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HomeA Sacred and
Safe Haven, p. 38Is Technology Interfering with YourPersonal Revelation?, p. 16
Learning through Lifes Trials, p. 27
Caring for the Poor and Needy in theLatter Days, p. 58
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Faith at the Waters Edge (Exodus 2:34), by Anne Marie Oborn
And when [his mother] could not longer hide [Moses], she took or him an ark o
bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein;and she laid it in the fags by the rivers brink.
And his sister stood aar o, to wit what would be done to him (Exodus 2:3 4).
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 1
Contents March 2010Volume 40 Number 3
On the COver
Front:Bring Up YourChildren in Light andTruth, by GayLynnRibeira.
Back:Joseph and theboy Jesus, by Leroy
Transfeld, Museumo Church History,Eighth International ArtCompetition.
M e s s a g e s
First PresidenCy Message
4 Mol CouPresident Henry B. Eyring
visiting teaChing Message
8 s F go F Ju C ou Pol scpusu
F e a t u r e s
27 L ou Lf tlLarry RichmanTrials can teach us that faith in God theFather and in His Son, Jesus Christ, is thesource of inner strength.
32 tl tmoElder Paul B. PieperFinding answers in times of need.
34 eu WllEmma Petty AddamsAs a mother of a child with autism, I came toknow that enduring adversity means morethan merely getting through it.
38 homa sc sf hLiving the gospel within the sacred walls of ourhome makes it a safe haven.
42 two Wo t C C LAlice Ruth DreschelHow thank you blessed anothers life.
44 t vlu of expc exp guVaughn E. WorthenWhy thank you mattersfor those who hear it andthose who say it.
50 t Lo tul PocUKevin D. CasperFire on a ferry puts six mis-sionaries in danger.
OUr hOMes, OUr FaMiLies
12 W Mo C L fom soAmy M. MorganThe Saviors example and the teachings ofmodern prophets guide mothers in theirsacred role.
12
4
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2 E n s i g n
Living as Latter-day saints
16 dl dcm Pol rloElder Scott D. WhitingThe need to constantly be attached to our digitaldevices hinders us rom building a relationshipwith our Heavenly Father.
22 gopl M Lf: W t smWoLin Si-ChiaI was trying to live the gospel.So why did my lie take a turnor the worse?
23W P F Off?These young adults are fndingthe blessings o a generouscontribution.
24 t spo o U: ntu am of FlElder Russell M. NelsonMuch more important than what you do or aliving is what kind o a person you become.
By stUdy and By Faith
52 t Lw of FElder Robert L. SimpsonWe cannot begin to approach perection until wedecide to make the law o the ast a part o our lives.
PrOvident Living
56 Lf b Lo LoDarrell KnightMy dream was to be a pilot. But what iI didnt make it?
58 sf h hFor those who worry about perilous times,prophetic perspective brings peace.
16
22
COMing in aPriL te ui o i in Fiji
Courtship and temple marriage:soie o cifce nd covenn
What it means to have faith in theaonemen o Jeu Ci
Education and single mothers
D e p a r t m e n t s
9 We taLk OF Christreconizin gopel LiYulia PharesI didnt know where I could fnd happiness, butHeavenly Father did.
10 What We BeLievete holy go teife o tuThe role o the Holy Ghost in our lives.
26serving in the ChUrChaccepble seviceDavid LeSueurQualiying ourselves or the work.
66 Latter-day saint vOiCesReaping blessings through obedience.70 sMaLL and siMPLe things73 FaMiLy hOMe evening ideas74 neWs OF the ChUrCh79 in Other ChUrCh Magazines80 UntiL We Meet again
Picuin FeoodAntonio Peluso
The two bicyclists were a amiliar sight, but thatSunday, they reminded me o the past and gaveme confdence in the uture.
70
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 3
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An officiAl mAgAzine of The churchof Jesus chrisT of lATTer-dAy sAinTsmarch 2010 Volume 40 Number 3
Th ft Pny:Thoas S. monson, Hnry b. eyring,Ditr F. uchtdorf
Th Quu th Twlv Aptl:boyd K. Packr, L. To Prry,Rssll m. Nlson, Dallin H. Oaks,m. Rssll ballard, Richard G. Scott,Rort D. Hals, Jffry R. Holland,David A. bdnar, Qntin L. Cook,D. Todd Christoffrson, Nil L. Andrsn
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Scott m. mooy, Jan Ann Ptrs,Scott Van KapnPp: byron Warnr
Pntn dt: Craig K. Sdgwickdtbutn dt: Randy J. bnson
2010 by intlltual rv, in.All ht v. The Ensign (ISSN0884-1136) is plishd onthly y ThChrch of Jss Christ of Lattr-day Saints,50 e. North Tpl Strt, Salt Lak City,uT 84150-0024, uSA. Priodicals PostagPaid at Salt Lak City, utah.
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God gave Joseph Smith
courage in his service.
Likewise, God has given
us more than enough
help to banish fear and
give us courage, whatever
we may face in life.
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0
One o the purposes o mortal
lie is to prove to God that
we will keep His command-
ments when that takes courage. We
passed that test in the spirit world.
But a third o the hosts o heaven
rebelled against the proposal that
they be tested in a mortal existencewhere there was a risk that they would ail.
Beore we were born, we knew God the
Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, personally. We
could see Them and listen to Them as They
taught and encouraged us. Now a veil has been
placed over our minds and memories. Satan, the
ather o lies, has an advantage because we must
see the reality o who we are through the eyes
o aith, while our bodies make us subject to
carnal temptation and to physical weakness.We have great helps to give us courage in this
lie. The greatest is the Atonement o Jesus Christ.
Because o what He did, sins can be washed
away in the waters o baptism. We can renew
that blessing when we partake o the sacrament
Moral
F i r s t P r e s i d e n c y M e s s a g e
By PresidentHenry B. Eyring
First Counselor in theFirst Presidency
in aith and with a repentant heart.
Spiritual gits are another help.
We receive the Spirit o Christ at birth.
That gives us the power to know
when a choice beore us would lead
toward eternal lie. The scriptures are
a sure guide when we read them with
the Holy Ghost as our companion.The Holy Ghost lets us express thanks and
ask or help in prayer with the clarity and con-
dence we once enjoyed with our Heavenly
Father and which we will have when we return
to Him. That communication with God helps
banish ear rom our hearts as it builds aith
and love o Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
The holy priesthood gives us courage in our
service. In its ordinances we receive power to
serve Gods children and to withstand the infu-ence o evil. When He calls us to serve, we have
this promise: And whoso receiveth you, there I
will be also, or I will go beore your ace. I will
be on your right hand and on your let, and my
Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels
COurage
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F i r s t P r e s i d e n c y M e s s a g e
6 E n s i g n
round about you, to bear you up (D&C 84:88).
The Prophet Joseph Smith in his service
had reason to be earul. But God gave him
courage with this assurance o the example
o the Master:
And i thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or
into the hands o murderers, and the sentence
o death passed upon thee; i thou be cast
into the deep; i the billowing surge conspire
against thee; i ferce winds become thine
enemy; i the heavens gather blackness, and
all the elements combine to hedge up the way;and above all, i the very jaws o hell shall gape
open the mouth wide ater thee, know thou,
my son, that all these things shall give thee
experience, and shall be or thy good.
The Son o Man hath descended below them
all. Art thou greater than he? (D&C 122:78).
God has given us more than enough help to
banish ear and give us courage, whatever we
may ace in lie. As we reach out or His help,
He can lit us toward that eternal lie we seek.
Teaching from This message
Jsus chrs, h Msr thr, of skdqusos o our popl o podr dpply h prpls H uh. . . . Hs qusos
prompd houh, soul-srh, d omm-
m (Teaching, No Greater Call[1999], 68).cosdr r d sk svrl qusos o
hlp dvduls udrsd d pply h ruhs
uh hs mss. For xmpl, you ould
sk, Wh hlp hs god v you o bsh fr
d v you our? or How hs god hlpd
you ovrom your frs? eour dvduls
o podr hr swrs bfor rspod.
Gfts Tat Gv Us Cuag
President Eyring tells us about several gifts that give us courage. Readeach scripture below, and write the name of the gift in the blank.Then match each gift with the picture to the right. Talk with your family
about how that gift can give you courage.
Nbys PfctBy Shauna Skoubye
Y o U T h
C h i l d r e N
ihv lwys lod o b lk nph: srly obd, xrmlyfhful, d dply sprul. i my ys nph ws h suprmxmpl of oodss. Fw hs ppld o m mor h hhouh of row up o b jus lk hmor ls b o
possss v poro of hs xll.
O dy i ws hv m rss, usd by fls of dquy. i
hd suh mbos d so my ols. Bu i jus dd sm o b -
ywhr. throuh rs of hoplssss, i xprssd hs fls
o my fhr. H promply sood up, wlkd ovr o h books, d
pulld ou o of hs ops of h Book of Mormo. Whou sy
word, h opd o 2 nph 4 d b rd vrs 17.
chlls sprd hrouh my body lk lry s i lsd o hs
powrful words: O wrhd m h i m! My houhs rd.
How ould nph, my hro d xmpl, sy h h ws wrhd?
if h ws wrhd, wh dd h mk m?
a, h lry rushd hrouh m s my fhr rd vrs
28: awk, my soul! no lor droop s. i fl o m s houh
h drk louds my md hd prd d lrd wy o rvl h
1. Acts 22:16 ________________________________________
2. 2 Nephi 4:15 ______________________________________
3. D&C 59:89 ______________________________________
4. 2 nph 32:5; Joh 14:2627 _______________________
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ______________________________
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warmth and splendor o an open blue sky and bright
sun. It is impossible to describe the way this verse
illuminated my soul. Few verses o scripture haveflled me with as much hope, inspiration, and joy as
this one did.
In verse 30, Nephi said exactly what I was think-
ing, only in more eloquent words: My soul will
rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock o my salva-
tion. This verse brought with it eelings o peace
and gratitude or the Lords tender mercy and love.
My dad closed the book and explained that these
verses are sometimes called Nephis psalm. He then
gently taught me that even the greatest people on
earth are imperect, and these people must rec-
ognize their imperections or else they would be
prideul and, thereore, not great.
I understood. Just because I had weaknesses
didnt mean I was incapable o becoming like Nephi.
Recognizing my weaknesses brought me closer to
the caliber o Nephi. Nephi was great because, as
well as being obedient and aithul, he was humble
and willing to admit his aults.
Ever since that experience, I have treasured
these words o Nephi. Each time I read them,
I experience the same thrills and inspirations
as the frst time I read them. The verses sing out
to me that I am a daughter o God, capable o
more than I could ever imagine. I know that i
Im aithul and press orward, untold blessings
are in store.
Nephi said
exactly what I
was thinking:
My soul will
rejoice in thee,
my God, and
the rock of my
salvation.
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8 E n s i g n
Teach these scriptures
and quotations or, if
needed, another prin-
ciple that will bless the
sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the
doctrine. Invite those you visit to share
what they have felt and learned.
When I was a new bride, . . .
I was invited to a lunch or all o
the Relie Society sisters in my ward
who had read either the Book o
Mormon or a short Church history
book. I had become casual in my
scripture reading, so I qualied to
attend the luncheon by reading the
short book because it was easier andtook less time. As I was eating my
lunch, I had a powerul eeling that
though the history book was a good
one, I should have read the Book
o Mormon. The Holy Ghost was
prompting me to change my scripture
reading habits. That very day I began
to read the Book o Mormon, and I
have never stopped. . . . Because I
started reading the scriptures daily,I have learned about my Heavenly
Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and what
I need to do to be like Them. . . .
. . . Every woman can be a gospel
doctrine instructor in her home, and
every sister in the Church needs gos-
pel knowledge as a leader and teacher.
I you have not already developed
the habit o daily scripture study, start
now and keep studying in order to beprepared or your responsibilities in
this lie and in the eternities.1
Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general
president.
A study o the scriptures will help
our testimonies and the testimonies
o our amily members. Our children
today are growing up surrounded by
voices urging them to abandon that
which is right and to pursue, instead,the pleasures o the world. Unless
they have a rm oundation in the
gospel o Jesus Christ, a testimony o
the truth, and a determination to live
righteously, they are susceptible to
these infuences. It is our responsibil-
ity to ortiy and protect them.2
President Thomas S. Monson.
We want our sisters to be schol-
ars o the scriptures. . . . You need
an acquaintanceship with his eternal
truths or your own well being, and
or the purposes o teaching your
own children and all others who
come within your infuence.3
We want our homes to be blessed
with sister scriptorianswhether you
are single or married, young or old,
widowed or living in a amily. . . .
Become scholars o the scripturesnot to put others down, but to lit
them up!4
President Spencer W. Kimball (18951985).
Notes
1. Julie B. Beck, My Soul Delighteth in theScriptures,Liahona andEnsign, May 2004,1079.
2. Thomas S. Monson, Three Goals to GuideYou,Liahona andEnsign, Nov. 2007, 118.
3. Spencer W. Kimball, Privileges andResponsibilities of Sisters,Ensign, Nov.1978, 102.
4. Spencer W. Kimball, The Role of RighteousWomen,Ensign, Nov. 1979, 102.
Helps for Visiting teacHing
During your visit, answer ques-
tions and share insights using
the scriptures. Bear testimony of
how scripture study has strength-
ened your faith. Ask the sister you
visit to share how her study of the
scriptures has strengthened her
home and family.
Personal PreParation
John 5:39
2 Timothy 3:1417
2 Nephi 9:5051; 31:20; 32:35
D&C 138:111
Strengthening Faith in God the Father
and Jesus Christ through PersonalScripture Study
V i S i T i N G T e A C h i N G M e S S A G e
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0
By Yulia Phares
Iwould not say that I had no goals beore I wasbaptized a member o The Church o Jesus Christo Latter-day Saints. But I can say that my lie hadno clear direction. I sometimes elt as i I were walk-
ing in darkness, not really knowing which way to go.
Like most other 19-year-olds in Saint Petersburg,Russia, I hoped to someday get married, have children,
and live happily ever ater. Still, I wouldnt
say that I exactly knew how to achieve this goal
especially the part about living happily ever ater.
But Heavenly Father knew. He knew that beore
I could attain real happiness, I needed to
place Him and His Son at the center o my
lie. I started to learn how to do this not
long beore my 20th birthday when the
missionaries began to teach my amily abouthow to fnd happiness through living the
commandments.
Ater we met the missionaries, it didnt take
long or me to know what to do. I prayed and knew
that i I wanted to meet my lies goals, I needed to be
baptized a member o Jesus Christs Church.
Following my baptism, I was ostracized by some
riends and amily members who couldnt under-
stand why making this choice to ollow Heavenly
Fathers plan was so important to me. Despite this, Iwas happy. I knew He was comorting me by allow-
ing me to go through these trials with peace.
By the time I turned 21, I had a strong desire to
testiy o the truthulness o the gospel and share with
others how resolving to live the commandments had
changed my lie, so I became a missionary. It elt won-
derul to share with people what had happened to my
lie rom the time I decided to put the gospel frst.
RecognIzIng
Gospel Light
W e T a l k o f C h r i s T
My lie has been ull o blessings since that time.
Eight years ago I was able to enter the temple and
reach my goal o getting married. However, instead
o only being married, I was sealed to my husband
or eternity.
Over the last several years, my goal o becominga mother has also been ulflled. I have been blessed
with three wonderul sons.
Not long ago my amily and I had the opportunity
to visit a temple open house. As we walked through
the temple, our our-year-old son looked at me and
said, Mom, because you and Dad got married in the
temple, our amily is going to be together orever.
I eel blessed and humbled to think o the last
decade o my lie. I am on my way to achieving my
goal or a happily ever ater, thanks to the act that
I turned my lie to my Heavenly Father and to Jesus
Christ. As long as I place Them at the center o my lie,I know I can achieve my goals. I know that Heavenly
Father and the Savior love us and want to help.
Inset:ChrIstPortraItbyheInrIChhofmann,Co
urtesyC.harrIson
Conroy.InC.baCkgroundPhotograPhIstoCkPhoto.Com
Would you like to share how Jesus Christ has touched your life?
We welcome accounts of your gospel experiences and insights
relating to the Saviors ministry and mission. Possible topics
might include the Atonement, grace, healing, hope, or repen-
tance. Please limit submissions to 500 words, label them
We Talk of Christ, and send them to [email protected].
I turned my life to my Heavenly Father
and to Jesus Christ. . . . as I place Them at
the center of my life, I know I can achieve
my goals.
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10 E n s i g n
The Holy Ghost is the third
member o the Godhead. He
is a personage o spirit, with-out a body o esh and bones (see
D&C 130:22). He is oten reerred
to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the
Spirit o God, the Spirit o the Lord,
or the Comorter. He works in perect
unity with Heavenly Father and Jesus
Christ.1
As a personage o spirit, the Holy
Ghost can be in only one place at a
time, but His inuence can be every-where at the same time.2
The
HolyGHost
President Joseph Fielding Smith
(18761972) taught, Through the
Holy Ghost the truth is woven intothe very fbre and sinews o the body
so that it cannot be orgotten. 3
It is also through receiving the
Holy Ghost when we repent and
are baptized that we may be sancti-
fed. Sanctifcation is the process o
becoming ree rom sinpure, clean,
and holythrough the Atonement o
Jesus Christ (see Moses 6:5960). We
are sanctifed as we yield our heartsto God (see Helaman 3:35).
After I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, . . .which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, whichpower he received by faith on the Son of God . . . I, Nephi,
was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know
of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, whichis the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him
(1 Nephi 10:17).
W h a t W e B e l i e v e
1. The Holy Ghost wit-
nesses of the Father and the
Son (2 Nephi 31:18). It is
only through the power of
the Holy Ghost that we can
receive a sure testimony of
God the Father and His Son
Jesus Christ.4
6. We are blessed withgifts of the Spirit through
the Holy Ghost. These gifts
bless our lives and the lives
of those we love and serve.
(See 1 Corinthians 12:112;
Moroni 10:818; D&C
46:1133.)
TesTifies
of TruTh
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 11
2. The Holy Ghost testifes
o truth, and it is through
His power that we may
know the truth o all things
(Moroni 10:5).
3. The Holy Ghost teaches
us all things and brings to
our remembrance all we
have learned o the Lord
and His gospel (see John
14:26).
4. The Holy Ghost will
show unto [us] all things
what [we] should do
(2 Nephi 32:5). He can
guide us in our decisions
and protect us rom physical
and spiritual danger.
5. As we hunger to know
the words o eternal lie and
allow these words to sink
deep into our hearts, the
Holy Ghost will open our
minds and hearts to greater
light and understanding.5
7. The Holy Ghost is knownas the Comorter because
He can fll us with hope
and perect love (Moroni
8:26).
8. Adam was the frst onearth to be baptized and
receive the Holy Ghost (see
Moses 6:6466).
9. Through the power o the Holy Ghost, we become sanctifed
as we repent, are baptized and confrmed, and strive to obeyGods commandments (see Mosiah 4:13; 5:16).
The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant
companion, and thy scepter an unchang-
ing scepter o righteousness and truth;
and thy dominion shall be an everlasting
dominion, and without compulsory means
it shall fow unto thee orever and ever
(D&C 121:4546).
Notes
1. See True to the Faith (2004), 8182;Preach My Gospel(2004), 9091.2. See Gospel Principles(2009), 32.3. Joseph Fielding Smith,Doctrines of Salvation, ed. Bruce R.
McConkie, 3 vols. (195456), 1:48.4. See 1 Corinthians 12:3; True to the Faith, 82.5. See Enos 1:3;Preach My Gospel, 18.
To learn more about our basic beliefs, visit Mormon.org (available in many languages).
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12 E n s i g n
WhatMothersCan Learn
By Amy M. Morgan
Ever since I became a mother, I havewondered what specifcs I can learn
rom the lie and teachings o the
Savior that apply to my role. Here are a ew
lessons Ive gleaned.
Mothers can
trust in the
Saviors exam-
ple and mod-
ern prophets
revelations
for guidance
in raising
their children
and bettering
themselves as
mothers.
from the Savior
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 13
Spend Time with Children
The Savior made time for the children
even when He was tired. Suffer the little
children to come unto me (Mark 10:14). He
knew how much children can teach us, and
how much they need attention and guidance.
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles once taught, Quality [time]
is a direct function of quantity [time]and
mothers, to nurture their children properly,
must provide both. Elder Ballard also taught
that, a mothers nurturing love arouses inchildren, from their earliest days on earth,
an awakening of the memories of love and
goodness they experienced in their premortal
existence. 1
Pray for Our Children
When the disciples would have sent the lit-
tle children away, the Lord provided a loving
example. And he took them up in his arms,
put his hands upon them and blessed them(Mark 10:16). We must seek opportunities to
bless our childrens lives. This includes priest-
hood blessings, wholesome activities, loving
and righteous examples, and prayer. Think
of the strength we can add to our childrens
resolve to do their best when they know we
are praying for them.
Help Our Children Love the Sabbath
The Savior did good works on the Sabbatheven when the Pharisees criticized Him for
doing so (see John 5:816; John 9:1416).
There are many wonderful things we can do
on the Sabbath with our children. Attending
church and partaking of the sacrament is
the most important, but it shouldnt be the
only thing. President Spencer W. Kimball
(18951985) has said, The Sabbath calls for
constructive thoughts and acts, and if one
merely lounges about doing nothing on the
Sabbath, he is breaking it.2 Some of the
things weve tried includes visiting family
members, sending letters to missionaries or
family, and reading the scriptures as a family.
These activities help our children enjoy the
Sabbath while honoring the Lords day.
Teach Faith in Heavenly Father and inHis Son, Jesus Christ
The Savior taught that He is the goodShepherd and that His sheep hear his voice:
and he calleth his own sheep by name, and
leadeth them out.
He . . . goeth before them, and the sheep
follow him: for they know his voice ( John
10:34).
When we teach our children to have faith
in Him, they will know to follow His teach-
ings and to listen to His voicewhether
through the scriptures, modern prophets, orthe Holy Ghost.
A mothers life
is often focused
on the temporal
aspects of family
life and taking care
of the home. It
requires extra care
to make time to
teach and learn inthe home.
photobybrAdLeysLAde
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14 Ensign
Quiet Your Fears with Faith inthe Lord
President Boyd K. Packer,
President of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, once said, If
you are helpless, he is not. If
you are lost, he is not. If you
dont know what to do next, he
knows. It would take a miracle,
you say? Well, if it takes a mira-cle, why not?3
As mothers, we
need to strive to
do our best to ul-
fll the sacred obli-
gation we have. As
the Brethren have
taught, we should
do our best to
stay home and be
the strength andsupport or our
children.
photo
bychirstinasmith
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By Elder Scott D. WhitingArea Seventy, North America West Area
Ours is a most unusual generation.
We are blessed by great and rapid
technological advances that make
our lives easier and improve our ability to
communicate. So quickly do these advances
happen that the moment we buy the latesttechnological device, it is practically obsolete.
We carry wireless telephones that can
store hundreds o numbers, are able to take
both moving and still pictures, and can
access never-ending streams o inormation
rom an unseen source. We can play thou-
sands o songs rom a device no larger than
a credit card. We can sur the Internet at any
time o the day or night and quickly move
across the intellectual and physical globe inimages and inormation.
Out o such technological advance-
ment come both good and bad. Modern
technology, when purely and judi-
ciously used, can help us hasten the
work o the Lord and spread the gos-
pel.1 But an overreliance on technology
can also create boredom with lower-tech
activities, an attitude that may extend to how
we worship God, our Father, and His Son, Jesus
Christ. We cannot simply point and click on
or download a personal, revelatory relation-
ship with our Heavenly Father.2 This kind o
relationship is built on quiet principles o aith,
repentance, and obedience.
For this reason it is vitally important torecognize the risks o digital attachment. Being
constantly plugged in can drown out the
quiet whisperings and subtle impressions o
the Holy Spirit, breaking our personal connec-
tion with God and making it difcult, i not
impossible, to receive personal revelation.
We Need Personal Revelation
Who among us does not seek or guid-
ance and counsel in important matters? Howoten do we ask amily, riends, or religious
leaders to provide us with counsel and
direction? While this can be wonderully
helpul at times, is it not even more impor-
tant to ask our Heavenly Father, who loves
us and knows us better than all those we are
surrounded by, or inspired direction and
guidance? He will never lead us astray.
DigitalDetachment& Personal Revelation
We must guard
against becoming
so attached to digi-
tal devices that we
become detached
from God.
M a r c h 2 0 1 0 17
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18 E n s i g n
I can personally testiy that every major
decision I have made in my lie and many moreminor decisions have been a result o prompt-
ings I have elt rom the Holy Ghost. These
include my decision to prepare or and serve
a ull-time mission, my selection o an eternal
companion, my career pursuits, my decision
to pursue additional education even though it
wasnt convenient or economical at the time,
and my quest toward greater righteousness.
These types o decisions are important to all o
us, and we need our Fathers help as we striveto return to Him. We cannot aord to let any-
thing, no matter how attractive, distract us rom
the personal revelation He wants to give us.
Desire Personal Revelation
The frst step in receiving personal revelation
is desiring it. Revelation is rarely given to those
not seeking it, and sometimes when it does
come that way, it does not have a lasting eect.
For instance, Laman and Lemuel had the mirac-
ulous experience o seeing an angel o the
Lord, yet they rejected the Lords promptings.
Nephi later reproached his brothers: Ye have
seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye
have heard his voice rom time to time; and he
hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but
ye were past eeling, that ye could not eel his
words (1 Nephi 17:45).
This state o being past eeling is
a perilous position to be in. Can youimagine being aced with the eternally
signifcant choices we ace in lie with-
out being able to eel the promptings
o the Holy Ghost? Laman and Lemuel
provide a sobering example o the conse-
quences o being in that state.
Nephi, on the other hand, had great
We cannot simply
point and clickon or download a
personal, revelatory
relationship with our
Heavenly Father.
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 19
desires to know o the mysteries o God
(1 Nephi 2:16). Nephi sought or the blessings
o personal revelation, was worthy o them,
and as a result had many great and wonderul
truths revealed unto himtruths that not only
blessed his amily and his people but that also
continue to bless us today.
Study and Ponder
Once the desire has been kindled, how
can you and I access the opened heavens?
A recent example o canonized modern-dayrevelation provides a pattern.
The revelation we have today as Doctrine
and Covenants 138 came to President Joseph F.
Smith (18381918) the day beore he spoke
at the October 1918 general conerence. A
close look at this great revelation regarding
the Saviors visit to the spirits o the dead is
instructive to those seeking their own divine
communications. The rst ew verses o this
revelation read in part:
I sat in my room pondering over the
scriptures;
And refecting upon the great atoningsacrice that was made by the Son o God,
or the redemption o the world;
And the great and wonderul love made
maniest by the Father and the Son in the
coming o the Redeemer into the world;
That through his atonement, and by
obedience to the principles o the gospel,
mankind might be saved (D&C 138:14).
How oten have you made the time or pon-
dering such wonderul things? I you are like
most people, you are sometimes uncomortable
being alone with your thoughts. Most people
would rather plug in some headphones than
allow their minds to contemplate the sacred.
But pondering the sacred things o God
is necessary i we are to receive personal
revelation, and pondering is best done in
an unplugged environment. We need to
be able to hear the acoustic subtleties o
the Spirit. Perhaps no greater counsel wasgiven than that recorded in Psalm 46:10:
Be still, and know that I am God.
President Joseph F. Smith received his
revelation by being still and pondering the
scriptures. A similar pattern unolds in the
events leading up to one o the most impor-
tant revelatory moments o all mankind,
when the young boy Joseph Smith read
James 1:5. The Prophet recorded that never
did any passage o scripture come with more
power to the heart o man than this did at
this time to mine. It seemed to enter with
great orce into every eeling o my heart.I refected on it again and again ( Joseph
SmithHistory 1:12).
Joseph was learning the powerul connec-
tion between the study o the scriptures and
then pondering them as essential precursors
to receiving personal revelation. It was a
pattern he would perect to the blessing and
edication o us all.
This state of being past feeling is a perilous positionto be in. Laman and Lemuel provide a sobering example.
Joseph Smith learn-
ed the powerful
connection between
the study of the
scriptures and then
pondering them as
essential precursors
to receiving personalrevelation.
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Fast and Pray for Answers
Prayer is another crucial component of
receiving revelation. The instructive words of
Alma witness how he received his own testi-
mony through personal revelation. He writes:
Do ye not suppose that I know of these
things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that
I do know that these things whereof I have
spoken are true. And how do ye suppose
that I know of their surety?
Behold, I say unto you they are made
known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God.
Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days
that I might know these things of myself. And
now I do know of myself that they are true; for
the Lord God hath made them manifest untome by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of
revelation which is in me (Alma 5:4546).
The scriptures admonish us on numerous
occasions to knock or ask and tell us it
shall be given unto us. Jesus Christ Himself
promised that whatsoever things ye shall ask
the Father in my name shall be given unto you.
Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you; for he that
asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh,it shall be opened (3 Nephi 27:2829).
Keep the Commandments
To successfully draw upon the power
of personal revelation, we must be obedi-
ent to the laws of God. Always remember
that there is a law, irrevocably decreed in
heaven before the foundations of this world,
The scriptures often admonish us to knockoraskand tell us it shall be given unto us.
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 21
upon which all blessings are predicated
And when we obtain any blessing rom
God, it is by obedience to that law upon which
it is predicated (D&C 130:2021). Personal rev-
elation is predicated upon personal obedience.
Personal Revelation Is for Everyone
These examples o ancient and modern
prophets are powerul, but what o us, those
not oreordained to such revelation-intense
assignments in the Lords kingdom? Can we
also participate in this revelatory process?Revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith
as he was translating John 5:29 gives this
powerul instruction:
For thus saith the LordI, the Lord, am
merciul and gracious unto those who ear
me, and delight to honor those who serve me
in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
Great shall be their reward and eternal
shall be their glory.
And to them [you and me] will I revealall mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries
o my kingdom rom days o old, and or
ages to come, will I make known unto them
the good pleasure o my will concerning all
things pertaining to my kingdom.
Yea, even the wonders o eternity shall
they know, and things to come will I show
them, even the things o many generations.
And their wisdom shall be great, and their
understanding reach to heaven (D&C 76:59).As though these promises were not
enough, the Lord also says that every soul
who orsaketh his sins and cometh unto me,
and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my
voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall
see my ace and know that I am (D&C 93:1).
These blessings are promised to all who qual-
iy, not just those in leadership positions.
Avoid Digital Distractions
While modern technological advance-
ments can enhance the work o the Lord and
bless us and our amilies, we must be careul
not to all victim to their destructive side. We
must not only avoid the base and degrading
content some sources contain, but we must
also recognize when electronic distractions
keep us rom quieter, more signifcant uses
o our time. We must guard against becom-
ing so attached to digital devices that we
become detached rom God.Sometimes the most productive point
and click application is that o pointing our
fnger at the power button and clicking our
digital devices o.
Let us recognize the need or personal reve-
lation; develop the desire or these divine com-
munications; seek revelation through scripture
study, prayer, and pondering upon the mercies
o God; and obey His commandments. Finally,
we must recognize that revelation is availableto anyone who is worthy and asks God in
aith, in the name o His Son, Jesus Christ.
I know these things are true. I know it
because o my own experiences with
personal revelation. I know the
whisperings o the Holy Ghost,
or I have heard them and elt
them. I know God loves us and
desires to bless us with His
word and knowledge i wewill but seek it.
From a devotional address given at Brigham
Young UniversityHawaii on February 5,
2008.
NotEs
1. See M. Russell Ballard, Sharing the Gospel Usingthe Internet, Liahona, June 2008, N1;Ensign, July2008, 58.
2. See Boyd K. Packer, Personal Revelation: The Gift,the Test, and the Promise,Liahona,June 1997, 8;Ensign, Nov. 1994, 59.
Sometimes the mostproductive point
and click applica-
tion is that o
pointing our fnger
at the power button
and clicking our
digital devices o.
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22 E n s i g n
By Lin Si-Chia
WhenThings
seemed Wrong
G o s p e l i n M y l i f e
I was trying to live the gospel. So why did my
life take a turn for the worse?
It started when I lost the Book o Mormon
my missionary, Sister High, had given me
more than fve years earlier. I knew I could
obtain another one, but my copy was ull o my
own markings and cross-reerences. Tuckedbetween its pages were cherished quotes, a
heartwarming note rom a riend, and a copy o
my patriarchal blessing. Although I looked and
looked, the book was nowhere to be ound. I
couldnt believe I had been so careless.
Shortly ater this incident, I was let go rom
one o my jobs. My income was now cut in
hal. I had promised my parents I would pay
my own way through college. How was I
going to aord to keep going to school?I had been keeping the commandments to
the best o my ability; why were things going
so badly? Friends at school didnt pass on the
chance to rub it in. One said, You should cut
back on how oten you attend church. You can
save bus are. Another said, Why dont you
take a break rom church or a month or two?
You might fnd out that you dont notice much
o a dierence.
For a moment, their comments made sense.I started to wonder i my lie wouldbe better
without the Church.
I went back to my dorm room, where I saw
a picture o my amily taken during Chinese
New Year. I thought about how much I love
them and how happy they make me. And I
thought about my Heavenly Father, whom I
love and who loves me. I realized maybe I
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$
$
M a r c h 2 0 1 0 23
WhyPay
FastOFFerings?
Rebecca Alison Titz, a young adult
rom Germany who now attends the
Winterthur Ward in Switzerland, has a
testimony o asting and o the blessings that
come rom paying a generousast oering. Rebecca grew
up seeing her parents pay ast
oerings, and when she started
to earn her own salary, she
began contributing on her own.
She says, There have been times when I
could pay a generous ast oering. And in
those times she says, I was never hungry
in body or spirit. She explains that eelings
o hunger rom asting pass quickly, but theblessings o spiritual nourishment that come
rom helping others are long lastingeven
eternal.
Rebecca has always tried to contribute a ast
oering reely. Ive never had a problem giv-
ing it, she says. I have never thought, I could
use this money somewhere else. I have always
thought, This is helping peo-
ple who need it.
One o Rebeccas riends,Jessica Schwabe o the
Halberstadt Branch in
Hannover, Germany, adds:
Paying ast oerings gives asting more mean-
ing; it makes it all come together. Fast oer-
ings are a part o asting not or ourselves but
or others, or people in need.
needed to ocus on what I had rather than what
I lacked. Still, I wondered how I was going to
get through these trials.
A short time later, I conded my eelings
to my institute teacher, Sister Ou, who said,Many members have experienced a phase
when the all is well period o being a new
convert ends and you begin to ace the trials o
aith. The scriptures say, Nevertheless the Lord
seeth t to chasten his people; yea, he trieth
their patience and their aith (Mosiah 23:21).
So what should I do? I asked.
Study the scriptures even more diligently,
and pray even more earnestly, she said. True
aith comes when you have trials and pain.Your aith will grow, you will progress, and
your testimony will be strengthened.
I decided to ollow her advice and put my
aith in God. I tried to do as Alma 38:5 teaches:
As much as ye shall put your trust in God
even so much ye shall be delivered out o your
trials, and your troubles, and your afictions,
and ye shall be lited up at the last day.
As it turned out, I ound another jobone
that was better than my previous one. Betteryet, I ound my copy o the Book o Mormon.
I learned that our disappointments, sor-
rows, and dark hours are to help us grow.
They can lead us to much joy i, as Sister Ou
taught me, we put our aith and trust in a
loving Heavenly Father. How grateul I am to
have a rearmed testimony that the Church
and gospel are true.
The newness of
being a member of
the Church hadworn off, and I
found myself facing
a trial of faith.
Fortunately, my
institute teacher
helped me see the
joy that lay ahead.
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24 E n s i g n
In the preace o the Doctrine and
Covenants, we learn about the
limitations o the arm o esh: The
weak things o the world shall come
orth and break down the mighty
and strong ones, that man should notcounsel his ellow man, neither trust
in the arm o esh (D&C 1:19). To
rephrase that warning: even though
you may be learned in the ways o
the world, dont orget the power o
God.
My medical school classmates and
I learned that lesson in an unorget-
table way more than 30 years ago.
Our experience took place in thelittle town o Manzanillo, on Mexicos
western coast. The year was 1978. The
members o our 1947 graduating class,
along with our spouses, were attend-
ing a medical symposium.
One evening ater the scientifc ses-
sions had been completed, one o the
doctors suddenly became seriously
Neithertrustin the Arm
ofFlesh
ill. Without warning, he began to lose
massive amounts o blood rom his
stomach. Totally stunned, we sur-
rounded him, watching lies precious
blood ow rom him. There we were,
medical specialists skilled in vari-ous disciplines, including surgeons,
anesthesiologists, and internists, each
with wisdom gained through more
than 30 years o experience. What
could we do? The nearest hospital
was in Guadalajara, more than 100
mountainous miles (160 km) away. It
was night. No planes could y. Blood
transusions were out o the question
because o lack o equipment. All oour combined knowledge could not
be mobilized to stop his hemorrhage.
We were totally without the acilities
or equipment needed to save the lie
o our beloved riend.
Our stricken colleague, a aith-
ul Latter-day Saint, was well aware
o his plight. Ashen and pale, he
T h e y S p o k e T o U S
By ElderRussell M. Nelson
Of the Quorum of theTwelve Apostles
Even though you may be learned in the ways of theworld, dont forget the power of God.
whispered a request or a priest-
hood blessing. Several o us held
the Melchizedek Priesthood. We
responded to his request immedi-
ately. I was asked to seal the anoint-
ing. The Spirit dictated that he be
blessed to the end that the bleeding
would stop and that he would con-tinue to live and return to his home.
That blessing was administered in
the name o the Lord.
By the next morning, his condi-
tion had improved. Miraculously,
the bleeding had stopped. His blood
pressure had returned to normal. In a
couple o days, he was able to return
to his home. Unitedly, we thanked
the Lord or this most remarkableblessing.
The lesson we learned was sim-
ple: Trust in the Lord with all thine
heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding (Proverbs 3:5). We
experienced it frsthand. This doc-
trine, taught repeatedly in the scrip-
tures,1 had now become our sure
knowledge.
Please do not misunderstand me,brothers and sisters. O course we
need to prepare or worthy work to
do. Yes, we do need to do our work
well, whatever we choose to do in
lie. We need to be able to render
signifcant service. And beore we can
achieve that competence, we need
an education. With us, education is
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 25
a religious responsibility. The glory o God
reallyis intelligence (see D&C 93:36).
But the learning o man has its limitations.
And sometimes, as in our circumstance in
rural Mexico, the combined learning o many
experts cannot be applied when we need it
most. We have to place our trust in the Lord.
That experience in Mexico taught usanother important lesson. It pertains to our
ultimate priorities and highest destinies as
mortal beings. We learned that a doctors
ultimate destination is not in the hospital. For
a lawyer, it is not in the courtroom. For a jet
pilot, it is not in the cockpit o a Boeing 747.
Each persons chosen occupation is only a
means to an end; it is not an end in itsel.
The end or which each o you should
strive is to be the person that you canbecomethe person who God wants you to
be. The day will come when your proessional
career will end. The career that you will have
labored so hard to achievethe work that will
have supported you and your amilywill
one day be behind you.
Then you will have learned this great
lesson: much more important than what you
do or a living is what kind o person you
become. When you leave this rail existence,what you have become will matter most.
Attributes such as aith, virtue, knowledge,
temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, god-
liness, charity, humility, [and] diligence (D&C
4:6) will all be weighed in the Lords balance.
From time to time, ask yoursel these ques-
tions: Am I ready to meet my Maker? Am
I worthy o all the blessings He has in store
or His aithul children? Have I received myendowment and sealing ordinances o the
temple? Have I remained aithul to my cov-
enants? Have I qualifed or the greatest o all
Gods blessingsthe blessing o eternal lie?
(see D&C 14:7).
Those who cherish their aith in God
those who trust in Himhave been given this
scriptural promise: Let no man glory in man,
but rather let him glory in God. . . . These shall
dwell in the presence o God and his Christorever and ever (D&C 76:6162). May that be
the ultimate destiny or each o us.
From a Brigham Young University commencement address
delivered on April 23, 2009.
Note
1. See, for example, Proverbs 11:28; Jeremiah 17:5;Romans 8:1; 2 Nephi 4:3435; 2 Nephi 28:31;D&C 1:1923.
Much more
important thanwhat you do for
a living is what
kind of person
you become.
Attributes such
as faith, vir-
tue, knowledge,
temperance,
patience, broth-
erly kindness,godliness, charity,
humility, [and]
diligence will all
be weighed in the
Lords balance.
For the full text of the address in English, see speeches.byu.edu
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26 E n s i g n
He walked into a little class-
room in the Philippines to
be interviewed in prepara-
tion or receiving the Melchizedek
Priesthood. I didnt know how old he
was, but even the older members o
the branch called him Tatay(ather).
When I asked whether he would
be able to understand my English,
he smiled warmly and replied withcareul diction, Yes, I will.
Ater our interview I asked him i
AcceptAble
Service
S e r v i n g i n t h e C h u r C h
there was any reason he should not
be ordained to the priesthood. Ater
a moment he said, Perhaps I should
not receive the priesthood.
Puzzled, I asked, What do you
mean?
I have only one tooth, he replied.
I know I dont look very good to
receive the priesthood. It is all right
i you tell me I cannot have thepriesthood.
We sat or a moment while I pon-
dered his comment, tears welling up
in my eyes. Then I put my hand on
his hand and told him that I had seen
many wonderul priesthood holders
who had lost their hair, but he had
beautiul, thick black hair. I also told
him o priesthood holders who had
only one ear or one eye, but he hadboth o his eyes and ears.
I then told him o a riend o mine
who had lost his arm to cancer.
When that brother had prayed in
our home and had asked Heavenly
Father to bless my wie and chil-
dren, I knew he was a great servant
o the Lord. I told Tatay how this
Magnifyingyour Calling
We can be
assued
that ou sevice
is acceptable to
god as we manify ou callins in
the Chuch. Pesident Maion g.
romney (18971988), a counselo in
the Fist Pesidency, said manify-
in ou callins equies that we:
Haveamotivatingdesireto
manify ou callins.
Searchandponderthewordsof
etenal life.
Prayaboutourcallings.
Livethegospel. Diligentlyperformtheservice
we ae called to ende.
fm M g. rme, M oes
C the Pesthd, Ensign, J 1973,
89, 90.
riend had placed his only hand on
the head o a little girl to bless herbecause she was dying and that I
had elt the power
o the priesthood that day.
This elderly Filipino smiled and
said, I hope my service to God will
also be acceptable.
We are all awed in some signif-
cant way, and we all know the eel-
ings o inadequacy that come with
a new calling. But God accepts thehumblest oering o the humblest
Saint, and each o us can make a
dierence. We need not be embar-
rassed or ashamed; we need only
give our best eort to the Lord. In
turn He will bless us and magniy
us and, in a marvelous way, make
us whole.
By Eder David E. leSueur
Area SeventyNorth America Southwest Area
On the
LOrds
errand
Some o youmay be shy bynature or con-
sider yourselves
inadequate to respond afrma-tively to a calling. Remember that
this work is not yours and mine
alone. It is the Lords work, and
when we are on the Lords errand,
we are entitled to the Lords help.
Pesdet Thms S. Ms, Dt Cs,
Ensign, M 1996, 44.
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By Larry Richman
The trials of this
life will ultimately
lead to joy if we
patiently trust inGods plan and
discover how to
use adversity to
grow stronger.
Learningthrough
happiness (Alma 42:8, 16). Here on earth,
there is a lot o joy, but there are also times
o trial, misortune, and grie.
A common misunderstanding among
members o the Church is that i we strive
with all our might to live the commandments,
nothing bad will happen to us. We maybelieve i we are married in the temple, our
marriage will automatically be heaven on
earth, or i we live the Word o Wisdom, we
will never get sick. But the truth is that bad
things may happen to the best o people. The
consequences o good and bad actions will
come, but they do not always come immedi-
ately, and they may not even come in this lie.
Ive learned that the way I respond to
trials can have a great eect on whether
they become roadblocks in my lie or
expressways to learning and growth. When I
anguish over difculties, the experiences only
serve to weigh me down. But remembering
that these trials are part o the great plan ohappiness helps me to see them as opportu-
nities to grow and learn.
As children o a loving God, we
accepted our Fathers plan to obtain a
physical body, gain earthly experience, and
qualiy to return to His presence and enjoy
eternal lie. In act, we shouted or joy at
the chance to participate in this plan o
LifesTrials
M a r c h 2 0 1 0 27
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28 E n s i g n
Origins of AdversityMuch suering comes as a direct result o sin. When we
use our agency to disregard the commandments o God,
we ollow Satans plan o misery rather than Gods plan o
happiness.
Other trials come as a result o unwise choices. For
example, many people are burdened with fnancial debt
because they choose to make purchases on credit rather
than delay purchases until they can aord to pay in cash.
Yet other challenges come as a natural result o mortal-
ity and the world we live in. We are mortals with bodiesthat will age and may become ill or injured.
Degree of Fault for Problems in Life
As mortals, we try to assign ault or every situation.
Oten, we judge ourselves harshly, concluding that
problems occur because o something we did wrong or
because we ailed to do something to prevent them.1
As we consider the degree o our personal ault or the
tribulations in our lives, it may be helpul to think o a
continuum with sin at one end and adversity at the other.2
Our degree o ault is high at the end o the spectrum
marked assin. We should accept responsibility or prob-
lems caused by sin by repenting and continually striving
to do better. However, as we continue down the spectrum,
our ault drops to zero at the end marked by adversity,
where we may bear no responsibility at all. These trials
may come to us regardless o any conscious action on our
part. I we blame ourselves or things that are not our ault,
When we use our
agency to disregard
the commandmentsof God, we follow
Satans plan of misery
rather than Gods
plan of happiness.
we make a bad situation worse by seeing ourselves as badpeople who deserve bad things.
It is difcult to judge our level o responsibility or prob-
lems that all between these two ends o the spectrum.
In these cases, it may be unproductive to try to establish
blame because it may cause us to lose ocus on the very
reason or the trial.
The Purposes of Adversity
Apostle Orson F. Whitney (18551931) o the Quorum o
the Twelve Apostles, explained: No pain that we suer, notrial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our educa-
tion, to the development o such qualities as patience, aith,
ortitude and humility. All that we suer and all that we
endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up
our characters, purifes our hearts, expands our souls, and
makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be
called the children o God . . . and it is through sorrow and
suering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education
that we come here to acquire.3
Trials give us opportunities to show the Lord and our-selves that we will be aithul. We can choose to eel sorry
or ourselves and ask, Why me? or we can grow rom our
trials, increase our aith in the Lord, and ask, How can I be
aithul in the midst o this trial? We can let adversity break
us down and make us bitter, or we can let it refne us and
make us stronger. We can allow adversity to lead us to drit
away rom the things that matter most, or we can use it as a
stepping-stone to grow closer to things o eternal worth.
Much suffering comes asa direct result ofsin.
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F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0 29
Spiritual growth can oten be achieved more readily by
trials and adversity than by comort and tranquility. Trials
can teach us that aith in God the Father and His Son Jesus
Christ is the source o inner strength. President David O.
McKay (1873-1970) recounted the testimony o one o the
survivors o the ill-ated Martin handcart company, who said:
We suered beyond anything you can imagine and many
died o exposure and starvation, but . . . [we] came through
with the absolute knowledge that God lives or we became
acquainted with Him in our extremities.4
Beneftting rom Adversity
Since adversity will come to us all, consider the ollow-
ing ideas to help ace trials and benet rom them.
Rely on Christ
One o the purposes o trials is to help us come to
know Christ, understand His teachings in our minds,eel them in our hearts, and live them in our lives. Elder
Richard G. Scott o the Quorum o the Twelve Apostles
explains that God loves us perectly and would not
require [us] to experience a moment more o diculty
than is absolutely needed or [our] personal benet or or
that o those [we] love.5 President Harold B. Lee (18991973)
once remarked: Sometimes when [we] are going through
the most severe tests, [we] will be nearer to God than [we]
have any idea.6
When we turn to Christ, we will not only nd thecomort we seek, but in so doing we will also gain an
increased testimony o the reality o the Savior and His
Atonement, which can heal all suering. We oten speak
o the Atonement in terms o relie rom sin and guilt. But
the Atonement is more. Alma taught that Christ suered
pains, afictions, and temptations o every kind so He
could be lled with mercy and know how to succor His
people according to their inrmities (see Alma 7:1112).
The Atonement can heal the eects o all pain and
afiction in mortality.7 When suering is our ault, we can
be cleansed through repentance, and ater all we can do,
the Atonement can compensate or the consequences o
our sins. It can also compensate or the harmul eects o
our ignorance or neglect, the pain caused by the willul
actions o others, and the suering that comes as a result
o living in a natural world.
God lets us have dicult days, months, or lives so we
can grow rom these experiences. I believe that the spe-
cic challenges I have aced in my lie were the specic
ways I had to learn the lessons I needed to learn. I believe
I am the man I am today becauseo the trials Ive experi-
enced, not inspiteo them.
For example, many people are burdened with
fnancial debt because they choose to make
purchases on credit rather than delay purchases
until they can aord to pay in cash.
Other trials come as a result ounwise choices.
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30 E n s i g n
Elder Richard G. Scott taught that the Lord is intent
on [our] personal growth and development. . . . Progress
is accelerated when [we] willingly allow Him to lead [us]
through every growth experience [we] encounter. . . . I
[we] question [every unpleasant challenge], . . . [we] make
it harder or the Lord to bless [us].8
But i we center ourhearts and minds on the Lords will, we will gain more
happiness in the journey and more ulllment in lie.
Rely on Others
President Spencer W. Kimball (18951985) taught, God
does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually
through another person that he meets our needs.9 We
need to allow other people to be instruments in the Lords
hands to help us through the challenges in lie.
Let Adversity Make You a Better Person
A woman in my stake ought a battle with cancer.Although she endured pains and heartache that ew peo-
ple understood, she remained cheerul and optimistic. 10
She wrote her own obituary, which, in part, reads:
Today at the young age o 33 I let this mortal existence
to a holier sphere. I was born . . . to wonderul parents . . .
who taught me to live lie well. . . . We have three sweet
children who I will miss greatly. At the young age o 29,
I was introduced to something called cancer. Cancer was
my great adversary, but I have learned that in this lie our
enemies can become our choicest riends; the secret is in
learning what to do with the confict.
We are not always healed rom pain and sickness. Elder
Dallin H. Oaks o the Quorum o the Twelve has said,
Sometimes we are healed by being given strength or under-standing or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.11
Live with Integrity
When aced with seemingly insurmountable challenges,
we may be tempted to take the easy way out. Although
my riend Cody (name has been changed) has elt same-
gender attractions his entire lie, he doesnt listen to
the worlds view that he was born that way and has no
accountability or his actions. He knows that the com-
mandments and blessings o the gospel are as real and rel-
evant to him as to anyone else. Cody is living his lie withintegrity to the principles he knows to be true. He knows
that i he lives aithully, all the blessings o the gospel
will be his, either in this lie or in the next. He knows that
his present trials dont determine who he really is, but his
responses to them will infuence who he will become.
Yielding to adversity makes us weaker. Keeping the com-
mandmentsno matter how tryingmakes us stronger and
helps us overcome every challenge in lie. Through aith
and the world we live in. We are mortals with
bodies that will age and may become ill or injured.
Yet other challenges come as a natural result ofmortality
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F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0 31
and obedience, we qualiy or the divine spiritual guidance
we need to guide us along unknown roads.
Be Patient
We live in a world o instant gratifcation. We want ast
ood, quick loans, and instant solutions to our problems.
However, the Lord may ask us to show our aith by endur-
ing some problems patiently. Today, we may not be able
to grasp all the reasons or our challenges or the oppor-
tunities they will give us to grow. We may have to learn
line upon line. As we patiently endure in righteousness,
He may reveal to us greater understanding about our trials
and the purpose o them in our lives.
Keep an Eternal Perspective
Some o the challenges we experience in this lie are
conditions o mortality that will not continue into the next
lie. President Brigham Young (18011877) taught: We talk
about our trials and troubles here in this lie; but suppose thatyou could see yourselves thousands and millions o years
ater you have proved aithul to your religion during the ew
short years in this time, and have obtained eternal salvation
and a crown o glory in the presence o God? Then look
back upon your lives here, and see the losses, crosses, and
disappointments, the sorrows . . . ; you would be constrained
to exclaim, but what o all that? Those things were but or a
moment, and we are now here. We have been aithul during
a ew moments in our mortality, and now we enjoy eternal
lie and glory, with power to progress in all the boundlessknowledge and through the countless stages o progression,
enjoying the smiles and approbation o our Father and God,
and o Jesus Christ our elder brother. 12
Facing Advriy
I we turn to Christ with aith and patience, we can have
the strength we need to ace adversity. The doctrines o the
restored gospel give us an eternal perspective that provides
hope and courage to bear all o lies trials. Each o us has
the strength to bear our challenges in lie because o whowe are, who God is, and who we are together
From a devotional address given at Brigham Young UniversityIdaho on October
30, 2007.
Notes
1. See Richard G. Scott, Trust in the Lord,Ensign, Nov. 1995, 17.2. See Bruce C. Hafen, Beauty for Ashes: The Atonement of Jesus
Christ,Ensign, Apr. 1990, 10.3. Quoted by Spencer W. Kimball inFaith Precedes the Miracle(1972),
98. Also, Brigham Young taught, Every trial and experience you havepassed through is necessary for your salvation, Teachings of thePresidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 262.
4. Quoted by David O. McKay,Relief Society Magazine, Jan. 1948, 8.5. Trust in the Lord, 17.6. Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Munich Germany Area
Conference 1973, 114.7. Bruce C. Hafen, Beauty for Ashes,Ensign, Apr. 1990, 713; see also Dallin
H. Oaks, He Heals the Heavy Laden,Liahona andEnsign, Nov. 2006, 69.8. Richard G. Scott, Finding Joy in Life,Ensign, May 1996, 25.9. Spencer W. Kimball, Small Acts of Service,Ensign, Dec. 1974, 5.
10. See Joanne D. Smith, Annettes Halo,Ensign, Sept. 1991, 7173.11. He Heals the Heavy Laden, 78. See also Mosiah 24:1315.12. Brigham Young, inDeseret News, Nov. 9, 1859, 1.
understand His teachings in our minds, feel
them in our hearts, and live them in our lives.
One purpose of trials is to help us come to knowChrist,
For the full text in English, see web.byui.edu/devotionalsandspeeches.
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TrialsandTestimony
By Elder Paul B. Pieper
Of the Seventy
those who would remain faithful through their
tribulations to the end. Of these he said, And they
overcame him [the devil and his temptations] bythe blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony(Revelation 12:11; emphasis added).
John learned that reliance on a personal testimony
of the Savior and His gospel is essential in order to
remain faithful during times of testing and crisis.
Each person who accepts the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ receives a testimony by the power
of the Holy Ghost that our Heavenly Father lives,
Jesus Christ is the Savior, Joseph Smith is the
prophet of the Restoration, the Book of Mormon istrue, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints is Gods only true and living church on the
earth today. This testimony causes us to change
our lives and chart a new course, conforming our
lives to Heavenly Fathers will and command-
ments. As we live the commandments, we receive
blessings and additional spiritual witnesses that the
doctrines and commandments are true.
When we have fully repented, we are privi-
leged to enter into the waters of baptism and becleansed from all of our sins. We then receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost, which gives us a more
powerful spiritual witness of the correctness of our
path. The continuing witness of the Spirit becomes
the testimony that anchors us to Jesus Christ and
His restored gospel.
For a time after baptism, our spiritual experi-
ences are new and fresh in our minds. We feel the
I testiy that as we turn to our testimony o Him in times o crisis, wecan fnd the strength to overcome all that we are asked to endure.
32 E n s i g n
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and withdraw rom the enlivening doctrines othe Restoration? No! She returned to the testimony
she had received during her conversion and gave
thanks to a loving Heavenly Father or bringing the
gospel to her beore the crisis so that she would
have the strength to endure it. With a witness o the
reality o Gods plan, she could go on. She didnt
have all the answers, but she had a testimony and
relied on it or the strength to endure her trial.
Gods plan is designed so that each o us will go
through many trials in our lives. Trials are His wayo stretching us and helping us become as He is.
Our crises will dier in magnitude and requency,
but they will continue throughout our lives. As John
learned, strength to overcome these trials and return
to Heavenly Father is ound in the word o our
testimonies. I testiy that as we turn to our testimony
o Him in times o crisis, we can nd the strength to
overcome all that we are asked to endure.
infuence o the Spirit with us and the power and
strength o our newound testimony. Time passes,
and the truths we have ound become a routine
part o our lives. We attend church, partake o the
sacrament, and listen to lessons. We are comort-
able with our lives and all is well. But then it hap-
pens. Something upsets the rhythm o our livesa
crisis, a mistake, a temptation, a distraction.
In a moment lie changes and we are let
searching or answers. This is a critical time o
decision. How will we react? Where will we look
to nd the answers we need?
This is the moment when eternal destinies are
orged in the quiet reaches o the heart and mind
as we struggle to respond to a personal trial. At
such moments we can choose to remember the
spiritual witnesses and testimony we have receivedand rely on the Lord to help us through the chal-
lenge in a way consistent with His teachings and
commandments. Or we can discount the sacred
whisperings we have received rom the Spirit and
turn to our own or anothers wisdom or a solution.
As John saw, in the end only those who choose to
rely consistently and completely on their testimo-
nies will be able to overcome all things in mortality
and stand worthily beore God at the last day.
A new convert to the Church taught me thislesson and strengthened my aith. This woman
was converted to the Church in a land where the
gospel was new. She gained a testimony o its
truthulness and embraced it with all her heart. The
gospel brought her something she had known little
ohope. Her only son, who had struggled or
years to overcome an addiction, began to attend
church meetings with her and to change. Her heart
rejoiced. She nally had hope that he could over-
come his past and nd happiness together with her.But then her trial came. One night he came
home late ater being out with old riends and
engaging in old ways. By morning he was dead.
How would she react to her trial? Would the
emotion o a mother grieving the loss o her only
son overcome her? Would she begin to question her
Heavenly Father, as others did, wondering why He
would let this happen? Would she become bitter
M a r c h 2 0 1 0 33
Gods planis designed
so that each
of us will
go through
many trials
. . . . Trials
are His way
of . . . helping
us become as
He is.
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As a runner, I ound that endurance came
naturally, both on and o the race course.
I never looked at trials as adversity
just challenges to meet head-on and with great
intensity. I gured I could grit my teeth and get
through any physical, emotional, or other struggle.
Because this method worked well or me both
in running and in other areas o my lie, I thought
that to endure meant to hang on throughsomething unpleasant; then, ater it ended, I
could move on to the good stu and be happy.
Seven years ago, I didnt oten have to get
through something unpleasant. I was newly
married to my husband, Lee, who was nish-
ing graduate school. I had a successul career
as a legal negotiator. I worked entirely rom
home and mostly on my own schedule, and
I was able to accept and reuse assignments
as my time and liestyle permitted. I also rana 30-student piano studio out o our home. In
addition, I was doing trail runs every week,
mountain biking whenever I ancied, and taking
yoga and kickboxing classes regularly. I was in
the best health o my lie.
A short time later, when I became pregnant,
everything turned upside-down. I went rom
running hal-marathons with ease to being
unable to walk up the stairs without eeling
dizzy. I couldnt teach piano lessons anymore
because I was unable to sit upright through a
hal-hour session. I still managed to do some
contract negotiations while lying in bed
but would have to excuse mysel
rom conerence calls when I
became sick. I became dehy-
drated. At a time I should havebeen gaining weight, I lost almost
15 percent o my body weight and
had to receive IV fuids on several
occasions. And instead o being
happy, glowing, and looking orward
to the birth o our rst child, I was a
depressed shadow o my ormer sel.
Fortunately, with the help o doctors,
medication, and my clear-headed and
kind husband, I got through thosedicult nine months and gave birth
to a healthy baby boy. I thought I
had successully passed through
what would be the most di-
cult trial o my lienow
I could move on to the
good stu. Little did
I know.
photoI
llustratIonsbyCaryhenrIe
34 E n s i g n
I used to think that happiness comes after the hard part is over.
But I have learned that we can be happy while enduring.
E n d u r i n g
WellBy Emma Petty Addams
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F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 0 35
The Meaning of
The Word EndurE
E
ndure to the End:
To remain true tothe commandments of
God despite temptation,
opposition, and adversity
throughout life.Preach My Gospel(2004), 70.
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36 E n s i g n
What ollowed in the
next ew years was more
challenging. Our son
was colicky and restless,
and he slept only in small
chunks o time, even
beyond his newborn days.
My ather, who was in his
early 50s and was enjoy-
ing being a grandpa or
the rst time, was diag-
nosed with cancer andpassed away much too
soon. I started experienc-
ing debilitating migraine
headaches on a regular
basis. Our amily moved
rom Caliornia to New
York, where I had another
dicult pregnancy and elt
drained as I tried to keep
up with two young childrenin a small Manhattan apart-
ment. But I was surviving
it all with constant support
and love rom my hus-
band, as well as increased
respite as he took over my
responsibilities during the
most overwhelming times.
I knew that trials were part o this lie. As President Wilord
Woodru (180798) stated: I have never read o the peo-ple o God in any dispensation passing through lie, as the
sectarian world would say, on fowery beds o ease, without
opposition o any kind.1
As ar as our diculties were concerned, I had resolved to
just wait it out, pushing through whatever the current chal-
lenge was and trusting that things would be so much better
once it was resolved. This cant be real life, I thought. I just
needed to hold on, knowing this too would pass.
At the oreront o our
struggles was evidence that
our rst child was not devel-
oping and communicating
the way other children his
age were. Beore long, he
was diagnosed with autism.
Maybe thats when
I began to realize that
enduring adversity means
more than getting through
it. With autism, there isno such thing as sitting
tight and letting it pass or
work itsel out. There is no
guarantee that our son will
push through to the next
developmental stage on his
own or that he will grow
out o his dicult behav-
iors. These experiences as
a mother o a child withspecial needs have vastly
changed my perspective
about adversity and have
helped me learngradual-
lywhat has been the most
important lesson o my lie:
It is not enough to have
trials and to get through
them. We have to endure them well.
Because o what our amily has experienced, we eelgreater empathy or others struggles, whatever they may
be and nd ourselves reaching or a greater understanding
o the Saviors love or us. We are learning that through
our active use o the Atonement, it is indeed possible to be
troubled on every side, yet not distressed; . . . perplexed,
but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not orsaken, cast down, but not
destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:810).
Happiness amid adversity
When I was young I lovedplaying sports, and I havemany ond memories o those
days. But not all o them are pleas-
ant. I remember one day ater my
ootball team lost a tough game,
I came home eeling discouraged.My mother was there. She listened
to my sad story. She taught her
children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame
others or their misortunes, and give their best eort in
everything they attempted.
When we ell down, she expected us to pick ourselves
up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to
me then wasnt altogether unexpected. It has stayed with
me all my lie.
Joseph, she said, come what may, and love it.
I have oten reected on that counsel.
I think she may have meant that every lie has peaks
and shadows and times when it seems that the birds dont
sing and bells dont ring. Yet in spite o discouragement
and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way
o learning rom difcult times, becoming stronger, wiser,
and happier as a result. . . .
How can we love days that are flled with sorrow? We
cantat least not in the moment. I dont think my mother
was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny
the reality o pain. I dont think she was suggesting that we
smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak o pretended
happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adver-sity can be a major actor in how happy and successul we
can be in lie.
I we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times
can be times o greatest growth, which in turn can lead
toward times o greatest happiness.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1917
2008), Come What May, and Love It, Ensign, Nov. 2008, 26.
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M a r c h 2 0 1 0 37
In James 5:1011 this lack o despair is
pushed one step urther: Take, my brethren,
the prophets, who have spoken in the name o
the Lord, or an example o suering aiction,
and o patience.
Behold, we count them happywhich
endure (emphasis added).
In my ormer understanding o endur-
ance, happiness came at the end, afterthe
hard part is over. But this scripture, coupled
with my own experiences, taught me that
you can be happy whileenduring. Eventhough I have come to an intellectual
understanding o this truth, certainly
I am still learning how to put it into
practice. But I know that what
lies at the heart o the principle is
where we put our trust; and when
I