Rescuing Lost

lack of lamb-herding experience that

Lambs

the frightened lamb would be glad

to see me; after all, I had the best of

By Elder Donald J. Keyes

intentions. I was there to save its life!

Area Seventy, Utah North Area

But to my disappointment, the lamb

Years ago in the was afraid and totally unappreciative of early spring, my

my efforts to save it. As I approached

an unappreciative, less-active neigh-

wife and I had occa-

it, the little soul ran away from me as

bor. I hope so! “How much then is a

sion to drive through

fast as it could along the fence. Seeing

man better than a sheep?” the Savior

beautiful Star Valley,

my plight, Jackie got out of the car to

asked (Matthew 12:12). In every

Wyoming, USA. It

help. But even together we could not

branch, ward, and stake are lost and

was a wonderful spring morning,

outmaneuver the quick little lamb.

endangered lambs.

and the landscapes and scenery were

At this point the couple in the

Replacing the word work with

inspiring.

backseat, who had been thoroughly

rescue in the hymn “Have I Done Any

As Jackie and I drove into Star

enjoying the rodeo, piled out of the

Good?” I invite you to consider its

Valley, we enjoyed seeing an occa-

car and joined in the rescue attempt.

application in saving lost lambs:

sional flock of sheep sprinkled with

With all of our efforts we finally

There are chances for rescue all

dozens of baby lambs. Few things are corralled the frightened little lamb around just now,

more endearing than a baby lamb.

against the fence. As I reached down

Opportunities right in our way.

As we drove down the busy road,

to pick him up in my clean traveling

Do not let them pass by, saying,

we saw a small lamb outside the

clothes, I quickly noticed that he had

“Sometime I’ll try,”

fence near the roadside. It was franti-

the distinct aroma of the barnyard. It

But go and do something today.  1

cally running back and forth against

was then that I began to wonder, is

the fence, trying to get back to the

this effort really worth it?

Our neighbors may seem un-

flock. I surmised that this little lamb

As we picked up the lamb and

appreciative, frightened, or unin-

was small enough to have pressed

lifted him over the fence to safety, he

terested in being rescued. And our

through an opening in the fence but

fought and kicked with all his might.

efforts to rescue them may take time,

was now unable to return.

But within moments he had found his

effort, energy, and the support and

I was confident that if we didn’t

mother and was pressed tightly and

help of others. But this effort will be

stop to rescue the lamb, it would even-

safely against her side. With our cloth-

rewarded with eternal blessings. As

tually wander into the nearby road

ing a little disheveled but with great sat-

the Lord has promised, if we bring

and be injured or killed. I stopped the

isfaction and peace that we had made

“save it be one soul unto [Him], how

car and said to Jackie and our travel-

the right choice, we went on our way.

great shall be [our] joy with him in the

ing companions in the backseat, “Wait

I have reflected on that experience

kingdom of [our] Father” (D&C 18:15).

here; this will take just a moment.”

several times since. I wonder if we

NotE

I naturally assumed with my total

would give that kind of effort to save

1. See “Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns, no. 223.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

47

SHE WoulDn’t GivE up

on ME

By Sonya Konstans

When I joined the Church in 1990,

I was friendshipped by great

families, was given a calling, and felt that

I belonged. But a year later, after moving

to a new ward, I began to drift away. I

stopped attending meetings and started

dating a man who was not a member of

the Church.

I still believed the Church was true. I

just didn’t think I was good enough for it

anymore. Then Kathy was assigned as my

visiting teacher.

Kathy called every month for the

first few months to try to schedule an

appointment. Because I always dodged her

visits, she started mailing me the Visiting

Teaching Message instead. Every month

the message would arrive like clockwork.

This went on for four years, even after I

married my boyfriend and we had two

children.

Exercising

Compassion

By Elder Robert D. Hales

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

In the parable of the

lost sheep, the shep-

herd went after the lost

sheep and searched

until he found it. He

then returned, rejoic-

K richards

ing (see Luke 15:4–7).

by J. Kir

In the parable of the lost coin, the

widow lit a candle, which gave light,

Lost Coin,

Some months I would throw the

to come to church anymore, that my

message away unread; other months I

sins had been too great. I felt bad that

would read it and then throw it away.

Kathy had to convey this message to

When my marriage failed, I found

me, but I knew it was true. I had no

myself with a toddler and an infant to

place among the righteous. I couldn’t

raise alone. I suddenly needed answers.

call her back, but the next evening she

When my monthly Visiting Teaching

called me again.

Message arrived again, I decided to

“I want to apologize,” she said.

attend church for the first time in ages.

Why would Kathy possibly need to

I felt so awkward, as if all my sins

apologize to me?

were written upon my sleeve. A sister

“I didn’t recognize you when I saw

I had known in the young single adult

you at church on Sunday,” she said.

a better mother, a better member of the

program welcomed me, and we sat

“After sacrament meeting, I asked the

Church, and a better visiting teacher.

down together. Suddenly here came

sister you were sitting by who you

She always listened patiently, without

Kathy. I looked away, embarrassed that

were. By then you had already left.

judging, just as I feel the Savior would.

I had not answered any of her kind

It was so good to see you.”

Kathy sat beside me the day I

notes. She smiled at me, chatted with

I was dumbfounded.

received my endowment and the

my neighbor for a moment, and then

“I hope we can sit together the next

day I married my new husband in

sat with her husband.

time you come to church,” Kathy added.

the temple. She remained my visiting

When I got home from work the

“I’d like that,” I said, suddenly feel-

teacher until we moved from the area.

next day, there was a message from

ing overcome with emotion.

Her service blessed my family in ways

Kathy on the answering machine. I

We did sit together the next

I’m sure she never could have imagined

couldn’t call her back. I just knew she

Sunday—and for many Sundays after

—all because she wouldn’t give up

wanted to tell me that I wasn’t allowed

that. She served as my inspiration to be

on me.

and swept every corner to find the

in activating members. For 80 years

SoulS

coin. She rejoiced upon finding it

Swindon had been a branch with

to Save

(see Luke 15:8–10).

a faithful few and with many good

“Along your

Both of these parables are exam-

members becoming less active.

pathway of life

ples of action taken to search, light up

Don and Marian wrote: “Our first

you wil observe

that you are not

the darkness, and sweep until a trea-

visit to Swindon Branch was a bit dis-

the only traveler.

sured possession or lost soul is found

heartening as we met with the Saints

There are others who need your

and returned to a rejoicing home.

in a cold, rented hall. The congrega-

help. There are feet to steady,

A good example of compassion

tion numbered 17, including President

hands to grasp, minds to encour-

and service making a difference is

and Sister Hales and 4 missionaries.

age, hearts to inspire, and souls

the example of Don and Marian

Still wearing our winter coats, we all

to save.”

Summers. While serving in England,

huddled around a small, inadequate

President Thomas S. Monson, “How Firm

a Foundation,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov.

they were asked to serve the last

heater while we listened to a Sunday

2006, 68.

six months of their mission in the

School lesson.”

Swindon Branch to teach and assist

The letter continued: “A branch

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

49

beautiful plant of chrysanthemums

that “wickedness never was happi-

and had it delivered to the young

ness” [Alma 41:10], and he “came to

couple. It was a simple note: ‘We love

himself” (Luke 15:17). He eventually

you; we miss you; we need you. Please realized whose son he was, and he come back.’ Signed, Swindon Ward.

yearned to be reunited with his father.

“The next Sunday was fast and tes-

His arrogant, selfish disposition

timony meeting and our last Sunday

gave way to humility and a broken

in Swindon. There were 103 members heart and contrite spirit as he con-in attendance, compared to 17 six

fessed to his father: “I have sinned

member approached me one day:

months before. The young couple was against heaven, and in thy sight, and

‘Elder Summers, can I give you a bit

there, and in bearing his testimony,

am no more worthy to be called thy

of advice? Never mention the word

the husband thanked the Swindon

son” (Luke 15:21). Gone were the

tithing to the Swindon members; they Ward for not giving up on them.”

adolescent rebellion, immature selfish-

really don’t believe in it, and all you

Each of us can have similar

ness, and relentless pleasure seeking,

will do is upset them.’”

experiences in our local wards and

and in their place was an embryonic

Brother Summers said: “We did

branches by working with and loving

disposition to do good continually.

teach tithing and all the other gospel

those who are less active. What a joy

Now, if we are completely honest with

principles. With example and the

it is to give “compassion, making a

ourselves, we will each confess that

encouragement of a branch president, difference” ( Jude 1:22) to those who there is or has been a bit of the prodi-there was a change of heart, and faith may be ready to find themselves and gal son in every one of us.

and activity started to increase. The

then want to come back.

Then there is the father. Some may

membership records were completely From “Some Have Compassion, Making a criticize him for having been overly

updated as we visited every member’s Difference,” Ensign, May 1987, 77; spelling indulgent in granting the younger

standardized.

home. When the leaders started car-

son’s request to “give me the portion

ing, the members began to respond,

of goods that falleth to me” (Luke

and a whole new spirit pervaded the

Welcoming

15:12). The father in the parable was

branch. The members became excited the Prodigal undoubtedly sensitive to the divine

again about the gospel and helping

principle of moral agency and free-

one another. . . .

By Elder Spencer J.

dom of choice, a principle over which

“One young couple had a difficult

Condie

the premortal War in Heaven had

Served as a member of

adjustment to make as their customs,

the Seventy from 1989

been waged. He was not inclined to

manners, and dress were different.

to 2010

compel his son to be obedient.

They became offended at suggestions

The parable of But this loving father never gave iir for changes. The couple twice wrote

the prodigal

up on his wayward son, and his un-

e © C

to the bishop [since by then it was a

son illustrates in bold relief a wide

relenting vigilance is confirmed in the kelley Pri ward] and asked to have their names

variety of human dispositions. First,

poignant narration that when the son

removed from the Church records.

there is the self-centered prodigal son “was yet a great way off, his father . . . by Clark In the last letter they forbade any of

unconcerned with anyone or any-

had compassion, and ran, and fell on

the members to visit them, so [we]

thing but himself. But, alas, after riot-

his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

went to the florist and purchased a

ous living he discovered for himself

Not only was there an open display of The Prodigal Son, 50 E n s i g n

out the hope to each one of us that a

loving Father in Heaven stands in the

roadway, as it were, anxiously await-

ing the arrival of each of His prodigal

children back home.

And now to the older, obedient son

who protested to his forgiving father:

“Lo, these many years do I serve thee,

neither transgressed I at any time thy

commandment: and yet thou never

gavest me a kid, that I might make

merry with my friends:

“But as soon as this thy

son was come, which hath

devoured thy living with har-

lots, thou hast killed for him

the fatted calf” (Luke 15:29–30).

Just as there may be an

element of the prodigal son in

each of us, it may also be the case

Care for

that every one of us is tainted with

the floCk

traits of the older son. The Apostle

“Ours is the

Paul described the fruit of the Spirit as

responsibility

“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gen-

to care for the

tleness, goodness, faith, meekness,

flock, for the

precious sheep,

[and] temperance” (Galatians 5:22–

these tender lambs, are every-

23). While it may well be that the

where to be found—at home

physical affection toward his son,

older son had, indeed, been obedient

in our families, in the homes of

but the father requested his servants

to his father, beneath the obedient

our extended families, and wait-

to give him a robe, shoes for his feet,

surface was seething subterranean

ing for us in our Church callings.

and a ring for his hand and instructed

self-righteousness and a disposition to

Jesus is our Exemplar. Said He,

‘I am the good shepherd, and

them to kill the fatted calf, joyfully

be judgmental, covetous, and totally

know my sheep’ (John 10:14).

declaring, “He was lost, and is found”

lacking in compassion. His life did

We have a shepherding respon-

(Luke 15:24).

not reflect the fruit of the Spirit, for

sibility. May we each step up to

Throughout the years, this father

he was not at peace but rather greatly

serve.”

had developed such a compassionate, distressed at what he perceived to be President Thomas S. Monson, “Heavenly

forgiving, loving disposition that he

a gross inequity of treatment. ◼

Homes, Forever Families,” Liahona, June 2006, 70; Ensign, June 2006, 102.

could do nothing else but love and

From a Brigham Young University devotional

forgive. This parable is a universal

address given on February 9, 2010; punctuation standardized. For the full text of the address in favorite for all of us because it holds

English, visit speeches.byu.edu.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

51

Lost and Found: Me

By Matthew Allen Bland

I was young

and adrift

As the rising sun gradually brightened the passing landscape, it faded my own reflection in the bus

 window—a rough character looking back at me. I

until a

was glad to see it go.

Latter-day

I’d spent another long night trying to sleep while yet Saint family

another bus carried me to another unknown place. For provided me

months this had been my life, stopping whenever my money with an

ran out, continuing on as soon as I’d pulled together enough anchor.

cash for a few burgers and a bus ticket. I had been drifting across the country like a lost soul.

When I stepped off the bus in West Yellowstone, Montana, USA, I had $12 and an empty stomach. I hadn’t seen a bar of soap or a razor for days, and every stitch of clothing I owned was as filthy as I was. Wishing for a hot shower, I tipped the brim of my hat against the wind and lit a cigarette. I must have looked distinctly disreputable.

52 E n s i g n

Lost and Found: Me

The Question

“Do you believe in God?” The

question came from the other side of

a king-sized bed where Dale was bend-

ing down to tuck in the drooping edge of

a fitted sheet.

I finished my side of the bed as I thought

about his query. “I guess so.”

“You go to church anywhere?”

“Not right now. God and I, we like to leave each

other alone.” I meant it as a wisecrack, but instead of laughing, Dale’s eyes looked a little sad behind his glasses.

“What about you?” I asked, feeling a little awkward.

“I’m LDS,” he answered.

Somehow, by the end of my second day in town, I

We were moving slowly around the room, cleaning as found a place to live and a job cleaning rooms at the we spoke. “Never heard of it,” I said. “What’s ‘LDS’ stand Branding Iron Motel. I was assigned to “shadow” another for?”

housekeeper for a couple of days while I learned the

“Latter-day Saints,” he answered. “The full name of the ropes. He was a clean-shaven, unassuming young man, church is actually The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day small in stature, with a kind heart and quiet nature. His Saints. You know, the Mormons.”

name was Dale Belnap. We seemed to have little in com-

“Isn’t that a kind of horse?” I asked.

mon besides our age, but we quickly became friends

“No,” he laughed, “you’re thinking of ‘Morgans.’”

regardless.

“Sorry,” I said, a little embarrassed.

Once I learned the ropes, housekeeping tasks became

“No problem.” He smiled. “You believe in God. Mind if I routine, so as we changed sheets and vacuumed floors, ask what you believe, exactly?”

russell

we talked to pass the time. I’m not sure how the conver-chard

sation found its way to the topic of religion, but about A New Frame of Reference

rI

halfway through our first day, Dale found courage to ask That’s how it began. Before the month was over, I had tIons by

me what turned out to be the most important question of taken the missionary discussions and was baptized. I remember standing waist-deep in the warm waters of the Illustra

my life.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

53

I sat on a fallen

tree near the

river’s bank as I

was confirmed

a member of

the Church. All

around me were

the smiling faces

of the members

of the local

Fire Hole River, dressed all in

Ellen already had a more accurate notion of who I was branch.

white and nervously eyeing the

than I did. She understood I was a child of our Father in small herd of buffalo grazing on Heaven. The missionaries had taught me this truth, but the far bank. Dale lowered me

childhood experience had obscured the full beauty of this into the water’s liquid embrace and raised me back into principle, keeping it from my realization until years later.

the living world.

Time passed, and even though Dale had left for his A few minutes later, dried and dressed in my best

mission, I became friends with several other members of clothes, I sat on a weathered fallen tree near the river’s Ellen’s family. Quick to love, they treated me more like a bank as I was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus brother than a friend. They seemed genuinely interested in Christ of Latter-day Saints. All around me were the smiling who I was. During the holidays, when I was most accus-faces of the members of the local branch. I’d only known tomed to feeling the poignant absence of family, Ellen and them for a little while, but already they’d given me accep-her children took care to help me feel as though I was part tance, fellowship, and friendship.

of theirs. They actually seemed rather fond of me, and at Also in attendance were several members of Dale’s fam-some point an odd notion occurred to me. Maybe—just ily, including his mother, Ellen. My own mother abandoned maybe—I wasn’t quite as worthless as I supposed.

me as a young child, and I possessed no frame of reference for Ellen’s selfless compassion. I found it confusing. Had Ellen

Dale led her to believe I was someone who deserved such More time passed, and Ellen became a powerful source kindness? After that first awkward hug, I decided I would of wisdom and love. When I found myself in need of tolerate my discomfort until she chose to have nothing counsel or a kind word, I could always find a stool in her more to do with me. I knew it wouldn’t take long.

kitchen, where she patiently listened while I poured out I was wrong.

the sadness and fear I carried. She washed dishes or rolled 54 E n s i g n

bread dough, and I sat on a stool, forearms resting on the counter.

“Are you excited”? she asked speaking of my mission call as she washed another plate and deposited it in the drainer beside the sink.

“I guess so,” I responded a little doubtfully.

In retrospect, I probably should have offered to finish She turned to look over her right shoulder at me. “You the dishes.

don’t sound very excited.”

“It’s not that I’m not excited, because I really am. I’m Harvest

not worried at all about my mission. God will take care of When I received my mission call to San Antonio, Texas, things. It’s just—”

USA, Ellen Belnap took me shopping and even bought me Ellen waited patiently, and I continued: “I’ve told you the shoes I would wear out over the course of the next how I drifted around for awhile before I met Dale. Well, I two years. Once I left, she wrote me consistently, offering don’t really want to return to that. When I come back from insight and encouragement that contributed a great deal to my mission, I won’t have a job or any money. Even if I had the wonderful experience that my mission became.

the cab fare to leave the airport, I wouldn’t have anywhere Because of the Belnaps, I had a place to return to to go. There’s no home to return to. No family. Nothing.” I and a family who welcomed me home. Their love gave shook my head in frustration. “I want to go, Ellen. I think me permission to stop punishing myself with loneliness.

I’d be a good missionary. But if I just walk away from my It no longer seemed necessary to keep running from job and my apartment, then what am I going to do when place to place. My eyes were open to a dizzying array of I get back? I’ll just end up homeless until I find something, possibilities.

and I don’t want that.” I looked up at her, hoping she’d Our Savior’s love blessed the Belnaps, and rather than understand.

keep that love to themselves, they chose to share it with I was apparently the one who didn’t get it.

me. Because of their love, strange ideas like college, mar-She turned off the water and began to dry her hands riage, and happiness began to creep into my mind. Before, as she turned to face me. “Matthew, that’s just silly.” There such notions had only existed as dreamy elements of other was something sad and a little incredulous in her expres-people’s lives, but now they actually seemed possible.

sion. “You have to know by now that we would never let Their love carried me into the Church, encouraged me as that happen. We will be here.”

a missionary, and taught me to believe in what I could be.

“You will?” I felt a little foolish. I was trying to figure Without their encouragement, I may never have served a out how this whole family thing worked. “Um, thanks,” I mission. Because I did, 40 other families were welcomed managed a little sheepishly. Ellen laughed and turned back into the warm embrace of the Savior’s Church, including the to the sink.

family that my wife and I are now raising in the gospel. ◼

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

55

G o s p e l C l a s s i C s

Strengthening

the Less Active

presidency, for the high council, for the bish-

All of us who lead in the wards

opric, for the patriarch, for the auxiliary lead-

and stakes must open the door to

ers. Indeed, we sometimes go to great lengths

the lost sheep; stand aside to let

to import speakers and participants—to the

them through.

loss of our hungry ones.

At a ward sacrament meeting I attended

By President Boyd K. Packer

recently, a sister had been invited to sing whose

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

husband was not active in the Church. He was,

however, at the meeting. The bishop wanted a

A

very special program for this occasion. His first

ctivity—the opportunity to serve and

announcement was: “Brother X, my first coun-

bear testimony—is like medicine. It

selor, will give the opening prayer.” His second

will heal the spiritually sick. It will

counselor gave the closing prayer.

strengthen the spiritually weak. It is a most

How unfortunate, I thought. The three men

necessary ingredient in the redemption of the

in the bishopric struggle with such concern over

lost sheep. Yet there is a tendency, almost a

the spiritually sick, then take the very

programmed tendency, to give opportunities

medicine that would make those people

for growth to those who are already over-

well—activity, participation—and consume

surfeited with activity. This kind of pattern,

it themselves in front of the needy!

evident in our stakes and wards, may keep

Some will say: “We must be careful with

the lost sheep out.

the weak among us. It is better not to call

When a home teacher brings a lost sheep

on them to pray or to bear testimony, for

to meetings, it is only a beginning of his being they will be frightened and repelled and found. Where can he be used for his spiritual

will leave us.” That is a myth! A commonly

benefit? Actually, there aren’t many places

accepted one, but a myth nevertheless! I

in which a leader can use a person who is

have asked bishops—hundreds of them—

struggling for worthiness. Unfortunately, it

whether they could certify to such a happen-

seems that those few situations in which we

ing in their personal experience. I have had

could use them—to offer prayers, to make

very few affirmative responses—in fact, all

brief responses, to bear testimony—are almost those bishops produced only one or two invariably reserved for the active: for the stake instances. So the risk is very small, whereas 56 E n s i g n

such an invitation may result in

a lost sheep being reclaimed.

Several years ago I visited a

stake presided over by a man

of unusual efficiency and ability.

Every detail of the stake con-

ference had been scheduled.

He had done the usual thing

in assigning prayers from the

selected circle of the stake

presidency, the high council,

the bishops, and the stake

patriarch. Those brethren

had not been notified, so

we changed the assignment

from those who deserved the

honor to those who needed

—desperately needed—the

experience.

The president had a detailed

agenda for the general ses-

sions, and he mentioned that

there were 20 minutes in one

session that were not scheduled.

I told him that we could call on

some to respond who otherwise

would not have the opportunity

and needed the strengthening

experience. He countered with

the suggestion that he alert

several able, prominent leaders

to prepare for possible speaking

assignments. “There will be many

nonmembers present,” he said.

“We are used to having an orga-

thorkelson

nized and very polished con-

ference performance. We have

bjorn

very able people in the stake.

tIons by

They will leave an excellent

Illustra

impression.”

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

57

Twice again during our meeting he men-

“Have you had any inspiration?” I asked. He

tioned the schedule and pressed to have the

said that he kept thinking of the mayor. (The

stake’s “best performers” called. “Why don’t

voters in that large city had elected a mem-

we save this time for those who need it most?” ber of the Church to be mayor, and he was in I said. His reaction was a disappointed, “Well, attendance.) When I told him we could have you are the General Authority.”

a greeting from the mayor, he whispered that

Early Sunday morning he reminded me that the man was not active in the Church. When there was still time to alert someone and thus

I suggested that he call upon him anyway, he

leave the best impression.

resisted, saying flatly that he was not worthy to

The morning session was opened by the

speak in that meeting. At my insistence, how-

president with a polished and stirring address. ever, he called the man to the stand.

Next we called on his second counselor. He

The mayor’s father had been a pioneer of

was obviously flustered. . . . (We had previ-

the Church in that region. He had served as

ously indicated that both counselors would

bishop of one of the wards and had been

probably speak in the afternoon session. We

succeeded by one of his sons—a twin to the

were to go to his home for the noon meal. He mayor, as I recall. The mayor was the lost had known there would be time to go over his sheep. He came to the pulpit and spoke, to notes, so he had left them at home.)

my surprise, with bitterness and with hostility.

For want of his notes, he turned to testimony, His talk began something like this: “I don’t giving an inspiring account of an administration know why you called on me. I don’t know he had performed during the week. A brother,

why I am in church today. I don’t belong in

given up by his doctors, had been called from

church. I have never fit in. I don’t agree with

the very shadows of death by the power of the

the way the Church does things.”

priesthood. I do not know what was on his

I confess that I began to worry, but he then

notes, but surely it could not have compared

paused and lowered his eyes to the pulpit.

in inspiration to the testimony he bore.

From then until his talk was over, he did not

An elderly woman sat on the front row,

look up. After hesitating, he continued: “I guess

holding hands with a weathered-looking man. I just as well tell you. I quit smoking six weeks She looked a bit out of place in the fashion-ago.” Then, shaking his fist in a gesture over his ably dressed congregation—rather homespun

head towards the congregation, he said, “If any

by comparison. She looked as if she ought to

of you think that’s easy, you have never suffered

talk in conference, and given the privilege, she the hell I have suffered in the last few weeks.”

reported her mission. Fifty-two years before,

Then he just melted. “I know the gospel is

she had returned from the mission field, and

true,” he said. “I’ve always known it was true.

since then she had never been invited to

I learned that from my mother as a boy.

speak in church. It was a touching and mov-

“I know the Church isn’t out of order,” he

ing witness that she bore.

confessed. “It’s me that’s out of order, and I’ve

Others were called upon to speak, and

always known that too.”

near the close of the meeting, the president

Then he spoke perhaps for all of the lost

suggested that I take the remainder of the time.

sheep when he pleaded: “I know it’s me that is

58 E n s i g n

G o s p e l C l a s s i C s

He nodded in affirmation and said: “Either

of them, given 5 minutes, would have pre-

sented a stirring 15- or 20-minute sermon to

the approval of all in attendance. But no lost

sheep would have been reclaimed.”

All of us who lead in the wards and stakes

must open the door to the lost sheep; stand

aside to let them through. We must learn not

to block the entrance. It is a narrow way.

Sometimes we assume the clumsy posture

of trying to pull them through the gate that

we ourselves are blocking. Only when we

have the spirit of lifting them, pushing them

before us, seeing them elevated above us,

do we have that spirit that will engender

testimony.

I wonder if that is what the Lord meant when

He said, “They that be whole need not a physi-

cian, but they that are sick” (Matthew 9:12).

I do not appeal for the lowering of stan-

dards. Just the opposite. More lost sheep will

We must learn not to block the entrance. It is a respond quicker to high standards than they

narrow way. Sometimes we assume the clumsy

will to low ones. There is therapeutic value in

spiritual discipline.

posture of trying to pull them through the gate Discipline is a form of love, an expression of

that we ourselves are blocking.

it. It is necessary and powerful in people’s lives.

When a toddler is playing near the road, we

wrong, and I want to come back. I have been

steer carefully around him. Few will stop and

trying to come back, but you won’t let me!”

see him to safety [and,] if necessary, discipline

Of course we would let him come back, but

him. That is, unless it is our own child or

somehow we hadn’t let him know that. After

grandchild. If we love them enough, we will

the meeting the congregation flooded up—not

do it. To withhold discipline when it would

to us but to him to say, “Welcome home!”

contribute to spiritual growth is evidence of

On the way to the airport after conference,

lack of love and concern.

the stake president said to me, “I’ve learned a

Spiritual discipline framed in love and

lesson today.”

confirmed with testimony will help redeem

Hoping to confirm it, I said, “If we had

souls. ◼

done what you wanted to do, you would have

Excerpt from an address given at a meeting for priesthood called on this man’s father, wouldn’t you, or

leaders on February 19, 1969. The full text can be found in Boyd K. Packer, Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled (1991), perhaps his brother, the bishop?”

12–21. Spelling, punctuation, and capitalization standardized.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

59

From Rescued

to Rescuer

My life was a downward spiral until I met a man who claimed to have the solution to my troubles.

By Betsy Doane

One evening in 1978, I was at On my most recent trip I climbed take away my family? I told the man the Logan Airport in Boston,

a pyramid in Tikal, Guatemala. There,

as much, and he responded that the

Massachusetts, USA, wait-

even though I was physically on a

God he believed in had made a way

ing for some friends to arrive. A man

high place, I remember feeling the

for me to be with my family again.

struck up a conversation with me, and lowest I’d felt in a long time. I couldn’t Now he had my attention.

we talked a little about our lives. I told live the way I’d been living anymore.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

him I had returned three months ear-

“God,” I said, “if You’re there, I need

“Have you heard of the Mormons?”

lier from a trip to Central America.

You to change my life.” I stood there

I didn’t know much about them, but

I had gone to escape the painful

for several minutes, silently pleading

the man proceeded to explain the

realities of my life, I told him. Nine years for help from a being I wasn’t sure was plan of salvation to me. And despite earlier my brother had died. The fol-real. When I climbed back down the

my initial disbelief, something about

lowing year my parents were killed in a

pyramid, I felt at peace. Nothing had

what he was sharing rang true.

car accident. A year later to the day, my

changed in my life, but somehow I felt

My new acquaintance and I

grandmother died. Within a short time,

that things were going to be all right.

exchanged phone numbers, and over

I had lost several of the most important

And so it was that three months later the next several months, we dated a people in my life. I was devastated.

I found myself telling all of this to the

bit. We also talked about the gospel.

I inherited a large sum of money

man at the airport. He listened patiently He gave me a copy of the Book of upon my parents’ death, and I used

and then asked if I knew that Jesus

Mormon, and we discussed it and other

it to try to escape my grief. I spent it

Christ had appeared in the Americas.

roger Motzkus

scriptures for hours over the phone. He

on expensive clothes, cars, drugs, and

At that time I still didn’t think much told me about Joseph Smith restoring tIon by

trips to faraway places.

of God. What kind of God would

the Church of Jesus Christ. It was an

Illustra

60 E n s i g n

amazing time of hope and growth.

given up so much in embracing the

but I felt as though I were gone too.

Our friendship waned a little bit,

gospel—including several friends who

After their deaths I no longer knew

but after several more weeks, my

thought I was crazy for showing inter-

who I was. Now I have found my iden-

friend told me he’d like to send some

est in the Mormon Church. I had per-

tity. I know that I am a child of God

friends to talk with me. The friends he sisted because I felt that the gospel was and that He knows me and loves me.

sent were, of course, the missionaries. true. But could I completely abandon As I was sealed to my parents, grand-And with the full-time elders came

long-standing addictions?

mother, and brother, my grief turned to

Bruce Doane, a stake missionary who

The missionaries offered to give

joy with the assurance that we can be

would later become my husband.

me a priesthood blessing to help me.

together forever.

After several weeks of formal

Immediately afterward, I threw away

The gospel of Jesus Christ also

discussions, the missionaries asked if

all the drugs and alcohol I had. And

rescued me from my addictions. For

I would be willing to be baptized. I

that night the desire to partake of

the past few years my husband and

told them sure. Then they told me that anything that was against the Word of I have served as LDS Family Services before I could be baptized, I needed

Wisdom left me. It was a true miracle.

addiction-recovery missionaries, work-

to be living the Word of Wisdom.

I was baptized in June 1978. A little

ing with members of our stake who

I hadn’t been drinking or abusing

more than a year later, Bruce and I were are struggling with different types of drugs as much as in the past. Things

married in the Washington D.C. Temple.

addictions. I am so grateful to be able

were changing in my life; I felt more

The gospel literally rescued me from to help these brothers and sisters. I feel hopeful than I had in ages—but surely

despair. Before, I was lost in every

blessed that I can share my story with

those habits would be impossible to

sense of the word. My parents and

them to help them understand how

break completely. Besides, I had already brother and grandmother were gone, we can all be rescued by the gospel. ◼

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

61

By Breanna Sampson

S

As I later reflected on

atan is not to be

her comments and my

underestimated. He

reaction in turn, the Spirit

can make a rich man

gave me a very profound

miserable and a poor man

insight: I was no different

proud. Money and material

from my friend whom

possessions should have

I so strongly envied. We

little bearing on our hap-

had been blessed to

piness and attitudes, yet

purchase a beautiful

Satan can often convince

house that many, many

us otherwise. I realized this

people would be over-

was a problem for me after

joyed to live in. The

my husband and I pur-

problem was not with the

chased our first home.

house—it was with me.

A short time after we

Instead of focusing on

moved in, the initial

what I had, I could only

excitement faded from

see what I lacked. Instead

my perspective as I

of gratitude for blessings,

began to see the flaws

I chose jealousy and

of our home and feel

greed. From the moment

discontented. Many of

that I realized whose

my friends had much

influence had been

larger homes decorated in

tainting my perspective, I

Learning to be

such appealing styles as

made the choice to never

to make our home seem

let Satan sway me in such

Content

small, plain, and wanting.

a worldly direction again.

I found myself making

I realized then, as I do

comparisons and feeling that I came up short.

now, that if we cannot be contented with our current lives During one of my more intense periods of disgruntle-and possessions, then we are feeding an appetite that no ment, a couple in our ward invited us to join them for amount of money will ever satiate. Jacob addressed this family home evening. When we arrived at their home I felt desire for wealth in his day by counseling us to seek first the anticipated pang of jealousy at the sight of their large, the kingdom of God and a hope in Christ; then if we are new home in which little had been forgone. What I had not blessed with riches we will use them to “do good—to anticipated was the conversation I had with the wife that clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liber-evening. She mentioned their unhappiness with their home ate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the and their desire to find something a little bigger to better afflicted” ( Jacob 2:18–19). I know that as we keep our suit their needs. I was astounded! How could someone hearts full of gratitude and our desires turned to God, we who had so much not realize how lucky she was? I would will be blessed with a sense of peace and contentment give anything to live in this gorgeous home—and she was unknown to those of the world.

unhappy! How could she not appreciate what she had?

And that is something money can never buy. ◼

photography by John rees

62 E n s i g n

How We Broke tHe

Chains of Debt

W

By Kate Strongin

e rejoiced the day my husband finished graduate

school. Student life was all we had known for eight years of marriage, and we couldn’t wait to move on to the next chapter of our lives. One of the most exciting things was that we could stop taking out student loans and start paying them back. We prayed and worked daily for my husband to obtain a wonderful career that would help us get out of debt.

We were confident the Lord would quickly bless us with a job because of our efforts and righteous desires.

But the Lord had a different plan. My husband struggled for 18 months to find a job. During that time, we were schooled intensely in financial and spiritual matters. Our hearts were being prepared to truly follow the Lord’s counsel to stay out of debt. Three important principles were ingrained into us at this time: avoid credit card debt, live by a budget, and tithe and trust in the Lord.

Ins

Igg

Ick W

tIons by M

Illustra

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

63

by a budget. Previously, when my husband

had pressed for a budget, I refused. I was over-

whelmed with school and work and thought bud-

geting would just be one more burden. I thought

simply trying to live frugally was enough. Now I

saw how wrong I was and we immediately set up

a budget to identify needs and track our spend-

ing. I was surprised at how much freedom and

peace of mind it gave me. My stress level actually decreased! It was easier to live within our means

when I knew exactly how much was coming in

and how much was going out.

Tithe and Trust in the Lord

A huge test came eight months later when

our financial reserves ran out. My husband had

obtained temporary employment, but our expenses

were not completely covered. We were already in

Avoid Credit Card Debt

survival mode and could not lower our expenses

When we sat down and calculated the minimum

any further. We had two small children to nurture, income we could accept, I was shocked to discover

clothe, and feed. We spent many more hours pray-

that our debt payments almost doubled the amount of ing and working to find other sources of income.

income we needed. This spurred us to calculate all our debt. I felt sick as I looked at the figures. We knew we would have some student debt, but this was unreal.

What had happened? We had thought we were fol-

lowing prophetic counsel to avoid unnecessary debt.

We worked part-time while attending college, applied for grants, and used student loans as a last resort. Our mistake was in using our credit cards for emergencies as defined by a materialistic world. Those “emergencies” added up to thousands of dollars.

When we saw the consequences of our mistakes,

we spent much time in prayer asking for the Lord’s help to do better. One thing we realized was that

without an income, we couldn’t pay off debt, but we could stop using credit cards. It was an easy decision as we looked at the debt and interest we owed. Our financial reserves would last a few more months, and we were confident that my husband would have a

well-paying job by then.

Live by a Budget

Another startling realization was that much of

our debt could have been avoided if we had lived

64 E n s i g n

Finally, we decided to use our credit cards to buy debt in about a year and a half. If we had continued groceries and asked the Lord to intervene if we were to rely on credit cards, we would have been thou-not doing His will. A short time later, my parents told sands more dollars in debt.

us of a time when my dad had been unemployed

We used the debt payoff methods in the pam-

and they had also decided to supplement with credit phlet, One for the Money by Elder Marvin J. Ashton.

cards, rationalizing that employment would come

We paid off the highest interest debt first, mak-

soon and they would pay off the credit cards. They ing minimum payments on all other debts. After

soon realized they were not putting their trust in the the highest interest debt was paid off, that pay-Lord, but rather putting their trust in plastic. They ment money went

had stopped using their credit cards.

My parents’ counsel felt right for us in our situation.

There may be appropriate uses for credit cards, but this was not one. The thought of giving up my credit cards brought worries: What if the car breaks down and my husband can’t get to an interview? What if

one of the kids has to go to the emergency

room? What would we do? However,

when we acted on the promptings to

stop using our credit cards, I felt hap-

pier than I had in months. Our financial

situation had not changed and yet I felt

strangely peaceful. I had put my trust in

Credit Cards: We

the Lord, not knowing what would happen,

stopped using

them so that we

and He had assured me that all would be well.

wouldn’t incur

Additional comfort came from knowing we paid

more debt.

our tithing faithfully and the Lord would open

A Budget: It was

the windows of heaven for us (see Malachi 3:10).

easier to live

During the following months there were

within our means

when we knew

still moments of frustration and worry, but as I

exacty how much

towards the debt with the next highest

turned my heart to the Lord, the overwhelming

was coming in

interest rate. And so on.

feeling was one of peace and security. Miracles

and going out.

Each month, the Lord provided miracles,

abounded. My husband was offered overtime

Trust in the Lord:

and we were able to set aside more money

work. Family, friends, and neighbors would

We trusted in the

than anticipated to pay off debt. Eight

Lord, not knowing

drop off food or leave envelopes with money or

what would hap-

months later we were free of credit card

gift cards on our doorstep.

pen, but feeling

debt. It was truly liberating.

A year and a half after graduating, my hus-

His assurance that

We are still on our journey to becoming

all would be well.

band accepted a job offer. The pay was lower

We found comfort

completely debt free. But we know that

than we had anticipated, but we were thrilled to

in knowing we

by following correct principles and being

paid our tithing

pay all our bills and still have money for gro-

patient it is possible to succeed and meet

faithfully.

ceries. There would even be a small amount for

our goal. As we have prayerfully followed

paying down credit card debt. We made a new

His servants’ counsel regarding debt, the

budget with a plan to do just that. I remembered

Lord has guided us. We can testify with Nephi that reading in the Ensign about financial calculators that through obedience, the Lord prepares a way for us

were available on providentliving.org. I used those to accomplish the things He has commanded us to

and determined that we could be free of credit card do (see 1 Nephi 3:7). ◼

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

65

L a t t e r - d ay S a i n t V o i c e S

Please send someone

someone to invite me to church.”

The next day the doorbell rang. I

During a difficult pregnancy with one, was bedridden, and had to care was lying on the couch in my pajamas my second child, I needed to

for a toddler. I felt scared and alone.

in a messy living room and feeling

take medicine to keep me from mis-

In this state I turned to the One

nauseated, so I didn’t get up to answer

carrying. The medicine amplified my

I knew wouldn’t let me down—my

the door. A few minutes later it hit me:

feelings of fatigue and nausea.

Heavenly Father. I knelt by my bed

what if that doorbell was the answer

To make matters worse, my hus-

and prayed, “Heavenly Father, I

to my prayers and someone had come

band was working 15-hour days,

know that I have been promising

over to invite me to church?

trying to keep up with his successful

for years that I would go back to

I went back to my room, knelt

new business; we had recently moved church, and I think I’m ready now.

again, and prayed, “Heavenly Father,

to a new town; and my parents lived

But I don’t have the courage to do

I am really sorry for not answering

400 miles (640 km) away. I knew no

it alone. Could Thou please send

the door. If Thou sent someone to

M y husband

was working

15-hour days, and

my parents lived

far away. I knew

no one, was

bedridden, and

had to care for

a toddler. I felt

scared and alone.

66 E n s i g n

talk to me, I promise I will be ready

Offended by

for them tomorrow if Thou will send

them again.”

My friend

The next day I got up, showered,

dressed for company, and spent

the day cleaning my house. Then I

I had a friend in my branch of the

Church in Russia with whom I

waited patiently for the doorbell to

socialized at all Church activities. We

ring again. It did. When I opened it,

had a lot in common, I had a lot of

I saw two women standing on my

fun with him, and I was glad to have

doorstep.

such a good friend.

“We’re your visiting teachers,”

But then something strange

they said. “Do you know what visit-

happened. For no reason

ing teaching is?”

that I could determine, he

“Yes, I do,” I replied, excited that

offended me badly. He did

they had returned. “Come on in.”

not ask for forgiveness, and

One of those visiting teachers, the

I stopped associating with

Primary president, began stopping

him. I did not even greet

by regularly to make sure I was all

him on Sundays. That went

right. She even offered to take my

on for two months. I was hurt and

toddler to church and to arrange for

unhappy, but he said nothing.

visits from the full-time missionaries.

Then I found out he was leaving

The visits strengthened my testi-

our city. I didn’t think our relationship

mony and gave me the courage to

should stay the way it was; I thought

return to church.

we should reconcile. About then I

I can’t believe I lived so many

remembered a scripture from the

years without praying to Heavenly

Book of Mormon: “Go thy way unto

all, I remember one sentence that he

Father and receiving His security

thy brother, and first be reconciled to

repeated three times: “Natal’ya, thanks

and guidance. It is such a blessing

thy brother, and then come unto me

for calling!”

to have the Savior help bear my

with full purpose of heart, and I will

I was so happy! He moved a short

burdens with His love and mercy. I

receive you” (3 Nephi 12:24).

time later, but we separated the best

am a better person because of His

It was difficult for me to humble

of friends.

love, and I feel more and more like

myself and take the first step, but I

Learning to love and forgive each

the person I was when I attended

prayed and then called him. I didn’t

other is one of our most difficult

church in my youth.

know what his reaction would be,

tasks. Forgiveness—especially when

Heavenly Father has proven to me

and I was ready for the worst. What

we are not at fault—requires that we

arker

s. P

that all things are possible in Him.

I heard shocked me.

be humble and overcome our pride.

Ichael

All He asks of us is that we have

He sincerely asked me for forgive-

I learned that taking the first step to

faith in His ability to answer our

ness, and I could tell by his voice

forgive and reconcile is worth it. ◼

tIons by M

prayers. ◼

that he had suffered a lot because

Natal’ya Fyodorovna Frolova,

Illustra

Wendy Walkowiak, Utah, USA

of his action—just as I had. Most of

Netherlands

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

67

I Don’t Want to KnoW You!

of Mormon and a book of geneal-

ogy on the table. I felt a different

With a sincere prayer in my

“I think you can see that we’re

spirit in his home; something was

heart and my 14-year-old

having dinner and don’t have time

different about Andy too. He spoke

companion at my side, I knocked on

for you,” he said.

softly of his love for his mother and

Andy’s door. This was our first visit to

“Perhaps we could come back

his sister, who had compiled the

his home as his new home teachers.

some other time?” I asked.

genealogy.

We had recently accepted the respon-

“Why?”

For the first time, he talked

sibility to visit him despite his rep-

“So we can get to know you,” I

openly with me. He told me about

utation for being difficult. The door

responded.

pain he’d been feeling in his back,

opened, and there he stood, dressed

“Why do you want to get to know

adding that he was going to the

in a Japanese kimono.

me?” he asked. “I don’t want to get to

March Air Force Base hospital in

“Yes?”

know you!”

nearby Riverside, California, the next

“Hi, I’m Irvin, and this is my com-

I suppose we could have resigned

day. I asked him if he would like a

panion. We are your home teachers

as their home teachers right then,

priesthood blessing. Without hesi-

and would like to visit with you.”

but we didn’t. When we returned the

tation he answered in a quiet voice,

His wife was sitting at a table

next month, Andy actually let us in.

“I’ll take it.” I called our elders quo-

behind him, dressed in the same fash-

We sat facing a wall lined with empty

rum president, who came to help

ion. They were having a Japanese-

beer bottles that were arranged in the

give the blessing.

style dinner.

shape of antique cars. Our meeting

The next day doctors told Andy

with Andy was short, but we learned

he had inoperable lung cancer. After

that he was a retired air force colonel. receiving the news, he went to see Our subsequent visits were also short

the bishop. Within a few months, he

and yielded little results.

was confined to his bed.

One night as I was leaving a Church

One evening when I arrived at his

meeting, I heard a voice within me

home for another visit, his wife ush-

telling me to visit Andy. “No, thank

ered me to his room, where he lay

you,” I thought. “Not tonight.”

in a frail condition. I knelt beside his

When I stopped at a red light, the

bed and cradled him in my arms. I

prompting to visit Andy came again. I whispered, “I love you, Andy.” With all thought, “Please, I’m in no mood for

of his strength, he put his arm on my

Andy tonight.”

shoulder and, with great effort, told me

As I made my last turn for home,

that he loved me too. Two days later

however, the same prompting came

he died.

a third time, leaving me sure of what

His wife invited me to the funeral.

I needed to do.

Besides the four members of his fam-

I drove to his home and parked,

ily, I was the only one in attendance.

praying for guidance. Then I

I’m so grateful I listened to the

approached his door and knocked.

Spirit’s promptings to visit Andy. ◼

When Andy let me in, I saw a Book

Irvin Fager, Utah, USA

I quickly

realized that

my paycheck

would not cover

my expenses and

My TiThing

allow me to pay

Couldn’T WaiT

the balance of

what I owed the

Lord in tithing.

In my late teens, as I started spend-

ing time with the full-time mission-

aries, I realized how crucial it was to

have a testimony of the principles I

would soon be teaching as a mission-

ary. I decided that one of the princi-

ples I wanted to understand better

was tithing.

Many people gain a testimony

of tithing during times of financial

hardship. But growing up, I always

had more than enough. If I ever had

a financial need, my parents took

care of it. I was grateful for that,

but while I knew that they would

pay for my mission, I decided that

I wanted to finance half of my mis-

sion myself through my work as a

part-time teacher.

thought, “I’ll just have to catch up

teacher. I would be able to work right

About the same time, I realized

on tithing next month.” But then

up until I left for my mission, and

that I hadn’t paid a full 10 percent

I remembered an institute of reli-

the money I would earn would be

tithing from my last paycheck. I

gion lesson on tithing. I particularly

more than I needed to pay half of my

decided that with my next paycheck,

remembered what the Lord says in

mission expenses. This blessing dra-

I would make up the difference so

the Old Testament: “Prove me now

matically increased my testimony of

that I could be a full-tithe payer.

herewith” (Malachi 3:10). This was an

tithing. That testimony was bolstered

When I was paid for the month,

opportunity for me to put the princi-

again and again as I shared it with

however, the amount was less than

ple to the test and to gain a stronger

the people I served in the Germany

I had expected. The work I did was

testimony of what I would soon be

Munich/Austria Mission over the next

somewhat irregular, so my salary var-

teaching others.

two years.

ied from month to month. I quickly

When I paid my tithing, I felt

I know that the principle of tithing

realized that the paycheck would not

good about being caught up. But the

is true and that the Lord does “open

cover my expenses and allow me

opportunity to “prove” the Lord came

[us] the windows of heaven” and pour

to pay the balance of what I owed

the very next day—much sooner and

out a blessing so great “that there

the Lord in tithing from my previous

in a greater way than I could have

shall not be room enough to receive

paycheck.

ever expected—when I was offered

it” (Malachi 3:10). ◼

I considered my options and then

a full-time job as a kindergarten

David Erland Isaksen, Norway

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

69

Small & Simple Things

“By small and simple things are

great things brought to pass” ( Alma 37:6 ).

C H U R C H H I S T O R Y A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

Brazil

THE CHURCH IN BRAZIL

When Max Richard Zapf emigrated from Germany

Membership

1,102,428

to Brazil in 1913, he had been a member for

Missions

27

fi ve years and became the fi rst known Church member Stakes

230

in Brazil. After a Brazilian family requested materials from Church headquarters, the mission president of the Wards and

1,884

South American Mission visited Brazil in 1927 and sent Branches

Temples

7, including the

missionaries in 1928. The fi rst mission was created in Manaus and Fortaleza

São Paulo in 1935, and by 1939 the Book of Mormon

Brazil Temples, cur-

had been published in Portuguese.

rently announced or

The fi rst temple in South America was dedicated

under construction

in São Paulo in 1978, shortly after the revelation on the priesthood extended the priesthood to all worthy males. The Church’s second-largest missionary training center, located in São Paulo, was dedicated in 1997.

Brazil was the third country (following the United States and Mexico) to reach one million members.

Why Sing?

BY JOSEPH BRICKEY

AN,

Singing hymns can invite the Spirit into our Church directly on the Web site, which could be especially useful for meetings, our homes, and our everyday lives. President members who do not have a piano or keyboard.

J. Reuben Clark Jr. (1871–1961) of the First Presidency taught, Music can be used at home as well as at church. The First THE GOOD SAMARIT

“We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps Presidency has counseled: “Teach your children to love the through any other thing except prayer.” 1

hymns. Sing them on the Sabbath, in [family] home evening, TTHEW REIER;

The Church has provided a Web site for accessing the during scripture study, at prayer time. Sing as you work, as hymns (available in English, French, Portuguese, and you play, and as you travel together.”  2 Hymns can bring a Spanish). Music.lds.org includes instructions for leading music spirit of love and unity into the home.

and for playing hymns using keyboards and also suggestions

AULO BRAZIL TEMPLE BY MA

for choosing appropriate hymns for sacrament meeting.

NOTES

1. J. Reuben Clark Jr., in Conference Report, Oct. 1936, 111.

Music and lyrics can be read, downloaded, or played 2. Hymns, x.

PHOTOGRAPH OF SÃO P

70 E n s i g n

Strengthened by a Hymn

I decided to compete in a mar- doing well. But when I was about Over and over the words of the athon with work colleagues

10 kilometers from the fi nish line,

hymn fl ooded my mind and lifted

in Western Cape, South Africa. I

the race became very hard for me.

my feet, and I fi nished the race in

trained and worked very hard in

I had muscle pulls in one leg, and I the strength of the Lord’s hymn.

preparation for the race.

had some blisters. I wanted to quit.

This experience taught me that

On the day of the race, I woke

Then I began singing a hymn:

the gospel of Jesus Christ is about

up, read my scriptures, and prayed.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be

endurance. It is like walking or

I was nervous, but I also felt that I

not dismayed,

running in a race. We get tired

needed to trust in the Lord. I knew

For I am thy God and will still

sometimes, rest, and walk again.

that if I did, He would provide

give thee aid.

Heavenly Father does not give up

sustenance and support.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee,

on us no matter how many times

We were required to walk or

and cause thee to stand, . . .

we fall; to Him what counts is how

run 40 kilometers (25 miles). We

Upheld by my righteous, omni-

many times we stand up and walk

started at 8:00 a.m. The weather

potent hand.

again. His gospel is about fi nishing

was cool and slightly rainy, so at

(“How Firm a Foundation,”

the race.

fi rst I enjoyed the walk and was

Hymns, no. 85)

Khetiwe Ratsoma, South Africa

I N T H E W O R D S O F C H U R C H L E A D E R S

Care for the Poor

“Throughout history, the Lord

has measured societies and

individuals by how well they cared

for the poor. He has said:

“‘For the earth is full, and there is

enough and to spare; yea, I prepared

all things, and have given unto the

children of men to be agents unto themselves.

“‘Therefore, if any man shall take of the abun-

dance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment’ ( D&C 104:17–18 ; see also D&C 56:16–17 ).

“Furthermore, He declares, ‘In your temporal things you years, the suffering of millions has been alleviated, and count-shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abun-less others have been enabled to help themselves through the dance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld’

generosity of the Saints. Nevertheless, as we pursue the cause ( D&C 70:14 ; see also D&C 49:20 ; 78:5–7 ).

of Zion, each of us should prayerfully consider whether we

“We control the disposition of our means and resources, are doing what we should and all that we should in the Lord’s but we account to God for this stewardship over earthly eyes with respect to the poor and the needy.”

things. It is gratifying to witness your generosity as you con-Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Come tribute to fast offerings and humanitarian projects. Over the to Zion,” Liahona and Ensign , Nov. 2008, 39.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

71

M i l e s t o n e s i n C h u r C h W e l f a r e s e r v i C e s The humanitarian outreach program of The Church of 1960: New cannery and milk processing plant is completed Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strives to improve the at Welfare Square.

lives of those in need by providing food, clean water, vision care, wheelchairs, immunizations, and emergency response.

1970s: Church expands welfare projects and production to From simple beginnings, the program has expanded through Mexico, England, and the Pacific islands.

the years to help millions throughout the world.

1973: LDS Social Services (now LDS Family Services) is cre-late 1920s: Welfare

ated as an official Church corporation.

farms are established.

1976: Church begins expansion of storehouses into all Harvests are stored in

parts of Canada and the United States. Expansions of canner-storehouses.

ies and production facilities are also announced.

1932: First cannery is

1982: U.S. president Ronald

established.

Reagan visits Welfare Square.

1936: General Church

1985: Church begins to pro-

Welfare Committee is formed.

vide clean water wells in Africa,

Fourteen welfare regions are

marking the beginning of a

created to manage welfare activities around the world.

worldwide expansion of Church

1936: First official employment center is established.

humanitarian efforts.

1936–40: Production projects begin, including a sawmill, 1990s: Latter-day Saint

pena

a tannery, a pasta plant, salmon canning, peanut butter Humanitarian Center is estab-Dersen; rosa

n. a

canning, soap production, and milk bottling.

lished to sort surplus clothing and other goods, including c

medical supplies, for shipment throughout the world in Den

1937: First regional store-

response to poverty and disasters.

; photograph ©

house is erected in Salt Lake City.

ollett

2002: LDS Charities begins

. c

D m

; photograph by Wel ar

1938: Construction begins

wheelchair, clean water, and

Wo

tment h

on Welfare Square, including

neonatal resuscitation initiatives.

ar

a grain elevator and a central

2003: LDS Charities joins

Fare Dep

storehouse.

photograph by

worldwide measles initiative and

hurch Wel

1938: The first Deseret Industries

commits one million U.S. dollars

F c

thrift store opens in Salt Lake City.

each year in support of the campaign. Also, a worldwide tesy o , Deseret News;

vision treatment initiative begins.

avant

1940: Construction on Welfare

y

errg

Square is completed.

2010: LDS Charities starts a food initiative to increase food production and nutrition in some of the poor-1945: Church ships large amounts of food, clothing, and est nations of the world. Ground is broken for a new other supplies to struggling members in Europe at the end 600,000-square-foot (56,000 m2) Bishop’s Central Storehouse of World War II.

in Salt Lake City.

From top): three photographs cour

Ft ( From top): photograph by

Ft (

Far le le

72 E n s i g n

F A M I LY H O M E E V E N I N G I D E A S

Growing Testimonies—and Mission Funds

After hearing Church every coin he can fi nd; leaders encourage

both children save any

youth to save money for

money they receive

full-time missions, we held

from relatives. In three

a special family home

months Ulric has saved

evening with our two

enough to pay for the fi rst

children, 10-year-old

month of his mission, and

Allana, and 7-year-old

Allana is almost there.

Ulric. We discussed the

The children also make

AKER

importance of saving for a

sure to pay tithing on

full-time mission, then

the money they receive,

presented them with piggy

and our family has seen

TION BY BETH WHIT

banks to help them begin

great blessings as their

saving.

testimonies of serving and

ILLUSTRA

After that evening it

sacrifi cing have taken root

was incredible how the

and grown.

money has accumulated.

Luiz and Andreia Pereira,

São Paulo, Brazil

Ulric collects and saves

H E L P S F O R H O M E E V E N I N G

The Power of Preparing Early,” page 18: After sharing

“Finding

the article with your family, reread the statement: “The Answers,” page 28:

secret [to success] is to start early, be consistent, plan for After reading the

life’s demands, focus on eternal truths, and study the article discuss how,

gospel—especially the Book of Mormon.” Discuss how with the help of the

these principles might benefi t your family and how you Lord, we should try

can implement them. Consider set ing a goal to regularly and solve our own

read the Book of Mormon together.

problems. Ask the fol owing questions: How does the

“Successful Family Home Evenings with Teens,”

Holy Ghost “reveal things to and through” us? How can we page 22: After sharing the ideas in this article, read either feel more confi dent that we are asking the right questions?

the quote from Elder Bednar or President Uchtdorf. If your Share additional insights from the article as needed.

family does not already have a family home evening chart, Questions & Answers, page 36: Share excerpts consider creating one. Assign each member of your family from this article that you feel apply to your family.

the responsibility of teaching a lesson during the coming Then consider making a list of what the “Lord requires months. You could display different available resources and of us,” and set a goal as a family to focus on the need-suggestions from this article to help with future lessons.

ful things fi rst.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

73

News of the Church

Visit news.lds.org for more Church news and events.

Training Emphasizes

enhance the role of councils in the Church.”

Importance of Councils

Elder Cook discussed three fundamental coun-

cils at the ward level essential for the bishop to conduct the affairs of the Church and how these

By Adam C. Olson

councils are affected by the new handbooks.

Church Magazines

D

These include the bishopric, the priesthood exec-

uring the November 2010 worldwide

utive committee, and the ward council.

leadership training meeting, in which the

The bishopric will function mostly as it has

Church’s new handbooks were intro-

in the past. While the PEC will continue to meet

duced, Church leaders emphasized the impor-

regularly and will handle some of the items pre-

tance of effective ward 1 councils in supporting

viously handled by the ward welfare committee,

overburdened bishops and in carrying out the

Elder Cook suggested that PEC meetings will

work of salvation.

probably decrease in length because of a likely

Handbook 2 seeks to reduce the work-

increase in the meeting frequency of the ward

load of the bishop by enhancing the role

“The primary effort

council.

of the ward council and its members,” said

of the ward council

The new handbook “elevates the role of the

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the

is the work of salva-

ward council in administering the ward under

Twelve Apostles. This includes assisting

tion in the ward.”

the keys of the bishop,” said Elder Cook.

the bishop “on matters of importance to

Elder Quentin L. Cook of

the whole ward” and “helping in the res-

the Quorum of the Twelve

Elevating the Ward Council

cue role of activation and retention.”

Apostles

The handbooks elevate the ward council

iri

by suggesting what the bishop can delegate

The Importance of Councils

and expanding the roles of council members

smith, ©

During the November training, Elder Quentin L.

to assist him.

Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“The primary effort of the ward council is the

explained that “the Church is governed through

work of salvation in the ward,” Elder Cook said.

councils at the general, area, stake, and ward

“Many issues now come directly to the bishop.

photography by christina

levels” and that “the new handbooks significantly

Hopefully this will change as bishops delegate

more matters in ward council meetings and/or

privately to individuals, including such items as

welfare, retention, activation” and so forth.

Elder Cook explained that while the bishop

will continue to handle “problems that require a

common judge in Israel,” he can, with the con-

sent of the member seeking repentance, delegate

to others “the extensive counseling that may be

necessary” to assist members recovering from

addictions or who need help with financial issues, family matters, or other problems.

“Members of the ward council do most of their

74 E n s i g n

effeCtive Ward CouNCils

The following is specific counsel for running effective councils given during the worldwide leadership training meeting.

effective councils:

work outside of ward council meetings,” Elder

Cook said. “They work with their counselors and

• Spend minimal time during meetings on calendaring, activity with home teachers, visiting teachers, and others

planning, and other administrative business.

in reaching out and ministering to those . . . who

• Focus on matters that will strengthen individuals and families.

need assistance.”

• Invite full expression from all council members, who then He urged priesthood and auxiliary leaders to

unite behind the bishop’s decision.

identify and resolve concerns that can be appro-

priately handled within the quorum or organi-

• Unify organizational efforts to respond to individual, family, zation to alleviate the burden on the bishop and

and organizational needs.

ward council.

• Meet regularly, more often than under the previous handbooks, but typically no longer than 60 to 90 minutes.

every Member Counts

• Protect confidentiality.

During the broadcast, the importance of con-

tributions from every member on the council

was emphasized by a panel consisting of Elder

M. Russell Ballard, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, and

Elder Holland warned against a cultural

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the

disregard for the value of women in coun-

Twelve Apostles; Elder Walter F. González of the

cils. “We sometimes have not been as invit-

Presidency of the Seventy; and Julie B. Beck,

ing or as encouraging . . . to the women

Relief Society general president.

sitting in the council as we should be,” he

“I think we have the mistaken notion that

said. “We’ve got to have the help of the

every element of revelation coming to the

women.”

ward has to come through the bishop,” said

The panel emphasized that wise leaders

Elder Bednar. “By virtue of his keys, he has to

listen.

acknowledge it and affirm it, but he doesn’t

“The gift of discernment operates more

necessarily have to be the only vehicle through

effectively when we’re listening as opposed to

whom it comes.”

when we’re talking,” said Elder Bednar.

Elder Bednar emphasized the importance of

Elder Ballard added that the principle of

unity once the presiding authority has made a

listening applies to every member of the coun-

decision in order for the council to operate under cil and that no one member should dominate

the influence of the Holy Ghost.

the conversation.

“When [the] Spirit operates within the

A second worldwide leadership training meet-

council system of the Church, the work will go

ing will be held on February 12, 2011, to focus

forward, and we will rescue many more of our

on the responsibilities of stake presidents and

Father’s children,” Elder Ballard said. “It’s one

bishops, the work of quorums and auxiliaries,

grand work that we all put our shoulder to.” ◼

and the special challenges of units that lack

Note

1. The terms ward, bishop, and bishopric also apply to sufficient members and leaders to carry out

branch, branch president, and branch presidency.

The terms stake, stake president, and stake presidency the full programs of the Church.

also apply to district, district president, and district presidency.

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

75

N e w s o f t h e C h u r C h

for the Saints in California, and the 11 stakes were Early-Morning Seminary

approved to form 13 early-morning classes.

Celebrates 60 Years

Meeting Diverse Needs

By Breanna Olaveson

From the program’s official start during the

Church Magazines

e

1950–51 school year, early-morning seminary

arly-morning seminary can be challeng-

spread across the United States and throughout the ing, but over the past 60 years more than

world, helping youth everywhere to learn the scrip-a million teenage members of the Church

tures and apply gospel principles. Its official name have learned that rising before the sun and trying was recently changed to “daily seminary,” because

to focus not just their eyes but their minds on the not all such classes are held in the early morning.

scriptures is worth the effort.

Part of what makes daily seminary so suc-

“Spending a few minutes in the scriptures each

cessful is its flexibility. Programs are organized day, bearing testimony, and feeling the Spirit has at the stake and district level, and classes

not only a strengthening effect as students go to

can be organized in a single ward or branch

school, but it has a healing effect as the Atonement or with multiple wards or branches meeting

of Jesus Christ acts in their lives,” said Kelly Haws, together according to the needs and circum-assistant administrator for seminaries

stances of youth, parents, and priest-

and institutes of religion. “It’s a great

hood leaders.

opportunity for youth.”

While approximately 115,000

students still benefit each year

The Birth of Early-Morning Seminary

More than a

from released-time seminary held during school

The first seminary classes were held during reg- million young

hours in areas with a large concentration of Church ular school hours in 1912 in a seminary adjacent

Latter-day

members, nearly 217,000 seminary students through-

to Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah,

Saints have

out the world participate in daily seminary.

USA. However, as years passed, more and more

benefited from

Because some youth in the Church live too

early-morning

Church youth were enrolled in the growing public

far from other Church members to attend either

seminary since

school system that did not provide the opportu-

released-time or daily seminary classes, the

its beginnings 60

nity to study the scriptures on a daily basis.

years ago.

home-study seminary program was established.

As Church membership grew rapidly in

Home-study students spend four days each week

Southern California in the late 1940s, the need

studying assigned material independently, then

to educate young people in the gospel inspired

gather with other home-study students once a

a group of stake presidents to request the estab-

week to discuss what they’ve learned.

lishment of the Church’s seminary program in the

Southern California area.

A Stone Cut without Hands

During the 1948–49 school year, Marion D.

Today, seminary classes are held in every state

Hanks, who later served in the Presidency of the

in the United States and in 140 countries around

Seventy, had success teaching an early-morning

the world. In 1948 Canada became the first coun-

seminary class at West High School in Salt Lake City.

try outside the United States to hold seminary.

Holding similar classes seemed a logical solution

With the spread of early-morning seminary,

76 E n s i g n

PHOTOGRAPH BY ADAM C. OLSON

Mexico followed in 1958, Finland and Germany

Jennifer Probert

in 1962, Japan in 1963, Panama in 1964, and more rehearses with

countries over the years. Most recently, seminary

the Bells on

classes were established in 2008 in the countries

Temple Square.

of Benin, Georgia, and Morocco.

Bell ringing can

be similar to an

As seminary spreads around the world, a

intricate dance.

worldwide community of seminary students is

developing. No matter where seminary students

live, they memorize the same scripture-mastery

verses, study the same passages of scripture, feel the same Spirit as their testimonies grow, and

work to build the same kingdom.

The blessings they receive are as real today as

they were 60 years ago, and seminary in all its

forms continues to bless the lives of youth all over individual bells into harmony, especially with a

the world. ◼

group this big. Rehearsing can be difficult and

even frustrating, but, like living the gospel, the Bells Choir’s

result is worth the effort.

Testimonies Ring Clear

Trusting the Leader

By Natasia Garrett

During one rehearsal, within only a few mea-

Church Magazines

sures, conductor Tom Waldron stops to coax

more volume from the B notes. He has plenty of

technical experience, both from his 28 years as a

Twenty-eight pairs of eyes focus on the leader.

Muscles tense; fingers flex; attention sharp-

ens. At the signal, the group springs into

high school bell choir director and as the original a well-designed blur of color and sound. Their

conductor of the five-year-old Bells on Temple

work requires total concentration—the uniting of

Square, but he also recognizes the spiritual aspect many minds to a single effort. Their goal is lofty: to of what the bell choir does.

invite the Spirit of the Lord through the use of their Bell ringer Scott Hixson says that rehearsals

talents. For these performers, bells give voice to the led by Brother Waldron are similar to devotionals.

skills they’ve worked hard to develop.

“Tom stops and shares his testimony, he shares

Every Wednesday night, the members of

stories from the scriptures . . . . He really knows the Bells on Temple Square rehearse in the

the mission of this organization.”

Tabernacle on Temple Square. Their music repre-

The ringers respect their conductor and admire

sents a wide range of genres, and all of the pieces him for what he helps them accomplish.

are demanding. The visually thrilling “Holiday for Bell ringer Jennifer Probert says, “We

Strings” requires complex high-speed maneuvers,

rely heavily on following our conductor . . .

while the slower, more contemplative notes of

because the moment that clapper strikes, we

“Amazing Grace” need perfect timing.

get the sound of the bell.” The conductor

There’s a lot of work involved in bringing the

has to coordinate the ringers so that the bells

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

77

N e w s o f t h e C h u r C h

World BriEfs

sound at exactly the right time. The ringers

Elder Perry Creates

First YSA Conference

trust Brother Waldron to let them know what

First Stake in Guam

Held in Cyprus

they need to do.

Elder L. Tom Perry of

A first-ever young sin-

the Quorum of the Twelve

gle adult conference for the

Maintaining Good Relationships

Apostles visited Guam in

Nicosia Cyprus District was

The bell choir has a strong feeling of cama-

December 2010 to create the

held in the Troodos Mountains

raderie. Sister Probert describes the group as

Barrigada Guam Stake, the first on October 16, 2010. Attending a family. In some cases the sentiment is lit-stake in the Territory of Guam. the conference were 20

eral. The bell choir boasts two married cou-

While there, Elder Perry,

young adults and 15 leaders,

ples, an engaged couple (they met in the bell

who served in the United

representing seven different

choir), a set of fraternal twins, and a pair of

States Marine Corps in the

countries. Workshops taught

sisters.

area during World War II, also

tactics for conquering opposi-

The good relationships are necessary because

visited the Pacific War Museum tion, successful job interview the ringers, all volunteers, have a difficult job to and the neighboring island of

techniques, and how to con-

perform. They have to watch their conductor,

Saipan.

quer fear through faith. Other

the music, and their bells at the same time, while There are 1,971 members

activities included games, ser-

switching between bells. The music requires a

of the Church living in Guam.

vice projects, and a devotional

variety of playing techniques, such as plucking or The Territory of Guam is part

and testimony meeting.

malleting.

of the Asia North Area of the

Occasionally the ringers even have to ring a

Church.

Young Men in Bangalore

neighbor’s bell on a difficult part. Trust has to

Commit to Duty to God

exist between the ringers in order for them to

Triple Combinations

More than 30 young men

perform well.

Now Available

from the Bangalore India

Editions of the triple combi-

District gathered in the hills of

Focusing on the Savior

nation in Indonesian and Thai

Kanakapura to learn about the

In spite of the challenges, the ringers are able

are now available for the first

new Duty to God program and

to blend their individual parts into a whole that is time in print and online. New

to learn spiritual lessons from

not only cohesive, but beautiful.

editions of the Book of Mormon challenging physical activities.

Creating this harmony is only one part of the

are also available. The scriptures The young men used a rope bell choir’s purpose, but it is important to achiev-site includes footnotes, maps,

and pulley system to cross a

ing their main purpose—bearing testimony

and photographs, and allows

pond. They went for a morn-

of Jesus Christ and serving Him through their

readers to mark the scriptures

ing run, climbed a mountain,

music.

and perform key word searches. and learned to rappel. The Just as members of the Mormon Tabernacle

The Japanese triple combination activity was concluded with a Choir are set apart as musical missionaries, so are is also now online at scriptures

testimony meeting. ◼

members of the bell choir.

.lds.org. The scriptures site now

Brother Hixson calls performances opportu-

includes 21 languages.

nities to “bear our testimonies through the use of our talents,” explaining that performances are “all about the Savior.” ◼

78 E n s i g n

In Other

Comments

Church Magazines

Remember Single Fathers

As I read the Ensign

recently, I was enjoying

the comments and articles

about marriage and family

t h e n e w e r a

since I am eagerly awaiting

remarriage. That is until I

Mourning

Ballroom Dancing

came across the April 2010

How should a young person treat a

“Dancing Ballroom” on page 24 is

article with helpful hints for

friend who has had a death in the fam-

an uplifting report of a young lady

the single mother.

ily? The article entitled “When I Became

involved in teaching special needs

Single mothers are not the

Invisible,” on page 8 tells of one young

only ones who struggle. As a

teens to ballroom dance with the

girl’s experiences both as the one in need

newly divorced father, I have

help of volunteer dancers. Her con-

many struggles of my own

of comfort when her baby sister dies and cern expanded from her handicapped and I am sure I am not alone

then being in the position to comfort a

twin sisters to those who never had a

as it pertains to active, worthy

friend when her friend loses her mother.

chance to dance.

members of the Church. I was

By Loran Cook

not an abusive husband, and I

did not commit adultery. I am

Plague of Pornography

When I was young my school showed al the was something hidden in the dark You need to students a film titled Say NO to Strangers. In the corners of society. Nowadays, because prepare a film several young children were confronted by of the Internet, it seems that encoun-strangers and had to choose whether they should go with tering pornography is increasingly not battle plan the stranger or not when, for example, a stranger would a mat er of if but when. That is why now to avoid

a loving father who enjoys his

try to lure them away with candy or ice cream. If a child it is important that you decide now

or overcome

gave in, tragedy could result.

to prepare a way to flee from this evil

pornography.

“The Secret Enemy” on page 28

I thought of that movie recently when I read what the stranger.

Lord said through the Prophet Joseph Smith at a confer-Dr. Donald L. Hilton Jr., a specialist in

ence of the Church in 1831: “The enemy in the secret neurological surgery and a Church member, says that even time with his children.

chambers seeketh your lives” (D&C 38:28).

one viewing of pornography can be enough to sow the seeds of a future addiction. Its al ure and the accompanying A Hidden Enemy

act of self-stimulation may not seem horribly bad at first.

Pornography is like that evil stranger, that enemy oper-Excitement, fascination, and gratification al accompany the warns of the addictive nature of

ating in secret chambers. It targets children, teens, and viewing of pornography, and because of that, he warns, you adults—both male and female. Its purveyors often operate may not believe you are addicted until it is too late.

I struggle to find any

in secrecy and seek to deceive us by claiming to offer something normal and pleasurable that doesn’t harm anyone.

There Is Help

Pornography pretends that it is no evil stranger—that If you are tempted to view pornography, there are ways it is not a problem and is not addictive. That is a lie. One to resist. If you have developed a habit of viewing pornog-The enemy Can Be

pornography and the continuing

12-year-old boy recently wrote to the New Era, tel ing of raphy, there is help. Talking with your bishop about these DefeaTeD

his experience viewing pornography when he was alone things may seem scary, uncomfortable, or embarrassing,

“The father of lies and lust . . . wil

answers that will help me in

at home. While initial y it was exciting, he soon felt deep but he, along with your parents and your Heavenly Father, do anything he can to counter-despair. He wrote: “I have been trying my best to forget loves you and wants only the best for you.

feit true love, to profane and

those images. I would like to say to anyone reading the The best way to stay safe is surprisingly simple—talk to desecrate true love wherever and

Friend or New Era that while porn might be pleasurable, it your parents and ask for their help in avoiding pornogra-whenever he encounters it. . . . We

can reject the evil one. If we want

real y wrecks your soul and is hard to recover from.”

phy. Make a plan together so that they can support you.

it dearly and deeply enough, that

problem young people face with the

Pornography is more prevalent today than at any other The best way to escape if you need to repent is also my search to foster a loving

enemy can and wil be rebuked

time. For most people of earlier generations, pornography simple, though it may require courage: go to your bishop by the redeeming power of the

Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, I

promise you that the light of His

everlasting gospel can and wil

again shine brightly where you

feared life had gone hopelessly,

pervasiveness of this modern-day

home with just my kids and

The Secret EnEmyhelplessly dark.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,

“Place No More for the Enemy of My

Soul,” Ensign, May 2010, 46.

28 N e w E r a

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

29

plague.

me as wel as attempting to

integrate my future wife into

their lives.

t h e F r I e n D

When a divorce happens it

affects at least two people: the

Absent Parent

husband and wife. If there are

Children everywhere must deal with

Million” on page 7. Then go online to

children, they suffer as wel .

the extended absence of a parent from

friend.lds.org to download the music

The men who go through a

divorce struggle too. We hurt,

time to time, due to responsibilities such and check out the Friend’ s new “One we cry, we long for the days

as military service or business trips. Read in a Million” feature, which allows when the marriage was happy

“Sharing Love with Families Far Away”

children to learn about other Primary

before the divorce became

on page 24 to read about what families

children across the world.

final. We want our kids to be

do to stay close to one

happy. We do our best to meet

another, even when a

all of our financial obligations.

parent is far away.

By Lindsay Stevens

I am an active, temple wor-

ome children have a dad or mom who serves in

the military or has a job that takes them far away.

Ivy J., age 3, takes

A parent may be away from home for months, or even off a link of a

paper chain to

years! These families are experts at staying unifi ed.

count down the

thy, divorced father searching

Some even use a webcam to have family home eve-

days left until her

ning, family scripture study, and family prayer. With a dad comes home.

parent far away, it is more important than ever to remember that families are forever.

desperately for answers, guid-

One in a Million

Erin H., age 3,

e-mails her dad

special messages.

Samuel, Abigail, Madison, and Hailey

ance, and resources to help my

Did you know there

B., ages 9, 7, 7, and 2, sent their dad a

Make Your Own Family Paper Chain

special birthday present. Each family

Even if you don’t have a parent who works far away, you can help member recorded their voices saying,

3. Tape the ends of

your family stay uni� ed. Make your own paper chain to count down

“I love you,” and put the recordings in

one strip together so

to a fun family activity! [PICTURE OF A PIZZA PARTY OR ICE

a stuffed bear dressed like an army sol-

it makes a circle.

CREAM] For each day, tear of one of the paper links and do that family heal. Please be mindful

are about one million

dier. Whenever their dad got lonely, he

could squeeze the bear and know how

service. By the time your family celebrates, you wil already feel closer to much his family loved him!

one another!

1. To make your

Melanie and

chain, cut out some

Tommy P., ages 10

strips of paper.

of the men in the Church who

Primary children spread

and 8, had their

school classes draw

4. Take the second strip and loop it through the fi rst strip.

pictures for their

Kobe T., age 9, talked

Then tape it into a circle.

dad as a Christmas

to his dad over the

surprise. He got

webcam. He and his

more than 100

dad sent each other

need help.

silly things (like funny

across the world? Get

Christmas cards!

wigs) and took pictures

wearing them!

2. On each paper strip, write down something you can do Twins Justin and

for a member of your family.

Dasha P., age 6,

Name withheld

helped bake a cake

Oakley and Mya

5. Repeat until all the

the text and music for

for their dad’s birth-

T., ages 3 and 1,

loops are connected.

day. They showed it

watched videos of

to their dad on the

their dad reading

webcam. He liked it so

books to them every

much he even tried to

night before bed.

blow out the candles!

the song “One in a

24 F r i e n d

ILLUSTRATIONS BY KATIE MCDEE

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

25

F11F24-25.indd 24-25

12/8/10 2:51:53 PM

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 1

79

U n t i l W e m e e t A g A i n

A SeAt At the

Bridegroom’S FeASt

A feeling of relief and happiness washed

By Melissa Merrill

Church Magazines

over me. Whatever anyone else thought, in the

groom’s estimation, I belonged. I smiled as I

mirrored his gesture. I hoped my friend knew

how much I wanted to celebrate and share in his

G

and his wife’s joy. Whatever social awkward-

oing to a wedding reception alone

ness I had felt was gone in that 10-second

isn’t always comfortable. But when an

exchange, and I spent the rest of the evening

old friend invited me to his wedding

infused with confidence.

dinner, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity

Days later, in preparing to teach a Relief

to celebrate with him and his new bride.

Society lesson, I studied Matthew 22 and

The day of the wedding, I arrived just

read of a king preparing a marriage feast for

before dinner started. I spotted an empty

his son, who represents the Savior. About

seat and asked one of the women at the

these verses of scripture, the Prophet Joseph

table if it were taken.

Smith taught: “Those who keep the com-

“Are you supposed to be here?” she ques-

mandments of the Lord and walk in His

tioned, eyeing me suspiciously.

statutes to the end, are the only individuals

I had no idea what prompted the question—or

permitted to sit at this glorious feast. . . . Those A feeling of

the manner in which she asked it. There wasn’t

who have kept the faith will be crowned with a

relief and

someone checking a guest list. The seating wasn’t

crown of righteousness; be clothed in white rai-

happiness

prearranged. I was on time and dressed appropri-

ment; be admitted to the marriage feast; be free

washed over

ately. What could be the problem?

from every affliction, and reign with Christ on the I smiled nervously. “I’m a friend of the groom,”

me. Whatever earth.” 1 That promise is powerful anytime, but I assured her. She nodded, so I sat down and tried anyone else

it was especially so because of my experience

to strike up friendly conversation with the six

thought, in

earlier that week.

couples at the table. Whatever discomfort I had

the groom’s

As I taught the lesson, I realized that obedi-

felt before was magnified given the “welcome”

estimation,

ence is the only requirement for accepting an

I’d received. I desperately scanned the room for

I belonged.

invitation from Jesus Christ to rejoice with Him,

someone—anyone—I knew, but aside from the

to have a place at His feast. And that feast is one groom, there wasn’t a familiar face anywhere.

at which guests need never feel insecure because

But then it happened. My friend, seated next

they do belong. Although I am as yet far from to his bride at the front of the crowded hall,

perfect in my obedience, I hope one day to qual-

stood. As he did so, he saw me on the opposite

ify to meet the Bridegroom and with hand over

side of the room. He paused, smiled, and placed

heart—a heart submitted to His will—say, “I’m so

his hand over his heart as if to say, “Thank you

happy to be here.” ◼

Ph by John Luke

for coming. I know you sacrificed to be here. It

Note

means so much that you’re with us.”

1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 165, 166.

Photogra

80 E n s i g n

W o r d s o f C h r i s t

Children Playing by a Wooden Fence,

by Anne Marie oborn

“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither

“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which do they spin:

to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not

“And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in

much more clothe you?” (Matthew 6:28–30).

In the parables in Luke 15, the

sheep wanders, the piece of

silver is lost, and the prodigal

son wastes his inheritance. But

the shepherd searches the wil-

derness, the woman sweeps the

house, and the forgiving father

watches for his son’s return. We,

likewise, can heed the call from

President Thomas S. Monson

to “reach out and rescue those

who have fallen by the wayside,

that not one precious soul wil be

lost.”  Read four stories of rescue

in “Parables of the Lost and

Found,” page 46.