THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JANUARY 2005 Cover Story: Artists Depict the First Vision, p. 14 Doctrine and Covenants Times at a Glance, p. 20 Singles Happiness, p. 36 President David O. McKay, p. 40 MAY NOT BECOPIED NOT MAY The Good Samaritan, by Meridene Grant “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves . [who left] him half dead. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him” (Luke 10:30, 33). JANUARY 2005 • VOLUME 35, NUMBER 1 2 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Pursue the Steady Course President Gordon B. Hinckley 8 Allegiance to God Elder D. Todd Christofferson 14 The First Vision: Searching for the Truth Ronald O. Barney 20 Doctrine and Covenants Times at a Glance, Chart 1: Sections 1–64 24 GOSPEL CLASSICS The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants Allegiance President Ezra Taft Benson 8 to God 29 MESSAGES FROM THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS Broken Car, Broken Dreams? Elder Clate W. Mask Jr. 32 Confidence and Self-Worth Elder Glenn L. Pace 36 Singular Happiness My Classroom Kimberly D. Nelson A Different Path Rebecca M. Taylor 40 David O. McKay: Ambassador of the Faith Wade Murdock 47 Gratitude S. Michael Wilcox 48 STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY Created in the Image of God, Male and Female 50 Falling Out of Love . Doctrine and and Climbing Back In 20 Covenants Times Name Withheld at a Glance 54 The Deacons Quorum 56 Becoming a Deacon Laury Livsey 57 The Lesson I Remember Best 62 When a Loved One Struggles with Addiction Corrie Lynne Player 67 VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE Rejoice in the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ 68 LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES The First Vision: 72 RANDOM SAMPLER 14 Searching Falling Out 74 NEWS OF THE CHURCH for the Truth 50 of Love . and Climbing Back In COVER: If Any of You Lack Wisdom, by Walter Rane AN OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH Rebecca M. Taylor, Roger Terry, Monica Weeks TO CHANGE ADDRESS: Send both old and new address OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS information to Distribution Services at the above address. MANAGING ART DIRECTOR: M. M. Kawasaki Please allow 60 days for changes to take effect. THE FIRST PRESIDENCY: Gordon B. Hinckley, ART DIRECTOR: J. Scott Knudsen Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust DESIGN AND PRODUCTION STAFF: C. 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Searle TO SUBSCRIBE: By phone, call 1-800-537-5971 to order When a Loved POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Distribution Services, EDITORIAL STAFF: Collette Nebeker Aune, Susan Barrett, using Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. 62 One Struggles Linda Stahle Cooper, Marvin K. Gardner, LaRene Gaunt, Express. Online, go to ldscatalog.com. By mail, send Sara R. Porter, Jenifer L. Greenwood, Carrie Kasten, $10 U.S. check or money order to Distribution Services, CANADA POST INFORMATION: Publication Agreement with Addiction Sally J. Odekirk, Adam C. Olson, Judith M. Paller, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368. #40017431 2 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Pursue the Steady Course BY PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY he days of which our forebears spoke that marvelous event is true, that God the are upon those of us who live in this, Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ T the beginning of the 21st century. spoke with him on that occasion in a conver- These are days of prophecy fulfilled; and sation as real and personal and intimate as I, with you, am grateful to be a part of this he described. I raise my voice in testimony vibrant, marvelous work which is affecting that Joseph was a prophet and that the work for good so many people in so many parts brought forth through his instrumentality is of the world. the work of God. This growth is not a victory of men; it is a I have grown to appreciate a summary manifestation of the power of God. I hope we by one of the Prophet’s associates of Joseph shall never be proud or boastful concerning Smith’s work and a statement of our obliga- Should we be it. I pray that we shall ever be humble and tion to advance it. These words, poetic in surprised if we are grateful. their beauty, were written by Elder Parley P. called upon to Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles endure a little Fruits of the First Vision in 1845, less than a year following Joseph’s criticism, to make This work began with a most remarkable death: some small sacrifice manifestation when the Father and the Son “He has organized the kingdom of for our faith when appeared to the boy Joseph Smith on a God.—We will extend its dominion. our forebears paid spring morning in the year 1820. All of the “He has restored the fulness of the so great a price for good we see in the Church today is the fruit Gospel.—We will spread it abroad. theirs? of that remarkable visitation, a testimony of “He has kindled up the dawn of a day which has touched the hearts of millions in of glory.—We will bring it to its meridian many lands. I add my own witness, given me splendour. ILLUSTRATED BY SAM LAWLOR BY ILLUSTRATED by the Spirit, that the Prophet’s description of “He was a ‘little one,’ and became a ENSIGN JANUARY 2005 3 thousand. We are a small one, and will become even see it among some of our own members a strong nation. who are led away by the sophistry of men. “In short, he quarried the stone . ; we will Writing of the Men everywhere seem to be groping as in cause it to become a great mountain and fill Prophet Joseph darkness, casting aside the traditions that were the whole earth.”1 Smith, Elder Parley P. the strength of our society yet unable to find a We are seeing the unfolding of that dream. I Pratt penned: “He new star to guide them. hope we shall be true and faithful to the sacred has organized the I recall the moral strength espoused by a trust given us to build this kingdom. Our effort kingdom of God.— Japanese government official who spoke during will not be without sorrow and setbacks. We We will extend its the dedication of the Church pavilion at the may expect opposition, both determined and dominion. He has Expo ’70 world’s fair in Japan. He warmly com- sophisticated. restored the fulness plimented the Church on its participation in of the Gospel.— that exposition and deplored the waning influ- Our Best Defense We will spread ence of religion in the lives of the people of his As the work grows, we may expect a it abroad.” own nation, with a consequent deterioration of strengthening of the efforts of the adversary standards and ideals. against it. Our best defense is the quiet offense of allegiance It appears to be so everywhere. Some time ago I read to the teachings which have come to us from those whom a provocative article by Barbara W. Tuchman, a Pulitzer we have sustained as prophets of God. Prize–winning historian. Said she: “When it comes to The Prophet Joseph Smith gave us instruction pertinent leaders we have, if anything, a superabundance—hundreds to the situation in which we find ourselves. Said he: “Go in of Pied Pipers . —ready and anxious to lead the popula- all meekness, in sobriety, and preach Jesus Christ and Him tion. They are scurrying around, collecting consensus, crucified; not to contend with others on account of their gathering as wide an acceptance as possible. But what faith, or systems of religion, but pursue a steady course. they are not doing, very notably, is standing still and say- This I delivered by way of commandment; and all who ing, ‘This is what I believe.