THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • APRIL 2007 COVER STORY A Personal Witness ofof thethe Savior,Savior, p.14 p.14 History of the Tabernacle, p. 24 Three Messages to Young Adults, p. 34 Branching Out on Your Family Tree, p. 44 Consider the Children, by Carol B. Johnson This quilt from the Seventh International Art Competition reminds us to consider the children as we read of the mission of Elijah in Doctrine and Covenants 2:2–3: “And [Elijah] shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at [the Lord’s] coming.” APRIL 2007 Contents VOLUME 37 • NUMBER 4 14 THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • APRIL 2007 COVER STORY A Personal Witness of the Savior, p.14 History of the Tabernacle, p. 24 Three Messages to Young Adults, p. 34 Branching Out on Your Family Tree, p. 44 4 9 ON THE COVER MESSAGES FEATURE ARTICLES Front: Why Weepest Thou, by Simon Dewey, may not be copied. FIRST PRESIDENCY Mother, Come Home Back:Photograph by Matthew Reier. MESSAGE 9 SHAUNA BIRD DUNN Enriching Your Marriage The job offer was everything I had ever hoped for—but I have 4 PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST learned that I am happiest when I follow the Lord’s plan for There are no simple, easy my life rather than my own agenda. answers to the challenging and complex questions of Gospel Classics: The Sacrament—and the Sacrifice happiness in marriage, but 14 ELDER DAVID B. HAIGHT several key practices can Our most valuable worship experience in the sacrament contribute to enriching a meeting is the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, for it pro- husband-wife relationship. vides the opportunity to focus our minds and hearts upon the Savior and His sacrifice. VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE He Will Give You Rest DENNIS L. McDANIEL Caring for the Poor 22 and Needy I felt Susie’s remorse and desire to change, and I desperately 53 wanted to help her. At that moment, the answer came clearly. 32 34 The Great Tabernacle: The Extraordinary Life of Parley P. Pratt 24 A Building of Purpose and Spirit 56 MATTHEW J. GROW Although seeing the Tabernacle on Temple Square is A farmer, a preacher, an author, a traveler, a merchant, and impressive, knowing its history gives us an appreciation an Apostle of Jesus Christ, Parley P. Pratt exhibited devotion to we cannot get by merely visiting. the Savior throughout his life. They Lived What They Believed The Example of One 32 ARIEL A. TORAYA 62 ELDER BRUCE C. HAFEN My friend was persistent in inviting me to Church activities. The gospel was everything to Wendy Knaupp, so my mission- I felt I couldn’t keep refusing him, but could I fit in among ary experience with her means everything to me. the Latter-day Saints? Lessons from a Clogged Sink Three Messages to Young Adults 65 HEIDI CAMP 34 ELDER EARL C. TINGEY How often do we put off personal repentance because we Being active in the Church, preparing well for your future, worry about what others will think? and being sealed to a spouse for time and all eternity can help you discover the joy that is the promise of the gospel. Confirming the Call 68 A. WAYNE BAKER Sealed on Earth, Sealed in Heaven I struggled to find out who should serve as our secretary, and 40 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers finally the answer came. There was no mistake—this was the something no other religion can offer—the sealing of families man the Lord wanted. together through the power of the priesthood in holy temples. Branching Out on Your Family Tree 44 GEORGE D. DURRANT DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? When we perform temple ordinances for our own family The Ensign welcomes submissions that show the gospel of Jesus members—including those who aren’t our direct ancestors— Christ at work in the lives of Latter-day Saints. This month we invite the time we spend will have deeper meaning in our lives. you to share what you have learned about the spiritual and physi- cal benefits of living the Word of Wisdom. How have you been Sunbeam Smiles blessed by eating right, exercising, and taking care of your body? CONSTANCE PALMER LEWIS 48 Please label submissions “Word of Wisdom” and send them by May15 to Those eight wonderful Sunbeam smiles brightened every [email protected] or Ensign Editorial, 50 E. North Temple Street, Room Sunday for me. Then I realized that their smiles could bless 2420, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, USA. Include your name, address, others too. telephone number, e-mail address, and ward and stake (or branch and district). Writers’ guidelines: Information about publication criteria is located online. From www.lds.org, select “Gospel Library,” then “Magazines,” then “Ensign.” The Letter I Didn’t Receive Under “Resources,” click on Ensign Magazine Writers’ Guidelines. Due to the 54 NAME WITHHELD volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt. Authors whose work My roommate showed me that the greatest gift we can give is selected for publication will be notified. If you would like your manuscript, photos, art, or other material returned, please include a self-addressed, someone who is suffering isn’t advice—it’s sharing the pain stamped envelope. and making it easier to carry. 2 APRIL 2007 VOLUME 37 • NUMBER 4 AN OFFICIAL 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: Don L. Searle 54 19 Assistant Managing Editor: LaRene Porter Gaunt Senior Editors: Linda Stahle Cooper, LATTER-DAY SAINT Michael R. Morris, Judith M. Paller USING THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS Assistant Editor: Melissa Merrill Expanding family history 70 VOICES Editorial Staff: Susan Barrett, Ryan Carr, research. After reading about LESSONS FROM Powerful hymn lyrics, prepa- Monica L. Dickinson, Jenifer L. Greenwood, THE NEW TESTAMENT R. Val Johnson, Adam C. Olson descendancy research (p. 44), ration from the Holy Ghost, Editorial Intern: Erin Marie Pitcher and a surprise phone call. Senior Secretary: Christy Banz visit www.familysearch.org and The Joy of Publications Assistant: Sally J. Odekirk Repentance click on the Search tab. Resources 19 Marketing Manager: Larry Hiller ELDER CRAIG C. CHRISTENSEN RANDOM listed in the left navigation pane SAMPLER Managing Art Director: M. M. Kawasaki of this page are useful in ancestry When we understand that 74 Art Director: J. Scott Knudsen being filled with joy involves Staying prepared, involving Senior Designers: C. Kimball Bott, research; they also provide infor- Colleen Hinckley being filled with the Holy children who spend time in Design and Production Staff: mation to help find descendants Cali R. Arroyo, Collette Nebeker Aune, Ghost, we realize that true two households, and sharing in other branches of your family. Thomas S. Child, Eric P. Johnsen, happiness comes from relatives’ stories in family Jane Ann Peters, Randall J. Pixton, Teaching through living. repenting of our sins and home evening. Scott Van Kampen Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick Several articles in this month’s living worthy of the Spirit. Distribution Director: Randy J. Benson NEWS OF THE issue deal with the power of ex- © 2007 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. ample. In the last paragraph on Quiet Stirrings 76 CHURCH All rights reserved.The Ensign (ISSN of the Heart 0884-1136) is published monthly by The page 64, Elder Bruce L. Hafen 50 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BISHOP H. DAVID BURTON pleads with members to intro- 50 E. North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, I have had many experi- UT 84150-3220, USA. Periodicals Postage duce someone to the Church. Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. ences that have strengthened COMING IN MAY Prayerfully consider ways you To subscribe: By phone, call 1-800-537- my faith, some of them dra- Addresses from the 177th Annual 5971 to order using Visa, MasterCard, might share your beliefs with Discover Card, or American Express. matic. But most often faith General Conference Online, go to ldscatalog.com. By mail, someone you know, keeping comes as the Spirit speaks to send $10 U.S. check or money order to in mind the power of example. Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt our spirits. Lake City, UT 84126-0368. Carrying others’ burdens. To change address: Send both old and new address information to Distribution Read “The Letter I Didn’t Services at the above address. Please allow Receive” (p. 54), and reflect 60 days for changes to take effect. on a time you have been gen- GOSPEL TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE The Ensign can be found on the Internet at www.lds.org, under Gospel Library. uinely comforted by someone Atonement, 14, 22, 65, 71, 72 Fast Offerings, 53 Prayer, 68, 73 Text and visual material in the Ensign may who was willing to share your Callings, 68 Friendship, 32 Preparedness, 74 be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.