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Long-term­ area self-reliance­ Spiritual Self-Reliance­ comes from self-reliant­ stakes By Elder Gerrit W. Gong and districts. Self-­reliant stakes Asia Area President and districts are ultimately reat blessings come to us and those around composed of self-reliant­ in- G us when we become temporally and spiritu- dividuals and families. Area ally self-reliant—and­ able to serve others. self-reliance­ also includes In the Church, “self-reliance”­ does not mean other spiritual and temporal relying only on ourselves. Ultimately it means faith elements. For example, the and reliance on the Lord. Self-reliance­ is a choice spirit of long-term­ area self-­ we make to come unto the Lord so He can help reliance includes self-reliance­ us help others. in local missionaries; local During the October 2014 general conference temple, mission, and other General Authority training, the First Presidency leadership; family file names and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited for temple work; etc., while the Area Presidency and director for temporal recognizing the Lord will call affairs in each area of the Church to begin pre- His people to serve where He will. Elder Gerrit W. paring for long-term­ area self-reliance.­ The Area Long-­term area self-­reliance means constant Gong Presidencies and directors for temporal affairs focus on members. We continually ask, “How will were asked to begin with meetinghouse priorities. this approach look in 10 years? 20 years?” “What I will explain what we mean by meetinghouse would this decision mean in terms of member priorities below. time, energy, and financial commitments to par- As you may know, our Asia Area is populous, ticipate in the Church now?” vast, diverse, and complex. Our Asia Area of the As a result of the new direction on self-­reliance, Church includes 22 countries and regions—from the Area Presidency and the director for temporal Mongolia in the north to Indonesia in the south, affairs asked for a review of all meetinghouse proj- from Pakistan in the west to China in the east. ects. Each will be considered carefully. Some may Within our area, Church experience and maturity change, be delayed or even cancelled because of varies. We also have many different economic and new meetinghouse priorities. societal situations. As a Church area, we are now invited, in a Areas as Pioneer Companies gradual, long-term­ way, to help each other toward As part of General Authority training, we self-reliance.­ learned that areas of the Church are like pioneer Self-reliance­ means individuals and families who companies. In the times when the pioneers were have “the ability, commitment, and effort to provide crossing the plains to the Salt Lake Valley, they the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self were organized in groups called companies. and family. As members become self-reliant,­ they Doctrine and Covenants 136:3 records, “Let are also better able to serve and care for others.”1 the companies be organized with captains of

April 2015 A1 hundreds, captains of fifties, and captains of tens, examine use, locations, costs, and maintenance with a president and his two counselors at their of each meetinghouse. Even early examination head, under the direction of the Twelve Apostles.” indicates that significant opportunities exist to Today, similarly, areas of the Church are led reduce costs and better use our meetinghouses. by three assigned General Authorities, under the This process of careful examination of meeting- direction of the Twelve Apostles. In the spirit of house use will require a multi-­year, gradual, and self-reliance,­ the pioneers provided for themselves sustained implementation period. and also provided a surplus to help others. Today, we are invited to do the same thing. Meetinghouse Opportunities 1. Increase meetinghouse use to four Church Guiding Principles branches or wards (instead of two or three Some guiding principles can help us as pioneers branches or wards). in our area. 2. Begin design and construction of a meeting- house only after three branches or wards are 1. Self-­reliance—As areas mature and grow, they ready to occupy it. should become more self-reliant.­ 3. Allow members to fill existing meetinghouses. 2. Providing for others—Mature areas should 4. Rent long-term­ or buy already constructed continue to assist less-developed­ areas. space where it makes sense. 3. Wise judgment—Authority and accountabil- 5. Adjust travel times to better use meetinghouses. ity should be paired with wise judgment to effectively manage resources. Elder M. Russell In each case, we want meetinghouses to be Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as close and as convenient to our members as teaches, “As the Saints work to become com- possible. At the same time, we are aware of many pletely self-sufficient,­ something very special places in the world, including developing coun- happens that goes far beyond decreasing costs. tries in our Asia Area, where there are not yet . . . Something special happens to an individual places for our members to meet. Some sacrifice or to a Church unit when the people become may be required for developed areas where there more independent and self-reliant.­ They feel are already many Church meetinghouses, to help more confident, positive, and assured, and they developing areas also have places for Church reflect these feelings in their actions.”2 These members to meet. confident, positive, assured feelings, reflected in our actions, are what we hope for each Blessings of Tithing Faithfulness member of the Asia Area of the Church. Our tithes are used to build and maintain the meetinghouses where we meet and worship to- Possible Meetinghouse Considerations gether. We each receive blessings when we faith- As we examine meetinghouse use, possible fully obey the law of tithes—when we are tithing considerations may include the following: faithful. President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910– A first step in long-­term area self-­reliance is to 2008) expressed it this way: “The Church has the

A2 Liahona means to construct buildings, but the people will local adaptations occur. The gospel and the Church not be blessed unless they observe the Lord’s law can come to all the Asia Area in hastening and of the tithe.”3 sustainable ways. In the coming years, over time, we will find the spiritual and temporal resources Blessings of Fasting and Offerings needed to establish the gospel and the Church in We are commanded to “look to the poor and the Asia Area are already here. The Lord has pro- the needy, and administer to their relief that they vided and will continue to provide. shall not suffer” (D&C 38:35). We are also told We will be sharing more on long-term­ area that “Blessings associated with the law of the fast self-reliance­ in the coming months and years. In include closeness to the Lord, increased spiritual the meantime, we want each member to know we strength, temporal well-­being, greater compassion, love you. We admire you. We are grateful for you. and a stronger desire to serve.”4 And we are grateful we each have the opportunity The Lord Himself tells us: “I, the Lord, stretched and blessing to become temporally and spiritually out the heavens, and built the earth, my very hand- self-reliant­ such that we can receive the blessings iwork; and all things therein are mine. And it is my from the Lord and serve and bless each other as purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are He would do. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ mine. But it must needs be done in mine own way NOTES 1. Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 6.1.1. . . . for the earth is full, and there is enough and to 2. M. Russell Ballard, “Sacrifice and Self-Sufficiency,”­ Ensign, Nov. 1987, 78, 80, lds.org/ensign/1987/11/ spare” (D&C 104:14–17). sacrifice-­and-­slf-­sufficiency. The Lord has ordained for all His children 3. Quoted in Presiding Bishopric Presentation, General Authority Training, October 7, 2014; see also Gordon B. opportunity to receive the restored gospel. He Hinckley, “The State of the Church,” Ensign, May 1991, 51–54, lds.org/ensign/1991/05/the-­state-­of-­the-­church. has also decreed to provide the necessary spir- 4. Handbook 2, 6.1.2. itual and temporal means to do so to “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (1 Nephi 19:17; see also D&C 90:11) in “[His] own way” (D&C 104:16). LOCAL NEWS Fundamental doctrine will not change. But the means and modes of establishing the gospel and administering the Church will adapt and See, Hear, and Understand . . . By Robert K. William adopt. Principles of self-­reliance multiply spiritual First counselor, India Bangalore Mission Presidency resources by reducing dependence on constrained physical resources. Ongoing inspiration and reve- uring the Savior’s mortal The scriptures talk about the lation can maintain unity of doctrine and spiritual D ministry, He ”went about miracles that He performed. ministration while program administration adapts doing good” (Acts 10:38). Some We read about Christ causing as appropriate, beginning with meetinghouse of the notable deeds that He a blind man to receive his sight priorities. performed were with people (see John 9:1–15), healing a deaf Long-term­ Asia Area self-reliance­ can reduce the who were sick and afflicted (see Mark 7:32–35), and open- cost structure of administering Church programs as both in body and in spirit. ing His Apostles’ understanding

April 2015 A3 this scripture help us to see? observe to do all the words of We as mortal beings are sub- this law” (Deuteronomy 31:12; jected to seeing things as tem- emphasis added). Listening, hear- poral and not eternal. Our life ing, and pondering the word of will become more meaningful God will bless us with increased if we take this counsel from understanding of the gospel and Paul to our hearts. We will at- will help us learn His ways. The tend our sacrament, priesthood, key is to prepare ourselves to and other meetings more dili- be sensitive to the still small gently. We will show our zeal in voice, so that by hearing we attending all meetings irrespec- can still “hear.” tive of the presiding authority. In conclusion I want to touch We all need the healing touch on the last point: Understanding. of the Savior to open our eyes This usually is a final outcome that are blind to the things of if we see and hear properly. eternity. If we show our faith Paul, again in writing to the and seek His hands to touch our Corinthians, said, “Brethren, President William eyes, we will surely be able to be not children in understand- receive sight and see the things ing: howbeit in malice be ye of His words. In speaking to His which are not seen. children, but in understanding Apostles, He said, “Therefore The opening words of this be men” (1 Corinthians 14:20). speak I to them in parables: last dispensation to Joseph Smith Abinadi, in rebuking the priests because they seeing see not; were, “This is My Beloved Son. of King Noah, said, “And now, and hearing they hear not, Hear Him!” ( Joseph Smith— did they understand the law? neither do they understand” History 1:17). Following the I say unto you, Nay, they did (Matthew 13:13). counsel to hearken closely to the not all understand the law; This scripture made me commandments and to the word and this because of the hard- ponder the challenge we have of God will lead to eternal life ness of their hearts; for they in seeing, hearing, and under- and exaltation. Moses counsels understood not that there could standing. The Apostle Paul, Joshua and all of Israel to “be not any man be saved except it in writing to the Corinthians, strong and of a good courage” were through the redemption of said, “While we look not at the (Deuteronomy 31:6). He said, God” (Mosiah 13:32; emphasis things which are seen, but at “Gather the people together, added). As we soften our hearts the things which are not seen: men, and women, and children, and learn to understand, we will for the things which are seen and thy stranger that is within be able to understand more and are temporal; but the things thy gates, that they may hear, be edified. It is my prayer that we which are not seen are eternal” and that they may learn, and may do so in the name of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:18). How can fear the Lord your God, and Christ, amen. ◼

A4 Liahona not get the opportunity to hear My Family—Saviors for our Ancestors about this true gospel and this “ any of our Heavenly the holy temples we have the great work of the Lord. I wanted MFather’s children died privilege to receive ordinances to give them the opportunity without knowing the gospel. on their behalf. Ordinances like to accept the ordinances, espe- In His mercy and great love, baptism, confirmation, priest- cially my deceased mother and the Lord has prepared a way hood ordinations, endowment, father, and all my brothers and for them to gain a testimony and sealings can be performed sisters. Hence I started to work of the gospel and to receive the for them. diligently on my family history ordinances of priesthood. That “If we do this work, we become and started getting in contact missionary work happens in saviors for them as they cannot with many of my relatives who the spirit world, and many do it for themselves.” live in our hometown. It was a will accept the gospel then. When I heard this topic in sac- struggle collecting all the infor-

“However, they cannot receive rament meeting, I had a desire Penumuru mation. Sometimes I got mocked, any ordinances for themselves in my heart to go to the temple. family at the and they wondered why I was because they are dead and do Because all my family members Hong Kong collecting everything now. But not have physical bodies. So in were of different faiths, they did Temple I worked hard for two months

April 2015 A5 and collected all the information day. The happiness we felt in to perform other ordinances for I could. I worked with our family the sealing room cannot be all of them over the next six days history consultant, Peter Bushi, described. Then we proceeded in the temple. We were able to every single day and submitted to perform the ordinances for complete all of them by the end all the information I collected. our ancestors. We wanted to of our temple trip. I had collected information for give them the same joy that we I know that the Lord is mind- about 30 deceased members were feeling in the temple. We ful of each and every one of us, of my family that I was able to were excited for this great work including our ancestors. The plan register for ordinances. of the Lord. of salvation, temple work, and We as a family—my wife, We entered into the baptis- all the ordinances are once again sons, daughters, sons-­in-­law, mal font to perform baptisms. restored to the earth at present and daughters-­in-­law—together My daughter volunteered to be time. I am so grateful that the decided to go to the temple. We a proxy for all the baptisms for priesthood power has been re- wanted to get sealed as a family all the female ancestors, while stored once again upon the earth and also do all the vicarious my son-­in-­law performed the as in times of old. What a won- ordinances for our ancestors. baptisms. My sons and daughter-­ derful time we live in. I testify of We had the privilege of entering in-­law performed the confirma- the power of the temples. They into Hong Kong China Temple tions for these ancestors. We all are indeed the house of the Lord. on 2 June 2014. We received witnessed this great work for I do so in the sacred name of our own endowments and got our ancestors and joy filled our Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ sealed as a family on the same hearts for them. We continued Krishnaiah Penumuru, Hyderabad Stake

these children?” “Can I recite scriptures valiantly Our Blessed Journey in Primary like them?” Primary Presidencies of the Coimbatore District Every year the Primary auxiliary is assigned a “ Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-­ yearly theme for sharing time. The outline contains I day Saints” was the theme for the children’s instructions on new songs, scriptures, and lessons sacrament meeting presentation for the year 2003. that the children will be taught during Primary My journey with Primary began when I joined the meetings by the Primary presidency and teach- Church on 1 December 2002. A few weeks after ers. The branch Primary president at that time, my baptism, my branch president called me to Sister Pramila Dangwal of the New Delhi Second serve as a nursery teacher. With this calling, my Branch, included me to actively participate and joy was full. While investigating the Church, I assist in the children’s preparation for the yearly always thought of what wonderful examples the children’s sacrament meeting presentation and Primary children were and asked myself many other activities. As I served in the Primary and times questions such as “Can I bear testimony like worked with those little children, my testimony

A6 Liahona Sister Mahalakshmi Jayakaran, Primary presi- dent, Coimbatore First Branch, “I am happy to see that we are a little part in the Lord’s hand, prepar- ing His children to rise in the Church. When I see them I feel very proud and very humbled in His service. As a woman and a sister, I feel the trust Sister Sonia Kilbert with Primary Presidents of Coimbatore 1st, 2nd & the Lord puts on us to do His will. 3rd branches. (Left to Right: Sister Sonia Kilbert, Sister Vinitha Appusamy, When I see the children fulfilling their assign- Sister Anita Roses Brigith & Sister Mahalakshmi Jayakaran) ments today on the stage and the smiles of the par- ents, what would I say except the Lord has a great began to grow, as prophet Alma described in the trust in me in molding His children. Again I see the Book of Mormon (see Alma 32:27–43). Lord’s love through them. Serving in the Primary has helped me to learn I remember the scripture that says, “By small what I had missed learning in my childhood and and simple things are great things brought to pass” to know the importance of gospel learning in the (Alma 37:6), which is true. I am seeing that happen- early years of our lives. It also taught me what to ing with our children. Heavenly Father’s children teach my future children so they grow in the gos- will be molded well by His teachings and parents pel of Jesus Christ. Currently, I am serving as the partnering together to help their children become district Primary president in the Coimbatore India great leaders in the future. District, where I have the wonderful opportunity I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. to work with Primary children and Primary lead- Jesus Christ is my Savior. I will serve Him with ers in various branches in the district. I know that all my heart.” Primary in each branch, ward, or home group pre- Sister Vinitha Appusamy, Primary president, pares little children spiritually be strong, but it also Coimbatore Second Branch, “My journey with brings miracles in the lives of the Primary leaders, Coimbatore 1st the little glittering stars give me a new experience. teachers, and parents who work with them. Branch Primary Monday to Saturday, being in the world we face a lot of troubles and bits of happiness, but the full happiness comes only on Sunday in partaking of the sacrament and looking at the smiles on the faces of the children. “To me, Primary is a place of happiness. I enjoy teaching them about the importance of families and also the Savior’s love for them. They follow the teachings and are sharing those teachings and love towards their families and also to us. “Before, I used to ask the Lord to help free me from anger, but now God answered my prayer by calling me to serve in the Primary. Even if children

April 2015 A7 The Canadian Chinooks By President Peter E. Sackley India New Delhi Mission

was born and raised in southern Alberta, Canada. I While typically a beautiful country in the summer months, the winters can be terrible. A terrible day in Calgary could include one meter of new snow on the ground, icy roads, and temperatures as low as -50 °C­ with a biting windchill. For all those who live in Mumbai or Chennai, I have little sympathy. Also for those of us living in New Delhi who often complain about our two months of cold winter, this is noth- ing compared to what we see in Canada. There are two other complica- tions to Canadian weather which I wish to discuss today: 1. Extended periods of cold weather—I have seen snow fall during every month of the year, including the summer months. 2. Temperature changes—It is not uncommon to see the temperatures increase or decrease by 20 degrees in a matter of hours. This is often caused by what is called a “Chinook wind.” As seen in the attached Coimbatore 2nd Branch Primary pictures, a thick, dense cloud appears, a strong wind begins to blow, and up comes the temperature in a dramatic manner. make trouble, I ask myself, ‘Where is your anger?’ Anyone who has lived through these events will tell you that they are “I conclude my testimony that I know and I spectacular to watch and that the warm weather lifts everyone’s spirits. It believe Savior loves us and that to show His love becomes a welcome change. to the children, He called each one of us into As we begin a new year, I wonder if we need to create our own this calling. Of these things I joyfully testify in personal Chinook wind. We need to ask ourselves if we need to make the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.” a dramatic change in our lives that will, like the Chinook winds, Sister Roses Anitha Brigith, Primary president, • Warm us from a cold deep freeze in our lives. Coimbatore Third Branch, “I have been serving as • Allow us to see a brighter day. branch Primary president for three years. Through • Encourage us that a change is a welcome blessing. • Teach us that change can really happen. this calling, I have learned a lot of patience, which is also helpful in my family. I have learned to treat I have always been impressed with examples found in the Book of Mormon regarding change. For example, the story of Laban (see my children with love and patience because of 1 Nephi 4) states that Nephi was asked to do something that he had my experience from the calling. I love to serve in never done before. He said, “never at any time . . .” and “I shrunk . . .” the Primary. I know Heavenly Father has prepared (1 Nephi 4:10). It was clear that he was being asked to do something me to receive this calling and to learn many things he did not want to do. from this calling.” ◼ We, like Nephi, are often asked to do things which require us to try Submitted by Sonia Kilbert, Coimbatore District Primary President something new or extend ourselves to do something that just doesn’t feel comfortable. If you read further in the chapter, you will learn of Coimbatore 3rd Branch Primary Zoram, who, when challenged to make an immediate change in his life, responds in the following way as recorded by Nephi: “Zoram did take courage at the words which I spake. . . . He promised that he would go down into the wilderness unto our father. Yea, he also made an oath unto us that he would tarry with us from that time forth” (1 Nephi 4:35). Moving to the wilderness doesn’t sound like much fun in the beginning, but the act ultimately blessed the lives of all who were willing to respond to a call for change. Notice that Zoram made an oath or promise when he was asked to change. These sorts of commitments act as a strength in our lives as we respond to the call for change. ◼ ENGLISH—INDIA

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