He Can Heal Us, Every One, P. 44 Preparing Youth to Defend the Family, P
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THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • MARCH 2011 He Can Heal Us, Every One, p. 44 Preparing Youth to Defend the Family, p. 12 What Prospective Missionaries Need to Know, p. 22 Elder and Sister Holland on Relief Society, p. 40 Holding to the Iron Rod, by Louise Parker In her painting of a woman holding fast path, which came along by the rod of iron, to the iron rod, this artist from South Africa even to the tree by which I stood; . reminds us that we are part of a worldwide “And it came to pass that I beheld others Church linked together by many things, pressing forward, and they came forth and including our belief in the Book of Mormon. caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; “And I beheld a rod of iron, and it and they did press forward through the mist extended along the bank of the river, and of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even led to the tree by which I stood. until they did come forth and partake of the “And I also beheld a strait and narrow fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:19–20, 24). Contents March 2011 Volume 41 • Number 3 FEATURES 22 Preparing Emotionally for Missionary Service Robert K. Wagstaff What prospective missionaries and their parents need to know. 27 “I Speak of Missionary Work” President Thomas S. Monson calls for more missionaries. 30 A Great Community of Saints Whether you meet with 13 22 others in a small branch in Ukraine or with 200 in a ward in Mexico, you belong to something much grander. 34 When Broken Hearts Become One 4 Amanda B. Lewis One year. Four families. Countless acts of love and support. MESSAGES 40 “Charity Never Faileth:” A Discussion on FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Relief Society Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland 4 Looking for the Good The blessings we share all come back to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf how the priesthood and Relief Society work together in the home and the Church. VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE 44 The Healer’s Art 7 Under the Priesthood and after the Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi Pattern of the Priesthood Overcoming prejudice and misunderstanding. Separated by Flood, ON THE COVER 50 Front: Christ the United by Prayer Consolator, by Carl Melissa Merrill Heinrich Bloch. The floodwaters appeared so suddenly that Back: Photo illustration by David Stoker. the Torres family could only do one thing. OUR HOMES, OUR FAMILIES 12 Teaching the Doctrine of the Family Julie B. Beck This generation will be called upon to defend the doctrine of the family as never before. If they don’t know the doctrine, they can’t defend it. March 2011 1 18 8 LIVING AS LATTER-DAY SAINTS DEPARTMENTS 18 Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching: WHAT WE BELIEVE A Work of Ministering Home and visiting teaching are about taking 8 God Reveals Truth to His Prophets and to Us care of people. Prophets are on the earth today just as they were anciently. TEACHING, LEARNING, SERVING WE TALK OF CHRIST 11 Helping Youth Track Their Progress or Their Duty—Online 10 To Bind Up the Brokenhearted Interactive online versions of Personal Progress Georges A. Bonnet and Duty to God can help teens. Genocide. Disease. Famine. What I saw in Africa left me feeling helpless and discouraged. BY STUDY AND BY FAITH Then I realized no pain was beyond the healing power of Jesus Christ. 53 The Savior’s Compassion S. Kent Brown 66 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES How the Savior’s miracle of the The fruits of prayer, patience, and perseverance. fishes shows both His power and His compassion. 70 SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS GOSPEL SOLUTIONS 73 FAMILY HOME EVENING IDEAS 53 56 Learning to Forgive 74 NEWS OF THE CHURCH Name withheld I knew that forgiving my father was necessary, 79 IN OTHER CHURCH MAGAZINES but was it possible? UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN PROVIDENT LIVING 80 Safe in My Ward Family Caroline Kingsley Seeds of Self-Reliance 60 A ward or branch can be a sort of safety-net Allie Schulte family for us. Church members in urban areas and developing nations throughout the world are reaping the blessings of gardening thanks to Welfare Services. COMING IN APRIL • Saints in the Marshall Islands • The art of Carl Heinrich Bloch • Facing infertility with faith 2 Ensign moreOnline ENSIGN ONLINE AN OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH If you’re looking to get more from your OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS Church magazine experience, check out MARCH 2011 VOLUME 41 • NUMBER 3 additional features at ensign.lds.org. The First Presidency: Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf HUMANITARIAN SERVICES Visit the Humanitarian Services page to The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, learn how the Church is assisting people Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, around the world and how you can help. M. Russell Ballard, Richard G. Scott, Visit lds.org/service/humanitarian. Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen GENERAL AUXILIARIES Editor: Paul B. Pieper BIOGRAPHIES Advisers: Stanley G. Ellis, Christoffel The Church’s new Web site includes bio- Golden Jr., Yoshihiko Kikuchi graphical information about the leaders of Managing Director: Church auxiliaries. The chart contains links David L. Frischknecht to biographies about each leader. Editorial Director: Vincent A. Vaughn Graphics Director: Allan R. Loyborg Visitors can learn about the careers, missions, families, and accomplishments Managing Editor: R. Val Johnson Assistant Managing Editor: of the auxiliary leaders of the Sunday LaRene Porter Gaunt School, the Relief Society, the Young Senior Editors: Matthew D. Flitton, Women, the Young Men, and the Larry Hiller, Michael R. Morris, Joshua J. Perkey Primary. Visit lds.org/church/leaders. Assistant Editor: Melissa Merrill Editorial Staff: Susan Barrett, Ryan Carr, CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES Jenifer L. Greenwood, Adam C. Olson FOR CHILDREN Editorial Intern: Sara Smith Adminstrative Assistant: Faith S. Watson Both printable and online activities Managing Art Director: J. Scott Knudsen for children to help them prepare Art Director: Scott Van Kampen for—and benefit more from—general Senior Designers: C. Kimball Bott, conference can be found at lds.org/ Thomas S. Child, Colleen Hinckley, general-conference/children. Eric P. Johnsen, Scott M. Mooy Production Staff: Cali R. Arroyo, Collette Nebeker Aune, Howard G. Brown, Julie Burdett, Reginald J. Christensen, Kathleen Howard, Denise Kirby, Ginny J. Nilson, Jane Ann Peters Prepress: Byron Warner Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick Distribution Director: Evan Larsen DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? TO CHANGE ADDRESS © 2011 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. e welcome donated submissions showing the gospel of Jesus Send both old and new All rights reserved. The Ensign (ISSN Christ at work in your life. On each submission, please include address information to 0884-1136) is published monthly by The W Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and the Distribution Services, P.O. 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, name of your ward and stake (or branch and district). Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-0024, USA. Periodicals Postage Please submit articles through ensign.lds.org, or send Ut 84126-0368, USA. Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. them to Ensign Editorial, 50 E. North Temple St., Rm. 2420, Please allow 60 days for Copyright information: Text and visual Salt Lake City, UT 84150-0024, USA. Authors whose work is changes to take effect. material in the Ensign may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home selected for publication will be notified. use. Visual material may not be copied if restrictions are indicated in the credit line with the artwork. Copyright questions should be addressed to Intellectual Property Office, 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt SUBSCRIBE TO OR RENEW THE ENSIGN MAGAZINE Lake City, UT 84150-0018; e-mail: Online: Go to store.lds.org. By phone: Call 1-800-537-5971 to [email protected]. order using Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Express. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to By mail: Send $10 U.S. check or money order to Distribution Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. Canada Post Information: Publication Agreement #40017431. March 2011 3 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency LookingFOR THE GOOD hile looking for a new home, a young Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since its begin- Latter-day Saint couple talked to potential ning. Those who look for the good will find a kind and W neighbors about the neighborhood and the compassionate people—a people who love the Lord and schools in the area. desire to serve Him and bless the lives of their fellowman. One woman they spoke to said of the school her But it is also true that those who look for the bad will children were attending: “This is the most incredible certainly find things that are not so ideal. place! The principal is a wonderful and good man; the Unfortunately, at times this happens even within the teachers are well qualified, kind, and friendly. I am so Church. There is no end to the creativity, ingenuity, and pleased that our children can attend this wonderful tenacity of those who look for reasons to criticize. They school. You’ll love it here!” cannot seem to release their grip on grudges.