In Other COMMENT Stunning Article on Church Magazines the Bible he article in the THE NEW ERA TAugust 2011 issue on the 400th anni- versary of the King New Christmas Song “It’s Been a Great Ride” So Jerell began waking up at 4:30 a.m. The Power of a Jerell C., 17, of Kansas didn’t have any and biking an hour to the building where the James Bible [page major interest in religion. But when David class was held. He continued doing so—even Mateos, a Latter-day Saint Jerell knew from through bad weather—for four months. At both work and school, persisted in inviting that point, a member began giving him rides. Need a new Christmas song for your him to church, Jerell decided he shouldn’t It didn’t always come easily, he admits. After David M. keep turning his friend down. He agreed to “There were mornings I just didn’t want to (below) invited attend one Sunday. get on that bike,” he says. “It was dark out- Jerell C. (left) to 40] was a highlight By Melissa Merrill People in David’s ward were kind and side, so I worried about drivers seeing me.” church numerous FriendChurch Magazines welcoming, and Jerell felt at home. Before But he persisted anyhow, praying for times, Jerell finally long, he was attending church with the strength as he rode or singing hymns to decided to go. family to learn this season? Turn to “Softy Mateos family every Sunday. One thing led to focus his mind elsewhere. “I knew I couldn’t another, and after meeting with the mission- quit,” he says. aries and gaining a testimony of the Book of Jerell attributes his consistency to help for me. It was so Mormon, Jerell received permission from his from Heavenly Father, a great class of family to join the Church. David baptized him students, a dedicated Falls the Evening Light” on page 14 for a July 5, 2009. teacher, and opportuni- But that’s just the beginning of Jerell’s ties to socialize with them. story. He learned about early-morning “We were good friends seminary. He knew a little bit about it from outside of class as well,” says clearly and concisely David—David had talked to him about mem- Jerell. The payoff? At a scripture- orizing scriptures, for example—but Jerell mastery-related competition at the end new song by Janice Kapp Perry. had never been there before. And going of the school year, Jerell took first place. would present more than a few challenges. Of course, that’s just a side perk. “I never For one thing, it began at 5:30 a.m. For expected to win the seminary bowl,” admits presented through another, David, who had been with Jerell Jerell. “The blessings have just poured in for at every step of learning about the gospel, me as a new convert. I have found comfort had already graduated from high school in the scriptures and good friends in the and would no longer be attending seminary. Church. It’s been a great ride—literally.” And—perhaps the most daunting obstacle— Jerell didn’t have a way to get there. “Help Me Find Something That the charts, map, and That didn’t stop him, however. “I wanted Will Make Me Truly Happy” to learn more about the scriptures,” he Ashley P., 16, attended church in another says. Although he had studied the Book of faith for the first six or seven years of her life. Singing of the Savior’s Birth Jerell and Ashley, both of Kansas, had their lives changed—each Mormon reading assignments the mission- Then her parents stopped going. Still, they aries had given him, even taking notes and taught her about Heavenly Father and because a friend wasn’t afraid sharing his thoughts with the elders, he the power of prayer, so photographs. I finally to speak up about the gospel of knew there was still a lot to learn, and sem- she grew up Jesus Christ. inary, it seemed, was the most obvious way PhotograPhs by Melissa Merrill and courtesy of david Mateos of david PhotograPhs by Melissa Merrill and courtesy In “Finding a Message in the Music” to do it. 10 New Era December 2011 11 understood who the on page 24, a youth group reports on scholars and trans- Bringing a Friend to Church the profound experiences they had lators were and the Two sets of friends in Kansas City became while putting on the musical Savior part they played in united in the gospel when one friend was not of the World. They found that acting bringing forth the afraid to talk to the other about the Church. and singing of the Savior’s birth added Bible. I have read The welcome the friends felt at church motivated to their testimonies and helped them about these heroes them to learn more. Read their story in “The better understand the special season of before, but now I am Power of a Friend” on page 10. His birth. motivated to learn more about their THE FRIEND lives. From front to back, this issue was THE AR TICLES Memorizing the Articles of Faith FAITH OF atter-day Saints wonderful. Thank of The Church of Jesus Christ of l Have your children been learning you for an excellent, 9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that ARTICLE OF eternal Father, and FA e believe in God, the ITH He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet the Articles of Faith this year? Help reveal many great and important things pertaining to 13 Win His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing3 the Kingdom of God. good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul— 2 We believe that men will be punished for their israel and own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression. 10 We believe in the literal gathering of We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and inspiring read. in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of 3 We believe that through the Atonement of new Jerusalem) will be built upon the American Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. them memorize the thirteenth article continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive 4 We believe that the first principles and ordil-ord its paradisiacal glory. nances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lyn Thomas, Oregon, USA baptism by 11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty Play Articles of verything that is good in this world is part of Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, laying Faith Memory Quest God according to the dictates of our own conscience, E the gospel of Jesus Christ. We should follow the - at lds.org/friend. immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, teachings of Jesus and try to be better and more like of faith by completing the activity on and allow all men the same privilege, let them wor on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Him. When we keep our promises, tell the truth, and ship how, where, or what they may. We believe that a man must be called of God, by help others, we are following the teachings of Jesus. 5 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who 12 Fill in the right words from the thirteenth article rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer of faith. sustaining the law. in the ordinances thereof. 1. Alexander knows that when he tells the truth he is page 23 of the December Friend. Use We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benev- being h____________. 6 We believe in the same organization that existed 13 olent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, 2. Joshua knows The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul— pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. Saints is t_________. We believe all things, we hope all things, we have 3. When Akiko thinks pure thoughts and says clean 7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, rev- endured many things, and hope to be able to endure words, she is being c___________. the Articles of Faith poster on page CORRECTION elation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, all things. if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or 4. When Jonathan is kind and caring for others, he is being and so forth. of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these b____________________. ible to be the word of God as far We believe the b things. 8 book 5. When Sophia thinks and acts in righteous ways, she is as it is translated correctly; we also believe the being v_______________. of Mormon to be the word of God. Joseph Smith. 6. When Manuel helps his parents, sister, brother, 22 to review each of the articles with he photograph teachers, or friends, he is d_________ g_________. 7. Rebecca is a child of God. This is a truth she b_________.