October 2013 New Era

52 Pages·2013·6.47 MB·English

YOUTH MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
New Era
THE
OCTOBER 2013
} Plus,
Why and What
issionary to Confess
M
to the Bishop
p. 28
preparation
pp. 2–25
THE FACEBOOK
• THE LIFE OF A MISSIONARY, PROJECT
p. 18
p. 31
• PREPARING TODAY,
pp. 2, 7, 8, 11
YOUR TEMPLE
• FOR YOUNG WOMEN:
ENDOWMENT
SHOULD I SERVE?
p. 12 pp. 32, 34
The First Presidency:
Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson,
Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Richard G. Scott,
Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar,
Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen
Editor: Craig A. Cardon
Advisers: Shayne M. Bowen, Stanley G. Ellis,
Christoffel Golden Jr.
Managing Director: David T. Warner
Director of Operations: Vincent A. Vaughn
Director of Church Magazines: Allan R. Loyborg
Business Manager: Garff Cannon
Managing Editor: Brittany Beattie
Assistant Managing Editor: Joshua J. Perkey
Publications Assistant: Sally Johnson Odekirk SPECIAL SECTION:
Writing and Editing: Susan Barrett, Ryan Carr, David MISSIONARY PREPARATION pp. 2–25
Dickson, David A. Edwards, Matthew D. Flitton, Mindy
Raye Friedman, Lori Fuller, Garrett H. Garff, Jennifer
Grace Jones, Michael R. Morris, Richard M. Romney, Paul
VanDenBerghe
Editorial Intern: Rachel Nielsen
Managing Art Director: J. Scott Knudsen 2 THE MESSAGE 12 For Young Women: Mak-
Art Director: K. Nicole Walkenhorst
Becoming a Preach My ing the Mission Decision
Design: Jeanette Andrews, Fay P. Andrus, Nate Gines
Gospel Missionary How can you know whether a
Intellectual Property Coordinator: mission will be right for you?
Collette Nebeker Aune Elder David A. Bednar
Production Manager: Jane Ann Peters
Prepress: Joshua Dennis I want to discuss five basic re- 15 Social-Media Investigator
quirements for becoming Preach
Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick One young woman first learned
My Gospel missionaries.
Distribution Director: Stephen R. Christiansen the gospel through online con-
© 2013 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights tacts with missionaries.
7
reserved. The New Era (ISSN 0164-5285) is published Who Will Bring the
monthly by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Gospel to Them? 16
Saints, 50 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT Church-Service Missions:
84150-0024, USA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Salt As President Monson has
Real Service, Real
Lake City, Utah. reminded us, the answer is,
Sacrifice
To subscribe: “We will.”
By phone: Call 1-800-537-5971 to order using Visa, Even if you can’t serve a full-time
MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Express. 8 proselyting mission, you can still
Online: Go to store.lds.org. Missionary Preparation be called to serve.
By mail: Send $8 U.S. check or money order to and Duty to God
Distribution Services, P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City,
UT 84126-0368, USA. The help you need may be right 18 Mission Life
in front of you.
To change address: What’s a mission really like?
Send old and new address information to: 11 Get a glimpse of what full-time
Distribution Services MORMONAD missionaries do every day.
P.O. Box 26368 Missionary Preparation
Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA.
Please allow 60 days for changes to take effect.
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Copyright information: Text and visual material in
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church or home use. Visual material may not be copied if
restrictions are indicated in the credit line with the artwork. Nyouth Magazeine of thew ChurCh of Je sus EChrist of Lratter-daay saints
Copyright questions should be addressed to Intellectual
Property Office, 50 E. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT THE Cover: Preparing for a full-time mission, see pages 2–25.
84150, USA; email cor-intellectualproperty@l dschurch .org.
OcTObEr 2013
POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS (see DMM
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Cover photograph: Leslie Nilsson
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Why and What
missionary toto t hCeo Bnifsehsosp Email: [email protected]
preparation pp. 2–25 p. 28 Mail: New Era Editorial, 50 E. North Temple St.
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New Era
THE MONTHLY YOUTH MAGAZINE
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS
CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
October 2013 Volume 43, Number 10
26 28
€
The Book of Mormon Confessing to My Bishop IN EVERY ISSUE
37 COME, FOLLOW ME
Becoming More Christlike*
38 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
“What do I say to nonmembers
who ask why some members of the
Church aren’t living our standards?”
42 FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH
Be Strong, Be Healthy,
Be Smart
32 40
Elder Adrián Ochoa
Endowed from on High Follow in His Footsteps
As you do physical things, you
train not only your body but also
your mind.
€ FEATURES 45 THE EXTRA SMILE
46 INSTANT MESSAGES
26 34 Never alone; faith, not fear; a con-
How the Book of Mormon Symbolism and Temple
version following a corn maze.
Transforms You Preparation
Really studying the Book of Temple symbolism teaches us of
Mormon will change your life. Christ if we are ready to learn. 48 FROM CHURCH LEADERS
How to Unlock the
28 40 Windows of Heaven
Why and What Do I Need Follow in His Footsteps*
to Confess to My Bishop? Take small steps every day to Elder Robert D. Hales
Elder C. Scott Grow become more like the Savior. Pay your tithing. You will be
abundantly blessed.
Helping you to repent is a special
44
part of a bishop’s calling. Just Smile and Say No
One young woman knew what to 49 CONFERENCE POSTER
31 do when the president of the com- “Come and See”
The Facebook Project
pany offered her a glass of wine.
One young woman decided to Elder Neil L. Andersen
share personal messages of kind-
ness online, and she was surprised
by people’s reactions.
48 How to Unlock the
32
Endowed from on High
Windows of Heaven
Your temple endowment is much
more than just a checklist item in
preparing for a mission or marriage.
* Check out this article for support for
this month’s Sunday lesson theme. 1
THE MESSAGE
BECOMING A
PREACH MY GOSPEL
MISSIONARY
By Elder An Apostle is first, foremost, and missionary described in Preach My
David A. Bednar
always a missionary. For that Gospel is to “invite others to come
Of the Quorum
reason, I am especially pleased unto Christ by helping them receive
of the Twelve
Apostles to address you as fellow servants in the restored gospel through faith
this magnificent latter-day work. in Jesus Christ and His Atonement,
repentance, baptism, receiving the
WHAT IS A PREACH MY GOSPEL gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring
MISSIONARY? to the end.”1
You can do this! The Lord A Preach My Gospel missionary is a The sacred responsibility to pro-
servant of the Lord, called by prophecy claim authoritatively the gospel and
you represent and serve
and authorized by the laying on of administer the saving ordinances has
knows you can do this.
hands, who proclaims the Savior’s ever- been in operation since Adam was
I know you can do this.
lasting and restored gospel in His way driven from the Garden of Eden and
(see D&C 50:13–14, 17–24; D&C 68:1). will continue until “the Great Jehovah
The overarching purpose of a shall say the work is done.”2
2 New Era
REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME just as clearly as I know how.
PREACH MY GOSPEL • We are authorized representatives
MISSIONARIES of the Redeemer and Savior of
I want to discuss five basic require- the world.
ments for becoming Preach My Gospel • We are called to declare His
missionaries. restored and everlasting gospel.
• We cannot be stained with the
REQUIREMENT #1: Preach My spots of the world and authorita-
Gospel missionaries understand
tively represent Him and act with
that they serve and represent
power in His holy name.
Jesus Christ.
• We cannot help others to over-
Preach My Gospel missionaries come the bondage of sin if we
know and understand whom they ourselves are entangled in sin
represent, why they serve, and what (see D&C 88:86).
they are to do. Full-time missionaries • We cannot help others learn to
are called to serve and properly set repent if we ourselves have not
apart as servants and representatives learned to repent properly and
of the Lord Jesus Christ. We bear completely.
witness of His name and of the reality, • We can proclaim and preach with
divinity, and mission of Jesus Christ power only that which we are
to every nation, kindred, tongue, and striving to become.
people (see D&C 133:37). • We will be held accountable
We love the Lord. We serve Him. before God for our righteous
We follow Him. We represent Him. to represent the Savior and to bear desires and worthiness to act as
His purposes must be our purposes. testimony of Him never ends. Please His agents.
His interests should be our interests. remember Him in all that you think,
His work should be our work. His in all that you do, and in all that We are not required presently to
CES; ways should be our ways. His will you strive to become, and represent be perfect. But we are commanded
VI
G SER increasingly should become our will. Him appropriately to all of Heavenly to be clean and to walk uprightly
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October 2013 3
priceless gift made possible through
the Atonement of Him whom we love,
serve, and follow.
Even if you have committed seri-
ous sins, through the Atonement of
Jesus Christ and sincere repentance,
you have been or can again be made
clean and worthy.
There are youth who yet need fully
to repent. The time is now. Please, the mandate to “forgive all men” (D&C men of a sound understanding and
please, please do not procrastinate the 64:10) includes forgiving yourself. they had searched the scriptures dili-
day of your repentance. Preach My Gospel missionaries are gently” (Alma 17:2).
There are youth who have repented covenant-honoring and commandment- These valiant missionaries truly
and are continuing to repent and who obeying disciples of the Lord Jesus treasured up continually the words
wonder if they have done all that is nec- Christ. Please always remember of eternal life. They did not neglect
essary to be accepted of the Lord (see Him and be pure and worthy to or simply go through the motions of
D&C 97:8). Please remember, the Lord represent Him. individual and companion scripture
requires you to be clean but not perfect. study. Spiritual knowledge and under-
The Holy Ghost operating again in your REQUIREMENT #3: Preach My standing penetrated deep into their
Gospel missionaries treasure up
life is the surest indicator of forgiveness own souls, and the doctrines and prin-
the words of eternal life.
by the Lord because “the Spirit of the ciples of the gospel were confirmed
Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples” I invite you to “treasure up in your in their hearts as true by the power of
(Helaman 4:24). And recognize that minds continually the words of life” the Holy Ghost.
(D&C 84:85). Treasuring up the words As representatives of the Savior,
of eternal life is more than merely you and I have the ongoing respon-
studying or memorizing, just as “feast- sibility to work diligently and to
ing upon the word[s] of Christ” (2 Nephi implant in our hearts and minds the
31:20; see also 2 Nephi 32:3) is more fundamental doctrines and principles
than simply sampling or snacking. of the restored gospel, especially
Treasuring up suggests to me focusing from the Book of Mormon. As we do
and working, exploring and absorbing, so, the promised blessing is that the
pondering and praying, applying and Holy Ghost will “bring all things to
learning, valuing and appreciating, and [our] remembrance” (John 14:26) and
enjoying and relishing. empower us as we teach and testify.
Recall how the sons of Mosiah— But the Spirit can work with and
four truly remarkable missionaries through us only if we give Him some-
named Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and thing with which to work. He cannot
Himni—“had waxed strong in the help us remember things we have not
knowledge of the truth; for they were learned (see Alma 31:5).
4 New Era
Preach My Gospel missionaries thereby invite the truth into his or her truth or some other way? And if it be
treasure up continually the words of own heart. Only in this way can hon- by some other way it is not of God”
eternal life, they rely upon the virtue est seekers of truth and new converts (D&C 50:17–18).
of the word, and they have the power develop the spiritual capacity to find Please always remember Him, be
of the word in them. Please always answers for themselves. worthy to represent Him, treasure up
remember Him, always be worthy to Since our responsibility is to help His word, and allow the ultimate and
represent Him, and treasure up and investigators learn by faith and by the true teacher, the Holy Ghost, to wit-
rely upon the virtue of the word. power of the Holy Ghost, this work is ness of all truth.
never about me and it is never about
REQUIREMENT #4: Preach My you. We need to do all in our power REQUIREMENT #5: Preach My
Gospel missionaries understand Gospel missionaries understand
to fulfill our missionary responsibility
the Holy Ghost is the ultimate teaching is much more than
and simultaneously “get out of the
and true teacher. talking and telling.
way” so the Holy Ghost can perform
The Holy Ghost is the third mem- His sacred function and work. In fact, As the Savior sat on the Mount of
ber of the Godhead, and He is the anything you or I do as representa- Olives, He declared: “Take no thought
witness of all truth and the ultimate tives of the Savior that knowingly and beforehand what ye shall speak, nei-
and true teacher. The lessons we intentionally draws attention to self— ther do ye premeditate: but whatsoever
teach and the testimonies we bear are in the messages we present, in the shall be given you in that hour, that
preparatory to an investigator acting methods we use, or in our personal speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but
and learning for himself or herself. demeanor and appearance—is a form the Holy Ghost” (Mark 13:11).
As missionaries, one of our most of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching The Savior in the early days of this
important roles is to invite inves- effectiveness of the Holy Ghost. dispensation instructed missionaries
tigators to exercise their moral “Doth he preach it by the Spirit of to “open your mouths and they shall
agency and act in accordance with
the teachings of the Savior. Making
and keeping spiritual commitments,
such as praying for a witness of the
truth, studying and praying about the
Book of Mormon, attending Church
meetings, and keeping the command-
ments, require an investigator to exer-
cise faith, to act, and to change.
Regardless of how earnestly we
serve, you and I simply cannot push or
force truth into the hearts of investiga-
tors. Our best efforts can only bring the
message of truth unto the heart (see
2 Nephi 33:1). Ultimately, an investiga-
tor needs to act in righteousness and
October 2013 5
be filled” (D&C 33:8, 10) and to “lift
up your voices unto this people;
speak the thoughts that I shall put
into your hearts, and you shall not be
confounded before men; for it shall
be given you in the very hour, yea, in
the very moment, what ye shall say”
(D&C 100:5–6).
These scriptures emphasize a most
demanding and exacting pattern for
preaching and helping investigators to Only by observing, listening, and YOU CAN DO THIS!
learn truth. Preach My Gospel mission- discerning can we be guided by the You may read my message and
aries know we do not teach lessons; Spirit to say and do the things that believe that all the other youth
we teach people. We do not merely will be most helpful to those whom can and will do what I have been
recite or present memorized messages we serve. describing. But you may be wonder-
about gospel topics. We invite seek- Observing is a vital preparation ing if you can do it. Please listen.
ers of truth to experience the mighty to receive the spiritual gift of discern- You can do this!
change of heart. We understand ment. Discernment is seeing with If I had the wish of my heart,
that talking and telling alone are not spiritual eyes and feeling with the I would take a few moments with
teaching. heart—seeing and feeling the false- each of you individually. I would
Preaching the gospel the Lord’s hood of an idea, the goodness in shake your hand, draw you close,
way includes observing and listening another person, or the next principle look you in the eyes, and say, “You
and discerning as prerequisites to that is needed to aid an investigator. can do this! The Lord you represent
talking. The sequence of these four Discerning is hearing with spiritual and serve knows you can do this. I
interrelated processes is significant. ears and feeling with the heart— know you can do this. And as His
Please note that active observing and hearing and feeling the unspoken servant, I promise you will have His
listening precede discerning and that concern in a comment or question, help. Please remember always that
observing, listening, and discerning the truthfulness of a testimony or doc- with His help and in His strength,
come before speaking. Employing trine, or the assurance and peace that you can do this!”
this pattern enables missionaries to come by the power of the Holy Ghost. I love you and pray as you strive to
identify and teach to the needs of Preach My Gospel missionaries act become what you need to become,
investigators. in faith and are guided by the Spirit to you will recognize and respond in
As we observe, listen, and dis- help investigators learn truth. Please faith to the Lord’s voice and guidance.
cern, we can be given “in the very always remember Him; be worthy to Then you truly will become powerful
hour that portion that shall be meted represent Him; treasure up His word; and effective representatives of the
unto every man” (D&C 84:85)—the allow the Holy Ghost to witness all Lord Jesus Christ. NE
truths to emphasize and the answers truth; and observe, listen, and discern From a devotional address given at the Provo
Missionary Training Center on June 24, 2011.
to give that will meet the specific as you testify of Jesus Christ to honest
See the full address at lds.org/go/03PMG.
needs of a particular investigator. seekers of truth.
NOTES
1. Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary
Service (2004), 1.
2. Teachings of Presidents of the Church:
6 New Era Joseph Smith (2007), 142.
WHO WILL BRING THE
GOSPEL TO THEM?
As President Monson taught during general conference,
the answer is, “We will.”
In the priesthood session of the you ready to respond? Are you will-
April 2013 general conference, ing to work? Are you prepared to
President Thomas S. Monson serve?” (“Come, All Ye Sons of God,”
emphasized the importance of Ensign, May 2013, 66). with a baby girl in hers. As the train
sharing the gospel. He quoted the (Young women, though not under pulled away, the leader said, “I was
Savior’s instruction to His Apostles: the same mandate as young men, are thinking how much they could be
“Go ye therefore, and teach all also welcome to serve.) blessed by the Church, and I was
nations, baptizing them in the name President Monson’s invitation to wondering, who will bring the
of the Father, and of the Son, and of serve rang true to a former mission gospel to them?”
the Holy Ghost: president who remembered an experi- That experience became a
“Teaching them to observe all ence he had years ago while traveling constant reminder to the mission
things whatsoever I have com- with a local Church leader through president that all families need
manded you: and, lo, I am with you the countryside of France. Their train the blessings the gospel brings.
alway, even unto the end of the stopped briefly at a station in a small President Monson provided a four-
world” (Matthew 28:19–20). country town, and the local leader was point plan to enable Latter-day
President Monson also said, “The looking out the window. The mission Saints to meet that need: “Search the
holy scriptures contain no procla- president asked him if he was enjoy- scriptures with diligence, plan [your]
mation more relevant, no responsi- ing the scenery. life with purpose, teach the truth
bility more binding, no instruction “Actually,” the leader replied, “I was with testimony, and serve the Lord
more direct than the injunction looking at that family.” He pointed out with love” (“Come, All Ye Sons of
given by the resurrected Lord.” a young husband and wife—the man God,” Ensign, May 2013, 69).
He asked, “Young men, are with a son in his arms, the woman Looking at the need that every-
one has for the gospel, looking at
the recent growth in the number of
full-time missionaries, and looking
at what the prophet has taught us
to do to prepare, there is a simple
answer to the question, “Who will
share the restored gospel with the
NER people of the world?”
WAR That answer is, “We will. The
N
O
H BY BYR mCheumrcbhe rosf a Jnedsu ms iCsshiroisnta orife Lsa ottfe Tr-hdea y
AP
GR
OTO Saints will.” So, will you? NE
H
P
OOccttoobbeerr 22001133 77
MISSIONARY PREPARATION
AND DUTY TO GOD
The help you need for mission preparation
By Michael Madsen
may be right in front of you. Priesthood Department
Ay oung man I know recently left calling from the Lord. Both Moses and
to serve a mission one week after Enoch expressed concerns about their
graduating from high school. His calls to teach the gospel. The Lord’s
excitement was contagious. He was will- message to each of them was similar.
ing to serve. Like so many others, he and He told Moses, “I will be with thee”
his family had been invigorated by the (Exodus 3:12). To Enoch he declared,
chance to serve a mission at 18. However, “Behold my Spirit is upon you . . . and
like many other missionaries, he felt thou shalt abide in me, and I in you;
somewhat unprepared to serve. therefore walk with me” (Moses 6:34).
These feelings of unpreparedness are You will receive the help you
normal when we receive any need when you are doing the Lord’s
work. Proper preparation, however,
will help you become a greater instru-
ment in His hands.
The Fulfilling My Duty to God
booklet is a great resource in that prep-
aration. It contains six sections, and
each section is directly related to
missionary work.