugges- 34; New Era, July 2003, 40. Lesson 40: Avoiding and Ensign, Jan. 2001, 2. The “Be tions for clothing ourselves in the Consider adding this story to the Overcoming Temptation Clean” section could supplement bonds of charity as you discuss how first story in the lesson. Boyd K. Packer, “Spiritual the lesson’s filmstrip dialogue. we can become more loving. Duty to God (Deacon), Crocodiles,” Liahona, Oct. 2002, 8; Boyd K. Packer, “The Standard Emmanuel Fleckinger, “My “Spiritual Development,” no. 12. New Era, Oct. 2001, 8. Use this arti- of Truth Has Been Erected,” Father’s Medal of Courage,” Lesson 35: Obeying, Honoring, cle’s illustrations to help tell the Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 24. Liahona, Sept. 2003, 40; Ensign, and Sustaining the Law first story in the lesson. Use this article to discuss why the Sept. 2003, 64. Share this story as Gordon B. Hinckley, “War and “Prepare to Resist Temptation,” Church has such high standards of an example that charity “thinketh Peace,” Liahona and Ensign, May Liahona, July 2003, 25; Ensign, July moral conduct. no evil.” 2003, 78. You could add the 2003, 71. Consider using one of the

MAY 2004 119 Duty to God (Teacher), Go,” Hymns, no. 270, verse 2. “Quorum Activities,” no. 1. Lesson 48: Maintaining Righteous Lesson 46: Avoiding Degrading Standards Media Influences David E. Sorensen, “You Can’t Thomas S. Monson, Pet a Rattlesnake,” Liahona, July “Pornography—the Deadly Carrier,” 2001, 48; Ensign, May 2001, 41. Use Liahona, Nov. 2001, 2; Ensign, July the rattlesnake analogy as you dis- 2001, 2. Share the bark beetle’s cuss what it means to be in, but not behavior when the class is dis- of, the world. cussing the influence of degrading “ ‘Plain, Simple Truths’: Young media. Men and Women Apply the Six B’s,” “Danger Ahead! Avoiding Liahona, Sept. 2002, 16. Use the Pornography’s Trap,” Liahona, Oct. testimonies of the youth in this arti- 2002, 12; New Era, Oct. 2002, 34. cle to conclude the lesson. When sharing the President Benson Lesson 49: Honesty and Integrity quote, consider presenting the five Quentin L. Cook, “Are You a ideas for avoiding pornography. Saint?” Liahona and Ensign, Duty to God (Teacher), “Citizen- Nov. 2003, 95. Use the three self- ship and Social Development,” no. 9. assessment questions as you discuss Lesson 47: Clean and Appropriate ways we are tempted to be dishonest. Speech Duty to God (Priest), “Spiritual H. David Burton, “Standing Development,” no. 1. scriptures or quotations in this Monte J. Brough, “Young Men— Tall,” Liahona, Jan. 2002, 75; Lesson 50: Valuing and message to conclude the lesson. Holders of Keys,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2001, 65. Use Bishop Encouraging People with See Genesis 39; Daniel 3; Ensign, Nov. 2003, 47. Conclude the Burton’s second example when dis- Disabilities Matthew 4:2–11. lesson with the stories of how some cussing how speech reveals what is Elizabeth Quackenbush, “I Was Lesson 41: The Sacrament: young men are helping the full-time in our heart. Her Answer,” Liahona, June 1999, In Remembrance of Him missionaries. Kristen Sucher, “No-Swear 36; New Era, Aug. 1998, 26. Use Russell M. Nelson, “Worshiping Duty to God (Deacon, Teacher, Zone,” New Era, May 2003, 43. Use this story to supplement your dis- at Sacrament Meeting,” Liahona, and Priest), “Family Activities,” no. 1. this story to supplement the final cussion of Christlike compassion. Aug. 2004, 10; Ensign, Aug. 2004. At Lesson 44: Preparing Now for story in the lesson. Duty to God (Priest), “Physical the conclusion of the lesson, review Temple Marriage “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Development,” no. 11. ■ Elder Nelson’s counsel on how to Gordon B. Hinckley, “The administer and participate in the Marriage That Endures,” Liahona sacrament. and Ensign, July 2003, 3. Read the Peter B. Gardner, “More Than fictional example of Johnny and Mary Words,” Liahona, Feb. 2002, 28; from this article, and discuss the or Matthew Baker, “Sacrament blessings of temple marriage. Resource Guide for Service,” New Era, Oct. 2002, 20. Richard G. Scott, “Do What Is Share one of these stories to add Right,” Liahona, Mar. 2001, 10; Young Women Manual 2 variety to your lesson. Ensign, June 1997, 51. Use the sug- “In Memory of the Crucified,” gestions for avoiding crossing the Hymns, no. 190. boundary when discussing the per- or use in 2004, lessons 26–49. To find non-English versions Duty to God (Deacon), sonal effort required to prepare for FThe following resources may of this guide online in some lan- “Quorum Activities,” no. 7. celestial marriage. be used to supplement, but not guages, go to www.lds.org and Lesson 42: Follow the Brethren Use D&C 132:15–17 with D&C replace, lessons 26–49. In the refer- select the world map icon on the L. Tom Perry, “We Believe All 131:1–4. ences, Personal Progress stands home page. Select the language That God Has Revealed,” Liahona Duty to God (Priest), “Citizen- for the Young Women Personal you want, and click on Church maga- and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 85. Review ship and Social Development,” Progress booklet. Some Personal zines, then the Liahona cover. how revelation comes to the no. 2. Progress references may be used Then select the May 2004 issue. Church as you teach that section Lesson 45: Effective Home during the lesson time, or you may To find the English version of of the lesson. Teaching encourage class members to com- the resource guide online, go to Sheldon F. Child, “A Sure David Head, “The Home plete them at home. Additional www.lds.org and click on Gospel Foundation,” Liahona and Ensign, Teacher Who Wouldn’t Quit,” teaching suggestions are found on Library, Church Publications— Nov. 2003, 8. Consider sharing the Liahona, Sept. 2002, 36; Ensign, the “Using the Liahona” page and HTML, Curriculum, Young Women, story in section two to begin your Sept. 2002, 69. Share this story on the “What’s in It for You” page then Resource Guide. lesson. when discussing what makes a of the New Era. Future resource guides will be “Come, Listen to a Prophet’s good home teacher. Please teach the lessons in the printed in the May and November Voice,” Hymns, no. 21. John L. Haueter, “Junior order they are printed. The manual issues of the Liahona and Ensign. Lesson 43: Spiritual Preparation Companion,” Liahona, Nov. 2001, does not include a specific Christmas The Liahona (in some languages) for a Mission 28; New Era, Jan. 2001, 36. Use this lesson. If you want to teach a special and Ensign can be found online at Richard G. Scott, “Realize Your story when inviting the young men Christmas lesson, consider using www.lds.org. Full Potential,” Liahona and Ensign, to become more effective home scriptures, conference addresses, Lesson 26: The Sacrament Nov. 2003, 41. Read Elder Scott’s teachers. Church magazine articles, pictures, Russell M. Nelson, “Worshiping counsel to young men to begin the Use D&C 107:99 with Jacob and hymns that focus on the life and at Sacrament Meeting,” Liahona, lesson. 1:19. mission of the Savior. Aug. 2004, 10; Ensign, Aug. 2004. At

120 the conclusion of the lesson, review Elder Nelson’s counsel on how to participate in the sacrament. Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Ordinances and Covenants,” Liahona, Nov. 2001, 16; Ensign, Aug. 2001, 20. Use the explanation of the connection between baptism and the sacrament when discussing covenants. “In Memory of the Crucified,” Hymns, no. 190. Personal Progress, “Faith Value Experiences,” no. 4; “Divine Nature Value Experiences,” no. 4. Lesson 27: Strengthening Testimony through Obedience Gordon B. Hinckley, “Living with Our Convictions,” Liahona and Ensign, Sept. 2001, 2. Using this article, discuss how the courage to be obedient strengthens our testimonies. James E. Faust, “Lord, I Believe; Help Thou Mine Unbelief,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 67. Discuss the Liahona, Feb. 2003, 22; New Era, D. Rex Gerratt, “Finding a Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 19. explanation of service in this article Dec. 2000, 16. Share some of the Fortune,” Liahona and New Era, Use the stick analogy near the end to conclude the lesson. answers in this article when Sept. 2003, 8. Share this story at the of this article to describe how testi- Personal Progress, “Good discussing how chastity brings conclusion of the lesson. monies are obtained. Works Value Experiences,” nos. 1, 2, happiness. Lesson 37: Maintaining Chastity Lesson 28: Agency 5, and 6. See Genesis 39; 2 Samuel 11; through Righteous Living Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Three Lesson 31: The Law of the Land Alma 39; D&C 42:22–23. James E. Faust, “The Virtues of Choices,” Liahona and Ensign, Gordon B. Hinckley, “War and Lesson 34: Hold Fast to the Righteous Daughters of God,” Nov. 2003, 78. Discuss the three Peace,” Liahona and Ensign, May Lord’s Standards Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, choices mentioned in this article as 2003, 78. You might include the Gordon B. Hinckley, “A 108. Include some of this article’s you conclude the lesson. Church’s stand on war with the Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for 10 virtues in your discussion of “Poster: Keep Yourself Free,” discussion of the twelfth article Youth,” Liahona, Apr. 2001, 30; ways to maintain chastity. Liahona, Feb. 2003, 33; New Era, of faith. Ensign, Jan. 2001, 2. Include the six Personal Progress, “Integrity Feb. 2003, 19. Show and discuss the Russell M. Nelson, “Blessed Are B’s when discussing the Lord’s Value Project,” bullet 5. message of this poster as you begin the Peacemakers,” Liahona and standards. Lesson 38: Physical Health your discussion on the conse- Ensign, Nov. 2002, 39. Use the Boyd K. Packer, “The Standard Boyd K. Packer, “Ye Are the quences of our choices. “Civic Obligations” section of this of Truth Has Been Erected,” Temple of God,” Liahona, Jan. “Choose the Right,” Hymns, article when discussing love of Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 24. 2001, 85; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 72. no. 239. country. Discuss ideas presented in this Share the story about President Personal Progress, “Choice and Consider singing your country’s article about recognizing and over- Packer’s patriarchal blessing as you Accountability Value Experiences,” national anthem or an appropriate coming temptation. discuss the blessings of taking care no. 3. patriotic song. Personal Progress, “Integrity of our bodies. See 2 Nephi 2:26–27; Mosiah Lesson 32: The Importance of Life Value Experiences,” no. 1. Personal Progress, “Knowledge 4:30; Helaman 14:30–31. Dallin H. Oaks, “Weightier Lesson 35: Wise Choices Value Project,” bullet 3. Lesson 29: Exaltation Matters,” Liahona, Mar. 2000, 15; Richard G. Scott, “To Acquire Lesson 39: Preventing Disease David E. Sorensen, “The Ensign, Jan. 2001, 12. Use the Knowledge and the Strength to Use Harold G. Hillam, “Not for Doctrine of Temple Work,” “Choice, or Agency” section of this it Wisely,” Liahona, Aug. 2002, 12; the Body,” Liahona, June 1996, Liahona, Aug. 2002, 30; Ensign, article when discussing the sacred- Ensign, June 2002, 32. Consider 26; Ensign, Oct. 2001, 18. Share Oct. 2003, 56. Use ideas from this ness of life. using the stories of the two young this article’s story of the dental article when discussing temple Ricardo Lopes de Mendonça, men with the quote by President surgeon at the beginning of the ordinances. “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Tanner. lesson. See Romans 8:17; Revelation Liahona, Aug. 2003, 44; Ensign, Personal Progress, “Choice and Colleen Whitley, “I’m Not 3:5, 20–21. Aug. 2003, 72. Consider using this Accountability Value Experiences,” Hurting Anybody,” Liahona, Mar. Lesson 30: Strengthening story to begin the lesson. nos. 1 and 2. 2000, 40; “I’m Not Hurting You,” Testimony through Service Lesson 33: The Sacred Power See 2 Nephi 2:26–27; Mosiah New Era, Apr. 1995, 44. Use this Thomas S. Monson, “The Way of Procreation 4:30; Helaman 14:30–31. story in your discussion of the bene- of the Master,” Liahona and Neal A. Maxwell, “Reasons to Lesson 36: Honesty fits of good health practices. Ensign, Jan. 2003, 3. Include stories Stay Pure,” Liahona, Mar. 2003, 6; Quentin L. Cook, “Are You See 1 Corinthians 3:16–17. from this article during the discus- New Era, Mar. 2003, 42. Use this a Saint?” Liahona and Ensign, Lesson 40: Self-Mastery sion of serving mankind. article’s 10 warnings when dis- Nov. 2003, 95. Use the three self- James E. Faust, “Strengthening Dallin H. Oaks, “I’ll Go Where cussing chastity. assessment questions as you the Inner Self,” Liahona and You Want Me to Go,” Liahona and “Questions and Answers,” define a truly honest person. Ensign, Feb. 2003, 2. Use this

MAY 2004 121 General Auxiliary Presidencies

SUNDAY SCHOOL article’s five suggestions as keys to “Knowledge Value Experiences,” self-mastery. no. 6. Personal Progress, “Divine See D&C 25:12; 88:78–80. Nature Value Experiences,” nos. 3 Lesson 46: Financial and 7. Responsibility Lesson 41: Optimism Marvin J. Ashton, “Guide to Joe J. Christensen, “A Reason to Family Finance,” Liahona, Apr. Smile,” Liahona, Sept. 1998, 28; 2000, 42. Use some of the 10 tips in Ensign, Feb. 2002, 58. Encourage this article to discuss self-reliance. the class to make a “smile sheet” to “Prepare by Living Providently Daniel K Judd A. Roger Merrill William D. Oswald conclude the lesson. and Paying Tithes and Offerings,” First Counselor President Second Counselor John B. Dickson, “When Life Liahona, Dec. 2003, 25; Ensign, Gets Tough,” Liahona, May 2002, Dec. 2003, 52. Consider using some YOUNG MEN 28; New Era, Feb. 2002, 44. Use the of the quotes or scriptures to sup- opening story in this article to supplement the lesson. plement the one about Marie. Personal Progress, “Choice and “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Accountability Value Experiences,” Today,” Hymns, no. 227. no. 7. See Mosiah 2:41; 24:13–15. Lesson 47: An Uplifting Lesson 42: Gratitude and Environment Appreciation Thomas S. Monson, Dallin H. Oaks, “Give Thanks in “Pornography—the Deadly All Things,” Liahona and Ensign, Carrier,” Liahona, Nov. 2001, 2; Dean R. Burgess Charles W. Dahlquist II Michael A. Neider May 2003, 95. Refer to the ideas in Ensign, July 2001, 2. Share how the First Counselor President Second Counselor this article as you discuss ways to bark beetle destroys elms, and express feelings of gratitude. compare it to being in unwhole- RELIEF SOCIETY Juan Carlos Rodríguez, “The some environments. Much Needed Rain,” Liahona, June Anya Bateman, “Great . . . 2003, 40; Ensign, June 2003, 68. except for That One Part,” Liahona, Use this story to supplement the June 1999, 22; Ensign, June 1998, story in the lesson. 22. Consider using the story in this Lesson 43: Wise Use of Leisure article as you discuss rising above Time unwholesome environments. Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Lessons Personal Progress, “Divine Learned in the Journey of Life,” Nature Value Experiences,” no. 3. Liahona, May 2001, 35; Ensign, See Moroni 7:14–19; D&C Dec. 2000, 6. Use ideas from this 45:31–32; 88:119. Kathleen H. Hughes Bonnie D. Parkin Anne C. Pingree article when discussing balance in Lesson 48: Communication Skills First Counselor President Second Counselor the use of leisure time. in Leadership “Poster: Spread Thin?” New Brad Wilcox, “Helping Youth YOUNG WOMEN Era, Oct. 2003, 19. To begin the les- Feel They Belong,” Liahona, June son, show the poster and discuss 1999, 42; Ensign, Apr. 1998, 10. what it teaches. Choose a few of the 10 suggestions See D&C 58:27; 88:118, 124. in this article to discuss the lesson Lesson 44: Developing Talents section on love. Ronald A. Rasband, “The “Teens Leading Teens,” Parable of the Talents,” Liahona, Liahona, Jan. 2003, 24; New Era, Aug. 2003, 34; Ensign, Aug. 2003, Jan. 2003, 29. Include some 32. Use ideas from this article as of the ideas from this article in you discuss the parable. your discussion of leadership Julie B. Beck Susan W. Tanner Elaine S. Dalton Marissa D. Thompson and characteristics. First Counselor President Second Counselor Janna Nielsen, “Discovering and “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Developing Your Talents,” Liahona, Go,” Hymns, no. 270, verse 2. PRIMARY May 1999, 40. Include some of this Lesson 49: Valuing and article’s suggestions in the lesson. Encouraging People with Personal Progress, “Knowledge Disabilities Value Experiences,” no. 2. Peter B. Gardner, “More Than Lesson 45: Participating in the Words,” Liahona, Feb. 2002, 28. Cultural Arts Use this article as part of the Shanna Ghaznavi, “Note by conclusion. Note by Note,” Liahona, Sept. Rebecca M. Taylor, “In a Quiet 2003, 18; New Era, Sept. 2003, 30. House,” Ensign, Sept. 2002, 34. Use Use this article to talk about ways this family’s story in the latter part to participate in cultural arts. of the lesson. Sydney S. Reynolds Coleen K. Menlove Gayle M. Clegg Personal Progress, “Individual Personal Progress, “Individual First Counselor President Second Counselor Worth Value Experiences,” no. 4; Worth Value Experiences,” no. 3. ■

122 satellite, radio, and Internet broadcasts to receive counsel from Church leaders. “We are now a great international family,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley during his opening remarks. “To me, it is a marvelous and miraculous thing that . . . our images and words are available to 95 percent of the membership of the Church.” In order to reach as many of the almost 12 million members of the Church as possible, conference sessions were interpreted in 66 languages, including in Arabic Members in the Conference Center sustain Church leaders during the Saturday afternoon and several Micronesian lan- session of general conference. guages for the first time. ■ Changes in Auxiliary Presidencies; Conference Reaching Increasing Numbers Priesthood embers of the Sunday Since October 1979, the Seventy. Released was Elder Restoration School and Young presidencies of the Sunday Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Event Is Set MMen general presi- School and Young Men have who will begin serving as dencies will no longer be been composed of General President of the Europe East broadcast commemo- called from the ranks of the Authorities serving as full- Area on 15 August 2004. rating the 175th Quorums of the Seventy, time members of the Seventy. In addition, 35 new Area A anniversary of the Church leaders announced These new auxiliary leaders Authority Seventies were restoration of the priesthood during the Saturday after- will not serve as General called and 11 received will be held Sunday, 16 May noon session of the 174th Authorities; they will con- releases. 2004, at 6:00 P.M. MDT in Annual General Conference. tinue their employment More than 100,000 the Conference Center. The (For the names of those sus- while serving part-time in members gathered at the event will be broadcast in 66 tained and released, see page their auxiliary presidency Conference Center and on languages in 80 countries. 24. For information on the positions. Temple Square for the five All brethren 12 years of age new presidency members, Other changes include the sessions of general confer- and older are encouraged see the biographies on the call of Elder John H. Groberg ence. Millions more partici- to attend at their respective following pages.) to the Presidency of the pated through television, stake centers wherever it is available. In a letter to Church Conference Available Online now available online. Audio leaders, President Boyd K. files of the sessions will Packer, Acting President of ritten transcripts of French, German, Indonesian, be made available in 35 the Quorum of the Twelve the Church’s 174th Italian, Norwegian, Portu- additional languages. For Apostles, encouraged wards WAnnual General guese, Spanish, Swedish, information on a specific and branches to commemo- Conference are now or will and Tagalog. language, visit www.lds.org rate the anniversary in a soon be available online at Video and audio files of and click on the world map special sacrament meeting www.lds.org in Danish, the four general sessions in the upper right corner of between 16 May and 13 June Dutch, English, Finnish, in English and Spanish are the screen. ■ 2004. ■

MAY 2004 123 has turned out as I had hoped general presidency and Marjorie Pay Hinckley it would. . . . Now we have biographer of President grown old together. . . . And Hinckley, said that while Dies at 92 when in some future day the 12 million members together or 67 years, Marjorie Pay Liahona, Oct. 2003, 32–37; hand of death gently touches cannot take Sister Hinckley’s Hinckley kept pace with Ensign, Oct. 2003, 22–27), one or the other of us, there place, each would be praying Fher husband, President and at her funeral services will be tears, yes, but there that President Hinckley Gordon B. Hinckley, as he she was eulogized as “charity will also be a quiet and cer- would have the strength to traveled the world. On 6 April personified.” tain assurance of reunion and carry on. She said that each 2004, her mortal journey As evidence of the count- eternal companionship.” member would try a little ended. Surrounded by less lives she touched, thou- Sheri L. Dew, former harder in order to ease the family and loved ones, Sister sands attended a public member of the Relief Society prophet’s burden. ■ Hinckley quietly passed from viewing, some of them stand- this world to the next due ing in line outside on a blus- to causes incident to age. tery spring day for more than Born on 23 November 1911, three hours. Thousands she was 92. attended the funeral held in the Tabernacle on 10 April, and tens of thousands more watched on television and by satellite broadcast. “She conversed with kings and queens. She loved little children,” President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency, said of Sister Hinckley’s ability to relate to people from all walks of life. “There was no flaw in her character. . . . Like the Master, Marjorie went about doing good.” Marjorie Pay Hinckley died “She had such a good on 6 April 2004. life,” said President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in Often expressing surprise the First Presidency. “All of us at the course her life had would benefit from following taken, Sister Hinckley often her faith, commitment, and joked, “How did a nice girl devotion.” like me end up in a mess like During the funeral this?” In an interview with services, the Hinckleys’ five Church magazines several children—Kathleen, Richard, months before her death, Virginia, Clark, and Jane— Sister Hinckley said, “Well, shared quotes from Sister it turned out better than I Hinckley and gave expres- expected. It has been a good sions of gratitude to their life.” Known for her caring mother. Clark Hinckley read heart and quick wit, she told a letter written by President Church magazines, “If we Hinckley to his wife after can’t laugh at life, we are nearly 60 years of marriage. in big trouble” (see “At “My darling, . . . I have known President Gordon B. Hinckley follows his wife’s casket into Home with the Hinckleys,” you for a long time . . . and it the Tabernacle.

124 A. Roger Merrill Daniel K Judd Sunday School General President First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency

great societies, and great soci- Phyllis Farnsworth Judd. eties nurture great families,” He met his future wife, says Brother Merrill. “And one Kaye Seegmiller, at SUU. of the most important factors They were married in the in a successful family is the St. George Utah Temple. leadership exercised by the Now as the parents of four parents. In that sense, family children, the Judds empha- is the defining activity of the size the Savior in their per- human experience.” sonal and family life. He points to his wife, “Salvation is so much more Rebecca, as a good example. about Him than it is about “One of the most important ourselves,” says Brother Judd. things about me is that I “I have learned that with riel Roger Merrill first have an incredible wife,” he aniel K Judd’s life has Christ and His gospel as our learned of the Prophet says. “We are very unified in been a unique com- foundation nothing can ever A Joseph Smith’s lead- our faith and our love of Dbination of sacred go permanently wrong.” ership philosophy to “teach each other, the Lord, and and academic training. As a Serving as both president [people] correct principles our family.” returned missionary from the of the Orem Utah Canyon and [let them] govern them- Brother Merrill, 59, was California San Diego Mission, View Stake and chairman of selves” as a young missionary. born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he pursued a B.S. in zool- the Department of Ancient “That became one of the to Ariel Carden and Edith ogy from Southern Utah Scripture at BYU when he was defining moments of my Horsley Merrill on 2 May University (SUU) and an called to the Sunday School life,” Brother Merrill says. It 1945. He grew up in Carmel, M.S. in family sciences and a general presidency, Brother became the theme of the California, served in the Texas Ph.D. in counseling psychol- Judd, 47, hopes to continue teaching, learning, and lead- Mission, and graduated from ogy from Brigham Young to draw upon his experience ership at the center of his Brigham Young University. He University (BYU). During in both the sacred and the personal and professional life is a senior consultant for a those years, he also worked academic to help others. for the past 40 years. leadership training company for the Church Educational “My desire for Sunday “Much of what happens and a partner in his own con- System as a seminary and School is to emphasize Jesus in the world, good and bad, sulting firm. institute teacher. Christ and His atoning sacri- comes from the influence of Brother Merrill married “As I have counseled with fice,” he says. “As it states in leaders,” observes Brother Rebecca Rippy in the Salt families as a professional or as 2 Nephi 32:3, if we will ‘feast Merrill. “The Savior and His Lake Temple on 7 June 1967. a bishop or stake president, I upon the words of Christ . . . righteous influence are at the They have seven children and have seen how profound the [they] will tell you all things center of the battle for the 16 grandchildren. ■ gospel can be in helping us what ye should do.’” ■ souls of men. And among our heal,” he says. “I hope that greatest weapons are the through Sunday School Latter- teaching of true principles day Saints can comprehend and the power of choice.” For the power that is available to Brother Merrill, these ideas us as we come unto Christ play out most importantly in through the teachings of our the family unit. He sees the prophets and the scriptures.” family as providing the great- Born on 17 September est opportunity for teaching, 1956 in Kanab, Utah, Brother learning, and leading. Judd was the youngest of four “Great families create children born to LeRoy P. and

MAY 2004 125 William D. Oswald Charles W. Dahlquist II Second Counselor in the Sunday School Young Men General President General Presidency

In the interim, he was priv- experience working with the ileged to preside as bishop young men of the Church. A over President Spencer W. recipient of the Silver Beaver and Sister Camilla Kimball’s Award, he has been involved ward, an experience Brother in Scouting for most of his life Oswald describes as a “won- and has been a ward Young derful training ground” for Men president. Other Church learning to love others. callings he has fulfilled include “It was a wonderful ex- president of the Germany perience that has had a life- Hamburg Mission, full-time time impression on me as missionary in the Swiss to what a good man he was. Mission, stake president, His ability to express and counselor in a stake presi- illiam Duncan show love to others had a harles Winston dency, and high councilor. Oswald says that great effect on me. Because Dahlquist II says that Brother Dahlquist is an attor- W“spending time in of that experience, I’ve tried Chis testimony has ney and is actively involved in the scriptures” has been a to express love and apprecia- grown “little by little, just community service. powerful influence for good tion to others around me through doing the things Born in Provo, Utah, to in his life. more than I might have the Lord has asked me to C. Winston and Afton Ahlander He counts his service as otherwise done.” do—like going to seminary Dahlquist, Brother Dahlquist, Gospel Doctrine teacher, a Brother Oswald, 68, was and responding to Church 56, spent his childhood in calling he has filled four dif- born and raised in Salt Lake callings.” Boise, Idaho. Following ferent times, as being among City, Utah. He attended the He hopes the youth will Brother Dahlquist’s mission, his most enjoyable experi- University of Utah, where he have a similar experience dur- he married Zella B Darley ences in the Church. His love earned his undergraduate and ing his time as Young Men in the Salt Lake Temple on for teaching the gospel and law degrees. He served a mis- general president. “I would 2 June 1969. They now live his Church service have pre- sion to England and Scotland. like to help build a generation in Sandy, Utah. They have pared him for his new calling, In 1961, he married Mavis of young men who not only five daughters and seven which he will assume when Morris in the Salt Lake Temple. know who they are, but also grandchildren. he finishes his service as They have six children. ■ have a little inkling of why “I married my high president of the Russia they were sent here and the school sweetheart,” Brother Vladivostok Mission in July. part in the plan of salvation Dahlquist says. “We were in In the 1970s, Brother they can play,” he says. the same ward in Boise. I was Oswald served on the Sunday Brother Dahlquist believes the Sunday School music School general board and the youth will be blessed in director, and she was the later as first counselor in the the same way he was if they Sunday School organist. We Sunday School general presi- are faithful. And, he says, say we’ve been making music dency to Russell M. Nelson, because we live in a wicked together ever since.” ■ who is now a member of world “we need the strongest the Quorum of the Twelve youth that we have ever had, Apostles. With his new call to and I believe we have as fine the Sunday School general a generation—if not finer— presidency, Brother Oswald is than any we’ve ever had excited for the opportunity to before in the history of the finish what he started more world.” than 25 years ago. Brother Dahlquist has had

126 Dean R. Burgess Michael A. Neider First Counselor in the Young Men Second Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency General Presidency

ward. “She was the Relief Tyhee. “I remember sitting Society president, and I was in church and noticing my the elders quorum presi- mother at times becoming dent,” he says. “She was emotional. That’s when I always busy serving in worth- started to pay attention and while and constructive ways.” feel something special as I They began dating and were heard testimonies about the later married in the Provo Savior.” Utah Temple on 27 December Brother Neider, 55, was 1973. They have five children born in Pocatello, Idaho, to and reside in Sandy, Utah. H. Boyd and Donna Neider. Brother Burgess, 57, was He was the third of six chil- born in Alpine, Utah, to Reid dren. He attended Brigham he first real test of my and Ethel King Burgess on rying to find his father’s Young University, where he young testimony came 24 May 1946. He grew up golf balls, which he had earned his bachelor’s and law Twhen I had to decide working in the family-owned Tlost, is one of Michael degrees. He served a full-time between going on a mission mercantile store and on their Antone Neider’s first memo- mission in the Central Atlantic and playing basketball,” says 20-acre (8-ha) farm. His par- ries concerning the develop- States Mission. In 1971 he Dean Reid Burgess. Brother ents taught him the value of ment of his faith. and Rosemary Curtis were Burgess had spent his fresh- family, hard work, and the Growing up in the small married in the Salt Lake man year playing basketball principles of the gospel—the farming community of Tyhee, Temple. They have eight for the College of Southern same values he has tried to Idaho, he had sneaked his children and six grand- Utah on scholarship. teach his own children. father’s golf clubs out of the children. They live in Sandy, It was 1965, the height of In 1997 Brother Burgess garage and hit all the golf balls Utah, where Brother Neider the war in Vietnam, and not returned to Brazil, where he into their horse pasture. “I is an executive in his own every young man had the served as president of the had no idea it would be so construction-materials manu- chance to serve a mission Brazil Belo Horizonte East hard to find those balls in facturing business. He has because of the United States Mission. His other Church the tall grass. I felt a pressing served as counselor in the military draft. But Brother service includes counselor need for divine help. After Utah Salt Lake City South Burgess had the chance and in stake presidencies, stake praying I went back out and Mission presidency, stake the choice. “It took a lot of Young Men president, bishop, found all but one of them, as president, stake Young prayer and a lot of fasting,” he and high councilor; all told, well as a never-to-be-forgotten Men president, bishop, says. “But I knew serving a he has served with the youth lesson that God loves me.” ward mission leader, and mission was a real privilege, of the Church for more than Brother Neider says he’s Scoutmaster. ■ so I left school to serve.” 24 years. ■ not sure if the Lord would While serving in the Brazilian help him find those balls Mission, Brother Burgess today. “As I’ve learned and solidified his testimony of the grown, the Lord has expected restored gospel. more from me. I feel He has Upon returning home, he taught me to use more wis- completed his education at dom and faith in moving Brigham Young University in closer to Him.” business management and Brother Neider learned to graduated in 1970. Some feel the guiding influence of time later, he met Annette the Spirit from his mother and Christensen at a BYU student in the small meetinghouse in

MAY 2004 127 Sunshine in Ghana

PHOTOGRAPH BY LINDA LEEPER LINDA BY PHOTOGRAPH As part of the special cele-

bration in Ghana, the local CHURCH NEWS stadium was filled with almost 2,000 youth singing and dancing under the summer sun in the largest Church youth Ghanaian youth prepare to perform for the prophet prior activity ever held in Africa. to the dedication of the Accra Ghana Temple. Based on folktales and dances of west Africa, the storyline of the celebration

Celebrating the Gospel followed Kwaku Anansi, who HOWLETT/COURTESY OF LYNN BY PHOTOGRAPH searched for all the good around the World things in the world to keep By Adam C. Olson, Church Magazines for himself. Each stake and rom song and dance to submissions. (More informa- district sang and danced and speech and drama, the tion, including submission gave him something good, Church members in Alaska Fcultural arts have long guidelines, will be included like courage, love, or family. sing at a celebration for been a part of the Church’s in the June Ensign and July But when Anansi saw the the rededication of the history. Choirs, dances, plays, Liahona.) Accra Ghana Temple, its Anchorage Alaska Temple. and other cultural arts events As part of the Brethren’s beauty convinced him that bring members together and encouragement of cultural he should share all the good spirited frontier wedding offer unique ways to express arts activities, the Church is things he had collected. dance, a 300-voice Primary devotion to God. organizing cultural arts cele- choir, and other songs as part With those ends in mind, brations large and small in Snow in Alaska of the storyline. The mid- Church leaders are encourag- conjunction with temple ded- Saints in Alaska prepared winter event was held ing stakes, districts, wards, ications. The first was held a musical production en- indoors at a local high school. and branches all over the in January, prior to the dedi- titled In the Shadow of the world to make the cultural cation of the Accra Ghana Mountains as part of their Rain in Brazil arts part of the Church’s Temple. Similar events have cultural celebration on A reported 60,000 mem- future as well, by planning been held in Anchorage, 6 February. With a cast of 600, bers filled Pacaembu Stadium, and participating in cultural Alaska, and São Paulo, Brazil. the performance portrayed while thousands more arts activities. Saints in Copenhagen, the cultural heritage of the watched via satellite around “We encourage local lead- Denmark, and New York City state’s Native Alaskans, the country, as more than ers to hold stake and multi- are putting the final touches frontier settlers, and early 8,000 local Saints and 1,200 stake events and activities to on their own celebrations, Mormon pioneers. missionaries sang and danced provide a sense of unity and scheduled for 23 May and The production featured in celebration of the São opportunities to develop 13 June respectively. Native Alaskan dancing, a Paulo Brazil Temple’s rededi- friendships, especially among cation on 21 February. the youth,” wrote the First A continuous rain failed to Presidency in a letter to lead- thin the crowd as dancers in ers throughout the Church. traditional costumes, a 1,200- “These events could include voice choir from 60 stakes, music, dance, drama, speech, and giant props such as ani- A sports, or visual arts.” mals, soccer players, and Anticipating an increase in other puppets performed. requests for appropriate plays The 1 1/2-hour show took and musicals, the Church’s four months to prepare and Music and Cultural Arts required several hundred vol-

Division is accepting scripts, SAMIR BAPTIST BY PHOTOGRAPH unteers involved with plan- readers’ theaters, oratorios, Members depict scenes from Brazil’s past during their ning, security, cleanup, and and other cultural arts celebration. medical assistance. ■

128 COURTESY OF DON AND LUCILLE OLSEN, MAY NOT BE COPIED ophesied that Spring Hill, by Valoy Eaton by Valoy Below Spring Hill—Adam-ondi-Ahman, Daviess County, Missouri, was named by the Lord as Adam-ondi-Ahman Missouri, was named by the Lord (see D&C 116). Daviess County, Adam gathered his righteous posterity to Adam-ondi-Ahman to bestow “upon them his last blessing” (see D&C 107:53–57). Daniel pr that Adam will return here before the Second Coming (see Daniel 7:9–14). The Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation saying “We of this generation are the end harvest of all that has gone before. It is not enough to simply be known as a member of this Church. A solemn obligation rests upon us. Let us face it and work at it. We must live as true followers of the Christ, with charity toward all, returning good for evil, teaching by example the ways of the Lord, and accomplishing the vast service He has outlined for us,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley during the 174th Annual General Conference, 3–4 April 2004. 0 02249 85000 ENGLISH 4