I just wanted to say what a fantastic job on the April 2009 edition of the New Era. I read the whole magazine back to front. The stories and helpful articles have helped me as I have started applying them to my life as I attend high school here in New Zealand. I especially liked the “5 Easy Ways to Make School Hard and 5 Hard Ways to Make School Easy” by Brad Wilcox. The whole issue made a great impact on my education and applying many things said in this edition has strengthened my testimony.

I study French at school, and I asked my father if he could find a French Book of Mormon for me. I really believe that it helps me learn French. I have to ask a lot of questions in my classes, but by asking, I learn what I need to know, and it definitely helps me pass the exams. Also asking for help from Heavenly Father is a good idea. I always separated secular learning from spiritual learning, and as I have worked to put the two together I realize it works so much better. The Lord truly does know everything, and with faith, diligence, obedience, and putting the Lord first, everything else will fall into place.

Suli F., New Zealand

I have come across a lot of problems, but reading the New Era stories and thinking about what they mean helps me overcome them. It helps me realize my worth and helps me come closer to understanding the scriptures which are useful to us.

Richeward H., Samoa

I really enjoyed the article “Michaela and the Marshmallows” (May 2009). I had a big argument with one of my closest friends, and I felt alone for weeks. When I sat down and read the article and this sentence: “Remember that no matter what you are going through, there will always be someone there for you,” my whole mind cleared up. Maybe nothing would change, but I knew things would get better.

Katherine S., Utah

When I was eleven I set a goal to read the Book of Mormon all the way through. I set out the date of when I finished and how many pages I would read a day. Although some days I didn’t focus on what I was reading as much as when I was going to finish, I completed my goal and read the entire Book of Mormon. I loved the feeling I felt when I read it. I read the Book of Mormon again and again without missing a single day. Now I am about to enter the Mia Maids and have read the Book of Mormon five times and am reading it again. I know because I read each day that my testimony has grown so much from that. I know that from reading each day we will be blessed so much for taking a few minutes each day and reading. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father live and love each one of us.

Rachel R.

I always look forward to reading the New Era. We even keep several copies of the New Era in our family’s food storage so we can be edified even in a crisis.

Aaron H., New Jersey