“Contents,” Ensign, January 2018 Contents January 2018 Volume 48 • Number 1 Messages First Presidency Message The Gift of Repentance By President Thomas S. Monson Visiting Teaching Principles Keep in Touch with Her Anytime, Anywhere, Any Way In place of the monthly message, this year a focus on the principles of visiting teaching will help you better minister to your sisters in love. Young Adult Features Home Earlier Than Planned By Destiny Yarbro I struggled to find meaning in my daily activities after leaving the mission field early—but then I realized there were other ways I could continue serving! How Institute Helps You Learn the Gospel By Po Nien (Felipe) Chou Three new study options focus on using talents, journals, and inspired questions to deepen your gospel study. Laying My Sins at the Savior’s Feet By Emily Platts Confessing my sins to the bishop didn’t lead to peace—at first. Letting Go of Contention By Afton Nelson What could I do to get my feelings of anger toward a roommate to go away. Features The Eternal Importance of Family By Elder M. Russell Ballard When we understand how important traditional families are to Heavenly Father’s plan, we rally in their support. Look and Live By Elder W. Mark Bassett Just like my car’s battery, our spirits need constant recharging to get us back to our heavenly home. 3 Family Home Evening Ideas to Recharge Your Spiritual Batteries By Faith Sutherlin Blackhurst Family activities based on the article by Elder W. Mark Bassett. The Temple Gives Us Higher Vision By Jean B. Bingham Find out how temple attendance can help you gain peace and an eternal perspective. A Promised Blessing for Attending the Temple By Cheri Evans As parents, we had to get creative to keep our commitment—but the blessings made it worth the sacrifice. Temple Night Simplified: 6 Tips to Make Temple Trips Easier By Jacqueline Smith Ideas for making temple trips easier for parents and others. You, the Youth, and the Mutual Theme By Jessica Griffith Check out these tips for parents and leaders on how to use the 2018 Mutual theme in your teaching and activities. Finding Peace: 4 (More) Ways to Use the 2018 Mutual Theme By Chase Wheatley Here are some additional ideas for strengthening youth using the Mutual theme. To Sit in Council By Michael Magleby How we can access the power of councils as we begin to implement them into our Sunday Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society meetings. Family History at Your Fingertips By Margot Hovley A wealth of new records and inspired technology is available to help us gather ancestors into eternal families. Empty Cupboards and a Cherished Piano By Lauralee Burton Hill We were determined to be full-tithe payers, but would we have enough? Helping Children Choose By Denalee Chapman and Lisa Hymas Two mothers share how they fostered independent decision-making in their children. Departments October 2017 Conference Notebook Serving in the Church: What If We Built a Snowman? By Colby Ferrin Teaching in the Savior’s Way: Teaching with Tech: Engaging Youth in a Digital World By Brian K. Ashton Music: Come to the Temple By Jan Pinborough and Michael F. Moody At the Pulpit: Prepare Thy Heart By Leone O. Jacobs This new series highlights the lives of devoted women and their messages. Friend Connection: Dealing with Differences New Era Connection Portraits of Faith: Amanda Jiri—Cape Town, South Africa Latter-day Saint Voices Until We Meet Again: The Purpose of the Creation By President N. Eldon Tanner