;;;ENSIGN NOVEMBER 2007 VOLUME 37 NUMBER 11 ;;;CONTENTS SATURDAY MORNING SESSION 4 The Sustaining of Church Officers: President Gordon B. Hinckley 6 The Weak and the Simple of the Church: President Boyd K. Packer 9 Enduring Together: Bishop Richard C. Edgley 11 Strengthen Home and Family: Mary N. Cook 14 Why Are We Members of the Only True Church?: Elder Enrique R. Falabella 16 Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises: Elder Spencer J. Condie 18 Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?: Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf 21 Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues: President Thomas S. Monson SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 25 Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits: Elder M. Russell Ballard 28 The Great Commandment: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin 31 A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit: Elder Bruce D. Porter 33 Preach My Gospel--the Unifying Tool between Members and Missionaries: Elder Erich W. Kopischke 35 Out of Small Things: Elder Michael J. Teh 37 Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man: Elder Keith K. Hilbig 40 The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 43 Scriptural Witnesses: Elder Russell M. Nelson PRIESTHOOD SESSION 46 Raising the Bar: Elder L. Tom Perry 49 Do It Now: Elder Donald L. Hallstrom 51 Blessed Are All the Pure in Heart: Elder L. Whitney Clayton 53 Today Is the Time: Elder Walter F. González 55 God Helps the Faithful Priesthood Holder: President Henry B. Eyring 59 A Royal Priesthood: President Thomas S. Monson 62 Slow to Anger: President Gordon B. Hinckley SUNDAY MORNING SESSION 66 O Remember, Remember: President Henry B. Eyring 70 Live by Faith and Not by Fear: Elder Quentin L. Cook 73 Don't Leave for Tomorrow What You Can Do Today: Elder Claudio R. M. Costa 76 Mothers Who Know: Julie B. Beck 78 Small and Simple Things: Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. 80 Clean Hands and a Pure Heart: Elder David A. Bednar 83 The Stone Cut Out of the Mountain: President Gordon B. Hinckley SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 86 Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets: Elder Robert D. Hales 90 Truth: The Foundation of Correct Decisions: Elder Richard G. Scott 93 Nourished by the Good Word of God: Daniel K Judd 95 The Power of Godliness Is Manifested in the Temples of God: Elder Octaviano Tenorio 98 After All We Can Do: Elder Claudio D. Zivic 100 Knowing That We Know: Elder Douglas L. Callister 102 Service: Elder Steven E. Snow 104 Good, Better, Best: Elder Dallin H. Oaks 108 Closing Remarks: President Gordon B. Hinckley GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING 109 What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable: Julie B. Beck 113 Feed My Sheep: Silvia H. Allred 115 I Will Strengthen Thee; I Will Help Thee: Barbara Thompson 118 Three Goals to Guide You: President Thomas S. Monson 64 General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 122 The Power to Change: President James E. Faust 125 News of the Church 128 General Auxiliary Presidencies CONFERENCE MUSIC SATURDAY MORNING SESSION "Press Forward, Saints," Hymns, no. 81; "Faith of our Fathers," Hymns, no. 84, arr. Longhurst, pub. Sonos; "Come unto Him," Hymns, no. 114; "Now Let Us Rejoice," Hymns, no. 3; "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" Hymns, no. 129, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; "I Believe in Christ," Hymns, no. 134, arr. Wilberg, unpublished. SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION "Come, Rejoice," Hymns, no. 9, arr. Unsworth, unpublished; "Joseph Smith's First Prayer," Hymns, no. 26, arr. Kasen, pub. Jackman; "Come, Come, Ye Saints," Hymns, no. 30; "Oh, May My Soul Commune with Thee," Hymns, no. 123, arr. Dalton, pub. Plum. PRIESTHOOD SESSION "Redeemer of Israel," Hymns, no. 6; "Sweet Is the Peace the Gospel Brings," Hymns, no. 14, arr. Staheli, unpublished; "High on the Mountain Top," Hymns, no. 5; "We Ever Pray for Thee," Hymns, no. 23, arr. Kasen, unpublished. SUNDAY MORNING SESSION "Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah," Hymns, no. 83; "O Thou Kind and Gracious Father," Hymns, no. 150; "A Child's Prayer," Children's Songbook, 12, arr. Perry, pub. Jackman; "I Am a Child of God," Hymns, no. 301; "God So Loved the World," The Choirbook, 28, pub. IRI; "How Firm a Foundation," Hymns, no. 85, arr. Wilberg, unpublished. SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION "Beautiful Zion, Built Above," Hymns, no. 44, arr. Wilberg, unpublished; "Our Prayer to Thee," Parry, text by Russell M. Nelson, arr. Wilberg, unpublished (soloist: Scott Miller); "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet," Hymns, no. 19; "Sing We Now at Parting," Hymns, no. 156, arr. Wilberg, unpublished. GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING "Redeemer of Israel," Hymns, no. 6; "Hark, All Ye Nations!" Hymns, no. 264, arr. Webb, unpublished; "High on the Mountain Top," Hymns, no. 5, descant arr. Webb, unpublished; "The Lord Is My Light," Hymns, no. 89, arr. Kasen, pub. Jackman. CONFERENCE RECORDINGS AVAILABLE Recordings of conference sessions are available at www.lds.org. Generally within two months following conference, recordings are also available at distribution centers. Recordings for individuals who are deaf are available at www.lds.org/asl and generally within two months following conference from distribution centers (three DVDs with a signing inset). For more information, call 1-800-537-5971 or log on to www.ldscatalog.com. CONFERENCE TALKS ON INTERNET To access general conference talks on the Internet in many languages, visit www.lds.org. Click on "Gospel Library" and "General Conference." Then select a language. HOME AND VISITING TEACHING MESSAGES For home and visiting teaching messages, please select an address that best meets the needs of those you visit. ON THE COVER: Photographs by Craig Dimond. CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHS Scenes of general conference in Salt Lake City were taken by Craig Dimond, Welden C. Andersen, John Luke, Matthew Reier, Christina Smith, Les Nilsson, Scott Davis, Rod Boam, Emily Leishman, Geoffrey McAllister, Mark Weinberg, Cody Bell, and Camilla Combs; in Brazil by Laureni Fochetto; in Canada by Laurent Lucuix; in Denmark by Lisa Als Klein and Ann-Mari Als Lindberg; in India by Merinda Cutler; in Mexico by Reynaldo Martinez; in Peru by Ryan Brown; in South Africa by Rob Milne; and in West Indies by David Hooson. TEACHING AND LEARNING FROM GENERAL CONFERENCE Teachings for Our Time instructions, Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women Resource Guides, and topic and story indexes from this conference are available online at www.lds.org. Go to www.lds.org, and click on "Gospel Library." Click on "General Conference," and select a language, then the most recent conference. TEACHINGS FOR OUR TIME SCHEDULE Fourth-Sunday Lesson Materials November 2007-April 2008: Talks published in the November 2007 Liahona and Ensign* May 2008-October 2008: Talks published in the May 2008 Liahona and Ensign* *Stake and district presidents may choose which talks should be used, or they may assign this responsibility to bishops and branch presidents. INDEXES STORIES Letter written by Mary N. Cook's brother to the family, 11 Six-year-old son instructs his father on what to say at stake conference, 14 General conference talk on resurrection addressed to a woman not of our faith, 21 Man paints his sick wife's fingernails, 28 Uncle Fred overcomes alcoholism and accepts the gospel, 35 L. Tom Perry encourages his son, a high jumper, to raise the bar, 46 Boy procrastinates turning in a family recipe, 49 Caribbean fish trap, 51 Henry B. Eyring speaks to leaders and ministers of U.S. churches, 55 Olympic runner loses his shoe in a race, 59 People in Tonga find fresh water in the ocean, 70 Home teachers visit and help activate Stan, 78 News reporter asks Harold B. Lee when he last received a revelation, 86 Calling horses to come by rattling a bucket of grain, 93 Grandchildren entreat their grandfather to attend church, 95 Octaviano Tenorio loses his first child, 95 Young Heber J. Grant doesn't know he has a strong testimony, 100 Missionary experiences the "moment of testimony realization," 100 Dying mother wishes she had served more, 102 Boy shares a piece of candy with his friends, 102 Son says the best part of the summer was looking at stars with his father, 104 Sister gains a friend by going visiting teaching, 113 Woman asks Thomas S. Monson for a blessing for her daughter, 118 Woman helps take care of her neighbor's children, 118 TOPICS Adversity, 9, 53 Anger, 62 Assurance, 55 Atonement, 40, 80 Bible, 43 Blessings, 66 Book of Mormon, 43, 78 Character, 90 Charity, 28 Children, 76, 115 Church growth, 83 Church magazines, 108 Comfort, 95 Commitment, 37 Compassion, 28, 35, 102 Conversion, 78, 100 Covenants, 16 Death, 21 Divorce, 62 Doctrine, 25 Education, 118 Endurance, 9, 18, 98 Equality, 6 Example, 11, 25 Faith, 16, 25, 59, 70, 109 Family, 11, 25, 33, 73, 76, 95, 104, 109, 115 Family home evening, 108 Freedom, 98 Friendship, 113 General conference, 108 Godhead, 40 Gospel, 18 Gratitude, 31, 66 Holy Ghost, 37, 55, 66, 93 Jesus Christ, 21, 40, 115 Journals, 66 Joy, 18 Leadership, 6, 55 Love, 9, 28, 70, 73 Marriage, 62 Membership, 18 Missionary work, 33, 35, 46, 70 Motherhood, 76, 109, 115 Obedience, 16 Pornography, 51 Prayer, 55, 59, 86, 118 Preach My Gospel, 33 Preparation, 46, 49, 53, 86 Priesthood, 14, 55, 59 Priorities, 104 Procrastination, 49 Promises, 16 Purity, 51, 80 Relief Society, 109 Repentance, 31, 49, 80, 98 Restoration, 40, 83 Resurrection, 21 Revelation, 86, 90 Righteousness, 53 Sacrifice, 31 Sanctification, 78 Scriptures, 43, 118 Service, 6, 9, 35, 53, 102, 109, 113, 118 Standards, 46 Teaching, 73, 76, 93, 104 Temples, 11, 14, 37, 95 Temptation, 51 Testimony, 14, 78, 83, 98, 100 Trust, 93 Truth, 90 Visiting teaching, 113 Witnesses, 43, 100 Work, 55 Worthiness, 46 SPEAKERS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER Allred, Silvia H., 113 Ballard, M. Russell, 25 Beck, Julie B., 76, 109 Bednar, David A., 80 Callister, Douglas L., 100 Clayton, L. Whitney, 51 Condie, Spencer J., 16 Cook, Mary N., 11 Cook, Quentin L., 70 Costa, Claudio R. M., 73 Edgley, Richard C., 9 Eyring, Henry B., 55, 66 Falabella, Enrique R., 14 Golden, Christoffel, Jr., 78 González, Walter F., 53 Hales, Robert D., 86 Hallstrom, Donald L., 49 Hilbig, Keith K., 37 Hinckley, Gordon B., 4, 62, 83, 108 Holland, Jeffrey R., 40 Judd, Daniel K, 93 Kopischke, Erich W., 33 Monson, Thomas S., 21, 59, 118 Nelson, Russell M., 43 Oaks, Dallin H., 104 Packer, Boyd K., 6 Perry, L. Tom, 46 Porter, Bruce D., 31 Scott, Richard G., 90 Snow, Steven E., 102 Teh, Michael J., 35 Tenorio, Octaviano, 95 Thompson, Barbara, 115 Uchtdorf, Dieter F., 18 Wirthlin, Joseph B., 28 Zivic, Claudio D., 98 ;;;SATURDAY MORNING SESSION: October 6, 2007 ;;;The Sustaining of Church Officers PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY I will now present the General Authorities, Area Seventies, and general auxiliary presidencies of the Church for your sustaining vote. Before doing so, I should like to take note of the recent passing of President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. He was an extremely able man, a man of great faith and capacity, who contributed much to our meetings. We greatly miss him. We extend our condolences to his beloved companion, Ruth, and their children. Now it is proposed that we sustain Gordon Bitner Hinckley as prophet, seer, and revelator and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Thomas Spencer Monson as First Counselor in the First Presidency; and Henry Bennion Eyring as Second Counselor in the First Presidency. Those in favor may manifest it. Any opposed may do so. It is proposed that we sustain Thomas Spencer Monson as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Boyd Kenneth Packer as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve; and the following as members of that quorum: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Joseph B. Wirthlin, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, David A. Bednar, and Quentin L. Cook. Those in favor, please manifest it. Any who may be opposed. It is proposed that we sustain the counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. All in favor, please indicate. Contrary by the same sign. Now we extend a release this morning to Elders Charles Didier, Merrill J. Bateman, Robert C. Oaks, and Quentin L. Cook as members of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy. It is also proposed that we release Elders Merrill J. Bateman, Monte J. Brough, Gene R. Cook, Robert K. Dellenbach, and W. Rolfe Kerr as members of the First Quorum of the Seventy and designate them as emeritus General Authorities. All who wish to join in doing so may please indicate. Elder Kerr will continue to serve as Commissioner of the Church Educational System. We extend a release to Elders D. Rex Gerratt, Robert F. Orton, Wayne S. Peterson, R. Conrad Schultz, and H. Ross Workman as members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Those who wish to join with us in expressing appreciation to these Brethren may manifest it. It is proposed that we sustain Elders Claudio R. M. Costa, Steven E. Snow, and Walter F. González as members of the Presidency of the Quorums of the Seventy. All in favor, please manifest. Any opposed. It is proposed that we sustain the other General Authorities, Area Seventies, and general auxiliary presidencies as presently constituted. Those in favor may manifest it. And those opposed may so indicate. It appears that the sustaining has been unanimous in the affirmative. Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your continued sustaining faith and prayers. We shall now ask President Eyring and Elders Cook and González to take their designated seats. ;;;The Weak and the Simple of the Church PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles No member of the Church is esteemed by the Lord as more or less than any other. We honor President James E. Faust. We miss him. His beloved wife, Ruth, is with us this morning, and we express our love to her. We welcome those who have been named to the positions that President Hinckley has outlined. Speaking for all of us who have been sustained today, we pledge to do our very best to be worthy of the trust placed in us. We have sustained the general officers of the Church in a solemn, sacred procedure. This common procedure occurs whenever leaders or teachers are called or released from office or whenever there is reorganization in a stake or a ward or a quorum or in the auxiliaries (see D&C 124:123, 144; see also D&C 20:65-67; 26:2). It is unique to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We always know who is called to lead or to teach and have the opportunity to sustain or to oppose the action. It did not come as an invention of man but was set out in the revelations: "It shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church" (D&C 42:11; emphasis added). In this way, the Church is protected from any imposter who would take over a quorum, a ward, a stake, or the Church. There is another principle unique to the Lord's Church. All positions to teach and to lead are filled by members of the Church. This too has been set forth in the scriptures. One verse in the Doctrine and Covenants established the order of leadership in the Church for all time. It was unprecedented, certainly not the custom of Christian churches then or now: "Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; ... "The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, ... "... That every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; "That faith also might increase in the earth; "That mine everlasting covenant might be established; "That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers. "Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding" (D&C 1:17, 19-24). I am deeply grateful for those scriptures, which explain that the Lord will use the "weak things of the world." Each member is responsible to accept the call to serve. President J. Reuben Clark Jr. said: "In the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one takes the place to which one is duly called, which place one neither seeks nor declines" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1951, 154). The Church has no professional clergy. The call to leadership positions worldwide is drawn from the congregation. We have no seminaries for the training of professional leaders. Everything that is done in the Church--the leading, the teaching, the calling, the ordaining, the praying, the singing, the preparation of the sacrament, the counseling, and everything else--is done by ordinary members, the "weak things of the world." We see in the Christian churches their struggle to fill the need for clergy. We do not have that problem. Once the gospel is preached and the Church is organized, there is an inexhaustible supply of faithful brothers and sisters who have that testimony and are willing to answer the call to serve. They commit themselves to the work of the Lord and live the standards required of them. Members have had the Holy Ghost conferred upon them after their baptism (see D&C 33:15; 35:6). The Holy Ghost will teach and comfort them. They are then prepared to receive guidance, direction, and correction, whatever their position or needs require. (See John 14:26; D&C 50:14; 52:9; 75:10.) This principle sets the Church on a different course from all other Christian churches in the world. We find ourselves in the unusual position of having an endless supply of teachers and leaders, among every nation and kindred and tongue and people, all over the world. There is a unique equality among members. No one of us is to consider himself of more value than the other (see D&C 38:24-25). "God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:34-35; see also Romans 2:11; D&C 1:35; 38:16). When I was a young man, I was a home teacher to a very old sister. She taught me from her life experience. When she was a little girl, President Brigham Young came to Brigham City, a great event in the town named after him. To honor him, the Primary children, all dressed in white, were lined up along the road coming into town, each with a basket of flowers to spread before the carriage of the President of the Church. Something displeased her. Instead of throwing her blossoms, she kicked a rock in front of the carriage, saying, "He ain't one bit better than my Grandpa Lovelund." That was overheard, and she was severely scolded. I am very sure that President Brigham Young would be the first to agree with little Janie Steed. He would not consider himself to be worth more than Grandpa Lovelund or any other worthy member of the Church. The Lord Himself was very plain: "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:27). "The same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all" (D&C 50:26). Years ago when I first received an appointment that resulted in my picture being in the newspapers, one of my high school teachers, evidently quite astonished, was heard to say, "That just proves that you can't tell by looking at a frog how high he is going to jump!" The image of that frog, sitting in the mud instead of jumping, illustrates how inadequate I have felt when facing the responsibilities that have come to me. These feelings fix it so that thereafter one can never feel superior to anyone, not anyone. For a long time, something else puzzled me. Forty-six years ago I was a 37-year-old seminary supervisor. My Church calling was as an assistant teacher in a class in the Lindon Ward. To my great surprise, I was called to meet with President David O. McKay. He took both of my hands in his and called me to be one of the General Authorities, an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. A few days later, I came to Salt Lake City to meet with the First Presidency to be set apart as one of the General Authorities of the Church. This was the first time I had met with the First Presidency--President David O. McKay and his counselors, President Hugh B. Brown and President Henry D. Moyle. President McKay explained that one of the responsibilities of an Assistant to the Twelve was to stand with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as a special witness and to bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. What he said next overwhelmed me: "Before we proceed to set you apart, I ask you to bear your testimony to us. We want to know if you have that witness." I did the best I could. I bore my testimony the same as I might have in a fast and testimony meeting in my ward. To my surprise, the Brethren of the Presidency seemed pleased and proceeded to confer the office upon me. That puzzled me greatly, for I had supposed that someone called to such an office would have an unusual, different, and greatly enlarged testimony and spiritual power. It puzzled me for a long time until finally I could see that I already had what was required: an abiding testimony in my heart of the Restoration of the fulness of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, that we have a Heavenly Father, and that Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. I may not have known all about it, but I did have a testimony, and I was willing to learn. I was perhaps no different from those spoken of in the Book of Mormon: "And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not" (3 Nephi 9:20; emphasis added). Over the years, I have come to see how powerfully important that simple testimony is. I have come to understand that our Heavenly Father is the Father of our spirits (see Numbers 16:22; Hebrews 12:9; D&C 93:29). He is a father with all the tender love of a father. Jesus said, "For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God" (John 16:27). Some years ago, I was with President Marion G. Romney, meeting with mission presidents and their wives in Geneva, Switzerland. He told them that 50 years before, as a missionary boy in Australia, late one afternoon he had gone to a library to study. When he walked out, it was night. He looked up into the starry sky, and it happened. The Spirit touched him, and a certain witness was born in his soul. He told those mission presidents that he did not know any more surely then as a member of the First Presidency that God the Father lives; that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father; and that the fulness of the gospel had been restored than he did as a missionary boy 50 years before in Australia. He said that his testimony had changed in that it was much easier to get an answer from the Lord. The Lord's presence was nearer, and he knew the Lord much better than he had 50 years before. There is the natural tendency to look at those who are sustained to presiding positions, to consider them to be higher and of more value in the Church or to their families than an ordinary member. Somehow we feel they are worth more to the Lord than are we. It just does not work that way! It would be very disappointing to my wife and to me if we supposed any one of our children would think that we think we are of more worth to the family or to the Church than they are, or to think that one calling in the Church was esteemed over another or that any calling would be thought to be less important. Recently, one of our sons was sustained as ward mission leader. His wife told us how thrilled he was with the call. It fits the very heavy demands of his work. He has the missionary spirit and will find good use for his Spanish, which he has kept polished from his missionary days. We also were very, very pleased at his call. What my son and his wife are doing with their little children transcends anything they could do in the Church or out. No service could be more important to the Lord than the devotion they give to one another and to their little children. And so it is with all our other children. The ultimate end of all activity in the Church centers in the home and the family. As General Authorities of the Church, we are just the same as you are, and you are just the same as we are. You have the same access to the powers of revelation for your families and for your work and for your callings as we do. It is also true that there is an order to things in the Church. When you are called to an office, you then receive revelation that belongs to that office that would not be given to others. No member of the Church is esteemed by the Lord as more or less than any other. It just does not work that way! Remember, He is a father--our Father. The Lord is "no respecter of persons." We are not worth more to the onrolling of the Lord's work than were Brother and Sister Tuotai Paletu'a in Nuku'alofa, Tonga; or Brother and Sister Carlos Cifuentes in Santiago, Chile; or Brother and Sister Peter Dalebout in the Netherlands; or Brother and Sister Tatsui Sato of Japan; or hundreds of others I have met while traveling about the world. It just does not work that way. And so the Church moves on. It is carried upon the shoulders of worthy members living ordinary lives among ordinary families, guided by the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ, which is in them. I bear witness that the gospel is true and that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God--every soul--and that we are blessed to be members of the Church. I have the witness that would qualify me for the calling I have. I've had it since I met the First Presidency those many years ago. I bear it to you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Enduring Together BISHOP RICHARD C. EDGLEY First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric The ward is organized to minister to the needs of those who face even the most difficult and heartbreaking trials. A couple of years ago a humor columnist for a local newspaper wrote on a serious and thought-provoking subject. I quote from this article: "Being a go-to-church Mormon in Utah means living so close to fellow ward members that not much happens that the entire congregation doesn't know about in five minutes tops." He continues: "This kind of cheek-to-jowl living can be intrusive. ... It also happens to be one of our greatest strengths." The author goes on to say: "At work on Tuesday, I caught the noon news broadcast on television. A van had been obliterated in a traffic crash. A young mother and two small children were being rushed to emergency rooms by helicopter and ambulance. ... Hours later I learned that the van belonged to the young couple living across the street from me in Herriman, Eric and Jeana Quigley. "Not only do I see the Quigleys in church, ... we ate dinner with them at a neighborhood party the night before the crash. Our grandkids played with daughters Bianca and Miranda. ... "Fourteen-month-old Miranda suffered serious head injuries and died three days later at Primary Children's Hospital. "Here's where all that nosiness ... pays off. Although the accident occurred several miles from home, the dust literally had not settled before someone from the ward stopped and was pulling through the wreckage. The rest of the ward knew about it before the cops and paramedics showed up. "Ward members went to all three hospitals, contacted Eric at work, and organized into labor squads. People who didn't get in on the immediate-need level were frantic for some way to help. "In 48 hours, the Quigley yard was mowed, home cleaned, laundry done, refrigerator stocked, relatives fed and a trust fund set up at a local bank. We would have given their dog a bath if they had one." The author concludes with this insightful comment: "There is a positive side to the congregational microscope my ward lives under. ... What happens to a few happens to all" (Robert Kirby, "Well-Being of Others Is Our Business," Salt Lake Tribune, July 30, 2005, p. C1). The compassion and service rendered by caring ward members as a result of this tragic accident are not unique to this particular incident. The Book of Mormon prophet Alma explained to prospective followers of Christ: "As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort," then, as Alma explained, they were prepared for baptism (see Mosiah 18:8-9). This scripture lays the foundation for ministering and caring in a most compassionate way. The ward is organized to minister to the needs of those who face even the most difficult and heartbreaking trials. The bishop, often considered the "father" of the ward, is there to provide counsel and resources. But also close at hand are Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood leaders, the Relief Society presidency, home teachers, visiting teachers, and the ward members--always the ward members. All are there to administer comfort and show compassion in times of need. In my own immediate neighborhood we have had our share of heart-wrenching tragedies. In October 1998, 19-year-old Zac Newton, who lived only three houses east of us, was killed in a tragic automobile accident. Less than two years later, in July, 19-year-old Andrea Richards, who lived directly across from the Newtons, was killed in an automobile accident. One Saturday afternoon in July 2006, Travis Bastian, a 28-year-old returned missionary, and his 15-year-old sister, Desiree, who lived across the street and two houses north of us, were killed in a terrible automobile accident. One month later, in August 2006, 32-year-old Eric Gold, who grew up in the house next door to us, suffered a premature death. And others in this neighborhood have also suffered heart-wrenching experiences privately endured and known only to themselves and God. With the loss of five young people, one might assume that this is an unusual number of trials for one small neighborhood. I choose to think the number only seems large because of a close, caring ward, whose members know when there is a pressing need. It is a ward with members who are following the admonition of Alma and the Savior--members who care and love and bear one another's burdens, members who are willing to mourn with those that mourn, members who are willing to comfort those in need of comfort, members who endure together. In each of these instances we saw an outpouring of love, service, and compassion that was inspirational to all. Bishops arrived, home and visiting teachers went into action, and Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies organized to take care of both spiritual and temporal needs. Refrigerators were stocked, houses cleaned, lawns mowed, shrubs trimmed, fences painted, blessings given, and soft shoulders were available for crying on. Members were everywhere. In every one of these instances, the families who lost a loved one expressed increased faith, increased love for the Savior, increased gratitude for the Atonement, and heartfelt thankfulness for an organization that responds to the deepest emotional and spiritual needs of its members. These families now speak about how they got to know the Lord through their adversity. They relate many sweet experiences that grew out of their pain. They testify that blessings can emerge from heartbreak. They give praise to the Lord and would echo the words of Job, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). From bearing one another's burdens as ward members, we have learned several lessons: 1. The Lord's organization is fully adequate to know and care for those with even the most dire emotional and spiritual needs. 2. Adversity can bring us closer to God, with a renewed and enlightened appreciation for prayer and the Atonement, which covers pain and suffering in all their manifestations. 3. Members who suffer tragedy firsthand often experience an increased capacity for love, compassion, and understanding. They become the first, last, and often the most effective responders in giving comfort and showing compassion to others. 4. A ward, as well as a family, draws closer together as it endures together--what happens to one happens to all. 5. And perhaps most important, we can each be more compassionate and caring because we have each had our own personal trials and experiences to draw from. We can endure together. I rejoice in belonging to such a loving and caring organization. No one knows better how to bear one another's burdens, mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. I choose to call it "enduring together." What happens to one happens to all. We endure together. May we be an instrument in lightening the burden of others, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Strengthen Home and Family MARY N. COOK Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency The Lord is depending on you to assist in the exaltation of your eternal family. Each Sunday, from Mongolia to Manchester to Mississippi, the young women of the Church repeat these inspired words: "We will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation" ("Young Women Theme," Young Women Personal Progress [booklet, 2001], 5). While this is the Young Women theme, it applies to all youth in the Church. I hope I can help you, my young brothers and sisters, understand how powerful your individual actions can be in strengthening your home and family, no matter what your circumstances. I understand, for example, that many of you may be the only member of the Church in your family. For the Strength of Youth reminds us that "being part of a family is a great blessing .... Not all families are the same, but each is important in Heavenly Father's plan" ([pamphlet, 2001], 10). All families need strengthening, from the ideal to the most troubled. That strengthening can come from you. In fact, in some families you may be the only source of spiritual strength. The Lord is depending on you to bring the blessings of the gospel to your family. It is important to establish patterns of righteousness in your own life, which will enable you to set a good example for your family, whatever form your family may take. The example of your righteous life will strengthen your family. President Hinckley gave the young women "a simple four-point program" in the general Young Women meeting last spring that will not only "assure your happiness" but will bless your family as well. He counseled each of us to "(1) pray, (2) study, (3) pay your tithing, and (4) attend your meetings" ("Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts Unceasingly," Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 115). Seeking the help of the Lord daily through prayer will bring great blessings to your family. Ask yourself: "Who in my family could benefit from my personal prayers?" "What could I do to support and encourage family prayer?" As you personally study the scriptures, you will come to know the Savior and His teachings. From His example you will know how to love, serve, and forgive members of your family. Consider how you could share your understanding of the scriptures with your family. On several occasions, President Hinckley has admonished us to "get all of the education you can" (Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 116). Your education will benefit your family now and will surely bless your future family. What can you do now to plan and prepare for a good education? President Hinckley taught us, "While tithing is paid with money, more importantly it is paid with faith" (Liahona and Ensign, May 2007, 117). Are you experiencing the blessings of paying tithing--with faith? As you obey this commandment, the Lord will "open ... the windows of heaven" (Malachi 3:10) to bless you and your family. How can attending your meetings--particularly sacrament meeting--bless you and your family? Regularly partaking of the sacrament will help you keep your baptismal covenant. As you live worthily and renew this covenant weekly, you will qualify for the guidance of the Spirit. The Holy Ghost will guide you and will teach you what you should do to bless your family. As you commit to these patterns of righteousness, you will be blessed throughout your life and will develop the spiritual foundation from which you can strengthen your family by example. In 1 Timothy, Paul teaches us about example: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). The family section in For the Strength of Youth gives some great ways you can be "an example of the believers" in your own home: "Be cheerful, helpful, and considerate of others. ... Concern yourself with the needs of other family members .... "Honor your parents by showing love and respect for them and by being obedient .... Participate in family activities and traditions, including family prayer, family home evenings, and family scripture reading. These traditions strengthen and unify families .... "Strengthen your relationships with your brothers and sisters. They can become your closest friends" (10-11). Example is often the best teacher. Who in your family could benefit from your example--a brother, a sister, your mom or dad? Let me tell you an experience from my own life and how my brother's patterns of righteousness and example resulted in our family being blessed eternally. My brother and I were "born of goodly parents" (1 Nephi 1:1), who loved and made great sacrifices for the two of us, but our family had not been blessed with the sacred ordinances of the temple. Many years ago on a day in late December, we received a letter from my brother, who was serving in the California North Mission. The outside of the envelope cautioned, "Do not open until you are all together!!" As my father, mother, and I gathered to open his seven-page typewritten letter, we read his testimony of prayer. He taught us the doctrine of eternal families from the scriptures. We read his experiences of how fasting and prayer helped his investigators prepare to receive the ordinance of baptism. He assured us that our family too could be blessed through fasting and prayer. Then came his challenge: "The bishop of the Stanford Ward spoke on a topic a couple of months ago which really hit home .... The bishop's talk made me stop and realize the goals I want to accomplish in life. Uppermost in my mind is the goal I want to achieve with my own family ... that, of course, being sealed to you, Mom and Dad, for time and all eternity in the house of the Lord. I love you very much and want our family to be together in the eternities." Then his closing words: "May the Lord guide you in this important decision and may you pray together as a family is my prayer." As a teenager, I too had prayed for this blessing to come to my family. This letter now brought hope for my righteous desire. The new year was an opportunity for our family to make some changes. In the many months that followed, we established family patterns of righteousness. We prayed together, studied about the ordinances of the temple, paid tithing, and attended our meetings regularly--as a family. Shortly after my brother returned from his mission, we were prepared to receive the ordinances of the temple. I knew the Lord had heard and answered our prayers as we surrounded the holy altar in the temple and were sealed as a family for time and all eternity. Can you make a difference in your family? Yes, you can! I often wonder about my family's eternal progression if my brother had not written that powerful letter. His patterns of righteousness and example changed our lives. Elder Robert D. Hales said: "If the example we have received from our parents was not good, it is our responsibility to break the cycle .... Each person can learn a better way and in so doing bless the lives of family members now and teach correct traditions for the generations that follow" ("How Will Our Children Remember Us?" Ensign, Nov. 1993, 10). Remember, "the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). Eternal families are made up of individuals. "Do your part to build a happy home" (For the Strength of Youth, 10). Establish patterns of righteousness in your life. And be an example of the believers. The Lord is depending on you to assist in the exaltation of your eternal family. I know that Jesus Christ lives. He knows you and loves you. He has blessed me and my family, and I know He will bless you and yours. Of this I humbly testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Why Are We Members of the Only True Church? ELDER ENRIQUE R. FALABELLA Of the Seventy The most valuable power we can possess is the treasure of a personal testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why are we members of the only true Church? Even though I cannot answer this question for all 13 million members of the Church, I would like to express from my heart some answers that probably will fit with your own answers. The Riches of Eternity "Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich" (D&C 6:7). Riches were not a part of my childhood. We were a family of five: my father and four siblings. My mother had passed away when I was five years old. My father's meager income was used to buy our food; the purchase of clothing was put off as long as possible. One day, somewhat bothered, I came up to my father and said, "Daddy, why don't you buy me some shoes? Look at these; they're worn out, and you can see my big toe through the hole in the shoe." "We'll fix that up," he replied and, with some black polish, gave a shine to my shoes. Later on he told me, "Son, it's fixed up." "No," I answered, "you can still see my big toe." "That can also be fixed," he told me. He again took the polish and put some on my toe, and before long it shined like my shoes. So it was early on in life I learned that happiness does not depend on money. As time went by, a pair of missionaries taught us the riches of the restored gospel, of the doctrine of the plan of salvation, and of eternal families. We were baptized, and when my father began his calling as district president, his first objective was to journey to the temple and receive the blessings which would come because of that sacrifice. It was a 15-day journey covering 4,800 miles (7,725 km)--a journey filled with difficulties and setbacks, highways in poor condition, uncomfortable buses, not even knowing the route, but with great hope in the ordinances we would participate in. Upon arriving in the city of Mesa, Arizona, we headed down an avenue at the end of which we could see the house of the Lord, gleaming and beautiful. I remember the joy which filled our hearts; we all broke out in songs and praising, and tears ran down the cheeks of many Saints. Later in the temple, we knelt as a family to hear the beautiful promises about an eternal family, with the certainty that our mother, though absent, was now our mother forever, and we felt the peace which comes from knowing that we are an eternal family. The promise of life eternal thus gave us the riches of eternity! "Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich" (D&C 6:7). The Restored Priesthood The Church of Jesus Christ is a church of priests, "a royal priesthood, an holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9). The restored Church gives to each home a priesthood holder with the power of God to bless. How many times I have been able to hear the soft, sweet voice of a little child at home say, "Daddy, could you give me a blessing?" and put my hands upon his or her head in moments of pain and difficulty and pronounce blessings of comfort and healing and see the power of the priesthood exercise its influence and the next day hear that little voice say, "Thanks, Daddy, I slept just fine last night." We don't need to go out looking for someone having that power--it is among us! What a blessing to be able to teach this principle to our children! This is the only church upon the earth which offers such a blessing to families. Through this power, I was able to ordain each of my sons to the priesthood and thus give them the power of God to administer His ordinances. So then this is also why I am a member of this Church: because the power of the priesthood is again upon the earth and has reached even unto our homes. Our Personal Testimonies The most valuable power we can possess is the treasure of a personal testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning power. A testimony comes to us as we live a worthy life and seek it in prayer. "And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith" (D&C 42:14), our Lord counseled through the Prophet Joseph. When my son Daniel was six years old, he saw that I was worried because I had to attend a stake conference. I was unsure about what to teach the Saints. He came up to me and said, "Daddy, that's really easy." That's how children see everything. "Let's see, Son," I told him. "Since it's easy, tell me what I can talk to them about." "Talk to them about prayer," he told me. "That's a good subject," I told him, "but they've heard a lot of talk about prayer; what could I tell them that's new?" "That's easy too, Daddy. First tell them, ‘Before you start to talk to Heavenly Father, think about the things you want to tell Him.'" "That sounds like a magnificent idea," I replied. "And then?" "Well, once you've thought of it, tell it to Him! When you finish, wait and see if He has something to tell you." So, through our prayers, the Spirit speaks to our spirit and testifies to us of the reality of our Savior. I am filled with wonder at the love my Savior Jesus Christ showed by descending from the heavenly mansions and coming to a world where the majority rejected His message, and even though they did not have the power to take His life, they condemned Him to death. Christ paid for my sins, for my illnesses, afflictions, and sorrows. His pain was indescribable; Luke only makes mention that "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood" (Luke 22:44). Above all else, this is the reason for my membership in the Church: because the Holy Spirit has penetrated my heart and has made it known to me that Christ lives, that He is my Savior, that He paid for my sins, and that He has prepared the way so that if I live according to His precepts, I can enjoy all other promised blessings. A few weeks ago, my father also passed away, and now more than ever I feel thankfulness to my God for the richness and beauty of His doctrine. Because family life can continue beyond the thresholds of death. Because the royal priesthood has been restored upon the earth. And because the Spirit has spoken to my spirit, giving me a testimony that my Savior Jesus Christ lives and that through His intercession I shall be able, in accordance to my faithfulness, to live with Him. For these reasons and others still, I am a member of the only true Church upon the face of the earth, and I shall be eternally grateful for this. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Claim the Exceeding Great and Precious Promises ELDER SPENCER J. CONDIE Of the Seventy The Lord makes generous promises, and He certifies that He will not vary from these promises. I bring you the love and greeting of the faithful Saints in the South Pacific. The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This includes faith in His divine birth and heavenly heritage and faith that, under His Father's direction, He created the earth and all things that dwell therein (see John 1:10; Mosiah 3:8). At the very heart of our faith in Christ is the assurance that through His atoning sacrifice, though our sins may be as scarlet, they can become as white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18). Faith in Christ includes the knowledge that following His Crucifixion, He arose from the tomb, and His Resurrection made it possible for all mankind to live again (see 1 Corinthians 15:21-23). Faith in Christ is the assurance that He and His Heavenly Father appeared to a young man, Joseph Smith, paving the way for the Restoration of all things in the dispensation of the fulness of times. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, which bears His holy name. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is evident when we believe His teachings and claim His "exceeding great and precious promises" and become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). Innumerable promises are proclaimed by His prophets, and the Lord assures us, "My word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or bythe voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:38). In these latter days, the Lord revealed that "when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated" (D&C 130:21). The Lord makes generous promises, and He certifies that He will not vary from these promises, for, said He, "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise" (D&C 82:10). Exceeding Great and Precious Promises The Lord's countless exceeding great and precious promises include forgiveness of our sins when we "confess them and forsake them" (D&C 58:43; see also D&C 1:32). Opening the windows of heaven is a promise claimed by those who pay a faithful tithe (see Malachi 3:10), and finding "great treasures of knowledge" accrues to those who observe the Word of Wisdom (D&C 89:19). Becoming unspotted from the world is a promise to those who keep the Sabbath holy (see D&C 59:9; Exodus 31:13). Divine guidance and inspiration are promised to those who "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3) and who "liken all scriptures" unto themselves (1 Nephi 19:23). The Lord also promised that "whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you" (3 Nephi 18:20). We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when we "let virtue garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly" (see D&C 121:45-46). We can claim the spiritually liberating promise of fasting, which will "loose the bands of wickedness," undo our "heavy burdens," and "break every yoke" (Isaiah 58:6). Those who are sealed in holy temples and who faithfully keep their covenants will receive God's glory, which "shall be a fulness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever" (D&C 132:19). Sometimes, in our earthly impatience, we may lose sight of the Lord's precious promises and disconnect our obedience from the fulfillment of these promises. The Lord has declared: "Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled? "I command and men obey not; I revoke and they receive not the blessing. "Then they say in their hearts: This is not the work of the Lord, for his promises are not fulfilled. But wo unto such, for their reward lurketh beneath, and not from above" (D&C 58:31-33). Seeing the Promises Afar Off Important components of faith are patience, long-suffering, and enduring to the end. The Apostle Paul recounts the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sara, concluding that "these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (see Hebrews 11:4-13). These faithful Saints knew that this earth life was a journey, not their final destination. When Abram was 75 years old, the Lord promised him, "I will make of thee a great nation"--this at a time when he and Sarai as yet had no children (Genesis 12:2). He was 86 when Sarai's handmaiden Hagar "bare Ishmael to Abram" (Genesis 16:16). And the Lord changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah, and when he was nearly a hundred and she was 90 they were promised that Sarah would bear a son to be named Isaac (see Genesis 17:17, 19). Amidst their disbelief the Lord asked: "Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14). And "Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age" (Genesis 21:2), and the Lord promised: "I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore" (Genesis 22:17). Young Isaac grew into manhood, and when he was 40 years old he married Rebekah. "And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived" and bore twin sons, Esau and Jacob, when their father was 60 years old. (See Genesis 25:20-26.) As Jacob matured and became of appropriate age, his parents sent him to the household of Laban, where he would meet Laban's two daughters, Leah and Rachel. Jacob told Laban, "I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter .... And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her" (Genesis 29:18, 20). You will recall how Laban beguiled young Jacob into first marrying Leah and then Rachel. "And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren" (Genesis 29:31). And Leah bore Reuben, then Simeon, then Levi, and Judah. Meanwhile, Rachel remained childless (see Genesis 29:32-35). With ever-increasing envy and mounting desperation, one day Rachel explosively demanded of Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die" (Genesis 30:1). Leah subsequently bore two more sons and a daughter. The Lord Is Not Slack Concerning His Promise The Apostle Peter testified that "the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering" toward us (2 Peter 3:9). In this age of one-hour dry cleaning and one-minute fast-food franchises, it may at times seem to us as though a loving Heavenly Father has misplaced our precious promises or He has put them on hold or filed them under the wrong name. Such were the feelings of Rachel. But with the passage of time, we encounter four of the most beautiful words in holy writ: "And God remembered Rachel" (Genesis 30:22). And she was blessed with the birth of Joseph and later the birth of Benjamin. There are millions on earth today who are descendants of Joseph who have embraced the Abrahamic promise that through their efforts "shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal" (Abraham 2:11). When heaven's promises sometimes seem afar off, I pray that each of us will embrace these exceeding great and precious promises and never let go. And just as God remembered Rachel, God will remember you. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Have We Not Reason to Rejoice? ELDER DIETER F. UCHTDORF Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles This is a joyful religion, one of hope, strength, and deliverance. I still rejoice in the wonderful spirit we felt as we sang together this morning: Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation. No longer as strangers on earth need we roam. Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation. ("Now Let Us Rejoice," Hymns, no. 3) These words by Brother William W. Phelps are quite a contrast to the world's tendency to focus on bad news. It is true, we live in a time foretold in the scriptures as a day of "wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places" (Mormon 8:30), when "the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men's hearts shall fail them" (D&C 45:26). But how does this affect us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Are we living with apprehension, fear, and worry? Or have we, amidst all of our challenges, not reason to rejoice? We all go through different life experiences. Some are filled with joy, and others with sorrow and uncertainty. I remember a time when things didn't look good for our family when I was a child. It was in the winter of 1944, one of the coldest during World War II. The war front was approaching our town, and my mother had to take us four children, leave all our possessions behind, and join the millions of fleeing refugees in a desperate search for a place to survive. Our father was still in the military, but he and Mother had agreed that if they were ever separated during the war, they would try to reunite at the hometown of my grandparents. They felt this place offered the greatest hope for shelter and safety. With bombing raids during the night and air attacks during the day, it took us many days to reach my grandparents. My memories of those days are of darkness and coldness. My father returned to us unharmed, but our future looked extremely bleak. We were living in the rubble of postwar Germany with a devastating feeling of hopelessness and darkness about our future. In the middle of this despair, my family learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the healing message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This message made all the difference; it lifted us above our daily misery. Life was still thorny and the circumstances still horrible, but the gospel brought light, hope, and joy into our lives. The plain and simple truths of the gospel warmed our hearts and enlightened our minds. They helped us look at ourselves and the world around us with different eyes and from an elevated viewpoint. My dear brothers and sisters, aren't the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and our membership in His Church great reasons to rejoice? Wherever you live on this earth and whatever your life's situation may be, I testify to you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the divine power to lift you to great heights from what appears at times to be an unbearable burden or weakness. The Lord knows your circumstances and your challenges. He said to Paul and to all of us, "My grace is sufficient for thee." And like Paul we can answer: "My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9). As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we may claim the blessings promised in the covenants and the ordinances we received when we accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ. What Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news, glad tidings, and much more. It is the message of salvation as repeatedly announced by Jesus Christ and His apostles and prophets. It is my firm belief that all truth and light originating with God is embraced in the gospel of Jesus Christ. God, our loving Father in Heaven, has said that it is His work and glory "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). God the Father is the author of the gospel; it is a key part of God's plan of salvation, or plan of redemption. It is called the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes redemption and salvation possible. Through the Atonement all men, women, and children are unconditionally redeemed from physical death, and all will be redeemed from their own sins on the condition of accepting and obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ (see D&C 20:17-25; 76:40-42, 50-53; Moses 6:62). Christ's gospel is the only true gospel, and "there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ" (Mosiah 3:17; see also Acts 4:12). The core elements of the gospel message are found in all the holy scriptures but are most clearly given to us in the Book of Mormon and in the revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Here Jesus Himself plainly declares His doctrine and His gospel, with which God's children must comply to "have eternal life" (D&C 14:7; see also 3 Nephi 11:31-39; 27:13-21; D&C 33:11-12). The gospel is clear and plain. It answers the most complex questions in life, yet even a young child can comprehend and apply it. As Nephi said: "My soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding" (2 Nephi 31:3). The Prophet Joseph Smith followed the same pattern of clarity and plainness when he explained to the world in a very concise way "the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel" (Articles of Faith 1:4), which we must accept to receive the eternal blessings of the gospel: First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ--believing in the Redeemer, the Son of God, "with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save" and then "[pressing] forward with a steadfastness in Christ, ... feasting upon the word of Christ" (2 Nephi 31:19-20). Second, repentance, which includes a change of mind, offering up "a sacrifice ... [of] a broken heart and a contrite spirit"; giving up sin and becoming meek and humble "as a little child" (3 Nephi 9:20, 22). Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and as a covenant to keep the commandments of God and take upon us the name of Christ. Fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, also known as baptism by fire, which sanctifies us and makes us "new creatures," born of God (Mosiah 27:26; see also 1 Peter 1:23). The gift of the Holy Ghost, given to us by our Heavenly Father and administered by one having authority, includes the merciful promise: "If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:5). Through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, every member of the Church can receive "the words of Christ" directly (2 Nephi 32:3), at any time or place. This personal divine guidance helps us to remain valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ and endure to the end of our days. Isn't this wonderful! Have we not reason to rejoice? What Does It Mean to Endure to the End? The scriptures teach us that once we have received the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, our task then is to "endure to the end" (2 Nephi 31:20). When I was a young boy, "endure to the end" meant to me mainly that I had to try harder to stay awake until the end of our Church meetings. Later as a teenager I progressed only slightly in my understanding of this scriptural phrase. I linked it with youthful empathy to the efforts of our dear elderly members to hang in there until the end of their lives. Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God. This belief distinguishes Latter-day Saints from many other Christian denominations that teach that salvation is given to all who simply believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. The Lord clearly declared, "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God" (D&C 14:7). Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life's difficult circumstances or "hanging in there." Ours is an active religion, helping God's children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day. Viewed from this perspective, enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy. This is a joyful religion, one of hope, strength, and deliverance. "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of life. It is not for Sunday only. It is not something we can do only as a habit or a tradition if we expect to harvest all of its promised blessings. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7). Enduring to the end implies "patient continuance in well doing" (Romans 2:7), striving to keep the commandments (see 2 Nephi 31:10), and doing the works of righteousness (see D&C 59:23). It requires sacrifice and hard work. To endure to the end, we need to trust our Father in Heaven and make wise choices, including paying our tithes and offerings, honoring our temple covenants, and serving the Lord and one another willingly and faithfully in our Church callings and responsibilities. It means strength of character, selflessness, and humility; it means integrity and honesty to the Lord and our fellowmen. It means making our homes strong places of defense and a refuge against worldly evils; it means loving and honoring our spouses and children. By doing our best to endure to the end, a beautiful refinement will come into our lives. We will learn to "do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us]" (Matthew 5:44). The blessings that come to us from enduring to the end in this life are real and very significant, and for the life to come they are beyond our comprehension. Jesus Christ Wants You to Succeed My dear brothers and sisters, there will be days and nights when you feel overwhelmed, when your hearts are heavy and your heads hang down. Then, please remember, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is the Head of this Church. It is His gospel. He wants you to succeed. He gave His life for just this purpose. He is the Son of the living God. He has promised: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee" (3 Nephi 22:10). "I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer" (3 Nephi 22:8). My dear friends, the Savior heals the broken heart and binds up your wounds (see Psalm 147:3). Whatever your challenges may be, wherever you live on this earth, your faithful membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the divine powers of the gospel of Jesus Christ will bless you to endure joyfully to the end. Of this I bear witness with all my heart and mind in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON First Counselor in the First Presidency I am certain our Heavenly Father was mindful of her needs and wanted her to hear the comforting truths of the gospel. I miss my colleague James E. Faust today and express my love to his dear wife and family and am assured he is serving the Lord elsewhere. I welcome the newly sustained General Authorities, President Eyring, Elder Cook, and Elder González, and assure them they have my full support. Thirty-eight years ago, at a general conference held in the Tabernacle on Temple Square, I spoke of one of my childhood friends, Arthur Patton, who died at a young age. The talk was titled "Mrs. Patton, Arthur Lives."1 I addressed my remarks to Arthur's mother, Mrs. Patton, who was not a member of the Church. Although I had little hope that Mrs. Patton would actually hear my talk, I wanted to share with all who were within the sound of my voice the glorious gospel message of hope and love. Recently I have felt impressed to refer once again to Arthur and to relate to you what transpired following my original message. First, may I tell you about Arthur. He had blond, curly hair and a smile as big as all outdoors. He stood taller than any boy in the class. I suppose this is how, in 1940, as the great conflict which became World War II was overtaking much of Europe, Arthur was able to fool the recruiting officers and enlist in the navy at the tender age of 15. To Arthur and most of the boys, the war was a great adventure. I remember how striking he appeared in his navy uniform. How we wished we were older or at least taller so we too could enlist. Youth is a very special time of life. As Longfellow wrote: How beautiful is youth! how bright it gleams With its illusions, aspirations, dreams! Book of Beginnings, Story without End, Each maid a heroine, and each man a friend!2 Arthur's mother was so proud of the blue star which graced her living room window. It represented to every passerby that her son wore the uniform of his country and was actively serving. When I would pass the house, she often opened the door and invited me in to read the latest letter from Arthur. Her eyes would fill with tears; I would then be asked to read aloud. Arthur meant everything to his widowed mother. I can still picture Mrs. Patton's coarse hands as she would carefully replace the letter in its envelope. These were hardworking hands; Mrs. Patton was a cleaning woman for a downtown office building. Each day of her life except Sundays she could be seen walking along the sidewalk, pail and brush in hand, her gray hair pulled back into a tight bob, her shoulders weary from work and stooped with age. In March 1944, with the war now raging, Arthur was transferred from the USS Dorsey, a destroyer, to the USS White Plains, an aircraft carrier. While at Saipan in the South Pacific, the ship was attacked. Arthur was one of those on board who was lost at sea. The blue star was taken from its hallowed spot in the front window of the Patton home. It was replaced by one of gold, indicating that he whom the blue star represented had been killed in battle. A light went out in the life of Mrs. Patton. She groped in utter darkness and deep despair. With a prayer in my heart, I approached the familiar walkway to the Patton home, wondering what words of comfort could come from the lips of a mere boy. The door opened, and Mrs. Patton embraced me as she would her own son. Home became a chapel as a grief-stricken mother and a less-than-adequate boy knelt in prayer. Arising from our knees, Mrs. Patton gazed into my eyes and spoke: "Tommy, I belong to no church, but you do. Tell me, will Arthur live again?" To the best of my ability, I testified to her that Arthur would indeed live again. In general conference those long years ago, as I related this account, I mentioned that I had lost track of Mrs. Patton but that I wanted to once more answer her question "Will Arthur live again?" I referred to the Savior of the world, who walked the dusty paths of villages we now reverently call the Holy Land; who caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to live; to Him who tenderly and lovingly assured us, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."3 I explained that the plan of life and an explanation of its eternal course come to us from the Master of heaven and earth, even Jesus Christ the Lord. To understand the meaning of death, we must appreciate the purpose of life. I indicated that in this dispensation, the Lord declared: "And now, verily I say unto you, I was in the beginning with the Father, and am the Firstborn."4 "Man was also in the beginning with God."5 Jeremiah the prophet recorded: "The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, "Before I formed thee ... I knew thee; and before thou camest forth ... I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."6 From that majestic world of spirits we enter the grand stage of life to prove ourselves obedient to all things commanded of God. During mortality we grow from helpless infancy to inquiring childhood and then to reflective maturity. We experience joy and sorrow, fulfillment and disappointment, success and failure. We taste the sweet, yet sample the bitter. This is mortality. Then to each life comes the experience known as death. None is exempt. All must pass its portals. To most, there is something sinister and mysterious about this unwelcome visitor called death. Perhaps it is a fear of the unknown which causes many to dread its coming. Arthur Patton died quickly. Others linger. We know, through the revealed word of God, that "the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, ... are taken home to that God who gave them life."7 I assured Mrs. Patton and all others who were listening that God would never forsake them--that He sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to teach us by example the life we should live. His Son died upon the cross to redeem all mankind. His words to the grieving Martha and to His disciples today bring comfort to us: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."8 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. "... I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."9 I reiterated the testimonies of John the Revelator and Paul the Apostle. John recorded: "I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; ... "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it."10 Paul declared: "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."11 I explained that until the glorious Resurrection morning, we walk by faith. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face."12 I reassured Mrs. Patton that Jesus invited her and all others: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."13 As part of my message, I explained to Mrs. Patton that such knowledge would sustain her in her heartache--that she would never be in the tragic situation of the disbeliever who, having lost a son, was heard to say as she watched the casket lowered into mother earth: "Good-bye, my boy. Good-bye forever." Rather, with head erect, courage undaunted, and faith unwavering, she could lift her eyes as she looked beyond the gently breaking waves of the blue Pacific and whisper, "Good-bye, Arthur, my precious son. Good-bye--until we meet again." I quoted the words of Tennyson, as though spoken to her by Arthur: Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, ... Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.14 As I concluded my message those long years ago, I expressed to Mrs. Patton my personal testimony as a special witness, telling her that God our Father was mindful of her--that through sincere prayer she could communicate with Him; that He too had a Son who died, even Jesus Christ the Lord; that He is our advocate with the Father, the Prince of Peace, our Savior and divine Redeemer, and one day we would see Him face-to-face. I hoped that my message to Mrs. Patton would reach and touch others who had lost a loved one. And now, my brothers and sisters, I share with you the rest of this account. I delivered my message on April 6, 1969. Again, I had little or no hope that Mrs. Patton would actually hear the talk. I had no reason to think she would listen to general conference. As I have mentioned, she was not a member of the Church. And then I learned that something akin to a miracle had taken place. Having no idea whatsoever who would be speaking at conference or what subjects they might speak about, Latter-day Saint neighbors of Mrs. Terese Patton in California, where she had moved, invited her to their home to listen to a session of conference with them. She accepted their invitation and thus was listening to the very session where I directed my remarks to her personally. During the first week of May 1969, to my astonishment and joy, I received a letter postmarked Pomona, California, and dated April 29, 1969. It was from Mrs. Terese Patton. I share with you a part of that letter: "Dear Tommy, "I hope you don't mind my calling you Tommy, as I always think of you that way. I don't know how to thank you for the comforting talk you gave. "Arthur was 15 years old when he enlisted in the navy. He was killed one month before his 19th birthday on July 5, 1944. "It was wonderful of you to think of us. I don't know how to thank you for your comforting words, both when Arthur died and again in your talk. I have had many questions over the years, and you have answered them. I am now at peace concerning Arthur .... God bless and keep you always. "Love, Terese Patton"15 My brothers and sisters, I do not believe it was a coincidence that I was impressed to give that particular message at the April 1969 general conference. Nor do I believe it was a coincidence that Mrs. Terese Patton was invited by neighbors to join them in their home for that particular session of conference. I am certain our Heavenly Father was mindful of her needs and wanted her to hear the comforting truths of the gospel. Although Mrs. Patton has long since left mortality, I have felt a strong impression to share with you the manner in which our Heavenly Father blessed and provided for her, a widow, in her need. With all the strength of my soul I testify that our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. He hears the prayers of humble hearts; He hears our cries for help, as He heard Mrs. Patton. His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, speaks to each of us today: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him."16 Will we listen for that knock? Will we hear that voice? Will we open that door to the Lord, that we may receive the help He is so ready to provide? I pray that we will, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. NOTES 1. In Conference Report, Apr. 1969, 126-29. 2. "Morituri Salutamus," in The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1883), 259. 3. John 14:6. 4. D&C 93:21. 5. D&C 93:29. 6. Jeremiah 1:4, 5. 7. Alma 40:11. 8. John 11:25-26. 9. John 14:2-3. 10. Revelation 20:12-13. 11. 1 Corinthians 15:22. 12. 1 Corinthians 13:12. 13. Matthew 11:28-29. 14. Alfred Tennyson, "Crossing the Bar," in Poems of the English Race, ed. Raymond Macdonald Alden (1921), 362. 15. Personal correspondence in the possession of Thomas S. Monson. 16. Revelation 3:20. ;;;SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION October 6, 2007 ;;;Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles The growing prominence of the Church and the increasing inquiries from others present us with great opportunities to build bridges, make friends, and pass on accurate information. Brothers and sisters, since the sesquicentennial anniversary in 1997, there has been a dramatic increase worldwide in inquiries about the Church. This growing interest is fueled by our rapid growth, by events like the Winter Olympics here in Salt Lake City, and by the prominence in their chosen professions of many of our individual members. I am sure that these questions come not only to the Church but to you as individual members. It is not easy to explain something as vast as the Church or as wonderful as the restored gospel to people who know little or nothing about us. Even questions on one specific aspect can be difficult to answer because every question seems to be connected to other questions. The most common request we hear is a fairly simple one that goes something like this: "Tell me a little about your Church." The key word here is "little." They are not saying, "Tell me everything you know and then send others to tell me everything else." We, of course, welcome people's interest, and many will want to be taught more about our doctrines and beliefs. This is why we have over 53,000 full-time missionaries serving at their own expense throughout the world. But we need to remember that there is a difference between interest and mere curiosity. Sometimes people just want to know what the Church is. Those who are curious in this general way deserve clear and accurate information that comes directly from those of us who are members so that they do not have to rely on the incomplete answers, half-truths, or false statements that may come from the media or other outside voices. The many misunderstandings and false information about the Church are somewhat our own fault for not clearly explaining who we are and what we believe. The Public Affairs Committee, on which I serve, has learned that there is a great need for clear, simple statements that present those who are curious with the basics about the Church as it is today. Let me share with you some of the things we have found to be helpful. You may want to prepare your own list of talking points that will assist you in explaining what we believe to your friends and acquaintances of other faiths. It may be helpful for you, as it is for me, to have on one page a few facts about the Church as it is today to give to them along with a copy of the Articles of Faith. Here are four subjects that will help someone today to gain a basic understanding of the Church. Under each of the four headings, there are some simple statements I have found helpful. Try to imagine them being heard or read by a person who knows virtually nothing about us. The four main subjects deal with facts, faith, families, and fruits of the restored gospel. Facts Some facts might include: -- First, "Mormon" is a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members are often referred to as "Mormons," "Latter-day Saints," or "LDS." The term "Saint" means "member." -- Second, the Church was restored in 1830 in upstate New York with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president. Today it is headquartered in Salt Lake City, with President Gordon B. Hinckley as the present prophet. -- Third, there are now over 13 million members in 176 countries and territories. About 6 million of these are in the United States, making us the fourth largest Christian denomination in America. As one of the fastest growing Christian faiths in the world, we complete a new chapel every working day. Members pay a tithe, which is 10 percent of their income, making this and other programs possible. -- Fourth, local congregations are led by volunteer, unpaid members. Both men and women serve in assigned leadership positions. -- And fifth, Mormons are well represented in politics and government. (In the United States, for example, there are 16 members in Congress, from both political parties.) Members also serve in high and trusted positions throughout the world in business, medicine, law, education, media, sports, and entertainment. Faith Next, people need to know something of our faith as committed Christians with strong traditional values. Along with the Articles of Faith we need to emphasize that: -- We believe in the eternity of the soul, that God is the Father of our spirits, and that we can return to Him after death. -- We believe that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior, and we try to model our lives after Him and His teachings. We commemorate Christ's atoning sacrifice in our Sunday worship services, similar to taking communion in other churches. We accept as fellow Christians all who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind. Many Christians do not understand that we have much common ground with them. Joseph Smith taught that Jesus Christ is the core of our belief, and everything else is an appendage to it (see Elders' Journal, July 1838, 44). The name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. -- We believe the original church that Jesus established was lost and has been restored again in our day. The priesthood, the authority given to man to act in the name of God, with apostles and a prophet to lead us, has been restored as have all necessary ordinances of salvation. -- We believe in and we use the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. -- And we believe in the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture which support and authenticate the Bible and testify of the ministry and divinity of Christ and of God's ongoing revelation to man. Indeed, the Book of Mormon is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." Family The next thing it is good for people to know is how family-centered our theology and our lifestyles are. Once again, simple statements are helpful to someone who is uninformed but curious about the importance we place on families. -- Mormons place particularly strong emphasis on family as the basic unit of the Church and of society. We have a deep commitment to marriage (defined as a union between one man and one woman). Polygamy, a limited practice in the early pioneer days of the Church, was discontinued in 1890, some 117 years ago. -- Families and individuals, whether members of our faith or not, can attend Sunday services in our chapels. Here we worship together, instructing one another from the scriptures. -- Latter-day Saint families are encouraged to hold family home evenings weekly, usually on Monday nights. This provides a regular and predictable time for parents to teach values to their children and to have fun together. We invite those not of our faith to adopt this practice with their own families. -- The Church has auxiliary programs for women, youth, and children as a support to the family. These programs provide such things as religious instruction, opportunities for Christian service, sports, drama, music, and Scouting. -- And there is also much focus on extended family, genealogy, and personal family history, providing young and old with a stronger sense of roots, identity, and belonging. The highest and most sacred ordinances of our faith relate to our families, both living and dead, and some of these ordinances take place in our temples. Fruits Now, even as someone begins to understand a few facts about us and comes to know us more accurately by our faith and the importance of family, it was the Savior who said "by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20; emphasis added). A church, or any way of life, should be judged by the fruits or the results that it generates. Here are a few examples based on United States statistics. But these would be similar throughout the world among practicing Mormons (by which we mean those who attend church and the temple regularly): -- One of the fruits is a longer life. Studies show that practicing Mormons are healthier and therefore live longer than the national average. In 1833 the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the Word of Wisdom, which is the way to live in order to enjoy a long and healthy life. -- Second, those who are married in and attend the temple regularly have a divorce rate far below the national and world average. -- Third, we achieve an educational level that is higher than the national average. -- Fourth, over 70,000 members volunteer at their own expense to serve for 18 to 24 months in humanitarian efforts, Church service assignments, and full-time missionary service throughout the world. -- And fifth, we place strong emphasis on self-reliance and a solid work ethic. We encourage active involvement in our communities and in providing service to others. The Church continues to donate substantial money, goods, and services to humanitarian causes around the globe, including untold hours of labor donated by members to assist in disaster cleanup and relief. Brothers and sisters, in today's busy world, I have found that most people will not read or focus on more than just a few important facts at one time. Whatever you choose to use to inform your friends and acquaintances about the Church, write it down, check it for accuracy, and keep it simple and short. The growing prominence of the Church and the increasing inquiries from others present us with great opportunities to build bridges, make friends, and pass on accurate information. But it can also present a greater possibility of misunderstanding and sometimes even prejudice if we allow others to define who we are and what we believe rather than presenting it ourselves. Generally, there is no problem with those who are personally acquainted with our members. But there are millions upon millions who are not acquainted with any members of our faith. I would hope that those who know very little about the Church would seek to learn more about us. I would hope they would get to know our members rather than judging us by the misinformation given by those who do not know and in some cases by those who would deliberately mislead or defame. You as members can help this to happen by reaching out and sharing with others the basic information found in the Articles of Faith, along with such things as the facts, faith, families, and fruits of the gospel. We should also remember that sometimes the best way to answer people's interest can be by how we live, how we radiate the joy of the gospel in our lives, how we treat others, and how sincerely we follow the teachings of Christ. For those who want to learn more than just the few basics I have discussed, the missionaries can be called upon to teach them the doctrine from chapter 3 in Preach My Gospel. The missionaries know how to answer more of their questions and lead them to conversion and baptism. Now is the time for all of us to reach out and tell others who we are. Prepare some simple facts such as those I have shared with you today and help those who are curious to know a little about the Church and then to want to know more about the Restoration of the gospel. Brothers and sisters, never hesitate to bear your testimony with sincerity and love. The power of personal testimony cannot be denied and often ignites in others the interest to know more. I know this to be true and leave you my absolute witness that I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, and I bear that testimony to you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;The Great Commandment ELDER JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles When we reach out to assist the least of Heavenly Father's children, we do it unto Him. Brethren and sisters, I would like to ask one very important question. What quality defines us best as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Today I would like to speak about the answer to this question. In the first century A.D., members of the growing Church in Corinth were enthusiastic about the gospel. Almost all were recent converts to the Church. Many were attracted to it through the preaching of the Apostle Paul and others. But the Saints at Corinth were also contentious. They argued amongst themselves. Some felt superior to others. They took each other to court. When Paul heard this, feeling a sense of frustration, he wrote them a letter, pleading with them to become more unified. He answered many of the questions they had been arguing about. Then, toward the end, he told them that he wanted to show them "a more excellent way."1 Do you remember the words he wrote next? "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity," he told them, "I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."2 Paul's message to this new body of Saints was simple and direct: Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not have charity. You can speak with tongues, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge; even if you have the faith to move mountains, without charity it won't profit you at all.3 "Charity is the pure love of Christ."4 The Savior exemplified that love and taught it even as He was tormented by those who despised and hated Him. On one occasion the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by asking Him a seemingly impossible question: "Master," they asked, "which is the great commandment in the law?"5 The Pharisees had debated this question extensively and had identified more than 600 commandments.6 If prioritizing them was such a difficult task for scholars, certainly they thought the question would be impossible for this son of a carpenter from Galilee. But when the Pharisees heard His answer, they must have been troubled, for it pointed to their great weakness. He replied: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. "This is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."7 Since that day, this inspired pronouncement has been repeated through many generations. Now, for us, the measure of our love is the measure of the greatness of our souls. The scriptures tell us that "if any man love God, the same is known of him."8 What a wonderful promise--to be known of Him. It makes the spirit soar to think that the Creator of heaven and earth could know us and love us with a pure, eternal love. In 1840 the Prophet Joseph sent an epistle to the Twelve wherein he taught that "love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race."9 As we reach out in love to those around us, we fulfill the other half of the great commandment to "love thy neighbour as thyself."10 Both commandments are necessary, for as we bear one another's burdens, we fulfill the law of Christ.11 Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life. For me, the Prophet Joseph Smith has always exemplified the pure love of Christ. Many asked why he gained so many followers and retained them. His answer: "It is because I possess the principle of love."12 The story is told of a 14-year-old boy who had come to Nauvoo in search of his brother who lived near there. The young boy had arrived in winter with no money and no friends. When he inquired about his brother, the boy was taken to a large house that looked like a hotel. There he met a man who said, "Come in, son, we'll take care of you." The boy accepted and was brought into the house, where he was fed, warmed, and was given a bed to sleep in. The next day it was bitter cold, but in spite of that, the boy prepared himself to walk the eight miles to where his brother was staying. When the man of the house saw this, he told the young boy to stay for a while. He said there would be a team coming soon and that he could ride back with them. When the boy protested, saying that he had no money, the man told him not to worry about that, that they would take care of him. Later the boy learned that the man of the house was none other than Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet. This boy remembered this act of charity for the rest of his life.13 In a recent message of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Music and the Spoken Word, a story was told about an elderly man and woman who had been married for many decades. Because the wife was slowly losing her sight, she could no longer take care of herself the way she had done for so many years. Without being asked, the husband began to paint her fingernails for her. "He knew that she could see her fingernails when she held them close to her eyes, at just the right angle, and they made her smile. He liked to see her happy, so he kept painting her nails for more than five years before she passed away."14 That is an example of the pure love of Christ. Sometimes the greatest love is not found in the dramatic scenes that poets and writers immortalize. Often, the greatest manifestations of love are the simple acts of kindness and caring we extend to those we meet along the path of life. True love lasts forever. It is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things. That is the love our Heavenly Father bears for us. We all yearn to experience love like this. Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings--even if we don't deserve it. Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us--even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for He sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities. The means of this refinement is our Christlike love. There is no pain it cannot soften, no bitterness it cannot remove, no hatred it cannot alter. The Greek playwright Sophocles wrote: "One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love."15 The most cherished and sacred moments of our lives are those filled with the spirit of love. The greater the measure of our love, the greater is our joy. In the end, the development of such love is the true measure of success in life. Do you love the Lord? Spend time with Him. Meditate on His words. Take His yoke upon you. Seek to understand and obey, because "this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments."16 When we love the Lord, obedience ceases to be a burden. Obedience becomes a delight. When we love the Lord, we seek less for things that benefit us and turn our hearts toward things that will bless and uplift others. As our love for the Lord deepens, our minds and hearts become purified. We experience a "mighty change in ... our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."17 Brethren and sisters, as you prayerfully consider what you can do to increase harmony, spirituality, and build up the kingdom of God, consider your sacred duty to teach others to love the Lord and their fellowman. This is the central object of our existence. Without charity--or the pure love of Christ--whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive. When we inspire and teach others to fill their hearts with love, obedience flows from the inside out in voluntary acts of self-sacrifice and service. Yes, those who go home teaching out of duty, for example, may fulfill their obligation. But those who home teach out of genuine love for the Lord and for their fellowman will likely approach that task with a very different attitude. Returning to my original question, What quality defines us best as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? I would answer: we are a people who love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and we love our neighbors as ourselves. That is our signature as a people. It is like a beacon to the world, signaling whose disciples we are.18 At the final day the Savior will not ask about the nature of our callings. He will not inquire about our material possessions or fame. He will ask if we ministered to the sick, gave food and drink to the hungry, visited those in prison, or gave succor to the weak.19 When we reach out to assist the least of Heavenly Father's children, we do it unto Him.20 That is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we wish to learn truly how to love, all we need to do is reflect on the life of our Savior. When we partake of the sacramental emblems, we are reminded of the greatest example of love in all the world's history. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."21 The Savior's love for us was so great that it caused "even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore."22 Because the Savior laid down His life for us,23 we have a brightness of hope, a confidence and security that when we pass from this worldly existence, we will live again with Him. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be cleansed of sin and stand as partakers of the gift of our Almighty Father. Then we will know the glory that God "hath prepared for them that love him."24 This is the transforming power of charity. When Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment to "love one another; as I have loved you,"25 He gave to them the grand key to happiness in this life and glory in the next. Love is the greatest of all the commandments--all others hang upon it. It is our focus as followers of the living Christ. It is the one trait that, if developed, will most improve our lives. I bear testimony that God lives. His love is infinite and eternal. It extends to all of His children. Because He loves us, He has provided prophets and apostles to guide us in our time. He has given us the Holy Ghost, who teaches, comforts, and inspires. He has given us His scriptures. And I am grateful beyond description that He has given to each of us a heart capable of experiencing the pure love of Christ. I pray that our hearts may be filled with that love and that we may reach out to our Heavenly Father and to others with new vision and new faith. I testify that as we do so, we will discover a greater richness in life. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. NOTES 1. 1 Corinthians 12:31. 2. 1 Corinthians 13:1. 3. See 1 Corinthians 13:1-2. 4. Moroni 7:47. 5. Matthew 22:36. 6. See Frederic W. Farrar, The Life of Christ (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994), 528-29. 7. Matthew 22:37-40. 8. 1 Corinthians 8:3. 9. History of the Church, 4:227. 10. Galatians 5:14. 11. See Galatians 6:2. 12. History of the Church, 5:498. 13. Mark L. McConkie, Remembering Joseph: Personal Recollections of Those Who Knew the Prophet Joseph Smith (2003), 57. 14. "Selflessness," Sept. 23, 2007, broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word; available at www.musicandthespokenword.com/messages. 15. Oedipus at Colonus, in The Oedipus Cycle, trans. Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald (New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1949), 161-62. 16. 1 John 5:3. 17. Mosiah 5:2. 18. See John 13:35. 19. See Matthew 25:31-40. 20. See Matthew 25:40. 21. John 3:16. 22. D&C 19:18. 23. See John 15:13. 24. 1 Corinthians 2:9; see also Isaiah 64:4. 25. John 13:34. ;;;A Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit ELDER BRUCE D. PORTER Of the Seventy Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them. How I love Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin! The poet Rudyard Kipling wrote the following words in 1897, an admonition to the British Empire against pride: The tumult and the shouting dies; The captains and the kings depart. Still stands thine ancient sacrifice, An humble and a contrite heart. ("God of Our Fathers, Known of Old," Hymns, no. 80) When Kipling spoke of a contrite heart as an "ancient sacrifice," perhaps he had in mind the words of King David in the 51st Psalm: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart" (v. 17). David's words show that even in Old Testament times, the Lord's people understood that their hearts must be given to God, that burnt offerings alone were not enough. The sacrifices mandated during the Mosaic dispensation pointed symbolically to the atoning sacrifice of the Messiah, who alone could reconcile sinful man with God. As Amulek taught, "Behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; ... the Son of God" (Alma 34:14). After His Resurrection, Jesus Christ declared to the people in the New World: "Your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of [them]. ... "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart ... , him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost" (3 Nephi 9:19-20). What are a broken heart and a contrite spirit? And why are they considered a sacrifice? As in all things, the Savior's life offers us the perfect example: though Jesus of Nazareth was utterly without sin, He walked through life with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, as manifested by His submission to the will of the Father. "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38). To His disciples He said, "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). And when the time came to pay the ultimate sacrifice entailed in the Atonement, Christ shrank not to partake of the bitter cup but submitted completely to His Father's will. The Savior's perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ's example teaches us that a broken heart is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms. Like malleable clay in the hands of a skilled potter, the brokenhearted can be molded and shaped in the hands of the Master. A broken heart and a contrite spirit are also preconditions to repentance. Lehi taught: "Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah. ... "Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered" (2 Nephi 2:6-7). When we sin and desire forgiveness, a broken heart and a contrite spirit mean to experience "godly sorrow [that] worketh repentance" (2 Corinthians 7:10). This comes when our desire to be cleansed from sin is so consuming that our hearts ache with sorrow and we yearn to feel at peace with our Father in Heaven. Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God's way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur. The penitent will then experience the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost, which will fill them with peace of conscience and the joy of reconciliation with God. In a wondrous union of divine attributes, the same God who teaches us to walk with a broken heart invites us to rejoice and to be of good cheer. When we have received a forgiveness of sins, a broken heart serves as a divine shield against temptation. Nephi prayed, "May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!" (2 Nephi 4:32). King Benjamin taught his people that if they would walk in the depths of humility, they might ever rejoice, "be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of ... sins" (Mosiah 4:12). When we yield our hearts to the Lord, the attractions of the world simply lose their luster. There is yet another dimension of a broken heart--namely, our deep gratitude for Christ's suffering on our behalf. In Gethsemane, the Savior "descended below all things" (D&C 88:6) as He bore the burden of sin for every human being. At Golgotha, He "poured out his soul unto death" (Isaiah 53:12), and His great heart literally broke with an all-encompassing love for the children of God. When we remember the Savior and His suffering, our hearts too will break in gratitude for the Anointed One. As we make the sacrifice to Him of all that we have and all that we are, the Lord will fill our hearts with peace. He will "bind up the brokenhearted" (Isaiah 61:1) and grace our lives with the love of God, "sweet above all that is sweet, ... and pure above all that is pure" (Alma 32:42). Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Preach My Gospel--the Unifying Tool between Members and Missionaries ELDER ERICH W. KOPISCHKE Of the Seventy Missionaries and members must ... become one in our efforts to proclaim the gospel. Not long ago, we invited two sister missionaries over for lunch. After we finished eating, we asked them to leave a spiritual thought with us. They were well prepared and introduced a scripture reading and marking exercise to us. They had brought a fresh copy of the Book of Mormon and a set of colored pencils. We accepted the invitation of the missionaries. Since then, our daily Book of Mormon family scripture reading has changed. In every chapter, we mark with different colors the passages related to Jesus Christ as we discover them. Every time, this little exercise reminds us of our missionaries. When the missionaries presented this, we immediately recognized it as a scripture study exercise suggested in Preach My Gospel. As a family, we are so thankful for this great and powerful missionary tool. For the past three years missionaries have been using Preach My Gospel all around the world. It has truly revolutionized missionary work. The great vision of President Hinckley is being fulfilled: Missionaries "master the concepts of the lessons." They "teach the concepts in their own words under the guiding influence of the Holy Spirit" (see "Missionary Service," Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, Jan. 11, 2003, 19). As the missionaries become immersed in Preach My Gospel, they learn and apply important doctrines and principles which make them more capable in their important service. Despite this, they still need all of our help and support. Only together can we fulfill the great charge given to the ancient and modern Apostles: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). In order to be successful in these efforts, we must be one with the missionaries, and we must understand one another. Do you always understand the missionaries? I do not refer to language but rather to how they do missionary work. We see and observe them inviting people to listen to their message. They teach gospel principles and invite those who are interested to change their lives and be baptized and confirmed members of the Church. If we want to understand and help our missionaries, we must have faith as missionaries have faith, we must think as missionaries think, and we must feel as missionaries feel. How can we achieve that? One important way, of course, is to be with the missionaries and see them do what they do. But another way for us is to get acquainted with Preach My Gospel and learn more about missionary work. Ever since President McKay said, "Every member a missionary" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1959, 122), members have been striving to become more active in sharing the gospel. With Preach My Gospel, we have a marvelous guide to better help us act upon this invitation. Our own study of Preach My Gospel will not only help us to develop a greater understanding and appreciation for our missionaries, but it will help us in our own day-to-day life. Every member of our family owns a copy of Preach My Gospel. Studying this guide is a great support in developing a strong testimony. It helps us understand fundamental gospel principles and the desire to serve. Allow me for a moment to highlight some of the headings of Preach My Gospel ([2004], iii), and you will understand. They read: "How Do I Recognize and Understand the Spirit?" "How Do I Study Effectively and Prepare to Teach?" "What Do I Study and Teach?" "What Is the Role of the Book of Mormon?" "How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?" Aren't those the things that all of us want to learn? For everyone who wants to become a better member missionary and who wants to know how to support the missionaries, Preach My Gospel is full of powerful ideas and insights. We learn how we can help the missionaries find people to teach and how we as members can work hand in hand with the missionaries to help those who are investigating the Church. We learn to understand why strong invitations to act are helpful to increase faith in Jesus Christ and how we can stand with our nonmember friends who are moving through this wonderful, life-changing process of conversion. Along with studying the scriptures, missionaries study Preach My Gospel every day. They learn principles and skills, and they apply them. They especially learn how to use the guidance of the Spirit in their work. If we want to learn as missionaries do, we too must carefully study Preach My Gospel and observe the missionaries in their daily work. In the introduction to Preach My Gospel, we read: "Preach My Gospel is for the full-time missionaries of the Church. However, the principles and doctrines taught herein are also applicable to ward missionaries and leaders as they seek to build the Lord's kingdom. Frequent study of this manual will enable them to fulfill their responsibilities as member missionaries and will foster unity with the full-time missionaries" (xi). Elder Richard G. Scott taught that all members should carefully study Preach My Gospel. He said, "Much good has been accomplished ... since Preach My Gospel was introduced, but the best is yet to come as we all become more proficient in the use of this extraordinary missionary tool" ("The Power of Preach My Gospel," Liahona and Ensign, May 2005, 31). Our time may seem limited to do this study, so therefore let me give a few suggestions that may help. -- Youth preparing for a mission should carefully study Preach My Gospel along with the scriptures. -- Invite the missionaries to your home. Ask them to teach you and your family a principle or doctrine from Preach My Gospel. -- Every once in a while, use Preach My Gospel for family home evening. Let your teenage children teach your family as missionaries would do. In our home, we have had some surprisingly great lessons given by our children. We have been astonished at how well they taught simple principles. Sometimes we have invited friends to those lessons. -- Gospel teachers could use the simple but effective principles of gospel teaching as outlined in Preach My Gospel as a support to the prescribed courses of study. -- Preach My Gospel has been translated and published in almost every language that our members speak. In countries where the Church is still young, Preach My Gospel may be used along with the scriptures as a resource and foundation for all gospel learning and teaching. -- Elder Scott encouraged local Church leaders "to use these materials in ... presidencies, priesthood executive committee meetings, and ward councils" (Liahona and Ensign, May 2005, 31). -- Use Preach My Gospel as a resource for training, talks, spiritual thoughts, lessons, firesides, and personal study. I bear witness that this missionary guide is inspired of God. We must study it more carefully, that we may understand our missionaries and their work better. Missionaries and members must speak one language. We must become one in our efforts to proclaim the gospel. It will better enable us to become tools in the hand of the Lord, for He said, "And even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice" (D&C 33:6). As members of His Church, we are expected to be a part of this glorious gathering process. Of this truth I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ;;;Out of Small Things ELDER MICHAEL J. TEH Of the Seventy As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to care for and serve our brothers and sisters. Mabuhay from the lovely and wonderful people of the Philippines. One of the oldest and more profound questions uttered in the history of this earth was, most interestingly, asked by Cain in response to God's inquiry soon after Cain slew his brother Abel: "Am I my brother's keeper?"1 This question deserves serious contemplation by those seeking to do the will of the Lord. One of the answers is in the teachings of Alma: "And now, ... ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort."2 As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to care for and serve our brothers and sisters. In relating the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus Christ not only confounded His enemies but also taught a great lesson to all who sought to follow Him. We need to enlarge the circle of our influence. Our service to others should be independent of race, color, standing, or relationships. After all, the commandment to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees"3 did not come with qualifications. Many believe that for service to be meaningful it should consist of having elaborate plans and forming a committee. Although many of these worthwhile projects help, much of the service needed in the world today relates to our day-to-day associations with each other. Often we find these opportunities within the confines of our own home, neighborhood, and ward. The following advice, given by the deceitful Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood in C. S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, describes a common malady afflicting many of us today: "Do what you will, there is going to be some benevolence, as well as some malice, in your patient's soul. The great thing is to direct the malice to his immediate neighbours whom he meets every day and to thrust his benevolence out to the remote circumference, to people he does not know. The malice thus becomes wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary."4 The words from a popular hymn prescribe the perfect remedy: Has anyone's burden been lighter today Because I was willing to share? Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? When they needed my help was I there? Then wake up and do something more Than dream of your mansion above. Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure, A blessing of duty and love.5 The following are events that I have been privileged to witness that have taught me how simple acts of service can help us and those we are permitted to influence. Our Heavenly Father places loving individuals on important crossroads to help us so that we are not left alone to grope in the dark. These men and women help by example and with patience and love. Such has been my experience. I recall a particularly important crossroad--the decision to go on a full-time mission. I stood on that crossroad for a very, very long time. As I struggled to decide which road to take, my family, friends, and priesthood leaders came forward to take my hand. They encouraged and challenged me and offered countless prayers on my behalf. My full-time missionary sister wrote to me regularly and never gave up. Even today, I am still carried on the shoulders of good men and women. I suspect that we all are. To some degree we all depend on each other to be able to make it back to our heavenly home. Sharing the gospel message is one of the most rewarding ways we can render service to those who are not of our faith. I recall a childhood experience with someone I will simply call Uncle Fred. When I was six years old, Uncle Fred was my worst nightmare. He was our neighbor, and he was always drunk. One of his favorite pastimes was to throw rocks at our home. Because my mother was a great cook, single adult members from our small branch frequented our home. One day when Uncle Fred was sober, these members befriended him and invited him into our home. This development terrified me. He was no longer just outside but inside our home. This happened a few more times until, finally, they were able to convince Uncle Fred to listen to the missionaries. He accepted the gospel and was baptized. He served a full-time mission, returned with honor, pursued further education, and was married in the temple. He is now a righteous husband, father, and priesthood leader. Watching Uncle Fred today, one would find it difficult to believe that he once brought nightmares into the life of a six-year-old boy. May we always be perceptive to opportunities to share the gospel. My mother was a great example of helping others by giving them a boost. She taught us many important lessons. The one lesson that has had the most lasting effect on my life was her desire to help anyone in need who visited our home. It bothered me to see many of them leave with our food, our clothing, and even our money. Because I was young and we were poor, I did not like what I saw. How could she give to others when our family did not even have enough? Was it wrong to attend to our needs first? Didn't we deserve a more comfortable life? For years I struggled with these questions. Much later in life, I finally realized what Mother was teaching. Even as she struggled with the effects of a crippling disease, she could not stop giving to those in need. "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."6 Serving others need not come from spectacular events. Often it is the simple daily act that gives comfort, uplifts, encourages, sustains, and brings a smile to others. May we always find opportunities to serve is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. NOTES 1. Genesis 4:9; Moses 5:34. 2. Mosiah 18:8-9. 3. D&C 81:5. 4. The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (2002), 201. 5. "Have I Done Any Good?" Hymns, no. 223. 6. D&C 64:33. ;;;Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man ELDER KEITH K. HILBIG Of the Seventy When we invite the Holy Ghost to fill our minds with light and knowledge, He "quickens" us, that is to say, enlightens and enlivens the inner man or woman. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, Paul admonished the members to act in a manner as becometh Saints. He proceeded to list appropriate attributes and behaviors. In verse 19 Paul counseled with these four simple words: "Quench not the Spirit." Interestingly, some 500 years before Paul's writings, a Book of Mormon prophet named Jacob sought to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to a resistant people. He boldly inquired of them as follows: "Will ye reject the words of the prophets; and will ye ... deny the good word of Christ, ... and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and quench the Holy Spirit?"1 In our day, so many centuries after both Paul and Jacob, we too must be careful not to hinder, disregard, or quench the Spirit in our lives. The beckoning invitations of the world attempt to divert our attention from the strait and narrow path. The adversary labors to dull our sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit, whether we are teenagers, young adults, or mature men and women. The role of the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, is essential in every season of our mortal lives. From the beginning the Father has promised each of His spirit sons and daughters that through the Atonement and Resurrection of His Beloved Son, we all might return to God's presence and inherit the blessings of eternal life in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. Each of us knew that the journey to exaltation would be long, strenuous, and sometimes lonely, but we also knew that we would not travel alone. Heavenly Father provides all who fulfill the prerequisites of faith, repentance, and baptism with a companion and guide, the Holy Ghost. The path to eternal life is not on a plateau. Rather, it is an incline, ever onward and upward. Hence, ever-increasing spiritual understanding and energy are required to reach our destination. Because the pernicious opposition by Satan continues, the continuous enlightened guidance of the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential. We dare not hinder, disregard, or quench the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Yet when it comes to drawing upon the promptings and the blessings which flow from the Holy Ghost, we often "live far beneath our privileges."2 In the Pearl of Great Price, Moses recorded that Adam, having been baptized and having received the Holy Ghost, "became quickened in the inner man."3 When we invite the Holy Ghost to fill our minds with light and knowledge, He "quickens" us, that is to say, enlightens and enlivens the inner man or woman.4 As a result we notice a measurable difference in our soul. We feel strengthened, filled with peace and joy. We possess spiritual energy and enthusiasm, both of which enhance our natural abilities. We can accomplish more than we otherwise could do on our own. We yearn to become a holier person. Do you wish to know the price to be paid for the privileges that are offered after we have received the Holy Ghost? The price is not a predetermined or fixed amount; rather, it is determined by each of us individually. If you set your payment, which is your personal effort, very low, you may not be able to avail yourself of all the Spirit has to offer. You may even quench the Spirit! However, if you set your personal contribution high, you will reap an abundant harvest from the Spirit. The payment I reference is, of course, not money; rather, it is a greater commitment to and involvement in personal spiritual endeavors and behaviors. We determine the level of our current personal contribution by examining our present choices and priorities against questions such as these: 1. Do I spend more time with sports than Church attendance or callings? 2. If I have a free day, do I choose to attend the temple or to visit the mall? 3. Do I resort to computer games or surfing the Internet rather than offering meaningful service to others in my home and community? 4. Do I read the newspaper religiously but find it difficult to read the scriptures daily? There are other questions you might formulate which will reveal the appropriateness of your current choices and priorities. Whatever level of spiritual development each of us may presently have, there always exists a higher level within our reach. Time is a most precious asset. Would you consider investing more of your time in the things of eternity in order to merit the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and to benefit more fully from His influence? If your answer is yes, the initial offering in this pursuit of deeper spirituality is an intensified desire to receive greater inspiration and to become more holy. When these desires fill our hearts, we will eagerly increase the price we pay for heaven's help. Our next contribution to this effort will be to immerse ourselves more consistently in the words of Christ and of the prophets. When our study efforts expand, so will the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives increase. Let us search the scriptures with pen in hand, making note of new insights and recording spiritual promptings. Thereafter, let us strive to apply what has been learned to our personal lives. The Spirit will quicken our inner selves; new understanding will come precept upon precept. To ensure we quench not the Spirit, but rather invite His presence, there is another step to take. Let us pray frequently and fervently. The Savior's tender and comprehensive promise is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants: -- "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you." -- "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me." -- "Ask, and ye shall receive." -- "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -- "Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you."5 Note that sequence, brothers and sisters. We draw nearer to the Savior as we keep His commandments with exactness. We earnestly petition the Father in the name of Christ. Then, through the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we receive divine direction and clear understanding. As we fast, renew our covenants during the sacrament, and attend the temple, we further access the Spirit. In these settings the Holy Ghost may manifest His influence with great impact. The temple is a marvelous environment to seek personal revelation. When we attend as often as we can and listen thoughtfully, pondering the glorious promises and expectations pertaining to eternity, we depart with heightened underst