MAY 2007 Liahona

LiahonaTHE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • MAY 2007

General Conference Addresses Salt Lake Tabernacle Rededicated © DAVID LINDSLEY, MAY NOT BE COPIED

Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha, by David Lindsley The Savior “entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:38–39). THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • MAY 2007 Liahona

2 Conference Summary for the 177th 54 Message to My Grandsons 102 Repentance and Conversion Annual General Conference President James E. Faust Elder Russell M. Nelson 57 The Priesthood—a Sacred Gift 105 Closing Remarks SATURDAY MORNING SESSION President Thomas S. Monson President Gordon B. Hinckley 4 The Sustaining of Church Officers 60 “I Am Clean” President Thomas S. Monson President Gordon B. Hinckley GENERAL YOUNG WOMEN MEETING 6 Church Auditing Department 106 Daughters of Heavenly Father Report, 2006 SUNDAY MORNING SESSION Susan W. Tanner Robert W. Cantwell 67 The Healing Power of Forgiveness 109 Remembering, Repenting, and 7 Statistical Report, 2006 President James E. Faust Changing F. Michael Watson 70 Divorce Julie B. Beck 8 Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer Elder Dallin H. Oaks 112 Stay on the Path Elder Richard G. Scott 74 It’s True, Isn’t It? Then What Else Elaine S. Dalton 11 The Nourishing Power of Hymns Matters? 115 Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Elder Jay E. Jensen Elder Neil L. Andersen Unceasingly 14 Commitment to the Lord 76 A Lesson from the Book of Mormon President Gordon B. Hinckley Elder John B. Dickson Vicki F. Matsumori 64 General Authorities of The Church 16 The Tongue of Angels 78 Do You Know? of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Elder Glenn L. Pace 118 Conference Story Index 19 Ye Must Be Born Again 80 The Miracle of the Holy Bible Elder David A. Bednar Elder M. Russell Ballard 119 Teachings for Our Time 22 I Know That My Redeemer Lives! 83 The Things of Which I Know 119 Aaronic Priesthood and Young President Thomas S. Monson President Gordon B. Hinckley Women Resource Guides 122 General Auxiliary Presidencies SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 122 News of the Church 26 The Spirit of the Tabernacle 85 The Message of the Restoration President Boyd K. Packer Elder L. Tom Perry For additional help in using this issue 29 Prophets—Pioneer and Modern Day 89 This Day in learning and teaching—including in Elder Earl C. Tingey Elder Henry B. Eyring your family home evenings as President 32 If These Old Walls Could Talk 92 “Mom, Are We Christians?” Gordon B. Hinckley suggested (see page Bishop H. David Burton Elder Gary J. Coleman 105)—see the topic index on page 3; an 34 Gratitude: A Path to Happiness 94 Who’s on the Lord’s Side? index of stories told in conference, on Bonnie D. Parkin Charles W. Dahlquist II page 118; and article 32 in part B of Teaching, No Greater Call (item no. 36 Remember and Perish Not 97 Will a Man Rob God? 36123). Elder Marlin K. Jensen Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi 39 Salt Lake Tabernacle Rededication 99 Point of Safe Return President James E. Faust Elder Dieter F. 41 Tabernacle Memories Uchtdorf President Thomas S. Monson 43 A Tabernacle in the Wilderness President Gordon B. Hinckley

PRIESTHOOD SESSION 45 Life’s Lessons Learned Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin 48 To the Aaronic Priesthood: Preparing for the Decade of Decision Elder Robert D. Hales 51 Lay Up in Store Bishop Keith B. McMullin Skies,” Hymns, no. 90, arr. Wilberg, unpub- Conference Summary for the lished; “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today,” Hymns, no. 227, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; 177th Annual General Conference “Come, Ye Children of the Lord,” Hymns, no. 58; “I Need Thee Every Hour,” Hymns, no. 98, arr. Wilberg, unpublished. SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH 31, 2007, Invocation: Elder Wayne S. Peterson. GENERAL SESSION Benediction: Elder Paul V. Johnson. Music SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 24, 2007, Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. by a priesthood choir from Brigham Young GENERAL YOUNG WOMEN MEETING Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. University; Ronald Staheli, director; John Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Invocation: Elder Robert F. Orton. Longhurst, organist: “Rise Up, O Men of Conducting: Susan W. Tanner. Invocation: Benediction: Elder Paul E. Koelliker. Music God,” Hymns, no. 324, arr. Staheli, unpub- Hillary Olsen. Benediction: Rosey Bassett. by the Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop and lished; “Brightly Beams Our Father’s Music by a Young Women choir from Mack Wilberg, directors; Clay Christiansen, Mercy,” Hymns, no. 335, arr. Hopkins, stakes in Provo, Utah; Merrilee Webb, organist: “Glory to God on High,” Hymns, unpublished; “Now Let Us Rejoice,” Hymns, director; Linda Margetts, organist: “I Am a no. 67; “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” Hymns, no. 3; “I Love the Lord,” music from Hymns, Child of God,” Hymns, no. 301, arr. Perry, no. 142; “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel,” no. 124, text by John Sears Tanner, arr. unpublished (French horn: Mary Wood- Hymns, no. 252, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; Staheli, unpublished. Lampros); “If the Savior Stood Beside Me,” “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,” DeFord, arr. DeFord, unpublished; “I Hymns, no. 19; “Search, Ponder, and Pray,” SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 1, 2007, Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193, arr. Children’s Songbook, 109; “Come, Thou GENERAL SESSION Manookin, pub. Jackman (flute: Kathleen Fount of Every Blessing,” Hymns (1948), Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Ellingson; harp: Sarah Edwards); “As no. 70, arr. Wilberg, pub. Oxford. Conducting: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Zion’s Youth in Latter Days,” Hymns, Invocation: Elder Robert K. Dellenbach. no. 256, arr. adapted by Kasen, pub. SATURDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 31, 2007, Benediction: Elder Won Yong Ko. Music by Jackman. GENERAL SESSION the Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop and Mack Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Wilberg, directors; Richard Elliott and Clay CONFERENCE RECORDINGS AVAILABLE Conducting: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Christiansen, organists: “Rejoice, the Lord Is Recordings of conference sessions are avail- Invocation: Elder Lowell M. Snow. King!” Hymns, no. 66; “The Lord My Pasture able in many languages at www.lds.org. Benediction: Elder R. Conrad Schultz. Music Will Prepare,” Hymns, no. 109, arr. Wilberg, Generally within two months following by the Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop and unpublished; “I Am a Child of God,” Hymns, conference, recordings are also available Mack Wilberg, directors; John Longhurst no. 301; “High on the Mountain Top,” at distribution centers. and Richard Elliott, organists: “Redeemer of Hymns, no. 5; “For He Shall Give His Angels Israel,” Hymns, no. 6, arr. Wilberg, unpub- to Watch Over Thee,” Mendelssohn, ed. CONFERENCE TALKS ON INTERNET lished; “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” Hymns, Jessop, unpublished; “When Faith Endures,” To access general conference talks on the no. 30, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; “We Hymns, no. 128; “O My Father,” Hymns, Internet in many languages, visit www.lds.org. Love Thy House, O God,” Hymns, no. 247; no. 292, arr. Gates, pub. Jackman. Click on “Gospel Library” and “General “How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, no. 85; Conference.” Then select a language. “This House We Dedicate to Thee,” Hymns, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 1, 2007, no. 245, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; “The GENERAL SESSION HOME AND VISITING TEACHING MESSAGES Spirit of God,” Hymns, no. 2, arr. Wilberg, Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. For home and visiting teaching messages, unpublished. Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. please select an address that best meets the Invocation: Elder H. Ross Workman. needs of those you visit. SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 31, 2007, Benediction: Elder D. Rex Gerratt. Music PRIESTHOOD SESSION by the Tabernacle Choir; Craig Jessop and ON THE COVER Presiding: President Gordon B. Hinckley. Mack Wilberg, directors; Bonnie Goodliffe, Front: Photograph by Craig Dimond. Conducting: President Thomas S. Monson. organist: “From All That Dwell below the Back: Photograph by Welden C. Andersen.

CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHY Scenes of general conference in Salt Lake City were taken by Craig Dimond, Welden C. Andersen, John Luke, Christina Smith, Les Nilsson, Scott Davis, Rod Boam, Emily Leishman, Geoffrey McAllister, Mark Weinberg, and Cortney Christensen; in Brazil by Laureni Ademar Fochetto and Adriano Carvalho Vedovi; in Canada by David Zuskind; in Guatemala by Virna Rodríguez; in Honduras by Pablo Archaga, Ruth Figueroa, Armando Rivas, and Armando Sierra; in Jamaica by Deven Rawle; in Peru by Juan Manuel Rivera Gavilano; in Philippines by Danilo Soleta; and in Sweden by Mark Hedengren.

2 May 2007 Vol. 31 No. 5 LIAHONA 00785 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, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar Editor: Jay E. Jensen Advisers: Gary J. Coleman, Yoshihiko Kikuchi, Gerald N. Lund, W. Douglas Shumway Managing Director: David L. Frischknecht Editorial Director: Victor D. Cave Senior Editor: Larry Hiller Graphics Director: Allan R. Loyborg Managing Editor: R. Val Johnson Assistant Managing Editor: Jenifer L. Greenwood Associate Editors: Ryan Carr, Adam C. Olson Assistant Editor: Susan Barrett Editorial Staff: Christy Banz, Linda Stahle Cooper, David A. Edwards, LaRene Porter Gaunt, Carrie Kasten, Melissa Merrill, Michael R. Morris, Sally J. Odekirk, Judith M. Paller, Vivian Paulsen, Richard M. Romney, Jennifer Rose, Don L. Searle, Janet Thomas, Paul VanDenBerghe, Julie Wardell, Kimberly Webb Senior Secretary: Monica L. Dickinson Marketing Manager: Larry Hiller Managing Art Director: M. M. Kawasaki Art Director: Scott Van Kampen TOPIC INDEX Production Manager: Jane Ann Peters Hymns, 11, 94 Word of Wisdom, 14 Design and Production Staff: Cali R. Arroyo, Collette Abuse, 16 Individual worth, 106 Words, 16 Nebeker Aune, Brittany Jones Beahm, Howard G. Brown, Activation, 85, 109 Inspiration, 26 Worship, 11 Julie Burdett, Thomas S. Child, Reginald J. Christensen, Kathleen Howard, Eric P. Johnsen, Denise Kirby, Randall J. Adversity, 34, 78, 94 Integrity, 45, 60 Worthiness, 57 Pixton.PrePress: Jeff L. Martin Agency, 94 Jesus Christ, 22, 80, 109 Young, Brigham, 29 Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick Atonement, 99 Kindness, 105 Young women, 109 Distribution Director: Randy J. Benson Baptism, 41, 92 Love, 22, 34, 106 Youth, 14 For subscriptions and prices outside the United States and Bible, 80 Marriage, 16, 70, 105 Canada, contact your local Church distribution center or ward or branch leader. Book of Mormon, 92 Missionary work, 11 SPEAKERS LISTED IN Church history, 29, 32, 36, Modesty, 112 ALPHABETICAL ORDER Send manuscripts and queries to Liahona, Room 2420, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, 39, 43 Music, 11, 26 Andersen, Neil L., 74 USA; or e-mail: [email protected]. Church magazines, 105 Obedience, 14, 45, 48, 60, Ballard, M. Russell, 80 The Liahona (a Book of Mormon term meaning “compass” Cleanliness, 60 94, 97 Beck, Julie B., 109 or “director”) is published in Albanian, Armenian, Bislama, Commitment, 14 Bednar, David A., 19 Bulgarian, Cambodian, Cebuano, Chinese, Croatian, Parenthood, 94 Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Fijian, Finnish, Complacency, 89 Peace, 8 Burton, H. David, 32 French, German, Greek, Haitian, Hindi, Hungarian, Conversion, 11, 19, 102 Prayer, 8, 76, 94, 115 Coleman, Gary J., 92 Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kiribati, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malagasy, Marshallese, Mongolian, Courage, 45, 57, 78 Preparation, 48, 51 Dahlquist, Charles W., II, 94 Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Covenants, 19, 76, 112 Priesthood, 54, 57, 85 Dalton, Elaine S., 112 Samoan, Sinhala, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Debt, 51 Tahitian, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Tongan, Ukrainian, Urdu, Priorities, 74 Dickson, John B., 14 and Vietnamese. (Frequency varies by language.) Decisions, 48 Procrastination, 89 Eyring, Henry B., 89 © 2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Diligence, 45, 51 Prophets, 29, 32, 39 Faust, James E., 39, 54, 67 Printed in the United States of America. Divine nature, 94, 106 Remembering, 36 Hales, Robert D., 48 Text and visual material in the Liahona may be copied for Divorce, 70 Repentance, 99, 102, 109 Hinckley, Gordon B., 43, 60, incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual Education, 54 Responsibility, 54 83, 105, 115 material may not be copied if restrictions are indicated in the credit line with the artwork. Copyright questions Encouragement, 16 Restoration, 83, 85, 92 Holland, Jeffrey R., 16 should be addressed to Intellectual Property Office, 50 East Eternal life, 22 Resurrection, 22 Jensen, Jay E., 11 North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA; e-mail: [email protected]. Example, 106, 109 Revelation, 92 Jensen, Marlin K., 36 Faith, 8, 41, 48, 67, 74, 76, Kikuchi, Yoshihiko, 97 The Liahona can be found in many languages on the Reverence, 11 Internet at www.lds.org. For English, click on “Gospel 78, 97, 109, 115 Righteousness, 51, 54 Matsumori, Vicki F., 76 Library.” For other languages, click on “Languages.” Family, 54, 76 Sacrifice, 80, 94, 109 McMullin, Keith B., 51 For Readers in the United States and Canada: Family home evening, 105 Sanctification, 19 Monson, Thomas S., 4, 22, May 2007 Vol. 31 No. 5. LIAHONA (USPS 311-480) Forgiveness, 67, 99 English (ISSN 1080-9554) is published monthly by The Scriptures, 76, 80, 115 41, 57 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 East North General conference, 41, 105 Self-reliance, 51 Nelson, Russell M., 102 Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150. USA subscription Goals, 45 Service, 45, 85, 89 Oaks, Dallin H., 70 price is $10.00 per year; Canada, $12.00 plus applicable taxes. Periodicals Postage Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. Sixty Godhead, 83, 92 Smith, Joseph, 78, 80 Pace, Glenn L., 78 days’ notice required for change of address. Include address God the Father, 8 Spiritual rebirth, 19 Packer, Boyd K., 26 label from a recent issue; old and new address must be included. Send USA and Canadian subscriptions to Salt Lake Gratitude, 34, 57 Standards, 14 Parkin, Bonnie D., 34 Distribution Center at address below. Subscription help line: Healing, 67, 70 Tabernacle, 26, 29, 32, 39, Perry, L. Tom, 85 1-800-537-5971. Credit card orders (Visa, MasterCard, Hinckley, Gordon B., 29 Scott, Richard G., 8 American Express) may be taken by phone. (Canada Poste 41, 43 Information: Publication Agreement #40017431) Holy Ghost, 26, 78 Testimony, 32, 54, 78, 83 Tanner, Susan W., 106 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Salt Lake Honesty, 45, 76 Tithing, 57, 97, 115 Tingey, Earl C., 29 Distribution Center, Church Magazines, PO Box 26368, Hope, 102 Unity, 106 Uchtdorf, Dieter F., 99 Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368. Humility, 67 Virtue, 112 Wirthlin, Joseph B., 45

MAY 2007 3 SATURDAY MORNING SESSION March 31, 2007 The Sustaining of Church Officers PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON First Counselor in the First Presidency

Thomas Spencer Monson as Presi- dent of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Boyd Kenneth Packer as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and the following as members of that quorum: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and David A. Bednar. Those in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed. It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, resident Hinckley has asked seers, and revelators. that I now present the General All in favor, please manifest it. PAuthorities, Area Seventies, and Contrary, if there be any, by the general auxiliary presidencies of the same sign. Church for a sustaining vote. May It is proposed that we release the we all participate not only with our following as Area Seventies effective uplifted hand but with our pledged May 1, 2007: D. Allen Andersen, heart. C. Elmer Black Jr., Ildefonso de Castro It is proposed that we sustain Deus, Oscar W. Chavez, Hector A. Gordon Bitner Hinckley as prophet, Dávalos, Carlos R. Fernandez, Carlos J. seer, and revelator and President Garcia, John R. Gibson, José L. appreciation, please manifest it. of The Church of Jesus Christ of Gonzalez, Paulo Grahl, Beaver T. Ho It is proposed that we sustain as Latter-day Saints; Thomas Spencer Ching, Emmanuel A. Kissi, Erich W. new members of the First Quorum Monson as First Counselor in the Kopischke, G. Steven Laney, Barry Lee, of the Seventy Enrique R. Falabella, First Presidency; and James Esdras James B. McDonald, Gerald A. Mead, Erich W. Kopischke, Michael J. Teh, Faust as Second Counselor in the Jorge Mendez, Rodrigo Myrrha, Octaviano Tenorio, and Claudio D. First Presidency. Carlos A. Perez, Richard G. Peterson, Zivic. Those in favor may manifest it by Eric B. Shumway, Joseph W. Sitati, All in favor, please manifest it. the uplifted hand. A. Kim Smith, W. Blake Sonne, Gary M. Any opposed. Those opposed, if any, by the Stewart, Michael J. Teh, Robert B. It is proposed that we sustain same sign. White, and John W. Yardley. the following as new Area Seventies: It is proposed that we sustain All who wish to join us in expressing Richard K. Ahadjie, Rubén V. Alliaud,

4 Elder Henry B. Eyring (left) and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (center) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greet President Gordon B. Hinckley following a conference session.

Climato C. A. Almeida, Sergio M. Hernandez, Garith C. Hill, Frederick C. All in favor, please manifest it. Anaya, Wilford W. Andersen, Ihesiene, David H. Ingram, Tetsuji Opposed, if any, by the same sign. Fernando J. D. Araújo, Nolan D. Ishii, Kapumba T. Kola, Richard K. It is proposed that we release Archibald, Carlos L. Astorga, Hector Melchin, R. Bruce Merrell, Peter F. with a vote of thanks and sincere Avila, Marvin T. Brinkerhoff, M. Anthony Meurs, Benson E. Misalucha, Enrique J. appreciation Bonnie Rae Dansie Burns, David Cabrera, Rafael E. Montoya, K. Brett Nattress, Russell T. Parkin, Kathleen Hurst Hughes, and Castro, Gerald J. Caussé, Robert E. Osguthorpe, Gamaliel Osorno, Anne Clark Pingree as the Relief Chambers, Yoon Hwan Choi, Kim B. Patrick H. Price, Paulo R. Puerta, Society general presidency. We also Clark, David L. Cook, Nelson D. Rubén L. Spitale, Natã C. Tobias, release all members of the Relief Cordova, Gary L. Crittenden, Frank V. Trythall, Terence M. Vinson, Society general board. Stephen L. Fluckiger, Jovencio A. Taniela B. Wakolo, Richard W. It is also proposed that we release Guanzon, Mario E. Guerra, Luis S. Wheeler, and Scott D. Whiting. Julie Bangerter Beck and Elaine

MAY 2007 5 Schwartz Dalton as counselors in the Young Women general presidency. All who wish to join us in expressing Church Auditing appreciation for their excellent service and devotion, please manifest it. It is proposed that we sustain Julie Bangerter Beck as the new general Department president of the Relief Society with Silvia Henriquez Allred as first counselor and Barbara Thompson as Report, 2006 second counselor. Those in favor may manifest it. PRESENTED BY ROBERT W. CANTWELL Opposed, if any, by the same sign. Managing Director, Church Auditing Department It is also proposed that we sustain Elaine Schwartz Dalton as the first counselor in the Young Women gen- To the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ eral presidency and Mary Nielsen of Latter-day Saints Cook as the second counselor in the Young Women general presidency. Those in favor, please manifest it. Any opposed. ear Brethren: As prescribed departments are to expend funds It is proposed that we sustain by revelation in section 120 of consistent with approved budgets and the other General Authorities, Area Dthe Doctrine and Covenants, in accordance with Church policies Seventies, and general auxiliary presi- the Council on the Disposition of the and procedures. dencies as presently constituted. Tithes authorizes the expenditure of The Church Auditing Department Those in favor, please manifest it. Church funds. This council is com- has been granted access to all records Any opposed may manifest it. posed of the First Presidency, the and systems necessary to evaluate It appears that the sustaining has Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the adequacy of controls over been unanimous in the affirmative, the Presiding Bishopric. This council receipts of funds, expenditures, President Hinckley. approves budgets for Church depart- and safeguarding of Church assets. Thank you, brothers and sisters, ments and operations. After receiving The Church Auditing Department for your faith and prayers. ■ the council’s authorization, Church is independent of all other Church departments and operations, and the staff consists of certified public accountants, certified internal auditors, certified information systems auditors, and other credentialed professionals. Based upon audits performed, the Church Auditing Department is of the opinion that, in all material respects, contributions received, expenditures made, and assets of the Church for the year 2006 have been recorded and administered in accordance with appropriate accounting practices, approved budgets, and Church policies and procedures. Respectfully submitted, Church Auditing Department Robert W. Cantwell Managing Director ■

6 (Sacramento California and Helsinki Finland) Statistical Report, Temples Rededicated during 2006 ...... 2 (Santiago Chile and Papeete Tahiti) Total Number of Temples 2006 Currently in Operation...... 124 PRESENTED BY F. MICHAEL WATSON Prominent Church Members Secretary to the First Presidency Who Have Passed Away since Last April Elder Devere Harris, former member of the Seventy; Elder Spencer H. rothers and sisters, the First Church Membership Osborn, former member of the Presidency has issued the fol- Total Membership...... 12,868,606 Seventy; Sister Elisa Young Rogers Blowing report concerning the Increase in Children of Record ..94,006 Wirthlin, wife of Elder Joseph B. growth and activity of the Church as Converts Baptized ...... 272,845 Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve of December 31, 2006. Apostles; Sister Norma Berntson Missionaries Ashton, widow of Elder Marvin J. Number of Church Units Number of Full-Time Ashton, former member of the Stakes...... 2,745 Missionaries...... 53,164 Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Sister Missions ...... 344 Dorothy Porter Holt, former coun- Districts...... 630 Temples selor in the Young Women general Wards and Branches ...... 27,475 Temples Dedicated during 2006...... 2 presidency. ■

Members and missionaries from the Linstead Jamaica District gather for a conference broadcast.

MAY 2007 7 learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for Using the Supernal the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you. Then as you learn His will, pray that you will be led to have the strength to fulfill it. Gift of Prayer Should you ever feel distanced from our Father, it could be for many ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT reasons. Whatever the cause, as you Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles continue to plead for help, He will guide you to do that which will restore Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. your confidence that He is near. Pray even when you have no desire to pray. Sometimes, like a child, you may mis- behave and feel you cannot approach your Father with a problem. That is desperately we need His guidance, when you most need to pray. Never He commands, “Thou shalt pray feel you are too unworthy to pray. vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, I wonder if we can ever really before the world as well as in secret, fathom the immense power of prayer in public as well as in private.”1 until we encounter an overpowering, It matters not our circumstance, be urgent problem and realize that we we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, are powerless to resolve it. Then we free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, will turn to our Father in humble loved or forsaken, we can address recognition of our total dependence Him. We need no appointment. on Him. It helps to find a secluded Our supplication can be brief or can place where our feelings can be occupy all the time needed. It can be vocally expressed as long and as an extended expression of love and intensely as necessary. gratitude or an urgent plea for help. I have done that. Once I had an He has created numberless cosmos experience that caused me immense and populated them with worlds, yet anxiety. It had nothing to do with dis- you and I can talk with Him person- obedience or transgression but with a his conference began with a ally, and He will ever answer. vitally important human relationship. profoundly moving presenta- For some time I poured my heart out Ttion of the classic hymn “Sweet How Should You Pray? in urgent prayer. Yet try as I might, I Hour of Prayer” by the magnificent We pray to our Heavenly Father in could find no solution, no settling of Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The famil- the sacred name of His Beloved Son, the powerful stirring within me. I pled iar lyrics remind us that prayer is the Jesus Christ. Prayer is most effective for help from that Eternal Father I source of comfort, relief, and protec- when we strive to be clean and obedi- have come to know and trust com- tion, willingly granted by our loving, ent, with worthy motives, and are pletely. I could see no path that would compassionate Heavenly Father. willing to do what He asks. Humble, provide the calm that is my blessing trusting prayer brings direction and generally to enjoy. Sleep overcame The Gift of Prayer peace. me. When I awoke, I was totally at Prayer is a supernal gift of our Don’t worry about your clumsily peace. Again I knelt in solemn prayer Father in Heaven to every soul. Think expressed feelings. Just talk to your and asked, “Lord, how is it done?” In of it: the absolute Supreme Being, compassionate, understanding Father. my heart, I knew the answer was His the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all- You are His precious child whom He love and His concern for me. Such is powerful personage, encourages you loves perfectly and wants to help. the power of sincere prayer to a com- and me, as insignificant as we are, As you pray, recognize that Father in passionate Father. to converse with Him as our Father. Heaven is near and He is listening. I have learned much about prayer Actually, because He knows how A key to improved prayer is to by listening to President Hinckley

8 offer supplications in our meetings. that sometimes God lets you struggle You can also learn from him by care- for a long time before that answer fully studying the exceptional public comes. Your character will grow; prayer he offered at the conclusion your faith will increase. There is a of the October 2001 conference for relationship between those two: the Father’s children throughout the greater your faith, the stronger your world. He prayed from his heart, not character; and increased character from a prepared manuscript. (For enhances your ability to exercise convenience that prayer is repro- even greater faith. duced at the end of this message.)2 On occasion, the Lord will give you Study that prayer, and you will find an answer before you ask. This can that there are no vain repetitions, no occur when you are unaware of a dan- posturing to impress others, as some- ger or may be doing the wrong thing, times occurs. He combines simple mistakenly trusting that it is correct. words eloquently. He prays as a hum- It is so hard when sincere prayer ble, trusting son who knows well his about something you desire very beloved Father in Heaven. He confides much is not answered the way you in the certainty that His answer will want. It is difficult to understand why come when most needed. Each prayer your exercise of deep and sincere is tailored to its purpose, with a clear faith from an obedient life does not statement of what needs resolution, as grant the desired result. The Savior well as ample expression of gratitude taught, “Whatsoever ye ask the Father for specific, recognized blessings. His in my name it shall be given unto you, spontaneous prayers are like crafted that is expedient for you.” 4 At times it gems, a silent witness to the funda- is difficult to recognize what is best or mental place prayer has occupied in expedient for you over time. Your life his life for many, many years. will be easier when you accept that what God does in your life is for your How Are Prayers Answered? eternal good. Some truths regarding how prayers You are asked to look for an are answered may help you. answer to your prayers.5 Obey the Often when we pray for help with He will always hear your prayers Master’s counsel to “study it out in a significant matter, Heavenly Father and will invariably answer them. your mind.”6 Often you will think of will give us gentle promptings that However, His answers will seldom a solution; as you seek confirmation require us to think, exercise faith, come while you are on your knees that your answer is right, help will work, at times struggle, then act. It is praying, even when you may plead for come. It may be through your prayers, a step-by-step process that enables us an immediate response. Rather, He or as an impression of the Holy Ghost, to discern inspired answers. will prompt you in quiet moments and at times by the intervention I have discovered that what some- when the Spirit can most effectively of others.7 times seems an impenetrable barrier touch your mind and heart. Hence, This guidance about prayer given to communication is a giant step to you should find periods of quiet time to Oliver Cowdery can also aid you: be taken in trust. Seldom will you to recognize when you are being “Behold, . . . you have supposed that I receive a complete response all at instructed and strengthened. His pat- would give it unto you, when you took once. It will come a piece at a time, tern causes you to grow. no thought save it was to ask me. in packets, so that you will grow in President David O. McKay testi- “. . . You must study it out in your capacity. As each piece is followed in fied, “It is true that the answers to mind; then . . . ask me if it be right, faith, you will be led to other portions our prayers may not always come as and if it is right . . . your bosom shall until you have the whole answer. That direct and at the time, nor in the burn . . . ; therefore, you shall feel that pattern requires you to exercise faith manner, we anticipate; but they do it is right.”8 in our Father’s capacity to respond. come, and at a time and in a manner Then the answer comes as a feel- While sometimes it’s very hard, it best for the interests of him who ing with an accompanying conviction. results in significant personal growth. offers the supplication.”3 Be thankful The Savior defines two separate ways:

MAY 2007 9 “I will tell you in your mind and in come, settling my concerns, as He with the Savior’s teachings and you your heart, by the Holy Ghost.”9 has promised. need to act, proceed with trust. As you Answers to the mind and heart are Some misunderstandings about are sensitive to the promptings of the messages from the Holy Ghost to our prayer can be clarified by realizing Spirit, one of two things will certainly spirits. For me, response to the mind that the scriptures define principles occur at the appropriate time: either is very specific, like dictated words, for effective prayer, but they do not the stupor of thought will come, indi- while response to the heart is general- assure when a response will be given. cating an improper choice, or the ized, like a feeling to pray more.10 Actually, He will reply in one of three peace or the burning in the bosom Then the Lord clarifies, “But if ways. First, you can feel the peace, will be felt, confirming that your [what you propose] be not right you comfort, and assurance that confirm choice was correct. When you are . . . shall have a stupor of thought.”11 that your decision is right. Or second, living righteously and are acting with That, for me, is an unsettling, discom- you can sense that unsettled feeling, trust, God will not let you proceed too forting feeling. the stupor of thought, indicating that far without a warning impression if Oliver Cowdery was taught another your choice is wrong. Or third—and you have made the wrong decision. way in which positive answers come: this is the difficult one—you can feel “Did I not speak peace to your mind no response. Gratitude for the Gift of Prayer concerning the matter?”12 The feel- What do you do when you have An important aspect of prayer is ing of peace is the most common prepared carefully, have prayed fer- gratitude. Jesus declared, “And in confirming witness that I personally vently, waited a reasonable time for nothing doth man offend God . . . save experience. When I have been very a response, and still do not feel an those who confess not his hand in all concerned about an important matter, answer? You may want to express things, and obey not his command- struggling to resolve it without suc- thanks when that occurs, for it is an evi- ments.”13 When we contemplate the cess, I continued those efforts in faith. dence of His trust. When you are living incomparable gift of prayer and the Later, an all-pervading peace has worthily and your choice is consistent limitless blessings that flow from it,

10 honest appreciation fills our mind and heart to overflowing with thanksgiving. Should we not, therefore, contin- The Nourishing ually and profoundly express to our beloved Father, as well as we are able, our unbounded gratitude for the supernal gift of prayer and for His Power of Hymns answers that meet our needs while motivating us to grow? ELDER JAY E. JENSEN I testify our Father will always Of the Seventy answer your prayers in the way and in the time that will be for your best Hymns play an essential role in spirituality, revelation, eternal good. In the name of Jesus and conversion. Christ, amen. ■ NOTES 1. D&C 19:28. 2. “O God, our Eternal Father, Thou great Judge of the Nations, Thou who art the governor of the universe, Thou who art our meetings. My experiences were simi- Father and our God, whose children we are, lar to that of President Hinckley we look to Thee in faith in this dark and when, as a deacon, he attended a solemn time. Please, dear Father, bless us with faith. Bless us with love. Bless us with stake priesthood meeting with his charity in our hearts. Bless us with a spirit father. They sang “Praise to the Man.”2 of perseverance to root out the terrible evils that are in this world. Give protection and Later he would say, “I had an impres- guidance to those who are engaged actively sion that has never left that Joseph in carrying forth the things of battle. Bless Smith was indeed a prophet of God.”3 them; preserve their lives; save them from harm and evil. Hear the prayers of their I believe that many of our Saints expe- loved ones for their safety. We pray for the rience this again and again. Hymns great democracies of the earth which Thou play an essential role in spirituality, hast overseen in creating their govern- ments, where peace and liberty and demo- revelation, and conversion. cratic processes obtain. “O Father, look with mercy upon this, our Hymns Invite the Spirit own nation, and its friends in this time of need. Spare us and help us to walk with Hymns are “an essential part of our faith ever in Thee and ever in Thy Beloved church meetings. [They] invite the Son, on whose mercy we count and to 4 whom we look as our Savior and our Lord. Spirit of the Lord.” They often do this Bless the cause of peace and bring it quickly his magnificent choir gives quicker than anything else we may to us again, we humbly plead with Thee, inspiring sermons. In fact, do. President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said, asking that Thou wilt forgive our arrogance, “some of the greatest sermons “We get nearer to the Lord through pass by our sins, be kind and gracious to us, T and cause our hearts to turn with love are preached by the singing of music than perhaps through any toward Thee. We humbly pray in the name hymns.”1 My testimony and conver- other thing except prayer.”5 of Him who loves us all, even the Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and our Savior, sion to the restored gospel were Two missionaries teaching an older amen” (“Till We Meet Again,” Liahona, Jan. strongly influenced by singing the couple in their home in Peru were 2002, 105; Ensign, Nov. 2001, 90). hymns of Zion as a young boy. I grew interrupted by the arrival of the cou- 3. In Conference Report, Apr. 1969, 153. 4. D&C 88:64; emphasis added; see also vv. up in the small town of Mapleton, ple’s son, his wife, and three children. 63, 65. Utah, and attended meetings in what The elders explained who they were 5. See D&C 6:23, 36; D&C 8:2–3, 10; D&C 9:9. 6. D&C 9:8. is known today as the “old white and what they were doing. The son 7. See Spencer W. Kimball, The Teachings of church.” My 95-year-old mother still was suspicious of the missionaries, Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball lives in Mapleton. When I visit her, I resulting in an awkward moment. The (1982), 252. 8. D&C 9:7–8; emphasis added. drive past the “old white church,” and junior companion prayed silently, 9. D&C 8:2; emphasis added. a flood of sweet memories fills my “Heavenly Father, what do we do?” 10. See Enos 1:3–5, 9–10. mind. Among them is the converting The impression came to sing. They 11. D&C 9:9. 6 12. D&C 6:23; emphasis added. power of the hymns we sang in priest- sang “I Am a Child of God.” The Spirit 13. D&C 59:21. hood, Sunday School, and sacrament touched the hearts of this family of

MAY 2007 11 five. Instead of two converts, all seven to arrive early and reverently listen gathering of Israel, the holy priest- became members, influenced initially to prelude music. Doing so invites hood, and ordinances and covenants. by a hymn. revelation and prepares us for the These nourishing hymns create an Music in Church meetings and meeting. atmosphere that invites the Spirit, classes should facilitate a spirit of wor- President Packer taught that a which leads us to conversion. ship, revelation, and testimony. For member who softly plays “prelude How incomplete and empty sacra- sacrament meetings, the bishopric or music from the hymnbook tempers ment meetings would be without branch presidency is responsible to our feelings and causes us to go over hymns of worship.14 Sacred among all select or approve music. They ensure in our minds the lyrics which teach hymns are those that capture the sac- that the music, the words, and the the peaceable things of the kingdom. rifice and the shedding of the blood musical instruments are sacred, digni- If we will listen, they are teaching of Jesus Christ and His infinite fied, and will promote worship and the gospel, for the hymns of the Atonement. revelation. Music becomes a perfor- Restoration are, in fact, a course in My earliest memories of the heal- mance when it brings attention to doctrine!”8 ing power of the Savior are associ- itself. Years ago, I was responsible for ated with sacrament hymns. This the music in a meeting where a spe- Hymns Invite Conversion sentence is real to me: “I stand all cial musical number was a perform- The hymns of the Restoration amazed at the love Jesus offers me, ance. It was a disappointment. The carry with them the spirit of conver- confused at the grace that so fully he spirit of worship was diminished. sion. They came as a result of sacri- proffers me.”15 fice. Hymns like “Praise to the Man,”9 My understanding of the doctrines Hymns Invite Revelation “Come, Come, Ye Saints,”10 “Ye Elders of the Atonement is connected to the Hymns “create a feeling of rever- of Israel,”11 “We Thank Thee, O God, hymns. This verse is illustrative: ence.”7 The words reverence and rev- for a Prophet,”12 “Redeemer of elation are like twins who like each Israel,”13 and many others reinforce How great, how glorious, how other’s company. When the Seventy the great truths of the Restoration— complete, and Presiding Bishopric are invited to such as the divinity of the Father and Redemption’s grand design, meetings with the First Presidency the Son, the plan of redemption, Where justice, love, and mercy meet and the Twelve, we are reminded revelation, latter-day scriptures, the In harmony divine!16

12 Teaching Children Hymns Begins 1. Strive to be more punctual Let us memorize and ponder them, at Home to meetings, sit quietly and recite and sing them, and partake of Singing hymns and listening to listen to the prelude music, their spiritual nourishment. Know appropriate music begin at home. and experience reverence and that the song of the righteous is a The First Presidency has reminded us: revelation. prayer unto our Father in Heaven, “Latter-day Saints should fill their 2. Exit meetings more reverently, ‘and it shall be answered with a homes with the sound of worthy allowing the postlude music blessing upon [your] heads.’ ”18 Of music. to extend the spirit of the these truths I testify in the name of “. . . We hope the hymnbook will meeting. Jesus Christ, amen. ■ take a prominent place among the 3. Sing the hymns. I see some who NOTES scriptures and other religious books have access to hymnals but do 1. Hymns, ix. in our homes. The hymns can bring not sing. 2. Hymns, no. 27. 3. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), families a spirit of beauty and peace 4. Choose hymns appropriate to the 399. and can inspire love and unity among meeting and messages. 4. Hymns, ix. family members. 5. Use hymns to introduce or to 5. In Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 111. 6. Hymns, no. 301. “Teach your children to love the emphasize scriptures and gospel 7. Hymns, ix. hymns. Sing them on the Sabbath, in truths in lessons and classes. 8. “Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, [family] home evening, during scrip- 6. Listen to the hymns more fre- Nov. 1991, 22. 9. Hymns, no. 27. ture study, at prayer time. Sing as you quently in our homes, inviting the 10. Hymns, no. 30. work, as you play, and as you travel Spirit to prevail. 11. Hymns, no. 319. 12. Hymns, no. 19. together. Sing hymns as lullabies to 13. Hymns, no. 6. build faith and testimony in your I pray that we may eliminate any 14. Just as hymns are essential to Sabbath young ones.”17 inappropriate music from our lives and family worship, so are hymns and carols to Christmas (see Hymns, nos. and follow the counsel of the First 201–14). Worship More Meaningfully Presidency: “Brothers and sisters, let 15. “I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193. through Hymns us use the hymns to invite the Spirit 16. “How Great the Wisdom and the Love,” Hymns, no. 195. Important lessons I have learned of the Lord into our congregations, 17. Hymns, x. and seek to apply about hymns are: our homes, and our personal lives. 18. Hymns, x.

MAY 2007 13 now to live after the pattern that is set forth in its pages. Commitment Let me help you understand how this pattern of making early commitments can help you by relating the experience of one Church leader. As a to the Lord young man he decided that he would always keep the Word of Wisdom and ELDER JOHN B. DICKSON never use alcohol or tobacco. He Of the Seventy does not remember what prompted him to make that important commit- Now is the time to commit yourself to the Lord ment at the time, but a crucial victory as to what you will become during this mortal probation. was won in his heart, and on his knees he made a commitment with the Lord to always keep that commandment. Over the years there were invitations to use these substances, the pattern the Lord has set will give but he learned that “no, thank you” you great strength in the proper use was a good answer. There was no per- of your moral agency. The sincere sonal battle over the Word of Wisdom commitments you make to yourself because years before he had made a and to the Lord will be vital. We learn commitment in his heart, and he had from the book of Psalms to “commit sincerely made a commitment to the thy way unto the Lord; . . . and he Lord to obey that law. shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). As you seek to receive Heavenly You have come into this world at a Father’s blessings regarding the Word time that has been anticipated from of Wisdom, include a commitment the beginning—a time prior to the to never touch the illegal drugs that Second Coming of the Lord, in which, are prevalent in today’s society. The on one hand, the gospel of Jesus adversary will have very little power to Christ has been restored in its fulness tempt you with things that you have and, on the other, there is great tur- never touched. moil, confusion, and wickedness. The As members of the Church we proving ground that you were born have been baptized and have made a ood morning, brothers and into is wonderful, affording great covenant to take upon us the name sisters. I would like to address opportunities, but at the same time of Jesus Christ and keep God’s com- G the youth of the Church this there is danger in abundance, even mandments. If mistakes are made, the morning as Sister Dickson and I danger to one’s very soul. Now is the gospel allows us to sincerely repent would counsel our own family. time to commit yourself to the Lord as and be forgiven. Your commitment can We know that you are an excep- to what you will become during this begin from where you are presently, tionally bright generation of youth mortal probation. Along with your par- whether young or old, including that will soon take our place as lead- ents, living prophets, and the scrip- repenting and forsaking sin where ers in the home, the workplace, the tures, the Holy Ghost will help you mistakes have already been made. community, and the Church. distinguish between right and wrong The Lord promises great, eternal Your Heavenly Father loves each of so correct decisions can be made. blessings to His righteous, repentant you and has sent you to earth with a Hopefully you will prayerfully children, but knowing there is great purpose. He has revealed a plan of study the pamphlet For the Strength danger here in this life, He has com- happiness that, if followed, will ulti- of Youth and review and carry with manded us, saying, “Beware concern- mately bring you home to His pres- you, in your wallet or purse, the ing yourselves, to give diligent heed ence, having triumphed over the abbreviated copy of the pamphlet. to the words of eternal life” (D&C trials and challenges of this world. Great happiness will come to you in 84:43). Because He loves us and Committing yourself now to live by this life and eternally if you decide wants us back, this commandment

14 and clean language? Decide now that you will never cheat; that your language will be pure; that as long as you live, vulgar words or jokes will never come from your lips. These are commitments you can make in the quiet of your room and upon your knees. Success will come to you as you earnestly, prayerfully, and humbly approach the Lord. The scriptures teach, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10). You would also want to make commitments regarding modesty of dress and how to act while dating. Keeping the Lord’s standards is always easier when you have already determined how you will act when faced with decisions in the presence of a date, friends, or peers. Some individuals may not understand your standards as you follow righteous principles and keep your commitments, but they will truly respect and admire you and wish that they were more like you. Other standards to ponder and commit to are absolute moral cleanliness and sexual purity, Sabbath obser- vance, preparation for missions and the temple, and a determination to The First Presidency awaits the beginning of a conference session: President always partake of the sacrament Gordon B. Hinckley (center); President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor (right); worthily. and President James E. Faust, Second Counselor (left). President Hinckley loves the youth and has constantly encouraged you to “beware concerning [ourselves]” children. Making that decision will be to follow the standards the Lord has prompts us to be careful concerning extremely important. It is interesting set. Following a living prophet’s everything about us—the type of to note that, like tithing, every com- encouragement and counsel will lead social settings we enter, what we see mandment is designed for your eter- you on a path to eternal or everlast- and read, the media and entertain- nal happiness and to help you become ing happiness. ment we choose, the music we listen more like your Father in Heaven. As you commit now to do the to, and more. Decide now to be like Nephi of old, will of the Lord, He will help and Setting a pattern of early commit- who was absolutely determined to strengthen you. Your faith, trust, and ment is very important. For example, “go and do the things which the Lord desire to follow Him will be your to receive the blessings promised to [had] commanded” (1 Nephi 3:7). greatest key to success. I know our those who pay tithes and offerings, Let us now consider other com- Heavenly Father loves each of you you should commit now to pay tithing mitments that will bless your lives. and that He truly sent His Only on all earnings. Paying tithing helps us Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, in spite of Begotten Son to help you and that become less selfish and more like our what others at school might be doing, you can gloriously succeed as you Heavenly Father, who wants to share from this moment forward you would sincerely commit to follow Him. In all that He has with His righteous be known for your absolute integrity the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2007 15 “. . . So is the tongue [a fire] among our members, . . . it defileth the whole The Tongue body, . . . it is set on fire of hell. “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, . . . hath been tamed of of Angels mankind: “But the tongue can no man ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND tame; it is an unruly evil, full of Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles deadly poison. “Therewith bless we God, even the Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith Father; and therewith curse we men, and hope and charity. which are made after the similitude of God. “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so care, and by constraint of the Spirit.”2 to be.”4 It is with this realization of the Well, that is pretty straightforward! power and sanctity of words that I Obviously James doesn’t mean our wish to caution us, if caution is tongues are always iniquitous, nor needed, regarding how we speak that everything we say is “full of to each other and how we speak of deadly poison.” But he clearly means ourselves. that at least some things we say can be There is a line from the Apocrypha destructive, even venomous—and which puts the seriousness of this that is a chilling indictment for a issue better than I can. It reads, “The Latter-day Saint! The voice that bears stroke of the whip maketh marks in profound testimony, utters fervent the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue prayer, and sings the hymns of Zion breaketh the bones.”3 With that sting- can be the same voice that berates ing image in mind, I was particularly and criticizes, embarrasses and impressed to read in the book of demeans, inflicts pain and destroys James that there was a way I could be the spirit of oneself and of others in “a perfect man.” the process. “Out of the same mouth he Prophet Joseph Smith deep- Said James: “For in many things we proceedeth blessing and cursing,” ened our understanding of offend all. [But] if any man offend James grieves. “My brethren [and sis- Tthe power of speech when he not in word, the same is a perfect ters], these things ought not so to be.” taught, “It is by words ...[that] every man, and able also to bridle the Is this something we could all work being works when he works by faith. whole body.” on just a little? Is this an area in which God said, ‘Let there be light: and Continuing the imagery of the bri- we could each try to be a little more there was light.’ Joshua spake, and dle, he writes: “Behold, we put bits like a “perfect” man or woman? the great lights which God had cre- in the horses’ mouths, that they may Husbands, you have been entrusted ated stood still. Elijah commanded, obey us; and we turn about their with the most sacred gift God can give and the heavens were stayed for the whole body. you—a wife, a daughter of God, the space of three years and six months, “Behold also . . . ships, which mother of your children who has vol- so that it did not rain. . . . All this was though they be . . . great, and are untarily given herself to you for love done by faith. . . . Faith, then, works driven of fierce winds, yet are they and joyful companionship. Think of by words; and with [words] its might- turned about with a very small helm.” the kind things you said when you iest works have been, and will be, Then James makes his point: “The were courting, think of the blessings performed.”1 Like all gifts “which tongue is [also] a little member. . . . you have given with hands placed lov- cometh from above,” words are [But] behold, how great a [forest ingly upon her head, think of yourself “sacred, and must be spoken with (Greek)] a little fire [can burn]. and of her as the god and goddess you

16 both inherently are, and then reflect in your words? How is it that such a their faith in God. Be constructive in on other moments characterized by lovely voice which by divine nature your comments to a child—always. cold, caustic, unbridled words. Given is so angelic, so close to the veil, so Never tell them, even in whimsy, that the damage that can be done with our instinctively gentle and inherently kind they are fat or dumb or lazy or homely. tongues, little wonder the Savior said, could ever in a turn be so shrill, so bit- You would never do that maliciously, “Not that which goeth into the mouth ing, so acrid and untamed? A woman’s but they remember and may struggle defileth a man; but that which cometh words can be more piercing than any for years trying to forget—and to for- out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”5 dagger ever forged, and they can drive give. And try not to compare your chil- A husband who would never dream of the people they love to retreat beyond dren, even if you think you are skillful striking his wife physically can break, a barrier more distant than anyone in at it. You may say most positively that if not her bones, then certainly her the beginning of that exchange could “Susan is pretty and Sandra is bright,” heart by the brutality of thoughtless or ever have imagined. Sisters, there is no but all Susan will remember is that she unkind speech. Physical abuse is uni- place in that magnificent spirit of yours isn’t bright and Sandra that she isn’t formly and unequivocally condemned for acerbic or abrasive expression of pretty. Praise each child individually in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- any kind, including gossip or backbit- for what that child is, and help him or day Saints. If it is possible to be more ing or catty remarks. Let it never be her escape our culture’s obsession condemning than that, we speak even said of our home or our ward or our with comparing, competing, and more vigorously against all forms of neighborhood that “the tongue is a never feeling we are “enough.” sexual abuse. Today, I speak against fire, a world of iniquity . . . [burning] In all of this, I suppose it goes verbal and emotional abuse of anyone among our members.” without saying that negative speaking against anyone, but especially of hus- May I expand this counsel to make so often flows from negative thinking, bands against wives. Brethren, these it a full family matter. We must be so including negative thinking about things ought not to be. careful in speaking to a child. What ourselves. We see our own faults, we In that same spirit we speak to the we say or don’t say, how we say it and speak—or at least think—critically of sisters as well, for the sin of verbal when is so very, very important in ourselves, and before long that is abuse knows no gender. Wives, what shaping a child’s view of himself or how we see everyone and everything. of the unbridled tongue in your herself. But it is even more important No sunshine, no roses, no promise mouth, of the power for good or ill in shaping that child’s faith in us and of hope or happiness. Before long

MAY 2007 17 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ.”10 Indeed, Christ was and is “the Word,” according to John the Beloved,11 full of grace and truth, full of mercy and compassion. So, brothers and sisters, in this long eternal quest to be more like our Savior, may we try to be “perfect” men and women in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail. I pray that my we and everybody around us are problems, and yes, there are negative words, even on this challenging sub- miserable. things to face, but please accept one ject, will be encouraging to you, not I love what Elder Orson F. Whitney of Elder Holland’s maxims for living— discouraging, that you can hear in my once said: “The spirit of the gospel is no misfortune is so bad that whining voice that I love you, because I do. optimistic; it trusts in God and looks about it won’t make it worse. More importantly, please know that on the bright side of things. The Paul put it candidly, but very hope- your Father in Heaven loves you and opposite or pessimistic spirit drags fully. He said to all of us: “Let no cor- so does His Only Begotten Son. When men down and away from God, looks rupt communication proceed out of They speak to you—and They will— on the dark side, murmurs, com- your mouth, but [only] that which is it will not be in the wind, nor in the plains, and is slow to yield obedi- good . . . [and] edifying, that it may earthquake, nor in the fire, but it will ence.”6 We should honor the Savior’s minister grace unto the hearers. be with a voice still and small, a voice declaration to “be of good cheer.”7 “And grieve not the holy Spirit tender and kind.12 It will be with the (Indeed, it seems to me we may be of God. . . . tongue of angels. May we all rejoice in more guilty of breaking that com- “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and the thought that when we say edify- mandment than almost any other!) anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, ing, encouraging things unto the least Speak hopefully. Speak encouragingly, be put away from you. . . . of these, our brethren and sisters and including about yourself. Try not to “And be ye kind one to another, little ones, we say it unto God.13 In the complain and moan incessantly. As tenderhearted, forgiving one another, name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ someone once said, “Even in the even as God for Christ’s sake hath golden age of civilization someone forgiven you.”9 NOTES 1. Lectures on Faith (1985), 72–73; emphasis undoubtedly grumbled that every- In his deeply moving final testi- added. thing looked too yellow.” mony, Nephi calls us to “follow the 2. D&C 63:64. I have often thought that Nephi’s Son [of God], with full purpose of 3. Ecclesiasticus 28:17. 4. James 3:2–10; emphasis added. being bound with cords and beaten heart,” promising that “after ye have 5. Matthew 15:11. by rods must have been more tolera- . . . received the baptism of fire and 6. In Conference Report, Apr. 1917, 43. 7. Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50; John 16:33. ble to him than listening to Laman of the Holy Ghost, [ye] can speak 8. See 1 Nephi 3:28–31; 18:11–15. and Lemuel’s constant murmuring.8 with a new tongue, yea, even with 9. Ephesians 4:29–32. Surely he must have said at least the tongue of angels. . . . And . . . how 10. 2 Nephi 31:13–14; 32:2–3. 11. John 1:1. once, “Hit me one more time. I could ye speak with the tongue of 12. See 1 Kings 19:11–12. can still hear you.” Yes, life has its angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? 13. See Matthew 25:40.

18 cleaning of the cucumbers. She had high standards of cleanliness and Ye Must Be always inspected my work to make sure this important task was properly completed. The next steps in this process of Born Again change are immersing and saturating the cucumbers in salt brine for an ELDER DAVID A. BEDNAR extended period of time. To prepare Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles the brine, my mom always used a recipe she learned from her mother— Through faith in Christ, we can be spiritually prepared and a recipe with special ingredients and cleansed from sin, immersed in and saturated with His precise procedures. Cucumbers can only become pickles if they are totally gospel, and purified and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. and completely immersed in the brine for the prescribed time period. The curing process gradually alters the composition of the cucumber and pro- every time I see a bottle of home- duces the transparent appearance and canned cherries or peaches. The basic distinctive taste of a pickle. An occa- lessons I learned about temporal self- sional sprinkle of or dip in the brine reliance and provident living while cannot produce the necessary transfor- picking and canning produce have mation. Rather, steady, sustained, and blessed me throughout my life. complete immersion is required for Interestingly, simple and ordinary the desired change to occur. experiences often provide the most The final step in the process important learning opportunities we requires the sealing of the cured pick- ever have. les in jars that have been sterilized As an adult I have reflected upon and purified. The pickles are packed the things I observed in our kitchen in canning jars, covered with boiling during canning season. This morning hot brine, and processed in a boiling- I want to discuss some of the spiritual water-bath canner. All impurities must lessons we can learn from the process be removed from both the pickles by which a cucumber becomes a and the bottles so the finished prod- pickle. I invite the Holy Ghost to be uct can be protected and preserved. y boyhood home in with us as we consider the signifi- As this procedure is properly fol- California was located rela- cance of those lessons for me and for lowed, the pickles can be stored and Mtively close to large orchards you as we come unto Christ and are enjoyed for a long period of time. of apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, spiritually reborn. To summarize, a cucumber and other delicious fruits. We also becomes a pickle as it is prepared lived near fields of cucumbers, toma- Cucumbers and Pickles and cleaned, immersed in and satu- toes, and a variety of vegetables. A pickle is a cucumber that has rated with salt brine, and sealed in a As a boy I always looked forward to been transformed according to a spe- sterilized container. This procedure canning season. I did not like scrub- cific recipe and series of steps. The requires time and cannot be hurried, bing the canning jars or working in first steps in the process of changing and none of the essential steps can our hot kitchen. But I did like work- a cucumber into a pickle are prepar- be ignored or avoided. ing with my mom and dad. And I ing and cleaning. I remember many loved eating my work! I am sure I ate hours spent on the back porch of A Mighty Change more fruit than ever made it into any my home removing stems from and The Lord’s authorized servants of our canning jars. scrubbing dirt off of the cucumbers repeatedly teach that one of the prin- My memories of time spent in the we had picked. My mom was very cipal purposes of our mortal exis- kitchen with Mom and Dad are stirred particular about the preparing and tence is to be spiritually changed and

MAY 2007 19 transformed through the Atonement mighty, not minor—a spiritual rebirth and the preparatory gospel; of Jesus Christ. Alma declared: and fundamental change of what we “Which gospel is the gospel of “Marvel not that all mankind, yea, feel and desire, what we think and do, repentance and of baptism, and the men and women, all nations, kin- and what we are. Indeed, the essence remission of sins” (D&C 84:26–27). dreds, tongues and people, must of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a And the Lord has established a be born again; yea, born of God, fundamental and permanent change high standard of cleanliness. changed from their carnal and fallen in our very nature made possible “Wherefore teach it unto your chil- state, to a state of righteousness, through our reliance upon “the mer- dren, that all men, everywhere, must being redeemed of God, becoming its, and mercy, and grace of the Holy repent, or they can in nowise inherit his sons and daughters; Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose the kingdom of God, for no unclean “And thus they become new crea- to follow the Master, we choose to be thing can dwell there, or dwell in his tures; and unless they do this, they changed—to be spiritually reborn. presence” (Moses 6:57). can in nowise inherit the kingdom of Proper preparing and cleaning are God” (Mosiah 27:25–26). Preparing and Cleaning the first basic steps in the process of We are instructed to “come unto Just as a cucumber must be pre- being born again. Christ, and be perfected in him, and pared and cleaned before it can be deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness” changed into a pickle, so you and I Immersing and Saturating (Moroni 10:32), to become “new crea- can be prepared with “the words of Just as a cucumber is transformed ture[s]” in Christ (see 2 Corinthians faith and of good doctrine” (1 Timothy into a pickle as it is immersed in and 5:17), to put off “the natural man” 4:6) and initially cleansed through the saturated with salt brine, so you and I (Mosiah 3:19), and to experience “a ordinances and covenants adminis- are born again as we are absorbed by mighty change in us, or in our hearts, tered by the authority of the Aaronic and in the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we that we have no more disposition to Priesthood. honor and “observe the covenants” do evil, but to do good continually” “And the lesser priesthood con- (D&C 42:13) into which we have (Mosiah 5:2). Please note that the continued, which priesthood holdeth entered, as we “feast upon the words version described in these verses is the key of the ministering of angels of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3), as we “pray

20 unto the Father with all the energy of heart” (Moroni 7:48), and as we “serve [God] with all [of our] heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:2), then: “Because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7). The spiritual rebirth described in this verse typically does not occur shallow dipping in the doctrine of the Melchizedek Priesthood. quickly or all at once; it is an ongoing Christ and partial participation in His “Nevertheless they did fast and process—not a single event. Line upon restored Church cannot produce the pray oft, and did wax stronger and line and precept upon precept, gradu- spiritual transformation that enables stronger in their humility, and firmer ally and almost imperceptibly, our us to walk in a newness of life. Rather, and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto motives, our thoughts, our words, and fidelity to covenants, constancy of the filling their souls with joy and con- our deeds become aligned with the commitment, and offering our whole solation, yea, even to the purifying will of God. This phase of the transfor- soul unto God are required if we are and the sanctification of their hearts, mation process requires time, persist- to receive the blessings of eternity. which sanctification cometh because ence, and patience. “I would that ye should come unto of their yielding their hearts unto A cucumber only becomes a Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, God” (Helaman 3:35). pickle through steady, sustained, and partake of his salvation, and the The word sealing in my message and complete immersion in salt power of his redemption. Yea, come today does not refer exclusively to the brine. Significantly, salt is the key unto him, and offer your whole souls ordinance of eternal marriage per- ingredient in the recipe. Salt fre- as an offering unto him, and continue formed in the house of the Lord. quently is used in the scriptures as in fasting and praying, and endure to Rather, I am using this particular word a symbol both of a covenant and of the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will as explained in the 76th section of the a covenant people. And just as salt be saved” (Omni 1:26). Doctrine and Covenants: is essential in transforming a cucum- Total immersion in and saturation “This is the testimony of the gospel ber into a pickle, so covenants are with the Savior’s gospel are essential of Christ concerning them who shall central to our spiritual rebirth. steps in the process of being born come forth in the resurrection of We begin the process of being again. the just— born again through exercising faith “They are they who received the in Christ, repenting of our sins, and Purifying and Sealing testimony of Jesus, and believed on being baptized by immersion for the Cured cucumbers are packed into his name and were baptized after the remission of sins by one having priest- sterilized jars and heat processed in manner of his burial, being buried hood authority. order to remove impurities and to in the water in his name, and this “Therefore we are buried with him seal the containers from external con- according to the commandment by baptism into death: that like as taminants. The boiling-water-bath which he has given— Christ was raised up from the dead procedure enables the pickles to be “That by keeping the command- by the glory of the Father, even so we both protected and preserved over a ments they might be washed and also should walk in newness of life” long period of time. In a similar way, cleansed from all their sins, and (Romans 6:4). we progressively become purified and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying And after we come out of the sanctified as you and I are washed on of the hands of him who is waters of baptism, our souls need to in the blood of the Lamb, are born ordained and sealed unto this power; be continuously immersed in and sat- again, and receive the ordinances “And who overcome by faith, and urated with the truth and the light and honor the covenants that are are sealed by the Holy Spirit of prom- of the Savior’s gospel. Sporadic and administered by the authority of ise, which the Father sheds forth

MAY 2007 21 upon all those who are just and true” (vv. 50–53). The Holy Spirit of Promise is the I Know That My ratifying power of the Holy Ghost. When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in Redeemer Lives! heaven. (See D&C 132:7.) Receiving this “stamp of approval” from the Holy PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON Ghost is the result of faithfulness, First Counselor in the First Presidency integrity, and steadfastness in honoring gospel covenants “in [the] process Because our Savior died at Calvary, death has no hold of time” (Moses 7:21). However, this upon any one of us. sealing can be forfeited through unrighteousness and transgression. Purifying and sealing by the Holy Spirit of Promise constitute the culmi- nating steps in the process of being and coming to this earth. The poet born again. Wordsworth captured that journey in his inspired ode to immortality. “In the Energy of My Soul” He wrote: My beloved brothers and sisters, I pray this parable of the pickle may Our birth is but a sleep and a help us to evaluate our lives and to forgetting: better understand the eternal impor- The Soul that rises with us, our tance of spiritual rebirth. With Alma, life’s Star, “I speak in the energy of my soul” Hath had elsewhere its setting, (Alma 5:43). And cometh from afar: “I say unto you that this is the Not in entire forgetfulness, order after which I am called, yea, to And not in utter nakedness, preach unto my beloved brethren, But trailing clouds of glory do we yea, and every one that dwelleth in come the land; yea, to preach unto all, both From God, who is our home: old and young, both bond and free; Heaven lies about us in our yea, I say unto you the aged, and ecently I was looking through infancy!2 also the middle aged, and the rising some family photo albums. generation; yea, to cry unto them that R Cherished memories flooded Life moves on. Youth follows child- they must repent and be born again” my mind as I came across image after hood, and maturity comes ever so (Alma 5:49). image of loved ones gathered at family imperceptibly. As we search and pon- I witness the reality and divinity outings, birthdays, reunions, anniver- der the purpose and the problems of of a living Savior who invites us to saries. Since these photographs were life, all of us sooner or later face the come unto Him and be transformed. taken, some of those beloved family question of the length of life and of a I testify His Church and priesthood members have departed this life. I personal, everlasting life. These ques- authority have been restored through thought of the words of the Lord, tions most insistently assert them- the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through “Thou shalt live together in love, inso- selves when loved ones leave us or faith in Christ, we can be spiritually much that thou shalt weep for the loss when we face leaving those we love. prepared and cleansed from sin, of them that die.”1 I miss each one At such times, we ponder the uni- immersed in and saturated with His who has left our family circle. versal question, best phrased by Job gospel, and purified and sealed by Though difficult and painful, death of old, who centuries ago asked, “If a the Holy Spirit of Promise—even is an essential part of our mortal expe- man die, shall he live again?”3 born again. In the sacred name of rience. We began our sojourn here Today, as always, the skeptic’s voice Jesus Christ, amen. ■ by leaving our premortal existence challenges the word of God, and each

22 must choose to whom he will listen. suddenly crumbled to dust. He was times, doomed to the cruel death Clarence Darrow, the famous lawyer left exposed and undefended. Slowly of a martyr, looked up to heaven and and agnostic, declared, “No life is of he began to feel his way back to the cried, “I see the heavens opened, and much value, and . . . every death is faith he had scorned and ridiculed. the Son of man standing on the right [but a] little loss.”4 Schopenhauer, the What had caused this profound hand of God.”8 German philosopher and pessimist, change in his outlook? His wife died. Who can help but be convinced by wrote, “To desire immortality is to With a broken heart, he went into the stirring testimony of Paul to the desire the eternal perpetuation of a the room where lay all that was mor- Corinthians? He declared “that Christ great mistake.”5 And to their words tal of her. He looked again at the face died for our sins according to the are added those of new generations, he loved so well. Coming out, he scriptures; and that he was buried, as foolish men crucify the Christ said to a friend: “It is she, and yet and that he rose again the third day anew—for they modify His miracles, it is not she. Everything is changed. according to the scriptures: and . . . doubt His divinity, and reject His Something that was there before is was seen of Cephas, then of the Resurrection. taken away. She is not the same. What twelve: . . . And,” said Paul, “last of all Robert Blatchford, in his book can be gone if it be not the soul?” he was seen of me.”9 God and My Neighbor, attacked with Later he wrote: “Death is not what In our dispensation, this same vigor accepted Christian beliefs, such some people imagine. It is only like testimony was spoken boldly by the as God, Christ, prayer, and immortal- going into another room. In that Prophet Joseph Smith, as he and ity. He boldly asserted, “I claim to other room we shall find . . . the dear Sidney Rigdon testified, “And now, have proved everything I set out to women and men and the sweet chil- after the many testimonies which prove so fully and decisively that no dren we have loved and lost.”7 have been given of him, this is the tes- Christian, however great or able he Against the doubting in today’s timony, last of all, which we give of may be, can answer my arguments or world concerning Christ’s divinity, we him: That he lives!”10 shake my case.”6 He surrounded him- seek a point of reference, an unim- This is the knowledge that sus- self with a wall of skepticism. Then a peachable source, even a testimony of tains. This is the truth that comforts. surprising thing happened. His wall eyewitnesses. Stephen, from biblical This is the assurance that guides

MAY 2007 23 headquarters. Eventually, the other two brothers also had an opportunity to serve such missions. Nearly a year ago, Christopher, who was then 22 years old, succumbed to the disease with which each of the children has been afflicted. And then, last September, I received word that little Shanna, now 14 years old, had passed away. At the funeral services, Shanna was honored by beautiful trib- utes. Leaning on the pulpit for support, each of her surviving brothers, Mark and Jason, shared poignant family experiences. Shanna’s mother sang a lovely musical number as part of a duet. Her father and grandfather gave touching sermons. Though their hearts were broken, each bore power- Missionaries in Stockholm, Sweden, await the arrival of members and ful and deep-felt testimony of the real- investigators. ity of the Resurrection and of the actuality that Shanna lives still, as does those who are bowed down with little Shanna could sing for me. her brother Christopher, each await- grief—out of the shadows and into Her father mentioned that she had ing a glorious reunion with their the light. diminished lung capacity and that it beloved family. On Christmas Eve, 1997, I met a might be difficult for her, but that she When it was my time to speak, I remarkable family. Each member of wanted to try. To the accompaniment recounted that visit the family made the family had an unshakable testi- of a recorded cassette, and in a beau- to my office nearly nine years earlier mony of the truth and of the reality tiful, clear voice—never missing a and spoke of the lovely song Shanna of the Resurrection. The family connote—she sang of a brighter future: sang on that occasion. I concluded sisted of a mother and father and with the thought: “Because our four children. Each of the children— On a beautiful day that I dream Savior died at Calvary, death has no three sons and a daughter—had been about hold upon any one of us. Shanna born with a rare form of muscular In a world I would love to see, lives, whole and well, and for her dystrophy, and each was handicapped. Is a beautiful place where the sun that beautiful day she sang about Mark, who was then 16 years old, had comes out on a special Christmas Eve in 1997, undergone spinal surgery in an effort And it shines in the sky for me. the day she dreamed about, is here to help him move about more freely. On this beautiful winter’s morning, and now.” The other two boys, Christopher, age If my wish could come true My brothers and sisters, we laugh, 13, and Jason, age 10, were to leave somehow, we cry, we work, we play, we love, we for California in a few days to undergo Then the beautiful day that I dream live. And then we die. Death is our similar surgery. The only daughter, about universal heritage. All must pass its Shanna, was then five years old—a Would be here and now.11 portals. Death claims the aged, the beautiful child. All of the children weary and worn. It visits the youth in were intelligent and faith-filled, and The emotions of all of us were very the bloom of hope and the glory of it was obvious that their parents, Bill near the surface as she finished. The expectation. Nor are little children and Sherry, were proud of each one. spirituality of this visit set the tone for kept beyond its grasp. In the words of We visited for a while, and the special my Christmas that year. the Apostle Paul, “It is appointed unto spirit of that family filled my office and I kept in touch with the family, and men once to die.”12 my heart. The father and I gave bless- when the oldest son, Mark, turned 19, And dead we would remain but for ings to the two boys who were facing arrangements were made for him to one Man and His mission, even Jesus surgery, and then the parents asked if serve a special mission at Church of Nazareth. Born in a stable, cradled

24 in a manger, His birth fulfilled the inspired pronouncements of many prophets. He was taught from on high. He provided the life, the light, and the way. Multitudes followed Him. Children adored Him. The haughty rejected Him. He spoke in parables. He taught by example. He lived a perfect life. Though the King of kings and Lord of lords had come, He was accorded by some the greeting given to an enemy, a traitor. There followed a mockery which some called a trial. Cries of “crucify him, crucify him”13 filled the air. Then commenced the climb to Calvary’s hill. He was ridiculed, reviled, mocked, jeered, and nailed to a cross amidst shouts of “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”14 “He saved others; himself he cannot save.”15 His response: “Father, forgive To all who have lost loved ones, world know it and live by that knowl- them; for they know not what they we would turn Job’s question to an edge, I humbly pray, in the name of do.”16 “Into thy hands I commend my answer: If a man die, he shall live Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, spirit: and having said thus, he gave again. We know, for we have the light amen. ■ up the ghost.”17 His body was placed of revealed truth. “I am the resurrec- NOTES by loving hands in a sepulchre hewn tion, and the life,” spoke the Master. 1. D&C 42:45. of stone. “He that believeth in me, though 2. William Wordsworth, “Ode: Intimations of On the first day of the week, very he were dead, yet shall he live: And Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood,” in The Oxford Book of English early in the morning, Mary Magdalene whosoever liveth and believeth in Verse: 1250–1900, ed. Arthur Quiller-Couch and Mary the mother of James, along me shall never die.”20 (1939), 628. 3. Job 14:14. with others, came to the sepulchre. Through tears and trials, through 4. The Story of My Life (1932), chapter 47, To their astonishment, the body of fears and sorrows, through the paragraph 34. their Lord was gone. Luke records heartache and loneliness of losing 5. Arthur Schopenhauer, in The Home Book of Quotations, sel. Burton Stevenson that two men in shining garments loved ones, there is assurance that life (1934), 969. stood by them and said: “Why seek ye is everlasting. Our Lord and Savior is 6. God and My Neighbor (1914). the living among the dead? He is not the living witness that such is so. 7. See More Things in Heaven and Earth: 18 Adventures in Quest of a Soul (1925), 11. here, but is risen.” With all my heart and the fervency 8. Acts 7:56. Next week the Christian world of my soul, I lift up my voice in testi- 9. 1 Corinthians 15:3–5, 8. will celebrate the most significant mony as a special witness and declare 10. D&C 76:22. 11. “The Beautiful Day,” from the movie event in recorded history. The simple that God does live. Jesus is His Son, Scrooge (1970), music and lyrics by Leslie pronouncement, “He is not here, the Only Begotten of the Father in the Bricusse. 12. Hebrews 9:27. but is risen,” was the first confirma- flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our 13. Luke 23:21. tion of the literal Resurrection of Mediator with the Father. He it was 14. Mark 15:32. our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. who died on the cross to atone for 15. Mark 15:31. 16. Luke 23:34. The empty tomb that first Easter our sins. He became the firstfruits of 17. Luke 23:46. morning brought comforting assur- the Resurrection. Because He died, 18. Luke 24:5–6. ance, an affirmative answer to Job’s all shall live again. “Oh, sweet the joy 19. Job 14:14. 20. John 11:25–26. question, “If a man die, shall he live this sentence gives: ‘I know that my 21. “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, again?”19 Redeemer lives!’ ”21 May the whole no. 136; see also Job 19:25.

MAY 2007 25 SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION March 31, 2007

earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: The Spirit “And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire [came] a still small voice. “And it was so,” the record says, of the Tabernacle “when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER and stood in the entering in of the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles cave” to speak to the Lord (1 Kings 19:11–13). The Tabernacle . . . stands as a standard of the Restoration I felt something of what the of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nephites must have felt when the Lord appeared to them: “They heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice large choir of Primary children. Sister which they heard; and it was not a Lue S. Groesbeck, a member of the harsh voice, neither was it a loud Primary general board, was leading voice; nevertheless, and notwith- them. They sang: standing it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the cen- Rev’rently, quietly, lovingly we think ter, insomuch that there was no part of thee; of their frame that it did not cause to Rev’rently, quietly, softly sing our quake; yea, it did pierce them to the melody. very soul, and did cause their hearts Rev’rently, quietly, humbly now we to burn” (3 Nephi 11:3). pray, It is this still, small voice which Let thy Holy Spirit dwell in our Elijah and the Nephites heard that hearts today. the Prophet Joseph Smith understood (“Reverently, Quietly,” Children’s when he wrote, “Thus saith the still Songbook, 26) small voice, which whispereth through and pierceth all things” (D&C 85:6). As the children sang quietly, the In that defining moment, I under- orty-six years ago I was called organist, who understood that excel- stood that the still, small voice is felt as an Assistant to the Quorum lence does not call attention to itself, more than heard. If I hearkened to it, F of the Twelve, and for the first did not play a solo while they sang. I would be all right in my ministry. time, I came to this pulpit. I was 37 He skillfully, almost invisibly blended After that I had the assurance that years old. I found myself standing the young voices into a melody of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, is among the venerable and wise inspiration, of revelation. That was there for everyone who will respond prophets and apostles, “whose the defining moment. It fixed deeply to the invitation to ask, to seek, and names,” as the song proclaims, “we and permanently in my soul that to knock (see Matthew 7:7–8; Luke all revere” (“Oh, Holy Words of Truth which I most needed to sustain me 11:9–10; 3 Nephi 14:7–8; D&C 88:63). and Love,” Hymns, no. 271). I felt in the years to follow. I knew I would be all right. As the how keenly inadequate I was. I felt perhaps that which Elijah the years have unfolded, so it has been. About that time here in the Taber- prophet had felt. He sealed the heav- I learned too what power there can nacle I had a defining experience. It ens against the wicked king Ahab and be in music. When music is reverently gave me assurance and courage. fled to a cave to seek the Lord: presented, it can be akin to revela- In those days Primary conference “A great and strong wind rent the tion. At times, I think, it cannot be was held here before the April confer- mountains, and brake in pieces the separated from the voice of the Lord, ence. I came through a south door as rocks . . . ; but the Lord was not in the quiet, still voice of the Spirit. the opening song was being sung by a the wind: and after the wind an Worthy music of all kinds has its

26 place. And there are endless numbers brought his boys to the Tabernacle assembly in this Tabernacle. And in of places where it can be heard. But to hear the Brethren. LeGrand never similar manner, the sustaining proce- the Tabernacle on Temple Square is forgot that experience. dure is repeated annually in general different from them all. For more than 20 years, I was conference and duplicated in every For generations the Tabernacle very close to Elder LeGrand Richards. stake and ward and branch as required Choir opened its weekly broadcast When he was 96 years old, that mes- by revelation. singing these words written by sage still lingered in his heart. He could The Lord said, “It shall not be given William W. Phelps: not remember the words President to any one to go forth to preach my Woodruff said, but he could never for- gospel, or to build up my church, Gently raise the sacred strain, get how he felt when they were said. except he be ordained by some one For the Sabbath’s come again On occasions, I have felt the pres- who has authority, and it is known to That man may rest, . . . ence of those who built and kept this the church that he has authority and And return his thanks to God Tabernacle. By music and the spoken has been regularly ordained by the For his blessings to the blest. word, those who came before main- heads of the church” (D&C 42:11). (“Gently Raise the Sacred Strain,” tained the simplicity of the gospel and In this way, no stranger can come Hymns, no. 146) the testimony of Jesus Christ. That among us and claim to have authority testimony was the guiding light in and attempt to lead the Church astray. More than 100 years ago, President their lives. Here in 1880 the Pearl of Great Wilford Woodruff, then 91 years of Great events which shaped the Price was accepted as one of the stan- age, delivered what may have been destiny of the Church have occurred dard works of the Church. his last sermon from this pulpit. In in this Tabernacle at Temple Square. Here also two revelations were the audience was 12-year-old LeGrand Every President of the Church, added to the standard works, now Richards. His father, George F. except Joseph Smith and Brigham known as Doctrine and Covenants Richards (later ordained an Apostle), Young, has been sustained in a solemn sections 137 and 138. Section 137

MAY 2007 27 records a vision given to the Prophet perform words, music, and culture Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple, are obligated to present that which and section 138 is a vision given to is worthy. President Joseph F. Smith concerning To seek after the praise of men, the Savior’s visit to the spirits of the scriptures caution us, is to be led the dead. carefully away from the only safe path Here in 1979, after years of prepara- to follow in life (see John 12:43; tion, the LDS version of the King James 1 Nephi 13:9; 2 Nephi 26:29; Helaman Bible was introduced to the Church. 7:21; Mormon 8:38; D&C 58:39). And The new editions of the Book of the scriptures warn us plainly what Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, follows when we “aspire to the hon- and the Pearl of Great Price were ors of men” (D&C 121:35). announced to the Church here. It is not so much what is heard in In 1908 in a general conference, the sermons but what is felt. The Holy President Joseph F. Smith read section Ghost can confirm to all who come 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants— within that influence that the mes- the Word of Wisdom. Then he, both of sages are true, that this is The Church his counselors, and the President of of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. the Twelve all spoke to the same sub- The Tabernacle stands here next ject, the Word of Wisdom. Then a vote to the temple as an anchor and has to accept it as binding upon the mem- kindred, and tongue, and people” become symbolic of the Restoration. bers of the Church was unanimously (D&C 133:37) and to cause the Church It was built by very poor and very, passed. to be established among them. very ordinary people. It is now known That revelation begins, “In conse- Here the Book of Mormon was worldwide. quence of evils and designs which do given the subtitle “Another Testament The Tabernacle Choir, identified by and will exist in the hearts of conspir- of Jesus Christ.” Thereafter, whoever the name of this building, has been a ing men in the last days, I have warned opens the book will know from the voice of the Church for many years. you, and forewarn you, by giving unto very title what is offered within. May they never drift from or allow you this word of wisdom by revelation” The teachings, the sermons, the themselves to be pulled away from (D&C 89:4). music, and the feelings and Spirit the central mission which has been It is a shield and a protection unto in this sacred building transfer with- their place for generations. our people, particularly to our youth. out being diminished to the great For generation after generation the It becomes a part of that “whole Conference Center nearby, where Choir has opened and closed each armor” of God promised in the reve- they are heard by tens of thousands, broadcast with a message of inspira- lations to protect them from the translated into dozens of languages, tion, rich in principle and anchored “fiery darts” of the adversary (see and sent to congregations across in the doctrines of the Restoration, D&C 27:15–18). the world. beginning with “Gently Raise the The Church and individual mem- Even more, that Spirit enters into Sacred Strain” (Hymns, no. 146) and bers of it have always been, are now, the homes of millions upon millions closing with “As the Dew from Heaven and ever will be under siege from the of Latter-day Saints. In the homes, Distilling” (Hymns, no. 149). adversary. He will cover, even erase parents pray for the well-being of The Tabernacle stands in the world the still, small voice through loud and their children. Men and women and, as one of the great centers of worthy dissonant music awash with lyrics that as the Book of Mormon promised, music and culture. But most of all, it cannot be understood—or worse, by even little children can receive the stands as a standard of the Restoration lyrics that can be understood. He will testimony of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That sim- carefully lead us astray with every 24:22; Alma 32:23; 3 Nephi 17:25) and ple testimony was embedded deeply other temptation he could devise. of the Restoration of His gospel. and permanently in me here in this Here by revelation the Lord clari- This Tabernacle on Temple Square building by those Primary children fied the order of the priesthood, and is “a house of prayer, a house of fast- singing in reverent, revelatory tones. this opened the doors to fulfill the ing, a house of faith, a house of glory God bless this sacred building and commandment of the Savior to take and of God, even [His] house” (D&C all that transpires within its walls. the gospel to “every nation, and 109:16). Those called to speak or to How grateful we are that it has been

28 renewed and refurbished without losing its sacred character. Elder Parley P. Pratt of the Prophets—Pioneer Quorum of the Twelve Apostles read these words from section 121 in the Doctrine and Covenants: “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; and Modern Day then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doc- ELDER EARL C. TINGEY trine of the priesthood shall distil Of the Presidency of the Seventy upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. Both President Brigham Young and President Gordon B. “The Holy Ghost shall be thy con- Hinckley are prophets who have led the Church by stant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness inspiration and revelation. and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (D&C for 33 years. He built this Tabernacle 121:45–46). and presided at its dedication during Deeply moved, Parley P. Pratt the October general conference in turned his thoughts to a hymn which 1875, more than 131 years ago. is actually a prayer. For many years it His other accomplishments were was chosen by the Choir to close its many, and I can refer to only a few. weekly broadcast: He was a pioneer, meaning someone who opens or prepares the way As the dew from heav’n distilling for others to follow. One writer said of Gently on the grass descends Brigham Young: “He led a ragged and And revives it, thus fulfilling impoverished band, stripped of virtu- What thy providence intends, ally all their earthly goods, into an unknown territory. His critics and Let thy doctrine, Lord, so gracious, biographers note that the man was Thus descending from above, unique among the leaders of modern Blest by thee, prove efficacious history, for he alone, without any To fulfill thy work of love. political and financial backing, estab- y brothers and sisters, as I lished from scratch in the desert an Lord, behold this congregation; stand at the pulpit of this old ordered and industrious society, hav- Precious promises fulfill. Mbut new Tabernacle, I am ing no other authority than the priest- From thy holy habitation overwhelmed with the sense of his- hood and the spiritual strength with Let the dews of life distill. tory I feel at this moment. As one foot which he delivered his teachings. By is planted in the past and the other in constant exhortations and instruc- Let our cry come up before thee. the future, I give thanks for pioneer tions, he drew his people together Thy sweet Spirit shed around, and modern-day prophets and apos- and inspired them in carrying out the So the people shall adore thee tles who have had and still have the divine mandate to build up the king- And confess the joyful sound. vision to construct and extend into dom of God on earth.”1 (“As the Dew from Heaven Distilling,” the future this remarkable building. When Brigham Young first entered Hymns, no. 149) I wish to speak of two such men of the valley of the Great Salt Lake, he vision: Brigham Young and his succes- declared, “This is the right place.”2 He I add my testimony that Jesus is sor today. later said: the Christ, that this is His house, on Brigham Young was the second “God has shown me, that this is this sacred day of dedication in the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ the spot to locate his people, and name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ of Latter-day Saints. He led the Church here is where they will prosper; he

MAY 2007 29 unique way in which he referred to the Church: “God is at the helm. This is the mighty ship Zion. You stick to the ship and honor it, and see that you are in favor with the ship Zion and you need not worry about anything else. . . . “. . . He guides the ship, and will bring us safely into port. All we have to care about is to take care of ourselves and see that we do right. Let us man the ship manfully, everyone standing faithfully and firmly to his post, and she will outride every storm and safely bear us to the harbor of celestial bliss.”4 He loved the youth of the Church, as is evidenced by the experience of Heber J. Grant. Nine days after Heber’s birth, his father, Jedediah M. Grant, who was Second Counselor to Presi- dent Brigham Young, died. For the next 21 years, Brigham Young took special interest in the boy Heber J. Grant. Heber J. Grant wrote: “I was almost as familiar in the homes of President Brigham Young as I was in the home of my own mother. In one home . . . if I was hungry I felt as free to go in and ask for something to eat there as in my own home. . . . I knelt down time and time again in his home in the will temper the elements to the good He was one of America’s Lion House at family prayers, as a of the Saints; he will rebuke the frost greatest colonizers. By the time of child and as a young man.”5 and the sterility of the soil, and the his death, nearly 400 colonies had He loved the Prophet Joseph Smith. land shall become fruitful, . . . and we been established. Of this, he said: shall build a city and a temple to the He organized the Perpetual “What I have received from the most high God in this place.”3 Emigrating Fund to reach out to Lord, I have received by Joseph Today, we can all attest to the truth those in need, assisting those of lim- Smith.”6 of this prophecy. Truly, the desert land ited means in emigrating from coun- “I love his doctrine. . . . I feel like and the valleys of the Rocky Mountains tries in Europe. shouting Hallelujah, all the time, are a fruitful and a productive land of He established universities. The when I think that I ever knew Joseph promise and prophecy. University of Deseret is now known as Smith.”7 He built temples. He started the the University of Utah. Latter-day Saints’ How I love Brigham Young. His Salt Lake Temple, which took 40 years College is now known as LDS Business modern-day successor is President to complete. He also started the Manti College. And, of course, he also estab- Gordon B. Hinckley, also a beloved and the Logan Temples. He dedicated lished Brigham Young University. and revered prophet. the St. George Temple 4 1/2 months He loved the Church and its A beautiful painting shows Presi- before he died. members. Brigham Young had a dent Hinckley looking forward to

30 the future, a set of architectural draw- ings before him. In the background is a portrait of Brigham Young, making it appear that President Young looks over President Hinckley’s shoulder. The portrait of Brigham Young shown in this painting actually hangs in President Hinckley’s office, and he has often spoken of it. In a recent general conference, he said: “At the close of one particularly difficult day, I looked up at a portrait of Brigham Young that hangs on my wall. I asked, ‘Brother Brigham, what should we do?’ I thought I saw him smile a little, and then he seemed to say: ‘In my day, I had problems enough of my own. Don’t ask me what to do. This is your watch. Ask the Lord, whose work this really is.’ ”8 These two great prophets, President Brigham Young and President Gordon B. Hinckley, are linked together in their shared prophetic vision that comes from seeing the future and having the faith to bring that vision into present reality. President Hinckley, like Brigham Two members in São Paulo, Brazil, attend a general conference broadcast. Young, is a pioneer and a builder. He has traveled the world, meeting kings, Church especially reach out to I bear my humble witness that queens, and presidents. He has been President Hinckley for prophetic both President Brigham Young and interviewed by the world’s media. He counsel. President Gordon B. Hinckley are continues to bring the Church “out of President Hinckley loves the prophets who have led the Church obscurity.”9 More than 75 temples Prophet Joseph Smith. Several years by inspiration and revelation. In the have been built in the last 12 years. ago, he said: name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ And he had the inspiration to build “I worship the God of heaven who NOTES the majestic Conference Center. is my Eternal Father. I worship the 1. Hugh W. Nibley, in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., President Hinckley, like Brigham Lord Jesus Christ who is my Savior Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. Young, spreads the gospel and val- and my Redeemer. I do not worship (1992), 4:1611. 2. Quoted by Wilford Woodruff, in The Utah ues education. Church membership the Prophet Joseph Smith, but I rever- Pioneers (1880), 23. now approaches 13 million in 176 ence and love this great seer through 3. Quoted in James R. Clark, comp., Messages nations, territories, and countries. whom the miracle of this gospel has of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. More than 53,000 missionaries circle been restored. I am now growing old, (1965–75), 6:265. the globe. This conference is being and I know that in the natural course 4. Quoted in Preston Nibley, Brigham Young: The Man and His Work (1936), 293, 352. translated into 90 languages. He con- of events before many years, I will 5. Gospel Standards, comp. G. Homer tinues to support Church universities step across the threshold to stand Durham (1941), 223. and Church education. More than before my Maker and my Lord and 6. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young (1997), 345. 26,000 members now enjoy the bene- give an accounting of my life. And I 7. Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. fits of the Perpetual Education Fund. hope that I shall have the opportunity Widtsoe (1954), 458. President Hinckley, like Brigham of embracing the Prophet Joseph 8. “An Ensign to the Nations, a Light to the World,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 82. Young, loves the youth and all mem- Smith and of thanking him and of 9. D&C 1:30. bers of the Church. The youth of the speaking of my love for him.”10 10. Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 509.

MAY 2007 31 capability beyond our own natural means.” If These Old Walls Project members felt great reverence for the beauty of the Tabernacle, for its original builders, and for the quality of their work. They marveled Could Talk that for more than a century, words of the latter-day prophets, seers, and BISHOP H. DAVID BURTON revelators have gone forth from this Presiding Bishop podium to the world. If these old walls could talk, I’m For more than a century, words of the latter-day prophets, confident they would express appre- seers, and revelators have gone forth from this podium ciation for their new firm foundation. These old walls would be delighted to the world. with their new steel belt, which holds them tall and erect. These old walls would say thank you for scraping 14 layers of paint from the ceiling, then revitalized and ready for another patching and applying a beautiful period of distinguished service. new coat. Today, dear President, we present These old walls would express grati- this senior citizen of a building, all tude for the protection and beauty of a attired in a fresh new finish, fitly shiny new aluminum roof and would framed together in its historical ele- join with the benches in enjoying the gance—although a bit more comfort- smiles on faces of patrons as they dis- able. The Presiding Bishopric, along cover the slightly modified seats and a with more than 2,000 craftsmen, few more inches of knee room. proudly return the “old original New facilities to better accommo- Tabernacle,” along with a 100-year date the strains of inspirational music warranty. would be welcomed and appreciated President Hinckley’s request to by these old walls. return the “old original Tabernacle” One can only imagine what these became the standard for making old walls could recall about the many difficult architectural and construc- sermons they carefully listened to tion decisions. The phrase was over the years. resident Gordon B. Hinckley used to express the essence and These old walls, if they could talk, said in an October 2004 press objective of the project. It served as would shout, “We were here!” when Pconference: “I respect this the equivalent of Captain Moroni’s President Joseph F. Smith rose from building. I love this building. I honor title of liberty in that it was, in effect, a prolonged illness to attend a session this building. I want it preserved. . . . “hoisted upon every tower” and of general conference in October I want the old original Tabernacle, raised in “whatsoever place”2 was 1918. In the opening session, with a its weak joints bound together . . . necessary. voice filled with emotion, he said, “I and strengthened and its natural and If these old walls could talk, they will not, I dare not, attempt to enter wonderful beauty preserved.” Then would join in expressing sincere upon many things that are resting he looked at me and said, “Don’t appreciation to FFKR Architects, upon my mind this morning, and I you do anything you shouldn’t do, Jacobsen Construction company, and shall postpone until some future time, but whatever you do, do well and most important, the entire Church the Lord being willing, my attempt to do right.”1 project team, along with the many tell you some of the things that are in With those stirring but intimidat- whose skills have made a complex my mind, and that dwell in my heart.” ing words, a charge was extended endeavor possible. One senior team He continued: “I have not lived alone to preserve, strengthen, and return member remarked, “As we counseled these five months. I have dwelt in the the old original Salt Lake Tabernacle, together, the Lord was able to give us spirit of prayer, of supplication, of faith

32 and of determination; and I have from President David O. McKay, Elder announced that Elder Bruce R. had my communication with the Spirit Harold B. Lee spoke about parental McConkie would address the confer- of the Lord continuously.”3 We later responsibilities. These old walls ence. These old walls felt a deep spirit learned that on the day before confer- remember Elder Lee stating he would of reverence as Elder McConkie con- ence started, President Smith received read from a 1915 letter to the Church cluded his remarks with these electri- a manifestation recorded as the vision signed by the First Presidency. But fying words: of the redemption of the dead, which before starting, he remarked, “I sup- “And now, as pertaining to this per- later became section 138 of the pose it is something like Mark Twain fect atonement, wrought by the shed- Doctrine and Covenants. said about the weather: ‘We talk a lot ding of the blood of God—I testify If these old walls could talk, they about the weather, but we don’t seem that it took place in Gethsemane and would remind us of the bleak, dark to do anything about it.’ ” Elder Lee at Golgotha, and as pertaining to days of the Great Depression. They then read from the 50-year-old letter: Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the would recall the April 1936 general “We advise and urge the inaugura- Son of the Living God and was cruci- conference, when President Heber J. tion of a ‘Home Evening’ throughout fied for the sins of the world. He is Grant announced the Church would the Church, at which time father and our Lord, our God, and our King. This inaugurate a Church security plan, mother may gather their boys and I know of myself independent of any later known as the Church welfare girls about them in the home, and other person. plan. Six months later he explained: teach them the word of the Lord.” “I am one of his witnesses, and in a “Our primary purpose was to set up And then this promise: coming day I shall feel the nail marks . . . a system under which the curse “If the Saints obey this counsel, in his hands and in his feet and shall of idleness would be done away with, we promise that great blessings will wet his feet with my tears. the evils of a dole abolished, and in- result. Love at home and obedience “But I shall not know any better dependence, industry, thrift and self to parents will increase. Faith will be then than I know now that he is respect be once more established developed in the hearts of the youth God’s Almighty Son, that he is our amongst our people. The aim of of Israel, and they will gain power to Savior and Redeemer, and that salva- the Church is to help the people to combat the evil influences and temp- tion comes in and through his aton- help themselves. Work is to be re- tations which beset them.”5 ing blood and in no other way.”6 enthroned as the ruling principle of These old walls remember the In 1995 President Gordon B. the lives of our Church membership.”4 profound silence that came over Hinckley said to the women of the In October 1964, by assignment the Tabernacle in 1985 when it was Church, “With so much of sophistry

MAY 2007 33 that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of Gratitude: A Path allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn.” He then proceeded to read: to Happiness “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of BONNIE D. PARKIN The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Recently Released Relief Society General President day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds woman is ordained of God and that to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. . . . “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for Saint?”1 I bear witness that the women each other and for their children. of The Church of Jesus Christ of ‘Children are an heritage of the Latter-day Saints do enjoy grand and Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a glorious privileges. sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide Blessing Basket for their physical and spiritual Let me share a sweet story with needs, to teach them to love and you. A family was going through a dif- serve one another, to observe the ficult time. It was hard for them not to commandments of God and to be focus on their challenges. The mother law-abiding citizens wherever they wrote: “Our world had completely live. Husbands and wives—mothers crumpled, so we turned to Heavenly and fathers—will be held account- Father for guidance. Almost immedi- able before God for the discharge of ately we realized that we were sur- these obligations.”7 rounded by goodness and were being I’m grateful for this extraordinary cheered on from every side. We building. It stands as a sacred monu- began as a family to express our grati- ment to our past and a magnificent his afternoon I am honored to tude to each other as well as to the ensign of hope for the future. I testify represent those Relief Society Lord daily. A close friend pointed out to the divinity of our Father in Heaven Tleaders who, here in this very to me that our family’s ‘blessing bas- and of our Savior’s abundant love for Tabernacle, shared the doctrines of ket’ was overflowing. From that con- each of us. We are greatly blessed to the kingdom, emphasized the signifi- versation came a sort of game, which be led by a prophet of God. In the cance of women’s roles in the home my children and I grew to love. name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ and family, called each other to chari- Before family prayer each night we table service, and reminded their would talk about how our day had NOTES 1. “Tabernacle Renovation Press Briefing— sisters of the joy that comes from gone and then share with each other Remarks by President Gordon B. Hinckley,” righteous living. all of the many blessings that had Oct. 1, 2004; see www.newsroom.lds.org. From this pulpit in 1870, Eliza R. been added to our ‘blessing basket.’ 2. Alma 46:36; 62:4. 3. In Conference Report, Oct. 1918, 2. Snow asked thousands of women a The more we expressed gratitude, the 4. In Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 3. question that I’d like to repeat today: more there was to be grateful for. We 5. In Conference Report, Oct. 1964, 83–84. 6. “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” “Do you know of any place on the felt the love of the Lord in a signifi- Ensign, May 1985, 11. face of the earth, where [a] woman cant way as opportunities for growth 7. “Stand Strong against the Wiles of the has more liberty, and where she presented themselves.”2 World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 100–101; see also “The Family: A Proclamation to the enjoys such high and glorious privi- What would a “blessing basket” World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49. leges as she does here, as a Latter-day add to your family?

34 A Spirit-Filled Principle Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to feel it but to express it. Frequently we are oblivious to the Lord’s hand. We murmur, complain, resist, criticize; so often we are not grateful. In the Book of Mormon, we learn that those who murmur do not know “the dealings of that God who . . . created them.”3 The Lord counsels us not to murmur because it is then difficult for the Spirit to work with us. Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Through it, we become spiritually aware of the wonder of the small- est things, which gladden our hearts with their messages of God’s love. This grateful awareness heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. When we communicate gratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connected to those around us and the Lord. Gratitude inspires happiness and car- gratitude to someone who cares about express gratitude to a loving but ries divine influence. “Live in thanks- my grandchildren. A few months ago, unseen Heavenly Father, we are also giving daily,” said Amulek, “for the while visiting in Texas, I asked six-year- expressing our faith in Him. Gratitude many mercies and blessings which he old Thomas to tell me about his is our sweet acknowledgment of doth bestow upon you.”4 bishop. He said, “Oh, Grandmother, the Lord’s hand in our lives; it is an Mercies and blessings come in dif- you will know him. He wears a dark expression of our faith. ferent forms—sometimes as hard suit, a white shirt like Papa, and he has things. Yet the Lord said, “Thou shalt shiny shoes and a red tie. He wears Gratitude in Tribulations: thank the Lord thy God in all things.”5 glasses and always has a smile.” I rec- Hidden Blessings All things means just that: good ognized Thomas’s bishop as soon as In 1832 the Lord saw the need to things, difficult things—not just some I saw him. My heart was filled with prepare the Church for coming tribu- things. He has commanded us to be gratitude for him. Thank you, Bishop lations. Tribulations are frightening. grateful because He knows being Goodman, and thank you, all you won- And yet the Lord said: “Be of good grateful will make us happy. This is derful bishops. cheer, for I will lead you along. The another evidence of His love. kingdom is yours and the blessings How do you feel when someone An Expression of Faith thereof are yours, and the riches of expresses gratitude to you? One Luke chapter 17 records the experi- eternity are yours. Sunday I sat next to a sister in Relief ence of the Savior when He healed 10 “And he who receiveth all things Society and got to know her a little lepers. As you recall, only one of the with thankfulness shall be made better. A few days later I received an cleansed lepers returned to express glorious.”8 e-mail: “Thank you for sitting next to his appreciation. Isn’t it interesting The kind of gratitude that receives my daughter in Relief Society. You put that the Lord did not say, “Your grati- even tribulations with thanksgiving your arm around her. You will never tude has made you whole”? Instead, requires a broken heart and a contrite know how much that meant to her He said, “Thy faith hath made thee spirit, humility to accept that which and to me.”6 This mother’s words sur- whole.”7 we cannot change, willingness to turn prised me and brought me happiness. The leper’s expression of gratitude everything over to the Lord—even How do you feel when you express was recognized by the Savior as an when we do not understand, thank- gratitude to another? I’d like to express expression of his faith. As we pray and fulness for hidden opportunities yet

MAY 2007 35 to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace. When was the last time you Remember and thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well? Perish Not President David O. McKay observed, “We find in the bitter chill of adversity ELDER MARLIN K. JENSEN the real test of our gratitude . . . , Of the Seventy which . . . goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous.”9 Remembering in the way God intends is a fundamental and saving principle of the gospel. Conclusion To my remarkable, faithful sisters of the Church, I thank you for the ways you extend the Lord’s love through your service: your care for families at spoke for the first time to a worldwide the death of a loved one, your watch- audience of Latter-day Saints constitute care as you visit teach, your willing- a treasured memory for me. Like all of ness to build testimonies in children you, I am constantly accumulating a as you serve in Primary, your time reservoir of memories which, when preparing young women for woman- recalled, make up a very useful and hood. Thank you for your devotion. I often enjoyable part of my conscious- have experienced the love of the Lord ness. And, despite resolutions I made through your faithfulness. I have been as a young man never to weary others blessed to serve among you; my heart with reminiscing when I grew older, I is brimming over with gratitude and now take great pleasure in sharing my love for each of you. I have deep grati- own memories at almost every possi- tude for the priesthood brethren with ble occasion. Today, however, I wish whom I’ve served. to speak of a more profound role of My most profound gratitude is for memory and remembering in the my Savior—an obedient Son, who did gospel of Jesus Christ than the passive all that His Father asked and atoned recall and enjoyment of information. for every one of us. As I remember feel honored to follow Sister If we pay close attention to the Him and acknowledge His goodness, Parkin. Her service and teachings uses of the word remember in the I desire to be like Him. May we be I as well as those of her counselors holy scriptures, we will recognize that blessed to feel of His love in our lives have blessed all of us. About this same remembering in the way God intends daily. “Thanks be unto God for his hour 18 1/2 years ago, I was standing is a fundamental and saving principle unspeakable gift.”10 In His sacred near this pulpit waiting for the con- of the gospel. This is so because name, Jesus Christ, amen. ■ gregational singing to end, when I prophetic admonitions to remember was to step forward and give my first are frequently calls to action: to listen, NOTES 1 1. In Jill C. Mulvay, “Eliza R. Snow and the general conference address. My anxi- to see, to do, to obey, to repent. Woman Question,” Brigham Young ety at that moment must have been When we remember in God’s way, we University Studies, winter 1976, 251. 2. Personal correspondence. obvious. Elder L. Tom Perry, who was overcome our human tendency sim- 3. 1 Nephi 2:12. standing behind me, leaned forward ply to gird for the battle of life and 4. Alma 34:38. and, in his positive and enthusiastic actually engage in the battle itself, 5. D&C 59:7; emphasis added. 6. Personal correspondence. way, whispered in my ear. “Relax,” he doing all in our power to resist temp- 7. Luke 17:19; emphasis added. said, “we haven’t lost anyone at that tation and avoid sinning. 8. D&C 78:18–19; emphasis added. pulpit in years!” King Benjamin called for such 9. Pathways to Happiness, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay (1957), 318. Those encouraging words and the active remembering from his people: 10. 2 Corinthians 9:15. few minutes that followed in which I “And finally, I cannot tell you all

36 the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. “But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.”2 Realizing the vital role remembering is to play in our lives, what else ought we to remember? In response, assembled as we are today to remember and rededicate this historic Tabernacle, I suggest that the history of the Church of Jesus Christ and its people deserves our remembrance. The scriptures give the Church’s history high priority. In fact, much of scripture is Church history. On the very day the Church was organized, God commanded Joseph Smith, “Behold, there shall be a record kept among you.”3 Joseph acted on Between sessions, members look at a painting in a visitors’ center on Temple Square. this command by appointing Oliver Cowdery, the second elder in the the Church’s rise and progress has “I saw a pillar of light exactly over Church and his chief assistant, as the been kept from Oliver Cowdery’s time my head, above the brightness of the first Church historian. We keep records to the present day. This extraordinary sun, which descended gradually until to help us remember, and a record of historical record reminds us that God it fell upon me. has again opened the heavens and “. . . When the light rested upon me revealed truths that call our generation I saw two Personages, whose bright- to action. ness and glory defy all description, Of all that has been collected, pre- standing above me in the air. One of served, and written by historians over them spake unto me, calling me by those many years, nothing exempli- name and said, pointing to the other— fies the importance and power of the This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”4 Church’s history more than Joseph Hear him, Joseph did! And millions Smith’s simple and honest story of have heard or read and believed his God the Father and His Son, Jesus account and have embraced the Christ, appearing to him in what our gospel of Jesus Christ he helped history books now call the First Vision. restore. I believe Joseph Smith and In words that generations of mission- know he was a true prophet of God. aries have committed to memory and Remembering his experience of the shared with seekers of truth the world First Vision never fails to stir my soul over, Joseph describes the miraculous to greater commitment and action. way in which he received an answer to No one has greater appreciation for his question posed in prayer of which the value of the Church’s history than Church is right: President Gordon B. Hinckley. We love

MAY 2007 37 his delightful sense of humor, but Hinckley was also discouraged and with us. Interestingly, this is the same his sense of history is equally keen. admitted as much to his father. He Spirit sent by our Heavenly Father Inspiring stories and anecdotes from even courageously shared his father’s to “bring all things to [our] remem- our past punctuate his writings and brief response: “Dear Gordon, I have brance.”7 Thus, by worthily receiving sermons. As our living prophet, he your recent letter. I have only one the sacrament, we are blessed by the consciously emphasizes the past and suggestion: forget yourself and go to Spirit to enter into a wonderfully bene- the future to help us live more righ- work.”5 Over 70 years later, we are all ficial circle of remembering, returning teously in the present. Because of his witnesses to how earnestly President again and again in our thinking and teachings, we understand that remem- Hinckley took that counsel to heart. devotion to Christ and His Atonement. bering enables us to see God’s hand His sterling character and prophetic Coming unto Christ and being per- in our past, just as prophecy and faith wisdom provide persuasive proof fected in Him is, I believe, the ulti- assure us of God’s hand in our future. for the benefits of remembering the mate purpose of all remembering.8 President Hinckley reminds us how Church’s history as well as our own. Therefore, I pray that God will bless members of the early Church faced There is much more to say about us always to remember, especially His their challenges so we, through the memory and remembering in the perfect Son, and perish not. I grate- grace of God, can more faithfully face gospel of Jesus Christ. We often speak fully testify of Christ’s divinity and our own. By keeping our past alive, he of remembering our sacred covenants saving power. In the name of Jesus connects us to the people, places, and and God’s commandments and of Christ, amen. ■ events that make up our spiritual her- remembering and performing saving NOTES itage and, in so doing, motivates us to ordinances for our deceased ancestors. 1. See 2 Nephi 1:12; Mosiah 6:3; Helaman greater service, faith, and kindness. Most importantly, we speak of the 5:14. In an exemplary way President need to remember our Savior Jesus 2. Mosiah 4:29–30. 3. D&C 21:1. Hinckley also openly shares from his Christ and not just when convenient, 4. Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17. own personal and family histories. but always, as He asks.6 We witness 5. In Gordon B. Hinckley, Faith: The Essence Scores of discouraged new missionar- always to remember Him as we par- of True Religion (1989), 115. 6. See 3 Nephi 18:7, 11. ies have been comforted to learn that take of the sacrament. In return, we 7. John 14:26. early in his own mission, President are promised His Spirit will always be 8. See Moroni 10:32–33.

38 The Nauvoo Temple followed essentially the same pattern as the Salt Lake Kirtland Temple with respect to the assembly rooms on the first and second floors. However, before the Nauvoo Temple was completed in Tabernacle 1846 the Saints would meet outside, often near the temple, to hear Joseph and the other Church leaders speak. Rededication Sometimes thousands attended those meetings. PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST As George A. Smith observed in Second Counselor in the First Presidency his humorous way, “In the days of the Prophet Joseph . . . Mormonism flour- ished best out of doors.” This was I am grateful this magnificent building has been because “we failed to erect a building strengthened and renewed so it can continue big enough to hold the Saints previ- to be used to instruct and edify the children of God. ous to the death of the Prophet.”3 Occasionally bad weather would interrupt those outdoor services, and both the speakers and congregation were uncomfortable. President and restoring the Salt Lake Joseph F. Smith, who remembered Tabernacle. well the discomfort of those outdoor I have fond memories as a boy meetings held near the temple in coming to this Tabernacle. I was bap- Nauvoo, said: tized here. When I became a deacon, “My first recollection of a place of my father brought me here to attend worship was in Nauvoo. It was in a general priesthood meeting. We came little grove of trees near the site of 15 minutes early and were easily able the temple. In company with my to get a seat in the balcony. mother I listened here to such men In the early days of the Church, the as Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, only two buildings built specifically for Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Orson worship were the temples in Kirtland Pratt, the Prophet Joseph and the and Nauvoo. Both were built accord- Patriarch Hyrum. I remember quite ing to revelation. The first recorded well attending one meeting in this Church-constructed building desig- grove, that a wagon had been drawn nated as a meetinghouse was also up in front of the audience and the intended to be used as a schoolhouse. Prophet Joseph stood in the box t is a great honor and privilege to It was built of logs in Missouri in 1831.1 speaking, when it began to rain. be part of the rededication service By the time the Kirtland Temple Some one or two persons got up and Iof this great edifice, the Salt Lake was dedicated in 1836, it was already held umbrellas over him, to shield Tabernacle, which stands west of the too small to hold all the Saints who him from the wet. Many of the peo- Salt Lake Temple. We acknowledge wanted to attend the dedication. ple had no umbrellas, and it was very any and all who have had anything to The Prophet Joseph Smith regretfully annoying and disagreeable to sit do with the great work that has been recorded that the building would not there, but I remember very well, done in this building. We especially accommodate more.2 However, as though but a little boy, that there was thank the Presiding Bishopric— violence against the Saints and their no one went away from the ground Bishop H. David Burton, Bishop leaders escalated in Kirtland, the while he spoke.”4 Richard C. Edgley, and Bishop Keith B. main body of the Church moved to Before his death, the Prophet McMullin—for their excellent leader- Missouri in 1838, leaving this precious Joseph directed that a canvas taberna- ship in directing the work of updating building behind. cle be built to shelter the Saints during

MAY 2007 39 large meetings. In 1845, as the temple canvas was put to good use for such meet the needs of the members of was nearing completion, Elder Orson things as tents, tent ends and wagon the Church. I testify that the Lord Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve covers” for the Saints in the exodus to will continue to reveal through His was sent back East to raise funds and the Salt Lake Valley.8 prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, the to buy “about four thousand yards” of The finished Tabernacle on Temple ways and means to meet the needs canvas to build what Brigham Young Square in Salt Lake City has dimen- of all members in an ever-growing referred to as “the Tabernacle of the sions roughly similar to the canvas Church. congregation in Zion.”5 tabernacle contemplated for Nauvoo, I am grateful this magnificent Brother Orson Pratt outlined the and like the proposed Nauvoo taber- building has been strengthened and proposed location and design of the nacle it also was situated just west of renewed so it can continue to be used canvas tabernacle in a letter written the temple. As with other matters, to instruct and edify the children of on August 30, 1845: such as the great migration to the God. In the name of Jesus Christ, “It is intended to erect a tabernacle West, Joseph Smith envisioned a great amen. ■ of canvass in front of, and joining the tabernacle, and Brigham Young made Temple on the west. The form of this it a reality. NOTES 1. See Richard W. Jackson, Places of Worship: tabernacle will be that of an ellipse. So the tabernacle contemplated 150 Years of Latter-day Saint Architecture . . . The area of its base will be suffi- for Nauvoo, although never built, was (2003), 16. cient to contain eight or ten thousand a prototype for this historic building. 2. See History of the Church, 2:410–11. 3. Deseret News, Aug. 29, 1855, 194. persons; its seats will gradually rise When I was a boy, we listened to gen- 4. “The Spirit of Worship,” Improvement Era, one above another in the form of an eral conference on the radio; now June 1910, 749–50. amphitheatre.”6 with the use of satellites and modern 5. Brigham Young to the Saints Abroad, June 17, 1845, in New York Messenger, Aug. 16, 1845; The brethren the next day began electronic equipment, we broadcast see also History of the Church, 7:427; to clear the ground for the construc- from Salt Lake City to whole coun- Elden J. Watson, “The Nauvoo Tabernacle,” tion of the canvas tabernacle. How- tries worldwide at one time—as Brigham Young University Studies, spring 1979, 416. ever, because of the intense perse- we’re doing now—using downlinks 6. Orson Pratt to Reuben Hedlock, Aug. 20, cution from their enemies, the Saints to buildings all over the world. This 1845, in New York Messenger, Aug. 30, 1845, 67; see also Brigham Young had to leave Nauvoo, so the canvas came about because of the inspira- University Studies, spring 1979, 420. tabernacle was never built. Orson tion that came to the Brethren to 7. Glen M. Leonard, Nauvoo: A Place of Hyde “loaded the canvas into wagons meet the needs of the people in our Peace, a People of Promise (2002), 479–80. 7 8. Brigham Young University Studies, spring in 1846 and headed west with it.” day and time. This is a good example 1979, 421; see also William Smith claim in Some have speculated that “the of how the Lord makes it possible to Glen M. Leonard, Nauvoo, 754 note 86.

40 Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Before he concluded Tabernacle his remarks, however, he sounded a prophetic warning. Said he: “It will not be long until calamities will overtake the human family unless there is Memories speedy repentance. It will not be long before those who are scattered over PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON the face of the earth by millions will First Counselor in the First Presidency die . . . because of what will come” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 169). As this building is rededicated today, may we pledge These were alarming words, for they to rededicate our lives to the work of our Lord and Savior came from a prophet of God. Two and a half months after that Jesus Christ. general conference, on June 25, 1950, war broke out in Korea—a war which would eventually claim an estimated 2.5 million lives. This event prompted I would like to share just a few. me to reflect on the statement Presi- I recall the time I approached bap- dent Smith made as we sat in this tism, when I was eight years of age. building that spring day. My mother talked with me about I attended many general confer- repentance and about the meaning of ence sessions in the Tabernacle, baptism; and then, on a Saturday in always being edified and inspired by September of 1935, she took me on a the words of the Brethren. Then, in streetcar to the Tabernacle baptistry October of 1963, President David O. which, until recently, was here in McKay invited me to his office and this building. At the time it was not as extended to me a call to serve as a customary as it is now for fathers to member of the Quorum of the Twelve baptize their children, since the ordi- Apostles. He asked that I keep this nance was generally performed on a sacred call confidential, revealing it to Saturday morning or afternoon, and no one except my wife, and that I be many fathers were working at their present for general conference in the daily professions or trades. I dressed Tabernacle the next day, when my in white and was baptized. I remem- name would be read aloud. y brothers and sisters, both ber that day as though it were yester- The following morning I came here in the Tabernacle and day and the happiness I felt at having into the Tabernacle not knowing Mlistening by various means had this ordinance performed. exactly where to sit. Being a member throughout the world, it is a joy for Over the years and particularly of the Priesthood Home Teaching me to stand before you once again in during the time I served as a bishop, Committee, I determined that I would this magnificent building. In this set- I witnessed many other baptisms in the be seated among the members of that ting one cannot help but feel the Tabernacle font. Each was a special and committee. I noticed a friend of mine spirit of the early Saints who con- inspiring occasion, and each served to by the name of Hugh Smith, who structed this beautiful house of wor- remind me of my own baptism. was also a member of the Priesthood ship, as well as all those who over the In April of 1950, my wife, Frances, Home Teaching Committee. He years have labored to preserve and and I were in attendance at the Sunday motioned for me to sit by him. I beautify it. afternoon session of general confer- couldn’t say a thing to him about my I have been thinking recently of ence, held in this building. President call, but I sat down. the many significant events in my life George Albert Smith was the President During the session, the members which are associated with the Salt of the Church, and in closing the con- of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Lake Tabernacle. Although there are ference, he delivered an inspiring and were sustained and, of course, my far too many for me to mention today, powerful message concerning the name was read. I believe the walk

MAY 2007 41 Misti and her grandparents and her aunt had traveled from California to Salt Lake City for conference and were able to obtain seats in the Tabernacle for the Saturday afternoon session. This was where they were seated when my attention was drawn to Misti and my decision made to speak to her. As we continued our visit after the session, Misti’s grandmother said to me, “I think Misti has something she would like to tell you.” This sweet young girl said, “Brother Monson, while you were speaking in conference, you answered my question. I want to be baptized!” The family returned to California, and Misti was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through all the years since, Misti has remained true and faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Fourteen years ago, it was my privilege to perform her temple marriage to a fine young man, and together they are rearing five beautiful children, with another one on the way. My brothers and sisters, I feel privi- from the audience to the stand was had in mind concerning the faith of leged to be standing once again at the longest walk of my life. another young lady. the Tabernacle pulpit in this building It has been nearly 44 years since At the conclusion of the session, which holds for me such wonderful that conference. Until the year 2000, I returned to my office and found memories. The Tabernacle is a part of when the Conference Center was waiting for me a young child by the my life—a part which I cherish. dedicated, it was my privilege to name of Misti White, together with I have been honored and pleased deliver 101 general conference mes- her grandparents and an aunt. As I during my lifetime to raise my arm to sages from the pulpit in this building, greeted them, I recognized Misti as the square in sustaining nine Church not including those given at general the one in the balcony to whom I Presidents as their names have been auxiliary conferences and other meet- had directed my remarks. I learned read. This morning I joined you in ings held here. My remarks today that as her eighth birthday ap- sustaining once again our beloved bring the total to 102. I have had proached, she was in a quandary prophet, President Gordon B. many spiritual experiences over the concerning whether or not to be Hinckley. It is a joy and a privilege years as I have stood here. baptized. She felt she would like to to serve by his side, along with During the message I delivered at be baptized, and her grandparents, President Faust. general conference in October 1975, with whom she lived, wanted her As this building is rededicated I felt prompted to direct my remarks to be baptized, but her less-active today, may we pledge to rededicate to a little girl with long, blonde hair, mother suggested she wait until she our lives to the work of our Lord and who was seated in the balcony of this was 18 years of age to make the deci- Savior Jesus Christ, who so willingly building. I called the attention of the sion. Misti had told her grandparents, died that we might live. May we fol- audience to her and felt a freedom of “If we go to conference in Salt Lake low in His footsteps each day, I pray expression which testified to me that City, maybe Heavenly Father will let humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, this small girl needed the message I me know what I should do.” amen. ■

42 Tabernacle did so with faith, as well as their rudimentary architectural A Tabernacle skills. Skeptics, of whom there are always many, predicted that when the scaffolding was removed, the roof would come down with it. This in the Wilderness did not happen, and it has remained in place through sunshine and storm PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY through all of these many years. It has become known across the This has been a unique and wonderful place of assembly. world as the home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, whose weekly radio broadcast has been heard longer than any other network program, over a period of more than strengthened and fortified. The roof has 75 years, since 1929. been strengthened with the addition of Now, each Sabbath day, Music and steel trusses, with new roofing applied. the Spoken Word will again go to the Changes in this building, I remind world from this Tabernacle at “the you, are not new. Even shortly after crossroads of the West.” It will again the days of its creation, it was modi- be home to the Tabernacle Choir and fied. Originally there was no balcony, the Orchestra at Temple Square, and and this had to be added. will also accommodate many other Through these many years, this has productions and undertakings. It will been a unique and wonderful place be used for stake and regional confer- of assembly. Many men and women ences, public lectures, musical con- have spoken here, testifying of the certs, and other entertainment. Restoration of the gospel of Jesus The Millennial Star, published Christ. From the time of Brigham in England, recorded under date of Young to the present, every prophet Saturday, October 9, 1875, that John has spoken from this pulpit. Other Taylor gave a lengthy and detailed men and women of note have spoken, prayer dedicating this sacred struc- his afternoon, my brothers and including various presidents of the ture some years after its initial use. sisters, we gather again in this United States. It has been a home for And now, my brothers and sisters, Thistoric Tabernacle, where we the arts and culture of this community. have met in conference so many The Utah Symphony first used this as times before. a place to perform. Great artistic pro- Now this building has undergone ductions have been presented here, extensive renovation and remodeling such as the Messiah and the Tanner to bring it up to the latest seismic Gift of Music. Funeral services for men code. With this undertaking, we hope and women of prominence have been and pray that its historical features conducted here. It has truly been a have not been destroyed. centerpiece for this community Some of the old benches have through all of these many years. been saved and will continue to be This is a peculiar building, the used. But as you’ve already discov- only one of its kind in all the world. ered, the new benches are just as It was built almost a century and a hard as the old ones were! half ago in the days of the poverty Exits have been added to meet of our people. It was literally a modern-day requirements. The great Tabernacle built in the wilderness. stone pillars, which constitute its The temple was far from finished outside walls, have been greatly at the time. Those who built the

MAY 2007 43 as we conclude this meeting, I invite all of the gifts and authority and bless- Saints lived here in this valley and all of you to join with me in bowing ings that accompany this. in other surrounding areas where your heads and closing your eyes as We thank Thee for the great faith settlements were established. Now, we offer a prayer of rededication. of our people who were driven from Thy work has grown and spread Nauvoo, and who, with great suffer- over the earth until we have more Dedicatory Prayer ing, including the death of many, members outside of this nation O God, our Eternal Father, with crossed Iowa to establish Winter than we have in it. bowed heads we come before Thee in Quarters and subsequently undertook Dear Father, please continue reverence on this historic occasion. the long march which carried them to prosper Thy work. Cause it to We are met in this great Tabernacle, from Winter Quarters to this valley of increase and grow. Bless the people now renovated and refurbished after the Great Salt Lake. as they contribute of their tithes and more than a century of use. We thank Thee for the inspired offerings to make possible its growth Acting in the authority of the leadership of President Brigham and spread. May it go forth and fill holy priesthood and in the name of Young, who, having never previously the whole earth as the stone which Jesus Christ, we dedicate, rededicate, seen this valley, except in vision, led was cut out of the mountain without and consecrate this, the Salt Lake our people here. He knew very little hands was destined to roll forth Tabernacle, to Thee and to Thy about the area. He was not familiar and fill the earth. Wilt Thou raise up Beloved Son, that through many with the soil or the climate, the water strong leaders through the genera- years yet to come it may serve as a or other features. In this desert place tions to come, and may Thy people place where Thy people may gather those pioneers plowed and planted, rejoice and find great happiness in for many reasons. irrigated, cultivated, and harvested their service in Thy work. As we contemplate this occasion, the fruits of their labors. They laid out Accordingly, we dedicate, rededi- our thoughts return to the Prophet a city, which has now become large cate, and consecrate this sacred struc- Joseph, who was an instrument in with many hundreds of thousands of ture, and all of this we do and ask in Thy hands in restoring the eternal inhabitants. the sacred name of Jesus Christ, gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with At one time most of the Latter-day amen. ■

44 PRIESTHOOD SESSION March 31, 2007

hear a lumbering gallop behind me. In a moment of clarity, I thought that Life’s Lessons if I caught the ball there was a distinct possibility I could be eating my meals through a tube. But the ball was head- ing for me, and my team was depend- Learned ing on me. So I reached out, and—at the last instant—I looked up. ELDER JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN And there he was. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles I remember the ball hitting my hands. I remember struggling to hang I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you on to it. I remember the sound of the are and what you need to do to be the kind of person ball falling to the turf. After that, I’m not exactly sure what happened, you want to be. because the giant hit me so hard I wasn’t sure what planet I was on. One thing I did remember was a deep voice coming from behind a about some of these experiences and dark haze: “Serves you right for being what I learned from them. on the wrong team.” I’ll never forget one high school William McKinley Oswald was my football game against a rival school. I high school football coach. He was a played the wingback position, and my great coach and had a profound influ- assignment was to either block the ence on my life. But I think he could linebacker or try to get open so the have learned his method of motivating quarterback could throw me the ball. players from an army drill sergeant. The reason I remember this particular That day, during his half-time game so well is because the fellow on speech, Coach Oswald reminded the other side of the line—the man I the whole team about the pass I had was supposed to block—was a giant. dropped. Then he pointed right at me I wasn’t exactly the tallest athlete and said, “How could you do that?” in the world. But I think this other He wasn’t speaking with his inside guy may have been. I remember look- voice. ing up at him, thinking he probably “I want to know what made you weighed as much as two of me. Keep drop that pass.” ately I have reflected on many in mind, when I played we didn’t have I stammered for a moment and of the wonderful experiences the protective gear that players have then finally decided to tell the truth. LI’ve had in my life. As I have today. My helmet was made of leather, “I took my eye off the ball,” I said. expressed gratitude to my Heavenly and it didn’t have a face guard. The coach looked at me and said, Father for these marvelous blessings The more I thought about it, the “That’s right; you took your eye off and opportunities, I have realized, per- more I came to a sobering realization: the ball. Don’t ever do that again. That haps more than ever before, how criti- if I ever let him catch me, I could be kind of mistake loses ball games.” cal the formative years of my life were. cheering for my team the rest of the I respected Coach Oswald, and in Many of the most important and season from a hospital bed. spite of how terrible I felt, I made up life-changing moments of my life Lucky for me, I was fast. And for my mind to do what Coach said. I occurred when I was a young man. the better part of the first half, I man- vowed to never take my eye off the The lessons I learned then formed aged to avoid him. ball again, even if it meant getting my character and shaped my destiny. Except for one play. pounded to Mongolia by the giant on Without them, I would be a very dif- Our quarterback dropped back to the other side of the line. ferent man and in a very different pass. I was open. He threw the ball, We headed back onto the field and place than I am today. This evening, and it sailed towards me. started the second half. It was a close I would like to talk for a few minutes The only problem was that I could game, and even though my team had

MAY 2007 45 played well, we were behind by four this was a defining experience. Had I points late in the fourth quarter. moved the ball, I could have been a The quarterback called my number champion for a moment, but the on the next play. I went out again, and reward of temporary glory would again I was open. The ball headed have carried with it too steep and towards me. But this time, the giant too lasting a price. It would have was in front of me and in perfect posi- engraved upon my conscience a scar tion to intercept the pass. that would have stayed with me the He reached up, but the ball sailed remainder of my life. I knew I must through his hands. I jumped high, do what is right. never taking my eye off the ball; The Light of Christ helps us to dis- stabbed at it; and pulled it down for cern right from wrong. When we the game-winning touchdown. allow temptations to drown out the I don’t remember much about the still voice of our conscience—that is celebration after, but I do remember when decisions become difficult. the look on Coach Oswald’s face. My parents taught me to react “Way to keep your eye on the ball,” quickly when temptation comes and he said. to say “No!” instantly and emphati- I think I smiled for a week. cally. I recommend that same counsel I have known many great men and to you. Avoid temptations. women. Although they have different Rocky Mountain Conference champi- Another lesson I learned was the backgrounds, talents, and perspec- onship game, and the play called for joy of service to others. I have spoken tives, they all have this in common: me to run the ball up the middle to before of how my father, who was the they work diligently and persistently score the go-ahead touchdown. I took bishop of our ward, had me load up towards achieving their goals. It’s easy the handoff and plunged into the line. my wagon and deliver needed food to get distracted and lose focus on the I knew I was close to the goal line, but and supplies to the homes of those things that are most important in life. I didn’t know how close. Although I families who were in need. He wasn’t I’ve tried to remember the lessons I was pinned at the bottom of the pile, alone in his desire to reach out to learned from Coach Oswald and pri- I reached my fingers forward a couple those in distress. oritize values that are important to of inches and I could feel it. The goal Seventy-five years ago, Bishop me so that I can keep my eye focused line was two inches away. William F. Perschon presided over the on things that really matter. At that moment I was tempted to Fourth Ward of the Pioneer Stake in I urge you to examine your life. push the ball forward. I could have Salt Lake City. He was a German immi- Determine where you are and what done it. And when the refs finally grant, a convert to the Church, and you need to do to be the kind of per- pulled the players off the pile, I would he spoke with a thick accent. He was son you want to be. Create inspiring, have been a hero. No one would have a fine businessman, but what most noble, and righteous goals that fire ever known. distinguished him was his great com- your imagination and create excite- I had dreamed of this moment passion for others. ment in your heart. And then keep from the time I was a boy. And it Each week during priesthood your eye on them. Work consistently was right there within my reach. But meeting, Bishop Perschon had the towards achieving them. then I remembered the words of my Aaronic Priesthood bearers recite the “If one advances confidently in the mother. “Joseph,” she had often said following phrase: “Priesthood means direction of his dreams,” wrote Henry to me, “do what is right, no matter service; bearing the priesthood, I will David Thoreau, “and endeavors to live the consequence. Do what is right serve.” the life which he has imagined, he will and things will turn out OK.” It wasn’t merely a slogan. When meet with a success unexpected in I wanted so desperately to score widows needed assistance, Bishop common hours.”1 that touchdown. But more than being Perschon and the Aaronic Priesthood In other words, never take your a hero in the eyes of my friends, I were there to help. When a chapel eye off the ball. wanted to be a hero in the eyes of my was being built, Bishop Perschon and Another lesson I learned on the mother. And so I left the ball where it the Aaronic Priesthood were there. football field was at the bottom of a was—two inches from the goal line. When the sugar beets and potatoes at pile of 10 other players. It was the I didn’t know it at the time, but the welfare farm needed weeding or

46 harvesting, Bishop Perschon and the Aaronic Priesthood were there. Later, William Perschon served in the stake presidency, where he influenced a young bishop by the name of Thomas S. Monson. In the 1950s, Bishop Perschon was called to preside over the Swiss-Austrian Mission and played an instrumental role in building the first “overseas” temple, located in Bern, Switzerland. You could scarcely think of Bishop Perschon without thinking of his concern and compassion for others and his untiring commitment to teach that same quality to others. Of the young men in the Aaronic Priesthood over whom he presided as bishop, 29 went on to become bishops themselves. Ten served in stake presidencies. Five became mission presidents, three accepted calls as temple presidents, and two served as General Authorities.2 That is the power of a great leader, brethren. That is the power of service. Although I didn’t fully understand it at the time, it is clear to me now that these lessons—and many others I learned as a youth—served as the foundation upon which the rest of my be likened unto a foolish man.”3 and revelators guide the progress of life has been built. How do we know if we are wise or the restored Church of Jesus Christ. We all possess spiritual gifts. Some foolish? When we hear inspired coun- President Gordon B. Hinckley stands are blessed with the gift of faith, oth- sel, we obey. That is the test of wise or as a latter-day prophet to the Church ers the gift of healing. In the body of foolish. and to the world. the Church, all of the spiritual gifts What does it profit us if we listen I give thanks to my Creator for this are present. In my case, perhaps one to wise counsel and do not heed the wonderful life where each of us has of the spiritual gifts for which I am words? Of what use is experience if the opportunity to learn lessons we most grateful is that I have been we do not learn from it? What good could not fully comprehend by any blessed with an obedient spirit. When are the scriptures if we do not cherish other means. I heard wise counsel from my parents the words and incorporate them into My dear brethren, may we set or Church leaders, I listened and tried our lives? righteous goals and work to achieve to make it part of my thoughts and President Gordon B. Hinckley has them, do what is right, and reach out actions. promised that “[Heavenly Father] in love to those around us. This is my Brethren of the priesthood, I urge will shower down blessings upon prayer and testimony, in the name of you to cultivate the gift of an obedi- those who walk in obedience to Jesus Christ, amen. ■ ent spirit. The Savior taught that His commandments.”4 NOTES “whosoever heareth these sayings of I add my voice to his. 1. Walden, ed. J. Lyndon Shanley (1971), 323. mine, and doeth them, I will liken I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the 2. Letter from Elder Glen L. Rudd to President him unto a wise man. . . . And every Savior of all mankind. I testify that God Thomas S. Monson, Feb. 5, 1987. 3. Matthew 7:24, 26. one that heareth these sayings of is close at hand. He cares about us and 4. “This Is the Work of the Master,” Ensign, mine, and doeth them not, shall loves us, His children. Prophets, seers, May 1995, 71.

MAY 2007 47 preparatory time in your life. How you bear that priesthood now will prepare To the Aaronic you to make the most important decisions in the future. These decisions include receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood, going to the temple, serv- Priesthood: ing a mission, getting an education, selecting an occupation, and choosing a companion and being sealed for Preparing for the time and for all eternity in the holy temple. There is a time and season for all of our decisions. Make sure you make decisions in the proper time Decade of Decision and season. All of these life-altering decisions will be made in a very busy, ELDER ROBERT D. HALES relatively short period during your Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 20s—during what I call the “Decade of Decision.” How you bear [the] priesthood now will prepare you While training to be a jet fighter pilot, I prepared to make such vital to make the most important decisions in the future. decisions in a flight simulator. For example, I practiced deciding when to bail out of an airplane if the fire warning light came on and I began to spin army—the Aaronic Priesthood: dea- out of control. I remember one dear cons, teachers, and priests venturing friend who didn’t make these prepa- forth upon the battlefield of life. rations. He would find a way out of Although you do not remember it, simulator training and then go to play you enlisted in this cause with a golf or swim. He never learned his single decision, made long ago in emergency procedures! A few months our premortal existence. There, in later, fire erupted in his plane, and it the Grand Council in Heaven, you spun toward the ground in flames. decided to obey the will of your Noting the fire warning light, his Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus younger companion, having devel- Christ. Remember this: you are a son oped a preconditioned response, of God who decided to follow the knew when to bail out of the plane Savior when it mattered most, and and parachuted to safety. But my that makes you a great man indeed. friend who had not prepared to make Because of that divine decision that decision stayed with the plane which determined your eternal pro- and died in the crash. gression, you received a physical In the decade ahead, your time for hat a joy to be in your pres- body, gained the agency to choose preparation will be limited. As you are ence, brethren, as you are good over evil, and are now growing Aaronic Priesthood bearers, it is impor- W gathered across this world. and preparing to take upon your- tant that you prepare now. You must I am reminded of the words of the selves the attributes of our Savior. You develop your own preconditioned hymn: “Behold! A royal army, with have been baptized and have received responses for the important decisions banner, sword, and shield, is march- the Holy Ghost. You are learning who you will make in the next decade of ing forth to conquer on life’s great you are, why you are here, and where your life. You must know what to do battlefield.”1 Indeed, you are the royal you are going. And now you have and when to do it when each decision army of God, faithful and true. received the Aaronic Priesthood! presents itself. Remember that making Tonight I wish to speak to the The Aaronic Priesthood is the pre- no decision at all could be just as youngest members of this royal paratory priesthood, given for this deadly as making the wrong decision.

48 your friends are and to become worthy of a righteous eternal companion. It is very simple, brethren. As my mother taught me, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Your peer group can inspire you to do great things or tempt you into strange and miserable paths. True friends make it easier to live the gospel. They never make us choose between their ways and the Lord’s ways. They help us be the kind of person that attracts other true friends. And they help us become the kind of person a righteous companion can choose to be with forever. If you want those kinds of friends, ask yourself: “Am I that kind of friend to others? Am I the kind of person I want my eternal companion to be?” Now is the time to prepare for your mission. Depending upon your individual circumstance, you may be able to serve a full-time proselyting mission. While this is important, remember that even more important is going to the temple on the way to your mission. A mission is a priceless opportunity to keep temple covenants by living the law of consecration—giving all of your time, gifts, and talents to the Lord and serving Him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. I have always felt that the two years you serve will be a tithing of time on the first 20 years of your life. But even if you are not able to serve a Many of the decisions you make as we partake of the sacrament. full-time mission, you can prepare for or don’t make will have eternal Now is the time to organize and one day in the future, when the time consequences. prepare ourselves to have the Holy is right, to go to the temple to make Now is the time to become a disci- Ghost as our constant companion. sacred covenants so that you can ple of Jesus Christ, which means This means doing what your parents receive your eternal blessings. accepting His invitation to “come, and leaders have taught you to do— Now is the time to prepare for follow me.”2 This is the decision we study the scriptures; pray morning training, education, and an occupa- made in our premortal lives. Now we and night; keep a neat, well-groomed tion. As young men of the Aaronic must make it again here in mortality, appearance; follow a schedule; set Priesthood, you are in the internship every day, in every situation by taking and achieve goals; be honest in your of life. Your diligence in school now the Savior’s name upon us, remem- dealings; keep commitments; and be will qualify you to keep President bering His atoning sacrifice, and keep- worthy of the priesthood you bear. Hinckley’s counsel in the future— ing His commandments. This we Always, always live the standards, to get all of the education you can.3 covenanted to do when we were bap- revealed by prophets, in the booklet Decide now to do your best in school tized, and we have the opportunity For the Strength of Youth. and at work. Then, when opportuni- to renew those covenants each week Now is the time to decide who ties knock, you will be ready to open

MAY 2007 49 art . . . unstable as water, thou shalt not excel.”7 Think for a moment about what the phrase unstable as water means. When water gets hot, it evaporates. When it gets cold, it freezes. When it is unchanneled, it causes erosion and destroys whatever may be in its path. As bearers of the Aaronic Priest- hood, you too have a birthright. I challenge you to be obedient and strong. I challenge you not to let your resolve dribble out and your commitment to follow the Savior evaporate. Be firm as a rock in living the gospel. None of us know all the blessings that await us. The only way we lose the door and take advantage of them. you change your position by just one those blessings is to give them up We should all remember: “To every degree at a time, your inner ear can- through disobedience. Don’t give up man is given a gift.”4 Develop your not detect the change. Brethren your eternal heritage for the things of gifts and talents. Young men, prayer- young and old, when we practice this world. Let us be obedient and fully select classes, training programs, selective obedience, we change our prepare now to honor, protect, and and jobs that will prepare you for position relative to the Lord—and receive our glorious birthright. greater opportunities and more usually by only one degree at a time. Young men, you are the vital responsibility in the future. As the deceptive forces of the adver- strength of the Lord’s army, the Now is the time to obey. In the sary work on us, we cannot detect stripling warriors of these latter days.8 premortal existence, ours was not a them, and we experience spiritual “Whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also selective obedience. We did not pick vertigo. While it may seem like we reap.”9 Contemplating the glorious and choose which parts of the eternal are going in a safe direction, we are harvest ahead, I invite you to ponder plan to follow. I learned that lesson in fact headed for disaster. In the pre- how you will make decisions during on our first night flying solo in pilot existence, our decision to follow the the coming decade. training when all of us were given the Lord was all-or-nothing. Following The law of the harvest offers a pat- instruction: “Don’t fly acrobatic pat- that pattern through our mortal pro- tern for making decisions. Prepare terns at night. You are beginning bation will get each of us back to our the soil through prayer, knowing that pilots without instrument flight train- Heavenly Father. you are a son of God. Plant the seeds ing.” Some time later, an otherwise Now is the time to use our time by counseling with those who will good pilot and a great friend chose to properly. “This life is the time for men give sound advice; then seek the disobey that command. As he flew to prepare to meet God.”5 I testify guidance of the Holy Ghost. Let the loops and barrel rolls through the that your time on earth will be suffi- seeds of inspiration grow. The bud- night sky over Texas, he looked cient if you learn to use it wisely in ding ideas need tending. They need through the cockpit canopy and your youth. “O, remember, my son, time to mature. The light of inspira- thought he saw stars above him, but and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, tion will bring the spiritual harvest he was really seeing the lights of oil learn in thy youth to keep the com- which will come when we ask our rigs below. He was experiencing ver- mandments of God.”6 Heavenly Father in prayer if we have tigo: the g-forces on his plane made it Now is the time to safeguard your made a correct decision. As we follow seem he was right side up, yet he was birthright. Nearing the end of his life, that light, the darkness will vanish upside down. As he pulled up on the the Old Testament prophet Jacob and the light will grow “brighter and stick to climb higher into the night gave a father’s blessing to each of his brighter until the perfect day”10—that sky, he dove toward the earth and sons. Reuben was the firstborn and day when we are in the presence of crashed into the twinkling lights of had the birthright—special blessings our Father in Heaven. the oil field below. intended just for him. But in his bless- Finally, be there. Each of us was When you are flying an airplane, if ing to Reuben, his father said, “Thou there in the Council in Heaven to

50 choose the great plan of happiness we now enjoy. Young men, when you have made a commitment to yourself, your Lay Up in Store family, your bishop, your employer, be there. When it is time to be in church, BISHOP KEITH B. McMULLIN at Mutual, or fulfilling a priesthood Second Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric assignment, be there. When it is time to graduate from school or training programs, be there. When it is time to We call upon priesthood bearers to store sufficient so that serve a mission, be there. When the you and your family can weather the vicissitudes of life. young woman you love most kneels at the altar of God’s holy temple, be there (and not as a witness). When your family is gathered in the celestial kingdom, made the team. Now he could have be there. When the Savior waits to the recognition and bragging rights greet you as you return with honor unique in the world of university from your life on this earth and your sports. Such were the notions in Heavenly Father wants to encircle you his head. about in the arms of His love, be there. But he had given little thought After your decade of decision, go to something that would ultimately onward and upward. “Rise up, O [ye] dismantle his lofty and vain ambi- men of God!”11 Be faithful husbands tions—he had failed to lay up in and fathers. Be true. Rise up and be store. He had overlooked the impor- worthy of the worthy daughters of tance of adequate preparation, the God who support and sustain us. requirements of regular attendance May we honor them as we honor and disciplined study, and the col- the Lord. lege chemistry class. The conse- I testify that your Heavenly Father quence was swift and merciless. It knows you are here tonight. You are took less than 90 days. It happened part of His mighty, royal army whose this way: “ranks are filled with soldiers, united, y dear brethren, how blessed The day he found his 5-foot 8-inch, bold, and strong, who follow their we are to be assembled 170-pound body on the line of scrim- Commander and sing their joyful Mtogether with the First mage opposite a mammoth lineman song: Victory, victory, thru him that Presidency and the Twelve Apostles. from the varsity squad, he knew he redeemed us! Victory, victory, thru Each priesthood bearer present, be was in the wrong sport. Jesus Christ, our Lord!”12 He is there, he 12 or 112, can, because of our Unaccustomed to rigorous study, He wants us to be with Him, He Savior Jesus Christ, inherit the celes- his eyes and mind refused to function leads us, and our victory is in Him, I tial order of life “by obedience to the after a brief time in the books. so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”1 The capstone of defeat was amen. ■ This is wonderful to contemplate, and the final chemistry exam. Suffice it I know it is true. You are in charge of to say that his random answers NOTES your world! to multiple-choice questions did 1. “Behold! A Royal Army,” Hymns, no. 251. 2. Luke 18:22. With this prospect before us, con- not even approximate the law of 3. See “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for sider the following story. A young averages. He failed miserably. Youth,” Liahona, Apr. 2001, 30–41; Ensign, man, full of ambition and energy, Hard work, a mission that awak- Jan. 2001, 2–11. 4. D&C 46:11. enrolled in a fine university. At the ened in him a correct vision of life’s 5. Alma 34:32. time, he was a priest in the Aaronic purposes, and unrelenting prepara- 6. Alma 37:35. 7. Genesis 49:3–4. Priesthood. His goal was lofty—he tion eventually overcame the con- 8. See Alma 53. wanted to become a doctor. His aim sequence of this brief period of 9. D&C 6:33. was ambitious—he wanted to be rich. foolishness. Even today, however, 10. D&C 50:24. 11. Hymns, no. 323. He wanted to play football, so he I still have nightmares about that 12. Hymns, no. 251. sought out the coaches and eventually chemistry class.

MAY 2007 51 Fortunately, the Lord has shown to prepare for the day of scarcity. us how to avoid similar foolishness. Work, industry, frugality are part of He said: the royal order of life. Remember “Hearken, O ye people of my these words from Paul: “If any pro- church. . . . Hearken ye people from vide not for his own, and specially afar; and ye that are upon the islands for those of his own house, he hath of the sea, listen together. . . . denied the faith, and is worse than “Prepare ye, prepare ye for that an infidel.”13 which is to come, for the Lord is Seated before us are the three nigh.”2 presiding high priests who constitute The doctrine of the Second Com- the First Presidency of the Church. ing of the Messiah provides one of From President James E. Faust, the great incentives to prepare and Second Counselor, we hear: “Every live right. Heavenly Father knows that father and mother are the family’s promised rewards encourage His chil- storekeepers. They should store what- dren to do works of righteousness ever their own family would like to and promised penalties create a dread we cultivate a gentle touch and kindly have in the case of an emergency . . . of doing evil. Such are the revelations word. We are men who pray, who [and] God will sustain us through our pertaining to the Second Coming of keep the Sabbath day holy, and who trials.”14 our Lord.3 know the word of God. We tithe, fast, From President Thomas S. These revelations speak of signs and give a generous fast offering. We Monson, First Counselor, we hear: and wonders on earth and in the keep our covenants and consecrate “Many more people could ride out heavens. They point to troublesome our lives to the building up of God’s the storm-tossed waves in their eco- times and pending events vast in kingdom. nomic lives if they had their year’s scope and duration. And most im- And, brethren, we lay up in store! supply of food . . . and were debt-free. portant, we receive these supernal By doing these things, “the Lord shall Today we find that many have fol- promises: have power over his saints, and shall lowed this counsel in reverse: they “The Lord shall have power over reign in [our] midst.”9 have at least a year’s supply of debt his saints, and shall reign in their Unencumber your life. As men of and are food-free.”15 midst.”4 God, we turn from excess to that From President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Through my providence, notwith- which edifies, for “that which doth the Lord’s prophet, we hear: standing the tribulation which shall not edify is not of God.”10 If dealings “The best place to have some food descend upon you, . . . the church or involvements or pursuits or sched- set aside is within our homes. . . . may stand independent above all ules detract from putting God first, “We can begin ever so modestly. We other creatures beneath the celestial we must pare back and unencumber can begin with a one week’s food sup- world.”5 our lives.11 If we have debts, we pay ply and gradually build it to a month, And “if ye are prepared ye shall them and live debt free to the extent and then to three months. . . . I fear not fear.”6 possible. that so many feel that a long-term Priesthood bearers are led by And, brethren, we lay up in store! food supply is so far beyond their these promises to prepare themselves Then, “through [the Lord’s] provi- reach that they make no effort at all. and their families for the Lord’s dence, notwithstanding the tribula- “Begin in a small way, . . . and appearing.7 There is no need to be tion . . . the church [and its people gradually build toward a reasonable anxious about events leading up to will] stand independent.”12 objective.”16 the Second Coming. Let us instead be Lay up in store. Wives are instru- Inspired preparation rests on the filled with gratitude for our under- mental in this work, but they need foundation of faith in Jesus Christ, standing of what lies ahead. Let us husbands who lead out in family pre- obedience, and a provident lifestyle. appreciate that we are in charge of our paredness. Children need parents Members should not go to extremes, own world, being the Lord’s agents who instill in them this righteous tra- but they should begin. over that which He has entrusted to dition. They will then do likewise with We call upon priesthood bearers us.8 The formula is simple: Be faithful. their children, and their stores will to store sufficient so that you and Unencumber your life. Lay up in store. not fail. your family can weather the vicissi- Be faithful. As priesthood bearers, A cardinal principle of the gospel is tudes of life. Please see to it that

52 those entrusted to your watchcare receive these two pamphlets entitled All Is Safely Gathered In. Exhort them to prepare now for rainy days ahead. Priesthood leaders, enlist the Relief Society in promoting family preparedness and homemaking. The women of the Church need your backing and will respond to your leadership. Encourage our members to regularly put into their home storage a few wholesome, basic food items and some water that is safe to drink. They should save some money, if only a few coins each week. This modest approach will soon enable them to have several months’ reserve. Over time they can expand these modest efforts into a longer-term supply by adding such essentials as grains, legumes, and other staples that will keep them alive in case they do not have anything else to eat.17 As we do our very best, we can be confident that “the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail.”18 We shall enjoy greater wisdom, security, peace of mind, and personal well-being. We shall be prepared, and because we are prepared, we “shall not fear.”19 In closing, I introduce to you the Luca and Patrizia Vaccarono family. They live in a small town near Rome, As a final thought, Brother 8. See D&C 104:13–17. Italy. In a recent letter, they wrote: Vaccarono writes: “I’m sorry for my 9. D&C 1:36. 10. D&C 50:23. “We decided after some experi- English. I hope you understand what 11. See Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, ence that it is important to store I tried to explain to you.” Brother and 1:675–76; Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:38. the items we use. Sometimes we Sister Vaccarono, we understand, for 12. D&C 78:14. have to modify our habits in eating it is written in scripture: “Trust in the 13. 1 Timothy 5:8; see also 1 Timothy 6:19; D&C certain kinds of foods. . . . Lord with all thine heart; and lean not 29:34; “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. “The feeling of peace and the unto thine own understanding. In all 1995, 102; Joseph F. Smith, in Conference desire to be faithful to the command- thy ways acknowledge him, and he Report, Oct. 1900, 46; Bruce R. McConkie, ment given by the Lord through the shall direct thy paths.”21 In the name The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. (1979–81), 2:155. modern prophet helps us feel the of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ 14. “The Responsibility for Welfare Rests with Holy Spirit, . . . to not be afraid, and to Me and My Family,” Ensign, May 1986, 22. NOTES 15. “That Noble Gift—Love at Home,” Church see that the signs of the time for the 1. Articles of Faith 1:3. News, May 12, 2001, 7. Second Coming of the Lord is a bless- 2. D&C 1:1, 12. 16. “To Men of the Priesthood,” Liahona and ing and not something to fear. We 3. See Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Ensign, Nov. 2002, 58. Testament Commentary, 3 vols. (1966–73), 17. See The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. rejoice in it. . . . It gives us the moti- 1:677–78. Clyde J. Williams (1996), 314. vation to be faithful and endure to 4. D&C 1:36. 18. 1 Kings 17:14; see also vv. 8–16. 5. D&C 78:14. 19. D&C 38:30. the end and to be saved and obtain 6. D&C 38:30. 20. Letter dated Mar. 3, 2007. eternal life.”20 7. See 2 Timothy 4:8; D&C 133:50, 52. 21. Proverbs 3:5–6.

MAY 2007 53 for the Spirit to whisper to me what I was to say. It is difficult for me to Message describe the feelings I had that day during the blessing, but I can say that I now have a stronger testimony that the power of the priesthood is real.”2 to My Grandsons You young men are no doubt looking forward to receiving the higher or PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST Melchizedek Priesthood. Of this higher Second Counselor in the First Presidency priesthood the Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Its institution was prior to ‘the I hope each one of you becomes a man of God. foundation of this earth, or the morn- You will become a man of God through righteous works. ing stars sang together, or the Sons of God shouted for joy,’ and is the highest and holiest Priesthood, and is after the order of the Son of God.”3 As priesthood holders we are of God. It is a power that no one can agents of the Lord. The Lord spoke assume on his own initiative. As Paul of this sacred agency to the elders said, “No man taketh this honour of the Church in Kirtland in 1831: unto himself, but he that is called of “Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are God, as was Aaron.”1 It is an authority on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye beyond all human power to create. do according to the will of the Lord is Peter, a young priest, wrote of an the Lord’s business.”4 experience that taught him that President Hinckley has often priesthood power is very real. A reminded us that missionary work is young convert in his ward in Ontario, essentially a priesthood responsibil- Canada, was sustained as a teacher in ity. It is a great honor and responsi- the Aaronic Priesthood, and Peter was bility to be called to serve the Lord asked to be the “voice” in the ordina- in missionary work. This service tion. Peter wrote, “I had never laid my brings lasting joy, even though it also hands on anybody’s head before, and can be challenging and discouraging I felt so inadequate. But then the at times. My mission changed the Spirit reassured me that it would be course of my life. It was one of the rethren, tonight I would like to fine for me to do it. . . . greatest experiences I have ever had. talk to you as I would to my “The young man to be ordained sat Serving a mission prepares us for Bgrandsons. I hope that what down in the chair, and I stood directly the rest of our life’s work and our I have to say will apply to all young behind him. [Our Young Men presi- eternal work. priesthood holders everywhere. As I dent] guided me through the ordi- I hope each one of you becomes a think of this large congregation and nance prayer and I repeated every man of God. You will become a man also the many thousands more who word he said. After we had finished of God through righteous works. You have joined us by satellite, I am the ordination and said, ‘. . . and we will honor and magnify your priest- reminded that the great blessing of wish to pronounce a blessing on your hood and, as the Apostle Paul said, holding the priesthood of God is one head at this time . . .’ [the Young Men “follow after righteousness, godliness, that is reserved for the relatively few, president] looked at me and indi- faith, love, patience, meekness.”5 considering the billions of people in cated that I was on my own. It is not always easy to follow a the world. To hold the priesthood is a “At that point, the priesthood righteous plan and be obedient to signal honor; yet any worthy man or entirely changed its meaning for me. the laws of society and the laws of boy over the age of 12 in the Church It was no longer just a title, but the the Lord. In the long run, however, may receive it. actual authority to act in God’s name, following the rules is still the best Priesthood is the authority dele- and I was giving that authority to pathway to obtaining all the things gated to man to minister in the name someone else. I paused and waited the Lord has promised.

54 We are all accountable for our actions. My experience as a lawyer taught me that those who follow a life of crime frequently blame their father or mother or society when they are imprisoned. Yet they willfully chose to act “contrary to the nature of God” and consequently are “in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.”6 Some of them even claim, “The devil made me do it!” The truth in that statement is that the devil entices us to do evil.7 The falsehood is because we have agency. The devil can’t make us do anything we choose not to do.8 Snares and pitfalls can come to all of us, whether in our youth, middle age, or old age. As someone once observed, “In youth we run into difficulties; in old age difficulties run into us.”9 The increased permissiveness of our society will require us to hold very tightly to the iron rod of righteousness in order to receive the blessings and protection of the Lord. There is great danger in trifling with Satan’s temptations. We will need to guard against all forms of evil all of the days of our lives. All you young men who hold the priesthood have the duty to respect womanhood. As you date the lovely young women of the Church, you have a duty to protect their physical safety and virtue. The priesthood you hold gives you the greater responsibility to see that the high moral standards of the Church are always maintained. You know better than to approach the edge of sexual entice- this from over 60 years of marriage to young men will have the responsibility ment. You will lose part of that which my wife, Ruth. of caring for a wife and children, who is sacred about yourself if you go Friends and acquaintances add will depend upon you. When you beyond the edge and abuse the great much to the richness of life, but these marry, you will be responsible for your powers of procreation. How can any relationships can be temporary. No wife’s welfare and ultimately for the of us hope to play a great role in time one loves you more or has greater welfare of your children as you start a or eternity if we have no power of concern for your welfare than your family. Marriage and fatherhood can self-control? To be married to a righ- parents. You may question what they bring great eternal happiness and joy. teous woman who loves the Lord, tell you, but you cannot question As President Joseph F. Smith said, it is loves you, and respects the priest- their love for you and interest in your “family life, on which the government hood is one of the greatest of bless- well-being. of the Church is based and perpetu- ings of life and eternity. I have learned The time will come when you ated.”10 To find sublime fulfillment in

MAY 2007 55 the home, both partners need to be “Some persons have the idea that tal- fully committed to the marriage. ent, creativity, moral stability, or great- President David O. McKay once said, ness are not in the realm of youth, “When one puts business or pleasure but are reserved to those who are above his home, he that moment older. This is not so.”14 starts on the downgrade to soul- You young men have a future with weakness.”11 great promise. You are the beneficiar- Some of you are well on your way ies of knowledge the world has never to successfully meeting some of your known before. This knowledge will goals in life. We are proud of you. My allow you to contribute to the future father once told me that he thought of modern business, industry, agricul- he would have it made when he grad- ture, and the professions. You may be uated from law school. He said that among those who will defend a way really in a sense his graduation was of life on the battlefields. You will be only the beginning of greater chal- among those who spread the princi- lenges. We do not have it made, nor ples of the gospel in the world and will we be free from worldly chal- Two boys in the Comayaguela help the Church grow. lenges in this life. Honduras Torocagua Stake attend Now, my dear grandsons and all We live in an age of specialization. a conference broadcast. special young men within the sound When I was a boy, many people had of my voice, go forward. Go forward in Model T Fords. Compared to modern “Business? . . . Mankind was my busi- faith and righteousness, following the cars, they were relatively simple ness. The common welfare was my leadership of our prophet, President mechanically. Many people were able business.”12 Each of us ought to Gordon B. Hinckley. If you do, the to fix their own cars by grinding the play some role in strengthening Lord will strengthen and magnify you valves, changing the rings on the pis- society, especially in doing the work so that you will accomplish great tons, putting in new brake bands, and of God. things. I testify of the great and pro- using a generous supply of baling wire. I have learned that for those of us found influence the priesthood has Nowadays automobiles are so sophisti- who hold the priesthood, the best been in my life. In all my long years of cated that the average person knows formula for success is “Seek ye first life I have tried not to hide who I am very little about how to repair them. the kingdom of God, and his righ- and what I believe. I cannot recall a The mechanics of today use a com- teousness; and all these things shall single instance when it hurt my career puter to diagnose engine problems. be added unto you.”13 Success will not or I lost valued friends by humbly I mention this example to encourage come immediately because it requires acknowledging that I was a member of you young men to get training and preparation and hard work. There this Church. I leave my testimony and education in order to keep up. really are no shortcuts to success. blessing with you today in the name of Technical education is very important, Each of us is a unique creation of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

and the same thing is true in fields of our Heavenly Father. No two of us are NOTES higher education. Any kind of skill completely alike. No one else has 1. Hebrews 5:4. requires specialized learning. exactly the same gifts and talents 2. Peter Pomart, “The Power Is Real,” New Era, Oct. 1996, 10; see Liahona, June 1997, 44. I do not care what vocation you that we have been given. We should 3. History of the Church, 4:207. choose to follow in life so long as it is increase those talents and gifts and 4. D&C 64:29. honorable. How you provide for your use them to leverage our uniqueness. 5. 1 Timothy 6:11. 6. Alma 41:11. family is your decision. Acquiring a For example, when I was growing up, 7. See Moroni 7:12. skill is a good way to pay the bills, but there was a fine young man in our 8. See James 1:12–15; 4:7. there really ought to be something neighborhood who was not a scholar 9. Josh Billings, in Evan Esar, ed., Dictionary of Humorous Quotations (1962), 36. more in terms of personal involve- but made beautiful furniture with his 10. “Parents Should Be Consulted,” ment. Do not become so preoccupied hands. He and I were drafted into the Improvement Era, Feb. 1902, 308–9. 11. In Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 5. with the material things of life that you military the same day. He could not 12. Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, in The lose the essence of your humanity. learn to make his bed so it would Best Short Stories of Charles Dickens You may recall Dickens’s character pass inspection, but he could make (1947), 435. 13. Matthew 6:33. Jacob Marley, who lamented his obses- pieces of wood into exquisite art. As 14. The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, ed. sion with work when he exclaimed: President Howard W. Hunter said: Clyde J. Williams (1997), 117.

56 presidency was to be reorganized. The Aaronic Priesthood, including mem- The Priesthood— bers of bishoprics, were providing the music for the conference. As we concluded singing our first selection, President Joseph Fielding Smith, our a Sacred Gift conference visitor, stepped to the pulpit and read for sustaining approval PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON the names of the new stake presi- First Counselor in the First Presidency dency. He then mentioned that Percy Fetzer, who became our new stake It is our responsibility to conduct our lives president, and John Burt, who became so that we are ever worthy of the priesthood we bear. the first counselor—each of whom had been counselors in the previous presidency—had been made aware of their new callings before the conference began. However, he indicated We who hold the priesthood are, in that I, who had been called to be sec- the words of the Apostle Peter, “a cho- ond counselor in the new presidency, sen generation, a royal priesthood.”1 had no previous knowledge of the call- President Joseph F. Smith defined ing and was hearing of it for the first the priesthood as “the power of God time as my name was read for sustain- delegated to man by which man can ing vote. He then announced, “If act in the earth for the salvation of the Brother Monson is willing to respond human family, . . . by which [men] may to this call, we will be pleased to hear speak the will of God as if the angels from him now.” were here to speak it themselves; by As I stood at the pulpit and gazed which men are empowered to bind on out on that sea of faces, I remem- earth and it shall be bound in heaven, bered the song we had just sung. It and to loose on earth and it shall be pertained to the Word of Wisdom and loosed in heaven.” President Smith was titled “Have Courage, My Boy, to added, “[The priesthood] is sacred, Say No.” That day I selected as my and it must be held sacred by the acceptance theme “Have Courage, people.”2 My Boy, to Say Yes.” The call for rethren, we are assembled this My brethren, the priesthood is a courage comes constantly to each of evening as a mighty body of gift which brings with it not only spe- us—the courage to stand firm for our Bthe priesthood, both here in cial blessings but also solemn respon- convictions, the courage to fulfill our the Conference Center and in loca- sibilities. It is our responsibility to responsibilities, the courage to honor tions throughout the world. I am hon- conduct our lives so that we are ever our priesthood. ored by the privilege to speak to you. worthy of the priesthood we bear. We Wherever we go, our priesthood I pray that the inspiration of the Lord live in a time when we are surrounded goes with us. Are we standing in “holy will guide my thoughts and inspire by much that is intended to entice places”?3 Said President J. Reuben my words. us into paths which may lead to our Clark Jr., who served for many years as During the past several weeks, as I destruction. To avoid such paths a counselor in the First Presidency: have contemplated what I might say requires determination and courage. “The Priesthood is not like a suit of to you tonight, I have thought repeat- Courage counts. This truth came to clothes that you can lay off and take edly of the blessing which is ours to me in a most vivid and dramatic man- back on. . . . Depending upon our- be bearers of the sacred priesthood of ner many years ago. I was serving as a selves [it is] an everlasting endow- God. When we look at the world as a bishop at the time. The general ses- ment.” He continued: “If we really had whole, with a population of over 6 1/2 sion of our stake conference was being that . . . conviction . . . that we could billion people, we realize that we held in the Assembly Hall on Temple not lay [the priesthood] aside, and comprise a very small, select group. Square in Salt Lake City. Our stake that God would hold us responsible if

MAY 2007 57 grew louder. Then, in desperation, he whispered, “Monson, aren’t you an elder?” I acknowledged this to be so, whereupon he pleaded, “Give me a blessing.” I became very much aware that I had never given a blessing. I had never received such a blessing; I had never witnessed a blessing being given. My prayer to God was a plea for help. The answer came: “Look in the bottom of the seabag.” Thus, at 2:00 a.m. I emptied on the deck the contents of the bag. I then took to we [demeaned] it, it would save us train station to bid me farewell. Just the night-light that hard, rectangular from doing a good many things, save before train time, he placed in my object, The Missionary’s Hand Book, us from going a good many places. If, hand a book which I hold before and read how one blesses the sick. every time we started a little detour you tonight. Its title: The Missionary’s With about 120 curious sailors look- away from the straight and narrow, we Hand Book. I laughed and coming on, I proceeded with the blessing. would remember, ‘I am carrying my mented, “I’ll be in the navy—not on Before I could stow my gear, Leland Priesthood here. Should I?’ it would a mission.” He answered, “Take it Merrill was sleeping like a child. not take us long to work back into the anyway. It may come in handy.” The next morning, Merrill smilingly straight and narrow.”4 It did. During basic training our turned to me and said, “Monson, I’m President Spencer W. Kimball said: company commander instructed us glad you hold the priesthood!” His “There is no limit to the power of the concerning how we might best pack gladness was only surpassed by my priesthood which you hold. The limit our clothing in a large seabag. He gratitude—gratitude not only for the comes in you if you do not live in har- then advised, “If you have a hard, rec- priesthood but for being worthy to mony with the Spirit of the Lord and tangular object you can place in the receive the help I required in a time you limit yourselves in the power bottom of the bag, your clothes will of desperate need and to exercise the you exert.”5 stay more firm.” I thought, “Where power of the priesthood. My brethren of the priesthood— am I going to find a hard, rectangular Brethren, our Lord and Savior said, from the youngest to the oldest—are object?” Suddenly I remembered just “Come, follow me.”6 When we accept you living your life in accordance the right rectangular object—The His invitation and walk in His foot- with that which the Lord requires? Missionary’s Hand Book. And thus it steps, He will direct our paths. Are you worthy to bear the priest- served for 12 weeks at the bottom of In April of 2000, I felt such direc- hood of God? If you are not, make that seabag. tion. I had received a phone call from the decision here and now, muster The night preceding our Christmas Rosa Salas Gifford, whom I did not the courage it will take, and institute leave, our thoughts were, as always, know. She explained that her parents whatever changes are necessary so on home. The barracks were quiet. had been visiting from Costa Rica for that your life is what it should be. To Suddenly I became aware that my a few months and that just a week sail safely the seas of mortality, we buddy in the adjoining bunk—a mem- prior to her call, her father, Bernardo need the guidance of that eternal ber of the Church, Leland Merrill— Agusto Salas, had been diagnosed mariner—even the great Jehovah. If was moaning in pain. I asked, “What’s with liver cancer. She indicated that we are on the Lord’s errand, we are the matter, Merrill?” the doctors had informed the family entitled to the Lord’s help. He replied, “I’m sick. I’m really sick.” that her father would live just a few His help has come to me on count- I advised him to go to the base dis- more days. Her father’s great desire, less occasions throughout my life. Dur- pensary, but he answered knowingly she explained, was to meet me before ing the final phases of World War II, that such a course would prevent him he died. She left her address and I turned 18 and was ordained an from being home for Christmas. I asked if I could come to her home in elder—one week before I departed then suggested he be quiet so that we Salt Lake City to visit with her father. for active duty with the navy. A mem- didn’t awaken the entire barracks. Because of meetings and obliga- ber of my ward bishopric was at the The hours lengthened; his groans tions, it was rather late when I left my

58 office. Instead of going straight home, however, I felt impressed that I should drive further south and visit Brother Salas that very evening. With the address in hand, I attempted to locate the residence. In rather heavy traffic and with dimming light, I drove past the location where the road to the house should have been. I could see nothing. However, I don’t give up easily. I drove around the block and came back. Still nothing. One more time I tried and still no sign of the road. I began to feel that I would be justified in turning toward home. I had made a gallant effort but had been unsuccessful in finding the address. Instead, I offered a silent prayer for help. The inspiration came that I should approach the area from the opposite direction. I drove a distance and turned the car around so that I was now on the other side of the road. Going in this direction, the traffic was much lighter. As I neared the location once again, I could see, through the faint light, a street sign that had been knocked down—it was lying on its side at the edge of the road—and a nearly invisible, weed- covered track leading to a small apart- ment building and a single, tiny residence some distance from the main road. As I drove toward the buildings, a small girl in a white dress waved to me, and I knew that I had smile graced his lips as I took him by your hearts, and mine angels round found the family. the hand. I spoke the words, “I have about you, to bear you up.” Following I was ushered into the home and come to meet you.” Tears welled up the blessing, I offered a few words of then to the room where Brother Salas in his eyes and in mine. comfort to the grieving family mem- lay. Surrounding the bed were three I asked if a blessing would be bers. I spoke carefully so they could daughters and a son-in-law, as well desired, and the unanimous answer understand my English. And then, as Sister Salas. All but the son-in-law from the family members was affirma- with my limited Spanish language abil- were from Costa Rica. Brother Salas’s tive. Since the son-in-law did not hold ity, I let them know that I loved them appearance reflected the gravity of his the priesthood, I proceeded by myself and that our Heavenly Father would condition. A damp rag with frayed to provide a priesthood blessing. The bless them. edges—not a towel or a washcloth but words seemed to flow freely under the I asked for the family Bible and a damp rag with frayed edges—rested direction of the Spirit of the Lord. I directed their attention to 3 John, upon his forehead, emphasizing the included the Savior’s words found in verse 4: “I have no greater joy than humble economic circumstances of the Doctrine and Covenants, section to hear that my children walk in the family. 84, verse 88: “I will go before your truth.” I said to them, “This is what With some prompting, Brother face. I will be on your right hand and your husband and father would have Salas opened his eyes, and a wan on your left, and my Spirit shall be in you remember as he prepares to

MAY 2007 59 depart this earthly existence.” With tears streaming down her face, Brother Salas’s sweet wife then “I Am Clean” asked if I would write down the references for the two scriptures I had PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY shared with them so that the family might read them again. Not having anything handy on which I could Be clean—in language, in thought, in body, in dress. write, Sister Salas reached into her purse and drew from it a slip of paper. As I took it from her, I noticed it was a tithing receipt. My heart was the Church was organized. touched as I realized that, despite the • 3,400,000 converts have been bap- extremely humble circumstances in tized, which is the equivalent of which the family lived, they were over one-fourth of the total current faithful in paying their tithes. membership of the Church. After a tender farewell, I was • The total number of missions in escorted to my car. As I drove home- the Church has increased from 303 ward, I reflected on the special spirit to 344, with three more to be we had felt. I experienced, as well, added soon. as I have many times before, a sense • Retention as measured by sacra- of gratitude that my Heavenly Father ment meeting attendance, priest- had answered another person’s hood ordinations, and tithing prayer through me. faithfulness has increased My brethren, let us ever remember significantly. that the priesthood of God which we bear is a sacred gift which brings to us Now, while all of this has been and to those we serve the blessings of tremendously significant, I am con- heaven. May we, in whatever place we y dear brethren of the priest- vinced that with a little more dedica- may be, honor and protect that priesthood, what an inspiration it tion this wonderful recent past can be hood. May we ever be on the Lord’s Mis to look into the faces of but prologue to a greater future. errand, that we might ever be entitled the 21,000 here in the Conference Let us all put our shoulders to the to the Lord’s help. Center, with the knowledge that mil- wheel and push along, do our duty There is a war being waged for lions are gathered in church halls and with a heart full of song. This cause men’s souls—yours and mine. It con- other locations throughout the world. needs work; let no one shirk. Put tinues without abatement. Like a clar- I regret that I am so old at a time your shoulder to the wheel and push ion call comes the word of the Lord when life is increasingly exciting. along. (See “Put Your Shoulder to the to you and to me and to priesthood As all of you know, I was ordained Wheel,” Hymns, no. 252.) holders everywhere: “Wherefore, and set apart as President of the Now, I wish to move to a different now let every man learn his duty, and Church 12 years ago, specifically on matter. I spoke of this same thing to act in the office in which he is March 12, 1995. Elder Ballard has many years ago. I repeat it because appointed, in all diligence.”7 pulled together some figures con- those who heard it then have long May we each have the courage to cerning those 12 years. I quote from since forgotten, and those who did do so, I pray in the name of Jesus his statement: not hear it need to hear it. It concerns Christ, amen. ■ President Joseph F. Smith, who served NOTES • 387,750 missionaries have entered as President of the Church from 1901 1. 1 Peter 2:9. the mission field, which repre- to 1918, altogether 17 years. 2. Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 139–40. 3. D&C 45:32; 87:8; 101:22. sents almost 40 percent of the Joseph F. Smith was the son of 4. In Conference Report, Oct. 1951, 169. missionaries who have ever Hyrum Smith, who was the brother of 5. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. served in this dispensation—that the Prophet Joseph and was martyred Edward L. Kimball (1982), 498. 6. Luke 18:22. is, 40 percent in the 12 most with him in Carthage. Joseph F. was 7. D&C 107:99. recent years of the 177 years since born at Far West, Missouri, on

60 November 13, 1838. He came out of was so debased in my condition of opening, or door. I knocked and the Missouri as an infant. As a lad not yet poverty, lack of intelligence and door opened, and the man who stood six years of age, he heard a knock on knowledge, just a boy, that I hardly there was the Prophet Joseph Smith. the window of his mother’s home in dared look a . . . man in the face. He looked at me a little reprovingly, Nauvoo. It was a man who had hur- “While in that condition I dreamed and the first words he said: ‘Joseph, riedly ridden from Carthage and who [one night] that I was on a journey, you are late.’ Yet I took confidence told Sister Smith that her husband and I was impressed that I ought to and [replied]: had been killed that afternoon. hurry—hurry with all my might, for “ ‘Yes, but I am clean—I am clean!’ When he was 9, he drove an ox fear I might be too late. I rushed on “He clasped my hand and drew me team with his mother across the my way as fast as I possibly could, and in, then closed the great door. I felt plains to this valley. At the age of 15 I was only conscious of having just a his hand just as tangible as I ever felt he was called on a mission to Hawaii. little bundle, a handkerchief with a the hand of man. I knew him, and He made his way to San Francisco small bundle wrapped in it. I did not when I entered I saw my father, and and there worked in a shingle mill to realize . . . what it was, when I was Brigham [Young] and Heber [C. earn enough money to buy passage hurrying as fast as I could; but finally Kimball], and Willard [Richards], and to the islands. I came to a wonderful mansion. . . . I other good men that I had known, Hawaii was not a tourist center thought I knew that was my destina- standing in a row. I looked as if it were then. It was populated by the native tion. As I passed towards it, as fast as across this valley, and it seemed to be Hawaiians, who were, for the most I could, I saw a notice [which read filled with a vast multitude of people, part, poor but generous with what B-A-T-H], ‘Bath.’ I turned aside but on the stage were all the people they had. He learned to speak their quickly and went into the bath and that I had known. My mother was language and to love them. While washed myself clean. I opened up there, and she sat with a child in her serving there he experienced a this little bundle that I had, and there lap; and I could name over as many as remarkable dream. I quote from his was [some] white, clean [clothing], a I remember of their names, who sat narrative concerning this. Said he: thing I had not seen for a long time, there, who seemed to be among the “I was very much oppressed because the people I was with did not chosen, among the exalted. . . . [when I was] on a mission. I was think very much of making things “[When I had this dream,] I was almost naked and entirely friendless, exceedingly clean. But my [clothing alone on a mat, away up in the moun- except [for] the friendship of a poor, was] clean, and I put [it] on. Then I tains of Hawaii—no one was with me. benighted . . . people. I felt as if I rushed to what appeared to be a great But in this vision I pressed my hand

MAY 2007 61 mind expresses itself in language that is positive and uplifting and in deeds that bring happiness to the heart. Be clean in body and dress and manner. Do not permit yourself to be tattooed. If you do, someday you will regret it. Only a painful and costly procedure can remove the tattoo. Be clean and neat and orderly. Sloppy dress leads to sloppy man- ners. I am not so concerned about what you wear as I am that it be neat Two young members of the Coban Guatemala Stake. and clean. Remember Joseph F. Smith’s dream. As he was hurrying up against the Prophet, and I saw a away the evil of your doings from toward the mansion, he had a little smile cross his countenance. . . . before mine eyes; cease to do evil; bundle wrapped in a handkerchief. “When I awoke that morning I was “Learn to do well; . . . When he bathed himself and opened a man, although only [still] a boy. “Come now, and let us reason it, he found that it contained clean There was not anything in the world together, saith the Lord: though your clothing. Whenever you administer that I feared [after that]. I could meet sins be as scarlet, they shall be as or pass the sacrament, look your any man or woman or child and look white as snow; though they be red very best. Be sure of your personal them in the face, feeling in my soul like crimson, they shall be as wool” cleanliness. that I was a man every whit. That (Isaiah 1:16–18). And so, my dear brethren, I might vision, that manifestation and witness In modern revelation the Lord has go on. I might discuss with you what that I enjoyed at that time has made said: “Be ye clean that bear the vessels is happening on the Internet and with me what I am, if I am anything that is of the Lord” (D&C 133:5). the use of the computer that leads good, or clean, or upright before the In a world that wallows in filth, be to degrading thoughts and actions. Lord, if there is anything good in me. clean—in language, in thought, in Suffice it to say it is totally unbecom- That has helped me out in every trial body, in dress. ing you as one who holds the priest- and through every difficulty” (Gospel To each of you I say, be clean in hood of God. You are His chosen Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 542–43). your language. There is so much of servant; you have been ordained to The core of that meaningful dream filthy, sleazy talk these days. Failure to something holy and wonderful. You is found in the reproof given by express yourself in language that is cannot live in the world and partake Joseph Smith to young Joseph F. Said clean marks you as one whose vocab- of the ways of the world. You must be the Prophet, “Joseph, you are late.” ulary is extremely limited. When above all of that. Replied Joseph F., “Yes, but I am Jehovah wrote on the tablets of stone, Now, my dear brethren, may the clean—I am clean!” He said to the children of Israel, Lord bless you. To you boys I say, get The result of that dream was that a “Thou shalt not take the name of the on with your education. When you boy was changed into a man. His dec- Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will marry, yours will be the obligation to laration “I am clean” gave him self- not hold him guiltless that taketh his provide for your family. The world of assurance and courage in facing name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). opportunity lies ahead of you, and anyone or any situation. He received The Lord has reinforced that com- education is the key that will unlock the strength that comes from a clear mandment in words of modern reve- that door. It will be the door of the conscience fortified by the approba- lation: “Remember that that which mansion of which Joseph F. Smith tion of the Prophet Joseph. cometh from above is sacred, and dreamed when he was a boy sleeping This prophetic dream holds some- must be spoken with care, and by on a mountain in Hawaii. thing for every man and boy assem- constraint of the Spirit” (D&C 63:64). God bless you, my beloved bled in this vast congregation tonight. Be clean in thought. Said the Lord, brethren. Speak with the Lord in It is an old saying among us that “Let all things be done in cleanliness prayer. Cultivate kinship with Him. He “cleanliness is next to godliness.” before me” (D&C 42:41). is the Almighty, who has power to lift Said Isaiah the prophet: A filthy mind expresses itself in and help. I pray that it may be so in “Wash you, make you clean; put filthy and profane language. A clean the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

62 MAY 2007 63 GENERAL AUTHORITIES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY April 2007

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

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

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

THE PRESIDENCY OF THE SEVENTY

Earl C. Tingey D. Todd Christofferson Charles Didier Merrill J. Bateman Robert C. Oaks Neil L. Andersen Ronald A. Rasband

THE SECOND QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY THE FIRST QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY THE SECOND QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY (in alphabetical order) (in alphabetical order)

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

Quentin L. Cook Claudio R. M. Costa Benjamín De Hoyos Robert K. Dellenbach John B. Dickson David F. Evans Enrique R. Falabella Christoffel Golden Jr. Walter F. González Don R. Clarke James M. Dunn Keith R. Edwards Stanley G. Ellis Daryl H. Garn

C. Scott Grow Bruce C. Hafen Donald L. Hallstrom Keith K. Hilbig Richard G. Hinckley Jay E. Jensen Marlin K. Jensen Daniel L. Johnson Kenneth Johnson D. Rex Gerratt Larry W. Gibbons Spencer V. Jones Won Yong Ko Gerald N. Lund

Paul V. Johnson W. Rolfe Kerr Yoshihiko Kikuchi Paul E. Koelliker Erich W. Kopischke John M. Madsen Richard J. Maynes Lynn A. Mickelsen Marcus B. Nash Clate W. Mask Jr. Robert F. Orton William W. Parmley Wolfgang H. Paul Wayne S. Peterson

Dennis B. Glenn L. Pace Anthony D. Perkins Paul B. Pieper Bruce D. Porter Carl B. Pratt Lynn G. Robbins Cecil O. Samuelson Jr. Steven E. Snow R. Conrad Schultz W. Douglas Shumway Lowell M. Snow Robert R. Steuer Paul K. Sybrowsky Neuenschwander

Ulisses Soares Michael J. Teh Octaviano Tenorio Francisco J. Viñas Lance B. Wickman Claudio D. Zivic W. Craig Zwick William R. Walker Robert S. Wood H. Ross Workman THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC

Richard C. Edgley H. David Burton Keith B. McMullin First Counselor Presiding Bishop Second Counselor Above: In the Tegucigalpa Honduras Uyuca Stake, three generations of Latter-day Saints come to conference together. Left: Girls in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, attend a conference broadcast.

Above: Reading The Friend section of the Liahona in São Paulo, Brazil. Left: Members arrive at a meetinghouse in the Philippines to watch conference.

66 SUNDAY MORNING SESSION April 1, 2007

killed. A remarkable peace settled on the Amish as their faith sustained The Healing Power them during this crisis. One local resident very eloquently summed up the aftermath of this tragedy when he said, “We were all of Forgiveness speaking the same language, and not just English, but a language of caring, PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST a language of community, [and] a lan- Second Counselor in the First Presidency guage of service. And, yes, a language of forgiveness.”2 It was an amazing If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who outpouring of their complete faith in have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher the Lord’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do good to them that level of self-esteem and well-being. hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”3 The family of the milkman who killed the five girls released the fol- Mines community. He was not Amish, lowing statement to the public: but his pickup route took him to “To our Amish friends, neighbors, many Amish dairy farms, where he and local community: became known as the quiet milkman. “Our family wants each of you to Last October he suddenly lost all rea- know that we are overwhelmed by son and control. In his tormented the forgiveness, grace, and mercy that mind he blamed God for the death of you’ve extended to us. Your love for his first child and some unsubstanti- our family has helped to provide the ated memories. He stormed into the healing we so desperately need. The Amish school without any provoca- prayers, flowers, cards, and gifts tion, released the boys and adults, you’ve given have touched our hearts and tied up the 10 girls. He shot the in a way no words can describe. Your girls, killing five and wounding five. compassion has reached beyond our Then he took his own life. family, beyond our community, and is This shocking violence caused changing our world, and for this we great anguish among the Amish but sincerely thank you. no anger. There was hurt but no “Please know that our hearts have y dear brothers and sisters hate. Their forgiveness was immedi- been broken by all that has hap- and friends, I come before ate. Collectively they began to reach pened. We are filled with sorrow for Myou humbly and prayerfully. out to the milkman’s suffering family. all of our Amish neighbors whom we I wish to speak on the healing power As the milkman’s family gathered in have loved and continue to love. We of forgiveness. his home the day after the shootings, know that there are many hard days In the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania, an Amish neighbor came over, ahead for all the families who lost a devout group of Christian people live wrapped his arms around the father loved ones, and so we will continue a simple life without automobiles, elec- of the dead gunman, and said, “We to put our hope and trust in the God tricity, or modern machinery. They will forgive you.”1 Amish leaders vis- of all comfort, as we all seek to work hard and live quiet, peaceful lives ited the milkman’s wife and children rebuild our lives.”4 separate from the world. Most of their to extend their sympathy, their for- How could the whole Amish group food comes from their own farms. The giveness, their help, and their love. manifest such an expression of for- women sew and knit and weave their About half of the mourners at the giveness? It was because of their faith clothing, which is modest and plain. milkman’s funeral were Amish. In in God and trust in His word, which is They are known as the Amish people. turn, the Amish invited the milk- part of their inner beings. They see A 32-year-old milk truck driver man’s family to attend the funeral themselves as disciples of Christ and lived with his family in their Nickel services of the girls who had been want to follow His example.

MAY 2007 67 Hearing of this tragedy, many peo- physical well-being.9 Another of these ple sent money to the Amish to pay studies concludes “that forgiveness for the health care of the five surviv- . . . is a liberating gift [that] people ing girls and for the burial expenses of can give to themselves.”10 the five who were killed. As a further In our day the Lord has admon- demonstration of their discipleship, ished us, “Ye ought to forgive one the Amish decided to share some of another,” and then makes it requisite the money with the widow of the when He says, “I, the Lord, will for- milkman and her three children give whom I will forgive, but of you it because they too were victims of this is required to forgive all men.”11 terrible tragedy. A sister who had been through a Forgiveness is not always instanta- painful divorce received some sound neous as it was with the Amish. When advice from her bishop: “Keep a place innocent children have been molested in your heart for forgiveness, and or killed, most of us do not think when it comes, welcome it in.”12 first about forgiveness. Our natural For the Amish, it was already there response is anger. We may even feel because “forgiveness is a ‘heartfelt’ justified in wanting to “get even” with component of [their] religion.”13 anyone who inflicts injury on us or Their example of forgiveness is a sub- our family. of humanity. It also enables people to lime expression of Christian love. Dr. Sidney Simon, a recognized look beyond themselves. More impor- Here in Salt Lake City in 1985, authority on values realization, has tantly, it enables them to forgive.”6 Bishop Steven Christensen, through provided an excellent definition of All of us suffer some injuries from no fault of his own, was cruelly and forgiveness as it applies to human experiences that seem to have no senselessly killed by a bomb intended relationships: rhyme or reason. We cannot under- to take his life. He was the son of Mac “Forgiveness is freeing up and put- stand or explain them. We may never and Joan Christensen, the husband of ting to better use the energy once know why some things happen in this Terri, and the father of four children. consumed by holding grudges, har- life. The reason for some of our suf- With his parents’ consent, I share boring resentments, and nursing fering is known only to the Lord. what they learned from this experi- unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering But because it happens, it must be ence. After this terrible deed, the the strengths we always had and relo- endured. President Howard W. Hunter news media followed members of cating our limitless capacity to under- said that “God knows what we do not the Christensen family around relent- stand and accept other people and know and sees what we do not see.”7 lessly. On one occasion this media ourselves.”5 President Brigham Young offered intrusion offended one of the family Most of us need time to work this profound insight that at least members to the point that Steven’s through pain and loss. We can find some of our suffering has a purpose father, Mac, had to restrain him. Mac all manner of reasons for postponing when he said: “Every calamity that can then thought, “This thing will destroy forgiveness. One of these reasons is come upon mortal beings will be suf- my family if we don’t forgive. Venom waiting for the wrongdoers to repent fered to come upon the few, to pre- and hatred will never end if we do before we forgive them. Yet such a pare them to enjoy the presence of not get it out of our system.” Healing delay causes us to forfeit the peace the Lord. . . . Every trial and experi- and peace came as the family cleansed and happiness that could be ours. ence you have passed through is nec- their hearts from anger and were able The folly of rehashing long-past hurts essary for your salvation.”8 to forgive the man who took their does not bring happiness. If we can find forgiveness in our son’s life. Some hold grudges for a lifetime, hearts for those who have caused us We recently had two other tragedies unaware that courageously forgiving hurt and injury, we will rise to a here in Utah which demonstrate faith those who have wronged us is whole- higher level of self-esteem and well- and the healing power of forgiveness. some and therapeutic. being. Some recent studies show that Gary Ceran, whose wife and two chil- Forgiveness comes more readily people who are taught to forgive dren were killed on Christmas Eve when, like the Amish, we have faith in become “less angry, more hopeful, when their vehicle was hit by a truck, God and trust in His word. Such faith less depressed, less anxious and less immediately expressed his forgive- “enables people to withstand the worst stressed,” which leads to greater ness and concern for the alleged

68 drunk driver. Last February, when a car crashed into Bishop Christopher Williams’s vehicle, he had a decision to make, and it was to “uncondition- ally forgive” the driver who had caused the accident so that the healing process could take place unhampered.14 What can we all learn from such experiences as these? We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings. It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us “to forgive all men”15 for our own good because “hatred retards spiritual growth.”16 Only as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness can the Lord put comfort into our hearts, just as He did for the Amish community, the Christensens, the Cerans, and the Williams family. Of course, society needs to be protected from hardened criminals, because mercy cannot rob justice.17 Bishop Williams addressed this concept so well when he said, “Forgiveness is a source of power. But it does not relieve us of consequences.”18 When tragedy strikes, we should not respond by seeking personal revenge but rather let justice take its course and then let go. It is that can come to us as we follow the 9. Fred Luskin, in Carrie A. Moore, “Learning not easy to let go and empty our counsel of the Savior “to forgive all to Forgive,” Deseret Morning News, Oct. 7, 21 2006, p. E1. hearts of festering resentment. The men.” In the name of Jesus Christ, 10. Jay Evensen, “Forgiveness Is Powerful but Savior has offered to all of us a pre- amen. ■ Complex,” Deseret Morning News, Feb. 4, cious peace through His Atonement, 2007, p. G1. NOTES 11. D&C 64:9, 10. but this can come only as we are will- 1. In Joan Kern, “A Community Cries,” 12. In “My Journey to Forgiving,” Ensign, Feb. ing to cast out negative feelings of Lancaster New Era, Oct. 4, 2006, p. A8. 1997, 43. anger, spite, or revenge. For all of 2. In Helen Colwell Adams, “After That Tragic 13. Donald Kraybill, in Colby Itkowitz, “Flowers, Day, a Deeper Respect among English, Prayers, Songs: Families Meet at Roberts’ us who forgive “those who trespass Amish?” Sunday News, Oct. 15, 2006, p. A1. Burial,” Intelligence Journal, Oct. 9, 2006, against us,”19 even those who have 3. Matthew 5:44. p. A1. committed serious crimes, the 4. “Amish Shooting Victims,” 14. See Pat Reavy, “Crash Victim Issues a Call www.800padutch.com/amishvictims.shtml. for Forgiveness,” Deseret Morning News, Atonement brings a measure of 5. With Suzanne Simon, Forgiveness: How to Feb. 13, 2007, p. A1. peace and comfort. Make Peace with Your Past and Get On 15. D&C 64:10. Let us remember that we need to with Your Life (1990), 19. 16. Orson F. Whitney, Gospel Themes (1914), 144. 6. Marjorie Cortez, “Amish Response to 17. See Alma 42:25. forgive to be forgiven. In the words of Tragedy Is Lesson in Faith, Forgiveness,” 18. In Deseret Morning News, Feb. 13, 2007, one of my favorite hymns, “Oh, for- Deseret Morning News, Jan. 2, 2007, p. A13. p. A8. give as thou wouldst be e’en forgiven 7. “The Opening and Closing of Doors,” 19. Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:13. 20 Ensign, Nov. 1987, 60. 20. “Reverently and Meekly Now,” Hymns, now by me.” With all my heart and 8. Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. no. 185. soul, I believe in the healing power Widtsoe (1954), 345. 21. D&C 64:10.

MAY 2007 69 warned that looking upon marriage “as a mere contract that may be entered Divorce into at pleasure . . . and severed at the first difficulty . . . is an evil meriting ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS severe condemnation,” especially Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles where children are made to suffer.2 In ancient times and even under tribal laws in some countries where A good marriage does not require a perfect man we now have members, men have or a perfect woman. It only requires a man and power to divorce their wives for a woman committed to strive together any trivial thing. Such unrighteous toward perfection. oppression of women was rejected by the Savior, who declared: “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it I. was not so. We live in a world in which the “And I say unto you, Whosoever whole concept of marriage is in peril shall put away his wife, except it be and where divorce is commonplace. for fornication, and shall marry The concept that society has a another, committeth adultery: and strong interest in preserving marriages whoso marrieth her which is put for the common good as well as the away doth commit adultery” good of the couple and their children (Matthew 19:8–9). has been replaced for many by the The kind of marriage required for idea that marriage is only a private exaltation—eternal in duration and relationship between consenting godlike in quality—does not contem- adults, terminable at the will of either.1 plate divorce. In the temples of the Nations that had no divorce law Lord, couples are married for all have adopted one, and most nations eternity. But some marriages do not permitting divorces have made them progress toward that ideal. Because “of easier to obtain. Unfortunately, under the hardness of [our] hearts,” the Lord current no-fault divorce laws, it can be does not currently enforce the conse- have felt impressed to speak easier to sever a marriage relationship quences of the celestial standard. He about divorce. This is a sensitive with an unwanted spouse than an permits divorced persons to marry I subject because it evokes such employment relationship with an again without the stain of immorality strong emotions from persons it has unwanted employee. Some even refer specified in the higher law. Unless a touched in different ways. Some see to a first marriage as a “starter mar- divorced member has committed seri- themselves or their loved ones as the riage,” like a small home one uses for ous transgressions, he or she can victims of divorce. Others see them- a while before moving on. become eligible for a temple recom- selves as its beneficiaries. Some The weakening of the concept that mend under the same worthiness stan- see divorce as evidence of failure. marriages are permanent and pre- dards that apply to other members. Others consider it an essential escape cious has far-reaching consequences. hatch from marriage. In one way or Influenced by their own parents’ II. another, divorce touches most fami- divorce or by popular notions that There are many good Church lies in the Church. marriage is a ball and chain that pre- members who have been divorced. Whatever your perspective, please vents personal fulfillment, some I speak first to them. We know that listen as I try to speak plainly about young people shun marriage. Many many of you are innocent victims— the effects of divorce on the eternal who marry withhold full commit- members whose former spouses per- family relationships we seek under ment, poised to flee at the first seri- sistently betrayed sacred covenants the gospel plan. I speak out of con- ous challenge. or abandoned or refused to perform cern, but with hope. In contrast, modern prophets have marriage responsibilities for an

70 extended period. Members who have experienced such abuse have first- hand knowledge of circumstances worse than divorce. When a marriage is dead and beyond hope of resuscitation, it is needful to have a means to end it. I saw examples of this in the Philippines. Two days after their temple marriage, a husband deserted his young wife and has not been heard from for over 10 years. A married woman fled and obtained a divorce in another country, but her husband, who remained behind, is still married in the eyes of the Philippine law. Since there is no provision for divorce in that country, these innocent victims of desertion have no way to end their married sta- tus and go forward with their lives. We know that some look back on their divorces with regret at their own partial or predominant fault in the breakup. All who have been through divorce know the pain and need the healing power and hope that come from the Atonement. That healing power and that hope are there for them and also for their children.

III. Now I speak to married members, especially to any who may be considering divorce. I strongly urge you and those who advise you to face up to the reality that for most marriage problems, the rem- complexities that follow divorce— abuse, sexual promiscuity, poor school edy is not divorce but repentance. especially where there are children— performance, and various kinds of Often the cause is not incompatibility generate new conflicts. victimization. but selfishness. The first step is not Think first of the children. Because A couple with serious marriage separation but reformation. Divorce divorce separates the interests of chil- problems should see their bishop. As is not an all-purpose solution, and it dren from the interests of their par- the Lord’s judge, he will give counsel often creates long-term heartache. A ents, children are its first victims. and perhaps even discipline that will broad-based international study of the Scholars of family life tell us that the lead toward healing. levels of happiness before and after most important cause of the current Bishops do not counsel members “major life events” found that, on aver- decline in the well-being of children to divorce, but they can help mem- age, persons are far more successful in is the current weakening of marriage, bers with the consequences of their recovering their level of happiness because family instability decreases decisions. Under the law of the Lord, after the death of a spouse than after parental investment in children.4 We a marriage, like a human life, is a pre- a divorce.3 Spouses who hope that know that children raised in a single- cious, living thing. If our bodies are divorce will resolve conflicts often parent home after divorce have a sick, we seek to heal them. We do not find that it aggravates them, since the much higher risk for drug and alcohol give up. While there is any prospect

MAY 2007 71 destructive; forgiving is divine (see D&C 64:9–10). Plead for the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord to forgive wrongs (as President Faust has just taught us so beautifully), to overcome faults, and to strengthen relationships. If you are already descending into the low state of marriage-in-name-only, please join hands, kneel together, and prayerfully plead for help and the healing power of the Atonement. Your humble and united pleadings will bring you closer to the Lord and to each other and will help you in the hard climb back to marital harmony. Consider these observations of a wise bishop with extensive experience in counseling members with marriage problems. Speaking of those who eventually divorced, he said: “Universally, every couple or individual said they recognized that divorce was not a good thing, but they all insisted that their situation was different. “Universally, they focused on the fault of the spouse and attributed little responsibility to their own behavior. Communication had withered. “Universally, they were looking back, not willing to leave the baggage of past behavior on the roadside and move on. “Part of the time, serious sin was involved, but more often they had just ‘fallen out of love,’ saying, ‘He doesn’t satisfy my needs anymore,’ or, ‘She has changed.’ of life, we seek healing again and They should be partners in family “All were worried about the effect again. The same should be true of our finances, working together to regulate on the children, but always the con- marriages, and if we seek Him, the their desires for temporal things. clusion was ‘it’s worse for them to Lord will help us and heal us. Of course, there can be times have us together and fighting.’ ” Latter-day Saint spouses should do when one spouse falls short and In contrast, the couples who fol- all within their power to preserve their the other is wounded and feels pain. lowed this bishop’s counsel and marriages. They should follow the When that happens, the one who is stayed together emerged with their marriage enrichment counsel in the wronged should balance current dis- marriages even stronger. That First Presidency’s message in the April appointments against the good of prospect began with their mutual 2007 Ensign and Liahona.5 To avoid the past and the brighter prospects commitment to keep the command- so-called “incompatibility,” they should of the future. ments, stay active in their Church be best friends, kind and considerate, Don’t treasure up past wrongs, attendance, scripture reading, and sensitive to each other’s needs, always reprocessing them again and again. prayer, and to work on their own seeking to make each other happy. In a marriage relationship, festering is shortcomings. They “recognized

72 the importance and power of the the marriage altar must realize that to Atonement for their spouse and for attain the happy marriage which they themselves,” and “they were patient hope for they must know that mar- and would try again and again.” When riage . . . means sacrifice, sharing, and the couples he counseled did these even a reduction of some personal things, repenting and working to save liberties. It means long, hard econo- their marriages, this bishop reported mizing. It means children who bring that “healing was achieved 100 per- with them financial burdens, service cent of the time.” burdens, care and worry burdens; but Even those who think their spouse also it means the deepest and sweet- is entirely to blame should not act est emotions of all.”7 hastily. One study found “no evidence From personal experience, I testify that divorce or separation typically to the sweetness of the marriage and made adults happier than staying in an family life that the family proclama- unhappy marriage. Two out of three tion describes as founded upon a unhappily married adults who avoided husband and wife’s “solemn responsi- divorce reported being happily mar- bility to love and care for each other ried five years later.”6 A woman who A couple attends conference and for their children” and “upon the persisted in an intolerable marriage in Lima, Peru. teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”8 for many years until the children were I testify of Him as our Savior and raised explained: “There were three thy gain” (2 Nephi 2:1–2). Similarly, pray in His name for all who strive parties to our marriage—my husband the Apostle Paul assured us that “all for the supreme blessings of an eter- and I and the Lord. I told myself that things work together for good to nal family, in the name of Jesus if two of us could hang in there, we them that love God” (Romans 8:28). Christ, amen. ■ could hold it together.” NOTES The power of hope expressed IV. 1. See Bruce C. Hafen, Covenant Hearts in these examples is sometimes In conclusion, I speak briefly to (2005), 37–39; Allan Carlson, Fractured rewarded with repentance and re- those contemplating marriage. The Generations (2005), 1–13; Bryce Christensen, Divided We Fall (2006), 44–45. formation, but sometimes it is not. best way to avoid divorce from an 2. David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Personal circumstances vary greatly. unfaithful, abusive, or unsupportive Apr. 1969, 8–9; or “Structure of the Home We cannot control and we are not spouse is to avoid marriage to such Threatened by Irresponsibility and Divorce,” Improvement Era, June 1969, 5. responsible for the choices of others, a person. If you wish to marry well, 3. Richard E. Lucas, “Adaptation and the Set- even when they impact us so painfully. inquire well. Associations through Point Model of Subjective Well-Being: Does Happiness Change after Major Life Events?” I am sure the Lord loves and blesses “hanging out” or exchanging informa- Current Directions in Psychological husbands and wives who lovingly try tion on the Internet are not a suffi- Science, Apr. 2007, available at www. to help spouses struggling with such cient basis for marriage. There should psychologicalscience.org. 4. See Jean Bethke Elshtain and David deep problems as pornography or be dating, followed by careful and Popenoe, Marriage in America (1995), other addictive behavior or with the thoughtful and thorough courtship. quoted in Bruce C. Hafen, “Marriage and long-term consequences of childhood There should be ample opportunities the State’s Legal Posture toward the Family,” Vital Speeches of the Day, Oct. 15, abuse. to experience the prospective spouse’s 1995, 18; see also Marriage and the Public Whatever the outcome and no mat- behavior in a variety of circumstances. Good: Ten Principles (2006), 24. ter how difficult your experiences, you Fiancés should learn everything they 5. James E. Faust, “Enriching Your Marriage,” Liahona, Apr. 2007, 2–6; Ensign, Apr. have the promise that you will not be can about the families with whom 2007, 4–8. denied the blessings of eternal family they will soon be joined in marriage. 6. Linda J. Waite and others, Does Divorce Make People Happy? Findings from a Study relationships if you love the Lord, In all of this, we should realize that of Unhappy Marriages (Institute for keep His commandments, and just do a good marriage does not require a American Values, 2002), 6; see also schol- the best you can. When young Jacob perfect man or a perfect woman. It arly studies cited in Marriage and the Law: A Statement of Principles (Institute for “suffered afflictions and much sorrow” only requires a man and a woman American Values, 2006), 21. from the actions of other family mem- committed to strive together toward 7. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: bers, Father Lehi assured him, “Thou perfection. Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 194. 8. “The Family: A Proclamation to the knowest the greatness of God; and he President Spencer W. Kimball World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, shall consecrate thine afflictions for taught: “Two individuals approaching Nov. 1995, 102.

MAY 2007 73 faith and goodness, as President Faust taught us so well. It’s True, Isn’t It? Yet we know that Jesus is the Christ. He is resurrected. In our day, through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the priesthood of God has been Then What Else restored. We have the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Book of Mormon is what we claim it to be. The promises of the Matters? temple are certain. The Lord Himself has declared the unique and singular ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSEN mission of The Church of Jesus Christ Of the Presidency of the Seventy of Latter-day Saints to be “a light to the world” and “a messenger . . . to prepare the way before [Him]”2 even Our conviction of the Savior and His latter-day work as “the gospel roll[s] forth unto the becomes the powerful lens through which we judge all else. ends of the earth.”3 It’s true, isn’t it? Then what else matters? Of course, for all of us, there are He was now preparing to return to other things that matter. When I his native land. heard President Hinckley’s talk as a President Hinckley asked the offi- 21-year-old, I needed to be serious cer: “Your people are not Christians. about my studies; I needed employ- What will happen when you return ment to keep me in school; somehow home a Christian, and, more particu- I had to figure out how to convince a larly, a Mormon Christian?” special young lady that she should The officer’s face clouded, and he take a chance on me; and I enjoyed replied: “My family will be disap- other worthy activities. pointed. . . . As for my future and my How do we find our way through career, all opportunity may be fore- the many things that matter? We sim- closed against me.” plify and purify our perspective. Some President Hinckley asked, “Are you things are evil and must be avoided; willing to pay so great a price for the some things are nice; some things gospel?” are important; and some things are With his dark eyes moistened by absolutely essential. The Savior said, tears, he answered with a question: “This is life eternal, that they might take as my subject today some- “It’s true, isn’t it?” know thee the only true God, and thing President Hinckley said President Hinckley responded, Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”4 I in general conference in April “Yes, it is true.” Faith is not only a feeling; it is a of 1973. To which the officer replied, “Then decision. With prayer, study, obedi- I had just returned home from my what else matters?”1 ence, and covenants, we build and mission. So much seemed ahead of Through the years, I have reflected fortify our faith. Our conviction of me. Would I be able to consistently on these words: “It’s true, isn’t it? the Savior and His latter-day work make the right choices throughout Then what else matters?” These ques- becomes the powerful lens through my life? tions have helped me put difficult which we judge all else. Then, as we Then-Elder Gordon B. Hinckley issues in proper perspective. find ourselves in the crucible of life, spoke of meeting a young naval offi- The cause in which we are laboring as Elder Oaks explained, we have the cer from Asia. The officer had not is true. We respect the beliefs of our strength to take the right course. been a Christian, but during training friends and neighbors. We are all sons President Hinckley said it this way: in the United States, he had learned and daughters of God. We can learn “When [an individual] is motivated by about the Church and was baptized. much from other men and women of great and powerful convictions of

74 truth, then he disciplines himself, not because of demands made by the Church but because of the knowledge within his heart.”5 Are we sufficiently motivated by “great and powerful convictions of truth”? Do our choices reflect this motivation? Are we becoming who we want to become? It’s true, isn’t it? Then what else matters? We know what is right. A few years ago my wife, Kathy, was with our grandchildren while their parents were away. Our four-year-old grand- son gave his little brother a strong push. After consoling the crying child, she turned to the four-year-old and thoughtfully asked, “Why would you push your little brother?” He looked at his grandmother and responded, “Mimi, I’m sorry. I lost my CTR ring, and I cannot choose the right.” We need to be careful because excuses can impede our progress. “Great and powerful convictions of truth” are found in the hearts of Latter-day Saints in nations across the world. This strength of faith carries the work of the kingdom forward. country who, after his baptism, deter- old baseball player, a star of the team, Many years ago my wife and I mined he would not only be honest who on his own explained to his stood by a courageous sister in France in his tithing but would also fully pay coach that he could not participate in as her husband, still in his 30s, passed his taxes, something his competitors the final playoff game because it was through the veil. The responsibility did not do. The Lord blessed him for to be held on Sunday. to righteously teach and guide her his honesty. Many of the quiet acts of deep faith four young children alone seemed Many sacrifices are quietly accom- are known only to God. But they are overwhelming. Yet 16 years later, her plished: returned missionaries not recorded in heaven. It’s true, isn’t it? three sons have returned from mis- delaying the responsibility of finding Then what else matters? sions, and her daughter is sealed in their eternal companion; righteous The Savior said, “Seek ye first the the temple. women desiring children and invest- kingdom of God, and his righteous- I know a brother in Brazil who ing their lives in rearing them in love ness; and all these things shall be joined the Church as a 16-year-old, and truth; families carefully restricting added unto you.”6 the only member in his family. When the media and Internet influences I testify that it is true and that it it was time for his mission, his parents that would tarnish their spirits; hus- does matter. In the name of Jesus objected. He heard nothing from bands and wives finding more time Christ, amen. ■ them during his mission and returned to be in the temple together. NOTES home to his bishop’s house. The Children can also develop this lens 1. “It’s True, Isn’t It?” Tambuli, Oct. 1993, 4; story, however, has a happy ending as of faith. I recently met youth in Seoul, Ensign, July 1993, 2; see “The True Strength of the Church,” Ensign, July he now has a beautiful family, works Korea, who, because of a rigorous 1973, 48. as a dental surgeon, and his parents school schedule, do not arrive home 2. D&C 45:9. wish he could interest his brothers in until very late each night yet attend 3. D&C 65:2. 4. John 17:3. the Church. early-morning seminary at 6:00 a.m. 5. Tambuli, Oct. 1993, 4; Ensign, July 1973, 49. I know a brother in a Latin American five days a week. I know an eight-year- 6. Matthew 6:33.

MAY 2007 75 Lamanite king and the people of Ammon about faith and repentance A Lesson from the and about Jesus Christ and the plan of happiness (see Alma 22:12–14; 23:4–5). Today, reading and studying the scriptures continues to build our Book of Mormon faith, helps us resist temptation, and allows us to grow closer to Heavenly VICKI F. MATSUMORI Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency However, reading scriptures can present a challenge for everyone. As first-generation members, you are the ones who begin President Boyd K. Packer shares his the cycle of teaching and strengthening the next generation. first attempts as a teenager at reading the Book of Mormon. He says: “I opened it and read, ‘I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents’ (1 Nephi 1:1). . . . It was interesting, and I could their mothers [that] God would follow it until I got over to the Isaiah deliver them” (Alma 56:47), you may chapters. . . . So a few months later I be like their parents, the people of decided to try again to read the Book Ammon, who grew up as nonbelievers. of Mormon. I read, ‘I, Nephi, having It may be helpful to review the story been born of goodly parents,’ but about the people of Ammon. They every time I’d hit the barrier of those were Lamanites who had been taught Isaiah chapters. . . . Finally I decided I the gospel by Ammon, Aaron, and was even going to read them.”3 others (see Alma 23:1–4). When they And of course President Packer did accepted the gospel, these Lamanites read them. Persistence is the key. With were called the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and every reading of the scriptures, unfa- later called the people of Ammon (see miliar words will take on meaning. You Alma 23:16–17; 27:23–26). The sons can read about heroes and great acts of these people of Ammon were the of courage. You can learn of the ten- army of Helaman, who helped fight der mercies of the Lord. And above all, the nonconverted Lamanites (see you can feel the love of God and know Alma 56:3–6). that Jesus Christ is our Savior. love the Book of Mormon. It has So the strength of the army of wonderful stories for children of Helaman really began with their Prayer I all ages, but more importantly it parents, who were the people of Prayer is another means to build teaches timeless lessons, which are Ammon. They were the ones who faith. When the Lamanite king often retold in Primary songs. first learned the gospel from the wanted to know what he should do For example, a great lesson can be scriptures. They were the ones who in order to receive the joy of the found in the song about the army of learned about the power of prayer. gospel, he prayed to the Lord (see Helaman. We sing: “We are as the army And they were the ones who first Alma 22:16–17). We too are promised of Helaman. We have been taught in made and kept covenants with the that if we ask, it shall be given us. our youth.”1 There are many of us who Lord. And just as it began with them, Stanley was a 19-year-old investiga- also feel like “we have been born, as it begins with you. As first-generation tor in Hong Kong. He was excited Nephi of old, to goodly parents.”2 members, you are the ones who about the gospel and wanted to be My message today is for you first- begin the cycle of teaching and baptized until his friends criticized generation members who may have strengthening the next generation. the Church. He met with the mission- been born to goodly parents and yet aries. They testified that God cared were not taught the gospel in your Scriptures enough about him to answer his homes. Instead of being like the army Aaron, who was a great missionary, prayer. They invited him to kneel and of Helaman, who “had been taught by used the scriptures to teach the ask Heavenly Father if the teachings

76 were true. First one companion and then the other offered a short prayer. Then Stanley prayed. When he finished his humble prayer, they asked him, “Stanley, how do you feel?” He slowly raised his head and in almost a whisper replied, “Baptism, baptism.”4

Covenants Finally, making and keeping covenants also increases faith. The people of Ammon covenanted “that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives” (Alma 24:18). We covenant when we are baptized and take upon us the name of Christ. We are reminded of those covenants when we partake of the sacrament. And when we keep those covenants, we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, who teaches us “all things” (John 14:26). honesty, and instead of quoting the we now have a responsibility to teach A sister in Mexico City was 16 years 13th article of faith, we used an exam- the children of today. We must teach old when the missionaries came to ple of a man whose nickname was them in our homes and in our classes. her door. She says that as they taught Honest Abe. We must teach them the word of God with the Spirit, “it seemed like they It was left to Primary teachers, from the scriptures. We must teach had taken the bandages off my eyes Young Women leaders, and priest- them the power of prayer, and we and that the Lord was clearing my hood leaders to provide me with must teach them the blessings that understanding. . . . The word of God gospel instruction. When I was seven come from making and keeping and my prayers strengthened [me] to years old, my junior Sunday School covenants. And if we teach them, overcome my next trial, to face my teacher taught us about prayer, and I they will be able to say: father. When I met rejection from my wanted to pray. She taught us about family because of my baptism, the tithing, and I wanted to pay tithing. We are as the army of Helaman. Spirit of the Lord strengthened me by She taught us about fasting, and, well, We have been taught in our youth. whispering: ‘Keep on. Go on. Some of I was only seven years old, so I didn’t And we will be the Lord’s your relatives will become members want to fast. But when she taught us missionaries of the Church.’ ”5 about baptism, I wanted to be bap- To bring the world his truth.6 The scriptures, prayer, and making tized. I am grateful for my goodly and keeping covenants have not only parents who supported me in my In the name of Jesus Christ, helped the people of Ammon but decision and who later also became amen. ■ also first-generation members every- members of the Church. where—including me. You see, while NOTES 1. “We’ll Bring the World His Truth,” I was born of goodly parents, I was It Begins with Us Children’s Songbook, 172–73. not taught the gospel at home. The people of Ammon lived the 2. Children’s Songbook, 172–73. 3. “Principles of Teaching and Learning,” However, my parents did teach me gospel, and “they were firm in the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, moral values and ethical conduct. I faith of Christ, even unto the end” Feb. 2007; in Liahona, June 2007, 53; remember my nonmember father (Alma 27:27). It began with them. And Ensign, June 2007, 85. 4. Personal correspondence. helping me write the first talk I gave it begins with us. As first-generation 5. Personal correspondence. at church. The assigned topic was members who have gained testimonies, 6. Children’s Songbook, 172–73.

MAY 2007 77 When seeking a testimony, those of you born into the Church may be Do You Know? looking for some spectacular spiritual feeling different than anything you ELDER GLENN L. PACE have ever felt before. You may have Of the Seventy heard converts testify of their conversion and wonder if you’re missing something. One reason it seems so I invite you to “experiment upon my words.” Will you read spectacular to them is that it is new. and pray about the Joseph Smith story? You have had the same feelings your whole life during family home evenings, youth testimony meetings, seminary classes, scripture reading, testimony of Joseph Smith was when I and on many other occasions. was just 11 years old and my parents Our missionaries are trained to took me to Temple Square in Salt help investigators recognize when Lake City. they are feeling the Spirit. I remem- My favorite activity was to collect ber on numerous occasions stopping all the free stuff. I became very adept in the middle of an intense, spiritual at working the system. I would ask, discussion and saying, “Let’s pause “Is this free?” After a positive response for a moment and talk about what I would reach out my 11-year-old you are feeling right now. You’re hand and say, “Thank you. Is that free feeling like we’ve reminded you of too? Thank you!” On occasion some- things you had forgotten. You’re feel- one might say, “No, I’m sorry; those ing that we are telling you the truth. cost five cents.” Undeterred, I would You’re feeling peace. You’re feeling lower my head and, showing much the Holy Ghost.” disappointment, say, “Oh, I always I remember teaching an extremely wanted to read that pamphlet, but I intelligent woman who had a hard don’t have any money. Thank you!” time accepting anything until she had ome time ago I had a delightful It worked every time. The truth is, nailed down every intellectual loose conversation with an impressive I never read it. I just collected it. end. However, at long last we heard S16-year-old young woman. I dis- However, on this particular trip, I her say, “I cannot deny this feeling any covered she was the only member was alone in our 1948 Chevrolet, wait- longer.” of the Church in her high school. I ing for my parents, when I became She joined the Church and was asked her, “What is the most difficult inescapably bored. In desperation I very happy for the next few years, challenge you face being the only looked down at the seat and spotted but she gradually let her intellectual member?” my stack of free stuff. I picked up a doubts creep back in and ultimately She was thoughtful and gave a pamphlet entitled Joseph Smith Tells left the Church. very astute answer: “It is believing His Own Story and began to read it. Fifteen years went by, and she something is true when everyone I was riveted, and my heart was came to visit our family. We took her else believes it is false, and believing filled with joy. After completing it, I to Temple Square. As we started up something is wrong when everyone caught my reflection in the rearview the circular ramp leading to the statue else believes it’s all right.” mirror, and much to my surprise, I was of the Savior, she paused and tearfully I asked her a second question: “Do crying. I didn’t understand then, but I said, “Here comes that feeling again. you know Joseph Smith is a prophet understand now. I had felt a witness of My heart still yearns for what my of God?” Her response was, “I think the Spirit. My parents weren’t there. mind won’t accept!” so, but I’m not sure.” My sister wasn’t there. My Primary Once you have felt it, you can never This morning I would like to ask teacher wasn’t there. It was just me forget it. the youth throughout the Church, and the Spirit of the Holy Ghost. Spiritual witnesses come at a young “Do you know?” Now, this can happen to you, and age to those who are exposed to spiri- The first time I knew I had a something similar probably already has. tual experiences. As parents, teachers,

78 and leaders, we are good at making certain you understand the rules and commandments. We could improve on helping you gain a testimony of the principles and doctrine. Perhaps we could pause more often and help you learn to recognize the Spirit. Once you recognize those feelings for what they are, your faith in them will increase. Soon you will find that you have developed a spiritual sixth sense which cannot be misled. At 11 years of age, I knew Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I didn’t hear voices, see angels, or anything like that. What I felt was much more certain. My spiritual sense had been touched. I felt elation springing forth from the innermost part of my being, which is protected from all deceit. This spiritual sense vibrates only when activated by the Holy Ghost. How does this spiritual witness feel? It is as difficult to describe as the scent of a rose or the song of a bird or the beauty of a landscape. Nevertheless, you know it when you feel it. The scriptures give us some insights into these feelings: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; and then shall ye know” (D&C 11:13–14). Sometimes the feeling is like a memory. We first learned the gospel in our heavenly home. We have come to this earth with a veil of forgetfulness. And yet lingering in each of our spirits are those dormant memories. The Holy Ghost can part the veil and bring those things out of their dormancy. Often my reaction to a supposedly newfound truth is, “Oh, I remember that!” “The Comforter, which is the Holy The wonderful thing about know- especial witness of Jesus Christ and Ghost . . . [will] bring all things to ing it is true is that you know simulta- testify it is true. I also testify that the your remembrance” (John 14:26). neously that God the Father and Lord wants you to know it is true, and My young brothers and sisters, I Jesus Christ live and stand at the head He “will [reveal] the truth of it unto invite you to “experiment upon my of this Church today. I gained that you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” words” (Alma 32:27). Will you read and knowledge when I was 11, and now (Moroni 10:4). In the name of Jesus pray about the Joseph Smith story? I stand before you as an ordained Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2007 79 people could read. I believe even the scholars of King James had spiritual The Miracle promptings in their translation work. The Dark Ages were dark because the light of the gospel was hidden from the people. They did not have of the Holy Bible the apostles or prophets, nor did they have access to the Bible. The clergy ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD kept the scriptures secret and unavail- Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles able to the people. We owe much to the many brave martyrs and reform- We are true and full believers in the Lord Jesus Christ ers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and in His revealed word through the Holy Bible. and John Huss who demanded freedom to worship and common access to the holy books. William Tyndale gave his life because he believed so deeply in the converting, healing Spirit of Christ, power of the Bible. He said, “The which has turned men’s hearts for nature of God’s word is, that whoso- centuries, leading them to pray, to ever read it, or hear it reasoned and choose right paths, and to search to disputed before him, it will begin find their Savior. immediately to make him every day The Holy Bible is well named. It is better and better, till he be grown into holy because it teaches truth, holy a perfect man” (in S. Michael Wilcox, because it warms us with its spirit, Fire in the Bones: William Tyndale— holy because it teaches us to know Martyr, Father of the English Bible God and understand His dealings [2004], xv). with men, and holy because it testifies Honest, diligent study of the Bible throughout its pages of the Lord does make us better and better, and Jesus Christ. we must ever remember the countless Abraham Lincoln said of the Bible: martyrs who knew of its power and “This Great Book . . . is the best gift who gave their lives that we may be God has given to man. All the good able to find within its words the path the Saviour gave to the world was to the eternal happiness and the peace y brothers and sisters, the communicated through this book. of our Heavenly Father’s kingdom. Holy Bible is a miracle! It is a But for it we could not know right Although these early Christian Mmiracle that the Bible’s 4,000 from wrong” (Speeches and Writings, reformers agreed on many things, years of sacred and secular history 1859–1865 [1989], 628). they ultimately disagreed on many were recorded and preserved by the It is not by chance or coincidence points of doctrine. This resulted prophets, apostles, and inspired that we have the Bible today. Righ- in the organization of numerous churchmen. teous individuals were prompted by Christian denominations. Roger It is a miracle that we have the the Spirit to record both the sacred Williams, an early champion of reli- Bible’s powerful doctrine, principles, things they saw and the inspired gious liberty, concluded that there poetry, and stories. But most of all, it words they heard and spoke. Other was “no regularly-constituted Church is a wonderful miracle that we have devoted people were prompted to on earth, nor any person authorized the account of the life, ministry, and protect and preserve these records. to administer any Church ordinance; words of Jesus, which was protected Men like John Wycliffe, the coura- nor could there be, until new apostles through the Dark Ages and through geous William Tyndale, and Johannes were sent by the great Head of the the conflicts of countless generations Gutenberg were prompted against Church, for whose coming he was so that we may have it today. much opposition to translate the seeking” (see William Cullen Bryant, It is a miracle that the Bible liter- Bible into language people could ed., Picturesque America; or, the Land ally contains within its pages the understand and to publish it in books We Live In, 2 vols. [1872–74], 1:502).

80 Tens of millions of individuals have come to a faith in God and in Jesus Christ through seeking truth in the Holy Bible. Countless numbers of them had nothing but the Bible to feed and guide their faith. Because of the efforts of the reformers, “the Bible became a household possession. The word of God was read around the family fireside of the lowly as well as the parlors of the great” (John A. Widtsoe, in Conference Report, Apr. 1939, 20). Millions of families have come together seeking to find the Church of Jesus Christ through their study of the Bible. One of those families, in the early 1800s in upstate New York, was the family of Joseph Smith Sr. One of his sons was Joseph Smith Jr., who searched the Bible, seeking to know which of the many denominations was the same as the Church that Jesus Christ organized. He was prompted by the words of the Bible to pray for further spiritual light and knowledge from God. Determined to seek the wisdom promised in the holy scriptures, Joseph knelt in humble prayer early in the spring of 1820. Oh, what marvelous light and truth were shed upon him that day as he we have the fulness of His gospel now. the author of our salvation and that beheld the glorious manifestation of I love the Bible, its teachings, its we believe, revere, and love the Holy God the Father and the Lord Jesus lessons, and its spirit. I love the Old Bible. We do have additional sacred Christ! Once again God called a Testament’s compelling, profound scripture, including the Book of prophet as He did in the days of stories and its great prophets testify- Mormon, but it supports the Bible, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. ing of the coming of Christ. I love the never substituting for it. How grateful we should be for the New Testament’s apostolic travels and Jesus taught that we should “search Holy Bible. In it we learn not only of miracles and the letters of Paul. Most the scriptures; for . . . they are they the life and teachings and doctrines of all, I love its eyewitness accounts of which testify of me” (John 5:39). of Christ, we learn of His Church and the words and the example and the These words provide insight and of His priesthood and of the organiza- Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. inspiration to all who sincerely seek tion which He established and named I love the perspective and peace that to know and understand the truth the Church of Jesus Christ in those come from reading the Bible. about Jesus Christ. The scriptures are former days. We believe in that Brothers and sisters, I am sure rich in history, doctrine, stories, ser- Church, and we believe that The many of you have had the experience mons, and testimonies, all of which Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day of hearing people say that “Mormons ultimately focus on the eternal Christ Saints is that same Church, restored to are not Christians because they have and His physical and spiritual mission earth, complete, with the same organi- their own Bible, the Book of Mormon.” to Heavenly Father’s children. zation and the same priesthood. To anyone harboring this misconcep- Members of The Church of Jesus Without the Bible, we would not tion, we say that we believe in the Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that know of His Church then, nor would Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and “all scripture is given by inspiration of

MAY 2007 81 qualifying for eternal life (see 2 Nephi 31:20). Those who think that one part is more important or more true than the other parts are missing some of the beauty and completeness of the canon of ancient scripture. And those who think that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not believe in Jesus Christ or in the Bible should take time to understand the Church, the significance of its name, and the power of its message. I am puzzled by any who would question this Church’s belief in the Bible and our position as Christians. The name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our last general conference, here in this building, our God, and is profitable” (2 Timothy de-emphasize the Bible. On the con- Church leaders quoted from the 3:16). We love the Bible and other trary, it expands, extends, and exalts Bible nearly 200 times. This Church scriptures. That may be surprising to it. The Book of Mormon testifies of is organized and functions like the some who may not be aware of our the Bible, and both testify of Christ. Church that Christ and His Apostles belief in the Bible as the revealed word The first testament of Christ is the established in the New Testament. of God. It is one of the pillars of our Bible’s Old Testament, which pre- Seated on the stand today are the faith, a powerful witness of the Savior dicted and prophesied of the coming prophet and the apostles of the Lord and of Christ’s ongoing influence in of the Savior, His transcendent life, Jesus Christ. the lives of those who worship and fol- and His liberating Atonement. I bear solemn witness that we are low Him. The more we read and study The second Bible testament of true and full believers in the Lord the Bible and its teachings, the more Christ is the New Testament, which Jesus Christ and in His revealed word clearly we see the doctrinal underpin- records His birth, His life, His min- through the Holy Bible. We not only nings of the restored gospel of Jesus istry, His gospel, His Church, His believe the Bible—we strive to follow Christ. We tend to love the scriptures Atonement, and His Resurrection, its precepts and to teach its message. that we spend time with. We may need as well as the testimonies of His The message of our missionaries is to balance our study in order to love Apostles. Christ and His gospel and His and understand all scripture. The third testament of Christ is the Atonement, and the scriptures are You young people especially, do Book of Mormon, which also foretells the text of that message. We say to not discount or devalue the Holy Christ’s coming, confirms the Bible’s all people, “We extend our love to Bible. It is the sacred, holy record of account of His saving Atonement, and you and invite you to come. Let us the Lord’s life. The Bible contains hun- then reveals the resurrected Lord’s share all that God has revealed.” dreds of pages more than all of our visit to the earth’s other hemisphere. My brothers and sisters, we must other scripture combined. It is the The subtitle of the Book of Mormon, help all people, including our own bedrock of all Christianity. We do not the clarifying purpose statement members, understand the power and criticize or belittle anyone’s beliefs. printed on the cover of every copy, is importance of the Holy Bible. The Our great responsibility as Christians “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Bible is scripture that leads us and is to share all that God has revealed Each of these three testaments is a all mankind to accept Jesus Christ with all of His sons and daughters. part of the great, indivisible whole of as our Savior. May God grant us the Those who join this Church do not the Lord’s revealed word to His chil- desire and capacity to accept and live give up their faith in the Bible—they dren. They contain the words of His teachings is my humble prayer in strengthen it. The Book of Mormon Christ, which we have been admon- the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, does not dilute nor diminish nor ished to feast upon as a means of amen. ■

82 is our Father, and we are His children. We pray to Him, and those prayers The Things are a conversation between God and man. I am confident that He hears our prayers and answers them. I could not deny that. I have had too many experi- of Which I Know ences of answered prayers. Alma instructed his son Helaman, PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY saying, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for I wish to give you my testimony of the basic truths of this work. good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; Of the things of which I know, I speak and if ye do these things, ye shall be to you this morning. lifted up at the last day” (Alma 37:37). When the emperor Constantine The second great certitude of was converted to Christianity, he which I am sure also has its founda- became aware of the divisiveness tion in the vision of the Prophet among the clergy concerning the Joseph. It is that Jesus lives. He is nature of Deity. In an attempt to over- the Living Christ. He is the Jehovah of come this he gathered the eminent the Old Testament and the Messiah divines of the day to Nicaea in the year of the New. Under His Father’s direc- 325. Each participant was given oppor- tion, He was the Creator of the earth. tunity to state his views. The argument The gospel of John opens with these only grew more heated. When a defi- remarkable words: “In the beginning nition could not be reached, a com- was the Word, and the Word was with promise was made. It came to be God, and the Word was God. known as the Nicene Creed, and its “The same was in the beginning basic elements are recited by most of with God. the Christian faithful. “All things were made by him; and y beloved brothers and sis- Personally I cannot understand it. without him was not any thing made ters, I am pleased with the To me the creed is confusing. that was made” (John 1:1–3). Mopportunity to speak to you. How deeply grateful I am that we Note particularly that last verse, “All I thank each of you for your prayers of this Church do not rely on any things were made by him; and within my behalf. I am so very deeply man-made statement concerning the out him was not any thing made that grateful to you. In my 49 years as a nature of Deity. Our knowledge comes was made.” General Authority, I have spoken well directly from the personal experience He was the great Creator. It was over 200 times in general conference. of Joseph Smith, who, while yet a boy, His finger that wrote the command- I am now in my 97th year. The wind spoke with God the Eternal Father ments on the Mount. It was He who is blowing, and I feel like the last leaf and His Beloved Son, the Risen Lord. left His royal courts on high and came on the tree. He knelt in Their presence; he heard to earth, born under the most hum- Actually my health is quite good, Their voices; and he responded. Each ble of circumstances. During His brief despite all the rumors to the contrary. was a distinct personality. Small won- ministry, He healed the sick, caused Skillful doctors and nurses keep me der that he told his mother that he the blind to see, raised the dead, and on the right track. Some of you may had learned that her church was not rebuked the scribes and Pharisees. go before I do. However, with my age true. And so, one of the great over- He was the only perfect man ever to in mind, I wish to give you my testi- arching doctrines of this Church is our walk the earth. All of this was part of mony of the basic truths of this work. belief in God the Eternal Father. He is His Father’s plan. In the Garden of I confess that I do not know every- a being, real and individual. He is the Gethsemane, He suffered so greatly thing, but of some things I am certain. great Governor of the universe, yet He that he sweat drops of blood as He

MAY 2007 83 pleaded with His Father. But this was Mormon, which stands as a second Melchizedek, was restored under the all a part of His great atoning sacrifice. witness of the divinity of our Lord. hands of Peter, James, and John. He was taken by the mob, appeared And to repeat, both He and His In restoring the Aaronic Priesthood, before Pilate with the mob crying for Father appeared to the boy Joseph, the resurrected John the Baptist laid His death. He carried the cross, the the Father introducing the Son, say- his hands on the heads of Joseph instrument of His death. On Golgotha ing: “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Smith and Oliver Cowdery and said, He gave His life, crying out, “Father, Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17). “Upon you my fellow servants, in forgive them; for they know not what Now, the next thing of which I am the name of Messiah I confer the they do” (Luke 23:34). certain, and of which I bear witness, Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the His body was tenderly laid in the is the Atonement of the Lord Jesus keys of the ministering of angels, and tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea. But Christ. Without it life is meaningless. of the gospel of repentance, and of three days later, on that first Easter It is the keystone in the arch of our baptism by immersion for the remis- morning, the tomb was emptied. existence. It affirms that we lived sion of sins” (D&C 13:1). Mary of Magdala spoke to Him, and before we were born in mortality. President Wilford Woodruff in his He spoke to her. He appeared to His Mortality is but a stepping-stone to a old age spoke to the young men of the Apostles. He walked with two disci- more glorious existence in the future. Church and said: “I desire to impress ples on the road to Emmaus. And, we The sorrow of death is softened with upon you the fact that it does not are told, He was seen by some 500 the promise of the Resurrection. make any difference whether a man is others (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). There would be no Christmas if there a Priest or an Apostle, if he magnifies He had said, “And other sheep I were no Easter. his calling. A Priest holds the keys of have, which are not of this fold: them I speak next of the great certitudes the ministering of angels. Never in my also I must bring, and they shall hear that have come with the Restoration life, as an Apostle, as a Seventy, or as an my voice; and there shall be one fold, of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is Elder, have I ever had more of the pro- and one shepherd” (John 10:16). the restoration of the priesthood, or tection of the Lord than while holding Accordingly, He appeared to those the authority given man to speak in the office of a Priest” (in Millennial assembled in the land Bountiful in the name of God. This priesthood is Star, Oct. 5, 1891, 629). the Western Hemisphere. Here, He of two orders: the lesser, also known The Melchizedek or Higher taught the people as He had taught as the Aaronic, was restored under Priesthood empowers men to lay them in the Old World. This is all the hands of John the Baptist. The their hands upon the heads of others recorded in detail in the Book of higher order of priesthood, the and give blessings. They bless the

84 SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION April 1, 2007 sick. As James declared in the New Testament: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the The Message church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). Now finally, I mention the bless- of the Restoration ings of the house of the Lord, which have come of the Restoration of the ELDER L. TOM PERRY ancient gospel. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles These temples, which we have greatly multiplied in recent years, offer We declare to the world that the fulness of the gospel blessings that are had nowhere else. of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. All that occurs in these sacred houses has to do with the eternal nature of man. Here, husbands and wives and children are sealed together as families for all eternity. Marriage is not Then I asked: “What about the “until death do ye part.” It is forever, if other two?” the parties live worthy of the blessing. His response was: “I need to get to Most remarkable of all is the authority work and make them an active part of to do vicarious work in the house of our quorum.” the Lord. Here, ordinances are per- I asked him how long that would formed in behalf of the dead who did take. He thought maybe three not have opportunity to receive them months. I encouraged him in his while in life. efforts. I was recently told of a woman in Three months later, almost to Idaho Falls, a widow. Over a period of the day, I received a letter from him 15 years she acted as proxy in giving informing me that all the members of the temple endowment to 20,000 his quorum were now active. He said individuals in the Idaho Falls Idaho he had befriended them, and one Temple. She completed her 20,000th was now attending deacons quorum endowment on a Friday and returned meetings, and the other had been on Saturday to do five more. She ordained a teacher by the bishop. I passed away the following week. n one of my stake conference as- was overwhelmed with his response. Just think of what this one little signments in the Salt Lake Valley, I What an example of one honoring his woman did. She performed these Iinvited a young deacons quorum priesthood and using priesthood keys vicarious endowments for as many president to join me to talk about the to carry out an assignment the Lord people as are assembled in this keys of the priesthood. I wanted him has given him to fulfill. I could not Conference Center this morning. to understand that he held a very spe- help but marvel at the design the Think of the reception she must cial office that included the keys to Lord has established for the adminis- have received on the other side. preside over a quorum of the priest- tration of His work here on earth Now, my brothers and sisters, this hood. We talked about the great using the powers of the priesthood. is my testimony, which I solemnly responsibility it is to hold keys and This young man, not yet 14 years bear before you. how special it is to belong to a quo- of age, is receiving valuable training to God bless you, every one, you rum. At the conclusion of the little prepare him for a lifetime of service. faithful Latter-day Saints. May there presentation, I asked him how many Can you see him in the next five or six be peace and love in your homes and members he had in his quorum. His years continuing this service with a faith and prayer to guide you in all answer was 14. badge on his suit coat indicating that that you undertake is my humble Then the question: “How many he is giving two years of his life as a prayer in the sacred name of Jesus are active?” missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ The answer: “12.” Christ of Latter-day Saints?

MAY 2007 85 Sister missionaries from the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission greet conference visitors.

In addition to the experience he is brightness and glory defy all descrip- testament of our Lord Jesus Christ. gaining exercising his priesthood in tion, standing above me in the air. This ancient volume of holy scriptures service to others, this young man’s One of them spake unto me, calling is a sacred companion to the Bible, preparation must also include a solid me by name and said, pointing to containing the fulness of the everlast- understanding of the message of the the other—This is My Beloved Son. ing gospel of Jesus Christ. It also Restoration—the message that thou- Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith— provides convincing evidence to the sands of missionaries today are declar- History 1:16–17). world that Joseph Smith is truly a ing to the world. It is the message that This vision revealed unto us that prophet of God. The Doctrine and in our day, in the dispensation of the God our Father and Jesus Christ, His Covenants contains the following dec- fulness of times, the gospel has been Beloved Son, are two separate per- laration about the coming forth of the restored for the blessing of all who sonages. Each has a body of flesh and Book of Mormon: will listen and obey. bones that is glorified and perfected, “[God] gave unto [Joseph Smith] thus clearing up the misconception commandments which inspired him; The First Vision that had been in existence for many “And gave him power from on The dispensation of the fulness of centuries concerning the concept high, by the means which were before times was ushered in by a very special of God. Is it any wonder that when prepared, to translate the Book of vision to another young man not quite Joseph Smith wrote the Articles of Mormon; 15 years of age who went to the woods Faith, in the first one he declared, “Which contains a record of a to pray for answers to the questions he “We believe in God, the Eternal fallen people, and the fulness of the had in his mind concerning religion. Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles Joseph Smith describes the glorious and in the Holy Ghost”? (Articles of and to the Jews also; vision that was unfolded to his view, in Faith 1:1). “Which was given by inspiration, these words: and is confirmed to others by the “I saw a pillar of light exactly over The Book of Mormon ministering of angels, and is declared my head, above the brightness of the Knowing that doubt, disbelief, and unto the world by them— sun, which descended gradually until misinformation would immediately “Proving to the world that the holy it fell upon me. follow the Prophet as he recounted scriptures are true, and that God “. . . When the light rested upon the First Vision, the Lord brought does inspire men and call them to his me I saw two Personages, whose forth the Book of Mormon, another holy work in this age and generation,

86 as well as in generations of old” (D&C 20:7–11). The translation of the Book of Mormon is a miracle in itself and gives further proof of the book’s divine ori- gin. When Oliver Cowdery arrived in Harmony, Pennsylvania, on April 5, 1829, to serve as the Prophet’s scribe, only a few pages of the final text had been translated. That evening Joseph and Oliver sat down together and discussed the Prophet’s experiences long into the night. Two days later, on April 7, they commenced the translation of the work. Over the next three months, Joseph translated at an amazing rate—approximately 500 printed pages in about 60 working days. the Redeemer spake peace to us, while and be baptized, and gave us direc- Oliver wrote of this remarkable the vail was parted and the angel of tions that I should baptize Oliver experience: “These were days never God came down clothed with glory, Cowdery, and that afterwards he to be forgotten—to sit under the and delivered the anxiously looked for should baptize me. sound of a voice dictated by the in- message, and the keys of the gospel of “Accordingly we went and were spiration of heaven, awakened the repentance!—What joy! what wonder! baptized. I baptized him first, and utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day what amazement! While the world afterwards he baptized me—after after day I continued, uninterrupted, [was] racked and distracted—while which I laid my hands upon his head to write from his mouth, as he trans- millions were [groping] as the blind and ordained him to the Aaronic lated, with the Urim and Thummim for the wall, and while all men were Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his . . . the history, or record, called ‘The resting upon uncertainty, as a general hands on me and ordained me to the book of Mormon’ ” (Messenger and mass, our eyes beheld—our ears same Priesthood—for so we were Advocate, Oct. 1834, 14; see also heard” (Messenger and Advocate, commanded” (Joseph Smith— Joseph Smith—History 1:71, note). Oct. 1834, 15; see also Joseph Smith— History 1:69–71). History 1:71, note). A short time later, the Apostles The Priesthood The angel introduced himself as Peter, James, and John appeared, As they proceeded, Joseph and John, the same that is called John the placed their hands on the heads of Oliver were thrilled with the doctrines Baptist in the New Testament. He laid these two fellow servants, and con- contained in this book. They were his hands upon the heads of Joseph ferred the Melchizedek Priesthood. particularly impressed with the doc- and Oliver and said: trine of baptism as taught by the “Upon you my fellow servants, in The Church of Jesus Christ resurrected Savior during His visit the name of Messiah, I confer the Now that the power to act in the to the inhabitants of the Western Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the name of the Lord was again on the Hemisphere. The importance of keys of the ministering of angels, and earth, Joseph was commanded to for- the doctrine of baptism was clearly of the gospel of repentance, and of mally organize the Church. On April 6, unfolded to their minds. They deter- baptism by immersion for the remis- 1830, at the home of Peter Whitmer Sr. mined that they must seek the Lord in sion of sins; and this shall never be in Fayette, New York, six men who had mighty prayer that they might learn taken again from the earth until the previously been baptized voted unani- how they could obtain the blessing of sons of Levi do offer again an offer- mously to organize, according to the being baptized themselves. ing unto the Lord in righteousness. commandments of God, the Church On May 15, 1829, they went to the “He said this Aaronic Priesthood of Jesus Christ. At this meeting a woods near the Susquehanna River had not the power of laying on hands revelation was received: and knelt in prayer. Oliver describes for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that “Behold, there shall be a record what happened next: “On a sudden, as this should be conferred on us here- kept among you; and in it thou from the midst of eternity, the voice of after; and he commanded us to go [Joseph Smith] shalt be called a seer,

MAY 2007 87 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–15). President Hinckley has said concerning the Restoration: “After many generations had walked the earth— so many of them in conflict, hatred, darkness, and evil—there arrived the great, new day of the Restoration. This glorious gospel was ushered in with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph. The dawn of the dispensation of the fulness of times rose upon the world. All of the good, the beautiful, the divine of all previous dispensations was restored in this most remarkable season” (“The Dawning of a Brighter Day,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 83). Our message is unique. We declare to the world that the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. We declare with boldness that the keys of the priesthood have been restored to man, with the power to seal on earth and in the heavens. The saving ordinances pronounced a translator, a prophet, an apostle of bless mankind with the doctrines and by the Lord as requirements for Jesus Christ, an elder of the church teachings of the Savior. This Church entering into eternal life with Him through the will of God the Father, was organized according to the plan can now be performed with binding and the grace of your Lord Jesus the Lord had established anciently. authority by those who worthily Christ, In the Bible, in the book of exercise the power of His holy “Being inspired of the Holy Ghost Ephesians, Paul declared: priesthood. We declare to the world to lay the foundation thereof, and to “He gave some, apostles; and that this is the day referred to by build it up unto the most holy faith. some, prophets; and some, evangel- biblical prophets as the latter days. “Which church was organized and ists; and some, pastors and teachers; It is the final time, before the com- established in the year of your Lord “For the perfecting of the saints, ing of Jesus Christ to rule and reign eighteen hundred and thirty, in the for the work of the ministry, for the over the earth. fourth month, and on the sixth day of edifying of the body of Christ: We invite all to listen to the mes- the month which is called April. “Till we all come in the unity of sage of the restored gospel of Jesus “Wherefore, meaning the church, the faith, and of the knowledge of the Christ from us. Then you can com- thou shalt give heed unto all his words Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto pare the glorious message with what and commandments which he shall the measure of the stature of the ful- you may hear from others, and you give unto you as he receiveth them, ness of Christ: can determine which is from God and walking in all holiness before me; “That we henceforth be no more which is from man. “For his word ye shall receive, as if children, tossed to and fro, and car- My witness to you is that this is the from mine own mouth, in all patience ried about with every wind of doc- Church of Jesus Christ, established in and faith” (D&C 21:1–5). trine, by the sleight of men, and the latter days. In the name of our Thus the Church of Jesus Christ cunning craftiness, whereby they lie Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ, was again in existence on the earth to in wait to deceive; amen. ■

88 The scriptures are filled with examples of wise servants of God who This Day treasured the day they were in and chose to do what they could to bring ELDER HENRY B. EYRING cleansing. Joshua was one: “Choose Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles you this day whom ye will serve . . . ,” he said, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”3 All of us will need His help to avoid the tragedy Serving Him invites the Holy Ghost of procrastinating what we must do here and now to be with us. And the Holy Ghost is a to have eternal life. cleanser of sin. Even the Savior, who was without sin, set an example of the need not to procrastinate. He said: and the blessings of eternity. “I must work the works of him that There is solemn warning and coun- sent me, while it is day: the night sel in the words recorded in the Book cometh, when no man can work. of Mormon: “As long as I am in the world, I am “And now, as I said unto you the light of the world.”4 before, as ye have had so many wit- As the risen Savior, He is this day nesses, therefore, I beseech of you and forever the Light of the World. It that ye do not procrastinate the day is He who invites us to come unto of your repentance until the end; for Him and serve Him, without delay. after this day of life, which is given us His encouragement to you and to to prepare for eternity, behold, if we me is this: “I love them that love me; do not improve our time while in this and those that seek me early shall life, then cometh the night of dark- find me.”5 ness wherein there can be no labor That is as true of a day as it is of a performed. life. A morning prayer and an early “Ye cannot say, when ye are search in the scriptures to know what brought to that awful crisis, that I we should do for the Lord can set the here is a danger in the word will repent, that I will return to my course of a day. We can know which someday when what it means is God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that task, of all those we might choose, T “not this day.” “Someday I will same spirit which doth possess your matters most to God and therefore to repent.” “Someday I will forgive him.” bodies at the time that ye go out of us. I have learned such a prayer is “Someday I will speak to my friend this life, that same spirit will have always answered if we ask and ponder about the Church.” “Someday I will power to possess your body in that with childlike submission, ready to act start to pay tithing.” “Someday I will eternal world.”1 without delay to perform even the return to the temple.” “Someday . . .” Then Amulek warns that procrasti- most humble service. The scriptures make the danger of nating your repentance and service On many days, doing what matters delay clear. It is that we may discover can cause the Spirit of the Lord to most will not be easy. It is not sup- that we have run out of time. The withdraw from you. posed to be. God’s purpose in cre- God who gives us each day as a treas- But with the warning he gives this ation was to let us prove ourselves. ure will require an accounting. We hope: “And this I know, because the The plan was explained to us in the will weep, and He will weep, if we Lord hath said he dwelleth not in spirit world before we were born. We have intended to repent and to serve unholy temples, but in the hearts of were valiant enough there to qualify Him in tomorrows which never came the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and for the opportunity to choose against or have dreamt of yesterdays where he has also said that the righteous temptation here to prepare for eternal the opportunity to act was past. This shall sit down in his kingdom, to go life, the greatest of all the gifts of God. day is a precious gift of God. The no more out; but their garments We rejoiced to know the test would be thought “Someday I will” can be a should be made white through the one of faithful obedience even when it thief of the opportunities of time blood of the Lamb.”2 would not be easy: “And we will prove

MAY 2007 89 them herewith, to see if they will do leave the service to the new people. I all things whatsoever the Lord their have done my part.” The temptation God shall command them.”6 will be to believe that you will return Hard as we knew the test would to serve again, someday. be, we felt joy because we had confi- The Lord can help you see the dan- dence that we could pass it. Our con- ger in taking a rest because you feel fidence came from knowing that Jesus you have done enough. He helped Christ would come into the world as me by letting me have a conversation our Savior. He would overcome with one of His aged servants. He was death. He would make it possible for feeble, his body weakened by decades us to be cleansed of our sins by quali- of faithful labor and by illness. His fying for the effects of His Atonement. doctors no longer allowed him to We also knew some reassuring leave his home. At his request, I facts about what it would take to reported a trip I had taken in the receive the purifying which we would both of two feelings. They are polar Lord’s service, across several nations, need. Everything that cleansing would opposites: one is to be complacent in dozens of meetings, and in many require—baptism by authority, receiv- about what we have already done, private interviews, helping individuals ing the Holy Ghost under the hands and the other is to feel overwhelmed and families. I told him of the grati- of authorized priesthood bearers, by the need to do more. tude people expressed to me for him remembering Him and therefore hav- Complacency is a danger for us all. and his many years of service. He ing His Spirit to be with us, and then It can come to naive youth who feel asked me if I had another assignment keeping His commandments—all that there will be plenty of time in the soon. I told him about another long would be possible for the humblest of future for spiritual things. They might trip soon to come. He surprised me, us. It would not take superior intel- think that they have already done and he gave me an inoculation against lect, nor would it take wealth, nor enough, considering the brief time complacency which I hope will last long life. And we knew that the Savior they have lived. I know from experi- forever, when he grabbed my arm and would draw us to Him and would ence how the Lord can help such a said, “Oh, please, take me with you.” have the power to help us when the youth to see that he or she is in the It is hard to know when we have test would be hard and the tempta- midst of spiritual things, now. He can done enough for the Atonement to tion to procrastinate great. Alma, the help you see that classmates are change our natures and so qualify us great prophet, described how Christ watching you. He can help you see for eternal life. And we don’t know gained that ability: that their eternal future is shaped by how many days we will have to give “And he shall go forth, suffering what they observe you do or not do. the service necessary for that mighty pains and afflictions and temptations Your simple thanks for their influence change to come. But we know that we of every kind; and this that the word for good on you can lift them more will have days enough if only we don’t might be fulfilled which saith he will than you imagine. When you ask God, waste them. Here is the good news: take upon him the pains and the sick- He can and will reveal to you the “And the days of the children of nesses of his people. opportunities to lift others for Him, men were prolonged, according to the “And he will take upon him death, which He has placed around you will of God, that they might repent that he may loose the bands of death from your infancy. while in the flesh; wherefore, their which bind his people; and he will Complacency can affect even the state became a state of probation, and take upon him their infirmities, that seasoned adult. The better and the their time was lengthened, according his bowels may be filled with mercy, longer you serve, the more likely that to the commandments which the Lord according to the flesh, that he may the tempter can place this lie in your God gave unto the children of men.”8 know according to the flesh how to mind: “You have earned a rest.” You That assurance from the Master succor his people according to their may have been the Primary president can help those of us feeling over- infirmities.”7 in your little branch twice. Or you whelmed by our circumstances. In All of us will need His help to avoid may have worked long and hard on the hardest trials, as long as you have the tragedy of procrastinating what your mission and sacrificed so much the power to pray, you can ask a lov- we must do here and now to have to serve. Or perhaps you were the ing God: “Please let me serve, this eternal life. For most of us the temp- pioneer in the Church where you live. day. It doesn’t matter to me how few tation to delay will come from one or The thought may come: “Why not things I may be able to do. Just let me

90 know what I can do. I will obey this day. I know that I can, with Thy help.” The quiet invitation to you may be to do so simple a thing as to forgive someone who has offended you. You can do that from a hospital bed. It may be to go to help someone who is hungry. You may feel overwhelmed by your own poverty and the labors of the day. But if you decide not to wait until you have more strength and more money, and if you pray for the Holy Spirit as you go, you will when you arrive know what to do and how to help someone even poorer than you are. You may find when you get there that they were praying and expecting that someone like you would come, in the name of the Lord. For those who are discouraged by their circumstances and are therefore tempted to feel they cannot serve the Lord this day, I make you two promises. Hard as things seem today, they will be better in the next day if you choose to serve the Lord this day with your whole heart. Your circumstances may not be improved in all the ways which you desire. But you will have been given new strength to carry your burdens and new confidence that when your burdens become too heavy, the Lord, whom you have served, will carry what you cannot. He knows how. He prepared long ago. He suffered your infirmities and your sor- the thoughts and intents of his heart?”9 on every day, and on our lives. rows when He was in the flesh so that By serving Him this day, you will I know that Heavenly Father lives He would know how to succor you. come to know Him better. You will and answers our prayers. I know that The other promise I make to you feel His love and appreciation. You Jesus is the living Christ, the Savior is that by choosing to serve Him this would not want to delay receiving of the world, and that we can choose day, you will feel His love and grow to that blessing. And feeling His love to feel joy and peace in His service love Him more. You may remember will draw you back to His service, this day. In the name of Jesus Christ, the scripture: wiping away both complacency and amen. ■ “I say unto you, I would that ye discouragement. should remember to retain the name As you serve Him, you will come to NOTES 1. Alma 34:33–34. written always in your hearts . . . that know better the voice by which you 2. Alma 34:36. ye hear and know the voice by which shall be called. When you go to sleep 3. Joshua 24:15. 4. John 9:4–5. ye shall be called, and also, the name at the end of a day, the words may 5. Proverbs 8:17. by which he shall call you. come back in memory: “Well done, 6. Abraham 3:25. “For how knoweth a man the mas- thou good and faithful servant: thou 7. Alma 7:11–12. 10 8. 2 Nephi 2:21. ter whom he has not served, and who hast been faithful over a few things.” 9. Mosiah 5:12–13. is a stranger unto him, and is far from I pray for that benediction on this day, 10. Matthew 25:21; see also v. 23.

MAY 2007 91 He spoke at Jesus’s baptism: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well “Mom, Are We pleased.”1 Jesus Himself testified of God, His Father, when He said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christians?” Christ, whom thou hast sent.”2 After Jesus’s death and Resurrection, we ELDER GARY J. COLEMAN learn that Stephen, “he, being full of Of the Seventy the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, I am a devout Christian who is exceedingly fortunate and Jesus standing on the right hand to have greater knowledge of the true “doctrine of Christ” of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man since my conversion to the restored Church. standing on the right hand of God.”3 What a dramatic testimony of the Godhead from that disciple of Christ. The knowledge of God and His Christian faith. I was baptized a mem- physical separateness from His Son ber of that church shortly after my and the Holy Ghost was lost after birth. Our family went to church each the death of Christ and His Apostles. week. For many years my brothers Confusion and false doctrines about and I assisted the pastors who con- the Godhead were fashioned out of ducted our Sunday services. I was the Nicene Creed and Constantinople taught the importance of family councils, where men declared that prayer as our family prayed together instead of three separate beings, the each day. I thought that someday I Godhead was three persons in one would enter the full-time ministry in God, or the Trinity. Just as Christian my church. There was no question in Protestant reformers struggled with our minds that we could define our- these creeds of men, I did as well. selves as devout Christians. The teachings about the Trinity that When I was a university student, however, I became acquainted with the members and teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day hristianity celebrates the life and Saints, a Christian faith centered on ministry of Jesus Christ, the the Savior. I began to learn about the COnly Begotten Son of God the doctrine of the Restoration of the Eternal Father. Christian churches with gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter great variations of doctrine dot the days. I learned truths that I had not land the world over. When 14-year-old known before that changed my life Cortnee, a daughter of a mission presi- and how I viewed the gospel. After dent, entered a new high school as a much studying, prayer, and faith, I freshman, she was asked by classmates chose to embrace beautiful restored if she was a Christian. They scoffed at truths found only in this Church. her response that she was a Mormon, The first restored truth that I a common reference to The Church of learned was the nature of the God- Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon head. The true Christian doctrine that arriving home she asked her mother, the Godhead consists of three separate “Mom, are we Christians?” beings was known in biblical times. Growing up in my family, we God bore witness of Jesus, His Only lived as devout members of another Begotten Son, on several occasions.

92 I learned in my youth were incom- prehensible to me. However, when I was introduced to the glorious truths of the First Vision experienced by the Prophet Joseph Smith, it was a stunning awak- ening for me to finally understand the truth about the nature of God the Eternal Father and His Only Begotten Son. Joseph declared: “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”4 This heavenly vision restored the won- drous yet plain and precious knowledge of God and His Son to the earth again, dispelling at once the teachings I had learned about the Trinity. I know that heaven-sent revelations have replaced the gross errors of man-made doctrines concerning the Godhead. I know that God is our Heavenly Father. His Son, Jesus Christ, is my Savior. The Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and the Son. I express my profound gratitude to God for introducing the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ to mankind in these last days. The Savior lives; He has been seen; He has spoken; He directs the work of His Church through apostles and prophets today. What magnificent truths He has taught as the Good Shepherd who continues to look after His sheep. The second restored truth I learned as an investigator of this of prophets and other faithful mem- Christian world does not accept Church was the reality of additional bers of the Church who took upon this book.”7 I first read the Book of scripture and revelation. The prophet themselves the name of Christ, even Mormon at the age of 21. I then asked Isaiah saw in vision a book that he before the Savior’s birth.6 This book God if it was true. The truth of it was proclaimed was part of “a marvellous tells of the resurrected Christ teach- manifested unto me by the comforting work and a wonder.”5 I testify that the ing men what they must do to gain power of the Holy Ghost.8 I know that Book of Mormon: Another Testament peace in this life and eternal salvation the Book of Mormon is a second testa- of Jesus Christ is that book. It is a in the world to come. What could be ment of Jesus Christ. I join my testi- sacred record written by prophets more Christian than seeking to take mony with the prophets of this sacred of God to persuade all people to His name upon ourselves and follow book to declare that “we talk of Christ, come unto Christ, and it helps to His counsel to become like Him? we rejoice in Christ, we preach of reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ in President Gordon B. Hinckley has Christ, we prophesy of Christ.”9 I am its fulness. The Book of Mormon tells said, “I cannot understand why the deeply grateful for every word that He

MAY 2007 93 has spoken and for every word He continues to speak as He quenches our thirst with living water. Who’s on the Another restored truth of the gospel I became acquainted with was the restoration of priesthood authority, or the power to act in God’s name. Lord’s Side? Former prophets and apostles, such as Elijah, Moses, John the Baptist, Peter, CHARLES W. DAHLQUIST II James, and John, have been sent by Young Men General President God and Christ in our day to restore the holy priesthood of God. Every If you will remain on the Lord’s side of the line, priesthood holder in this Church can the adversary cannot come there to tempt you. trace his priesthood authority directly to Jesus Christ. Men now possess the keys to establish the Church so that we can come unto Christ and partake of His eternal ordinances of salva- young single adults, who have such tion.10 I testify that this is the Church marvelous talents and capabilities and of Jesus Christ—the only church potential for service in the kingdom. authorized with true priesthood President Hinckley has said of this authority to exercise the keys of sal- generation: “There never was a time vation through sacred ordinances. such as this. What a season in the his- Cortnee asked, “Mom, are we tory of the world to be alive! Never Christians?” As a member of The before has there been such a genera- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day tion of youth. . . . You really are ‘a Saints, you are a Christian, and I am chosen generation’ ” (Way to Be! too. I am a devout Christian who is [2002], 3). exceedingly fortunate to have greater You, as the youth of Zion, have a knowledge of the true “doctrine of great work to do and have been given Christ”11 since my conversion to the all the talents and opportunities, restored Church. These truths define regardless of where you live, to do this Church as having the fulness of just exactly what your Father in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Like other Heaven expects of you. I pray that my members of the Church, I now under- y dear brethren and sisters, comments this afternoon will help stand the true nature of the Godhead, I am grateful that we live in you in that quest. I have access to additional scripture Ma day and age when apostles In February 1852, a young woman and revelation, and I can partake of and prophets walk the earth and by the name of Hannah Last Cornaby the blessings of priesthood authority. provide inspiration and guidance for was baptized in Yarmouth, England. Yes, Cortnee, we are Christians, and I us. I bear my witness that President It was not the quiet, reverent experi- testify of these truths in the name of Hinckley is, indeed, a prophet of ence most have but was described by Jesus Christ, amen. ■ God—just as was Moses, Abraham, her in these words: “We found the NOTES and all the other prophets since the house surrounded by a mob, through 1. Matthew 3:17. world began. I am grateful for his which we with difficulty made our 2. John 17:3. counsel this morning and for the way. . . . Before we reached the 3. Acts 7:55–56. 4. Joseph Smith—History 1:17. opportunity we will have at the con- water’s edge, the whole horde was 5. See Isaiah 29:14; see also vv. 11–12, 18. clusion of this conference to hear upon us; and my husband baptized 6. See Alma 46:14–16. 7. “The Marvelous Foundation of Our Faith,” from him once again. me amid a shower of stones, and Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 81. Today I speak particularly to the shouts . . . and, although the stones 8. See Moroni 10:4–5. young men and young women of the whizzed around us thick as hail, not 9. 2 Nephi 25:26. 10. See D&C 2; 13; 110; 112:32. Church, as well as to their parents one touched us, and we reached 11. 2 Nephi 31:2; see also 3 Nephi 11:31–36. and leaders. I speak also to the great home in safety, thanking God for our

94 miraculous deliverance” (Hannah Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates. but I come to thee in the name of the Cornaby, Autobiography and Poems When Laman and Lemuel murmured, Lord of hosts. . . . [1881], 24–25). the question came to Nephi, “Who’s “This day will the Lord deliver thee Her life that followed was not an on the Lord’s side?” To which he into mine hand; . . . that all the earth easy one. Years later, she wrote these responded, “I am!” in the words: “I may know that there is a God in words: will go and do the things which the Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45–46). And Lord hath commanded, for I know at that point David did not timidly Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who? that the Lord giveth no command- walk but ran to meet the giant. Now is the time to show. ments unto the children of men, save And because of David’s faith in God, We ask it fearlessly: he shall prepare a way for them that Goliath was slain and Israel prevailed. Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who? they may accomplish the thing which My young brethren and sisters, (“Who’s on the Lord’s Side?” Hymns, he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7). wherever I travel, I meet noble youth no. 260) It was the same with young David just like you who are faced constantly in the Old Testament. Remember with modern-day Goliaths in the form Although these are the words of a how, as a young shepherd, he visited of temptations that would cause us to song we do not sing very often, it has his brothers on the battlefront. While violate our covenants and the stan- become one of my favorite hymns there he heard the taunts of the giant dards the Lord has given us. This because of the commitment to truth Philistine, Goliath, to the men of becomes even more important when and right. In fact, it is a question that Israel—challenging them to battle. you are surrounded daily with profan- should be in the mind of each young And all Israel’s warriors were afraid to ity, socially accepted immorality, man and each young woman the face the giant. Their response to the immodesty, pornography, and other world over: “Who’s on the Lord’s question “Who’s on the Lord’s side?” inappropriate material in the media, side?” And our resounding answer was not “I am!” but rather “Who me?” including television and the Internet, should be, “I am!” But not the boy David. Taking only and widespread availability of drugs It was the question that was in stones and a simple shepherd’s sling, and alcohol. In a word, not a day goes the mind of Nephi when the Lord, he approached the giant, saying: by that we are not asked, in one form through Nephi’s father Lehi, directed “Thou comest to me with a sword, or another, “Who’s on the Lord’s side? Nephi and his brothers to go back to and with a spear, and with a shield: Who?” I have two simple suggestions

MAY 2007 95 to help you prepare your answer to clothed, had crossed in front of me. that question. Immediately, subconsciously, the First, never forget who you are. The words and music of ‘I Am a Child of simple truth is in the children’s hymn God’ began to roll through my mind— many of us learned in Primary: “I am a to displace inappropriate thoughts.” child of God” (Hymns, no. 301). And That day my friend learned a great our wise and kind Heavenly Father has lesson about his ability to control his not just sent us here and then left us thoughts. alone. He has given us specific guides President George Albert Smith to help us accomplish that which He gave wonderful counsel on this sub- expects of us. He has given us families ject when he said: “There is a line of to help, to love, and to teach. He has demarcation well defined between given us living prophets to lead us. the Lord’s territory and the devil’s ter- He has given us, through the First ritory. If you will remain on the Lord’s Presidency, the standards in the For side of the line, the adversary cannot the Strength of Youth brochure, with come there to tempt you. . . . But . . . this promise: “We promise that as you if you cross onto the devil’s side of keep these standards and live by the the line, you are in his territory . . . truths in the scriptures, you will be and he will work on you to get you able to do your life’s work with greater mother still prays for me today bears just as far from that line as he possibly wisdom and skill and bear trials with me up and reminds me who I am and can, knowing that he can only suc- greater courage. You will have the help that I am not alone. ceed in destroying you by keeping of the Holy Ghost” ([2001], 2–3). My second suggestion: learn to you away from the place where there I always keep my small copy of the control your thoughts. A part of the is safety” (in Conference Report, Oct. brochure with me—always! I chal- plan of happiness that our Heavenly 1945, 118). lenge you to do the same. Then, Father has given us is that we were The Mutual theme for 2007 pro- when you are waiting for a bus or sent here to be tested. Therefore, vides a promise for those who heed have a spare moment, pull it out, read there will always be temptations. Our this wise counsel: “Let virtue garnish it, and recommit to live the standards work as Latter-day Saints is to keep thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall in that brochure. I promise you that the commandments of God, in spite thy confidence wax strong in the pres- as you do, happiness, peace, and of the temptations that Satan sends ence of God . . . [and] the Holy Ghost deep feelings of courage and self- our way. In my life, I have found that shall be thy constant companion” worth will follow. this is much easier to do when we (D&C 121:45–46). As you exercise your agency, can control our thoughts—and espe- I testify to you that God lives. I remember, you are not alone. In ad- cially when we have memorized know that we are His children, that dition to a kind and wise Heavenly music, scriptures, and good poetry to He knows us by name, and that we Father, there are others who are pray- replace the evil thoughts that come are not alone as we make these ing for you to make wise choices. As into our minds. important decisions. Each day of your a youth, when I would go out on a President Boyd K. Packer has coun- life you will make choices, the result date or with my friends, I would seled us to have a hymn memorized so of which will land you either on one always check in with my parents that when an inappropriate thought side of that line or on the other. And when I came home. Usually I would comes into our minds, we can replace so I issue the challenge to all youth just knock on their door, open it and it with a hymn. In applying this instruc- within the sound of my voice, to the say, “I’m home,” and then go to bed. tion, a friend of mine explained: “One youth of the noble birthright through- One night I came home from a date, day I left my office for lunch. After I out the world: live your life in such a knocked as usual, and then opened had walked for about two blocks, I way that when you are faced with a the door. As I did so, the light from noticed that I had been humming ‘my choice between good and evil and the hall fell on my angel mother on song’: ‘I Am a Child of God.’ As I when deep inside you can hear the her knees in prayer. And as I saw her chained my thoughts back several question, “Who’s on the Lord’s there, I knew whom she was praying hundred yards, I realized that as I side?”—you will be prepared to for. I have never forgotten that experi- had crossed the street from my office, answer with all your strength, “I am!” ence. And the knowledge that my a young woman, inappropriately In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

96 A few years ago I received the assignment to reorganize the Carey Will a Man Idaho Stake. The plane landed at Twin Falls, and President Roy Hubert, who had served so well, met me there and drove me to his home. Rob God? While we were driving, I asked him, “Is there anything I can do for you ELDER YOSHIHIKO KIKUCHI and your Saints?” Of the Seventy He said: “Oh, we have had a terrible drought for the last few years. When you and I pay honest, true tithes to the Lord, This year it is particularly severe, and the Lord will open the windows of heaven. many farmers have left town to find employment elsewhere.” I was so disturbed for our faithful members who love the Lord and the Church yet were losing their farms. Tithing is such an important com- A young bishop, R. Spence mandment that when the Lord Ellsworth, was called to serve as the appeared on the American continent new stake president. During the after His Resurrection, He repeated Sunday general session, results of those same exact words.2 And the the drought weighed heavily on my Lord said in our day, “Those who have mind. As I was speaking, a strong thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth prompting came. I asked them to do of all their interest annually.”3 the following: In the book of Leviticus, the Lord stated three different times that 1. Faithfully pay an honest tithe, both tithing is “holy unto the Lord.”4 young and old. The Lord said, “Prove me now [or 2. Humbly hold regular individual test me now] . . . , if I will not open and family prayers. you the windows of heaven.”5 Many 3. Devotedly have daily personal and of us test the Lord in the right way; family scripture study. however, some do not. 4. Thankfully keep the Sabbath day Consider, for example, ten apples. holy. would like to discuss the law of Now, all ten of these apples actually 5. Gratefully go to the temple often, tithing. In the book of Malachi, belong to the Lord, but He asks us there offering thanksgiving. I the Lord asks: to return to Him only one-tenth, or 6. Willingly sustain and follow the “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have one apple. new leaders. robbed me. But ye say, Wherein Are you offering only a small bite 7. Hold a stakewide fast, including have we robbed thee? In tithes and of that apple and keeping 90 percent? everyone in the affected communi- offerings. Are you willing to offer the Lord such ties who would like to participate. “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye a small portion? have robbed me, even this whole Are you ashamed, or do you try to For the next couple of days follow- nation. patch up and hide the bitten portion ing the stake conference, many “Bring ye all the tithes into the of the apple and then offer that to members planted their crops with storehouse, that there may be meat in the Lord? complete faith, even though there mine house, and prove me now here- We want our offerings to be full was no forecast of rain. with, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will and clean. We have been taught: On Wednesday, under the direction not open you the windows of heaven, “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart of President Ellsworth, the whole and pour you out a blessing, that and a willing mind; and the willing stake fasted. That same week many there shall not be room enough to and obedient shall eat the good of the members, the leaders, and their receive it.”1 land of Zion in these last days.”6 spouses went to the Boise Idaho

MAY 2007 97 Last week in the Young Women meeting, President Hinckley said, “While tithing is paid with money, more importantly it is paid with faith.”9 Another time he said: “This is not so much a matter of money as it is a matter of faith. . . . I urge you, . . . every one of you, to take the Lord at His word in this important matter.”10 It is a matter of commitment. The earth belongs to the Lord, and this includes our own lives. He allows us to use everything on this earth. He only asks us to return one-tenth. Tithing is a token of gratitude, obedience, and thanksgiving—a token of our willingness and dedication. Paying tithing, willingly, develops an honest and pure heart. Paying tithing increases our love for the Lord. The Lord said, “It is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people.”11 Brothers and sisters, let us demonstrate our faith. Let us show our willingness to obey. I promise you, in the name of Jesus Christ, when you and I pay honest, true tithes to the Lord, the Lord will open the windows of heaven. I know that Heavenly Father lives. Temple and offered their thanks- and attending the temple more fre- Therefore, He will bless you. Jesus giving. While these faithful Saints quently, the Lord heard and answered Christ is our Savior. Joseph saw were in the temple, rain began to fall their prayers. Frost came late that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus on the entire community, though the year, so the farmers were able to har- Christ. This is His Church. President weather forecast indicated no mois- vest grain, sugar beets, alfalfa, pota- Gordon B. Hinckley is a living oracle ture for the next few weeks. The fol- toes, and other crops. From that of God. He asks you to come often lowing Saturday, good rain fell again day, and each year since, they have to the temple. This is my humble and continued for a few days. This offered their thanksgiving prayers, and prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, happened late in the month of April. “because of . . . his tender mercies,”7 amen. ■ Significant snow fell in the mountains, the Lord continues to bless them. providing enough moisture. In the In the book of Chronicles, the Lord NOTES 1. Malachi 3:8–10. Dietrich and Richfield communities, said, “If my people, . . . called by my 2. See 3 Nephi 24:8–10. their reservoir had been under 30 per- name, shall humble themselves, and 3. D&C 119:4. 4. Leviticus 27:30; see also vv. 32–33. cent, but after the people fasted, the pray, and seek my face, and turn from 5. 3 Nephi 24:10. reservoir was nearly full. The Carey their wicked ways; then will I hear 6. D&C 64:34. water supply increased from about 44 from heaven, and will forgive their 7. Ether 6:12. 8 8. 2 Chronicles 7:14. percent to more than 100 percent of sin, and will heal their land.” 9. “Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts normal. Through the rest of the grow- Paying a full and honest tithe leads Unceasingly,” Liahona and Ensign, May ing season, as members of the Carey us to the temple. Tithing, I believe, is 2007, 116. 10. “Let Us Move This Work Forward,” Ensign, Stake increased their faith by fasting a one of President Hinckley’s prophetic Nov. 1985, 85. few more times, paying honest tithes, priorities. 11. D&C 64:23.

98 of God, in order to imply that there Point of is no mercy. What Is the Lord’s Plan for Our Safe Return? Protection against the influence of Safe Return the devil comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the good news ELDER DIETER F. UCHTDORF that Jesus Christ has made a perfect Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Atonement for mankind. It is the message of love, hope, and mercy The gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ provides us that there is a reconciliation of man at all times and at all places with the blessings with God. Sin is the willful transgression of of repentance and forgiveness. divine law. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the gift of God to His children to correct and overcome the consequences of sin. God loves all of of departure. Having passed the point His children, and He will never cease of safe return, the captain has lost this to love and to hope for us. The plan option and has to continue on. That is of our Heavenly Father is clear, and why this point is often referred to as His promises are great: “For God sent the point of no return. not his Son into the world to con- demn the world; but that the world Are There Points of No Return . . . might be saved” (John 3:17). in Our Lives? Christ came to save us. If we Satan, “the father of all lies” have taken a wrong course, the (2 Nephi 2:18), “the father of con- Atonement of Jesus Christ can give tention” (3 Nephi 11:29), “the author us the assurance that sin is not a of all sin” (Helaman 6:30), and the point of no return. A safe return is “enemy unto God” (Moroni 7:12), uses possible if we will follow God’s plan the forces of evil to convince us that for our salvation. this concept applies whenever we have We have received this plan from sinned. The scriptures call him the the highest authority in the universe, “accuser” because he wants us to feel even God, our Heavenly Father. This uring my training to become that we are beyond forgiveness (see plan was prepared from before the an airline captain, I had to Revelation 12:10). Satan wants us to foundation of the earth. It is a great Dlearn how to navigate an air- think that when we have sinned plan of happiness, a plan of mercy, a plane over long distances. Flights over we have gone past a “point of no plan of redemption, a plan of salva- huge oceans, crossing extensive return”—that it is too late to change tion. This plan enables us to experi- deserts, and connecting continents our course. In our beautiful but also ence a physical existence, including need careful planning to ensure a safe troubled world, it is a sad reality that mortality, a time of probation, and to arrival at the planned destination. this attitude is the source of great sor- return to the presence of God and Some of these nonstop flights can last row, grief, and distress to families, mar- live in eternal happiness and glory. It up to 14 hours and cover almost riages, and individual lives. is explained in the doctrines of the 9,000 miles. Satan tries to counterfeit the work restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There is an important decision of God, and by doing this he may Following this plan has beautiful point during such long flights com- deceive many. To make us lose hope, eternal consequences for us individu- monly known as the point of safe feel miserable like himself, and believe ally, for our families, for generations return. Up to this point the aircraft that we are beyond forgiveness, Satan to come, and even for generations has enough fuel to turn around might even misuse words from the who went before. The plan includes and return safely to the airport scriptures that emphasize the justice divine reconciliation and forgiveness.

MAY 2007 99 loving, and is merciful, we will be able to put our trust in Him for our salvation without wavering. Faith in Christ will change our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that are not in harmony with God’s will. True repentance brings us back to doing what is right. To truly repent we must recognize our sins and feel remorse, or godly sorrow, and confess those sins to God. If our sins are serious, we must also confess them to our authorized priesthood leader. We need to ask God for forgiveness and do all we can to correct whatever harm our actions may have caused. Repentance means a change of mind and heart— we stop doing things that are wrong, and we start doing things that are right. It brings us a fresh attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general.

What Are the Fruits of Forgiveness? True repentance blesses our lives with the effects of the Atonement: we feel God’s forgiveness and His peace, and our guilt and sorrow are lifted away; we enjoy the influence of the How Is Divine Forgiveness Possible? Jesus Christ” (Mosiah 3:12). Spirit in greater abundance; and we We acknowledge that “all have It is not repentance per se that are better prepared to live with our sinned, and come short of the glory saves man. It is the blood of Jesus Heavenly Father. of God” (Romans 3:23), but we also Christ that saves us. It is not by our sin- President Spencer W. Kimball declare with firmness that repentance cere and honest change of behavior taught: “The essence of the miracle of and forgiveness can be as real as sin. alone that we are saved, but “by grace forgiveness is that it brings peace to the The Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are saved, after all we can do” previously anxious, restless, frustrated, causes each person to be accountable (2 Nephi 25:23). True repentance, perhaps tormented soul. . . . God will for his or her individual sins. We will however, is the condition required so wipe away . . . the tears of anguish, and overcome the consequences of indi- that God’s forgiveness can come into remorse, . . . and fear, and guilt” (The vidual sin by claiming the blessings our lives. True repentance makes “a Miracle of Forgiveness, 363, 368). and benefits of the Atonement. brilliant day [out] of the darkest night” Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with President David O. McKay said, (Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of you, my peace I give unto you: . . . Let “Every principle and ordinance of the Forgiveness [1969], 362). not your heart be troubled, neither let gospel of Jesus Christ is significant and it be afraid” (John 14:27). important . . . , but there is none more What Does True Repentance The prophet Alma, who was essential to the salvation of the human Consist Of? reclaimed from sin to happiness family than the divine and eternally We need a strong faith in Christ to by God’s forgiveness, declared, operative principle [of] repentance” be able to repent. Our faith has to “Wickedness never was happiness” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 13). include a “correct idea of [God’s] (Alma 41:10). He had witnessed the “For salvation cometh to character, perfections, and attributes” bitter pains of sin, but he also spoke none . . . except it be through (Lectures on Faith [1985], 38). If we with excitement about the happiness repentance and faith on the Lord believe that God knows all things, is that accompanies true repentance

100 and forgiveness: “Yea, I say unto you, moral courage to forgive and to ask . . . there can be nothing so exquisite for forgiveness. Never is the soul and sweet as was my joy” (Alma nobler and more courageous than 36:21). Alma concluded with powerful when we forgive. This includes and wise counsel to all who seek for- forgiving ourselves. giveness: “And now, . . . I desire that Each of us is under a divinely ye should let these things trouble you spoken obligation to reach out with no more, and only let your sins trou- pardon and mercy and to forgive one ble you, with that trouble which shall another. There is a great need for this bring you down unto repentance” Christlike attribute in our families, (Alma 42:29). in our marriages, in our wards and stakes, in our communities, and in How Can We Know That God our nations. Has Forgiven Us? We will receive the joy of forgive- President Harold B. Lee said, ness in our own lives when we are “When you have done all within your willing to extend that joy freely to power to overcome your mistakes, others. Lip service is not enough. We and have determined in your heart need to purge our hearts and minds that you will never repeat them again, Remembering will help us avoid mak- of feelings and thoughts of bitterness then . . . peace of conscience [can ing the same mistakes again. But if we and let the light and the love of Christ come to you] by which you will know stay true and faithful, the memory of enter in. As a result, the Spirit of the that your sins have been forgiven” our sins will be softened over time. Lord will fill our souls with the joy (in “Law of Chastity Vital, Girls Told,” This will be part of the needed healing accompanying divine peace of con- Church News, Sept. 2, 1972, 7). and sanctification process. Alma testi- science (see Mosiah 4:2–3). Once we have truly repented, fied that after he cried out to Jesus for My dear brothers and sisters, my Christ will take away the burden of mercy, he could still remember his dear young friends, when the captain guilt for our sins. We can know for sins, but the memory of his sins no of a long-range jet passes the point ourselves that we have been forgiven longer distressed and tortured him, of safe return, and the headwinds are and made clean. The Holy Ghost will because he knew he had been for- too strong or the cruising altitudes verify this to us; He is the Sanctifier. given (see Alma 36:17–19). too low, he might be forced to divert No other testimony of forgiveness can It is our responsibility to avoid to an airport other than his planned be greater. anything that would bring back old destination. This is not so in our jour- The Lord said, “He that repents sinful memories. When we continue ney through life back to our heavenly and does the commandments of the to have a “broken heart and a con- home. Wherever you find yourselves Lord shall be forgiven” (D&C 1:32; trite spirit” (3 Nephi 12:19), we may on this journey through life, whatever emphasis added). And He said, “Come trust that God will “remember [our trials you may face, there is always a unto me, all ye that labour and are sins] no more.” point of safe return; there is always heavy laden, and I will give you rest” hope. You are the captain of your life, (Matthew 11:28). “Be faithful and dili- How Does Extending Forgiveness and God has prepared a plan to bring gent . . . and I will encircle thee in the Help Us to Receive God’s Forgiveness? you safely back to Him, to your divine arms of my love” (D&C 6:20). Jesus taught us eternal truth when destination. And He declared, “Behold, he who He taught us to pray: “Forgive us our The gift of the Atonement of has repented of his sins, the same is debts, as we forgive our debtors. . . . Jesus Christ provides us at all times forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember For, if ye forgive men their trespasses and at all places with the blessings of them no more” (D&C 58:42). your heavenly Father will also forgive repentance and forgiveness. Because Satan will try to make us believe you; but if ye forgive not . . . neither of this gift, the opportunity to make that our sins are not forgiven because will your Father forgive your tres- a safe return from the disastrous we can remember them. Satan is a liar; passes” (3 Nephi 13:11, 14–15). course of sin is available to all of us. he tries to blur our vision and lead us Therefore, extending forgiveness For this I give thanks to our away from the path of repentance and is a precondition to receiving Heavenly Father, and of this I bear forgiveness. God did not promise that forgiveness. testimony with all my heart and soul we would not remember our sins. For our own good, we need the in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2007 101 References to repentance are even more frequent in the Book of Repentance and Mormon.10 To the people of ancient America, the Lord gave this commandment: “Again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, Conversion and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of ELDER RUSSELL M. NELSON God.”11 Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles With the Restoration of the gospel, our Savior has again stressed this doc- A repentant soul is a converted soul, and a converted soul trine. The word repent in any of its is a repentant soul. forms appears in 47 of the 138 sections of the Doctrine and Covenants!12

Repent from Sin What does it mean to repent? We hope for her, any way up and out of begin with a dictionary’s definition that her hopelessness. to repent is “to turn from sin . . . to feel “Yes,” we responded, “there is sorrow [and] regret.”13 To repent from hope. Hope is linked to repentance. sin is not easy. But the prize is worth You can change. You can ‘come unto the price. Repentance needs to be Christ, and be perfected in him.’ ”1 done one step at a time. Humble We urged her not to procrastinate.2 prayer will facilitate each essential She sobbed humbly and thanked us step. As prerequisites to forgiveness, sincerely. there must first be recognition, As Elder Baxter and I continued remorse, then confession.14 “By this our journey, we pondered that experi- ye may know if a man repenteth of his ence. We recalled the counsel given to sins—behold, he will confess them a hopeless soul by Aaron, who said, and forsake them.”15 Confession is to “If thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and be made to the person who has been will bow down before God, and call wronged. Confession should be sincere on his name in faith, . . . then shalt and not merely an admission of guilt thou receive the hope which thou after proof is evident. If many persons ast year while Elder David S. desirest.”3 have been offended, confession should Baxter and I were driving to a Now, at this closing session of gen- be made to all offended parties. Acts L stake conference, we stopped eral conference, I too speak on repen- that may affect one’s standing in the at a restaurant. Later when returning tance. I do so because the Lord has Church or the right to its privileges to our car, we were approached by a commanded His servants to cry repen- should be confessed promptly to the woman who called out to us. We tance unto all people.4 The Master has bishop, whom the Lord has called as a were startled by her appearance. Her restored His gospel to bring joy to His common judge in Israel.16 grooming (or lack of it) was what I children, and repentance is a crucial The next step is restitution—to might politely call “extreme.” She component of that gospel.5 repair damage done—if possible. Then asked if we were elders in the The doctrine of repentance is as come steps to resolve to do better and Church. We said yes. Almost unre- old as the gospel itself. Biblical teach- refrain from relapse—to repent “with strained, she told the story of her ings from the books of Genesis6 to full purpose of heart.”17 Thanks to the tragic life, swamped in sin. Now, only Revelation7 teach repentance. Lessons ransom paid by the Atonement of 28 years old, she was miserable. She from Jesus Christ during His mortal Jesus Christ, full forgiveness is given to felt worthless, with nothing to live ministry include these warnings: “The the sinner who repents and remains for. As she spoke, the sweetness of kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, free from sin.18 To the repentant soul, her soul began to emerge. Pleading and believe the gospel”8 and “Except Isaiah said, “Though your sins be as tearfully, she asked if there was any ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”9 scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

102 though they be red like crimson, they and the gift of the Holy Ghost . . . , would be unprofitable servants.”30 shall be as wool.”19 the sin be upon the heads of the Yes, the Lord has commanded us The Lord’s imperative emphasis parents.”23 to repent, to change our ways, to on repentance is evident as we read come unto Him, and be more like from section 19 of the Doctrine and Broader Meaning of the Word Repent Him.31 This requires a total change. Covenants: “I command you to The doctrine of repentance is Alma so taught his son: “Learn wis- repent—repent, lest I smite you by much broader than a dictionary’s defi- dom in thy youth,” he said. “Learn the rod of my mouth, and by my nition. When Jesus said “repent,” His in thy youth to keep the command- wrath, and by my anger, and your suf- disciples recorded that command in ments of God. . . . Let all thy thoughts ferings be sore—how sore you know the Greek language with the verb be directed unto the Lord; yea, let not, how exquisite you know not, yea, metanoeo.24 This powerful word has the affections of thy heart be placed how hard to bear you know not. great significance. In this word, the upon the Lord forever.”32 “For behold, I, God, have suffered prefix meta means “change.”25 The To repent fully is to convert com- these things for all, that they might suffix relates to four important Greek pletely to the Lord Jesus Christ and not suffer if they would repent; terms: nous, meaning “the mind”;26 His holy work. Alma taught that con- “But if they would not repent they gnosis, meaning “knowledge”;27 cept when he posed these questions: must suffer even as I.”20 pneuma, meaning “spirit”;28 and “I ask of you, my brethren of the While the Lord insists on our repen- pnoe, meaning “breath.”29 church, have ye spiritually been born tance, most people don’t feel such a Thus, when Jesus said “repent,” He of God? Have ye received his image compelling need.21 They include them- asked us to change—to change our in your countenances? Have ye expe- selves among those who try to be mind, knowledge, and spirit—even rienced this mighty change in your good. They have no evil intent.22 Yet our breath. A prophet explained that hearts?”33 That change comes when the Lord is clear in His message that such a change in one’s breath is to we are “born again,” converted and all need to repent—not only from sins breathe with grateful acknowledgment focused upon our journey to the of commission but from sins of omis- of Him who grants each breath. King kingdom of God.34 sion as well. Such is the case in His Benjamin said, “If ye should serve him warning to parents: “Inasmuch as par- who has created you . . . and is pre- Fruits of Repentance ents have children in Zion . . . that serving you from day to day, by lend- The fruits of repentance are sweet. teach them not to understand the doc- ing you breath . . . from one moment Repentant converts find that the trine of repentance, faith in Christ the to another—I say, if ye should serve truths of the restored gospel govern Son of the living God, and of baptism him with all your whole souls yet ye their thoughts and deeds, shape their

MAY 2007 103 habits, and forge their character. the Lord and His holy work. They are more resilient and able to I know that God lives. Jesus is deny themselves of all ungodliness.35 the Christ. This is His Church. His Moreover, uncontrolled appetite,36 prophet today is President Gordon B. addiction to pornography or harmful Hinckley. I so testify in the name of drugs,37 unbridled passion,38 carnal Jesus Christ, amen. ■ desire,39 and unrighteous pride40 are diminished with complete conversion NOTES 1. Moroni 10:32. to the Lord and a determination to 2. See Alma 13:27; 34:33. President Spencer W. serve Him and to emulate His exam- Kimball described procrastination as “an ple.41 Virtue garnishes their thoughts, unwillingness to accept personal responsi- 42 bilities now” (Teachings of Presidents of the and self-confidence grows. Tithing is Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 4). seen as a joyful and protective bless- 3. Alma 22:16. We also remember the sinful ing, not as a duty or a sacrifice.43 people under the care of their concerned leader, Mormon, who wrote, “I was with- Truth becomes more attractive, and out hope, for I knew the judgments of the things praiseworthy become more Lord which should come upon them; for 44 they repented not of their iniquities, but engaging. did struggle for their lives without calling Repentance is the Lord’s regimen “And after they have paid the upon that Being who created them” for spiritual growth. King Benjamin penalty of their transgressions, and (Mormon 5:2). 4. Especially in these latter-days; see D&C explained that “the natural man is an are washed clean, [they] shall receive 18:11–12, 14; 19:21; 34:5–6; 43:20; enemy to God, and has been from the a reward according to their works.”46 133:16–17. fall of Adam, and will be, forever and The Prophet Joseph Smith further 5. “The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus ever, unless he yields to the enticings revealed that “the earth will be smitten Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the with a curse unless there is a welding by immersion for the remission of sins; natural man and becometh a saint link of some kind or other between fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:4). See through the atonement of Christ the the fathers and the children. . . . We also D&C 39:6; 84:27; 138:19. Lord, and becometh as a child, sub- without [our dead] cannot be made 6. See Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 4:8. missive, meek, humble, patient, full perfect; neither can they without us be 7. See Revelation 2:16. 8. Mark 1:15; see also Matthew 4:17. of love, willing to submit to all things made perfect. . . . [This] dispensation 9. Luke 13:3. which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon is now beginning to usher in, that a 10. The word repent (to teach the doctrine of repentance) in any of its forms (repent, him, even as a child doth submit to whole and complete and perfect repentance, repented, repenteth, and so 45 his father.” Brothers and sisters, that union, and welding together of dispen- on) appears 72 times in the King James means conversion! Repentance is con- sations, and keys, and powers, and glo- Version of the Bible and 68 times in the 47 Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. In version! A repentant soul is a con- ries should take place.” the Book of Mormon, the word repent in verted soul, and a converted soul is a “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam”?48 any of its forms appears 360 times. repentant soul. Yes! And you too! He also wants us as 11. 3 Nephi 11:38. Another example is “I have given you the law and the commandments bonding blacksmiths—creating celes- of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, Repentance for Those Who Are Dead tial welding links—to curb the curse49 and that ye shall repent of your sins, and Each living person can repent. But of family fragmentation. The earth come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 12:19). what about those who have died? was created and temples provided so 12. See D&C 1; 3; 5–6; 10–11; 13–16; 18–20; They also have opportunities to that families can be together forever.50 29; 33–36; 39; 42–45; 49–50; 53–56; 58; repent. Scripture declares that “the Many, if not most, of us could repent 63–64; 66; 68; 75; 84; 90; 93; 98; 104; 107; 109; 117; 124; 133; 136; 138. faithful elders of this dispensation, and be converted to more temple and 13. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary when they depart from mortal life, family history work for our ancestors. (1987), “repent,” 999. 14. See 1 John 1:9; Mosiah 26:29; D&C 61:2; continue their labors in the preaching Thus, our repentance is necessary 64:7. of the gospel of repentance . . . and essential for their repentance. 15. D&C 58:43. If no other person has been among those who are . . . under the For all our kindred dead, to the offended, confession should be prayerfully offered to God. He who hears in secret may bondage of sin in the great world of 28-year-old woman mired in the reward openly (see Matthew 6:4, 6, 18; the spirits of the dead. swamp of sin, and to each one of us, 3 Nephi 13:4, 6, 18). “The dead who repent will be I declare that the sweet blessing of 16. See D&C 107:73–74. 17. 2 Nephi 31:13; Jacob 6:5; Mosiah 7:33; redeemed, through obedience to the repentance is possible. It comes 3 Nephi 10:6; 12:24; 18:32. ordinances of the house of God, through complete conversion to 18. See Mosiah 4:2–3.

104 19. Isaiah 1:18. 20. D&C 19:15–17. 21. In the minds of some people, the word repent also conjures up terms like penalty Closing Remarks and penalize, which connote punishment. If they are not guilty of punishable sin, PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY they may reason that they have no need to repent. 22. President Spencer W. Kimball said: “There is a prevalent, perhaps subconscious, feel- What has been said by each of the speakers represents his or ing that the Lord designed repentance only for those who commit murder or adultery her prayerful attempt to impart knowledge that will inspire. or theft or other heinous crimes. This is of course not so. If we are humble and desirous of living the gospel we will come to think of repentance as applying to everything we do in life, whether it be spiritual all who have heard it to stand a little or temporal in nature. Repentance is for every soul who has not yet reached perfec- taller and be a little better. tion” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: May there be peace and harmony Spencer W. Kimball, 37). See also 1 John in your homes. Husbands, love and 1:8; Mosiah 4:29–30. 23. D&C 68:25; emphasis added. treasure your wives. They are your 24. Metanoeo, ÌÂÙ·ÓÔÂˆ, was used in the Greek most precious possessions. Wives, text of the Lord’s statements in Matthew encourage and pray for your hus- 4:17; Mark 1:15; and Luke 13:3. The same term was used by Peter in Acts 2:38; 3:19; bands. They need all the help they and 8:22. can get. Parents, treat your children 25. In Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2, transfig- with great kindness. They are the ured was translated from metamorphoo, meaning “change of form.” coming generation who will bring 26. In Ephesians 4:23, mind was translated honor to your name. from the Greek nous. 27. In Luke 1:77; Romans 2:20; and 2 Corinthi- Now, as we separate for a season, ans 6:6, knowledge was translated from God bless you, my beloved associates. gnos or gnosis. Gnos, when preceded by I so pray, as I say good-bye, in the the negative indicator a-, means “lack of ■ knowledge,” as in agnostic. In Acts 17:23, name of Jesus Christ, amen. unknown was translated from agnostos, and ignorantly was translated from agnoeo. y beloved brethren and sis- 28. In Matthew 12:18 and Romans 8:5, spirit was translated from the Greek pneuma. ters, we have enjoyed a won- 29. In Acts 17:25, breath was translated from Mderful conference. We have the Greek pnoe. rededicated the Salt Lake Tabernacle, 30. Mosiah 2:21. 31. See 3 Nephi 27:21, 27. as we put it back to use after exten- 32. Alma 37:35–36. sive renovation. We have filled this 33. Alma 5:14. Conference Center to capacity for 34. See John 3:3, 7; Mosiah 27:25; Alma 5:49; 7:14; Moses 6:59. every session. Our words have gone 35. See Moroni 10:32. across the world to members of the 36. See Galatians 6:7–8. 37. See Judges 13:7; Luke 1:15; D&C 89:5, 7–9. Church scattered far and wide. 38. See Matthew 5:27–28; Alma 38:12; 3 Nephi Now, we will return to our homes. 12:27–28; D&C 42:23. We urge you who will be driving to 39. See Romans 8:5–6. 40. See Alma 38:11; D&C 121:37. do so carefully. Let no accident 41. See John 13:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter destroy the spirit of this wonderful 2:21; 2 Nephi 31:16; 3 Nephi 18:16; occasion. Mormon 7:10. 42. See D&C 121:45. We hope that you will use the May 43. See D&C 85:3. edition of the Church magazines as a 44. See Philippians 4:8; Articles of Faith 1:13. text for your family home evenings, to 45. Mosiah 3:19. 46. D&C 138:57–59; see also vv. 30–34. review that which has been spoken in 47. D&C 128:18. this conference. What has been said 48. Children’s Songbook, 60. by each of the speakers represents his 49. See D&C 27:9; 110:14–15; 128:18; 138:48. 50. See D&C 2:2–3; 132:19; 138:47–48; Joseph or her prayerful attempt to impart Smith—History 1:39. knowledge that will inspire and cause

MAY 2007 105 GENERAL YOUNG WOMEN MEETING March 24, 2007

nature and destiny” (Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). And Daughters President Gordon B. Hinckley has also said: “You are second to none. You are daughters of God. of Heavenly Father “There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and SUSAN W. TANNER sacred and divine. Never forget that. Young Women General President Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but Heavenly Father knows you and loves you. He also will listen to your prayers as You are His special daughter. He has a plan for you. His daughter and hear you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone” (“Stay on the High Road,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 112). are daughters of our Heavenly Father, As you let the knowledge that you who loves us, and we love Him” are a daughter of God settle deep (“Young Women Theme,” Young into your soul, it will comfort you, Women Personal Progress [booklet, strengthen your faith, and influence 2001], 5). Yet as they grow up, they your conduct. If you let this virtuous often grow away from the confident truth garnish your thoughts unceas- knowledge of three-year-old Eliza that ingly, you will have confidence in they are very special. Youth often the presence of God, as our Mutual experience an identity crisis, won- theme scripture promises (see dering who they really are. The teen- D&C 121:45). age years are also a time of what I How can each of us know and feel describe as “identity theft,” meaning that we are Heavenly Father’s daugh- that worldly ideas, philosophies, and ters? There is a veil between heaven deceits confuse us, buffet us, and and earth, “a sleep and a forgetting” seek to rob us of the knowledge of (William Wordsworth, “Ode: our true identity. Intimations of Immortality from One very good young woman said Recollections of Early Childhood,” ur son-in-law told his daughter, to me, “Sometimes I am not sure who stanza 5, line 58) when we are born. three-year-old Eliza, that for I am. I don’t feel Heavenly Father’s This is necessary for us to “gain Ofamily home evening they love. My life seems hard. Things are earthly experience to progress toward were going to have a lesson on a very not turning out the way I wanted, perfection and ultimately realize [our] special subject. She got a big smile on hoped, and dreamed they would.” divine destin[ies] as [heirs to] eternal her face and attempted to guess the What I said to her I now say to young life” (Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, surprise. “It must be about me,” she women everywhere: I know unequiv- Nov. 1995, 102). Heavenly Father said, “because I am very special!” ocally that you are a daughter of God. loves us and wants to help us remem- Eliza remembers and knows who He knows you, He loves you, and He ber Him, so He provides for us she is—a very special child of God. has a plan for you. I know this is a glimpses into eternity. The Apostle She has learned this from her mother, message Heavenly Father wants me to Paul taught that “the Spirit itself who from Eliza’s earliest infancy share with you. beareth witness with our spirit, that has sung our opening hymn, “I Am Latter-day prophets and apostles we are the children of God” (Romans a Child of God” (Hymns, no. 301), as testify of our divine natures. The 8:16). The Spirit gives us glimpses a nightly lullaby. proclamation to the world on the into who we are. Often the Spirit All over the world and in almost family says, “Each [of us] is a beloved speaks to us when we pray, read the every language, young women ages spirit son or daughter of heavenly par- scriptures, ponder upon the Lord’s 12 to 18 declare the same thing: “We ents, and, as such, each has a divine mercies to us, receive priesthood

106 blessings, serve others, or feel loved insights about our own eternal “remember that you are a child of God and affirmed by others. natures is from a parent or a leader and must act accordingly.” Missionaries Moses learned who he was through who can reassure us because of his or wear a badge as a constant reminder a powerful spiritual experience. He her inspired glimpses into who we that they are representatives of The talked with God face-to-face and really are. The Spirit has whispered Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day learned that he was God’s son, with a very specifically to me on occasion Saints. This reminds missionaries to special mission to perform. After hav- about the true identity of my chil- dress modestly and comely, to treat ing this experience, Moses was then dren. I remember the night before people with politeness, and to strive to buffeted by Satan. But because Moses one of our babies was born I had the have Christ’s image in their counte- had felt of God’s glory, he recognized distinct impression that this baby nances. They must do these things that Satan did not have any glory. would be a great friend and helper because they wear that name tag, an Because Moses knew that he was with each of its siblings. This has outward sign of their identity. By God’s son and that God had a mission proved to be absolutely true. Another covenant, we too have all taken upon for him, he had the power and ability time when one of our teenagers was ourselves Christ’s name. His name to resist Satan, to make righteous judg- very downcast because of involve- should be engraven inwardly upon our ments, to call upon God for strength, ment in an automobile accident, I dis- hearts. Likewise, we are expected to and to continue to have His Spirit to tinctly heard these words in my mind: act as worthy children of Heavenly be with him. (See Moses 1.) “I love this child and will guide his Father, who, at least figuratively, has The same pattern applies to us. As life.” And He has. Such glimpses have sent us to earth with the admonition we come to know and feel who we come again and again to me. When “Remember who you are!” really are, we are enabled to recog- they have needed encouragement, I When I was called to serve you, the nize the difference between good and have been blessed with insights into young women of this Church, I knew evil and are empowered to resist the great and noble eternal spirits of I had to behave appropriately. One temptation. One of the ways we can my children. day one of my daughters got a ticket come to understand the divinely Has your mother or father ever for parking her car on the street with appointed mission the Lord has for us reminded you as you were leaving an expired registration sticker. I took is through our patriarchal blessings. the house to “remember who you matters into my own hands and went These are very specific and individual are”? What do they mean by that? marching into the city government messages we can each receive by the “Remember that you are part of building to explain that the registra- power of the priesthood. this family, with a reputation to tion papers were currently on their Another way to receive spiritual uphold.” And, even more importantly, way to us through the mail. As I

MAY 2007 107 walked resolutely through the door, Each day they got better acquainted Other Pieces (1974), 109–10). someone said to me, “I know who and wrote down the intrinsic good Young women everywhere who you are.” That stopped me and they were learning about each person know they and others are daughters reminded me that I also needed to there. At the end of the camp, they of a loving Heavenly Father show remember who I am—not just the shared their thoughts, helping each their love for Him by living virtuous, Young Women general president, but person to see more of the divinity service-oriented, exemplary lives. I most especially a daughter of God. within herself. Their leader said, “We have been impressed with young In relationships we must remem- were literally basking in this wonderful women who were dressed modestly ber that others are also children of spirit of kindness and goodwill. I can in a very hot and humid part of Brazil. our Heavenly Father. At the first of honestly say that I never heard a word They said, “Modesty is not about the our marriage, my husband said quite of complaint from the girls! They were climate. It’s about the heart.” These often, “I didn’t marry you for your flourishing in a sweet spirit of mutual young women knew they were looks.” Finally I teased him a bit by acceptance that is not often present daughters of God. saying, “That really doesn’t sound too among teenage girls. There was no I have been touched to learn of the flattering.” He explained what I really competition, no contention. Our camp goodness of five young LDS students already knew, that this was intended had become a little bit of heaven” (per- from Idaho who recently drowned in to be the highest compliment he sonal correspondence). The girls rec- a terrible accident. They were known could give me. He said, “I love you for ognized and reaffirmed the divine by their peers and in their communi- who you are intrinsically and eter- natures of each other, and the Spirit ties for living standards of righteous- nally.” The Lord said: “Look not on his filled the camp as these virtuous ness and being sterling examples of countenance, or on the height of his thoughts were expressed. virtue and wholesomeness. These stature; . . . for the Lord seeth not as C. S. Lewis wisely said: “It is a seri- youth knew they were sons and man seeth; for man looketh on the ous thing to live in a society of possi- daughters of God. outward appearance, but the Lord ble gods and goddesses, to remember I’ve been warmed by the example looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel that the dullest and most uninterest- of another young woman whose par- 16:7). In families, friendships, dating, ing person you can talk to may one ents got divorced. She did not want and marriage, we should value not day be a creature which, if you saw it her younger brother and sisters to just beauty and résumés, but rather now, you would be strongly tempted feel unloved, so she says prayers with character, good values, and each to worship. . . . There are no ordi- them every night and tells them other’s inherited divine natures. nary people. . . . Your neighbor is she loves them. This young woman In a stake in Chile the young the holiest object presented to your knows she is a daughter of a Heavenly women did this at camp by keeping a senses” (“The Weight of Glory,” in Father who loves her, and she loves book of each other’s virtuous qualities. Screwtape Proposes a Toast and Him by loving her siblings.

108 And I have been moved to learn about the actions of young women in a poverty-stricken and politically Remembering, oppressed area of the world. Despite their own hardships, these young women met at camp and planned ways to lift others. They made hygiene kits Repenting, for women in need. They did additional service in the community, in hospitals, and in homes. We know by and Changing their actions that these young women understand their identity as daughters JULIE B. BECK of God. My heart swells with love for First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency these young women and for young women everywhere. I know that you are daughters of God, who loves you. The easiest, quickest path to happiness and peace In conclusion let me share an expe- is to repent and change as soon as we can. rience that is tender and even sacred to me. When I was first called to serve as Young Women general president, I felt terrified and inadequate. I lay awake for old. Sister Fox was born in England, many nights worrying, repenting, and and when she was 13, she walked crying. After several nights of this, I had almost every step to the Salt Lake a very moving experience. I started Valley with a group of pioneers. Her thinking about my young women mother died when she was a baby, so nieces, then about the young women she spent the first dozen years of her in my neighborhood and ward, then life living with a number of different about the young women I saw regu- families. She must have been a diffi- larly at the high school, and then I envi- cult child to manage, because her sioned young women of the Church grandmother called her a “bad maid” throughout the world, over half a mil- and refused to take care of her.2 lion of them. The most wonderfully Eventually, Ruth married and had warm feeling began to envelop me and 12 children. She shared her firm testi- surge through me. I felt such exquisite mony with her children and taught love for Latter-day Saint young women gospel lessons while she worked everywhere, each one of you, and I beside them, but she admitted that knew that what I was feeling was our her older children sometimes received Heavenly Father’s love for you. It was am grateful for our Savior and the harsh discipline because she had a powerful and all-encompassing. For invitation we all have to “come quick temper and she did not always the first time I felt peace because I I unto Christ, and be perfected in “count [to] ten”3 when she was pro- knew what Heavenly Father wanted him.”1 I hope I can convey to you voked. She worked hard to master this me to do. He wanted me to witness to some of what I have been thinking weakness and came to be known for you of His great love for you. And so I and feeling about remembering Him, her kind heart and service to others. testify to you again that I know beyond repenting, and changing. I think I can Sister Fox lived to be 104 years old. doubt that Heavenly Father knows you best express what is in my heart by In her long life she experienced great and loves you. You are His special telling you about three women and joys and difficult trials, and she taught daughter. He has a plan for you, and then discussing some lessons I have that “life brings some hard lessons. He will ever be there to lead you, guide learned from their stories. The sturdiest plants are not grown you, and walk beside you (see “I Am a I will begin with Ruth May Fox, under glass, and strength of character Child of God”). I earnestly pray that who was a Young Women general is not derived from the avoidance of you will know this and feel this, in the president many years ago. She served problems.”4 name of Jesus Christ, amen. ■ in that calling until she was 84 years Last year I climbed Independence

MAY 2007 109 stove. She claimed that “the Lord will not keep me out of heaven for a little cup of coffee.” But, because of that little cup of coffee, she could not qualify for a temple recommend, and neither could those of her children who drank coffee with her. Though she lived to a good old age and did eventually qualify to reenter and serve in the temple, only one of her 10 children had a worthy temple marriage, and a great number of her posterity, which is now in its fifth generation, live outside of the blessings of the restored gospel she believed in and her forefathers sacrificed so much for. The last story is about Christina (not her real name), who had been baptized and sealed to her family when she was a young girl, but some- where along the way the family stopped living the gospel. Now she was in her late teens, and she had been making some wrong choices and was very unhappy. One day I gave her a Personal Progress book and said, “This book will help you incorporate qualities of Christ in your life so you can make the changes you desire. I invite you to begin to work in your book today and then bring it with you to the youth fireside tonight and share with me what you have learned.” That night she said with tears in her eyes, “Today I started my personal progress.” She has written to me a few times since that day. She began going back to Sunday meetings, Mutual, and semi- Rock in Wyoming to find where Sister faithful pioneer parents who had sac- nary. In a couple of weeks her sister Fox had carved her name at age 13 rificed much for the gospel. She had and mother attended church with when she was on her journey to the been married in the temple and was her. Later the father joined them, and Salt Lake Valley. The weather from the the mother of 10 children. She was a now the entire family has been back last 140 years has almost erased it, but talented woman who taught her chil- to the temple together. I was able to just make out “Ruth May dren how to pray, to work hard, and So what were some lessons I 1867.” I wanted to know more about to love each other. She paid her learned from these stories about this great leader and disciple of Jesus tithing, and the family rode to church remembering, repenting, and Christ who worked all her life to im- together on Sunday in their wagon. changing? prove herself and whose motto was Though she knew it was contrary The first lesson is that everyone “the Kingdom of God or nothing”!5 to the Word of Wisdom, she devel- makes mistakes.6 Not long ago I was My next story is about a woman I oped the habit of drinking coffee and with an eight-year-old girl on the day will call Mary. She was the daughter of kept a coffee pot on the back of her of her baptism. At the end of the day

110 she said with all confidence, “I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven’t sinned once!” But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice, or control ourselves as we should. I often hear about the chosen, royal generation of this dispensation, but I have never heard it called the perfect generation. Teenagers are especially vulnerable because the power of Satan is real, and they are making their first big, independent choices. Consequently, they are also making their first big mistakes. This is what happened to Corianton In Brazil, young sisters attend the general Young Women meeting. in the Book of Mormon. Corianton was supposed to be serving a faithful “Thou wast chosen to do the before me; for if they humble them- mission, but he thought he was strong work of the Lord, but because of selves before me, and have faith in me, enough and smart enough to handle transgression, if thou art not aware then will I make weak things become risky situations and bad company, and thou wilt fall. strong unto them.”13 he got himself into big trouble and “But remember, God is merciful; When we seek the Lord’s help to big sin when he started going to the therefore, repent of that which thou change us, then we have this prom- wrong places, with the wrong people, hast done which is contrary to the ise: “He who has repented of his sins, doing the wrong things.7 commandment which I gave you, and the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, My second lesson is that repen- thou art still chosen, and art again remember them no more.”14 The Lord tance isn’t optional. We are com- called to the work.”10 does not give up on us. He says, manded to repent.8 The Savior taught The easiest, quickest path to hap- “Come unto me, all ye that labour and that unless we repent and “become as piness and peace is to repent and are heavy laden, and I will give you a little child, . . . [we] can in nowise change as soon as we can. rest.”15 The joy and peace we receive inherit the kingdom of God.”9 We Lesson three is that we don’t do it when we know we have been forgiven must not let one little cup of coffee, alone. It is not possible to make real is a divine blessing. That peace comes one bad habit, one bad choice, one change all by ourselves. Our own in the Lord’s time and in His way, but wrong decision derail us for a lifetime. willpower and our own good inten- it does come. Sometimes people get casual about tions are not enough. When we make My last lesson is that we can repenting. I have heard some people mistakes or choose poorly, we must change. Every day is a new opportu- say that repenting is too hard. Others have the help of our Savior to get nity to remember our Savior and fol- say they are tired of feeling guilty or back on track. We partake of the low His example. Without repenting, have been offended by a leader who sacrament week after week to show we cannot progress.16 That is why was helping them repent. Sometimes our faith in His power to change us. repentance is the second principle of people give up when they have made We confess our sins and promise to the gospel.17 mistakes and come to believe that forsake them.11 Instead of making excuses for a there is no hope for them. Some peo- When our best efforts are not quite weakness, we work each day to ple imagine that they will feel better enough, it is through His grace that we develop good habits and Christlike about themselves if they just leave the receive the strength to keep trying.12 qualities. President Spencer W. restored gospel and go away. The Lord says: “If men come unto me I Kimball said, “The cultivation of It is Satan who puts hopeless will show unto them their weakness. I Christlike qualities is a demanding thoughts into the hearts of those who give unto men weakness that they may and relentless task—it is not for the have made mistakes. The Lord Jesus be humble; and my grace is sufficient seasonal worker or for those who Christ always gives us hope. He says: for all men that humble themselves will not stretch themselves, again

MAY 2007 111 and again.”18 I learned from Christina that developing Christlike qualities in our lives is a sign that we are Stay on the Path changing. Because we are all mortal, we all ELAINE S. DALTON make mistakes. Repentance is not Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency optional, but we don’t do it alone. We have a Savior to help us repent. By developing His qualities in our lives, Sometimes we think we can live on the edge and we know we are making changes that still maintain our virtue. But that is a risky place to be. help us come closer to Him. Sister Fox said that the gospel was her “mantle of protection against temptation, [her] consolation in sor- there. We were instructed by a ranger row, [her] joy and glory throughout to stay in the center of the path, stay all [her] days, and [her] hope of eter- as low as possible on the exposed nal life.”19 She took as her motto “the part of the trail, secure everything in Kingdom of God or nothing” because our packs, and move quickly. This was she knew that by embracing the no spot for photographs or for linger- gospel with her whole heart, she ing. I was very relieved and happy could receive the promise the Savior when each one of the young women gave to us all: “Whoso repenteth had navigated that spot successfully. and is baptized in my name shall be And do you know—not one of them filled; and if he endureth to the end, asked how close to the edge they behold, him will I hold guiltless could get! before my Father at that day when I Sometimes as we walk life’s paths, shall stand to judge the world.”20 we want to loiter in dangerous places, It is through repenting that I have thinking that it is fun and thrilling and come to know the Savior, and it is as that we are in control. Sometimes we I seek His help to change me that think we can live on the edge and still my faith and dependence on Him n one of the trails in a canyon maintain our virtue. But that is a risky increase. I bear testimony of His real- near my home, there is a sign place to be. As the Prophet Joseph ity and power in the name of Jesus Othat says Stay on the Path. As Smith told us, “Happiness is the Christ, amen. ■ one embarks on that trail, it soon object and design of our existence; NOTES becomes very clear that this is sound and will be the end thereof, if we pur- 1. Moroni 10:32. advice. There are hills and turns and sue the path that leads to it; and this 2. See Janet Peterson and LaRene Gaunt, Keepers of the Flame: Presidents of the steep drop-off areas. In some places path is virtue” (History of the Church, Young Women (1993), 33–34. the ground beyond the path is unsta- 5:134–35). 3. See Keepers of the Flame, 38. ble, and during certain seasons of The Lord’s advice to Emma Smith 4. In Keepers of the Flame, 41. 5. In Keepers of the Flame, 49. the year, an occasional rattlesnake in Doctrine and Covenants section 25 6. See Bible Dictionary, “Repentance,” 761. appears. My message to each of you is His advice to all of His precious 7. See Alma 39:1–9. tonight is the same as the message on daughters. There we are given a code 8. See D&C 19:15. 9. 3 Nephi 11:38. that sign—Stay on the Path. of conduct and counseled to “walk in 10. D&C 3:9–10. Several years ago I went on a back- the paths of virtue” (v. 2). Virtue “is a 11. See D&C 58:43. packing trip in the Teton Mountains pattern of thought [or] behavior based 12. See Bible Dictionary, “Grace,” 697. 13. Ether 12:27. of Wyoming with a group of young on high moral standards” (Preach My 14. D&C 58:42. women. It was a difficult hike, and on Gospel [2004], 118). So what are the 15. Matthew 11:28. 16. See Bible Dictionary, “Repentance,” 760–61. the second day we arrived at the most high moral standards that help us to 17. See Articles of Faith 1:4. dangerous part of the hike. We were be virtuous? 18. “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” going to hike along Hurricane Pass— Virtue encompasses modesty— Ensign, Nov. 1978, 105. 19. In Keepers of the Flame, 49. aptly named because of the strong in thought, language, dress, and 20. 3 Nephi 27:16. winds which almost always blow demeanor. And modesty is the

112 foundation stone of chastity. Just as one does not hike trails inhabited by rattlesnakes barefoot, similarly in today’s world it is essential to our very safety to be modest. When we are modest, we show others that we understand our relationship with our Father in Heaven as His daughters. We demonstrate that we love Him and that we will stand as a witness of Him in all things. Being modest lets others know that we “cherish virtue” (“Dearest Children, God Is Near You,” Hymns, no. 96). Modesty is not a matter of being “hip.” It is a matter of the heart and being holy. It is not about being fashionable. It is about being faithful. It is not about being cool. It is about being chaste and keeping covenants. It is not about being popular, but about being pure. Modesty has everything to do with keeping our footing securely on the path of chastity and virtue. It is clear that virtue is a requirement for exaltation. Mormon helps us understand that both virtue and chastity are “most dear and precious above all things” (Moroni 9:9). We simply cannot afford to be casual or get too close to the edge. That is dangerous ground for any daughter of God to walk. We are counseled in Doctrine and Covenants section 25 that we must cleave to our covenants (see v. 13). Cleaving, to me, means to stick to, to adhere, and to really hold on tight to the promises we make with the Our path is uphill most days, but the have his Spirit to be with [us]’ [D&C Lord. Our covenants will strengthen help we receive for the climb is literally 20:77]” (“What I Wish Every New us to resist temptation. Keeping our divine. We have three members of the Member Knew—and Every Longtime covenants will steady us on the path Godhead—the Father, the Son, and Member Remembered,” Liahona and of virtue. As we keep the covenants the Holy Ghost—helping us because Ensign, Oct. 2006, 11–12). we have made at baptism, we will of the covenants we have made. Guided by His Spirit, you will be remain in the center of the path. “To remind us of those covenants, confident and happy, and virtue will Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminds us: we partake of the sacrament each garnish your thoughts unceasingly. “Beginning with our baptism, we week. In the prayer offered on the The Book of Mormon describes what make covenants as we follow this path bread, we ‘witness unto thee, O God, happened when a whole society kept to eternal life, and we stay on the the Eternal Father, that [we] are will- their covenants and lived clean and path by keeping them. . . . ing to take upon [us] the name of thy virtuous lives: “And surely there could “. . . The promptings of the Holy Son, and always remember him and not be a happier people among all the Ghost will always be sufficient for our keep his commandments which he people who had been created by the needs if we keep to the covenant path. has given [us]; that [we] may always hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:16). Guided

MAY 2007 113 if you are weary or take a wrong turn, change your direction and get back on the path of virtue. Always remember that the Savior is there for you. He will enable you to repent, strengthen you, lighten your burdens, dry your tears, comfort you, and continue to help you stay on the path. The Savior is the perfect example of virtue. When Jesus walked the roads of the Holy Land, He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). He healed the sick and caused the blind to see and raised the dead. “He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and [our] potential [as] . . . daughters of God in the life to come” (see “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Liahona and Ensign, by the Holy Ghost, you will also be a years before—and I had packed my Apr. 2000, 2–3). One of my favorite righteous influence on others. equipment carelessly and taken too scriptures says: “Trust in the Lord with I have in my office the pictures much. The weight of my pack began all thine heart; and lean not unto of the generations of women in to make me weary and ready to give thine own understanding. In all thy my family—my great-grandmother, up. The others were also feeling the ways acknowledge him, and he shall my grandmother, my mother, and my rigors of the altitude, the steep ter- direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). daughter, Emi. Their lives of com- rain, and heavy packs. My husband I testify that this is true. He has not mitment and faith in the plan have sensed this and hurried ahead. I only marked the way, but He has even helped me climb higher and journey felt abandoned. However, after about led me by the hand at times. “His way further. Looking at that picture now, an hour I could see my husband de- is the path that leads to happiness in I can see very clearly the importance scending the trail on the other side this life and eternal life in the world to of living a virtuous life. Today I not of the valley. He was running toward come” (“The Living Christ,” Liahona only have one daughter, but five me. When he reached me, he took and Ensign, Apr. 2000, 3). I bear you daughters-in-law and five little grand- my pack, dried my tears, and led me my testimony that He lives! He will daughters to add to that picture. I to the destination—a crystal clear lake hear your prayers and guide your feel a deep sense of responsibility to surrounded by lofty pine trees. Then steps. Jesus Christ is our Exemplar live an exemplary life of virtue and he turned around, went back down and our Guide. Stay on the path! Be holiness before them. Even if you are the trail, and did the same thing four modest. Cleave to your covenants, the first in the line of generations to more times for the other hikers. As and be worthy of the companionship come, you too have a responsibility I watched him, I was sorry I was so of the Holy Ghost. The Lord prom- to those that will follow you. unprepared and even more sorry that ises: “Be of good cheer, for I will lead Recently, I embarked on that same I had so many extra things in my pack you along. The kingdom is yours and hike in the Tetons I spoke of earlier, that had added to the weight he had the blessings thereof are yours, and only this time with my husband and a to carry for me. But I was so grateful the riches of eternity are yours” (D&C group of friends our same age. When for his strength, for his unselfishness, 78:18). Truly, I stand all amazed at we started, it was thrilling and easy, for his preparation, and for his love. “His matchless life and the infinite but before we arrived at our destina- As you climb the mountains of life, virtue of His great atoning sacrifice” tion, we were exhausted and I knew I stay on the path of virtue. There will (“The Living Christ,” Liahona and was in trouble. I was not as prepared be others to help you—your parents, Ensign, Apr. 2000, 2; emphasis for the hike physically as I had been family members, bishops, advisers, added). In the name of Jesus Christ, when I hiked with the young women and righteous friends of all ages. And amen. ■

114 ahead of you. Each is a child of God. Each of you is a creature of Divinity. Let Virtue Garnish You are literally a daughter of the Almighty. There is no limit to your potential. If you will take control of your lives, the future is filled with Thy Thoughts opportunity and gladness. You cannot afford to waste your talents or your time. Great opportunities lie Unceasingly ahead of you. Now I offer you a very simple PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY recipe which, if observed, will assure your happiness. It is a simple four-point program. It is as follows: There is no limit to your potential. If you will take control (1) pray, (2) study, (3) pay your of your lives, the future is filled with opportunity and gladness. tithing, and (4) attend your meetings. With reference to the first item— personal prayer—you are a daughter of our Heavenly Father. He is your Others have eloquently addressed heavenly parent. Speak with Him. the theme of this meeting. I only Each night and morning get on your mention it. It is the revealed word of knees and express unto Him the the Lord found in the 121st section gratitude of your heart. Speak of the of the Doctrine and Covenants. It blessings which you desire and need. reads as follows: Never forget that this Church began “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts with the humble prayer of the boy unceasingly; then shall thy confidence Joseph Smith in the grove of his wax strong in the presence of God; father’s farm. From that remarkable and the doctrine of the priesthood experience, which we call the First shall distil upon thy soul as the dews Vision, has grown this work until from heaven. today it is established in 160 nations, “The Holy Ghost shall be thy con- with a membership of over 12 mil- stant companion, and thy scepter lion. It is the very personification of an unchanging scepter of righteous- Daniel’s vision of a stone cut out of ness and truth; and thy dominion the mountain without hands rolling shall be an everlasting dominion, forth to fill the whole earth (see y dear young women, what and without compulsory means it Daniel 2:44–45). a wonderful sight you are shall flow unto thee forever and Not only can you offer your indi- Min this great hall. You are ever” (vv. 45–46). vidual prayers, but you can encour- accompanied by your mothers, Could there be a greater promise age your parents to have family grandmothers, and teachers. Beyond to anyone than these remarkable prayer, if they are not already doing this Conference Center hundreds words of revelation from the Lord? so. Prayer is the bridge over which and thousands of others are assem- These are the words of God, given we approach our Father in Heaven. bled across the world. They will hear in revelation to the Prophet Joseph. It costs nothing. It requires only faith us in more than a score of languages. They carry with them a magnificent and effort. There is nothing more Our speeches will be translated into promise to all who will let virtue gar- rewarding than kneeling in humble their native tongues. The opportu- nish their thoughts unceasingly. prayer. It speaks of love for Deity, as nity to speak to you is an overwhelm- Now you young women are on the giver of all that is good. It speaks ing responsibility. But it is also a the threshold of life. You are old of respect for self. There is no substi- wonderful opportunity. I pray for the enough to have been baptized. You tute for it. It is personal communica- direction of the Holy Spirit in that are young enough that the future tion with God. which I say. world of which you dream still lies The second item on my list is

MAY 2007 115 study. What is included in this simple became immersed in this added wit- benefit to you. Don’t just drift along, five-letter word? First is a study of the ness of our Redeemer, their hearts letting the days come and go with- scriptures. You might only read por- were quickened and their spirits out improvement in your lives. The tions of the Old Testament, but it touched. Some of you were too Lord will bless you as you make the contains great lessons. The New young to have read it then, but effort. Your lives will be enriched Testament is a gold mine. It contains you are not too young to start to and your outlook broadened as your the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, read it now. minds are opened to new vistas and Luke, and John—as well as the Acts Beyond ecclesiastical study there knowledge. of the Apostles and other writings. is the challenge of education. Resolve The next item is the payment of Try reading just one of the Gospels— now, while you are young, that you tithing. Glorious is the promise of the perhaps the book of John. When you will get all of the education you can. Lord concerning those who pay their are through with that, pick up the We live in a highly competitive age, tithes. He says in modern revelation Book of Mormon. and it will only grow worse. Education that they “shall not be burned” (see Two years ago I challenged the is the key that will unlock the door of D&C 64:23). entire Church to read the Book of opportunity. His great promise is found in the Mormon before the end of the year. You may plan on marriage, and words of Malachi. Said He: “Will a It is amazing how many met that hope for it, but you are not certain man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. challenge. Everyone who did so was that it will come. And even though But ye say, Wherein have we robbed blessed for his or her effort. As they you marry, education will be of great thee? In tithes and offerings. . . .

116 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:8, 10). And then He goes on to say something very interesting. Listen to this: “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. “And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land” (Malachi 3:11–12). While tithing is paid with money, more importantly it is paid with faith. I have never met an individual who paid an honest tithe who com- plained about it. Rather, he put his trust in the Lord, and the Lord never failed him. When I was a small boy, each December my father would take us all across the street to the home of Bishop Duncan for tithing settlement. The bishop did not have an office in the ward building, and so he had to conduct business in his home. We would all sit in his living room The fourth item—attend your All of this is symbolized in the and, one by one, he would invite us meetings, your sacrament meetings. partaking of the sacrament. All other into the dining room. Our tithing There is no substitute for partaking of items in our meetings are of lesser might be 25 cents, or maybe 50 cents, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. It importance compared with partaking but it was a full tithing. He wrote out is a solemn, sacred, and wonderful the emblems of the sacrifice of our a receipt and recorded the amount in undertaking to be able to partake of Lord. the ward record. The amount may the bread and water in remembrance If you will do these four things, I have been so small that it cost more of the body and blood of the Savior of promise you that your lives will be to record it than it was worth. But it mankind. fruitful, that your happiness will be established a habit which continued There is no other event in human great, and that your accomplishments through all of these years. With the history as significant as the atoning will be tremendous and satisfying in payment of tithing have come innu- sacrifice of our divine Redeemer. every respect. merable blessings as the Lord has None else compares with it. Without May the Lord bless you, my dear promised. it life would be meaningless. It would young sisters; may His blessings I was married during the Depres- be a dead-end journey. attend you at all times and in all con- sion, when money was scarce, but With it we are assured of eternal ditions. We love you. We pray for you. we paid our tithing, and somehow life. Death is not the end, but rather May heaven smile upon you, I humbly we never went hungry or lacked any- a passing on to a more glorious ask in the sacred name of Jesus thing we needed. existence. Christ, amen. ■

MAY 2007 117 CONFERENCE STORY INDEX Following is a list of selected experiences from general conference talks for reference in personal study, family home evening, and other teaching. (Page numbers refer to the first page of the talk.)

Speaker Story Doctrines or Principles President Gordon B. Hinckley young Joseph F. Smith meets prophets in a dream, 60 cleanliness, obedience young Gordon attends tithing settlement, 115 tithing, faith President Thomas S. Monson four children with muscular dystrophy, 22 love, eternal life girl addressed in conference decides to be baptized, 41 faith, baptism blesses sick friend in Navy, 57 gratitude, power of priesthood blesses a dying father at family’s request, 57 tithing, power of priesthood President James E. Faust young priest ordains a teacher, 54 testimony, power of priesthood families find peace in forgiving those who killed loved ones, 67 forgiveness, humility President Boyd K. Packer receives assurance as he hears Primary choir, 26 inspiration, music Elder L. Tom Perry deacons quorum president helps activate boys, 85 activation, service, priesthood keys Elder Russell M. Nelson woman mired in sin seeks forgiveness, 102 repentance, hope Elder M. Russell Ballard gratitude for those who preserved Bible, 80 scriptures, sacrifice Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin learns not to take eye off ball, 45 obedience, diligence resists cheating, 45 honesty, courage Elder Robert D. Hales pilot refuses to learn emergency procedures, 48 obedience, preparation pilot, disoriented at night, crashes, 48 obedience, faith Elder David A. Bednar parable of the pickles and spiritual transformation, 19 spiritual rebirth, sanctification Elder Jay E. Jensen missionaries’ singing opens way for conversion, 11 missionary work, music Elder John B. Dickson young man commits to keep Word of Wisdom, 14 Word of Wisdom, obedience Bonnie D. Parkin family blessing basket, 34 gratitude, adversity thanks from Relief Society sister, 34 gratitude, love Bishop Keith B. McMullin early failure in school and football, 51 preparation, diligence Vicki F. Matsumori investigator prays about baptism, 76 prayer, faith help with Church talk from her father, 76 family, honesty Elder Glenn L. Pace young woman is only member in her high school, 78 adversity, courage as a boy, he gains testimony, 78 testimony, faith Elder Gary J. Coleman conversion as college student, 92 revelation, baptism Charles W. Dahlquist II pioneer’s baptism despite opposition, 94 adversity, sacrifice finds mother praying for him, 94 prayer, parenthood Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi the Lord ends drought as Saints pay tithing, 97 tithing, faith, obedience Susan W. Tanner young women at camp recognize virtuous qualities, 106 example, unity witness that Heavenly Father knows each child, 106 divine nature, love Julie B. Beck faith of Ruth May Fox, 109 sacrifice, example young woman works on Personal Progress, 109 faith, activation

Share with Others Have you or your family had a good experience learning from general conference talks? Tell us about it. Label your account (no more than 400 words) “Learning from Conference,” and send it to [email protected] or [email protected] or to Church Magazines, Room 2420, 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, USA.

118 Teachings for Our Time Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women Resource Guides elchizedek prepare the lesson using he following resources may Smith’s quote by discussing Tbe used to supplement, but Elder Paul’s reasons why agency Priesthood and other materials, but the not replace, lessons in Aaronic is important. MRelief Society les- conference talks are the Priesthood Manual 2 and Young Lesson 29: Exaltation sons on fourth Sundays will approved curriculum. Women Manual 2. Some Duty to James E. Faust, “Where Do I Make God and Personal Progress activities My Stand?” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. be devoted to “Teachings Your assignment is to help listed in the guides may be worked 2004, 18. Use President Faust’s coun- for Our Time.” Each lesson others learn and live the on during lesson time, or you may sel to show that making our stand can be prepared from one gospel as taught in the encourage quorum or class members now will help each of us endure to or more talks given in the most recent general confer- to complete them at home. the end. Please teach the lessons in the David A. Bednar, “That We May most recent general conference of the Church. order they are printed. The manual Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,” ence. Stake and district Review the talk(s), look- does not include a specific Christmas Liahona and Ensign, May 2006, 28. presidents may choose ing for principles and doc- lesson. If you want to teach a special Use “The Ordinance of and Covenant Christmas lesson, consider using Associated with Baptism” as you which talks should be used, trines that meet the needs scriptures, conference addresses, teach the importance of receiving or they may assign this of class members. Also Church magazine articles, pictures, ordinances and making covenants. responsibility to bishops look for stories, scripture and hymns that focus on the Savior. Lesson 30: Strengthening and branch presidents. references, and statements To find non-English versions of Testimony through Service the resource guides in some lan- Thomas S. Monson, “How Firm Leaders should stress from the talk(s) that will guages, go to www.lds.org, click on a Foundation,” Liahona and Ensign, the value of Melchizedek help you teach these “Languages,” and select a language. Nov. 2006, 62. Tell President Monson’s Priesthood brethren and truths. Click on “Liahona,” then the May story of the Young Women class in 2007 issue. The English version of place of one of the stories in the “True Relief Society sisters study- Make an outline of the resource guides can be found Service Brings Joy” section. ing the same talks on how to teach the princi- at www.lds.org by clicking on “Gospel Personal Progress, “Good Works the same Sundays. ples and doctrines. Your Library.” There are links to the Value Experiences,” nos. 1, 2, 5, and 6. Those attending fourth- outline should include resource guides in the right column. Lesson 31: The Law of the Land Russell M. Nelson, “Blessed Are Sunday lessons are encour- questions that help class the Peacemakers,” Liahona and aged to study and bring members: Young Women Ensign, Nov. 2002, 39. Use the “Civic to class the latest general • Look for principles and Manual 2 Obligations” section of this article Lesson 26: The Sacrament when discussing love of country. conference issue of the doctrines in the talk(s). L. Tom Perry, “As Now We Take Lesson 32: The Importance of Life magazine. • Think about their the Sacrament,” Liahona and Ensign, Russell M. Nelson, “The meaning. May 2006, 39. Consider replacing Creation,” Liahona, July 2000, 102; Ensign, May 2000, 84. Use this talk to Suggestions for Preparing • Share understanding, Pam’s story with Elder Perry’s story about vacationing at a resort. explain the wonders of the Creation. a Lesson from Talks ideas, experiences, and Personal Progress, “Faith Value Personal Progress, “Divine Nature Pray that the Holy Spirit testimonies. Experiences,” no. 4. Value Experiences,” no. 1. will be with you as you • Apply these principles Lesson 27: Strengthening Lesson 33: The Sacred Power Testimony through Obedience of Procreation study and teach the talk(s). and doctrines in their Henry B. Eyring, “Spiritual Richard G. Scott, “The Sanctity of You may be tempted to lives. ■ Preparedness: Start Early and Be Womanhood,” Liahona, July 2000, 43; Steady,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. Ensign, May 2000, 36. Tell the story 2005, 37. Use Elder Eyring’s four set- of Elder Scott’s encounter with the Months Fourth-Sunday Lesson Materials tings as you discuss how obedience young women in the truck. Contrast can strengthen testimonies. their behavior and dress with Church standards. May 2007– Talks published in the May 2007 Liahona Lesson 28: Agency Robert D. Hales, “To Act for “The Sacred Powers of October 2007 or Ensign* Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of Procreation,” Liahona, June 2005, 38; Agency,” Liahona and Ensign, May Ensign, June 2005, 26. Use “The November 2007– Talks published in the November 2007 2006, 4. Consider replacing President Family: A Proclamation to the World” April 2008 Liahona or Ensign* Tanner’s story with Elder Hales’s list to reinforce the lesson’s principles. of six basic choices. Lesson 34: Hold Fast to the Lord’s Wolfgang H. Paul, “The Gift of Standards Agency,” Liahona and Ensign, May James E. Faust, “Your Light—a * These talks are available online (in many languages) at www.lds.org. 2006, 34. Supplement President Standard to All Nations,” Liahona and

MAY 2007 119 Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” environment as part of your discus- Liahona, Apr. 2001, 30; Ensign, Jan. sion on “Creating a Wholesome 2001, 2. Read the section on being Environment.” grateful to support the beginning of Jeremy Robertson, “The Sign the lesson. on the Wall,” Liahona, Aug. 2004, 8; Dallin H. Oaks, “Give Thanks in New Era, Aug. 2004, 30. Share this All Things,” Liahona and Ensign, May story as part of your introduction. 2003, 95. Refer to the ideas in this Lesson 48: Communication Skills article as you discuss ways to express in Leadership feelings of gratitude. L. Tom Perry, “A Solemn Personal Progress, “Individual Responsibility to Love and Care for Worth Value Experiences,” no. 3. Each Other,” Liahona, June 2006, 56; Lesson 43: Wise Use of Leisure Time Ensign, June 2006, 88. Use points from Thomas S. Monson, “Pathways the article to supplement the lesson to Perfection,” Liahona, July 2002, section “We Can All Be Leaders.” 111; Ensign, May 2002, 99. Use M. Russell Ballard, “O Be Wise,” Two young women in São Paulo, Brazil, read the scriptures President Monson’s fourth sugges- Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2006, 17. together. tion to explain the necessity of Discuss the six ways we can serve work and the harm caused by both wisely and well as part of Ensign, May 2006, 111. Share the story about President Packer’s patriar- procrastination. “Leadership Is Love in Action.” story of Joan of Arc at the end of the chal blessing as you discuss the bless- Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Follow Me,” Lesson 49: Valuing and Encouraging lesson, concluding with President ings of taking care of our bodies. Liahona, July 2002, 15; Ensign, May People with Disabilities Faust’s encouragement to maintain Diane L. Spangler, “The Body, a 2002, 15. Consider using points from Gayle M. Clegg, “Teaching Our high standards. Sacred Gift,” Liahona, July 2005, 16; this talk with the lesson introduction. Children to Accept Differences,” Personal Progress, “Integrity Ensign, July 2005, 14. Begin the les- Personal Progress, “Choice and Liahona, June 2004, 16; Ensign, June Value Experiences,” no. 1. son by discussing the differences Accountability Value Experiences,” 2004, 40. If the video mentioned in Lesson 35: Wise Choices between God’s view and the world’s no. 2. the lesson is unavailable, share the Richard G. Scott, “How to Live view of physical appearances. Lesson 44: Developing Talents two stories at the beginning of this Well amid Increasing Evil,” Liahona Lesson 39: Preventing Disease James E. Faust, “I Believe I Can, article. and Ensign, May 2004, 100. Consider Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “See the End I Knew I Could,” Liahona and Ensign, replacing the introduction with the from the Beginning,” Liahona and Nov. 2002, 49. Use this article to sup- story of the village of Quiriza. Ensign, May 2006, 42. Share Elder plement the “Lesson Application” sec- Aaronic Priesthood Robert D. Hales, “To Act for Uchtdorf’s childhood experience tion, emphasizing the need to Manual 2 Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of when discussing the importance of develop and use our gifts for good. Lesson 26: Worthy Thoughts Agency,” Liahona and Ensign, May good health practices. Ronald A. Rasband, “The Parable Dallin H. Oaks, “Pornography,” 2006, 4. Consider incorporating Elder Lesson 40: Self-Mastery of the Talents,” Liahona, Aug. 2003, Liahona and Ensign, May 2005, 87. Hales’s concept of leaving a lesson of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “On the Wings 34; Ensign, Aug. 2003, 32. Use the arti- Incorporate Elder Oaks’s warnings in great importance for our children and of Eagles,” Liahona, July 2006, 14; cle to help teach Matthew 25:14–30. the discussion. grandchildren. Ensign, July 2006, 10. Consider Personal Progress, “Knowledge Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual Lesson 36: Honesty using this article to enhance “The Value Experiences,” no. 2. Development,” no. 5. Richard C. Edgley, “Three Towels Scriptures and Church Leaders Teach Lesson 45: Participating in the Lesson 27: The Lord’s Law of Health and a 25-Cent Newspaper,” Liahona How to Develop Self-Mastery.” Cultural Arts Thomas S. Monson, “True to the and Ensign, Nov. 2006, 72. To con- David A. Bednar, “And Nothing Dallin H. Oaks, “Eight Reasons for Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, May clude the lesson, share Bishop Shall Offend Them,” Liahona and Revelation,” Liahona, Sept. 2004, 8; 2006, 18. Consider replacing the story Edgley’s story about the three towels. Ensign, Nov. 2006, 89. Incorporate the “Eight Ways God Can Speak to You,” at the end of the lesson with the Personal Progress, “Integrity section “Choose Not to Be Offended” New Era, Sept. 2004, 4. Use Elder maka-feke analogy. Value Experiences,” no. 2. in the discussion of “Self-Mastery Oaks’s fourth item under “Purposes Duty to God (Deacon), Lesson 37: Maintaining Chastity Leads to Happiness and Self-Esteem.” for Revelation” as part of your discus- “Educational, Personal, and Career through Righteous Living Personal Progress, “Integrity sion on “The Cultural Arts Can Enrich Development,” no. 12. Jeffrey R. Holland, “To Young Value Experiences,” nos. 2 and 5. Our Lives.” Lesson 28: The Sabbath Women,” Liahona and Ensign, Lesson 41: Optimism Personal Progress, “Individual L. Tom Perry, “The Importance of Nov. 2005, 28. Use to supplement Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Abundant Worth Value Experiences,” no. 6. the Family,” Liahona and Ensign, May the section on maintaining chastity. Life,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2006, Lesson 46: Financial Responsibility 2003, 40. Use Elder Perry’s counsel Young Women and Young 99. You could use stories and exam- Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Earthly Debts, on appropriate Sabbath day activities Men general presidencies, “Real ples from this article when discussing Heavenly Debts,” Liahona and Ensign, in the first section of the lesson. Confidence,” Liahona and New Era, how we can learn to be cheerful and May 2004, 40. Incorporate Elder Earl C. Tingey, “Establishing Jan. 2007, 8. Use the suggestions on optimistic. Wirthlin’s five steps to financial free- Eternal Patterns,” Liahona, Oct. how to have good thoughts unceas- Anthony D. Perkins, “The Great dom in your discussion of self-reliance. 2004, 20; Ensign, Oct. 2004, 32. ingly to supplement the story about and Wonderful Love,” Liahona and Personal Progress, “Choice and Replace Elder Cook’s story with Elder Carolyn. Ensign, Nov. 2006, 76. Use this article Accountability Value Experiences,” Tingey’s advice in the lesson’s Personal Progress, “Integrity throughout the lesson to help iden- no. 7. “Sabbath Day” section. Value Project,” bullet 5. tify discouragement and ways to Lesson 47: An Uplifting Environment Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual Lesson 38: Physical Health overcome it. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “On the Wings Development,” no. 2. Boyd K. Packer, “Ye Are the Lesson 42: Gratitude and of Eagles,” Liahona, July 2006, 14; Lesson 29: The Purpose of Life Temple of God,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, Appreciation Ensign, July 2006, 10. Relate how Richard G. Scott, “Truth Restored,” 85; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 72. Share the Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Prophet’s the Wright brothers affected their Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 78.

120 Conclude the lesson with Elder Scott’s Lesson 36: In Everything Give counsel on how understanding the Thanks plan of salvation will help us overcome Dallin H. Oaks, “Give Thanks in life’s challenges. All Things,” Liahona and Ensign, May Robert D. Hales, “To Act for 2003, 95. Substitute the introduction Ourselves: The Gift and Blessings of with Elder Oaks’s five reasons we give Agency,” Liahona and Ensign, May thanks. Have your class give examples 2006, 4. Use ideas from the article to from their lives that fit each category. show how agency can help us over- H. David Burton, “Tender Hearts come temptation. and Helping Hands,” Liahona and Lesson 30: Charity Ensign, May 2006, 8. Consider replac- H. David Burton, “Tender Hearts ing the story of the auctioneer with and Helping Hands,” Liahona and the story about Joseph Smith. Ensign, May 2006, 8. Share some of Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual Bishop Burton’s examples in place of Development,” no. 10. the story at the end of the lesson. Lesson 37: Understanding Women’s covenants made when taking the Lesson 46: Avoiding Degrading Duty to God (Teacher), “Citizen- Roles sacrament. Media Influences ship and Social Development,” no. 3. Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Women Duty to God (Deacon), “Quorum M. Russell Ballard, “Let Our Voices Lesson 31: Forgiveness in Our Lives,” Liahona and Ensign, Activities,” no. 7; (Priest), “Quorum Be Heard,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. James E. Faust, “The Atonement: Nov. 2004, 82. Use the article to dis- Activities,” no. 1. 2003, 16. Incorporate some of Elder Our Greatest Hope,” Liahona, Jan. cuss how the roles of women are dif- Lesson 42: Follow the Brethren Ballard’s suggestions on minimizing 2002, 19; Ensign, Nov. 2001, 18. In the ferent from men’s but equally as L. Tom Perry, “We Believe All the negative influences of media into first section of the lesson, discuss important. That God Has Revealed,” Liahona your conclusion. how the Atonement empowers us to Julie B. Beck, “A ‘Mother Heart,’ ” and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 85. As you Duty to God (Teacher), forgive others. Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 75. teach the first section of the lesson, “Citizenship and Social Development,” Boyd K. Packer, “The Brilliant Use the article to enhance the les- review how revelation comes to the no. 9. Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, son’s conclusion. Church. Lesson 47: Clean and Appropriate Nov. 1995, 18; New Era, Apr. 2005, 4. Lesson 38: Living Righteously Jeffrey R. Holland, “Prophets in Speech Consider replacing Corrie ten Boom’s in an Unrighteous World the Land Again,” Liahona and Ensign, H. David Burton, “Standing Tall,” story with John Breen’s story from James E. Faust, “The Devil’s Nov. 2006, 104. Use principles from Liahona, Jan. 2002, 75; Ensign, Nov. the article. Throat,” Liahona and Ensign, May Elder Holland’s talk to supplement 2001, 65. Use Bishop Burton’s sec- Lesson 32: Cultivating Gifts 2003, 51. Use the waterfall analogy the section “Church Leaders Give ond example when discussing how of the Spirit from this article to begin the lesson. Guidance for Our Benefit.” our speech reveals what is in our David A. Bednar, “The Tender Richard G. Scott, “How to Live Well Lesson 43: Spiritual Preparation hearts. Mercies of the Lord,” Liahona and amid Increasing Evil,” Liahona and for a Mission Lesson 48: Maintaining Righteous Ensign, May 2005, 99. Explain how Ensign, May 2004, 100. Supplement David A. Bednar, “Becoming a Standards spiritual gifts come to us as tender the introduction by sharing Elder Missionary,” Liahona and Ensign, James E. Faust, “Standing in Holy mercies from the Lord. Scott’s missionary experience of teach- Nov. 2005, 44. Use this talk to explain Places,” Liahona and Ensign, May Lesson 33: Seek Ye Learning ing villagers the gospel. how and why we should spiritually 2005, 62. Use principles from the arti- John K. Carmack, “The Perpetual Duty to God (Deacon, Teacher, prepare for a mission. cle to discuss how standing in holy Education Fund: A Bright Ray of and Priest), “Family Activities,” no. 2. Use the March 2007 Liahona and places can help us be in the world but Hope,” Liahona, Jan. 2004, 32; Lesson 39: Moral Courage New Era to supplement the lesson. not of the world. Ensign, Jan. 2004, 36. Discuss princi- Gordon B. Hinckley, “Pursue the Lesson 44: Preparing Now Duty to God (Teacher), “Family ples we can learn about getting an Steady Course,” Liahona and Ensign, for Temple Marriage Activities,” no. 2. education from the Perpetual Jan. 2005, 2. Use the third section of Russell M. Nelson, “Personal Lesson 49: Honesty and Integrity Education Fund program. the article to enhance the discussion Preparation for Temple Blessings,” D. Todd Christofferson, “Let Us Duty to God (Teacher and Priest), on developing moral courage to bet- Liahona, July 2001, 37; Ensign, Be Men,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. “Educational, Personal, and Career ter face challenges. May 2001, 32. Use this talk to supple- 2006, 46. Use ideas from the article as Development,” nos. 1 and 2. Duty to God (Priest), “Family ment the instruction regarding the you conclude the lesson. Lesson 34: The Power of Example Activities,” no. 2. temple recommend and the personal Richard C. Edgley, “Three Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Need Lesson 40: Avoiding and preparation required to enter the Towels and a 25-Cent Newspaper,” for Greater Kindness,” Liahona and Overcoming Temptation temple. Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2006, 72. Ensign, May 2006, 58. Tell the story of Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “See the End M. Russell Ballard, “What Matters Replace the story at the end of Richard in place of one of the stories from the Beginning,” Liahona and Most Is What Lasts Longest,” Liahona the lesson with Bishop Edgley’s in “A Priesthood Holder’s Good Ensign, May 2006, 42. Consider and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 41. Use Elder stories of his summer job and the Example Influences Others’ Opinions replacing the counsel by Elder Rector Ballard’s three suggestions to support newspapers. of the Church.” with Elder Uchtdorf’s counsel on the lesson’s conclusion. Duty to God (Priest), “Spiritual Thomas S. Monson, “The Master’s standards. Lesson 45: Effective Home Teaching Development,” no. 1. Blueprint,” Liahona and Ensign, Jan. Duty to God (Teacher), “Spiritual Thomas S. Monson, “Do Your Lesson 50: Valuing and Encouraging 2006, 2. Incorporate the section titled Development,” no. 5. Duty—That Is Best,” Liahona and People with Disabilities “Examples of the Believers” into the Lesson 41: The Sacrament: Ensign, Nov. 2005, 56. Apply President Monte J. Brough, “Adversity, the discussion. In Remembrance of Him Monson’s counsel about home teach- Great Teacher,” Ensign, Aug. 2006, 9. Lesson 35: Obeying, Honoring, and L. Tom Perry, “As Now We Take ing to the section “Home Teaching Is Use the story about Elder Brough’s Sustaining the Law the Sacrament,” Liahona and Ensign, a Priesthood Responsibility.” mission. Duty to God (Deacon), “Citizen- May 2006, 39. Use principles from Duty to God (Teacher), “Quorum Duty to God (Priest), “Physical ship and Social Development,” no. 5. the article as you teach about the Activities,” no. 1. Development,” no. 11. ■

MAY 2007 121 General Auxiliary Presidencies

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Daniel K Judd A. Roger Merrill William D. Oswald First Counselor President Second Counselor RELIEF SOCIETY

Silvia H. Allred Julie B. Beck Barbara Thompson First Counselor President Second Counselor Conference Concludes; YOUNG MEN Available to Vast Audience

ith portions of the conference was held for Church’s 177th the first time since before WAnnual General the Conference Center was Conference being simulta- first used in April 2000. The neously interpreted in 90 Tabernacle had been closed languages and broadcast by for two years to undergo a Dean R. Burgess Charles W. Dahlquist II Michael A. Neider First Counselor President Second Counselor satellite to more than 6,000 seismic upgrade and restora- Church-owned receiving sites tion (see accompanying YOUNG WOMEN in 85 countries, more mem- article). bers had live access in their New leaders were sus- own language to the words tained Saturday, including of Church leaders than ever five General Authorities (all before. from countries outside the Addressing the worldwide United States), the Relief audience in every session Society general presidency, but Saturday morning, and counselors in the Young Elaine S. Dalton Susan W. Tanner Mary N. Cook President Gordon B. Hinckley, Women general presidency First Counselor President Second Counselor now 96, told members, “My (see page 4 for changes in PRIMARY health is quite good, despite Church leadership and page all the rumors to the con- 124 for biographical informa- trary,” and quipped, “Skillful tion on new leaders). doctors and nurses keep me Millions of Church mem- on the right track. Some of bers around the world partici- you may go before I do.” pated at Church-owned During the Saturday receiving sites as well as in afternoon session, President their homes through local Hinckley rededicated the Salt broadcasts, other satellite and Margaret S. Lifferth Cheryl C. Lant Vicki F. Matsumori First Counselor President Second Counselor Lake Tabernacle on Temple cable TV providers, and the Square, where a session of Internet. ■

122 into the piers from Tabernacle Reopens top to bottom. The foundation of each after Extensive Renovation pier was also reinforced with con- ince it was first used pipes; the ceiling was crete. Steel boxes for general conference repaired and repainted; were used to con- Sin 1867, the Salt Lake new dressing rooms and a nect trusses to Tabernacle has stood as a music library for choir mem- piers, and long ceil- symbol of the pioneers’ faith bers were created; the ros- ing trusses were and ingenuity. Now, nearly trum was remodeled so it can also attached to the 140 years later, the Tabernacle be removed to accommodate piers, cinched tight still stands, and never before a secondary seating arrange- with structured has it rested on such a firm ment or a stage for perform- steel. foundation. ances; and all plumbing, Now the During the Saturday mechanical, and electrical Tabernacle stands afternoon session, held on systems were replaced and stronger than it March 31, President Gordon brought up to code. was only a short B. Hinckley rededicated the Although the Tabernacle time ago, much Salt Lake Tabernacle after received these noticeable like the membership of the New gold leafing was two years of renovations. upgrades and more, the Church itself. applied to visible Some new benches, made most important changes “At one time most of organ pipes. of oak, were installed and are those the general public the Latter-day Saints lived spaced farther apart to give cannot see. here in this valley and in builder with the skills neces- visitors more legroom; the The foundation and walls other surrounding areas sary to take on such a task. original staircases leading of the Tabernacle were modi- where settlements were Plans were made, and in to the balcony from outside fied to improve structural established,” said President 1863 construction began. were relocated indoors to strength in order to better Gordon B. Hinckley during Unable to acquire many provide easier access for visi- withstand earthquakes. the dedicatory prayer of common building materials, tors, and two new staircases All 44 piers that support the renovated Tabernacle. workers recycled materials were added inside; a new the Tabernacle’s unique roof “Now, Thy work has grown and used local resources to layer of gold leafing was were reinforced with steel and spread over the earth build the Tabernacle. Lumber applied to the visible organ bars, which were inserted until we have more mem- was harvested from local bers outside of canyons, excess stone was this nation than taken from the Salt Lake we have in it.” Temple construction site, leftover military equipment Creating and and wooden oxen shoes Building the were transformed into nails Tabernacle and washers, glue was cre- President ated by boiling animal skins, Brigham Young and plaster was created turned to Henry from local limestone and Grow for help in enhanced with animal hair transforming his for strength. vision for the Considering the materials Tabernacle into available at the time, the reality. A convert Tabernacle truly was built to the Church with faith and ingenuity. Renovation of the Tabernacle’s interior included repairs to the and a native of Four years after construc- ceiling, new seating, and the creation of an interchangeable Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, tion began, conference was rostrum and stage area. Brother Grow was a bridge held in the Tabernacle. The

MAY 2007 123 • The acoustics in the Tabernacle are unlike Elder Enrique R. Falabella any other building’s. Someone can drop a Of the Seventy pin onto the pulpit at the front of the Tabernacle and others ‘If any man will do his will, can hear it hit from the he shall know of the doctrine, back row. ■ whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ (John 7:17). If we will live Worldwide gospel principles, the Spirit Seismic upgrades included can touch our hearts, and a reinforced foundation. Leadership we will learn that they are really true.” Tabernacle was officially Training to After he served in the dedicated in October 1875, Central America Mission, after the completion of the Be Printed he and his wife, Blanca Lidia interior. ext from February’s Sanchez, were sealed on worldwide leadership lder Enrique Rienzi June 21, 1975, in the Mesa Notable Facts Ttraining meeting will be Falabella Arellano Arizona Temple. Elder • Every President of the published in the June 2007 Ebelieves nothing is Falabella earned a degree Church except Joseph Liahona and Ensign. The more valuable than a per- in agronomy from the Smith and Brigham Young Church is making the train- sonal testimony of Jesus University of San Carlos in has been sustained in a ing available to all members Christ and how the Atone- Guatemala and later studied solemn assembly in the because the topic of teach- ment can affect one’s life. marketing at the University Tabernacle. ing and learning applies to Elder Falabella learned of Costa Rica. He worked • The Tabernacle housed all members. early that gaining a testimony for a chemical and pharma- a baptistry that served This will mark the second begins with a desire to know ceutical company prior to members in the Salt time text from the training the truth and a willingness to his call to serve full-time for Lake City area until the meeting is available in the live it. the Church. most recent renovation, magazines. Last year’s train- Born on May 9, 1950, to As his and his wife’s five when it was removed ing meeting, on the topic Udine and Leonor Falabella, children grew, Elder Falabella for space. of family, was printed in the Elder Falabella was 12 when served as stake mission presi- • The original pews were June 2006 magazines. missionaries knocked on his dent, bishop, regional repre- made of pine and painted Speakers in the training family’s door in Guatemala sentative, stake president, to look like oak. included President Thomas S. City, where he was born and and Area Seventy, serving • The organ casing is made Monson, First Counselor in raised. The oldest of four chil- as President of the Central of ponderosa pine, the First Presidency; President dren whose mother had died America Area for two years. painted to look like Boyd K. Packer, Acting several years earlier, Elder He was serving as a branch mahogany. President of the Quorum Falabella recognized that there president at the Missionary • Before the Salt Lake of the Twelve Apostles; was something different about Training Center in Guatemala Tabernacle was built, a and Elder L. Tom Perry and the missionaries. He saw it in City at the time of his call to tabernacle now referred Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the love they showed and the the First Quorum of the to as the “Old Tabernacle” the Quorum of the Twelve power with which they taught. Seventy. ■ was built on the south- Apostles. “I wanted to know what west corner of the temple The February broadcast they knew,” he recalls. That block as a gathering place is also available online at desire and his willingness to for the Saints. www.lds.org/broadcast do what the missionaries • Twelve presidents of the in audio format in 10 lan- asked led to his conversion. United States have visited guages and in text format “Very early on I learned to the Tabernacle. in 24 languages. ■ appreciate the Savior’s words:

124 Elder Erich W. Kopischke Elder Michael J. Teh Of the Seventy Of the Seventy

Elder Kopischke earned a able to confidently testify of degree in business. After his the truth.” mission he served in the mili- Elder Teh was born to tary before receiving further Martin and Norma Teh on vocational training. During June 25, 1965, in Davao City, this time he met his future Davao Del Sur, Philippines. wife, Christiane Glück, who His family moved to Manila was attending nursing school. when he was 12, but he They were married in the returned to his hometown Bern Switzerland Temple on after his call to the Philippines December 19, 1978, and have Davao Mission. seven children. Following his mission He worked in the insur- Elder Teh earned a bachelor’s f there is one thing that ance industry before taking or Elder Michael John degree in business administra- Elder Erich Willi Kopischke a job with the Church Teh, the journey is tion at De La Salle University Ihas gained a testimony of, Educational System in 1996, Fjust as important as the in Manila. For the past four it is that the Lord knows what where he was appointed as destination—especially while years he has worked as is best for individuals. the Europe Central Area traveling through life. Elder recorder for the Manila He recalls being a little director in 2000. Teh says his calling as a full- Philippines Temple, where disappointed when called to In 2003 he was called to time missionary in 1986 he married Grace May serve a full-time mission in serve as president of the made all the difference in Weedon on December 16, his native Germany. “I wanted Berlin mission, an experience his mortal journey because 1989. They are the parents to learn a different language,” he and his wife loved. it strengthened his testimony of three children. he says. But he soon came to Prior to his call to the First of the gospel. Elder Teh is grateful for love teaching his own people. Quorum of the Seventy, Elder “My mission was a turning opportunities to associate And when he was assigned Kopischke served as bishop’s point in my life. It has been with Church leaders. He to the mission office for nine counselor, stake high coun- a wonderful blessing,” he has served as bishop, stake months as a secretary, he had cilor, district president, stake says. “I came to know my president’s counselor, high to learn English. president, mission president, Father in Heaven and His councilor, and mission presi- Elder Kopischke came to Area Seventy, and Second Son, Jesus Christ. I came to dent’s counselor. At the realize that his mission had Counselor in the Europe know that I could call on my time of his call to the First truly been the Lord’s plan for Central Area. ■ Father in Heaven anytime Quorum of the Seventy, him, because it had prepared and talk to Him. That has he was serving as an Area him. been a great source of com- Seventy and as Second “The Lord knows your fort for me.” Counselor in the Philippines mission in life—that is my Elder Teh says those who Area Presidency. ■ greatest testimony,” he says. face crossroads in their lives “He knows what is in store need a testimony, which will for you.” help them stay on the right Elder Kopischke was path. born on October 20, 1956, “Our Father in Heaven in Elmshorn, Germany, will reveal the truth to you as where he was raised by faith- you prayerfully seek to find ful Latter-day Saint parents, your own testimony,” he says. Helga Haupt Kopischke and “What a sweet feeling it is to Kurt Kopischke. know for yourself and to be

MAY 2007 125 Elder Octaviano Tenorio Elder Claudio D. Zivic Of the Seventy Of the Seventy

series of inspired events, he the subject during the year. realized it was a job he was “I really didn’t like supposed to take. accounting,” he says. But “It changed my life’s when he prayerfully consid- course,” he says. It led to a ered his career path, he felt life intertwined with family strongly that he should go history and temple work. into accounting. Trusting After seven years in that in the Lord, he received his job, during which time he accounting degree from the served as stake president, University of Buenos Aires he was called as the first and enjoyed a career as a recorder for the Mexico certified public accountant. City Mexico Temple and as Elder Zivic can see the lder Octaviano Tenorio a sealer. He left the temple lder Claudio Daniel Lord’s guidance throughout Domínguez knows to preside over the Mexico Zivic believes that when his life. “If we’re living right, Ethat receiving the ordi- Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission. Ewe are striving to live He will bless us,” Elder Zivic nances of the temple changes He later managed the area’s right, we can trust that God says. “Things will fall into lives. It’s changed his, and Membership, Materials will guide us. place most naturally.” he’s been in positions to see Management, and Welfare Elder Zivic was born After his military service, it change others’. “Stay close Services Departments, dur- on December 19, 1948, to he and his wife, Dina Noemí to the temple,” he urges. ing which time he served as faithful Latter-day Saint par- Alvarez, were sealed on Born on October 31, 1942, regional representative and ents Sergio Jorge Zivic and January 9, 1979, in the São to Octaviano Tenorio and later as Area Seventy. Eleonora Zalewski Zivic in Paulo Brazil Temple. Flora Domínguez de Tenorio Elder Tenorio later Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a Prior to his call to the First in Tilapan, Veracruz, Mexico, became the Mexico City 15-year-old runner, he ranked Quorum of the Seventy, Elder he joined the Church after his Mexico Temple recorder second nationally in his age Zivic served as elders quorum family moved to Rio Bravo in again after his replacement group in the 800 meters. His president, institute teacher, northern Mexico. retired. greatest desire was to com- bishop, stake high councilor, After earning a certificate “The temple has been a pete in the Olympics, and counselor to a stake presi- in accounting and business, big part of my life,” he says, his coach, a former Olympic dent, temple ordinance he met Rosa Elva Valenzuela sad about the prospect of decathlete, believed he could worker, regional representa- González in Mexico City, retiring, though he appreci- do it—if he would only give tive, president of the Spain where they now reside. They ates the service opportuni- up his reluctance to compete Bilbao Mission, and Second were sealed on January 4, ties that his call to the First on Sundays. Counselor in the South 1974, in the Mesa Arizona Quorum of the Seventy “I had to choose,” says America South Area Temple and are the parents brings. “I believe it is through Elder Zivic. “In the end I felt Presidency. ■ of five children. temple ordinances that we competing wasn’t what the Early in his career, Elder will find true happiness.” ■ Lord wanted for me.” Tenorio was approached Elder Zivic faced another about a position as manager difficult decision when it of the Church’s Genealogical came time to choose a voca- Service Center in Mexico. tion. For four straight years Doing well in his job in the of secondary school, he had publishing industry, he was to take an additional end- not sure about taking the of-year test in accounting new position. But following a because he did so poorly in

126 Julie B. Beck Silvia H. Allred Relief Society General President First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency

president and counselor in fourth of eight children. a stake Relief Society presi- She attended the University dency before her call to serve of Arizona, Brigham Young at the general Church level. University, and the General To manage her time, she Francisco Morarzan Institute divides priorities into three in El Salvador, studying math- categories—“must do,” ematics and languages. “should do,” and “nice to She married Jeffry A. Allred do.” Personal prayer, scrip- on September 7, 1966, in ture study, temple atten- the Salt Lake Temple. They dance, and family are on her are the parents of eight “must do” list. “I don’t know children. of a woman who doesn’t Sister Allred has served as t her baptism and in the have more to do than she hen she was just a full-time missionary in the temple, Julie Bangerter can do,” she says, but priori- 16 years old, Silvia Central America Mission, as A Beck says that as part tizing “eliminates guilt. I’m WHenriquez Allred, a Relief Society and Primary of making her covenants she surprised at how many ‘nice recently called as first coun- president at the ward and “promised the Lord that He to do’ things I can get done.” selor in the Relief Society stake levels, and as a member could use me in His king- The Lord has blessed general presidency, gained of the Young Women general dom.” Where and how He her with ideas about how to a love for Relief Society. board. She also served used her weren’t important be a grandma long-distance, “Shortly after she was bap- with her husband when he to her. As former first coun- including reading to her tized, my mother was called presided over the Paraguay selor in the Young Women grandchildren over the as the Relief Society president Asuncion Mission and most general presidency, she says, phone. in our branch in El Salvador,” recently as he presided over in the Church “everyone “I have always had a great Sister Allred explains. “She the Missionary Training gets assignment changes. It love for Relief Society. During was overwhelmed, but my Center in the Dominican doesn’t matter where you my young married years when sister and I [who were also Republic. The Allreds were serve. It’s the Lord’s work, my parents were assigned far recent converts] told her, also public affairs missionar- and we’re working with chil- away, Relief Society sisters ‘It will be OK. The Lord will ies in Madrid, Spain. dren of our Heavenly Father.” were ‘my mother.’ As I have help you.’ And He did.” Sister Allred says that Born to William Grant traveled throughout the As Sister Allred served as throughout her life, she has Bangerter, now an emeritus world, I have felt a genuine the Relief Society secretary relied on what she learned in member of the First Quorum love and admiration for the alongside her mother, she her first Relief Society calling: of the Seventy, and Geraldine women of the Church. What was impressed by the oppor- “Heavenly Father is aware of Hamblin Bangerter on a blessing it will be to now tunities that Relief Society our needs. I know He gives September 29, 1954, she focus my energies in Relief offered in leadership, educa- us strength.” ■ attended Dixie College and Society service.” ■ tion, homemaking skills, and Brigham Young University, service—opportunities Sister graduating with a degree in Allred says are available “to family science. She married every woman who embraces Ramon P. Beck on December the gospel of Jesus Christ.” 28, 1973, in the Salt Lake Sister Allred was born to Temple. They have three chil- Carlos Florentino Henriquez dren and eight grandchildren. and Hilda Alvarenga on Sister Beck served as ward October 11, 1944, in San Young Women and Primary Salvador, El Salvador, the

MAY 2007 127 Barbara Thompson Mary N. Cook Second Counselor in the Relief Society Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency General Presidency

but her favorite pastime is vis- special education teacher and iting with friends and family. later as a school administrator. With a master’s degree On July 16, 1988, in the in social work from the Salt Lake Temple, she mar- University of Utah, Sister ried Richard E. Cook, who Thompson worked for the later served as a member Utah Department of Human of the Second Quorum of Services for 30 years. Since the Seventy. At that time, retiring, she has served as Sister Cook says she “inher- executive director of an inter- ited four wonderful children national organization that and became a grandmother serves abused and neglected of eight,” as Elder Cook’s children. first wife had passed away s a former ward activi- Although she has never rust in the Lord with all in 1984. They now have 17 ties committee chair, married or had children of thine heart” (Proverbs grandchildren. A Barbara Thompson is her own, Sister Thompson T3:5) is a guiding truth While Elder and Sister more comfortable wearing says, “I have borrowed family for Mary Nielsen Cook, sec- Cook served as full-time jeans and putting together members and friends, and ond counselor in the Young missionaries in Mongolia, hygiene kits than as a mem- I’ve always had a lot of sup- Women general presidency. her husband was called ber of the Relief Society gen- port from the sisters of this Born in Midvale, Utah, to preside over the newly eral presidency. But she’s Church.” on June 8, 1951, Sister Cook created Mongolian mission. grateful for her new calling She sees her new role as learned to trust in the Lord Later she accompanied as second counselor in that being supportive of Sister from the examples of her par- him to Hong Kong, where presidency. Beck. “I want to lift her up ents, Kenneth N. and Fern S. he served in the Asia Area Having also served as a in her calling.” Nielsen. Her father suffered Presidency. She has also missionary in the Germany Sister Thompson looks severe health problems served as ward Relief Society Hamburg Mission, Gospel forward to hearing the testi- resulting from a mining acci- president and on the Young Doctrine teacher, Young monies of members through- dent when Sister Cook was Women general board. Women camp director, Laurel out the world as she serves. a toddler. For a time, her Sister Cook is grateful and Beehive adviser, ward Her message to her Relief mother was the family’s sole for her experiences and Young Women president, Society sisters is: “Love the provider. It was a trying time. testifies that “whatever trials ward Relief Society counselor, Lord. Come unto Christ with In her youth she dreamed may come upon us, if we and Relief Society general your whole heart. Women of marriage and motherhood trust in the Lord, He will board member, Sister face incredible challenges, but was single for many years. direct our paths.” ■ Thompson believes that but when we rely on the “Sometimes I wondered if “when sisters have a testi- gospel and the sisterhood my dreams would ever be ful- mony of the truthfulness we have in Relief Society, our filled,” Sister Cook says. “But of the gospel, they are burdens will be lighter.” ■ I tried to have faith and focus moved to action.” on the blessings I did have.” Born to W. Peter and Fern During this time she Rymer Thompson on June 13, earned bachelor’s and mas- 1952, in San Luis Obispo, ter’s degrees in speech California, Sister Thompson pathology and audiology and and her family later moved to an EdS (Education Specialist) Granger, Utah. She has always degree from Brigham Young loved sports and camping, University. She worked as a

View from Quince Street, by Al Rounds A view looking southeast at the Salt Lake Temple, dedicated at the April 1893 general conference, and at the Tabernacle, dedicated at the October 1875 general conference. The Latter-day Saints actually began using the Tabernacle with the October 1867 general ence.confer y beloved brethren and sisters, we have enjoyed Ma wonderful conference,” said President Gordon B. Hinckley in closing the 177th Annual General Conference. “We hope that you will use the May edition of the Church magazines as a text for your family home evenings, to review that which has been spoken in this conference. What has been said by each of the speakers represents his or her prayerful attempt to impart knowledge that will inspire and cause all who have heard it to stand a little taller and be a little better.” 6 02007 85000 ENGLISH 4