;;;ENSIGN
JUNE 2008 
VOLUME 38, NUMBER 6

;;;Contents
MESSAGES: FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE
4 Safety in Counsel, PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING
There is constancy in the way the Savior shows us the path to safety.
VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE
67  The Gospel of Jesus Christ Teaches the Reality of Our Premortal Existence

FEATURE ARTICLES
10  Making Time to Be Holy: ADAM C. OLSON
Life in Hong Kong moves at a frenetic pace. These young adults are making sure they put spiritual priorities first.
15  It Started with Girls' Camp and an Ensign: PENNY HAGENBUCH
How invitations, testimony, and magazines from LDS friends gave me answers I had been looking for.
16  Tending the Flock: Teaching Leadership Skills to Youth: PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF AND ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD 
Unsure how to teach youth to lead effectively? Here are some ideas.
22  Families Can Be Together Forever: CAROLYN RUSCH
When my testimony of eternal families needed bolstering, hymns chosen by the temple organist reinforced my faith.
24  Armor of Battle, Armor of God
 How do military families find comfort when they are separated?
34  The Exquisite Joy of Repentance: PEGGY OLLERTON ARCHULETA
Where could I find happiness? I thought it was in the world, but I was wrong.
37  In Search of Mary Dudley: JILL DUDLEY DYCHES
Even if only a scrap of evidence exists about your ancestors, spiritual influences can lead you to it.
40  Presidents of the Young Women Organization through the Years
Historical highlights during the administration of each of the Young Women general presidents. 
46  The Spiritual Component of Healing: ELDER ALEXANDER B. MORRISON
Faith, priesthood, and medicine all play a role in healing.
51  A Call from the Hospital: NAME WITHHELD
Darren and I shared a unique friendship after my son died.
54  Questions and Answers
 With all the difficulty in the world, I often find myself feeling anxious and worried. How can I find peace during troubled times?
58  Reinforcing Our Seams: JESSICA J. CARRIER
Every added stitch of obedience makes us stronger in a world that seems to be unraveling.
59  Cultivating Sensitivity to Others: ANDREA WORTHINGTON SNARR
The Lord loves us all because we are all His children. When we see others in this light, we can't help but love and try to understand them too. 
64  Reaching Out to Belong: REBECCA YOUNG
Feeling lonely? Here are some tips to help you become more connected to the Saints in your ward.
DEPARTMENTS
LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF MORMON
29  Experiencing a Change of Heart: ELDER KEITH K. HILBIG
How do we know when we've experienced a mighty change of heart?
68  Fruits of the Book of Mormon: ELDER RICHARD G. HINCKLEY
A testimony of the Book of Mormon yields the fruits of kindness, tolerance, and good works.
70  LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES
Stories of comfort and blessings through the Lord's Spirit and the Book of Mormon.
74  RANDOM SAMPLER
Teaching children, using scripture study aids, getting along with roommates, and keeping in touch.
76  NEWS OF THE CHURCH

ON THE COVER: Photograph by Adam C. Olson
DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL?
  In today's electronic and mobile world, many of us find ourselves frequently using MP3 players, cell phones, handheld devices, and other equipment to help us organize our lives and keep in contact with others. While these devices are certainly useful, we can also benefit from having time away from them. How have you benefited from "unplugging" yourself from these devices during Church worship or for quiet meditation? How are your teaching and learning experience affected when you let go of constant connectivity? Please limit submissions to 800 words and send them by July 11. You can find this and other calls for articles online at ensign.lds.org. 
  We also welcome other submissions that show the gospel of Jesus Christ at work in your life. Ensign Magazine Writers' Guidelines are posted at http://ensign.lds.org under "Resources."
  Send submissions to ensign@ldschurch.org or Ensign Editorial, 50 E. North Temple Street, Room 2420, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220, USA. Include your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, ward (or branch), and stake (or district). Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt. Authors whose work is selected for publication will be notified. If you would like your manuscript, photos, art, or other material returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

USING THIS ISSUE
  Feel peace through the gospel. Several articles in this issue deal with feeling peace, even amid hectic schedules, separation from family, illness, or living in times of trouble (see pp. 10, 22, 24, 34, 46, 51, and 54). How have you felt the peace of the gospel in situations like these?
  Teach leadership skills. Are you a parent or leader of youth? President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder M. Russell Ballard explain that it's important not only to lead youth but also to teach them to lead. See page 16 for ideas you can implement in your home and ward or branch.
  Connect with your ward. After reading "Reaching Out to Belong" (p. 64), you might consider accessing your ward and stake Web site. These locally administered sites include calendars, directories, and other helpful information. Visit www.lds.org to learn more. You'll find the link under the heading "About the Church."

GOSPEL TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE
Activation, 34
Atonement, 10, 29
Balance, 10
Baptism, 29
Blessings, 46
Book of Mormon, 68, 70, 72
Callings, 16, 40
Church Magazines, 15
Faith, 10, 46, 73
Family, 74
Family History, 37
Family Home Evening, 74
Forgiveness, 51, 59
Friendship, 15, 51, 64, 74
Healing, 46
Holy Ghost, 70, 71
Hymns, 22
Joy, 34
Kindness, 59, 71, 74
Leadership, 16
Missionary Work, 15, 72
Music, 22
Obedience, 4, 10, 58
Opposition, 68
Parenthood, 71, 74
Peace, 24, 54
Pioneers, 4
Prayer, 10, 73
Prophets, 4
Priesthood, 46
Repentance, 29, 34, 
Sacrament, 70
Sacrifice, 10
Savior, 4
Scripture Study, 10, 74
Single Adults, 10
Spirituality, 10
Suffering, 46
Teaching, 16, 24, 74
Temple, 22
Testimony, 15, 22, 68, 70
Unity, 64
Visiting Teaching, 67
Worship, 64
Young Women, 15, 40

COMING IN JULY
Look for articles on:
-- The counselors in the new First Presidency.
-- Using the Internet to share the gospel.
-- Healing for spouses in cases of addiction.

;;;Safety in Counsel
BY PRESIDENT HENRY B. EYRING
First Counselor in the First Presidency
The Savior has always been the protector of those who would accept His protection. He has said more than once, "How oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not" (3 Nephi 10:5; see also, for example, Matthew 23:37; D&C 29:2).
  The Lord expressed the same lament in our own dispensation after describing the many ways in which He calls us to safety: "How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!" (D&C 43:25).
  There seems to be no end to the Savior's desire to lead us to safety, and there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. Those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety.
A Prophet's Warning
  When tensions ran high in northern Missouri in the fall of 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith called for all the Latter-day Saints to gather to Far West for protection. Many were on isolated farms or in scattered settlements. He specifically counseled Jacob Haun, founder of a small settlement called Haun's Mill. A record of that time includes this: "Brother Joseph had sent word by Haun, who owned the mill, to inform the brethren who were living there to leave and come to Far West, but Mr. Haun did not deliver the message."1 Later, the Prophet Joseph recorded in his history: "Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took counsel. None had ever been killed who abode by my counsel."2 Then the Prophet recorded the sad truth that innocent lives could have been saved at Haun's Mill had his counsel been received and followed.
  In our own time we have been warned with counsel on where to find safety from sin and from sorrow. One of the keys to recognizing those warnings is that they are repeated. For instance, more than once in general conferences, you have heard our prophet say that he would quote a preceding prophet and would therefore be a second witness and sometimes even a third. Each of us old enough to listen heard President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) give counsel on the importance of a mother in the home and then heard President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) quote him, and we have heard President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) quote them both.3
  The Apostle Paul wrote, "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Corinthians 13:1). One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time.
  Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith. When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that they hear only a wise man giving good advice. Then if his counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with what they want to do, they take it. If it does not, they either consider it faulty advice or they see their circumstances as justifying their being an exception to the counsel. Those without faith may think that they hear only men seeking to exert influence for some selfish motive. They may mock and deride, as did a man named Korihor, with these words recorded in the Book of Mormon: "And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges" (Alma 30:27).
  Korihor was arguing, as men and women have falsely argued from the beginning of time, that to take counsel from the servants of God is to surrender God-given rights of independence. But the argument is false because it misrepresents reality. When we reject the counsel that comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, whose whole purpose, as that of His Beloved Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of His love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. We have moral agency as a gift of God. Rather than the right to choose to be free of influence, it is the inalienable right to submit ourselves to whichever of those powers we choose.
Standing on Safe Ground
  Another fallacy is to believe that the choice to accept or not accept the counsel of prophets is no more than deciding whether to accept good advice and gain its benefits or to stay where we are. But the choice not to take prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which we stand. That ground becomes more dangerous. The failure to take prophetic counsel lessens our power to take inspired counsel in the future. The best time to have decided to help Noah build the ark was the first time he asked. Each time he asked after that, each failure to respond would have lessened sensitivity to the Spirit. And so each time his request would have seemed more foolish, until the rain came. And then it was too late.
  Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm's way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. Along the path, I have found that the way had been prepared for me and the rough places made smooth. God led me to safety along a path that was prepared with loving care, sometimes prepared long before.
  The account at the beginning of the Book of Mormon is of a prophet of God, Lehi. He was also the leader of a family. He was warned by God to take those he loved to safety. Lehi's experience is a type of what happens as God gives counsel through His servants. Of Lehi's family, only those who had faith and who themselves received confirming revelation saw both the danger and the way to safety. For those without faith, the move into the wilderness seemed not only foolish but dangerous. Like all prophets, Lehi, to his dying day, tried to show his family where safety would lie for them.
  He knew that the Savior holds responsible those to whom He delegates priesthood keys. With those keys comes the power to give counsel that will show us the way to safety. Those with keys are responsible to warn even when their counsel might not be followed.
  Keys are delegated down a line that passes from the prophet through those responsible for ever-smaller groups of members, closer and closer to families and to individuals. That is one of the ways by which the Lord makes a stake a place of safety. For instance, I have sat with my wife in a meeting of parents called by our bishop so that he could warn us of spiritual dangers faced by our children. I heard more than the voice of my wise friend. I heard a servant of Jesus Christ, with keys, meeting his responsibility to warn and passing to us, the parents, the responsibility to act. When we honor the keys of that priesthood channel by listening and giving heed, we tie ourselves to a lifeline that will not fail us in any storm.
  Our Heavenly Father loves us. He sent His Only Begotten Son to be our Savior. He knew that in mortality we would be in grave danger, the worst of it from the temptations of a terrible adversary. That is one of the reasons the Savior has provided priesthood keys, so that those with ears to hear and faith to obey could go to places of safety.
Having Listening Ears
  Having listening ears requires humility. You remember the Lord's warning to Thomas B. Marsh. He was then the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Lord knew that President Marsh and his Brethren of the Twelve would be tested. He gave counsel about taking counsel. The Lord said, "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers" (D&C 112:10).
  The Lord added a warning that is applicable to any who follow a living prophet: "Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come" (D&C 112:15).
  God offers us counsel not just for our own safety but for the safety of His other children, whom we should love. There are few comforts so sweet as to know that we have been an instrument in the hands of God in leading someone else to safety. That blessing generally requires the faith to follow counsel when it is hard to do.
  An example from Church history is that of Reddick Newton Allred. He was one of the rescue party sent out by President Brigham Young (1801-77) to bring in the Willie and Martin handcart companies. At the Sweetwater River near South Pass, Captain George Grant asked Reddick Allred to remain there with a few men and wagons and be ready to help when the rescuers returned with the handcart pioneers.
  The rescuers found the Willie company mired in the snow, freezing, starving, and dying. Some of the rescuers continued to search for the Martin company, while the others helped the Willie company make that heartrending pull up and over Rocky Ridge. Soon after they made camp, Reddick Allred and his men came to deliver essential assistance and supplies.
  Allred then waited for Captain Grant to return with the Martin company. Week after week passed with no sign of them. As blizzards howled and the weather became life threatening, two of the men decided it was foolish to stay. They thought the Martin company had either wintered over somewhere or perished. They decided to return to the Salt Lake Valley and tried to persuade everyone else to do the same. Allred refused to budge. President Young had sent them out, and Captain Grant, Reddick Allred's priesthood leader, had told him to wait there.
  Those who returned took several wagons, filled with needed supplies, and started back to the Salt Lake Valley. Even more tragic, they turned back 77 wagons that were coming from the valley to help. Some of these wagons returned all the way to Big Mountain before messengers sent by President Young met them and turned them back around.
  Finally, more than three weeks after Reddick Allred had assisted the Willie company, Captain Grant arrived with the Martin company. These pioneers were even more destitute and had suffered dozens of deaths. Captain Grant's rescue team was small and low on provisions--and still more than 200 miles (320 km) from the Salt Lake Valley. Once again, because Reddick Allred had stayed true to his assignment, even in the most trying circumstances, he was able to provide life-sustaining assistance and supplies.4
Reaching Out to Others
  You will hear and read inspired counsel from prophets of God to reach out to new members of the Church. Those with the faith of Reddick Newton Allred will keep offering friendship even when it seems not to be needed or to have no effect. They will persist. When some new member reaches the point of spiritual exhaustion, members of faith will be there offering kind words and fellowship. They will then feel the same divine approval Brother Allred felt when he saw those handcart pioneers struggling toward him, knowing he could offer them safety because he had followed counsel when it was hard to do.
  While the record does not prove it, I am confident that Brother Allred prayed while he waited. I am confident that his prayers were answered. He then knew that the counsel to stand fast was from God. We must pray to know that. I promise you such prayers of faith will be answered.
  Sometimes we will receive counsel that we cannot understand or that seems not to apply to us, even after careful prayer and thought. Don't discard the counsel, but hold it close. If someone you trusted handed you what appeared to be nothing more than sand with the promise that it contained gold, you might wisely hold it in your hand awhile, shaking it gently. Every time I have done that with counsel from a prophet, after a time the gold flakes have begun to appear, and I have been grateful.
  We are blessed to live in a time when the priesthood keys are on the earth. We are blessed to know where to look and how to listen for the voice that will fulfill the promise of the Lord that He will gather us to safety. I pray that we will have humble hearts, that we will listen, that we will pray, and that we will wait for the deliverance of the Lord that is sure to come as we are faithful. 
NOTES
	1. Philo Dibble, in "Early Scenes in Church History," Four Faith Promoting Classics (1968), 90.
	2. History of the Church, 5:137.
	3. See, for example, The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball (1982), 327; "To the Fathers in Israel," Ensign, Nov. 1987, 49; "Women of the Church," Ensign, Nov. 1996, 69.
	4. See Rebecca Bartholomew and Leonard J. Arrington, Rescue of the 1856 Handcart Companies (1992), 29, 33-34.
IDEAS FOR HOME TEACHERS
   After prayerfully studying this message, share it using a method that encourages the participation of those you teach. Following are some examples:
   1. Read the account of Reddick Allred's faithfulness. Ask family members what they might have done in that situation. Ask, How does following the prophet keep us safe? How might our own obedience affect the safety of others around us?
   2. Ask the family how they can respond to a challenge on which the prophets have given counsel, such as dressing modestly or avoiding questionable material in the media. For the Strength of Youth (item no. 36550) offers counsel on many of today's challenges.
   3. Read together the second paragraph under the heading "A Prophet's Warning." Ask family members to recall the most recent general conference. Invite them to share gospel principles they remember hearing more than one speaker mention. Bear testimony that we are blessed to live in a time when the Lord provides multiple witnesses for His words.


;;;Making Time to Be Holy
BY ADAM C. OLSON
Church Magazines
On the streets of Hong Kong, life rushes by at a frenetic pace. Day or night, the throng moves in an orderly but hurried race from place to place. People pour into the subway and spill out the other side on their way to work, the marketplace, or school.
  In a culture that prizes hard work and accomplishment, it can seem like there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all.
  "I need more time," sighs Ng Kathy Ka-Lai, while taking a break with some of her young single adult friends at the end of a busy Sunday.
  The friends are learning from experience that the world can be both insistent and smothering. It can pull a person in a dozen directions at once while worming its way into whatever time he or she has left. The world's demands on us can leave little time for spiritual things. And if we're not careful, before we realize it we are at the mercy of the world rather than in a position to call upon the mercy of God.
The World Rushes On
  Kathy and her friends know how easy it is to get caught in the rush of the world. 
  Chow Shu Wai, 28, a manufacturing supervisor, works 70 hours a week. Yuen Lung Sing, 29, works more than 50 hours a week as a structural engineer. Kathy, 28, also works about 50 hours per week in sales and customer service. Chan Misty Lai Ming, a 27-year-old research assistant, and Tsang Dick Hing Leung, a 28-year-old mechanical engineer, both work about 45 hours.
  And then these faithful young adult members accept the added responsibilities that come with Church callings, in which they each spend 5 to 15 hours a week. The group includes a stake Young Women president, a counselor in the stake Young Men presidency, a counselor in the ward Sunday School presidency, a president of the region institute council, and a stake young single adult representative.
  To find some time for personal spiritual renewal, the friends say one has to plan for it. That sometimes means getting creative or sleeping less, including getting up earlier, going to bed later, and making use of commuting time and breaks at work.
  "If we have the will to make time for things like scripture study, then it is easy to find time for them," says Dick. "It's when we don't have a plan that we are more likely to waste any free time we find."
Beware of Distractions
  That's because when the world isn't demanding your attention with work and other responsibilities, it is usually trying to win your attention with other ways to fill your time.
  "There are a lot of distractions in the world," says Misty. For example, Misty mentions MP3 players, which allow you to take your favorite music with you wherever you go, but they can keep you from concentrating.
  "I gave up my MP3 player almost a year ago," she says. "It made it too hard to focus. I can't think or ponder with my MP3 player going."
  Dick talks about TV. "If I have time for TV, I have time for scriptures," he says. "We need to find a balance and do the right thing at the right time."
  For these young adults, the problem is not watching bad shows or listening to inappropriate music. The problem is letting entertainment take up what little time they have for spiritual things. Or as Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: "When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things take highest priority. . . . Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with 'good things' so there is no room for the essential ones."1 
Sanctify Yourselves
  In trying to free themselves from the world, Dick, Kathy, Lung, Misty, and Shu are learning their responsibility to do as the Lord says, "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy" (Leviticus 20:7). The friends discussed how to seek sanctification.
1. By Faith
  "They shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, that they may become sanctified in me" (Ether 4:7).
  Faith leads to action, and these young adults believe that faith in Jesus Christ will lead to Christlike actions.
  Throughout the day, Dick tries to think about Jesus as often as possible. "He is our example of holiness. What did Jesus do? What did He say?" he says.
  He then tries to live that way.
  Because of faith, the friends study the scriptures, attend institute, work with the missionaries, and serve in the temple. They serve others and share their testimonies when possible. They also show that they are willing to sacrifice their desires in order to be obedient to the Lord.
  "My mind and my actions must be focused on Jesus Christ," says Kathy. "I can't say I want to be more patient but then do nothing. If I believe Him and have faith in Him, I can become more like Him." 
2. By Study
  "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
  "When we apply them, the scriptures become answers to help us face and solve our problems in life," Dick says of his experience with scripture study.
  Each of the friends agrees. And each of them reports trying to make time each day for scripture study, whether it's a half hour before work or bed or during their commutes. 
  Study, accompanied by prayerful pondering, opens us to inspiration, says Lung, and can even change our natures.2 
  "The scriptures deepen my understanding of the gospel," Lung says. "I can feel the Spirit, and it draws me closer to God."
3. By Sacrifice
  "Sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God" (Helaman 3:35).
  "The Savior asks us to be willing to sacrifice our own desires in order to follow God," says Kathy.
  "We must be willing to give up worldly things," Misty agrees.
  Lung, for example, talks about the young man in the Gospel of Luke who asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. The man had kept the commandments from a young age, but he was unwilling to give up his riches when Jesus invited him to sell all that he had to follow the Savior (see Luke 18:18-23).
  "He needed to sacrifice things he cared for to follow Christ," Lung explains. "We all have those things--not necessarily riches--but things that keep us from following Him."
  An example they discussed is King Lamoni's father being willing to give up all his sins to know God (see Alma 22:18).
  "God wants to find out if we have faith to follow Him. He wants our hearts," Misty says. "He wants to know what we love more. This is how we become His disciples."
  "To become holy, we must sacrifice our will, our desires," says Shu. 
4. By Obedience
  "That which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same" (D&C 88:34).
  Sacrificing our desires is sanctifying when we do it in order to do the Lord's will, live our covenants, and keep His commandments.
  "God has given us laws," says Dick. "Obedience to them sanctifies us."
  "We would receive more blessings if we were more willing to obey," says Kathy. "We can be happy keeping His law."
5. By the Atonement
  "We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). 
  "To me, being holy means being worthy to be in the presence of God, to be pure," says Lung. "This is possible only through the Atonement."
  "He has experienced all our difficulties already," Misty says. "The feelings we have, He's felt already. There is great power in the Atonement to make us holy as He is holy" (see Moroni 10:32-33).
  Kathy says that part of allowing the Atonement to affect our lives is to "remember what the Savior has done" for us.
  Dick says He feels the effects of the Atonement when he repents and keeps the commandments on a daily basis, allowing the Lord to make him clean--an example of how we can sanctify ourselves so the Lord can sanctify us (see Leviticus 20:7-8). 
In the World, but Not of the World
  These young adults are making time to be holy and freeing themselves from worldly things because the Lord has commanded us to "organize yourselves, and prepare yourselves, and sanctify yourselves; yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me . . ." 
  But why He has commanded us to be holy is as important as understanding how to accomplish it.
  ". . . that I may make you clean; that I may testify unto your Father, and your God, and my God, that you are clean from the blood of this wicked generation" (D&C 88:74-75).
  "Life can be crazy," says Dick, looking out over the endless bustle of Hong Kong at night. "When we make time for the Savior in life, we can have His help to overcome our challenges. Nothing in the world is as important to me as being able to return to my Father in Heaven." ?

NOTES
	1. "First Things First," Liahona, July 2001, 7; Ensign, May 2001, 7.
	2. See Boyd K. Packer, "Do Not Fear," Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 77.

Yuen Lung Sing of Hong Kong has found that the rush of the world can keep us from spending time drawing nearer to God.
When there doesn't seem to be enough time to do everything, we need to give first priority to God, say Tsang Dick Hing Leung, Ng Kathy Ka-Lai, and Yuen Lung Sing.
Being willing to sacrifice worldly pursuits in order to make time for God brings great blessings, according to Chow Shu Wai and Chan Misty Lai Ming.


NOT ENOUGH TIME?
   "We will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time. But there should never be a conscious choice to let the spiritual become secondary as a pattern in our lives. Never. . . . 
   ". . . When we put God's purposes first, He will give us miracles. . . . 
   ". . . Those apparent prison walls of 'not enough time' will begin to recede, even as you are called to do more."
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, "Education for Real Life," Ensign, Oct. 2002, 18, 20, 21.

;;;IT STARTED WITH GIRLS' CAMP AND AN ENSIGN
BY PENNY HAGENBUCH
  In May 2000, my daughter, Breanna, was invited to go to Young Women camp. Since we were not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was reluctant to allow her to attend. Coincidentally, the same week I began attending a three-day seminar on Latter-day Saint beliefs presented by my own church. I left the first session with more questions than when I walked in. The ideas presented at the seminar were not favorable to the Church, and this made me even more curious, since I had LDS friends whom I respected and admired.
  I decided to call a Latter-day Saint neighbor, and I invited her over to talk about the Church. Though she had not attended church in a while, she shared her testimony and offered me a copy of the general conference issue of the Ensign. Immediately after she left, I began to read the magazine. I read the entire issue straight through that afternoon. The conference talks spoke to me in a way that I had not experienced before, except when reading the Bible.
  The next day I telephoned the mother of the girl who had invited my daughter to girls' camp. I told her I was afraid Breanna might feel uncomfortable being the only non-LDS girl at camp. She reassured me, explaining that at camp the girls have fun learning life skills and participating in lots of activities. If Breanna expressed a desire to go home, she would take her home immediately. During our conversation, I mentioned that I had read an issue of the Ensign and liked it. She said she had some back issues that she could bring over to me. I told her, "Yes, please. I would love to read more!"
  The next day she brought me two years of neatly boxed issues of the Ensign. I began reading them and couldn't get enough. I felt the Spirit with me as I read, and I began to pray before and after reading each issue. I finished reading them all in one week!
  I didn't attend the remainder of the seminar sessions at my church. After receiving spiritual guidance while reading the Ensign, I didn't feel the need to return there at all. A few days later, my daughter went to Young Women camp and returned with her own testimony. She began taking the missionary lessons from two wonderful sister missionaries, while I eavesdropped from the kitchen. Each time the missionaries left, I scoured the pamphlets they left and searched for cross-references in my Bible. Soon I began taking the missionary lessons too.
  In October 2000 my daughter and I were baptized members of the Church, and now we have our own subscription to the Ensign. Our lives changed forever thanks to an invitation to Young Women camp, an Ensign general conference issue from a less-active member (who is now active again), two years of back issues of the Ensign magazine, and the testimony of two faithful missionaries. ?
  
;;;Tending the Flock
  To some youth, adulthood seems a long way off. But before long, the rising generation will be leaders in their homes and in the Church. What can we teach them now?
  From an interview with President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
 
  Preparing the rising generation to build strong families, to lead the Church, and to return to their Heavenly Father is an important responsibility--one that involves leaders, teachers, and, most of all, parents. "The responsibility of building leadership in the Church belongs to the father and the mother," Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains. "As youth grow and mature through their teenage years and move toward adulthood, the Church picks up an important role in this process of giving youth an opportunity to lead, but it begins in the home."
  Here, Elder Ballard and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, share 10 principles related to teaching leadership skills to youth, distilled from their own observations and experiences.
1. Start at Home
  Teaching leadership in the home can be done in even the simplest of circumstances, such as when a parent is preparing a meal or repairing something around the house, Elder Ballard says.
  "In my judgment, there is no substitute for fathers or mothers taking a child--even when the child is young--and showing the child what they're doing and how they're doing it. The child grows up knowing a lot about life and how to do things just by being at the elbow of his or her father or mother. It also helps the child feel like he or she is part of the family council process.
  "There are situations where young people don't have both a father and a mother in the home. We certainly understand that. But somebody is raising them, and that person is number one in teaching them how to do things and how to lead."
  Gospel learning can happen in the home even when youth are members of the Church but their parents are not, President Uchtdorf says. Ward or branch leaders can invite parents--regardless of whether the parents are Latter-day Saints--to be involved in their children's Church activity. Some of the best methods are through tools that already exist.
  "Leaders can take advantage of the established tools the Church has--the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet and the Duty to God and Personal Progress programs. The Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth explains how we can help our youth succeed in these programs and develop leadership skills," President Uchtdorf says. "Take those tools into the homes of the young people. Invite the parents to help their children accomplish the goals and tasks and the other good things that are offered.
  "This will take special effort on the part of the leaders, but it will help these parents establish the leadership potential that is based on the family. It will also show them what we are all about. It will show them that the Church unites families and that it presents wonderful values--values that make us more Christlike. It will show these parents that we 'talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ . . . that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins' (2 Nephi 25:26). If we use what we have in place, we can help all of our youth become leaders."
2. Teach in a Council Setting
  Elder Ballard notes that it's not uncommon for adult leaders to assume responsibility that actually belongs to the youth. "Leadership among youth grows when the leaders counsel carefully with their organization," he says. "For example, let's say a deacons quorum has five boys who are active and three who are not. Whose responsibility is it to recover the three who are not active? Far too many leaders would say it's theirs."
  Instead, a leader should bring the matter into a council setting with the members of the quorum presidency and ask, "What are we going to do, how are we going to do it, and who's going to do what?" Elder Ballard says.
  "If youth see a bishop or another leader who runs everything, who doesn't involve others, and who doesn't bring into council all the resources that he has, the youngsters are going to think that's what a leader does. It's a great tragedy when a bishop thinks, 'This is my ward, and we're going to do it my way,' losing sight that it's the Lord's ward. We ought to be seeking to know what He wants us to do and how He wants us to bring resources together to make things happen."
3. Provide Teaching Opportunities at Home and at Church
  Having opportunities to teach--even simple ones such as bearing testimony, giving a thought on a scripture, or standing up for gospel principles in small discussions--are essential for young people, President Uchtdorf says. He adds that teaching is the essence of leadership.
  "Often our young people are the only members at their schools, so they need to learn that they are truly valuable and that they know their religion. They need to understand that whatever they're doing, they're always teaching. If we provide our young people with teaching opportunities, encouraging them not to be ashamed of the gospel, we will help them greatly."
  The organization of the Church provides opportunities for not only spiritual growth but growth in other areas. President Uchtdorf says of his career in aviation, "Everything that helped me to accomplish what I did in my professional life, I learned through the Church."
  He says he now sees the same thing happening with members of his family. "My grandsons are known as members of the Church, and they are known as the best presenters in their classes. Why? Because they have learned these skills at home and in the Church setting. They're not even cognizant of that kind of learning--it just happens."
4. Help Them Overcome Fear
  When Elder Ballard was in his late 20s, he was called to be a bishop. "I faced great anxiety," he recalls. "I'd never been a bishop before. Both of my counselors were old enough to be my father. I thought about all the bishops I'd ever had and tried to glean from their examples those things that I admired and thought were worthwhile. But ultimately doing the assignment, whatever it is, helps you overcome that fear."
  Fear is inherent with a new assignment, Elder Ballard adds. "A 12-year-old who is made the deacons quorum president will have some apprehension. He might wonder, 'How do I conduct a meeting?' Well, he's shown how to do it. He may stumble, and it may be difficult. But after a few times, he knows that he can do it. He has taken a giant step forward. Once you know how to do something, all of a sudden you can lead without fear."
  Confidence also comes in understanding who we are, President Uchtdorf adds. "Take Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. He learns that he is created in the similitude of God and that God has a work for him to do. When you know you're on the Lord's errand, it's different. That's why our young people need to know who they are and that the Lord will be with them.
  "When I was a teenager, a missionary was teaching our class because we were a small branch. One thing he said hit me hard: 'When God is with you, who can be against you?' This kind of confidence gives you the power to do things even if you're afraid, even if you feel you're not qualified to do them."
5. Let Them Learn Their Duty
  Leaders may be inclined to conduct, provide the music, or pray at a youth fireside or other meeting, but they should be "shadow leaders," overseeing the youth who perform these functions, President Uchtdorf says.
  "This can be a challenge for parents and leaders because they know that they can probably do it faster or better. It takes patience to let the youth do it. Sometimes that involves letting them stumble. The scripture says, 'That my people may be taught more perfectly, and have experience, and know more perfectly concerning their duty, and the things which I require at their hands' (D&C 105:10; emphasis added).
  "You set the example and let them learn. Consider the Savior. He lets us do His work here in our different callings. He is patient with us. That is what we need to do with our young people."
  Elder Ballard relates as an example an experience he shared with a returned-missionary grandson who wanted to hang some things on the cinder-block walls of his apartment. Elder Ballard went to his grandson's apartment to show him how to drill holes and put in anchors.
  "I did one and then asked him where he wanted to put the next one. He showed me, and I said, 'OK, put it there. You saw me do it. Now you do it. Here's the drill.' So he did it. And he did the rest of them too. He went slowly because he was nervous. I could have done it twice as fast. But now he knows how. It built his confidence. If he wants to hang something else, he'll just come borrow the tool. I hope he brings it back!"
6. Give Them the Big Picture
  It's important to explain to youth that one of the reasons they're asked to obey and to serve is that they will lead families and the Church in the future. But their obedience and service will do more than prepare them for their future family and Church responsibilities; they will also prepare them to fulfill their personal missions in life.
  Focusing on the big picture blesses not only the youth but also their leaders, President Uchtdorf says. "Sometimes I think we focus too much on details. If our adult leaders bring the big picture of our purpose and potential to the hearts and minds of the young people, the details will be easily managed."
  Understanding and communicating clearly and kindly with youth are also critical, he adds. "When I was 13, I was called as the deacons quorum president. Our branch president took a few minutes to find a classroom and meet with me, out of the hallway, and tell me what I needed to do. He gave me wonderful instruction of what was expected of me, both by him and by the Lord.
  "Do you know how many deacons we had in our class? Two. But he still took the time to prepare himself and prepare me. That was 50 years ago, and I still remember how it touched my heart. He wanted me to succeed. He gave his personal attention and time. He gave kind but direct instructions, and he followed up."
7. Establish Accountability
  The Lord doesn't need admirers; He needs followers, President Uchtdorf says. "You learn to be a leader by first learning to be a follower. The scripture says to 'act,' not to be 'acted upon'" (2 Nephi 2:26).
   "The next step is to follow up. That's what we learn in the temple--the return-and-report principle. But some of our leaders are somehow afraid to give direction, to provide a kind but clear message of what is expected, and then to follow up. Things will not be done perfectly, but when the youth try, encourage them. The youth will remember that. They may not remember the words, but they will remember the feelings."
8. Know That You're Entitled to Inspiration
  When Elder Ballard was a young bishop, a rowdy nine-year-old boy caused his Primary teacher a lot of angst. After several weeks the teacher escorted the boy into the bishop's office and said, "Bishop, here's one of your flock. Tend it."
  Bishop Ballard wasn't sure what to do. But at that moment an impression came: ask the child to report every week about his behavior in Primary. Bishop Ballard issued that challenge, and it changed the boy's attitude. The child saw that he could do things differently.
  "I didn't have that idea of accountability in mind before he landed on my doorstep," Elder Ballard says. "But the Lord, by the power of the Spirit, inspires a worthy and a righteous teacher or leader to know what to do and what to say to bring the best out of anyone, in particular our young people."
  Incidentally, that nine-year-old turned out to be "terrific," Elder Ballard says. He served a mission, married in the temple, and became a great leader.
  The spiritual preparation required for inspiration takes work, President Uchtdorf says, but it is essential. He learned a similar lesson during his career as a pilot. Flying 747 airplanes was fun, he says, but the preparation required to get the 747 off the ground was a lot of work. "For a teacher or leader, the work part is prayer and knowing what the individual young man or woman needs. Leaders also need to ensure that the youth program is not fun and games only but a wonderful, joyful occurrence to help them progress in their young lives and become what they're meant to become."
9. Take It Back to the Home
  Ultimately, leaders--particularly bishoprics--need to be responsible for appropriately advising and teaching parents about what is going on with the youth of the ward. Bishops and branch presidents should not betray personal, confidential matters, but they can teach collectively about general concerns.
  "If I were a bishop today," says Elder Ballard, "I believe I would not hesitate to go to the priesthood and Relief Society discussion on the fifth Sunday and talk to the parents about some of the concerns I had about the youth. I would tell them, 'What I know about your youngsters as a result of the interviewing I've done over the years is between them and me, and they know that. I won't betray their confidences. But in general we've got a problem. You parents need to know about and deal with this. . . .' Some parents may be afraid to hear the real issues going on. But they need to know."
10. Realize the Eternal Potential of the Youth
  "We have raised the bar," says Elder Ballard. "But that doesn't raise it just for the youth. That raises it for the parents, who have the primary responsibility for teaching their children principles. That raises it for the leaders. That raises it for the teachers. We've all got to take a step up in a world that is unraveling as fast as this one is.
  "We see that they love the Lord," he continues. "Remember that He loves them. Inside the little body of that young man or young woman you're teaching is an eternal spirit. These young people belong to our Heavenly Father, and He has great interest in the lives of all His children. We need to keep the fire of that testimony burning in them." ?

;;;Families Can Be  Together Forever
BY CAROLYN RUSCH
When my testimony of eternal families began to waver, I sought answers in the temple.
  I love the message in the hymn "Families Can Be Together Forever," and yet following the untimely death of my husband, I found my testimony of eternal families wavering. I needed to find out for myself if what I had grown up believing was really true.
  I made my search a matter of prayer, but I did not receive an answer right away. Eventually, I decided to attend the temple often and spend as much time as I could praying and pondering over my question. Early one morning as I entered the temple chapel, I immediately recognized the person playing the organ. I glanced in her direction in hopes of being able to give her a friendly smile, but she was intent on her playing and seemed unaware of the people gathering in the chapel. I focused on the quiet music in hopes it would bring peace to my troubled soul while I prayed. After playing several hymns, the organist began to play "Nearer, My God, to Thee." This hymn had been one of the songs sung at my husband's funeral. I sang the words of the hymn in my mind and then returned to my prayer.
  Soon the time came for us to leave the chapel. As we did so, I glanced at my friend, who was hurriedly turning the pages in her binder as though she were having trouble finding a particular hymn. Just as I was walking out the door, she began to play the hymn "Families Can Be Together Forever." Tears filled my eyes, for this was the other song we had sung at my husband's funeral. I couldn't remember if the organist had attended his funeral or not, but even if she had, I doubted she could remember the songs we had sung. It occurred to me that this probably was not a coincidence that she had played both of those songs, and I knew I had received an answer to my petition. Yes, families can be together forever.
  Later, I called my friend and asked if she had seen me in the temple. When she said she had, I told her what had happened. She began to cry, and for several moments could not speak. Then she told me that each time she sits at the organ, she asks Heavenly Father to help her know what songs she should play to touch the hearts of people who have come to the temple with questions or concerns. After seeing me in the chapel, she offered a quick prayer on my behalf. Then feeling the promptings of the Holy Ghost, she knew the hymns she needed to play. This had happened to her many times in the past, but she never knew if what she played had made a difference to anyone. My call confirmed to her that her prayers had indeed been answered this time and most assuredly on other occasions as well.
  We both cried as we realized that the Lord, through His tender mercies, had answered both our prayers. Our experience in the temple that day helped each of us gain a profound testimony of our Heavenly Father's love and concern for each of His children. We learned that He truly hears our prayers and answers them. ?

;;;Armor of Battle, Armor of God
Separation has always been one of the biggest challenges military families face. Nevertheless, families can find comfort and unity as they strive to grow closer to the Savior and to each other.
Five Latter-day Saints from military families share where they turned for comfort during the time they were separated.

Turning to the Lord 
  I grew up in a military family. My father served in the Vietnam War. At that time I was a young adult but old enough to know the effects that military life has on families. I married a man who serves in the military, so I also know what it is like to be a military wife. I have learned that though the names and places of the wars may change, the impact on the human heart is the same.
  I have great compassion for all who are facing the challenges of maintaining a marriage and family while a spouse is on military deployment. As a Latter-day Saint, I have learned that I must first seek to learn of Jesus Christ before peace comes. He is the source not only of my spiritual well-being but also of my mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
  As I have learned more about the Atonement, I see that it not only includes the redemption of our sins but that it is the means by which our Savior helps us through our trials and heals us. Alma taught that Christ "will take upon him [our] infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities" (Alma 7:12).
  There are still times when my challenges overwhelm me, but knowing gospel truths gives my life and my experiences a spiritual significance and they become a source of strength. I strive to keep my focus on remembering the One who can truly help. The Lord has provided a rich array of spiritual tools to help in times of adversity. He has blessed me with the things I have needed and wiped away my tears.
Brenda McDonald, Germany

Turning to the Scriptures
  When I joined the military, I packed my inexpensive scriptures. They had come into my life near the end of my mission when my expensive leather scriptures were stolen. These scriptures have been with me through a lot of experiences.
  They accompanied me to the deserts of Utah, where I was teaching at-risk youth. During that time my scriptures acquired a campfire smell as I spent late-night hours reading next to a dwindling pile of coals.
  As I was beginning military training, my scriptures were with me. On days when our drill sergeants would allow us extra "cleaning time," I would sneak off to my bed to read my scriptures. Over time they became the means of inviting inquiry from friends, teaching investigators the gospel, and leading a few of my fellow soldiers into the waters of baptism. My scriptures provided comfort and enlightenment during a stressful time.
  After my marriage, these same scriptures spent many nights with us as we read from their pages. It wasn't long before my scriptures were again forced into an over-packed army duffel bag destined for the sands of Iraq. They would accompany me in a backpack in the rear of an armored Humvee as I drove thousands of miles on very dangerous roads in the world helping provide security for convoys. My scriptures accumulated new markings and additional scribbles; they continued to teach and edify me in an otherwise hostile environment.
  On a night like any other, the detonation of a roadside bomb found us and we rocked back and forth as shrapnel and debris pierced through the armor of our truck. We were towed to safety. After the incident I went through the wreckage trying to recover my gear. It seemed like everything had been destroyed in the explosion. Then I found what looked like my backpack containing the shattered remnants of my sleeping bag and personal hygiene kit. I also found my scriptures and dusted off the dirt and debris. The cover had only a small tear and the pages were wrinkled a little bit, but they were in amazingly good shape. As I flipped through the familiar pages, I remembered all that we had been through together and a deep feeling of gratitude filled my heart.
Sergeant William M. Deveraux, Utah 

Turning to Family
  As my husband, Brian, was preparing to leave for his second deployment to Iraq, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. Many of my friends were going home to stay with their families for moral and emotional support. A few nights before my husband was set to leave with his unit, I sat quietly on our porch swing and prayed. As I did so, I felt at peace with the idea that I should go stay with my parents and brother in Woodinville, Washington.
  While at home I rediscovered a true blessing--family. My dad taught me so much about life and shared his passion for a variety of hobbies. My mom encouraged me daily to keep my head up and make it until the day Brian would come home. My brother, whom I had taken for granted growing up, was a ray of sunshine. On my "Woe is me, I miss my husband" days, he would call and say, "Stop moping and meet me for a movie."
  When my parents sold their house that summer, we stayed with my grandparents in Idaho. I am so thankful for that opportunity to get to know my grandparents better. I learned home repair skills from Grandpa and improved my quilting and cooking with Grandma. I learned the story of how my grandparents met and fell in love. All the while, I rekindled relationships with my cousins, aunts, and uncles from both sides of my family.
  I am so thankful that I had been taught to turn to my Heavenly Father in times of need, especially that night my prayers were answered while sitting on our porch swing.
  Now I can honestly say that, along with my husband, my family are among my best friends.
Tania Marble, Kentucky 

Turning to Service
  Every summer the same annual orders arrived in the mail for my husband to go to Fort Lewis, Washington, and serve as ROTC advance camp staff chaplain. Every summer I had resented the orders and the 3,000 ROTC cadets who filled my husband's time. However, this year our youngest child was serving a mission in Italy, so I decided to accompany my husband to Fort Lewis. It turned out to be a summer worth waiting for. Why? Because I made up my mind to get involved with others.
  I started by volunteering at the army thrift shop. Soon I was attending the Seattle Washington Temple weekly. Before long, I had developed friendships among the military wives.
  The turning point in my attitude, however, came on one extraordinary evening when my husband invited me to go with him out into the field and say a few words to the cadets at an all-faith service. Seven evenings a week, chaplain teams drove to combat training sites to ensure each cadet an opportunity to worship. The cadets were under extreme pressure, and many felt the need for the Lord, some for the first time. These services meant so much to the cadets that even after a 24-hour maneuver they were willing to meet in heavy rain amid the tall, wet grass and mud.
  Fortunately, that night we were meeting in a forest clearing under a full moon. Suddenly, it was my turn. My eyes adjusted enough in the moonlight to see the young faces of the cadets as they stood or sat reverently dressed in green camouflage among the grass and ferns. One petite female cadet appeared distressed as though wanting to cry out, "What am I doing here?"
  With a prayer I turned the flashlight onto my notes and spoke of how much these chaplains and interfaith leaders loved them. "With the love of Christ you are their common cause," I said. "They'd let you down if they didn't look beyond their religious differences to see your needs. Perhaps their camaraderie is rare, but you are precious to them and that is what unites them."
  As I sat down, I began to feel like a member of my husband's team, the Lord's team. Before the cadets divided into religious affiliation groups, the petite cadet came to me, put her arms around me, and we wept together. Other cadets also came to share their tears.
  I knew this brief experience would help me remember how much these cadets needed my husband as a chaplain. I realized that whether my husband and I were together or not, we were a team. We were both needed and could serve others.
  As our ministry team drove back through the forest that night, I felt the love of Christ more than I had ever felt it before. The resentment I once harbored was gone. As my husband and I drove the last part of the trip home alone, I realized something more--the love of Christ surpasses everything.
Marilyn Nash Hull, Utah

Turning to One Another
  Our children were young when I left on my first hardship tour of duty. As a family we talked extensively about Korea, where I was going.
  At that time, letters were the only means of communication between service personnel and their families. Modern technology has greatly improved the ability of soldiers to communicate with their families through e-mails, teleconferencing, phone calls, the Internet, and a more efficient postal system for letters and packages. Most family members usually hear from a deployed family member once a week, sometimes more.
  For most military families, separation is a way of life, in times of peace as well as in times of war. Separation has always been one of the biggest challenges. For most, it is a struggle to keep significant relationships alive and well while separated.
  But Latter-day Saints with an understanding of eternal families can grow closer to God. As their relationship with Him grows stronger, so does their relationship with each other. During my time away, I reassessed my priorities and my roles so that I could be a better husband and father when my family was together again. When I returned, I think the relationship between my wife and me was stronger than when I left.
  Belief in the eternal nature of families is a significant factor in maintaining a positive family attitude. Although separations are never easy, positive experiences can take place in the lives of those affected as they strive to grow closer to the Savior and to one another. ?
Colonel Ronald Hill, U.S. Army Chaplain, Georgia

HELPS FOR HOME EVENING
  1. Share some of the stories from the article with your family. Discuss the fact that even though the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches peace, there are times when righteous individuals need to defend their homes and families. Consider using examples from the scriptures such as David and Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17) or Moroni and the title of liberty (see Alma 46:11-13).
  2. As a family discuss how we can always find peace in the Savior.

NOTE: Military families can find support at LDS.org/Serving in the Church/Military Relations/Resources for Military Members. Go to "Learn More . . . " and click on "Supporting Military Families." From this screen, follow each of the six topics under "Learn More . . . " for information. 
   Find additional support on the DVD Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled: A Message of Peace for Latter-day Saints in Military Service (item no. 54616) available at Church distribution centers.

;;;LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF MORMON
Experiencing a CHANGE OF HEART 
BY ELDER KEITH K. HILBIG
Of the Seventy
You and I can become beneficiaries of a mighty change of heart and a spiritual rebirth, thereby reaping the promised blessings of peace, love, true joy, and a disposition to do good continually.

Some years ago in Eastern Europe, I listened as a young elder stood before his fellow missionaries in zone conference to share an experience that shaped his life. He and his companion had found and taught a middle-aged man named Ivan (name has been changed) in a distant city. Their investigator came from a difficult background, as was reflected in his well-used clothing, ragged beard, and hesitant demeanor. 
Life had been harsh and unkind to him.
  Without any prior religious training, Ivan had much to overcome. Practices not in harmony with the restored gospel had to be set aside. New principles needed to be accepted and then incorporated. Ivan wanted to learn, and he prepared himself diligently for his baptism and confirmation. His clothing remained threadbare and his beard ragged, but he had taken the first steps. Shortly after Ivan's baptism, the missionary was transferred. He hoped that he might again cross paths with Ivan.
  Six months later the mission president reassigned the young elder to his former branch. Surprised but eager to return, the elder, with a new companion, came early to sacrament meeting his first Sunday back in the branch. The members were pleased to see the missionary in their midst again. They rushed forward with broad smiles and warm greetings.
  The elder recognized nearly everyone in the small congregation. However, he searched in vain among the faces for the man he and his companion had taught and baptized six months earlier. There arose within the elder a sense of disappointment and sadness. Had Ivan returned to his harmful habits? Had he failed to honor his covenant of baptism? Had he lost the blessings promised by his repentance?
  The elder's fears and reflections were interrupted by the approach of an unfamiliar man who was rushing forward to embrace the missionary. The clean-shaven man had a confident smile and an obvious goodness radiating from his countenance. Wearing a white shirt and a carefully knotted tie, he was on his way to prepare the sacrament for the small gathering that Sabbath morning. Only when the man began to speak did the elder recognize him. It was the new Ivan, not the former Ivan they had taught and baptized! The elder saw embodied in his friend the miracle of faith, repentance, and forgiveness; he saw the reality of the Atonement.
  The missionary told his peers attending the zone conference that Ivan had changed and grown by every measure during the months the elder had been away from the branch. Ivan had embraced the gospel, and it radiated from him. He had experienced a "change of heart" (Alma 5:26) sufficient both to be baptized and to press forward in the continuing process of conversion. He was preparing for the higher priesthood and the ordinances of the temple. Ivan had indeed been "born again" (Alma 7:14).
  As the missionary concluded his remarks, he asked himself aloud, "How much of a 'change of heart' have I experienced in the past six months?" He continued his self-examination, asking aloud, "Have I been 'born again'?" These are two profound questions that each of us should privately pose on a continuing basis.
  In the intervening years I have reflected upon the words of the young missionary and the actions of Ivan. I have pondered the role that a "mighty change" (Alma 5:12) in our hearts and being "spiritually . . . born of God" (Alma 5:14) play in the process of embracing the restored gospel. I have concluded that they are clearly an important part of the Lord's doctrine, not just one-time experiences in mortality. They are ongoing opportunities, intended to deepen the process of conversion and individual personal refinement. They prepare us more fully for eternal life. 
Challenges of Spiritual Rebirth
  The challenges of being born again and experiencing a mighty change of heart are challenges we all must face. Some in the Christian community believe they can be born again merely by acknowledging Christ as the Savior of the world, independent of any previous or subsequent personal behavior. Some assert that the simple recognition of Christ's role, combined with the single expression of belief in Christ, will suffice to bring us ultimately back into the presence of the Father and the Son. As well-intentioned as this position may be, it is not accurate.
  The New Testament provides numerous references to the concept of being born again but, as it is translated, does not always explain exactly how it is achieved. For example, the Savior (see John 3:5-7), John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:11), and Paul (see Romans 6:2-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 4:29; Ephesians 4:24) proclaim the principle, but they do not clarify its meaning. 
  By contrast, the Book of Mormon is a wonderful resource to better understand the process of experiencing a mighty change of heart and of being born again. Its prophets provide a fuller doctrinal declaration of the process. Both phrases are explored more fully by Alma the Younger, who posed three questions to members of the Church: "I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" (Alma 5:14).
  We know from the standard works that baptism by immersion allows us to become a member of the Church, but that ordinance alone does not constitute the spiritual rebirth that allows us to return to the presence of Heavenly Father. Similarly, as we are confirmed following baptism, we have the right to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. However, only when we have truly repented--and thus actually receive the Holy Ghost--can we be sanctified and thus be born again spiritually. Hence, Alma's piercing inquiries are valid for each of us repeatedly throughout life.
  President Brigham Young (1801-77) preached of the "new birth" as follows: "There is such a thing as the birth of the Spirit while we live in the flesh.--And when we understand more perfectly our own independent organization, which God has given us, and the spirit world, and the principles and powers that act on this organism, we will learn that a person can be so fully and solely devoted to the Spirit of truth and to God, and be so wrapped up in that Spirit that it may be called, with propriety, a new birth."1
  King Benjamin, in a stirring address to his people, counseled them concerning how they should live gospel principles (see Mosiah 2-4). He then boldly asked if they believed his words. Their poignant response provides a powerful example: "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2).
  They also said, "We are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days" (Mosiah 5:5; emphasis added).
  King Benjamin then explained to them what had happened and with what result, providing an excellent definition of being born again: 
  "Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.
  "And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters" (Mosiah 5:6-7).
  These followers of King Benjamin clearly had experienced such an exceeding change of heart that they had no more disposition to do evil; further, they were clearly spiritually begotten, or born again. 
  Remember that being born again does not eliminate our memory of past sins, but it will provide peace of conscience and relieve the pain of transgression (see Mosiah 27:29; Alma 36:19).
Blessings of Being Born Again
  Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915-85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminds us that "those members of the Church who have actually been born again are in a blessed and favored state. They have attained their position, not merely by joining the Church, but through faith (1 John 5:1), righteousness (1 John 2:29), love (1 John 4:7), and overcoming the world. (1 John 5:4.)"2 
  Alma the Younger personally experienced the transformation from being an enemy to God to becoming a new creature, a being who was converted and, therefore, committed to building the kingdom:
  "For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
  "And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
  "And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God" (Mosiah 27:24-26; emphasis added). 
  If all people must be born again and have a change of heart, it matters not if we were born into the Church or were converted later as youth or adults. We all must at some point experience that change of heart and that rebirth of the Spirit as we continue in the process of conversion. The process of rebirth and change of heart is intended to be comprehensive, available to all nations, and, hence, each individual.
  The scriptures offer accounts of people who were born again in a remarkable manner, such as Paul (see Acts 9:1-20) and Alma the Younger (see Mosiah 27:8-37). However, for most people in biblical and Book of Mormon times, as well as today, this change of heart is not a singular event but rather a private and gradual process. 
  Elder McConkie, speaking at a Brigham Young University First Stake conference, offered these comforting and encouraging words: "With most people, conversion [spiritual rebirth and accompanying remission of sins] is a process; and it goes step by step, degree by degree, level by level, from a lower state to a higher, from grace to grace, until the time that the individual is wholly turned to the cause of righteousness. Now, this means that an individual overcomes one sin today and another sin tomorrow. He perfects his life in one field now, and in another field later on. And the conversion process goes on until it is completed, until we become, literally, as the Book of Mormon says, saints of God instead of natural men."3 
  It matters not whether our spiritual rebirth is sudden or, as is more common, gradual. While the process may be different, the results will be similar. There is no difference in the quality of the conversion. For each individual, experiencing a mighty change of heart is manifested by feelings of joy and love, both of which eliminate the prior pain of disobedience (see Alma 36:20-21). How kind is our Heavenly Father! How encompassing is His Son's Atonement!
  With adherence to these true doctrines, like the missionary in Eastern Europe and his investigator, you and I may become beneficiaries of a mighty change of heart and a spiritual rebirth, thereby reaping the promised blessings of peace, love, true joy, and a disposition to do good continually. ?
NOTES
	1. Deseret News, May 2, 1860, 68.
	2. Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. (1966), 101; see also Joseph Smith Translation, 1 John 3:9.
	3. Be Ye Converted, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year (Feb. 11, 1968), 12.

;;;The Exquisite Joy of Repentance
BY PEGGY OLLERTON ARCHULETA
I thought I'd find happiness in living life the way I wanted, but I discovered that peace comes only through the Savior.
  Many years ago I let go of the iron rod and wandered into the mists of darkness. I thought I had finally reached a state of long-overdue happiness, but as it turned out, my choices were hurting me and devastating others around me. During that time my parents and four sisters, who were all active in the Church, continued to hold to the iron rod, gently beckoning to me with open arms and loving voices. For 15 long years they never gave up.
  Eventually I became consumed with shame and sadness. I had grown tired of my lifestyle, and I remember thinking that I wanted to be able to live my life in the sunshine with nothing to hide. However, returning to church was not something I was considering; I didn't think I needed the gospel to be happy or to be spiritually healthy. Instead, I turned to self-help books.
  Nothing I read quite did the trick, however. Hoping to find something that could help fill the void I felt so deeply in my life, I asked my youngest sister, Susan, if she knew of any "feel-good" movies. A few weeks later, on my birthday, I received a package from Susan and her husband, Samuel, containing a copy of the Book of Mormon, a hymnbook, and the Children's Songbook. The accompanying note said, "Some time ago, you said you wanted to go see a 'feel-good' movie. Well, there are a few movies like that, but we thought you might enjoy something you can carry around with you to help you feel good. . . . Here's to your having lots of 'feel-good' times!"
  The love sent with that package was palpable, and their gesture touched my heart. Over the next several months, I returned to Church activity. The emptiness in my life began to be filled. As I obeyed the commandments--the commandment to pay tithing, in particular--faithfully and with a glad heart, I noticed the insights I once longed for came to me in a way and at a rate I had never before experienced. I also read the Book of Mormon, and I've read it many times since. Susan and Samuel were right--with each new reading, I gain a greater understanding of my mission and calling here on earth. I feel good.
  This is what I have learned from my experiences:
   No one is immune from making poor choices. To be complacent with one's testimony is to invite trouble. Prior to my period of inactivity in the Church, I went to my bishop with various seeming troubles. He always counseled me to read my scriptures and pray. I concluded that he gave me such counsel because he was not a professional and it was all he really had to offer. As a result, I never took his advice. How grateful I am to have learned that the best way to find solutions to problems and to safeguard my testimony is to be constant in scripture study and prayer.
   We must constantly evaluate where we stand. I ask myself, "Do I feel the Spirit near today? If not, what do I need to do to move forward and to have the Spirit with me?"
   Our testimonies are not contingent on others. The strength of my testimony does not depend on the kindness of the members of my ward or the warmth of my bishop. I am grateful to have returned to activity among loving members, and I hope to always help make my ward a nurturing arena for others who are finding their way back home. But I have also determined that I will be faithful in my Church activity regardless of any perceived offenses I might feel in the future.
   We can live the gospel thoughtfully and genuinely. Just before I returned to full Church activity, a woman from the ward called to ask if my husband still cleaned carpets, as she had a carpet that needed cleaning. During our conversation she expressed love and enthusiasm for the gospel, so I assumed she was a new member. I also suspected that her call was a pretense and that one of my sisters had somehow put her up to it. I asked her, rather rudely, "How long have you been a member of the Church?" She quickly answered, "More than 25 years!" The only response I could muster was a stunned, "Oh."
  I learned a great deal from that sister. I can live the gospel mundanely, or I can live it with passion. Many years ago I paid my tithing because I felt I had to. Now I realize I can pay it with a heart full of gratitude and with the excitement that comes from knowing that the funds will help build churches and temples. I can take the sacrament each week thoughtfully with renewed resolve to keep my baptismal covenants. I can sing the hymns with all my heart. I can search for and take advantage of missionary opportunities. 
   Happiness comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. This, perhaps, is the most important thing I have learned over the years. Joy never has and never will come from sin and selfishness. I am grateful for the knowledge that I can repent and begin anew. Most of all, I am grateful that, finally, I feel good! ?

;;;In Search of Mary Dudley
BY JILL DUDLEY DYCHES
Some might call it coincidence, but I know the Spirit guided me.
  Several years ago, when I traveled to Massachusetts to visit my sister-in-law and attend a family history conference in her stake, I found myself thinking about one of my ancestors, Mary Lougee Dudley. According to some old newspaper articles, her husband, who was a minister, murdered her on the way home from a prayer meeting in 1848. After the conference, I felt prompted to stay in New England a few more days to try to learn more about Mary Lougee and her husband, Enos Dudley.
  I rented a car and headed for the Prescott Hill Cemetery in New Hampshire. After three hours of driving, I found myself winding along a dirt road in a dense forest. As I neared the cemetery, I came to a chain barricade marked Road Closed. A tremendous growth of foliage covered the ground, and rocks of all sizes were strewn across the roadway, making me wonder if anyone had passed this way in 50 years. Disappointed, I turned the car around and slowly headed back. A man walking along his driveway told me that no one had driven down that little road in years, and he knew of no other way to get to the cemetery. I stopped at two separate gas stations to inquire about directions and was given the same response.
First, Inquire of the Lord
  I had a map. I had a GPS tracking system. But they weren't enough. So I did what I should have done an hour earlier: I stopped the car and asked Heavenly Father to help me find my way.
  A few minutes later I pulled alongside a man and woman walking down the road. "I'm lost," I told them. Their response made me realize that my prayers had been heard.
  They told me there were two Prescott Hill cemeteries, and the one I wanted was about 55 miles in another direction. The man instructed me to drive over a bridge and through a town so small he called it a hamlet. If I followed his directions carefully, he said, I would eventually arrive at the ceme-tery, which was on the left side of a narrow dirt road. In awe, I asked him how he could possibly know about this tiny cemetery in the middle of nowhere. His companion replied, "You could have looked the world over and never have found a better person to ask. He just retired last week from the park and road service, and he knows every ditch and bridge, every cemetery and road in the area."
  Feeling humbled and blessed, I drove to the small, unkempt cemetery on a remote, rundown road. I walked the entire plot. It didn't take long; there were no more than 60 headstones. I learned new information about my ancestors, and I also learned that if I ask Heavenly Father for help, He will answer my prayers.
  After I had taken numerous photographs and copied information from headstones, I felt impressed to drive to the town of Alton, New Hampshire, where the Dudley family had lived. I found a hotel and planned the following day's activities. I would ask the funeral home about old cemetery records, visit the two local cemeteries I had found on my map, and look at old records at the town hall.
More Answers to Prayers
  In the morning I called the funeral home. The director told me that if I drove to the cemetery right away, I would find a caretaker there. I met the caretaker, who was responsible for both cemeteries I had planned to visit. I asked him if there were any Dudleys buried there. He looked in his little file and found a few Dudleys, but none of the first names sounded familiar to me. I was about to leave when he asked, "Maybe you would like to go to the Dudley cemetery?"
  I turned toward him in surprise. "There is a Dudley cemetery?" He drew a map for me, and I determined to go there after I visited the town hall.
  At the town hall a clerk brought out an old book with information about births, marriages, and deaths from the early 1700s. How wonderful that these records still existed--I could hold them in my hands and feel a bit of history! It was nice to see my ancestors' names and even some of their signatures, but I found little information that was new to me.
  I left the town hall and walked down the street to the Gilman Library, where I found some of the nicest people I have ever met. I described my ancestor Enos Dudley, who was accused of murdering his wife, Mary, in 1848. Did they have any historical accounts of this infamous event? The librarians had never heard of Enos Dudley, but they invited me to the archival room, a private area at the back of the library, to look through some of the books kept there. I felt like a child in a candy store.
  As I followed two librarians through a doorway, I looked to my left and saw a box sitting on a table. I asked what was in the box, and they said it contained some old papers that a former librarian had been working on.
  To everyone's surprise, the box contained files marked Dudley.
  As I opened it, the first name I saw was Enos George Dudley--my elusive fourth great-grandfather! The librarians were as excited as I was. They sat me at a large table and photocopied records for me as I searched through this box of valuable information. "My" project became "our" project. None of these women were members of the Church, but we became united in a cause.
Visiting the Dudley Cemetery
  After leaving the library, I visited the tiny Dudley cemetery. The caretaker, who lived next door to the cemetery, said he would be glad to show me around. What a wonderful man. He stopped working in his garden and not only showed me the Dudley cemetery but also took me to a Dudley monument that was hidden by overgrowth in the yard of a neighbor. On the stone were names and dates I had not known before. Who, I wondered, even knows that this monument exists other than the neighbors?
  As we walked back to his home, I asked him if he knew of any members of the Lougee family buried in the area. To my amazement, he did know of some gravestones in a cemetery a few minutes away.
  "How do you know this?" I ventured to ask. His humble reply was that he had retired a year earlier as caretaker of several large cemeteries in the area. He was kind enough to show me around the cemetery, where we found the Lougee gravestones. Later, he mentioned that I was very lucky to have found him at home. He informed me that he worked part-time at a local school and this was the first time he had ever left work early.
  Lucky? I knew that luck had nothing to do with it. I had been on the Lord's errand as I searched out my ancestors. He had guided me, through His Spirit, to everything I had found that day.
  Was my ancestor Mary Lougee Dudley murdered by her husband, Enos? A jury decided she was. They convicted Enos of capital murder, and he was hanged at Haverhill Corner, New Hampshire, on May 23, 1859. ?


;;;Presidents of the Young Women Organization through the Years
YOUNG WOMEN PROGRAM ESTABLISHED NOVEMBER 28, 1869, BY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG FOR HIS DAUGHTERS
"I desire [our girls] to retrench from their extravagance in dress, in eating and even in speech. The time has come when the sisters must agree . . . to set an example before the people of the world worthy of imitation. . . . I want you to set your own fashions . . . and set the style for all the rest of the world. . . . I want my daughters to learn to work and to do it. . . . There is need for the young daughters of Israel to get a living testimony of the truth. . . . I wish our girls to obtain a knowledge of the Gospel for themselves. For this purpose I desire to establish . . . a Retrenchment Association, which I want you all to join, and I want you to vote to retrench in . . . everything that is bad and worthless, and improve in everything that is good and beautiful. Not to make yourselves unhappy, but to live so that you may be truly happy in this life and the life to come."
President Brigham Young (1801-77), quoted in Susa Young Gates, History of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association (1911), 8-10.

Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association
ELMINA SHEPHERD TAYLOR
1880-1904
"The aim of the leaders of this movement has been to cultivate every gift and grace of true womanhood, recognizing the fact that it is not the outward appearance but the forces which gather within the soul that go to develop the individual." 
(Young Woman's Journal, May 1891, 383)
Events
   1889 - First issue of the monthly Young Woman's Journal is published.
   1893 - Tuesday night is designated as Mutual night.
   1898 - Traveling MIA libraries are begun.
   1902 - Joint opening exercises are held for young men and young women.

MARTHA HORNE TINGEY
1904-29
"My heart is with the Mutual Improvement work. I love the youth of Zion, and I am anxious that . . . they may become a mighty army for righ-teousness in the kingdom of God." 
(Quoted in Thomas C. Romney, "Martha Horne Tingey," Instructor, July 1950, 199)
Events
   1912 - Liberty Stake holds first summer camp for girls.
   1913 - First Churchwide speech and other contests are held during June conference.
   1913 - Beehive girls program is organized.
   1920 - YLMIA operates Beehive House as a home for girls.
   1920 - Road shows sponsored by the MIA are written and performed. 
   1922 - Summer home for young women is built at Brighton in a canyon east of Salt Lake City.
   1922 - Gold and green become the official colors of the MIA.
   1922 - First gold and green ball is held.
   1925 - Golden jubilee is held with YMMIA.

Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association 	
RUTH MAY FOX
1929-37
"Ever since I could understand, the gospel has meant everything to me. It has been my very breath, my mantle of protection against temptation, my consolation in sorrow, my joy and glory throughout all my days, and my hope of eternal life. 'The Kingdom of God or nothing' has been my motto." 
(Quoted in Janet Peterson and LaRene Gaunt, Keepers of the Flame [1993], 49)
Events
   1930 - The song "Carry On," written by Ruth May Fox for the Church's centennial, is sung by youth at June conference.
   1931 - The Lion House becomes a social center for girls.
   1935 - Scriptural themes replace slogans.
   1936 - First MIA dance festival is held.

LUCY GRANT CANNON
1937-48
"Happiness comes from within; it is a state of mind." 
("Experience," Young Woman's Journal, June 1929, 410)
Events
   1940 - Golden Gleaner awards and Sunday evening firesides are introduced.
   1944 - Big Sister program is initiated for stakes in large cities to provide support for young women living away from home.
   1947 - YWMIA members celebrate the centennial of the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley through festivals, music, parades, and square dancing.


BERTHA STONE REEDER
1948-61
"Nature does indeed renew those who keep close to her. . . . If I were in my teens, I would take time to come close to nature. . . . I would realize again more fully the infinite variety in God's creation. I would learn to feel the difference in the seasons and to love each for what it gives to me. I would know that rain and sunshine are both important in God's plan." 
("If I Were in My Teens," Improvement Era, June 1954, 470)
Events
   1950 - Age groups are realigned: 
Beehives 12-13, 
Mia Maids 14-15, 
Junior Gleaners 16-17, 
Gleaners 18-24.
   1950 - Speech and quartet festivals are held in local units and at June conference.
   1950 - Individual Awards are introduced.
   1950s - A series of posters is produced: "Be Honest with Yourself."
   1959 - The name Gleaners is changed to Laurels.
   1960 - Era of Youth section is inaugurated in the Improvement Era.

FLORENCE SMITH JACOBSEN
1961-72
"It is my prayer that we can be so dedicated that not one single girl in this great Church will be forgotten."
("Women, This Is Our Time," Ensign, Mar. 1972, 39)
Events
   1960s - Large Churchwide festivals are held annually.
   1962 - Worldwide youth conferences are held.
   1965 - For the Strength of Youth is published.
   1967 - MIA begins annual presentation of Promised Valley.
   1968 - The restored Beehive House and Lion House are opened to the public.
   1969 - YWMIA celebrates its centennial.
   1971 - The New Era is published for youth.

Aaronic Priesthood MIA Young Women
RUTH HARDY FUNK
1972-78
"I marvel as I look back at the divine orchestration of my life. I really do believe that the Lord customizes our experiences according to our needs. . . . I feel the Lord expects us to go as far as we can with what he has given us. But I know that I cannot do what I need to do or must do until I finally come to him in total dependence." 
(Quoted in Keepers of the Flame, 117)
Events
   1972 - YWMIA becomes an auxiliary to the priesthood.
   1973 - Youth leadership and the bishop's youth committee are emphasized.
   1974 - "Behold Thy Handmaiden": Six areas of focus and My Personal Progress are introduced.
   1975 - Final June conference is held.
   1978 - Songs of the Heart, a Young Women songbook, is published.

Young Women
ELAINE ANDERSON CANNON
1978-84
"You can soar if you find out who you are and why you are here. There are two important days in a woman's life: The day she is born and the day she finds out why." 
(" 'Let Me Soar,' Women Counseled," Church News, Oct. 17, 1981, 3)
Events
   1978 - First general women's meeting is held in the Tabernacle.
   1980 - Sesquicentennial of the organization of the Church is celebrated. Young women are encouraged to make banners representing commitment or heritage.
   1980 - Sunday instruction for young women is implemented with the consolidated meeting schedule.

Ardeth Greene Kapp
1984-92
"I see the crest of a great wave forming . . . that will move across the earth, reaching every continent and every shore. I call upon you to stand with me to prepare to take your place in a great forward movement among the young women of the Church --a movement in which you are destined to shape history and participate in the fulfillment of prophecy." 
("Stand Up, Lead Out," New Era, Young Women Special Issue, Nov. 1985, 23)
Events
   1984 - Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary offices are all housed in the Relief Society Building.
   1985 - First Young Women satellite broadcast is held, introducing the Young Women values and theme.
   1985 - A new Personal Progress book is published, and age-group mission statements, motto, and logo are introduced.
   1986 - First Young Women worldwide celebration, "Rising Generation," is observed.
   1989 - Second Young Women worldwide celebration, "Stand for Truth and Righteousness," is observed.
  
JANETTE CALLISTER HALES BECKHAM
1992-97
"I have tremendous reverence for each one of you. My hope for you during these important years between the ages of twelve and eighteen is that you are going from being a dependent child to becoming a righteous, problem-solving woman of faith. It is a mighty work you do during these years, and when you do your work well, you will build a foundation for a responsible and righteous life." 
("Growing Up Spiritually," Ensign, May 1994, 96)
Events
   1992 - Third Young Women worldwide celebration, "Walk in the Light," is observed.
   1993 - New camp manual is introduced, focusing on service, spirituality, and the Young Women values.
   1994 - 125th anniversary of the Young Women is observed.
   1994 - First general Young Women meeting is held, separate from Relief Society.
   1995 - Fourth Young Women worldwide celebration, "Experiment upon the Word," is observed.

MARGARET DYRENG NADAULD
1997-2002
"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith.  We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." 
("The Joy of Womanhood," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 15)
Events
   1998 - Fifth Young Women worldwide celebration, "Turning Hearts to the Family," is observed.
   2000 - Final Young Women worldwide celebration, "Stand as a Witness," is held.
   2002 - Young Women Personal Progress program is revised.
   2002 - For the Strength of Youth is revised.
   2002 - Annual Mutual theme is reinstated.
   2002 - The words "strengthen home and family" are added to the Young Women theme.

SUSAN WINDER TANNER
2002-2008
"If young women know of God's love for them, it will influence and shape all of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They will understand they have a mission to perform in this life. They will have confidence in their ability to make responsible, righteous decisions. They will be able to resist temptation, to flee from worldly things, to dress modestly as is becoming of a divine daughter of God." 
(http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,6821-1,00.html, adapted from "How Will They Know Unless We Teach Them So?" open house address, Sept. 2003)
Events
   2004 - Young Women section of the Church's Web site LDS.org is launched.
   2006 - Large youth cultural events, especially temple celebrations and celebrations of the Prophet Joseph Smith's birthday, are re-established.
   2007 - Young Women Camp: A Guide for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders is published.
   2004-7 - Many large Church camping properties are developed. 

ELAINE SCHWARTZ DALTON
2008-
"Remember who you are. There is power and strength and freedom and joy in living a virtuous life. You are a daughter of God, and you have a unique mission to perform on this earth. Gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and allow Him to guide you through your life. You are a generation of destiny. You are the youth of the noble birthright. You have a great work to do."
(http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/
news-releases-stories/new-young-women-leaders-see-bright-future, adapted from press conference, Apr. 6, 2008)
Events
   2008 - Called April 5, 2008, as Young Women general president. ?

;;;The Spiritual Component of Healing
BY ELDER ALEXANDER B. MORRISON
Served as a member of the Seventy from 1987 to 2000 

The divine gift of healing is tailored to the needs of its recipients by Him who knows them best because He loves them most.
 
The scriptural accounts of Jesus's life and teachings are replete with references to His unparalleled power to heal all manner of afflictions. The Gospels record more than 20 occasions when Jesus healed the sick: from healing the nobleman's son at Capernaum (see John 4:46-53) to restoring the severed ear of Malchus, servant of the high priest (see Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10).
  Christ's curative powers extended beyond the healing of those with physical ailments to include "all manner of disease among the people" (Matthew 4:23; emphasis added; see also Mosiah 3:5; 3 Nephi 17:5-10). Jesus, in His infinite compassion, healed not only those with physical ailments but also others whose illnesses were mental or emotional.
  These healings are an integral component of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is so powerful--so all encompassing in its scope and reach--that it not only pays the price for sin but also can heal every mortal affliction. He who went forth suffering pains and afflictions of every kind that He might know perfectly how to succor His people (see Alma 7:11-12), who bore the incomprehensible burden of the sins of all who belong to the family of Adam (see 2 Nephi 9:21), in like manner extends His healing power to all, regardless of the cause of their affliction. "With his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). 
The Role of the Priesthood
  The Savior, through His divine power, could heal all, but mortal men who exercise the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood are subject to His will. Sometimes, because God's will is otherwise, they are not able to heal those to whom they minister. For example, the Apostle Paul "besought the Lord thrice" to remove the unidentified "thorn in the flesh" that tormented him (2 Corinthians 12:7-8). But the Lord declined to do so, explaining, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul understood better than many that tribulation and suffering are both necessary and inevitable parts of life.
  President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985) understood the wisdom in the limitations placed on the healing power of priesthood holders. He noted: "The power of the priesthood is limitless but God has wisely placed upon each of us certain limitations. . . . I am grateful that even through the priesthood I cannot heal all the sick. I might heal people who should die. . . . I fear I would frustrate the purposes of God."1
  Many years ago, as a young and inexperienced branch president, I was asked by one of our branch members to participate in the blessing of his grievously ill wife. The man obviously wanted me to bless her with complete recovery from her illness. That indeed was my intention; both the husband and wife were much-needed pillars in our struggling branch. 
  The husband anointed his wife's head with consecrated oil in the prescribed manner, and I proceeded to seal the anointing (see James 5:14). To my amazement, I found myself saying words I had not intended: the woman was "appointed unto death" (D&C 42:48). She would not recover from her illness but would slip away from us peacefully, cradled in the Savior's loving arms.
  The woman died the next day, and I presided at her funeral, a sadder but wiser man. I had learned a great lesson: when we administer to the sick, our maxim must be "not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).
  The divine gift of healing is, therefore, manifested in different ways, tailored to the individual needs of those who are its recipients by Him who knows them best because He loves them most. Christ's healing power may provide permanent relief in the sense that abnormal functioning of one or more parts of the body is corrected and the heavy burden of suffering lifted from weary hearts. But the peace, rest, and relief of suffering so devoutly wished for by those whose burdens seem ofttimes unbearable may come not from healing in a medical sense but from the gift of added strength, understanding, patience, and compassion, which enable sufferers to carry their burdens. Like Alma and his brethren, they may then "bear up their burdens with ease" and "submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord" (Mosiah 24:15).
The Role of Medicine
  We should not believe that all who suffer from illness, whatever the cause, need only receive a priesthood blessing to have their burdens lifted, perhaps permanently. I am a great advocate and supporter of priesthood blessings. I know from many personal experiences that Jesus Christ, and He alone, has ownership of the precious "balm in Gilead" (Jeremiah 8:22) needed for final and complete healing. But I know also that God has given us wonderful knowledge that can be of inestimable assistance in dealing with suffering. We must, I believe, take every advantage of such God-given information.
  Some persons who are ill, who have received a priesthood blessing and have prayed fervently that their burdens might be lightened, may feel that they suffer from a lamentable lack of faith if they seek professional help for their affliction. They may even stop taking prescribed medication, thinking erroneously that their faith will replace the need for it. Such thinking is quite simply wrong. Receiving and acting upon professional advice and the concomitant exercise of faith are not in conflict. In fact, exercising faith may require following the advice of experienced health professionals.
  Wise health professionals--whatever their academic training or orientation, be it primarily medical or psychological--increasingly are aware that spirituality is a significant component of their therapeutic resources. As recently as a decade ago only a handful of medical schools in the United Sates offered courses in spirituality and healing, but now more than half do. Particularly with religiously devout patients, evidence is beginning to show that spiritual approaches to the psychotherapy of depression, for example, are at least as effective as those that are purely secular. A growing number of physicians and psychotherapists now use spiritually oriented approaches and interventions in treating patients with both physical and mental illnesses.
The Role of Faith
  Faith on the part of the recipient is the great prerequisite of healing (see 2 Nephi 26:13; Mosiah 8:18; D&C 35:9). Faith--"the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1)--is a gift of the Spirit, bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness (see 1 Corinthians 12:9; D&C 46:19-20). Without faith, the miracle of healing cannot occur. "For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith" (Ether 12:12).
      Complete healing, which takes into account its spiritual component, also requires an understanding of our nature as God's children and of our relationship to Him. The scriptures teach and modern prophets confirm that mortals are both body and spirit--the former corruptible, the latter eternal--and the two combined are a living soul. The Father's great plan of happiness teaches us that body and spirit separated by the death that comes to all mortals will, in God's good time, be reunited, "and all men [will] become incorruptible, and immortal, and they [will become] living souls, having a perfect knowledge" (2 Nephi 9:13; see also Alma 11:42-45).
  Faith in a loving Heavenly Father and in His Son, our Savior--coupled with the understanding that we are literally God's children, with a divine opportunity to strive to become as He is, and a realization that His love for us is eternal and unchangeable--brings peace to our lives. That peace persists even if the medical, psychological, or social dimensions of illness--be they physical or mental in origin--remain as "a thorn in the flesh."
The Role of Suffering
  I believe our spiritual strength is directly related to the extent to which our souls are stretched. But we should neither seek for suffering nor glory in tribulation. There is no intrinsic value in suffering in and of itself. Suffering can wound and embitter the soul as surely as it can strengthen and purify. Some souls become stronger in response to suffering, but others bend and break. As author Anne Morrow Lindbergh wisely noted, "If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers."2 If we are to partake of "the fellowship of [Christ's] sufferings" (Philippians 3:10), we must pay the price of striving with all our hearts to know and emulate Him. That price may indeed involve suffering, but to suffering we must add compassion, empathy, patience, humility, and a willingness to submit our will to that of God.
  The wondrous manifestations of Christ's love for all bring hope and encouragement to those who suffer from ailments of all sorts. His love is ever present and never failing. As Paul testified: 
  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . 
  "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 
  "Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35, 38-39).
      Jesus, in His infinite love and compassion, knows of our trials and sorrows, for He "is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth" (Alma 26:37). ?
NOTES
	1. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball (2006), 16.
	2. "Lindbergh Nightmare," Time, Feb. 5, 1973, 35.

;;;A Call from the Hospital
NAME WITHHELD
Darren didn't know there was a bullet in the chamber until it went off.

  Ben was my youngest child and in many ways my most challenging. For several years he had followed the lures of the world, becoming involved with drugs and some very unsavory characters. Finally, after much rebellion, heartache, and pain, Ben began to turn his life around. He moved back home, began working a steady job, and started attending church and even paying tithing (although he didn't want me to know that). Many parents know the sorrow and pain their children's choices can cause, and many understand the joy that comes from every new, faltering step in the direction of the Lord. Ben was in this progression, sliding backward now and again, but slowly moving forward.
  Darren, who was not a member of the Church, had been Ben's best friend for years. He had stood by Ben throughout most of Ben's rebellion, stepping back only when my son reached his lowest depths and pushed everyone away. But Darren was quick to be back at Ben's side as Ben began to change. After Darren returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, the two were together so much that sometimes Darren needed to be reminded that he was married and was needed at home.
Whispering Comfort
  One Sunday after church, I received the call that parents pray they will never receive. It was from the hospital, saying that Ben had been admitted. They would not tell me what had happened over the phone; they said I just needed to get there as quickly as possible. At the hospital I was told that Ben had been shot and was in surgery. Only time would tell how serious the injury was. I called my home teacher, who arrived quickly, along with one of the bishop's counselors. We waited, prayed, and waited some more.
  Soon Darren arrived, and I learned that he was the one who had shot my son. Darren had been examining a new revolver while Ben was playing games on the computer. Darren did not realize there was a bullet in the chamber until it went off. He was devastated. There in the hospital I took him into my arms, thinking how much support he was going to need. Because Darren and Ben were such good friends, there was no doubt in my mind that this had been an accident.
  Darren's wife, parents, and in-laws arrived and witnessed several priesthood blessings and heartfelt prayers for Ben and for Darren. When we joined Ben in the recovery room, I knew that his spirit was already gone. The staff gave me Ben's watch and CTR ring. I remember handing the ring to Darren across Ben's body, with a brief explanation of its meaning. Looking back, I now know that the Lord was whispering comfort, solace, and love into my heart. I was so aware of Darren's pain. I never felt a need to lay blame anywhere, despite the tremendous sadness and loss I was experiencing.
Finding Peace
  After Ben's death I often wondered what I should do, how I should move forward. Again and again, I found myself counting my blessings. My personal support system, made up of my ward family and my work family, was awe-inspiring. I am so grateful for each friend who helped me through the darkest hours, who comforted and served me in so many ways. I found myself grateful that Ben had not been killed by any of his former drug associates. That was a good indication of the change of direction his life had taken. He was on the right path. And I found strength in knowing that I was in good standing with the Lord, an assurance I had sought for diligently in prayer over the past few years. 
  Darren's mother has told me that shortly after the accident Darren had said he felt he needed to go to my church, that he felt "there was something there." I told Darren that a few months before Ben's death my son had told me he wanted to talk to Darren about the gospel. Darren took the missionary discussions. At the first meeting with the missionaries, Darren told the elders how afraid he had been to come to the hospital, how he had worried that I was going to hate him. In tears he said: "But she didn't. She just put her arms around me." I was surprised by Darren's comments. No other reaction had even occurred to me.
  Less than a year after the accident, Darren was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church. I am grateful for Darren's friendship and the unique bond we share.
Bearing Testimony  
  How grateful I am for the Atonement and the great plan of happiness. My life would be unbearable without this knowledge. I know that the Savior's love is real. Alma taught:
  "And he shall go forth, suffering pain and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
  "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities" (Alma 7:11-12).
  I have felt the Lord's tender mercies again and again. I can testify to His loving-kindness and the power of forgiveness. I know that He lives and that I will be with my son again someday. ?
  
;;;Q&A
Questions and Answers
With all the difficulty in the world, I often find myself feeling anxious and worried. How can I find peace during troubled times?

A number of years ago some friends and I were driving home to Utah at night, after a vacation in Missouri. About an hour into my driving shift, a thick fog settled over the interstate. Visibility lessened to a mere few feet, and I began to panic. I turned to my friends for support only to realize they were asleep. The fog was so thick that I didn't know whether I could continue driving, but there seemed to be no safe place to pull over.
  Then I received an impression to continue driving and to hold to the lane line. As I looked down, I noticed that the line was clearly illuminated by our car's headlights. By holding the car closely to the lane line I was able to safely navigate my way through the thick fog.
  In the Book of Mormon, Lehi described his vision of the multitudes who were seeking for the peace and joy of the tree of life. He said, "And they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth . . . and partook of the fruit of the tree" (1 Nephi 8:30). Nephi interpreted the rod of iron to be the word of God (see 1 Nephi 11:25). As I continually hold fast to the word of God, even in the midst of dark and troubled times, the assurance of glorious days ahead fills my soul with peace. Holding to the lane line brought peace to me one foggy night on the interstate. Daily study of the word of God can bring peace to our souls wherever we are.
Scott A. Walker, Utah
  When I start feeling overwhelmed by the conditions of the world, I realize it is time to take stock of my priorities and regain an eternal perspective. I review how my husband and I are managing the spirituality of our home by asking these questions:
  -- Are we having quality family home evenings each week?
  -- Are we having family prayer daily?
  -- Are we reading the scriptures as a family each day?
  -- Are we looking for opportunities to share the gospel?
  -- Are we attending the temple regularly?
  -- Are we being reverent and thoughtful during the sacrament and emphasizing the importance of our baptismal covenants?
  Although these are basic things to do, I always feel reassured that when we are doing them, the Lord will be with us. I feel at peace when I know we are doing everything we can to draw close to the Savior as a family. 
Hazel Wilsher, England
  I enjoy following politics and current affairs but every once in a while find myself becoming concerned about what I see happening around the world. I sometimes feel as Nephi, the son of Helaman, and wish that I had lived in the days of my fathers when people were "easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity" (Helaman 7:7). But, like Nephi, I also "am consigned that these are my days" (Helaman 7:9).
  One day as I was reflecting upon the challenges surrounding me, I noticed my scriptures on the table and felt an overpowering desire to read them. I knew that in them I would find truth. They were not written with a political agenda, and they would not lie to me or distort the truth. I could trust them and follow them, and their contents would give me peace in this troubled world. Also, knowing that we have a prophet and other leaders who receive revelation to guide us comforts me and gives me peace. This knowledge allows me to let go of my fear and appreciate these exciting times.
Jacklyn Larsen, Texas
  We certainly live in troubled times. The prophet Ether also lived in troubled times. His counsel can help us in our quest to find peace in this hectic world: "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men" (Ether 12:4). True peace comes from being firmly anchored during a trying storm. We must be able to develop our faith and hope until we really believe that no matter what happens in this life, we can find the better world that Ether promises and we can have the peace that our Savior promised.
  Real peace and comfort come from knowing that we are doing what the Lord expects us to do and fully relying on Him to give us the support we need.
Kason Andrew Twitchell, New Mexico
  Whenever I am struck by the difficulties we face in the world and find myself worried, I recall the words given to the Prophet Joseph in 1833: "Be still and know that I am God" (D&C 101:16; emphasis added). Our Heavenly Father is our God, and He is watching over us in all things. With my testimony of this truth as the foundation of my life, I cannot but follow this admonition to "be still." 
Jay McCarthy, Massachusetts
  I have faith in Heavenly Father's plan, and I know that all things are in His hands. But sometimes the suffering and wickedness in the world weigh on my mind and soul and I become discouraged. When this happened a few months ago, a scripture I found during my personal study took on new meaning.
  Alma 31 tells of Alma and his brethren going to reclaim the apostate Zoramites. When they arrived, they found conditions to be worse than they had supposed, for the people had fallen deep into iniquity. Before the missionaries began their efforts, Alma offered a prayer. He told the Lord about the wickedness of the Zoramites and asked for help. "O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul" (Alma 31:30).
  This gave me a new perspective. If a prophet needed to ask God for the strength to bear the wickedness of the world, then I could find peace of mind in the same way. The best source of comfort always comes from our Heavenly Father. Sometimes all we need to do is ask.
Gabrielle Cheney, Utah
  One thing I have learned is that peace does not mean an absence of trouble, noise, or hard work. Peace is to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. Priesthood blessings can bring that calm; faith, prayer, and scripture study will help maintain it.
Meghan Hinkson, Japan
  I am a young father with four daughters under the age of eight. I used to worry about raising children in a wicked, violent world, but after the birth of my first daughter, that changed. A friend reminded me that the Lord is in charge and that faith in His protecting hand is our best defense. Since that time I have concentrated on teaching our daughters about the Savior and looking with excitement to His Second Coming.
  Looking into the eyes of our girls, I see hope in the future. As we read in 2 Nephi 2:25, "Men are, that they might have joy." My wife and I can teach our children to learn through their trials and to ultimately experience true joy (see D&C 122:5-8).
Lyndon Grunewald, Canada
  The following ideas have helped me cope with difficulty in the world. They may also help you:
  -- Surround yourself with spiritually supportive friends. 
  -- Live in a clean, orderly environment. If your home emanates peace, so will your life.
  -- Continually strive to live righteously. The people in Lehi's vision might have let go of the iron rod when visibility was clear, because they could see where they were going. However, sudden mists of darkness would have been deadly (see 1 Nephi 8:23-24). By continually holding to the iron rod, even when seemingly unnecessary, we endure the difficult spells.
  -- Stay anxiously engaged in good causes (see D&C 58:27). How desolate this world would seem if you were unable to help someone smile or to say thank you. If you want the world to be less difficult, be willing to offer a helping hand.
  -- Get out of the world as frequently as possible. Attending the temple, accompanying the missionaries, attending Church functions, and fulfilling our callings help raise us to a holier sphere.
  Perhaps we can't take the evil out of the world. We can, however, surround ourselves with "the peaceable things of the kingdom" (D&C 36:2; 39:6).
Peter Bontorno, New York
  I am a convert of seven years. The reason I joined the Church was the peace I felt when I read the Book of Mormon. I continue to rely upon daily scripture study to bring peace and comfort into my life. The scriptures remind me that I'm not alone in this chaotic world. The Holy Ghost speaks peace, and I feel God's love when I read His words and strive to keep His commandments.
Vanessa Jackson, California
  I looked outside the mission office window in Riga, Latvia, and noted with mild interest that it was snowing--again. My calm reaction surprised me. After all, I was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. The coldest place I had ever lived was St. George, Utah, where my husband and I had retired six years earlier. I love sunshine, and I love heat. So why, I wondered, didn't the snow bother me? The answer came in a flash: I knew this was temporary. In another year, I'd be returning to my beloved desert. In the meantime, the snow and cold were merely an experience of our mission. After all our efforts to prepare for "facing the elements" after our call to the Baltic Mission, we would have been disappointed if we hadn't experienced at least some brutal weather.
  In another flash I understood what the prophets have said about our time on earth. My mission in Latvia related to my regular life in the same way that this mortal life relates to the eternities: it is temporary, and everything we go through here is merely an experience of our mortal mission. Before we left our heavenly home, we had at least a general idea of the trials we would endure. When we return home, we'll be disappointed if we have missed any of that for which we had prepared. The Lord will never allow us to be tempted above what we can bear (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).
  The insight I received that winter of my mission has instilled in me a peace and a serenity that I'd never before known was possible. Our Heavenly Father is in charge, and no matter what we face in this life, it will be OK. Righteousness will triumph, troubles will pass, and for all eternity we will appreciate the lessons we learned here. ?
Dana Tischer, Utah

Periodic feelings of anxiety are normal. As mentioned in this article, the gospel provides many important tools for dealing with these feelings. However, if anxiety is prolonged and interferes with daily functioning, it may be helpful to consult with one's ecclesiastical leader and possibly a therapist with LDS Family Services. To find an LDS Family Services office near you, or to seek more information, visit www.ldsfamilyservices.org or call 1-800-453-3860 ext. 21711.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS
An upcoming Q&A feature will focus on the following topic:
  The best marriage advice I ever received was . . .
  If you would like to share advice you received, please label your submission "marriage advice" and follow the guidelines under "Do You Have a Story to Tell?" in the contents pages at the beginning of the magazine. Please limit responses to 250 words and submit them by July 13. 


;;;Reinforcing Our Seams
BY JESSICA J. CARRIER
Every added stitch of obedience makes us stronger in a world that seems to be unraveling.

  I once heard a friend say he did not need to go to church to be a good person. He was satisfied that he was living a good life without church. He was a good person--as are many others I know who choose not to attend. But his statement festered in my mind for a long time. After all, I knew attending church did help me. Only later would I understand more clearly--through one of my hobbies--just how important Sabbath worship really is.
  Those who know me know that I sew a lot. But every now and then I make a mistake and need to undo the stitching. To do this, I rely on a seam ripper, a sharp pointed instrument that unpicks stitches. Because I've used this tool many times, I have found faster ways of undoing stitches. Instead of ripping each individual stitch out of a seam, I can unpick one stitch every five to ten stitches. Then when I apply just the right amount of pressure, the whole seam rips apart.
  On pondering this method of removing seams, I began to see how this process parallels life. The stitches that hold our lives together are the little things we do each day; they are the commandments we strive to keep all the time, like going to church, paying tithing, and saying family prayers. Satan doesn't have to tempt us to disobey all of the commandments at once. He doesn't need to rip each stitch out; he just has to unpick one of every five to ten stitches and apply the right amount of pressure. With these stitches missing and the strains of life pulling, it's hard to stay connected to the gospel.
  Of course we don't have to yield to these pressures. There is hope. When I want to reinforce a seam, I sew over it more than once. This ensures that if pressure is applied, the seam will stay intact.
  Likewise, when we keep the commandments over and over again, we are reinforcing our seams. When the inevitable pressures of life pull as hard as they can, we--and our testimonies--remain intact.
  It's true that active members of the Church don't have a monopoly on good qualities, but attending church is one of the many commandments that reinforce us and help us fight the pressures of this world. It strengthens us in righteousness, brings us closer to the Savior, and makes us better prepared to serve Him. ?

;;;Cultivating Sensitivity to Others
Becoming more aware of the unique challenges of those around us 
makes us better neighbors, friends, and Saints.
BY ANDREA WORTHINGTON SNARR
  One sunny day I walked to my mailbox to retrieve the mail. Among the bills, I saw an envelope with my name typed on it. Excited to receive a letter, I quickly opened it. Then my hopes were shattered as I realized that someone had sent me an anonymous letter containing parenting tips. Photocopied articles explained how to say no to children and outlined the social ills resulting from parents' failures.
  Obviously, the sender had noticed our son's difficulties. What the sender apparently did not know, however, is that our son has a neurological condition related to autism. Our efforts to help this son had been extremely time-consuming and expensive--including therapy, doctors, medications, parenting classes, alternative schooling, research, conferences, and consistent routines. If only the sender had known how hard we were trying.
  I hurried inside to have a good cry. Fortunately, I had a friend I could call on for support. She reassured me with kind words. Still, after that I found myself looking around, wondering who was judging me.
  Years after that regrettable incident, I harbor no malice for the letter's author, who simply didn't understand our situation. But the letter taught me that loving others includes striving to understand and be sensitive to their unique situations. All of us are individuals with varied life experiences. Some of us marry in this life; others remain single. Some have many children; others have none or few. Some endure divorce. Some pray daily for wayward children. Some struggle with chronic illness or disabilities.
  Alma's counsel to his son Corianton can guide us in our efforts to become more sensitive: "See that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually" (Alma 41:14). 
Increase Awareness
  Unfortunately, we are often unintentionally insensitive simply because we are unaware of what others are experiencing. Ashley Henderson* stopped going to church when it seemed that the main topics of conversation surrounding her were whom she was dating and why she wasn't married. People were probably just trying to be friendly and make conversation, but it made her feel out of place to be constantly reminded of her singleness. "I felt I didn't belong anywhere," she recalls. After she eventually did marry, she continued to avoid church. Then a loving and sensitive elderly couple in the ward were instrumental in helping Ashley and her husband return to the blessings of the gospel. "Their love seemed to make the big step of returning to church seamless," recalls Sister Henderson. Several other couples in their ward also embraced the Hendersons. "I have always heard that friends are hard to come by," says Sister Henderson. "But it seems, in our ward at least, that everyone is a friend, and no one is left out."
  It's not only insensitive words that can inflict pain. Sometimes saying nothing hurts too. When Lou Banks* went through a divorce, he felt lost. "In my ward, I basically became invisible," remembers Brother Banks. "People were not rude to me, but they made a wide path around me. I just didn't fit in. Almost all social arrangements were made by the sisters, so I never felt included in ward activities." It was after Brother Banks married again that he finally regained a sense of belonging.
  Thoughtfully and tactfully acknowledging others' pain and expressing encouragement can help them feel you are aware of them and can provide hope. It can be as simple as saying, "I'm