march 2010 ensign

8/14/2019 March 2010 Ensign

1/84

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


2/84

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).


3/84

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


4/84

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


5/84

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

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6/84

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.


7/84

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


8/84

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 ______________________________


9/84

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.


10/84

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


11/84

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.


12/84

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


13/84

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).


14/84

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


15/84

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


16/84

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


17/84


18/84

16 E n s i g n


19/84

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


20/84

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.


21/84

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.


22/84

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.


23/84

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.


24/84

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


25/84

$

$

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.


26/84

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


27/84

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


28/84

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.


29/84

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.


34/84

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


35/84

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.


36/84

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

march 2010 ensign

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