Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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24 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, halftruths, 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 NOVEMBER 2007 25
Page 1 and 2: T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H
Page 3 and 4: The 177th Semiannual General Confer
Page 5 and 6: INDEXES STORIES Letter written by M
Page 7 and 8: Prior to a conference session (left
Page 9 and 10: the “weak things of the world.”
Page 11 and 12: Church or out. No service could be
Page 13 and 14: experiences that grew out of their
Page 15 and 16: spoke on a topic a couple of months
Page 17 and 18: Through this power, I was able to o
Page 19 and 20: covenants will receive God’s glor
Page 21 and 22: My father returned to us unharmed,
Page 23 and 24: and responsibilities. It means stre
Page 25: we enter the grand stage of life to
Page 29 and 30: the way to live in order to enjoy a
Page 31 and 32: and the end of the pathway of disci
Page 33 and 34: Love is the greatest of all the com
Page 35 and 36: Preach My Gospel—the Unifying Too
Page 37 and 38: Preach My Gospel for family home ev
Page 39 and 40: and was baptized. He served a fullt
Page 41 and 42: investing more of your time in the
Page 43 and 44: oft-noted “mystery of the trinity
Page 45 and 46: Scriptural Witnesses ELDER RUSSELL
Page 47 and 48: All 16 French-speaking missionaries
Page 49 and 50: After experimenting with the Fosbur
Page 51 and 52: interacting with people. As an incr
Page 53 and 54: ecame clear. A large yellow sign re
Page 55 and 56: us for the eventual realization of
Page 57 and 58: taught the meaning of cutting off o
Page 59 and 60: Remember the times I have set a tab
Page 61 and 62: A Royal Priesthood PRESIDENT THOMAS
Page 63 and 64: authority, resulting in a loss of p
Page 65 and 66: It is the cycle which is repeated a
Page 67 and 68: THE FIRST QUORUM OF THE SEVENTY THE
Page 69 and 70: didn’t have to do what he was doi
Page 71 and 72: a desire to serve Him and to keep H
Page 73 and 74: very active members and have 6 chil
Page 75 and 76: thrilled to hear the children recit
Page 77 and 78:
I saw you walk out the door, I woul
Page 79 and 80:
is homemaking. Homemaking includes
Page 81 and 82:
ook, begins to read it, and continu
Page 83 and 84:
of the heart and will to God, and a
Page 85 and 86:
and spotless before God is a source
Page 87 and 88:
prophetically (see Hebrews 12:1). F
Page 89 and 90:
of personal revelation in our own l
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eceived. When President David O. Mc
Page 93 and 94:
In Denmark, part of the fellowshipp
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Nourished by the Good Word of God D
Page 97 and 98:
Several months ago I attended a tra
Page 99 and 100:
on how I was feeling. Then we talke
Page 101 and 102:
Another thing that must be our perm
Page 103 and 104:
young man who was not of our faith,
Page 105 and 106:
others through seemingly simple act
Page 107 and 108:
est. Even though a particular choic
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in our Church responsibilities,”
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GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY MEETING Sept
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In São Paulo, Brazil, members lear
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Feed My Sheep SILVIA H. ALLRED Firs
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In Moroni 6:4 we are admonished to
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No better advice can be found than
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children to embrace and hold dear.
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small note of thanks, a brief telep
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The power of the gospel can indeed
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President Henry B. Eyring Second Co
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of Jesus Christ was a defining even
Page 131 and 132:
The Presidency of the Seventy Seate
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Ensign, Nov. 2007 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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