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AREA LEADERSHIP MESSAGE We without Them Cannot

Be Made Perfect By Elder Adolf J. Johansson Elder Adolf J. Area Seventy Johansson

s my family accepted the invita- preparing for their sealing in the Suva other while waiting to be married Ation from our Area Presidency to Fiji Temple. for eternity. In the spirit world, only complete “My Family 15 in 15” and take I did not realise the reality of being those who are married by the laws a name to the temple, I personally wit- separated as husband and wife after and ordinances of the holy temple nessed and felt the love my ancestors death until I knelt with my wife in the can continue the marriage relation- have for one another in the spirit world. Suva Fiji Temple on behalf of those ship. “Therefore, when they are out Since moving to Fiji from New who have gone beyond the veil. of the world they neither marry nor Zealand, I have made connections As my wife and I participated in are given in marriage.” 1 to living relatives in Sweden, who the sacred sealing ordinance, I saw We sometimes don’t appreciate the gave me five generations of family in my mind the couple embracing urgency of temple and family history names on my father’s side. As we each other for the first time after their work until we catch a glimpse into prepared our ancestors for temple departure from this mortal life, as hus- the lives of those in the spirit world. ordinances, I could feel the joy of band and wife. I could feel that their There are husbands and wives, par- husbands and wives looking forward longing for one other was now over. ents and children waiting and longing to their eternal union. I could feel Tears filled my eyes as I realised how for the promised day of eternal union the anticipation of kindred spirits much this couple had missed each through temple ordinances. FIJI TEMPLE SUVA

Our ancestors are praying for us to take their names to the temple and fulfil our promised obligations in the work of salvation on their behalf.

February 2017 A1 The scriptures testify of our duty comfort I receive from the knowl- of the house of God. May we find and obligation to one another in the edge I have that she and I will be our ancestors, take their names to the great latter-day­ work of temples: “For together again.” 4 temple, and teach others to do like- we without them cannot be made I testify of the sealing powers that wise. This is the great latter-day­ work perfect; neither can they without us bind husband and wife, parents and of temples, and the Lord is hastening be made perfect.” 2 children for time and eternity. These His work on both sides of the veil, I There are also those of our ances- sealing powers and priesthood keys humbly testify in the name of Jesus tors who are repenting and exercising are held by the living prophets and Christ, amen. ◼ exceeding great faith in the Atonement apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ NOTES 1. Doctrine and Covenants 132:16. of Jesus Christ but cannot progress of Latter-day­ Saints. I witness that 2. Doctrine and Covenants 128:18. until the ordinances of the temple are marriage and family relationships will 3. Doctrine and Covenants 138:58. 4. Thomas S. Monson, “Blessings of the complete. The promise of redemption continue as we obey the ordinances Temple,” Ensign, May 2015, 93. is assured to all who will obey the ordinances of the temple. “The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the LOCAL PAGES house of God.” 3 Our ancestors are praying for us to take their names to the temple and Storms No Deterrent to fulfil our promised obligations in the Modbury Stake “Pioneers” work of salvation on their behalf. By Caroline McIlwaine Our ancestors are waiting, longing, hoping, and praying for you and me ast September’s “storm of the half held emergency meetings as a trek to relieve them from their suffering L century” in South Australia could committee and fasted and prayed for through the sanctifying ordinances have wiped out the Modbury stake’s guidance and a miracle.” of the holy temple. planned pioneer reenactment trek, What followed was exactly that— President Thomas S. Monson but just like the early pioneers of The a miracle! shared his gratitude for the blessings Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ “Suddenly we had land owners of the temple in the April 2015 general Saints, nothing deterred them. who’d previously not allowed us access conference: Just four days before the start of through their properties open their “The blessings of the temple are the trek, organisers learned that the lands up to us at a day’s notice, and priceless. One for which I am grateful storms had washed away tracks, caus- when we inspected the trails we found every day of my life is that which my ing closures and damage to the trail that they were unaffected by the wild beloved wife, Frances, and I received chosen and mapped out in the Mount weather, even though they were not as we knelt at a sacred altar and made Remarkable National Park. far from the original site,” Chris said. covenants binding us together for all “We had to find an alternate route to With that faith rewarded, and eternity. There is no blessing more ensure trek went ahead for the youth,” in high spirits, the youth and their precious to me than the peace and explained trail boss Chris Castle. “We leaders headed north to the Flinders

A2 Ensign Modbury stake youth participate in the annual trek. AUSTRALIA LOCAL PAGES LOCAL AUSTRALIA

Ranges on the 4th October. Leaving Hoyts) was a highlight and blessing. kept a watch to see if anyone needed home comforts and technology “That’s my favourite memory from a break. We helped each other out.” behind, they resolved in their hearts trek—the way my family supported Rest for sore feet and blistered palms to experience—even in small measure each other through our weaknesses came at nighttime, as tarpaulins were —what the Church’s 19th-century­ and trials,” said Sebastian. “We sang thrown over the handcarts to make converts underwent as they trekked the most, prayed the most, and kept rudimentary tents. Sebastian said it from America’s midwest to the Salt Lake our spirits up.” was hard to sleep on the first damp Valley, fleeing persecution and suffering But it was still hard. night, but then—another blessing—the privation and loss, in their faith-filled­ “Most of us were on the verge of weather fined up and the sun shone. quest for religious freedom. collapse after each hill, but there were Julia Quince, 17, of Golden Grove Small miracles are not unusual on easier parts, and people who weren’t Ward considers the women’s handcart the trek. It is designed to build faith pushing or pulling handcarts always pull the hardest aspect of the trek— and testimony through the sacrifice, and the most rewarding. IMAGES COURTESY OF JANIIA MONTAGUE AND GILLIAN TRUDGEN USED WITH PERMISSION IMAGES COURTESY OF JANIIA MONTAGUE courage, and sheer hard work that “It was so mind blowing: (tackling) have brought people throughout time the steepest hills on the trail, and we closer to God. Dressed in 19th-century­ did it three times,” enthused Julia about clothing and enduring the meagre fare the reenactment of the pioneer stories that was the norm for the pioneer trail, of women who had to push and pull the 56 youth pushed and pulled their their carts west, alone. handcarts—often uphill—along the “It got harder each time, but it 21-kilometre route.­ was a really good feeling—pushing The youth were divided into six through and encouraging each other. families, with a ‘ma’ and ‘pa’, and were I absolutely related to the pioneer given the name of an actual pioneer women, but I know when the men family whose journey was recorded. went off to war, they had this hard- Sebastian Trudgen was one of 56 Sixteen-year-­ old­ Sebastian Trudgen ship each day, and we only had it for youth who undertook Modbury of Playford Ward said that sharing the stake’s trek. a short time. How challenging it must challenge with his trek family (the have been for them.”

February 2017 A3 During the annual stake trek, Modbury stake youth and leaders experience the conditions early Church pioneers endured.

in the testimony meeting at the close of the trek. “I really felt the Spirit,” Sebastian said. “Everyone did—it was inspiring.” Echoing the words of President Brigham Young in the summer of 1847, when he and the first Mormon pioneers reached the Salt Lake Valley —they were in the right place! Reflecting on the overall experi- ence, Chris Castle is thankful for the youth, their parents, the accompanying leaders, and everyone who worked This was more than an eye-opener­ or confidence in myself too—because towards its success. for Julia, though. “I know my faith defi- I now know I can keep going, I can “We were blessed because many of nitely increased when I put my trust in overcome challenges.” the parents and committee exercised the Lord as I was pushing up each hill. Both youth agreed that being away faith that a way for trek to go ahead So many times I didn’t think I had the from the distractions of everyday life would be provided if we trusted in the strength, but I kept going and the Lord for the three days of the trek helped Lord. The Lord truly loves his youth IMAGE COURTESY OF JANIIA MONTAGUE AND IMAGE COURTESY OF JANIIA MONTAGUE

GILLIAN TRUDGEN AND USED WITH PERMISSION helped me a lot. It increased my faith them spiritually, as did participating and those who serve them.” ◼

The next day I began to read from The Unexpected Things I Learnt 1 Nephi, and each day continued with from Reading the Book of Mormon the assigned reading I had set myself. By Catherine Vaughan There was the occasional day that I missed, but I managed to keep up n August 2005, President Gordon B. the task. I spent the rest of that meet- with my schedule. By the beginning I Hinckley challenged the members ing trying to figure out how many of November I was just over a third of the Church to read the Book of pages I would need to read each day of the way through and enjoying the Mormon right through, before the end to achieve the goal. I have often strug- peace that I received as I read the of the year. gled with consistent scripture study, sacred words of the prophets. For some reason, I missed the ini- so I decided this was my opportunity I looked forward to that brief tial challenge, so by the time it came to get back into it, and if I stuck to interlude that I had set aside daily. to my attention as I sat in a devotional almost six pages a day, I would have Then as the month went on, I began at the end of September, there were the whole book completed by the end to feel an urgency to read more and only three months left to accomplish of the year. more, which often resulted in my

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family forever. He was reminding me He was family forever. that there is a purpose in all things of us aware —and that He is always ◼ individually. to help me reach that goal. It was a It was goal. to help me reach that But there was task that I accepted. Heavenly at hand. a deeper purpose me to for way a Father had provided to be a way to the Spirit, closer feel reminded of the eternalof His nature for a way He had provided counsel. me to cope with the chaos around me and gain an understanding of life and death and being together as a - - Our Heavenly Father knows the paths that life will take us down and constantly provides opportunities to help us to deal with the challenges we may face. I thought I was being obedient I thought I was It also emphasised to me that we to me that we It also emphasised are not alone. Our Heavenly Father Our Heavenly are not alone. us will take the paths that life knows oppor and constantly provides down tunities to help us to deal with the may face. challenges we to the challenge of our prophet and dutifully set about reading the num ber of pages of scripture required despite the world falling apartaround despite the world on the strengthme—and then draw to help me throughof those scriptures the dark days. - - - do list. run acci old father and-­ ­ year- During that time, the scriptures that During that time, The next few weeks were hectic were weeks The next few Very early the next morning, as I early the next morning, Very On Thursday 24th November I 24th November Thursday On I had felt in studying the last partI had felt of the Book of Mormon meant that I was able to finish the assigned reading there are no coincidences in Heavenly there are no coincidences in Heavenly the prompt Following plan. Father’s of urgency ings regarding the feeling were so fresh in my memory gave me so fresh in my memory gave were And I realised that peace and comfort. eventual court once the offender case eventual was caught. be updated on the manhunt for the be updated on the manhunt for and the person who had killed him, with travelling out of town to organise to organise out of town with travelling meeting with police tohis funeral, had been killed in a hit-­ night while crossingdent the previous the road outside his house. type of phone call that no one ever type of phone call that no one ever My 82-­ to get. wants the end of the year” off my to-­ the end of the year” the I received work, preparing for was feeling pleased with myself that I couldfeeling the Book of Mormon by“Read cross earlier than originally anticipated. triumphantly finished reading Moroni, times throughout the day, and I rea times throughout the day, going to finish much lised that I was Mormon, as I felt the need to study the need to as I felt Mormon, Soon reading. was and ponder what I reading my scriptures several I was scheduled amount for each day. I each day. for scheduled amount with the words became consumed in the Book ofof counsel contained completing two or three times the two completing Cleanup Crew Enjoyed Volunteering at Cleland Wildlife Park By Caroline McIlwaine

cheerful band of volunteers from A The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Saints joined other locals in a cleanup blitz at Adelaide’s popular

Cleland Wildlife Park late last year. Daniela Duffield AND USED WITH PERMISSION IMAGES COURTESY OF BARBARA NEAVE They joined Latter-day­ Saints across raking mulch at the South Pacific who similarly lent Cleland Wildlife a hand in their neighbourhoods on Park the Church’s designated “Weekend of Community Outreach”. “Joining in with the other volun- teers for the Cleland Wildlife Park blitz was a great activity for the single adults. It provided us with the oppor- tunity to work together to do some- thing good for the community,” said Everyone, participant Jodey Hatchard. including Fred the “We were able to help with weed wombat, became control, as well as laying fresh sand shy when the and mulch, within some of the ani- camera came out. mal enclosures. One of our groups was able to get up close with Fred the wombat while working within his enclosure. It was physical work; how- ever, we found it to be really reward- ing and a great bonding experience.” The project began at 8.30am with instruction by the park rangers, with the cleanup starting at 9am and winding up at midday with a sausage Volunteers taking sizzle. Twenty-four­ of the volunteers a well-earned­ rest were Latter-day­ Saints, including sev- eral children. ◼

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Strengthening Others • Catching the family history vision • Watching your children or family or through Sharing Your Stories friends overcome challenges and

By Catherine Vaughan grow from the experience • Overcoming bad habits • Service you have received • Visiting teaching or home teach- ing moments that have touched your heart • Missionary work with colleagues or friends • Stories about faith, sacrifice, or service

Stories do not need to be long, approximately 300–500 words. They must be written in English, and we will help with editing as required. ately we have been struggling to find These stories can be recent or from So, if you feel inspired to share a story L local stories and articles about mem- past experiences. They can be short, from your life or the lives of those around bers and Church activities in Australia everyday moments where you have gained you, we would love to be able to share and about local events in your wards and an insight into the gospel or longer, life-­ it with the other members in the Pacific branches. We hope to make the Ensign changing experiences. Area. There may be others who are expe- insert pages personal to the members of We are mindful that some experiences riencing similar things and whose hearts Australia and look forward to receiving may not be appropriate or are too per- will be touched and strengthened by the more local stories. sonal to share, but know that there are words you share. We have been able to publish some many testimony-strengthening­ experi- We also welcome news of local wonderful local stories from Adelaide ences that would be suitable and would events and activities that are happening and look forward to receiving more uplift others to read of them. in your area, as well as any testimony-­ South Australian stories, but we would Some ideas and suggestions may be: strengthening stories you would like to also like to share stories from around the add to the database. We look forward to whole country. • An unexpected answer to a prayer reading them all. We are collecting stories of inspiration • A scripture that helped you understand You can contact us at the following and growth, learning and understanding, a gospel principle more clearly email address: of moments that have changed your lives. • Challenges you may be facing [email protected]­ These personal stories may be included • Periods of growth in your calling or for Australian and Papua New Guinea in the Ensign or Liahona insert pages and personal life contributors may also be added to the country websites • Developing good habits with scripture If you know of any other people and social media pages, if suitable. There study who might be interested in writing the is no deadline for these stories, as they are • A successful family home evening occasional article for the magazine inserts not time sensitive and can be added to the • Gaining a testimony of tithing or any or websites, please pass on this contact magazines at any time, as space permits. other gospel principle information to them. ◼

February 2017 A7 TIP OF THE MONTH

that your bosom shall burn within on it and analyze it and meditate Problem Solving you; therefore, you shall feel that it on it. Pray about it.” 4 By LDS Family Services is right.” 2 See tools on how to problem To study it out in our minds is to solve at: “ n 1936 the First Presidency problem solve; to problem solve is • www.cci.​ health.​ wa.​ gov.​ au/​ docs/​ ​ Ioutlined a welfare plan for the to initiate; to initiate is to do some- ACF3B8C.pdf​ Church. They said: ‘Our primary thing intentionally. To do something • www.getselfhelp.​ co.​ uk/​ docs/​ ​ purpose was to set up . . . a system intentionally bears credence to the ProblemSolvingWorksheet.pdf​ under which the curse of idle- admonition of the Lord to act and • www.cci.​ health.​ wa.​ gov.​ au/​ docs/​ ​ ness would be done away with, not be acted upon. 3 To act is to take ACFE1D3.pdf​ ◼ the evils of a dole abolished, and control, to use the faculties the Lord NOTES 1. Handbook 2: Administering the Church independence, industry, thrift and has blessed us with to govern our (2010), 6.1. 2. Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–8. self respect be once more estab- lives. President Boyd K. Packer said: 3. See 2 Nephi 2:26. lished amongst our people. The “When you have a problem, work it 4. Boyd K. Packer, “Self Reliance” (Brigham Young University fireside, Mar. 2, 1975), 8, aim of the Church is to help the out in your own mind first. Ponder speeches.byu.edu. people to help themselves. Work is to be re-enthroned­ as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership.’” 1 Since the aim of the Church is to help people help themselves, then one essential skill needed to obtain self-reliance­ is problem solving. This same principle of self-reliance­ has application in emotional and spiritual things. The Lord said to Oliver Cowdery, and it has meaning for all of us: “Behold, you have not under- stood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. “But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause AUSTRALIA

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