THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JUNE 2003 Successful Family Home Evenings, p. 7 Family Councils, p. 14 TION, INC. TION, ©PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIA ©PACIFIC The Woman Taken in Adultery, by Harry Anderson The scribes and Pharisees brought unto Jesus a woman taken in adultery and said the law demanded that she be stoned. “But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:6–7). JUNE 2003 • VOLUME 33, NUMBER 6 2 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Enriching Our Lives through Family Home Evening President James E. Faust 7 Successful Family Home Evenings 12 GOSPEL CLASSICS Family Home Evening: Counsel and a Promise First Presidency of the Church, 1915 14 Family Councils Elder M. Russell Ballard and his wife, Barbara Family Home 20 Injured in the Wilderness Reed Tucker Successful 12 Evening: Counsel 23 How Could I Serve? Shirley Schardine Family Home and a Promise 24 The Cost of Riches 7 Evenings Elder Lynn G. Robbins 29 PARABLES OF JESUS The Lost Coin Elder J. Kent Jolley 32 Words of Jesus: On the Cross Elder Alain A. Petion 36 ON SITE Blooming with Beauty 44 A Rock-Solid Foundation for Marriage Brent A. Barlow Family Councils 50 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 14 Creative ways for married couples to continue their courtship 52 Our Struggle to “Be Fruitful” Alan D. Harrison 56 Singular Living 61 VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE Prepare Youth to Meet Opposition in the World 62 It’s “Only” Violence Brad J. Bushman Parables of Jesus: 68 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES 29 The Lost Coin 72 RANDOM SAMPLER 74 NEWS OF THE CHURCH AN OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH Lisa Ann Jackson, Carrie Kasten, Sally J. Odekirk, American Express) may be placed by phone. 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Romney POSTMASTER: Send address changes to additional mailing offices. On Site: ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITORS: Don L. Searle, Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. Blooming Marvin K. Gardner TOSUBSCRIBE: Send $10 U.S. check or money order to 36 EDITORIAL STAFF: Collette Nebeker Aune, Susan Barrett, Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, CANADA POST INFORMATION: Publication Agreement With Beauty Linda Stahle Cooper, LaRene Gaunt, Jenifer L. Greenwood, UT 84126-0368. Credit card orders (Visa, MasterCard, #40017431 Enriching Our Lives through Family Home Evening BY PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST Second Counselor in the First Presidency s a young man I heard President that selfishness and instant gratification are J. Reuben Clark (1871–1961), a acceptable and even respectable conduct. A member of the First Presidency, The tragic consequences of alcoholism have plead time after time that there be unity in exploded and been magnified by other forms the Church. He would quote frequently the of drug abuse. The sexual revolution has message of the Lord: “I say unto you, be one; been crippling to the spiritual, mental, and and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C physical health of families. 38:27). Unity in the Church will always be a Why is one family strong, yet another family reflection of the unity in our homes. One of weak? The reasons are infinitely complex. Yet the most important ways to foster unity in there are answers. Abundant evidence shows the home is holding family home evening that the presence of a firm, loving father in the Devotion to God regularly. Whether we are young or old, home is far more likely to produce respon- developed in family single or married, whether we have children sible, law-abiding children than if the father is home evening seems at home or have become empty nesters, not there or if he does not fulfill his duties as to forge the spiritual family home evening can increase unity and a father at home. In either case an ineffective moorings and TH love in our homes. Family home evening is father throws a double burden on the mother. stability that can for everyone. The active presence of the father in the help families and home—along with one or both of the parents individuals cope Stable, Strong Families being active in church and with discipline and with the complexities One wonders why so many homes are gospel teaching in the home—seems to pro- of life. now being weakened and why so many fami- duce stable, strong families. lies are disintegrating. The reasons are com- When I hear of a family breaking up, I UCH; RIGHT: DON BUSA BY PHOTOGRAPH plex. No doubt it has much to do with the question if family home evening and family social disorders of the day. We are all sub- prayers have been regularly held in that jected to sparkling, enticing, false advertising. home. Surely, the most important ingredient Violence is powerfully portrayed everywhere. in producing happiness at home for mem- LEFT: PHYLLIS L BY ILLUSTRATION Our society is permeated with the suggestion bers of this Church is a deep religious ENSIGN JUNE 2003 3 commitment to God and His gospel. In family found in drugs and alcohol to make us home evening, such commitment can be nur- capable of meeting life’s problems. We need tured in children by the wise, mature super- ime together only draw constantly from the divine power vision of parents. Couples can strengthen and is precious–– source through humble prayer. sustain each other in living and understand- T time needed It often takes a seemingly superhuman ing gospel principles. Single members can to encourage and effort to get everyone together for family gather under the direction of their priesthood to show how to do home evening. You may not always feel like leaders in small groups for gospel discussions things. praying when you finally do get together, but and appropriate activities. Devotion to God it will pay great dividends if you persevere. developed in these settings seems to forge 2. Sing or listen to sacred music. Church the spiritual moorings and stability that can hymns and children’s songs can invite the help families and individuals cope with the Holy Spirit into family home evening. The complexities of life. Some may say this is an Lord has said that “the song of the righteous oversimplification of a very complex problem, yet I is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a bless- believe the answers lie within the framework of the ing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12). restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 3. Study the scriptures. All of us need the strength that comes from reading the scriptures. Parents must obtain a Family Home Evening Builds Unity knowledge of the standard works to teach them to their May I suggest ways to strengthen our commitment to children. Those who lead family home evening discussions Y MODELS God and build unity and love during our family home should be adequately prepared to use the scriptures in the evenings: lesson. A child who has been taught from the scriptures 1. Pray. The source of our enormous individual and has a priceless legacy. We are all fortified when we become family strength is no mystery. It is an endowment from God. acquainted with the heroic figures and stories of the We need not consume scriptures, such as Daniel in the lions’ den, David and . KELLY; ALL PHOTOGRAPHS POSED B ALL PHOTOGRAPHS . KELLY; addicting chemicals Goliath, Nephi, Helaman and the stripling warriors, and all the others. 4. Work together and serve others. Children need to learn to work. Every household has routine daily chores for which children can be responsible.